Disconnecting

It might appear that I am becoming "indifferent." I'm not. I'm just becoming somewhat detached.  I have an interest in world affairs, what is going around me, our country and what is going on in our church but they are becoming more and more not my business.  It is more the business of the younger folks (i.e. the future). The younger generation doesn't necessary do things like I would (i.e. sometimes including our children) but there a lot of younger folks, including our children and their spouses, who are very good folks. Things in our culture change folks. But I really think we are in good hands (i.e. that is from my point of view).  Well, do-be-do!

You might think I'm becoming cynical.  I don't think I am but I
could be.  Maybe I'm just ricocheting off my life's experiences (e.g like a ball in a pin ball machine). Maybe some things just aren't very important to me anymore; that could be.  Maybe I'm finally maturing.  Could be.  Maybe my dreams have changed.  Could be.  Maybe my world is different. Could be.  Maybe my goals have changed.  Could be. Such is life.

I rode my bike over to Silver Ridge 55+ Community to play some pickleball.  SamTheGatekeeper opened the gate for me.  I said to him--good to see you Slammin'Sam--Good to see you young fella--I don't know about the young fella bit--You're young alright, I have underwear older than you!

I was at church recently when a pastor was preaching who seemed artificial to me (i.e. not real).  He didn't seem to capture the attention of the folks (i.e. was disconnecting). He seemed to lose the trust of the folks and it became boring (i.e. it sure felt that way--not good).  I thought maybe it was just me but a lady in our section said quite loudly--COME ON during his preaching (i.e. she told it like it was)!  Ouchy ouchy!  I have never ever heard folks say something vocally like that before in church. Maybe folks have wanted tooooo, but didn't have the guts to say it! ItchieBitchie says--Did you know that 93% of communication is non-verbal?  The non-verbal component is made up of body language (i.e. 55%) and tone of voice (i.e. 38%).  Huh, interesting.

A friend from back home sent me this last Saturday--I am doing weight ins for the PeeWee wrestling tourney. Interesting to observe the different kids. I'm in the locker room and a dad and son come in after his match. The boy was crying. They don't know I'm around the corner. Dad says, "stop crying. You did great. You got second place and that is great. I mean that girl was good. She was a very good wrestler. Now stop crying."

Saturday question--Are you a monkey on a chain? ItchieBitchie says--It might be clear to all except the blind!  Do you ever feel like your life is an internal civil war?  How about your life being a duplicity? Maybe it's helter skelter. How about your life being full of malarkey? Does your life ever give you the heebie-jeebies?  AverageJoe asks--erv, land sakes, who in Sam Hill knows that! Let's just say you might be a monkey on a chain.  Would it feel, oh soooo good, to break the chain (i.e. disconnect).

An pickleball player acquaintance from last year was at the courts--How come you are not playing--gained 10 pounds and 10 pounds of muscle turned to fat sooooo now I'm over weight with fat of 20 pounds; my wheels can handle that sooooo I can't play.  Saturday question--What can a person learn from that story?

I was running up 'er in 'em mts and met a mother and maybe her 18 year old daughter who had a little dog on a lease.  I said--hi girls.  As I passed them, the girl, said hi in a deep voice.  I said hi guy.  I was gobsmacked and didn't know if she was a she or a he or something else.  She/he had an amorphous look! Man-o-man I learned a lesson.  From now on, I'm going to say hi folks.  I felt like I made an heel out of myself.  I hope I didn't offend those folks. But, I still don't know for sure what that person was.  It was really difficult to tell.  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--Make kindness a way of life. Give folks the benefit of the doubt.  Everyone has a bad day; give them a break.  That is kindness.  You know what folks, we are all a little screwed up. LuckieEddie says--Don't kid yourself, you are tooooo!  If you don't think soooooo, your are naive but think you are exceptionally wise.  You have a problem. Ouchy ouchy!

The old baseball scouts are disconnected; there is no longer a demand for Moneyball movement! Teams are relying on analytics and sabermetrics than at any other time and are treating pro scouts like they are eight track car stereos.  I wonder if they are forgetting about the human side like how they are going to fit in and what their character is (e.g. Bengal's Vontaze Burfict and Adam "Pacman" Jones really lost control and lost their playoff game).  I wonder. A good example of this (i.e. my opinion) is the Phoenix Suns.  It's really hard for me to continue to be their fan.  They traded many of their good players and kept some rotten apples.  It started last year already when the rotten apples were continuously complaining and were Millennium babies (i.e. not much fun to root for those kind of folks).  The Suns management have made a mess of the situation.  It's soooo bad that I had to tape over "Suns" on my cap (i.e. pretty close to disconnect as a fan)!  Such is life.
them.

