over the top

A friend emailed me--ERV..often times there is more to the story...but also when I tell a story I tell more than I heard!  Our mutual golf buddy/friend (i.e. who was a former big-time writer) says--Every good story has some embellishment.  Sooooo take those comments into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”  It might be over the top!

Sooooo I bought a new and exciting blend of coffee the other day.  The name sounded sooooo good that I couldn’t resist it.  Sooooo the next morning I get the coffee out with high expectations only to find out that it was whole bean and not ground. Man-O-man!  No problem, we have a grinder somewhere soooo I spend time digging around and found it.  I fill the grinder full as I want to grind all the coffee and be done with it.  I ground and ground, but it didn’t grind very well (i.e. I think I went over the top I think).  Then the grinder started to smell, and smoke came out of it.  I killed the grinder.  Sooooo now I still have whole coffee beans and a dead grinder.  And there’s more to the story, I took some of the partially ground coffee and brewed some coffee.  I didn’t care for the blend! Man-O-Man! And the coffee was expensive coffee tooooo yet!  I had a good laugh!  What more could I do?

ItchieBitchie says—"Many folks aren’t as important as they think they are; I have learned firsthand how fleeting influence and prestige can be. Without even a moment’s notice, it can be stripped away.”  I would guess we are not indispensable. For this reason, I assume it is crucial that we guard our hearts against pride (i.e. try to give ourselves pats on the back), especially when we have experienced some success in life (i.e. whatever that is). I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Make a conscious effort to show deference to others. Numerous studies have shown that the most effective leaders, the ones that succeed in motivating and inspire those they lead, are those who exhibit humility and genuine concern for other people. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Do you believe that, or do you think pride makes a person more successful?  That is what I thought.  It’s our choice for sure. 

MyFriendFromEastOfTown told me this at breakfast yesterday--The best way to preach is to tell the truth using kindness and grace.  BUT not be condescending; that never works. 

AverageJoe (i.e. who is good as gold) says—It appears that folks who have over the top thinking a.k.a. those who think they know everything, seem to poison the well that we all drink from. BigPictureEric says—It seems that they can really cause an ugly monster.  I had my monthly breakfast with The Professor the other day.  We didn’t talk about sports or money.  No no!  We talked about family dynamics, life struggles and then The Professor brought up hermeneutics. What in the world is that?  I never heard of that before.  I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  I think he was a little over the top for me.  haha

I think I have noticed a change in the type, or maybe they have been coached to change, in sports announcers.  Why?  ‘cause the majority of the audience doesn’t like the announcers who think they know everything.  The ones who criticize the coaches and the officials as they think they knew all the answers (i.e. way over the top) who irritate the listeners.  I think many listeners did what I did—I muted them (i.e. they were a big turn off).  The new type of announcers is much easier to listen tooooo as they don’t, or have been coached, to not to think they know all the answers (i.e. much more audience friendly).  I listen to numerous speakers; it’s exactly the same with them.  Don’t kid yourself folks.  Some folks think they know stuff that only God knows.  Da!  ItchieBitchie says--Folks might be flying at 41,000 feet but there is turbulence sooooo they have to pull the stick aft and goooo higher, like way higher to get rid of the turbulence.  Did you get it? That is what I thought. Saturday questions--Why do you think State Farm uses Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers in their ads?  Da!  Why do some gals get to be homecoming queens? Da!

Our soon to be 10-year old granddaughter, Charlie, made this for Arlene for her birthday. What a simple message.  She has such a tender and loving heart.  This is not over the top folks!  I can even understand this message.  BUT can I apply it to my life; now that is another question!  If it’s over the top for any of you, maybe you want to read soon to be 7-year old Rookie’s version! 

I read in the paper, sooooo it must be right, that the Secretary of Agriculture, Perdue, said in Wisconsin that small dairy farmers are toast. FarmerJoe says—Change is a regularly reoccurring situation! Where did all the buffalo go—they shot them all as they didn’t fit into the new culture. Is Secretary Perdue over the top or just telling the truth?  How do you think that went over with the small dairy farmers?  Is it reality?  Well, money usually drives everything; if you can’t make money, change will happen.  History sorta kinda shows that.  BUT usually in change, some folks will be the losers.  Maybe we should be more proactive to change; get ahead of it instead digging in our heels.  I don’t know.  What do you think?

