Letting Go of My Childhood Home ~ Bittersweet

 On Friday, March 13, 2026, I wandered through my childhood home for the last time. The picture to the left is how it looked when my family moved in during the summer of 1962. My little sister was on the way, and we’d outgrown the two bedroom tiny house three doors down. My maternal grandparents lived at the other end of the block. 

At the time, we had no idea that we lived on the wrong side of Logansport, Indiana in the Irish ghetto. Saint Bridget Catholic Church, school, rectory and convent were across the street. 

The superintendent of the Logansport Community School system strongly recommended that my parents move to the east side of town, which was more acceptable for teachers. 

My siblings and I were unaware that we lived in an undesirable neighborhood. We didn’t want to leave our friends, our church, our neighborhood, our comfort zone. We felt safe, played until the fireflies came out, walked to school, and aspired to be good people.

My parents updated the house over the years, replaced the asphalt siding, the front porch, added a family room, a deck that my husband designed, and a Florida room. The interior had beautiful oak woodwork, high ceilings, and simple furniture. Our kitchen table was rescued from the old Saint Bridget School before it was torn  down. I have beautiful memories of family gatherings and friends coming to our house because it was welcoming. 

My brother, who inherited the house in compensation for caring for our Dad in his final years is selling. Walking through the house in its disarray, looking for heirlooms that should be salvaged, experiencing the end of a place that afforded safety, solace, peace, arguments, happiness, grief, and memories was bittersweet.

I love my current life and home. I know that this is just part of the passage of time. But, it is nonetheless disconcerting, difficult, sad, emotional, painful, and just plain unimaginable to accept this loss.

Before we departed, Todd and I went to pay our respects to Mom and Dad, my maternal grandparents and the baby brother I never knew at Mount Hope Cemetery. I’m not sure when we will see them again. 

But I know  I will carry the memories with me for the rest of my life; and I am grateful for what my parents represented. 

Unsung Heroines - Women’s History Month

 

During women’s history month we tend to illustrate the women who have made a difference in the world through science, technology, politics, human rights, or some other geopolitica

However, I prefer to highlight the importance of bravery of everyday women who put their lives, the lives of their families, the very essence of their being at risk for choosing to just say no to oppression.

The women of the Iranian national team, at a disadvantage because they were required to cover their bodies from head to toe,  made the decision to silently protest by refusing to sing the National Anthem imposed on them by the theocratic regime. The regime deemed them traitors. Some brave women requested asylum in Australia. Kudoes to those brave souls. 

Consider the women who fought for the Resistance during WWII; the women who went to work in factories personifying Rosie the Riveter during WWII; the women who volunteered as nurses during the wars and conflicts; the women who fought for women’s rights during the 60s, 70s and 80s and endured harassment, abuse, denigration and lesser salaries; the women who paved the way for current generations that glide seamlessly into corporate America; the women who broke barriers and gained admission to universities that formerly refused to admit women; the silent heroes that pierced the barriers that finally allowed women to serve in our military in combat; the everyday women that step by step- day by day- conversation by conversation- example by example- degradation by degradation; rising above offense by offense- humiliation by humiliation- arose like the Phoenix to succeed in a world that wanted us to fail.

I was one of those women. The patriarchy hounded me through years of corporate oppression. I did not fit into a box that would have benefited me. If a senior leader asked my opinion— I gave it- not a great idea in corporate America. 

But I. Am proud that I could pave the way for those who followed me. And I hope, that my generation of women gave courage to those who followed us - including the beautiful, brave Iranian women who decided to take a risk for their own autonomy. I know,  no matter the risk, their families gave them the choice to do what was necessary for their survival. 

Always celebrate girl power! 

Mourning A Friend From High School- Diane Smith- Forever Full of Life

 Yesterday I received news that nobody expects or wants to hear. A friend from high school, that I’ve known since 1973, passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 8th. We weren't  ‘best friends’; however, we stayed in contact through the years, worked in the same industry, and were always able to pick up a conversation as if we’d seen each other a few days ago.

