January 28, 2017

just one more thing

CrazyMarvin a.k.a. a regular hound dog who never caught a rabbit says—There are times that I have no idea what you are talking about erv.  I realize that CrazyMarvin.  Soooo folks, please take that in consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”  Not everyone can be as smart as some of you guys.  That is why I like to hang out with you guys a.k.a. the best.  I’m a leach!  Such is life. One more thing—I might sound like I talk big but really I ain’t that big (i.e. a small potato).  Most of you know that.  Sooooo there you go! 

Geez louise! I surely don’t know what will happen with the brewhaha that our country is in (i.e. some think it’s idiocy).  Everyone has an opinion and everyone thinks they are right.  There are very strong opinions expressed with loud voices (i.e. like 2-year olds who don’t get their way).  History shows that usually money and power wins along with extreme passion—but there has even been revolutions in the past when folks don’t get their way.  It truly will be interesting to follow the events in the next 20 years (i.e. I might not see it play out in the next 20 years; I’m already 71).  I pray that it will turn out good.  But, if you guys don’t believe in prayer, you may pray anyway.  It’s ok.  We have a lot at stake here folks.  No matter how smart you are or think you are, you are not going to control the future (i.e. at least I don’t think you are that smart). Such is life.

"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks." - Sir Winston Churchill

The Pareto principle is often called the 80-20 rule and refers to the idea that 80% of the results come from just 20% of the work. It’s an idea that has been pushed into a lot of different areas. Businesses often get their 80% of sales from 20% of their customers. 20% of the people earn 80% of the income, cite income inequality researchers. It’s been shown to be true empirically in a variety of areas. 20% of the people a.k.a. rain makers produce 80% of the results. You get it.  BUT society does have a responsibility to the 80%. Don't they? And if sooooo, how much?  Here lies the dilemma. And there is a huge massive difference of how folks think about this (i.e.particularly if they have to give up some of their $$$$$--talks is cheap folks). This is crazy. SusieQ says--It's always easier it you can get others pay for something you want (i.e. and think you need)!  How smart are you SusieQ! Da!
During a run this week, I saw this laying in the curb on the near east side.  I have no idea what it means.  Maybe one of you smart guys who know everything can help me here. 

A pickleball buddy who is a licensed counselor was telling me that when folks have a hard time adjusting to something new in their life (e.g. care giving, death, birth of a child, divorce, loss of job, learning how to listen to a podcast etc.), it is called an “Adjustment Disorder.”  Have you ever had an adjustment disorder?  She said--Counseling for adjustment disorder is covered by insurance, most of the time.  Sooooo there you go folks.

One more thing.  A pickleball buddy is a financial planner. I asked him if he has any good ideas to invest some money that is quite liquid and secure and has a good return.  He said he would get back to me. During my run the next day, I saw two snowmobiles for sale by owner.  I texted him and said—I hope your ideas are not to buy a snowmobile or a boat or a camper or a horse.  ha ha. 

The Pew research says that for the first time in 130 years, more young adults (ages 18-34) are living in their parents’ home than in any other setting. LuckieEddie says--It has the effect of blurring the line between childhood and adulthood. I read in the paper sooooo it must be right, that there use to be a philosophy in rural IA where “everyone is the working class”—if not in reality, in spirit (e.g. a farmer would buy a new pickup but would drive the old one to town as he didn’t want everyone to know that he is rich or to have the folks think he is rich).  Actually, I think, there is still some of that philosophy in rural America.  BUT in our culture today, you can’t tell who has money and who doesn’t because of easy credit (i.e. it appears that it is easy to live large).  And you know what, in the metro, maybe no one cares or knows.  BUT I’m really amazed how some folks stay rooted in their upbringing of humility (i.e. I have friends that can live in any house they want but are content to live in the house they have—or friends who can drive any kind of car they want but drive modest vehicles). BUT I know folks who struggle financially but drive vehicles way expensive (i.e. my opinion). Such is life.

TopsyTurvyEd suggests--Parents must prepare their children for leaving the nest. Parenting is teaching children the slow process of transferring trust and dependency from parents to God—learning to walk by faith and not by sight. Wherever your children or grandchildren are in their life journey, make sure you are transitioning from holding them tightly as children to holding them lightly as young adults. The surest way to make life hard for your children is to make it soft for them. 

One more thing.  Steve Kerr was stopped by a court side reporter (i.e. why are they usually pretty gals) at the end of the first half during a Golden State basketball  game.  She asked Coach Kern why the team did soooo well the first half?  Coach Kerr said—We have a lot of good players! Hey folks, it’s always good to be around good, talented folks.  No question. Ya got to have talent to win folks. Don’t kid yourself. One more thing!  I read in the sports section of the paper, soooo it must be right—A college football coach said when he went to raise money in town for the football program, he brought along his assistant coach’s wife.  She was blond and blue eyed and had a charming personality.  He said--We raised all kinds of money!  Soooooo there you go folks, the magic of pretty girls! Such is life.