Winston Churchill said—Those who never change their mind, never change anything. Was Winston serious?  I think he is referring to the way I think, my opinions, and my thought pattern.  I am wrong sometimes and I need to admit it when I am.  Folks seem to accept folks much better when they admit they are wrong instead of trying to still ”beat the drum very loud of wrongness” (i.e. we need to eat crow when we are wrong). BUT how do I know when I am wrong?  Well, I think sometimes we just know we are wrong. I am struggling with how a new form of marriage is being used (i.e. I never heard of it before).  Probably 98% of the younger generations could care less.  They say—Folks can do whatever they want; whatever makes them happy (i.e. it’s a new scheme).  erv, it’s none of your business or concern; it’s a change in culture.  Part of me agrees but its all new to me; I'm confused.  Again, probably 98% of the younger generations would say to me—erv, rub some dirt on it and move on; change your mind set, your opinion and your thought pattern; you are not in charge of other folks or the world! I'm not going to judge anyone as I have no idea what I would do in the same situation. BUT I do know its time for me to change my coffee cup for sure and I did!

My dental hygienist told me that at their family Thanksgiving get-to-gather, there were more dogs than kids!  She made me laugh.  Yes, our culture is changing.

But some traditions just hang on.  Our granddaughter, Erin who is 13, wanted to make Anna’s cranberry salad for Thanksgiving.  She touched my heart.  It’s fun when the younger generations touch our hearts.  Very special. 

In looking back at my life and thinking about my current life situation, I have had a lot of disappointments a.k.a. bad gum; I would guess you did tooooo.  I have a tendency when I first discover a disappointment to have a knee jerk reaction to the disappointment (i.e. it feels like I just got sand kicked in my face).  BUT, I also have a tendency after adjusting and thinking it over, to become proactive and accepting.  I have these reactions with the progression of Arlene’s Alzheimer’s disease.  It’s ugly but it seems like after each new digression, after some time I become proactive and accepting (i.e. spit more bad gum out).  I guess that is good. Probably better than if I don't.  To keep chewing that bad gum that is an over the top negative reaction, is probably not good.  That’s my opinion.  You guys have any advice for me?

I went and saw the old client I talked about a few weeks ago.  We havn’t seen each other for many years.  When he greeted me, he became very emotional and gave me a hug (i.e. he was never emotional when we did business—times change folks).  We reminisced about old days and our business dealings and our relationship (i.e. even though he has two hearing aids and still can’t hear worth a darn).  His wife passed on a couple of months ago soooooo maybe the timing was really good.  But anyway, I debated if I should do this, but I think it was really a win-win situation (i.e. it would have been easier to sit on the couch and eat chips).  I suggest you do something like this (i.e. throw those chips away and get your butts off the couch).  Some of you might think that doing something like this is a little over the top! It could be but I think it’s better than sending a card for their funeral (i.e. but not as easy for sure). 

How dumb can I get? WorldClassLarry says—A person begins cutting their wisdom teeth the first time they bite off more than they can chew. GeorgeTheCrook says--Many times folks think they know more than they really do.  I can do some really dumb stuff at times that is way over the top (i.e. way out of good reason and judgment).  I would think I would learn; many times I do after stubbing my toe for the 100^th time. 

I found out the other day, AGAIN, that I’m really not very important.  Now that is humbling!  I need to be reminded of that occasionally. Maybe I can get over the top at times.  I was listening to a person speak recently and thought about what a couple of friends told me.  One said—If you read self-help books, most authors say what they need to say in the first one or two chapters and the rest is just filler.  The other one said—I don’t read self-help books as I never apply what they say.  I guess we need to be careful when we speak and write; those opinions might apply there also.  MissPerfect says--Maybe many folks think they are more important than what they are; have the “over the top” thought of themselves. Just maybe. TheGuyDownTheStreet says—Thank God I don’t have that thinking but my mother-in-law surely does. 

I also read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--No man ever repented of being a Christian on his death bed. And tooooo top it off, Billy Graham made this observation, “No one can outrun death. It will catch up to all of us eventually.” A friend emailed me this--"I know about things that interest me....but I'm not interested in everything." Are these communications over the top for some of you?  Well suck it up cupcake and let’s get going, we’re burning daylight!

Ok, think about this (i.e. it might be over the top for some of you)—Are we the problem or the solution to the problem.  Could it be that we misinterpret our self-evaluation of ourselves?  We might think we are right, but we are not really right.  Could be folks!  I think I’m both sometimes (i.e. not pretty).  A friend text me—High emotions is not a good recipe for harmony. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—When the root is deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.