I remember that she and the love of her life, Pat Smith, became enamored with each other when we were rehearsing for the play, Godspell, which Pat was directing. It was so evident that sparks were flying that I can’t help but smile thinking about while fighting tears.

Diane and Pat were together 46 beautiful years, shared a son, Zack, who was her ‘not-so-mini-me’. She reveled in her grandchildren. I loved the family pictures she shared.

We traveled to France with our high school French teacher, Mrs. Shilling. I’ll never forget her on a balcony of our hotel in Paris with the wind blowing and her pure delight. She gave me her champagne at a winery in Vouvray because I was the only one who loved the bubbles. (That is another story). We acted in plays, sang in choir and swing choir, went to speech meets, and embraced all the opportunities that young students in the late 1970 era were able to do when from Logansport, Indiana. 

I admired her chutzpah, joy of life, quirky sense of humor, passion for the Indiana Hoosiers, love and commitment to family, and optimism. 

The world is a little less glorious without Diane. Rest in peace my friend. 

The Moral Failure Of The American Political Left

 

The Democrats who voted against this bill are reprehensible human beings without the educator intellect to play Bozo the Clown at children’s parties. These politicians without conscience represent the worst of the worst of the American political system. It is an embarrassment.

For the records, these are they representatives who make an apology forvac regime that chants ‘death to America’, murdered our diplomats and soldiers in Lebanon, took American diplomats hostage, high jacked planes, executed citizens for violating Sharia law, perpetrated terrorist murders on Jews on October 7th, murders its own citizens first protesting, subjugated women, hanged gays, isolated the populace from modern society, funded proxies such as Hezbollah and Hamas to perpetrate crimes against humanity, attacked their neighbors in the Gulf, created enemies throughout the Gulf region, attacked neighbors who had not attacked them, targeted civilians, dispatched proxies to assassinate those who opposed the regime, sought to return the people of Iran to the 12th Century, repressed any scintilla of dissent.

Any politician, individual, organization, philanthropy, or organism that supports this repressive regime purely to oppose Donald Trump is a traitor to humankind. It is appalling that allegedly educated individuals should be so partisan, so corrupt, so incompetent, so stupid, so inept, so lacking in integrity, so intellectually inept and lacking that there is an inability to acknowledge the truth that has ext for 47 years. How did these troglodytes get elected to public office? Are there constituents so intellectually challenged they cannot understand recent history or any geopolitical concept? 

Perhaps, this is the best illustration as to why the founders of our Republic created the Electoral College College. The general public is to uninformed to actually elect our federal government. 

Wow! 

Support Our Military - No Matter Your Political Beliefs

 

It is unconscionable to me that any member of Congress, any American citizen, or any human being with half a conscience would vote or argue to defund, withhold support, or deny support for our military service personnel. 

That should have been a relic left in the dregs of those who denigrated our military during and after the Vietnam ‘conflict’. 

The fact that the Democrats in Congress continue to deny funding for DHS while we have military personnel deployed to a war zone, withhold the significant likelihood of enemy sleeper cells prepared to commit atrocities in our homeland, disgusts me. 

Unfortunately, too many of the younger political elite were not born, do not recall, and were not taught about the heinous acts of terrorism perpetrated by Iran or proxies of the regime over the last 47 years. Or, they can find some justification for the atrocities because of acts committed by western nations in the years immediately following WWII. Yes, mistakes were made. However, there is a reason it was called a world war! 

To the victors go the spoils. That has been the outcome of armed conflict for millennia. There is not a square foot of land that has escaped the attempts of one party to confiscate it from the occupier. At least in the 21st Century,  at least in the western world, we do not enslave the citizens of the  losers. Instead, we aim to set the people free. 

So, just stop the pontificating from your iPad, iPhone, or laptop. Find a hobby. Read a book. Take a walk. Turn off the mainstream media and let go of the TDS. Support your country🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 

I Support the Iranian People

 

I have several friends among the Iranian diaspora, most of which are strong, outspoken, brilliant, beautiful women. Had they not had the good fortune to escape the tyranny of the Mullahs, they would no doubt be dead at the hands of the regime.

