Ace Wisdom

L a m b e a u!  Hallowed Lambeau Field.  Home of  the Green Bay Packers.  The center of  the football universe.  L a m b e a u.

Your Mom and I were there yesterday.  Your Mom met with her older sister and younger brother.  It was a family reunion and spouses (including me) got to listen to all the shared experiences as Mom and her siblings reminised.  Your Mom had an additional agenda of trying to collect historical things about her family like pictures, memoriabilia, and unique stories.

We met at “Curly’s Pub”.  I had heard about the great food at Curly’s.  Sure enough, there on the menu was the “Horse Collar”.  It is a 22 inch long kielbasa sausage shaped into a semi-circle (i.e it looks like a horse collar).  It is nestled in 24 inches of a bun of the same shape covered with sauerkraut, melted cheese, onions and somesort of tomato based sauce over the top.  It is guaranteed to clog your arteries instantaneously.  No, nobody in our group ordered one.  I think it costs about 25 bucks.

It was interesting how many conversations included some mention of Mom’s Mom (Nana).  Her core values, having been raised on a farm, seemed to permeate all her children.  Her ambivalence to the death of animals came up a few times.  Yes, chickens laid eggs but you butched them eat.  Of course.  Pet pigs could be on the dinner table any time.  If your favorite cat got hit by a car, grief was short because there were plenty of other cats.  That was the way things were on the farm.

Nana’s penchant for saving things was obvious.  You collected buttons in a jar because you might need them some  day.  You never threw curtains away because her Kids or Grandkids might end up wearing them.  Leftover food never got thrown away.  The family would eat some clever concoctions of uneaten food “forever”.  Coffee sat on the stove all day long and got reheated over and over (eventually turning to mud).  The end result was that Nana was a leader by example and the result was intelligent frugality.

And so it went.  Stories.  Lies.  Laughter.  Of course because that is a reunion.

We left Lambeau with memories.  Sister-in-law Mary went looking for some Packer history because her brother was a trainer for the Packers somewhere in the 1970’s or 80’s.  I don’t know if she found the pictures she thought existed but her family definitely left it’s imprint on the “Pack”.  Her brother’s name was Jim.  He is part of “Lambeau lore”.

Love,

Dad

 

As we approach the end of the year, our medical insurance systems “resets” itself under Obamacare.  New insurance rates.  New deductibles.  New co-pays.

My first story comes from a 58 year old man (Mark).  He has medical insurance that covers only himself.  Deductibles are $5,000 per year, an amount that boggles my mind.   In addition his monthly premium for medical insurance is $500.  Mark got notice that his medical premium will increase to $850 per month starting in January.  I am not necessarily a math whiz but by my calculation, that is a premium increase of 70%.  Whoa, this Obamacare thing is really looking like a deal!

My second story is not as dramatic but a retiree on Medicare Advantage (a private provided Medicare plan) just got notice of a 29% increase in his monthly premium.  That is a huge increase to the retiree and he still doesn’t know if his deductibles and co-pays will be increase.

The implementation of Obamacare is just in it’s infancy.  The “sticker shock” on deductibles, co-pays, and month premiums is just starting.  Check alternatives!

There are many “things” that come with being retired that aren’t even covered by insurance.  Eye glasses for example.  Add to that normal dental work along with hearing aids.

Hidden in all the talk about healthcare costs is the shocking costs of some of the treatments.  It is not unusual for cancer chemotherapy procedures to run $20,000 per month.  Imagine having a 20% co-pay or $4,000 as your share of the monthly chemo costs.

We are living longer as a society but there is a cost!  The stories of financial ruin due to medical costs keep increasing.  I guess that is appropriate.  We all come into this world with nothing and the healthcare system is making sure we leave this world with nothing.

The “advantage” goes to those that don’t get sick.  Eat your broccoli.

Love,

Dad

 

 

Aaron Rogers has told “Packer Nation” to relax.  I’m not sure the word “relax” is the right choice of words.  The dictionary describes “relax” as “to rest, as from work”.  I don’t want the team to rest more.  I want them to play harder and do the things that count like blocking, tackling, catching the ball.  Rest?  The players  have the rest of their lives to rest.  They are getting paid to play football.  Screw the “relaxing”.

On the plus side, the “Pack” destroyed the Minnesota Vikings last night at Lambeau in the rain.

I keep gaining experience of using our medical insurance. There are some truths that become vividly clear.

Truth No.1.  Illness never happens when you expect it.  Expect the unexpected.

Truth No.2.  Drugs are the elixir used to solve any medical condition you have.  The corollary is once you start taking drugs you will take them forever.

Truth No.3.  Medical costs never fail to shock.  Deductibles!  Co-pays!  Retail prices on drugs and procedures!

Truth No.4.  Things always take longer.  Approvals on procedures and healing time is always more extended than you think.

Here is my “plus side again”.  We Americans do have access to the best health care system in the world.  So pay your money and appreciate the “ride”.  As Aaron Rogers would say “relax”.

It seems like I am getting up in the dark and going to bed in the dark.  I know that indicates something.

Love,

Dad

 

 

 

Grandson Dominic is out of high school football for the season with a broken back.  God, that sounds awful.  That limits my “Friday Night Lights” football activity.

Grandson Mitchell of Middleton High School fame, received a “hip pointer” during a tackle two weeks ago.  I guess the medical explanation is that it is a deep muscle bruise that affects the hip and the butt.  All I know is that it hurts and limits further football involvement.  Oops, there goes another “Friday Night Lights” visit.