An old golf buddy/friend from IA was heading to FL.  He needs to learn to disconnect!  He wrote--Welcome center in Florida. I tried it but I got the floor wet! Hey guy, you need to get out more!

ItchieBitchie says--It's easy to get disconnected when we don't understand.  I read the book of James. I like this book.  The Bible does seem to have some contradictions like, "you are saved by faith" but in James it says, "faith without action is dead." My study Bible has footnotes and the footnote says there is a difference between genuine saving faith and faith like "even demons believe in God" faith. That seems to explain it that we are not saved by deeds but by genuine saving faith.  I had to read the footnotes to have it explained to me.  Of course, I realize I'm not very smart; I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.

I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Adult humans have 206 bones, 640 muscles, 78 internal organs (12 organ systems), 900 ligaments, thousands of tendons, and 100 trillion cells. Humans also have four major appendages (arms, legs), each of which has five separate digits (fingers, toes). Now that is a lot of parts to have something go wrong with!  It's no wonder that me knee hurts a little once in a while (i.e. some type of disconnect).  I also read that no man can tame the tongue. It is restless evil, full of deadly poison.  Ouchy ouchy! Such is life.

A buddy, said to me--erv, we have casual friends, short time friends, seasonal friends, and then we have long time friends.  She said--The long time friends are the best.  I can vouch for that but I have made some real good friends here in AZ.  Another picleball friend told me that he is an introvert; he said--erv, I think you are somewhat toooo.  I am.  We are friends and appreciate each other for who we are.  I think there are many things I don't know about my seasonal friends.  I don't need to know either.  After playing pb the other day, a buddy asked it I wanted a beer.  He then told me that at the age of about 65 he became a vegetarian for his health.  It has really changed his numbers for the better.  Bingo!

A friend went to the public library here in Sun Valley and was looking up the latest baseball news (i.e. he's a big baseball fan).  He clicked on a side pop-up that said--10 hottest baseball wives.  A pornography web site shows on the screen with loud music.  The librarian came over and told him he can look as such things here in this library.  He told her he wasn't trying (i.e. she thought--ya right you dirty old man).  Sooo the librarian tried to disconnect the web site but couldn't and it kept showing and playing.  My friend finally got up and left!  Such is life.

She is connected to her dogs she said.  I went to Carriage Manor 55+ Resort to play some pickleball last Saturday with my buddies.  I talked to this gal who was giving her dogs a ride to the dog park.  I asked her if I could take a picture of her dogs--sure--they seem to have a free ride--they are spoiled rotten!  Such is life

I asked a pickleball buddy what he did for an occupation in the real life. ...how in the world did you get in that business--I married the right girl and into the right family (i.e. he got connected).  He rode the pony right into the winner's circle. Whoooeee!

I read in the paper soooo it must be right--That for some of you folks, Fitbit might not be soooo good for you.  The "unintended consequences of personal quantification" can cause folks to enjoy life less.  Some folks are constantly comparing themselves to others. Some folks, when going for a walk, lose their enjoyment because they are always looking how far and fast they are going.  It might be doing more harm than good the paper said (i.e. causing stress). Soooo maybe some of you might want to disconnect from your Fitbit.  You make the decision.  SusieQ says--Don't start tracking for your ego by thinking a pink-colored Fitbit will look good on your arm (i.e. to impress folks). So there you go folks!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--The friends we meet on the path of life make the trip worthwhile.

PechaKucha

POW! You might think this stuff in this “It’s Saturday” is just weak tea!  If you do, try not to worry about it. I’m just wingsuiting!  Listen folks, I’m not trying to get in your head.  I’m not that smart to do that.  I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.

A PechaKucha is a speaking format – a Japanese phrase meaning, “sound of conversation.”  It is akin to TED Talks, only in an abbreviated format, utilizing images.  Speakers extemporaneously narriate 20 images, each on screen for just 20seconds.  Each discourse runs 6 minutes and 40 seconds—about a third of a traditional Ted Talk. Sound interesting! ItchieBitchie says--Long, boring talks just don't cut it anymore!  