My experience goes back to the 1979 incursion of the US Embassy in Tehran and the taking of US diplomats as hostages, held for 444 days.

For the uninformed, embassy property is considered the territory of the country that occupies the land. As such, the protestors that breached the gates of the US embassy committed a war crime. Taking diplomats hostage constitutes a war crime.

Apologists look to the removal of Mogadishu in 1953 and the subsequent installation of the Shah as an excuse. However, as we’ve been taught since elementary school, two or more wrongs do not make a right. 

In geopolitical situations, looking forward is the only way to cultivate peace & prosperity. Show me a country that has no embarrassing history, and it will be nothing but a fantasy.

Whether you believe that there are solid reasons for the USA to partner with Israel to topple the terrorists that rule Iran or not, consider that we no longer live in a world that can exist in isolation. America First does not mean America only.

For those who did not experience the post WWII Cold War, consider that we lived under the threat of nuclear annihilation for decades- as if hiding under our school desks could protect us.

We, today we live  in an anomaly in-the sphere of world history. The world evil doers are easily identifiable. We can monitor the snakes, cut off their heads, and then infiltrate the dens of vipers and exorcise them from our planet. Try doing that 100 years ago.

And please, whether you love, hate, tolerate, distrust or cautiously consider the acts of Donald Trump, support our troops. Support the USA. 🇺🇸 Celebrate the 250th anniversary of our independence. Try, no matter how hollow your heart may be, to find a scintilla of support, grace, appreciation, acknowledgement, tolerance, love, acceptance or just everyday knowledge that we live in the country that best exemplifies freedom of speech, expression, religion, fairness, justice, equality, opportunity, and ability to dissent that has ever existed throughout humanity. 

Seriously, if you cannot love and support the USA, get on a bus, train, plane, rocket, submarine, hot air balloon, raft, ship, canoe, ballistic missile, or barge and get the hell out of Dodge! 

Namaste, y’all🤗 

Boring Asian Female~ A Book Review

 

A review of Boring Asian Female by Canwen Xu

This book is so prescient considering the recent litigation involving the marginalization of Asian applicants to Harvard and other Ivy League universities. Elizabeth appears to be the quintessential Asian woman aspirant to success. 

I loved the prose, the unequivocal focus on gaining admission to Harvard, and the personality quirks that drove Elizabeth.

I had the good fortune to live in Asia more than five years and see the expectations that many Asian women internalized.

Notwithstanding, the book was entertaining and made me laugh at times.

A++ all around.

Thank you to BookBrowse.com, Penguin Random House and NetGalley.com for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a honest review.

This book will be released in Hardcover April 28, 2026. 

Fireflies in Winter by Eleanor Shearer ~ A Book Review

 Thank you to NetGalley/ Berkeley Publishing for/ BookBrowse for the privilege of reading and Advance Reader Copy of Fireflies in Winter in exchange for an honest review.

Protagonist Cora along with Silas, Leah and young Benjamin were transported by the British from Jamaica to Nova Scotia following the 2nd Maroon war. Maroons were escaped African slaves who fled to the interior mountains of Jamaica, fought colonization, and developed their own culture. The Maroons lived in Nova Scotia between 1796 and 1800 before sailing to Sierra Leone.

Cora is an orphan living with her friend Leah and widower Silas, who has an eye on Cora. The book actually begins with a woman on trial in a Halifax courtroom. The narrative moves back and forth from the courtroom to the Maroons living in the village of Preston.
I liked the writing style of Eleanor Shearer. Additionally, I’d been u familiar with the deportations of Maroons from Jamaica to Nova Scotia, which intrigued me and caused me to dig deeper into the history. I can’t imagine a greater cultural shift than being transported from the Caribbean Beaty of Jamaica to the wintry starkness of Nova Scotia. 
Ultimately, I thought Cora was the least interesting character in the book. I could not empathize with Cora. Agnes remained an enigma. Other characters including Thursday, Leah, and Benjamin found my heart.

Protagonist Cora along with Silas, Leah and young Benjamin were transported by the British from Jamaica to Nova Scotia following the 2nd Maroon war. Maroons were escaped African slaves who fled to the interior mountains of Jamaica, fought colonization, and developed their own culture. The Maroons lived in Nova Scotia between 1796 and 1800 before sailing to Sierra Leone.