One more thing—GeorgeTheCrook says--Keep it simple and have some fun. JoeBlow says-- It’s easy when everything is going your way.  SusieQ says—When someone gets right up in your grill, how do you react? Many folks over react.  They get goofy; make an a…. of themselves; can’t handle the pressure.  Saturday question—How do you handle confrontation?  It appears that folks handle it way different.  Some folks wither up like a dried up grape and others just take it as a part of life.  AverageJoe says--Much is lost if you can’t handle negotiating a tough situation. 

GeorgeTheCrook says--Successful people avoid excesses, wild emotional swings, addictions, obsessions, binging, starvation, extravagances and fanatical behavior. They keep their thoughts and emotions on a short leash. This last week I was around some folks who are really different. One person is always positive—always seems to be even keel (i.e. seems to be able to evaluate the situation and make good decisions).  Another person is like a yo-yo with her emotions; when things are good she is high as a kite and when things are not soooo good, well she in a deep hole a.k.a. crashes,   Another  person I was around is always negative; always just miserable.  Why is that folks?

WorldClassLarry says--In order to be stable, you have to figure out how to maintain your enthusiasm over the long haul. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm.”  AverageJoe says--I believe that with all of my heart. I have found it to be true in my life. You’ve got to have passion, you’ve got to have enthusiasm, or you’re never going to make it to the finish line.

I was just told (i.e. reminded again by a certain person) that they think I’m way off base.  Huh, interesting.  That probably means that I probably don’t understand that person either.  I probably look at this person and wonder how they get their shoes tied and they wonder how I have made it this far in life.  Huh, interesting.  We are both alive sooooo both of our thinking must work. ha ha  LuckieEddie says—Now that is a head scratchier!  I think folks can be very narrow minded (i.e. me included at times).  They won’t even listen to another person’s opinion or in some case, facts.  Maybe they are brainwashed by their past (i.e. consciously or sub-consciously).  Such is life.

Growing up by Roseland, I learned to say vet-run and not vet-er-an.  That is how I learned it growing up in Roseland folks.  James corrected me at Thanksgiving.  A gal at church and I were talking and I told her I heard she works for a cement company.  No, no, she said—It’s a concrete company; concrete uses cement to make the concrete. Oh!  In Roseland, we called it a cement company. I was wrong again.  I ran into a guy (i.e. about 80) at breakfast who had his name of his company on his sweatshirt he had on.  I asked him if he does cement work—he corrected me also.  Soooo is there a lot of money in concrete?  We make a living; the ones who really make a lot of money seem to take advantage of folks; we won’t do that. I asked a builder about this and he said—I always thought the mafia ran the concrete business.  My deceased neighbor Karl would say said to me—erv, there are two kinds of concrete/cement, concrete that is cracked and cement that is going to crack!!!! Also, my parents, Chester and Anna, called Brazilian nuts …toes or …heads.  Not nice but they didn’t know any better and they just taught me (i.e. I surely didn’t know any better).  Such is life.

One more thing!  An enjoyable part of a Christmas letter we received from friends was they telling us about their children having part time jobs and also volunteering at the local nursing home.  That is soooo good to hear.  I think that is good parenting (i.e. my opinion).  One more thing related to this topic—I woke up one morning thinking about a young man that I got to know maybe 7 years ago when he was in middle school (i.e. we developed  a relationship).  He is now in college.  I text him to see how he was doing.  He told me he is working his way through college.  And I think this guy will do it.  I do.  Maybe, just maybe, the reason why I like these two stories is they remind me of myself a zillion years ago (i.e. my past experiences are once again influencing me here folks).

Our waiter, who has waited on us several times, impresses us.  He is a 17 years old junior in high school.  He has a great demeanor and has developed his people skills.  He told us he started de-tasseling corn at 14 and then started waiting at 15.  He saves half his money for college.  I asked him what he learned in school today—Calcium Nitrate balancing and writing the formulas using SIN COS and TAN to find missing angles and side.  You smart guys probably know what he’s talking about; I have no idea.  I really think this young man will do well in life. 

Our daughter, Heather, and I usually talk via phone each Saturday morning. She was using her iPhone via the Bluetooth in their 4-wheel drive SUV while taking Erin to dance class and then gymnastics and Jimmer to jujutsu class while she goes to the gym to work out.  Then to Whole Foods grocery store: then there is a birthday party: then Erin has a friend coming over for a sleep over.  They are living the suburban family American dream. They have arrived.  They are there.  It’s what all families strive for.  What more is there?

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

erv

MyFriendJeanSays—, Knowing is not enough, we must apply.  Willing is not enough, we must do.


P.S. OneSmartMNGuy shared a groaner with me—How to you get Holy water? Boil the hell out of it!

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