Apparently, I'm the only one who reads.

I remember when we had Isabelle come thru, a low category hurricane that caused mass amounts of damage. Everyone was stunned when they found out their homeowners had a 1 or 2% storm damage deductible off the value of their home they had to meet before any claim would be paid. Really? It's right their on your policy, in fact that year (prior to the hurricane) I had switched insurance companies because of that. I found the only company who wasn't putting that in their policies as "standard procedure."

A friend of mine said: "Who reads those policies?" "I do." I replied.

I'm funny that way... If I'm buying it or signing it, I read it. Like the contract you get when you take a cruise. I remember my first cruise thinking, wow, you're kind of on your own when you cruise. It basically strips you of almost any rights and you are at the mercy of whatever the cruise ship decides to do in the interest of passenger safety. On the other hand, you also agree to the fact that nothing is the cruise line's fault.

While reading it I thought, this is pretty scary. Like, for instance, don't ever... AND I MEAN DON'T EVER... tell a cruise ship employee that you have an upset stomach. They can quarantine you to your room for as long as they deem necessary to protect other passengers. All at their discretion.

So, the guests on the Costa are realizing "they can't sue" or at least, it will be a hassle. Like the women on the Today show this morning who are "having nightmares" Oh boohoo! Everyone is shocked that they can't get rich off their experience.

Apparently the cruise line is refunding all expenses, including travel. I think they're are some provisions for loss of personal property, and they will also pay any related medical expenses. Seems fair. But apparently fair doesn't cut it for our litigious society where accidents are turned into opportunities.

Now, I'm not sticking up for the cruise line, the captain may have been reckless. And I'm not implying that real loss shouldn't be compensated. There is real loss of life due to someone's carelessness. That poor couple from Minnesota, imagine their kids dealing with the loss. Of course, there is real trauma from the entire experience, I would probably still be recovering from it. I cannot imagine. But really people... DON'T YOU READ?

I do. I did.

Let's be grateful you walked away from the whole thing alive. Let's insure you're not out any money. Let's pray for those who have not faired as well. And move on. But stop the whining because "you can't sue." Geez!

30 globes

That's how many worlds I have sitting around. 30 globes.
I also have 2 sets of china
2 sets of every-day dishes
endless flatware and silverware services
glassware galore
art on every wall
various chotchkie

And then there are the things that have ended up at my home by default. Some of my dad's things. Boxes of pictures from my Aunt's house. Things. But, we can't get rid of them. There is a strong connection to all of these things. And even though I'm not sentimental about any of it, the respect for what those things meant to everyone keeps me from begin able to toss that little green address book that sat around my parent's house, pages no longer stay in, the paper is yellowed, half the phone numbers and address' out of date, or the people are no longer with us. But... you get the point. It's all part of the stuff that one just can't discard.

Brass ashtray, broken, but I remember it from when I was a child.
Broken picture frames, with pictures still in them from my grandmother's dresser
My mother's nightgown from her wedding trousseau
My parent's wedding album
The foot-tall indian chief statue

I keep trying to empty closets and lean up my life, but it seems my cupboards have been turned over to nostalgia. Who am I to say what remnants of our family history are to be preserved? By default I am now the curator.

I've been helping my nieces go through their mother's house. They are struggling with the same dilemma. No room in their homes to absorb someone else's lifetime collection of possessions, however, there's history, memories, and respect. I see their closets and cupboards filling up with things that aren't theirs. It's the only way for the moment. At some point they'll be able to respectfully part with it all. But I can't tell them when that will be or for how long they'll be storing the memories.

Little by little we can let it go. I speak from experience. Today I was able to release
a few of those things. A start. That day will come for them too. Because things are things. But the memories are around always.

Meanwhile, anyone want a globe?