Cora is an orphan living with her friend Leah and widower Silas, who has an eye on Cora. The book actually begins with a woman on trial in a Halifax courtroom. The narrative moves back and forth from the courtroom to the Maroons living in the village of Preston.
I liked the writing style of Eleanor Shearer. Additionally, I’d been u familiar with the deportations of Maroons from Jamaica to Nova Scotia, which intrigued me and caused me to dig deeper into the history. I can’t imagine a greater cultural shift than being transported from the Caribbean Beaty of Jamaica to the wintry starkness of Nova Scotia. 
Ultimately, I thought Cora was the least interesting character in the book. I could not empathize with Cora. Agnes remained an enigma. Other characters including Thursday, Leah, and Benjamin found my heart.

This book will be published February 10, 2026

I Saw Melania with Girlfriends ~ We Enjoyed It

I hadn’t planned to see the film Melania at a cinema. I am neither a huge fan nor one with antipathy towards FLOTUS. However,  the degree of denigration and contempt directed towards Melania Trump over the years I’ve found misogynistic, unbalanced, and completely out of proportion to that of any First Lady in my lifetime- including Nancy Reagan. 

Since COVID, we’ve been to a cinema on average once annually. We had planned to drive to NYC on Friday to spend the weekend visiting the JP Morgan Library, the Tenement Museum, and to attend a party in Brooklyn on Saturday evening. The bone chilling projected temperatures caused us to scuttle our plans. 

Thursday, I reached out to a friend who has been experiencing some personal challenge to check in.  She invited me to join her and others for dinner and a screening of Melania Friday evening. Why not? As my husband said, I needed to be ‘aired out’. I accepted the invite and am happy I did so. 

The near unanimous snarky reviews by critics who regularly deride the former and current POTUS and FLOTUS encouraged rather than discouraged me to watch the film in a theater. Our group went to a cinema in Leesburg, Virginia that was quite full. 

This documentary focuses on the twenty days leading up to the Inauguration of President Trump and afforded ‘we the people’ a look behind the curtain at the details involved in preparing for the transition between presidential administrations. 

 Critics focused almost exclusively on Melania’s shoe collection and the designing of her inaugural wardrobe. But, it was much more of an insight into the eye for details in preparing for a donation dinner at the Building Museum, how she would present herself to the world on Inauguration Day, the warmth she projected to those working with her, the security concerns regarding the safety of her husband and family, and her commitment to children’s issues which she shares with Brigitte Macron and Queen Rania of Jordan.

It is evident that Melania Trump guards her privacy. From the time of Martha Washington, the spouse of the American president has been thrust into living in a fishbowl. No First Lady during my lifetime has been subjected to the criticism, cruelty, contempt, misrepresentation and outright hatred as has Melania Trump. Her clothes, her image, her reticence, her sphinx like attitude are her armor. 

After seeing this film, I am more impressed by Melania’s determination to thrive among the nest of vipers that make assumptions and cast aspersions based upon Trump Derangement Syndrome.

I, for one, hope Melania Trump gets the last laugh. 

Why Are There No Protests On University Campuses About The Crackdowns on the People Of Iran

It certainly is curious why university campuses are silent regarding the atrocities committed by the Revolutionary Guards, secret police and mullahs against the citizens of Iran that have been existing under this repressive regime for 47 years. 

Students and paid protesters marched, held sit ins, and tormented Jewish students and the state of Israel over the war in Gaza triggered by the brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023 at the behest and funding by the theocracy in Tehran. 

Confused violent protesters in illegal ‘sanctuary’ cities oppose the apprehension, arrest and deportation of violent criminal illegal aliens. None are crying or holding candlelight vigils for the victims of these criminals. 

Posters in The Washington Post, New York Times and Wall Street Journal make disingenuous comments about the people of Iran, claiming there is no reason for the USA to be involved in the political upheaval there.

These uninformed ideologues apparently do not understand US law, the geopolitical issues, historical record, and the fact they are patsies of foreign interests and funding by organizations that profit from civil unrest.

