ervzzona

I did some business with a company recently.  Katy helped me.  She gave me her business card but didn’t look at it till later. She made me laugh. 

AverageJoe (i.e. who is on the fringe of not being a normal human being) says--ervzzona is an experience when a person has their hands full with life.  Crazy! Or is it an estimate of life without any true data? Maybe it’s just a hoax!  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  Or is an ervzzona a thinking like John Betjeman, a former poet laureate in England, who said—Many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury not a necessity like petrol.  But to me it’s the oil of life.  I have to admit that poetry does not oil me much! Ya gotta remember that I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. Chester and Anna weren’t much into poetry.

Have you ever been spanked (i.e. physically or mentally)? A friend told me a while back that our church got spanked (i.e. we need to change).  I don’t know if we will or not; change is hard for many (i.e. I like change; I get bored easily).  I recently had a change of attitude; yes I did or maybe a reminder to refocus my attitude.  To be honest, it really felt good.  I am concerned about others and will try to help them if they want but I can’t change them; they have to do that themselves.  The only person I can change is me; now that is what I’m going to really work on.  Now that’s an ervzzona! Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going! I haven’t got all day! Hurry up! Chop chop! erv erv, you must realize that some folks will not tolerate with which they disagree; they are not going to change; you are wasting your time unless you have power to cow them into submission.  ha ha  BigMuscledJoe says—In the world we live in, it seems that the folks with the biggest guns win!

Here are a few friends’-zzonas—Several friends brought us meals.  One said—If you don’t like it, just throw it away; another said—it probably isn’t much good, very little of it is home-made!  Another friend just left a note—broccoli/chicken casserole in frig! Another friend told me that they are getting a huge massive tax return; later he told me he forgot one major 1099 (i.e. some of their return just disappeared)! Friend/my text thread went like this—erv, are you ok; we are worried about you--I need someone to worry about me; maybe crazy question; why do you worry about me; I have had some other friends say that to me as well--we worry sometimes in general because you have a lot to cope with and we love you!  Now that is pretty nice.  I appreciate many of your concerns.  I really do.  It is what it is.  Hey, I worry about you folks tooooo. Yes I do. We are just a bunch of worry warts now aren’t we!

My 4^th removed cousin Rob says—Bazooka! There are a lot of smart folks; intelligently smart, street smart, smart aleck smart, common sense smart, and know it all smart.  It doesn’t take rocket scientist smart to figure out that empires don’t last forever.  Maybe America will crumble like other great empires; we are only a little over a couple hundred of years old.  Why would we be immune!  Many think that the direction we are going, it might be sooner than later.  I read this that I found interesting written by a smart person, Dr.J--Besides his scientific expertise, Sir Isaac Newton (d. 1727) was a historian. He wrote a lengthy book—The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended (i.e. you smart folks might what to read it; I am not)—that outlined the chronology (rise and fall) of six ancient kingdoms: Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonians and Medes, Israelite, and Persian). All such human kingdoms have been temporary. Their failure should serve as a reminder that a permanent, eternal Kingdom is coming. I realize that some of you folks think this thinking is just an ervzoona!

 In the business and professional world, we are always looking for a competitive advantage. Fresh ideas!  Here is an eye catching, fresh idea to get folks’ attention; it was in the paper.  It got my attention; I LOL!  Holy smackeroo!  I was having breakfast with a friend and he and his wife each gave us a jar of soup.  He said he made one jar—really—I didn’t know you were a cook—I’m not really; just once in a while—I got third prize in a chili cook off in the men’s group of our church—wow—it really wasn’t that hard; I just gave the judges (i.e. all men) what they wanted; a lot of big chunks of hamburger and added some brown sugar; you just got to know what the judges want!  AverageJoe says--That is sorta kinda like who wins the beauty pageants; it depends if the judges are male or female!  ha ha It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  SusieQ says--Men are more visual while women are more about feelings). 

Another ervzzona!  A friend sent me a text about if we wanted a meal in the evening—You bet; you will need to bring it a little early as I friend is coming over to be with Arlene and I’m going to play pb.  She didn’t bring the meal and then sent me a text and was wondering if everything was ok.  Oooops, I entered the text but forgot to send the message. Laser-focused—NOT!  If that is a shock to any of you, then that’s on you! Our home care provider said that she forgot her FitBit razor watch the other day (i.e. she seemed like she was lost without it).  She said—I told myself—don’t forget don’t forget don’t forget it and I forgot it.  Ooooops!

Another ervzzona!  I use to seem to think that devils were of only of the male gender.  But with the changes in our culture, I’m starting to think that there are devils of both genders.  I never use to think of female devils.  But like I said, with the women movement, we have to have equality!  Maybe female devils are just dressed up pretty with nice make up and pretty hair dos.  Some sure seem that way maybe. Maybe calling them devils is toooo strong of a definition; maybe witches is a better description.   I still don’t like to think of ladies being either one but it appears that some want to have it that way (i.e. my opinion). I don’t much care for it.  It appears that being ladies and gentlemen is on the way out. It’s toast. I must be old-fashion! I don’t like it!  Such is life.