A pickle buddy who is a widow seems to be an aggressive, capable person (i.e. in charge type of person) who appears to have some bucks.  I said—It’s probably an advantage to be knowledgeable and aggressive now that you have to do everying—in some ways that is true and others it is not; I’m not very attractive to some men as I appear to be too aggressive to 'em and I appear toooo be bossy!  We went to the movie Intern.  Part of the storyline was about this.  We really enjoyed the movie. It's funny!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--God sometimes brings each of us to a "Red Sea" (i.e. that's not the Cardinals' Red Sea of fans) in our life. It may be a work problem that can't be solved. It may be a marriage that seems to be failing. It may be a debilitating disease. Whatever your Red Sea, God tells us one thing: "Keep moving." Saturday question--Have you ever had a crucible?

I read in the paper sooo it must be right--Stop watching soooo much "&%^&^" news.  It's a downer.  MissPerfect says--If you're talking back to the TV, it might be tooo late!  You know who you are!  Such is life.

The St. Louis Rams are going to Los Angeles where the glitz and glamor is.  Also big bucks (i.e. it's all about the money folks). Don't kid yourself.

Starting a Live Healthy challenge with my colleagues on Monday...so I brought us all some Dunkin' Donuts munchkins for breakfast today. Strategic.

A guy has to be a real bear to think like this (i.e. a friend wrote this in their Christmas letter--shared with permission)--Waking up every day with the gift of live, and my wife by my side; Learning to be content with less; Simple pleasures are best; Savoring my everyday relationships; A grateful heart!  

I have a lot of time to reflect about my life.  I have had a good life. I have experienced many things, some wonderful and some not sooooo wonderful (i.e. I like experiences and I got 'em). Now I have time of leisure and freedom, freed from factitious urgencies of earlier days, free to explore whatever I wish, and to bind the thoughts and feelings of a lifetime together.  I am very grateful.  Yes I am. I had a friend ask me--erv, would you have made different decisions on your career or family knowing what you know now?  My answer--no, not really.  I'm comfortable.   

I had a client call me years ago and asked if we could carry him as he had no money to pay his insurance premium.  He asked if I had any ideas of how he could make some money.  I suggested (i.e. I thought humorously)--Try the lottery.  He said--I have already tried that but it didn't work!  I did carry him.  I don't know if he really appreciated it but I think he did.  A company that I was affiliated with had the philosophy that if you continue to have a relationship with a debtor, they will try to pay you but if you discontinue the relationship (i.e. disconnect), they probably won't try to pay you.  By the way--this guy did pay us when he got some bucks.  From where he got his money, I have no idea and I didn't ask!!!

A friend from MN says she can tell the difference between peanut butters.  Ya right!  She said that she can be blind folded and and can tell the difference.  Soooo what's the best one?  Jiff brand is the best without a doubt.  Really! 

We all have a personal brand (i.e. like a company has a brand).  I was talking to Cutback about this.  Sometimes our brand that we think we have might be different than the brand that others have branded us (i.e. better or worse).  Maybe our brand goes back to our personal foundation.  Maybe sometimes we have to "cutback" from where the pressure is coming from. What do you think?

Some days it seems you have it and sometimes it seems you don't! Why is that anyway?  It seems soooo easy some days and the next it seems soooo hard.  Crazy huh! Even the top folks in their expertise don't perform at their best everyday.  Ya just can't be 100% all the time.  If we like it or not, it's just the way it is.  Soooo cut everyone some slack when they are not at their best.  Such is life.

There is no incentive so great and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow!



Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--Rain is a reminder of how our attitude can affect everything.  Some folks let it destroy their day--others consider it a blessing.

money

My Uncle George always told me as a kid--erv, it isn't what you make but what you save (i.e. money under the mattress). 

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." -- Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977

SlickWillie asked me--erv, do you really know anything?  You know SlickWillie, I have been asked this quite a bit and the answer is, I don't know, only because I really don't, I really don't!  Payton Manning says he knows for sure (i.e. how do we know if he's telling the truth or not--haven't we learned anything from all of our other heroes who ended up lying to us?).  But folks, I'm really telling you the truth, I really don't know! I know that I don't know what I don't know! KnowItAllSally (i.e. made one mistake in her life and it was a mistake) says--erv, I know that you really don't know if you know anything. Such is life.

It was Black Monday recently in the NFL (i.e. the Monday when they fire the coaches).  If you don't win as a coach, they stick ya with a fork--ypu are done.  It's all about the money.  The NFL is a tough business; they are tough; they have no heart; it's all about the money folks.  It's not like working for the government (i.e. very seldom anyone looses their job).  Or if you have an occupation where you are represented by a huge massive union (i.e. can't hardly ever get fired no matter how bad you are at your job). Free enterprise (e.g. NFL) seems to handle situations differently.  Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--78% of NFL players go bankrupt or face serious financial stress within two years of ending their careers, while 60% of NBA players are broke within five years of retiring. What in the world!