Me thinks this high school football “thing” comes with some downside risk.  There obviously is a lot of positive in a team activity, i.e  everybody on the football squad fighting for the same goal.  There are a lot of life’s lessons to be learned playing football.  But, the downside is physical injury that could affect the rest of a players life.  Broken backs?  Torn ACL’s.  Hip pointers. Concussions.

So the only Grandchild “still standing” is Tommy.  He plays in the Sheboygan Youth Football programs.  It is up to Tommy to carry the family banner.  I guess the football mantra should be “hurt the other guy before he hurts you”.

Your Mom and I attended UW-Badger game last Saturday in Madison.  Beautiful weather.  The Badgers were tied with Southern Florida at half time 3 to 3.  Really?  Really!  They performed better in the second half and brought home a victory but they have yet to play a conference (Big 10) game.  The competition gets tougher!  It could be a long season.

September ends today.  Oct.1 tomorrow.  Halloween.  Thanksgiving.  Christmas.  Snow!  Oh, my!

Love,

Dad

I shot free throws in competition with Grasshopper No.3 and Grandson Collin.  They talked “trash”.  I think I was called “old man” a few times.  The game was “shoot until you miss”.  Final tally?  No. 3 had 7 straight free throws.  Collin had 7 straight.  Are you ready?  The “old man” had 12.  I think it I hit 13-14  but No.3 and Collin have trouble counting.

This weekend is Octoberfest in downtown Appleton.  Tonight (Friday) features old cars cruising College Avenue.  The term “old” is changing.  When I was growing up, “old” cars were models from 1932, 1937, even 1940.  Things like ’32 Fords with rumble seats!  Chrysler “Airflows”!  Lincoln Continentals!  Packards!  Today “old” means 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Airs, 1965 Pontiac GTO’s and even 1970 Oldsmobile 442’s.

Baseball is filled with”folk lore”.  Players establish superior status with statistics.  Last night, Derek Jeter played his last game at Yankee Stadium.  It was a big deal because he achieved success without all the steroid enhancements.  He is a “throw-back” to old time Yankees.  Things like 5 World Series Rings, playing 18 years at shortstop with the same team.  He achieved many “shortstop” records that will stand for many years.  Jeter went out in style last night.  He played before 50,000 fans and got the game winning hit in the ninth inning.  You couldn’t have scripted it any better.  If you are looking for a hero to emulate, Jeter would be a good role model.  I’m sure my Dad was watching.

Rumor has it that Sheboygan North’s High school football team might win a game this season!  Just kidding.

Love,

Dad

 

Yesterday I traveled to Ripon to have lunch with buddies.  My car knew the way.  I was tempted to stop at the Cookie Outlet Store but cookies are not allowed in my diet (isn’t that ironic) and I really want to remember the Cookie Company as it was 14 years ago.  I did not stop.  Besides the company has recently changed ownership again and all the signs say ConAgra.  It may be new ownership but i still see Rippin’ Good Cookies in the grocery stores.  So I got to take a trip down “memory lane”.  For a few moments I got to go back in time.  Good memories!

Your Mom and I attended Grandson Mitchell’s football game at Sun Prairie last Friday.  His team, Middleton has been on a “roll”.  Unbeknownst to me, Sun Prairie’s high school football team went 10-1 last year and was runner-up in the State Football Championships.  So it was a good game.  Tied 7-7 at the half.  Middleton ended up losing by 3 points.  The front defensive line of Sun Prairie (4 very large, very fast, intimidating players) were the difference.  Lots of quarterback fumbles.  Lots of tackles in the backfield.  For the first time I can’t brag about Mitchell’s team winning again.  It was a great Friday night game to watch.

Grasshopper No.3 and son Collin are “batching it” for several weeks while “Mom” is visiting Cleveland.  Cleveland?  Cleveland.  Saturday evening they brought over steaks and we ate good and talked smart.  In some ways I envy Collin because he has an exemplary military record,  he can go to any college  of his choice and the military helps pay for the education.He also has good training in air craft maintenance (which seems to be a great field to work).   Collin has a very special girl friend (fiance’?) scheduled to graduate from college next May.  His biggest problem is that maybe he has too many choices.  Oh the pressure of it all.  Ah, to be 23 again.

We got free raspberries and courtland apples recently.  Who said we don’t have any friends?

Love,

Dad

 

Happy Birthday Grasshopper No.1.

I have been remiss in acknowledging the football exploits of Grandson Tommy who is in his last year of Sheboygan Youth football.  He played last Saturday against a team from Green Bay.  Tom is 13 years old and 5’10” tall (and growing).  He is the second tallest player on the team and plays center on offense.  Needless to say, with his size he moves opponents in front of him with great success.  Tommy always keeps perspective.  He makes football “fun”.  Next stop?  High School programs.

Your Mom and I attended “The Book of Mormon” last night at the Performing Arts Center.  It is a spoof about two young ministers of the Morman church assigned to convert the natives of Uganda to Christianity.  Your Mom informed me after the play that it was rated “M” for mature audiences only.  The play had plenty of  “salty language”, free use of the “F” word and lots of  explicit sexual overtones.  Yep, it will make a great TV series some day.  It was funny!  I don’t know why, but I kept thinking this was Grasshopper No.4’s type of play.  Silly humor!  Maybe a little bit stupid in it’s presentation.  Yeah, I’m sure No.4 would like it.

I’m off to place my order for a new Apple iPhone No.6 along with one of their stylish wrist watches.  Now I have to figure out what the new products do?

Love,

Dad