Fact: illegal immigration is against the law, warrants deportation of illegal aliens, and impeding federal law enforcement engaged in legal activity is a federal crime;

Fact: declaring a municipality a sanctuary is against federal law: 

Fact: states and cities cannot supersede federal law;

Fact: every president with the exception of Biden deported more people than DJT without all of the drama;

Fact: Gazans placed Hamas in power. The got the government they deserved;

Fact: Israel has a right to defend itself against the tyranny of the Iranian regime and its proxies;

Fact: Iranians are not Arabs;

Fact: the people of Iran are freedom loving people. The mullahs lied to them and have repressed them for 47 years.

Fact: the only potential reasons for supporting Gaza over Iran is antisemitism; 

Fact: the only reason for Americans to support criminal illegal aliens over their victims is the result of propaganda by leftists with TDS;

Fact: Members of Congress are responsible for inertia, failing to enact much needed immigration reforms, blustering for media, putting reelection dollars and special interests above the American people.

Fact: people with full time jobs and students with a full curriculum with the intent to actually graduate in 4 years do not have time to participate in protests of questionable ideology.

Stop the hate. Quit believing the propaganda. Do a little research to discover what actual Nazis did to Jews, what actual totalitarian regimes do to suppress dissent, and how people living under socialism actually live.

Take off the rose colored glasses and see reality. 

Minnesota Is Ground Zero For Fraud & Disorder

 

I have zero tolerance for the bologna that is and has been happening in Minnesota. The concept of sanctuary cities is antithetical to the concept of the rule of law. Anyone that advocates for sanctuary cities supports illegal alien criminals over US citizens or green card holders. They support the safety of perpetrators over victims.

Seriously, how can these protestors support their positions? Yes, the death of Renee Goode was a tragedy. It is not up to me to make a legal conclusion. Ms. Goode made some seriously unwise decisions in her advocacy. Was the ICE officer appropriate in his response? I cannot state. However, the temperature of these raids and protests has been readily apparent for months. “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

The leadership of Minnesota and  Minneapolis is antithetical to the rule of law. The rhetoric from the political class is nonsensical. I do not believe the efforts to remove illegal aliens is based on race or color. Instead, it is based on immigration status. I want to believe in the Constitution and the rule of law, the deportation of those who skipped  the line, and the disregard for fairness.

I believe legal immigration is critical to the growth of our country. But, illegal aliens should not be given amnesty. I’ve lived internationally for years. I’ve seen the lines of hopefuls waiting to get an interview with consulate officials to come here legally. Those that follow the rules deserve precedence. 

When I lived in foreign countries, I followed the rules. There was no choice. Otherwise, immediate deportation. I understood that. I also had to carry a residency card on me everywhere. 

Today, when I went to a medical appointment, I had to show a photo ID. This is not onerous. Following immigration law is not unreasonable. 

Come here legally or leave. I will never understand the rhetoric of the leftist officials. 

Or, let the sanctuary states exist without any federal dollars. Declare independence. Withdraw from the USA. Decide to declare yourself an independent country and support every service based upon state tax dollars. Agree to eschew your claims that you deserve federal  assistance for anything.

You either agree to be part of the Union or withdraw. 

I support ICE. I have antipathy towards anyone who uses Soros backed money and tactics to resist government laws. 

Do these idiots truly want to create an environment that creates the potential for civil war? 

Sorry, but if a state supports fraud, an expanded welfare state, the exploitation of the American taxpayer, the increase of taxpayer funded benefits for people who can work and the continued allowing that SNAP recipients  can use taxpayer money to buy sodas, candy, junk food, ultra processed foods, or get cash back to buy cigarettes and alcohol is abhorrent. 

Let them buy beans, rice, pasta, eggs, milk, tomato sauce, ground beef,   Vegetables, fruit, rolled oats. Cheese, and chicken. No lobster, leg of lamb, shrimp, crab, steak, ultra processed packaged meals, etc. If you are living off the taxpayers- basics only. Otherwise, get a job and pay your own way. We do!