I went to the movie Everest (i.e. based on a true story).  A bad decision was made by Rob Hall, the leader, (i.e. he knew it was not wise--he let his emotions trump his wisdom) and it cost him his life. My Daddy, Chester, always said to me—erv, keep your emotions out of your business decisions.  That can be hard to do sometimes.  ItchieBitchie says—Sometimes my family thinks I’m cold when I rely on my “psychic numbness” when making money decisions. I’m not always popular with everyone when they want stuff and I think it’s a poor business decision.  It’s especially hard when my wife, BigSpenderJane, is aggressive and wants to spend.  Money management is a lot harder if you are married and partners don’t agree on money management philosophy (e.g. if one is a spender and one is a saver).  Such is life. 

LuckieEddie says--If you can stay away from those money grabbing money suckers, life might be better. Everyone wants your money. Yes, everyone.  I read in the paper sooooo it must be right--Floridans are complaining about a new taxation which they call a death tax (i.e. yep, they get 'em coming and going alright).  2  of 3 Floridans are cremated.  State of Florida puts an "administration fee" on each cremation of about $65 (i.e. much like some cell phone companies who try to tack on a few bucks of administration fees and no one complains).  The $65 isn't much considering the cost of dieing but it adds up to big bucks for the State of Florida.  CadillacJack says--And folks keep on dieing to pay it! Gotcha! 

J.C. Penney is a name synonymous with department store. He first launched his chain of "The Golden Rule" stores in 1907. In 1910 his first wife died. Three years later, he incorporated as the J.C. Penney company. In 1923 his second wife died giving birth to his son. In 1929 the stock market crashed and he lost $40 million. By 1932, he had to sell out to satisfy...creditors. This left [Penney] virtually broke. ...Crushed in spirit from his loss and his health suddenly failing, Penney wound up in a Battle Creek, Michigan sanitarium. One morning he heard the distant singing of employees who gathered to start the day with God: Be not dismayed, whate'er betide, God will take care of you.... Penney followed the music to its source and slipped into a back row. He left a short time later a changed man, his health and spirit renewed, and ready to start the long climb back at age fifty-six. By 1951 there was a J.C. Penney store in every state, and for the first time sales surpassed $1 billion a year. 

I read in the paper sooooo it must be right.  Many European countries have found a gimmick to raise some easy bucks off travelers.  They use traffic cameras and send the traffic tickets (e.g. driving in a restricted area or an area that you need a special permit) to the rental car company.  In the rental car contract, there is a provision that they can do this and the fine will be paid automatically by the car renter's credit card company.  The story said that some folks were charged up to $1,000.  My brother-in-law and sister were traveling in Austria using a rental car.  Folks were waving at them and smiling and saying something.  They smiled back and waved.  They thought these folks of Austria were soooo friendly.  They found out later, they was driving on the sidewalk!  Ouchy ouchy!

Last year, SvenFromFergusFallsMinnesota, replaced several windows in their house. They were the expensive double-pane energy-efficient kind. This week he got a call from the contractor complaining that his work has been completed for a whole year and he had yet to pay for them. Boy, oh boy, did they go 'round. Just because he was getting old didn't mean that he was automatically stupid. So, he proceeded to tell him just what his fast talking sales guy had told him last year... "that in one year the windows would pay for themselves." There was silence on the other end of the line so he just hung up and he hasn't heard back. SvenFromFergusFallsMinnesoat said--I must have won that silly argument!

SusieQ says--A couple of good, easy ways to get rich is to marry it or inherit it!  I was talking to a pickleball buddy the other day.  She is a senior widow.  I asked her--how many years since your husband passed--9 years--would you consider getting married again--maybe but I don't want to be a rich nurse!!

Warren Buffett says--Be Frugal: "If you buy things you do not need, soon you will have to sell things you need." "Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving." TheOtherWarrenFrom Omaha says--You got to drill your well before you are thirsty! ~ Money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible--money is mentioned more than 800 times--and the message is clear:  Nowwhere in Scripture is debt viewed in a positive way. Love is the most referenced topic. I don't know if that is from Christian left or the Christian right!!!!  Of course if you don't believe in the Bible (i.e. you die like a pig), the Bible doesn't mean much to you).  Then you need to go and see Star Wars again or talk to the bartender!!!! That might work.  Such is life.