Another ervzzona!  I had a consultation with our family doctor recently.  When we got done, he asked about Arlene.  We discussed her current condition, but I said--we are ok.  I said to him—You see all kinds of folks with many different medical conditions, mentally and physical—I do; many; what really amazes me is how different folks handle their conditions; I see folks who have fairly difficult situations and are pretty positive and I see folks who have very minor health issues who have an attitude of “woe is me.”  He said it is very interesting.

Another ervzzona!  I just had a pop-up reminder of how I have changed (i.e. ok, not maybe completely but somewhat).  There are constant readings of how a person can get better at something like a skill (e.g. pickleball).  They all have merit if that is what your goal is.  I am trying to learn how to enjoy pb more instead of getting better at the game (i.e. but I don’t mind getting better ha ha).  I guess you could say—maybe my motive has changed.  When I play with folks my age the game is a lot different than when I play with players who are way younger.  It is a great pop-up reminder that I’m not near as mobile, agile, or hostile as when I was younger! Younger peoples’ world is way different than folks who are getting social security and media-care; in soooooo many ways!

I read Educated, a memoir) which is highly acclaimed and a very popular read.  To me the overview is about how her environment (i.e. raised by a highly religious father who might have been mentally ill) affected his family to maybe become dysfunctional.  BUT because of a motivation to learn (i.e. also having the ability) the author got herself out of her situation.  That’s my take on it.  I think many readers probably see themselves at some point in their life to be in a somewhat similar situation maybe. 

Another ervzzona! A friend brought us our meal the other night (i.e. she is very kind and generous).  You know it was good as Arlene said—Good oh boy!  She says their pastor challenged them to memorizing a verse and she suggested I do it tooooo.  Soooo here is an opportunity for you tooooo do the same.  The verse their pastor suggested is:  Hebrews 12:1-2a Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.  Some of you say—I can’t do it; I can’t memorize it.  Yes you can; just try a different approach like Jimmer did.  We gave Erin and Jimmer a ripstick.  Jimmer had a hard time getting it.  Our daughter, Heather, said--Easton just couldn’t get the ripstick until we had him switch his stance and put his right foot forward- then he could. This is backwards for most people- except lefties (i.e. in snowboarding it’s called goofy foot). Funny.  Soooo folks, try to change your stance.  God only knows what might happen to you!  Crazy! God might be laughing at you already.  You have to admit we are pretty funny (i.e. especially to God—He probably LOL at us about how stubborn and stiff necked we are)!

Another ervzzona!  A group of us were talking at church Easter morning.  It was fun.  I said to a young lady—Soooo do you have a boyfriend?  She said—No, I will announce it when I do.  I got the impression she has been asked that question a time or two.  I should have kept my mouth shut; it would have been a lot better.  I really like this young lady and didn’t mean it in a negative way; I was just interested in her.  Sooooo I said to a friend later who was in the conversation—Slap me in the face soooo I won’t do that again!  A famous conductor was talking to a woman at a reception after a sold-out concert.  She looked so familiar, and it was annoying him that he could not remember her name. In an attempt to find out, he asked, “How’s your husband doing?” “He’s fine. He’s still king.”

Sooooo I bought new sheets for Arlene’s bed at Kohl’s during their big sale (i.e. they always have a sale).  I asked a floor person which sheets I should buy?  He said that he would buy the middle priced sheets; they are the best value for the dollar.  Sooooo I did.  I washed them and put them on.  I didn’t like them as the fitted sheet was not snug and it bunched up (i.e. but I saved $28.75).  I called customer service and told the gal.  She said—You should have bought the most expensive sheets; that is what I always do.  Sooooo I really got a bargain alright! I’m **** out of luck with those babies! I have been had again!  I’m no virgin! Such is life.

ervzzona—My relation of some kind sent me this--Question for you.  Are you my 2nd cousin, or are you my first cousin once-removed ???   I recently drove to the twin cities to attend a funeral of a friend's daughter, who passed away "on the airplane" returning from a vacation in Florida.   Very unusual.  anyway - at the funeral I met a distant cousin, whose father was my first cousin, so I always assumed she was my "second cousin", but she corrected my and said "No, Warren, I am your first cousin once-removed".   ????  Not sure I guess,  Can you enlighten me ?????    Have a good day.  Other Warren in Omaha  ~  Sooo I emailed the horse (i.e. another cousin of our Dad, Robert from MN) and got the skinny directly from the horse’s mouth--She is right!  erv, you are a first cousin "once-removed" to both Warren and me, since your Dad is our first cousin.   Sorry that sounds belittling, but it is what it is! ~ I checked with my sister’s daughter’s son who is an expert in genealogy and also a top of his class college student (i.e. it’s always good to get a second opinion). He said—ue (i.e. uncle erv, actually gue I think,could be,maybe)--How many times removed is how far you have to move up your part of the family tree to get to a cousin pairing (ex. you had to move one generation to get to the cousin pairing). The number of cousins is how far you have to go down the other person's family tree from that cousin pairing (ex. you didn't have to go down at all because Warren and your father are cousins, but Warren's children would be your second cousins once removed because you had to go down a generation). Hopefully that makes a little more sense. If not, I can draw you a picture. Isn’t he nice to offer to draw his gue a picture!!! He knows that I’m removed alright; he just doesn’t know how far! Now that is from onesmartperson!

For years, my favorite meat cutter says to me when I ask her “how is it going”—Better than some but not as good as others.  She makes me laugh every time.  She just did again the other day. What a hoot!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are right.