Crazy to me!  The average price for a ticket on SubHub for the Championship game the week before the game was $807.  Alabama and Clemson had sold their 20,000 allotted tickets for about $550.  This week the average cost for tickets for the 2016  Super Bowl are averaging $5,500.  50,000 folks from IA went to the Rose Bowl.  GeorgeTheCrook says--It seems that some folks have money.  

Some of you folks will recall a scene from the movie, City Slickers, in which the grizzled old cow hand, Curly (Jack Palance), is giving advice to Mitch (Billy Crystal), the clueless city slicker. “Do you know what the secret of life is?” asks Curly. Holding up his index finger, he says, “This.” “Your finger?” quips smart aleck Mitch. Curly growls, “One thing, just one thing. . . .” “That’s great,” says Mitch, “but what’s the one thing?” “That’s what you’ve got to figure out!”

Here is Peter's (i.e. anybody can be a Peter) opinion about money (i.e. right from the horse's mouth):

If you would like to read the article  http://www.thesimpledollar.com/everything-you-ever-really-needed-to-know-about-personal-finance-on-the-back-of-five-business-cards/

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--Nothing can be accomplished until you take the first step.

P.S. The Canadian Snow Birds have to pay more for their whiskey as the conversion rate is about 70% (i.e. A Canadian dollar is worth about 70 cents U.S.).  They say their whiskey is still cheap compared to in Canada.  Soooo they are still drinking their whiskey!  Besides, it's only money!

pleasing folks

Rhett Butler said--Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!

What does that mean anyway? Joesixpack says--It means when stupid folks are trying to prove they’re smarter than you, but have no idea how to spell the word Genius. Do folks ever frustrate you by thinking they know everything and try to impress you?  WorldClassLarry says--After a short time, many folks have a tendency to just habituate them!  Yes, they do; I agree.

Saturday question—Why do you do things?  Really, why do you do things?  Is it because you have tooo?  Or to impress someone?  Or ‘cause you want to please folks?  Or is it because of your ego? Ok, there are a lot of reasons why we do things.  Just think about it when you make your next decision? So why am I doing this anyway.  Think about this:  The World Health Organization says that, in 2012, an estimated 56 million people died around the world from all causes. Doing the math that means approximately 153,425 died every day, or 106 people every minute. That’s more than one person per second dying. If you are wearing a watch, or can look at a clock that counts off the seconds, spend a few moments watching the seconds tick away and considering the reality of what all human beings face. Really, are there many folks who really care that you are trying to impress them?  And the end result is…!  Bingo. Sooo why are you doing things anyway?  Really!

LuckieEddie says--My wife is a pleasing woman, folks (i.e. pleases everyone except me).  JealousHarry says—My wife, LoveYaAlot  is a people pleaser a.k.a. a real yes person and sometimes it gets her in trouble. I think it gives her a voracious rush. That could be JealousHarry but LoveYaAlot does have a good heart and that ain’t bad.  Maybe it bothers you more than your wife.  Could be. NiftyNil a.k.a. an AZ fence lizard says—YesWomanEunice might be a petite Chihuahua but a giant in popularity! She might be rather squishy and squashy and can’t say no to anyone but everyone loves her.  She will have a lot of flowers and folks at her funeral! Such is life.

Joesixpack says--In a day of social media when everyone is revealing everything to everyone. I suggest, be discreet (i.e. sooooo what do you know Joesixpack, folks seem to love social media). Heralding was a common practice years ago (e.g. if a baby was born and if the folks could afford heralders, they would hire them to go out and tell about the baby’s birth).  Hark the herald angels sing, glory to the new born King.  Maybe social media is a lot of heralding.  You think sooooo?  Why do folks like social media soooo well do you think.  Maybe for lot of reasons. 

A friend has said to me several times--erv, maybe they act that way 'cause they are not very confident. ItchieBitchie says--Having an inferiority complex (i.e. feeling not good enough) is a terrible feeling (i.e. can cause a maelstrom in a person's life).  Ya, comparing yourself to others doesn’t usually make a person feel soooo good.  It lets others affect how we act and think. And most folks want to be included and accepted.  I-WantToLookLikeBetty says--That is why ladys' fashions are such an easy sell. FollowTheLeaderBeth says--If RingLeaderJosie wears it, I have to have it.  Such is life.

Whumpf! LuckieEddie says--He seemed to have a lot of juice but was he just pretending? GeorgeTheCrook says—Don’t kid yourself, we care what others think of us.  We fret about stuff. After my Prostate Exam, the Doctor left the exam room. Then the nurse came in. As she shut the door, she whispered the three words that no man wants to hear:  "Who Was That?"

Peter (i.e. anybody can be a Peter) says--We all want to be seen – especially in those moments when we are climbing a tree. This is so simple and yet it has huge implications for how we lead and how we live. We are social animals who thrive in connection. We all want the people around us to be proud. “If you think what I’m doing is good,” we can say, “please tell me.” Do you tell them that you are proud? If that feels patronizing to you, be specific. “I just saw you do X,” you can tell them, “and I was really impressed. It makes me proud to work with you.” It’s a remarkably valuable, massive impact and takes virtually no time. That’s an enviable price/earnings ratio. There is no better use of our time – especially from the perspective of driving high performance – than to “see” the people around us and celebrate their successes and hard work.  SusieQ says—It is my opinion that it is of much more importance to recognize someone else than to recognize yourself! DuaneTheWorm probably will never understand that.  He's the champion of self-glorification! He can really "artificially please" (i.e. he's all foam and no beer).  DuaneTheWorm is as shifty and fakie as Christian McCaffrey was to the Iowa defense in the Rose Bowl!  Ouchy ouchy!

Confession from erv--It is important to keep a proper perspective on life (i.e. that's no hokum folks). I admit that I suffer from an “accomplishment-complex” sometimes. I think I need to jettison that thinking. I ask myself, “Does what I do matter?” In the big-picture view of thousands of years of human existence, billions of lives lived, and in an amazingly huge God working out his eternal plan, does what I do matter? Sometimes my feelings and my mind don’t always match when I answer this. Ouchy ouchy!  That is when I need to check under the hood!  Self praise is like the lights on a dashboard. They tell us something is going on under the hood. We must find out the source of the problem. Whenever we have a big ego and those expectations do not materialize, our tendency is to get angry. The source of the anger is often the fear that the unmet expectation will negatively impact us. We want to be important and impressive and have folks like us.  Some folks more than others.  Such is life.

I went for a run up in ‘em ‘er mountains on New Years day. A blue bird day in the Valley of the Sun (i.e. gorgeous).  There were many folks on the trail as it was a holiday.  I met a group of folks that looked like a family, and the dad of about 50 says to me as I was running up the trail—quit impressing me!  I don’t impress anyone at the speed I run (i.e. not even close to Secretariat's speed).  I run next to zero mph and zero is next to nutten! Besides, I don’t run to impress anyone.  My running makes me feel oh soooo good both physically and mentally.  I have been blessed to be able to do this (i.e. I humbly understand this).  ANYWAY  I run 1.5 miles up and 1.5 miles down.  Perfect amount of time and distance as it allows me to be gone about 1.5 hours—perfect.  Soooo I met this couple—he was an older guy and the gal with him was maybe about 65 (i.e. I thought she was his daughter)—Happy New Year—same to you—he then says to me—Don’t break a leg sonny!  He made me smile.  Sooooo on the way down I meet them again and stopped and talked with them.  He was 87 and he introduced me to his girl friend Meg!!!  It appears that there were some folks hiking maybe as a New Year’s resolution of getting in shape and losing 20-50-75 pounds (i.e. I don't want to BreakTheirWorld but it will take more than a hour hike).  I was maybe a fourth of a mile from the trail head when I met this couple who were maybe 50 and were just starting their hike.  I said Happy New Year and they said—We didn’t realize how out of shape we are!!!  Such is life.

I read in the paper soooo it must be right—A picture is worth a thousand words.  I have a friend who is a photographer.  He says he can make anyone look good!  Soooo Christmas time is a time for a lot of family pictures (i.e. I sorta kinda enjoy them).  Everyone looks oh soooo good and happy and everything is hunkie dorrie (i.e. probably not in all cases).  ItchieBitchie says—Everyone wants to put their best picture forward (i.e. want to impress folks).  You don’t want to show a picture where your family is arguing or disagreeing or unhappy, of course not.  A friend told me that one of their children is jealous as they think they show more attention to one kid than another (i.e. perceived but not real).  Maybe their family picture won’t show that. Soooo maybe pictures aren’t always accurate!  You think sooooo.

A story of a story teller I heard at the AZ Storytelling Project keeps coming back to me.  He told how he was raised in the Judaism religion.  He really liked Hanukkah; the lighting of the candles, eating all the good food, and hearing about all of the Lord’s miracles.  Then he went to college and had a good friend get involved in a car accident and was permanently, severely affected.  Where was the Lord’s miracles?  It really bothered him and he sorta kinda gave up on his faith in the Lord.  He studied world religions to discredit Judaism.  He then was a personal trainer in New York City.  He heard soooo many stories of folks who have had such terrible events.  Where are all the miracles of the Lord?  After that he went to seminary and now is a 40 some year-old Rabi.  He concluded his story by saying that he still doesn’t understand the Lord and still wonders where all the Lord’s miracles are but he realizes that he probably will never understand this and it will be an ongoing process the rest of his life. He surely seemed serious folks.

Rumack: Can you fly this plane, and land it?
Ted Striker: Surely you can't be serious.
Rumack: I am serious...and don't call me Shirley.

New life; second life. Had lunch this week with some college friends from good old Northwestern College.  Two gals a.k.a. MiracleBabes had miracles pertaining to being alive.  If the circumstances would have been just a little different, they would not of been having lunch with us at Fat Willies. Sooooo, there are a couple of God's miracles. Wow! SusieQ asks--erv, are you serious? I surely am. His understanding I cannot fathom; God is God and that's just the way it is. God impresses me even though I don't totally understand Him! Oh ya! Holy smokin pigs!

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFreindJean says--There is nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate,

P.S. Under social pressure, AlwaysWantingToBePopularJanice folds like a taco.  She's definitely a people pleaser.

2016

Relief is just a few hundred miles away!

Tweak your life!

Thanksamillion for the opportunity for me to be with you today.  It’s 2016 and it begins a new year of yapin’ by this snowbird in AZ.  I realize that some of my writing might sound like Yiddish to ya. I’m not trivializing the beauty of the snow and wind and ice of the Midwest, but The Valley Of The Sun fits us just fine. Thank you!

ItchieBitchie and his wife WonderfulMarvelousBetty went to a New Years party. WonderfulMarvelousBetty had a couple glasses of wine. On the way home, ItchieBitchie said--She acted like she was the boss over my life and the whole world! Ouchy ouuchy!

I talked to MN-Zinker at our 55+ Community here in AZ.  He said--I am a Seenager. (Senior teenager). I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 60 years later. I don’t have to go to school or work. I can go to bed when I want and get up when I want. I get an allowance every month. I have my own pad. I have a driver’s license and my own car. I have ID that gets me into bars and the whisky store. The people I hang around with are not scared of getting pregnant. And I don’t have acne. Life is great. SeniorBetty says--Ya, things change with age alright; we ain't dead and done!

SeenagerDuke says--Us snowbirds can act like affuenza teens alright! PickleballGerty says—We hear sooo much about “radicalizating” on the news recently.  Well, snowbirds are radicalized maybe--real radicals.  They sure buy into this life style and seem to love it.  They become very radical as to what they do and seem to enjoy it. TommyTheLout says--Us snowbirds are just wrapped in bubble wrap!  Such is life.

Saturday question--Why do folks become soooo radical (e.g. like crazy, radical Democrats or crazy, radical Republicans)? I read in the paper that the Democratic party is the preferred party of teachers and the Republican party is the preferred party of doctors).  Why is that do you think? Ummmm! Does it have anything to do with money do you think?  How about who raised us?  Or maybe our education?  Or maybe something that is in our past experiences.  Most radical folks are almost impossible to change; even almost impossible to even have a discussion with.  We all have acquaintance, friends, associates and church friends who are radical.  It doesn't take long to see it or hear it.  Social media is full of radicals.  I question if its a good thing to be a radical; unless you are a snowbird that is!  But I don't know much, I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  

We recognize the fact that we are fortunate to have the option and opportunity to winter in AZ.  I guess growing up I would have never thought this would be a possibility—it would have been more than a dream. It wasn't even a thought. America is a land of opportunities, no question.  I think some things sorta kinda just fell in our lap—very fortunate.  I do think that being around good folk and mimicking those good folks (i.e. you guys) really helps.  As the old saying of writer Alex Halley goes—When you see a turtle on a fence post you know it didn’t get there by itself. 

It's all relevant.  I thought I had it made as a kid on the farm a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  I didn’t know any different and was very happy and was not one bit envious of anyone (i.e. I didn't know better).  I was very satisfied.  Some years ago, during the depression, a government agent traveled through the Tennessee Mountains making small allotments to impoverished farmers for seed, stock or needed improvements.  He found one woman who lived alone, scratching out a bare living on two acres of barren ground. “If the government should allot you $200, what would you do with it?” he asked her. The woman thought a moment. Her cabin had no floor, its windows were covered with tar paper, light came through the broken walls. Finally, she looked up and said, “Reckon I’d give it to the poor.” It’s all a matter of our mind maybe.  What do you think.

The other day on a bitterly cold winter's day, a North Dakota State Trooper on patrol came upon a motorcyclist near Fargo who was stalled by the roadside. The biker was swathed in heavy protective clothing and wearing a full-face helmet to protect the face from the cold weather. “What’s the matter? asked the Trooper. "Carburetor's frozen," was the terse reply. "Pee on it. That'll thaw it out." "I can't," said the biker. "OK, watch me closely and I'll show you." The Trooper unzipped and promptly warmed the carburetor as promised. Moments later the bike started and the rider drove off, waving.
A few days later, the local State Troopers’ office received a note of thanks from the father of the motorcyclist. It began: "I would like to thank you on behalf of my daughter Jill.."

MyNeighborNeal told me—I am 95 and have just realized (i.e. finally) that I’m never going to be really good at anything like golf sooooo I just try to enjoy the day here in The Valley Of The Sun. Soooo NeighborNeal, what is the secret to living soooo long?  Don't die! I was running in our 55+ community this week and saw this.  I asked them if I could take their picture--sure, I bet you never saw someone towing a person in a wheel chair before--no I haven't.  Crazy.  God only knows what's in the 5-gallon pail.  I was scared to ask.  Senors are innovative and creative alright (i.e. always have something up their sleeve!  Such is life.

Before we left for AZ, one of my buddies told me that when he walks he feels soooo much better.  Soooo I asked him—Then how come don’t you walk every day—Cause it’s cold and windy and cloudy and I’m lazy! I can understand that, can you (i.e. winter can put a kibosh on our attitudes)?  Then I was getting tires on our car and an old client of mine was telling me about all his physical problems.  He said—I feel soooo much better when I walk every day.  Sooooo how come don’t you walk then?  It’s cold outside and windy and snowy and dark and dreary (i.e. IA winter can make a person's life grow stale).  Can you understand his thinking?  That is why warm weather, sun, and no wind makes a person want to get out and exercise.  Besides there are a lot of other folks doing it which helps (i.e. it might be contagious).  Does that make any sense to you folks? Charlie Brown says—Good grief!

TheOtherWarrenFromOmaha says--I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to find one now. That my friends is called an araprosdokian. If I agreed with you, WarrenFromOhaha, we'd both be wrong! 

CanadianPicklleballSlammer told me recently—We have rented a park model for 4 months.  I don’t complain about the cost. A!   If I do, I shouldn’t be here!  Besides, it’s all about our health.  It is sooooo good for a person’s health to winter down here.  Doing all the activities, being around happy folks and having warm, sunny weather.  That is CanadianPickleballSlammer's opinion.  LuckieEddie says--For all folks regardless of their power, money, and prestige, there's an expiration date (i.e. brief shelf life compared to eternity)!  Such is life.

I asked another pickleball buddy how he was doing as last year he was doing treatments for cancer.  He is doing fine he says but it took several months for me to get the hormone stuff out of his system.  He said—I would be with my lady friend and tell her I am having a hot flash.  She would say, I'm having one tooooo!  We just have them together. Crazy!

SenorChuckieBoo says--Ya when we get older we might have different limitations which provides us with different opportunities.  Church friends back home asked me--how is my faith is being affected with Arlene having Alziemer’s? My response was—My faith in the Lord might be stronger but I’m not as religious. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton wrote a book with an interesting title: More Jesus, Less Religion. Their point: “It was Karl Marx who said, ‘Religion…is the opiate of the people.’ Religion, with all its rituals and trappings, can indeed be hypnotic. When all you do is jump through hoops to try to get to God, it is easy to either give up or to get weird trying to earn God’s favor. Christianity is not a religion; it’s a life-transforming relationship with Christ. Joesixpack says--Things will never be like they used to be, and that could be reason enough to be sad, especially for the elderly who remember how things use to be. Or are folks just dealing with the symptoms?  Now that could be.  Sooooo maybe attitude has something to do with folks' feelings.  What do you think?

Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--Fresh clean sheets are one of life's small joys.

P.S. It's time for me to throw those chips away and get my butt off the couch and play some pickleball! Such is life.