infect

I read that modern references to “Ponzi schemes” refer to the fraudulent investment plan started by Charles Ponzi in the 1920s. He promised unrealistic rates of return—and succeeded for over a year—by paying initial investors with money from new investors instead of from actual profits from investments. In all such swindles, the victims have absolute faith that the conman will be true to his promises. None of what is written in this “It’s Saturday” is a Ponzi scheme as far as I can tell but some might be.  I can’t control the opinions of my imaginary friends especially ItchieBitchie; she can get way out of control with what she says.  Soooo take that all into consideration when reading this week’s version.

JumpStartJim, who is gutsy, says--I didn’t realize I was like COVD-19… an infectious disease! Sooooo are you and I infectious? A friend told me that when he was coming out of anesthesia, he was not a nice person.  His thoughts were bad and his talk was bad.  He wondered if he was alive or dead as he didn’t know what was going on.  He questioned himself if he was this way his whole life and didn’t realize it.  I talked to him maybe 6 weeks after this experience and he was still confused and questioning himself.  I asked him what his relationship with the Lord is.  Some of you might say—erv, you were either brave or crazy.  I might not want to be around you as you might ask me that. Could be but my friend sure didn’t seem very peaceful.  Harold Macmillian, who was the British prime minster for nearly seven years, said, “I am MackWonder one moment and MacBlunder the next.”  ANYWAY, I think that is a very legitimate question.  What is soooo hard about it?  It’s like you asking a friend what their relationship is with their dad.  They will tell you, usually (i.e. they know for sure).  Soooo what’s sooo difficult about answering that question. It is like asking—Do you like the MN Vikings? But folks don’t ask each other that question even in churches that they have been attending for 30 years.  Sooooo there must be something scary about it or something.

One person or one event can infect everything sometimes (i.e. either for the good or for the bad).  One rotten apple in the barrel seems to stink up the whole barrel. ItchieBitchie, who can be a swashbuckler at times, says—Yabut, a little bathroom spray can make everything smell good (i.e. but sometimes it takes more than other times--haha). Soooo do you think it is easier to attack or defend?  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that—A person’s abilities are tested best when defending rather than attacking.  I don’t know if that is right but maybe it is.  I don’t know.  What do you think? That is what I thought.  I tried to put myself on both sides.  I still don’t know what I think. CadallicJack says--If you don't accept responsibility for your own actions, then you are forever chained to a position of defense. Sooo erv, what does this have to do with the price of tea in China?

I played pickleball with the locals at an area church Tuesday night.  A friend said—erv, I had to grow up this year—what do you mean—I have to make the turkey this year—how old are you anyway—60—it’s about time (i.e. she had to put on her big girl pants--haha)!  I had this gal as a student a zillion years ago; I nicknamed her Squirt!  I still occasionally call her Squirt ‘cause she still is a squirt to me (i.e. and a good pickleball player I might add)!  I really like this gal; she is a real person, a good person with a good heart; my kind of person.

Here is something that can infect folks in a very positive way.  RickyRick, who might be the brother of RichyRich, says—"It is called the ministry of presence. When you’re ministering to someone in pain, you must remember this: The deeper the pain, the fewer words you use. If somebody’s having a bad hair day, then you can talk about it for 30 minutes. But if that person has a major crisis, talking about it for a long time is probably not going to help. Just show up and shut up. You can’t talk people out of their pain. Some pain is beyond words. When it’s the right time, your hurting friend will say something. When it’s the right time, then you’ll be able to say something too.” GeorgeTheCrook, who seems to keep his head, asks—Why do we think we always need to talk?  Wouldn’t it be better if we would just listened? Most of the time, others don’t want our advice or opinion.  If they do, they will ask. They usually don’t. It seems like I have a hard time just being still!  I’m really going to try to be better at that.  We will see.  No promises! For sure. 

Giving directions is such a tricky area.  An eight-year old kid gives grandma instructions on how to use her iPad (i.e. they say to grandma--everyone knows that grandma).  Grandma is giving her eight-year old grandson (i.e. or her 25-year old grandson) instructions about something about common sense (i.e. they say to the kid—everyone knows that grandson).  Have you ever expected the other person to understand the instructions you are giving them, and they don’t and then latter on it causes a problem that you have toooo fix?  Have anyone gave you a lingo about instructions about something that they are very much an expert in, but you are not and then they ask, any questions? Directions are tricky alright.  Maybe that is why the military goes over a procedure time and time again (i.e. practice practice practice).  They try to make sure everyone understands the directions.

It appears that a little over 50% of Americans who have voted indicated that they want the United States (i.e. which we are surely not united in our opinions) to go in a different direction.  Is this a good decision do you think (i.e. probably depends what camp you are in I would guess)? Our country is about 254 years old (i.e. really not very old).  I wonder if the Revolutionary War would have been won by the other side if things would have been different.  I wonder about the same with the Civil War, 1^st WW and the 2^nd WW, Dessert Storm War or any of our other country’s wars.  Surely those outcomes would have made a massive huge difference to the U.S., the world and each of our lives even though it appears that the results are largely forgotten.  History will prove once again what results this decision will produce.  Soooo how do we know what good is and how this decision will affect us?  Good, it appears to me—my opinion, is something I have in my brain, heart, mind and soul.  Soooo good might be something different to different folks for sure.  I read in the paper soooo it must be right—It is disquieting to see language being manipulated to imply the opposite of what people think they are expressing. Time will tell folks!  I probably won’t see the big result in my lifetime. Oh, those emotions can misdirect us sometimes.  Haven’t we seen this in world history? And some you don’t agree about that either!!  haha We have freedoms in America. America is a democracy. Voting is one freedom we have to express our beliefs and/or emotions. I had a friend from another country express to me that he does not like to see Americans soooo split in their views.  Maybe he is just a nice guy or maybe he thinks this could have a major impact in the world. Huh interesting.

I, erv, get infected by them folks (i.e. some of ‘em folks are you guys).  History seems to show us how folks get infected by leaders (i.e. both good and bad).  Sometimes we can’t tell who are the good leaders and who are the bad leaders.  Soooo is that fate?  Is that something divine? I don’t know that.  I do ponder that though.  In the world, we know that different CEOs, coaches, parents, bosses, friends, religious leaders, spouses, government leaders, etc. can really make a difference (i.e. infect us) in our lives and our success and beliefs.  Some folks make good decisions toooo what they buy into and others don’t.  Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  And some folks don’t have a choice who they are controlled by (i.e. seems like they have no choice).  And some are probably brainwashed. Some folks live miserable lives their whole life.  And some seem to elect that lifestyle! Ouchy ouchy!

I have read the book Endurance by Lansing.  It is a classic non-fiction about the ship Endurance and the crew who tried to cross the Antarctic overland in 1915. Well they got frozen in.  It was recommended to me by my friend JimTheMI-Engineer. I have really enjoyed it.  It might not be the most popular recent book. I got it from a local library and it was last checked out in 2015 (i.e. but it was checked out 19 times since 1999 to 2015—some folks liked it).  But it’s older but the story is the same!  Here is a part about being infected.    

The book has been read by many, I think, because it’s a true adventure. It parallels our lives.  And we know the outcomes of the book and many of our lives—HAPPY! It has hope, disappointment, miracles, tragedies, etc.  It shows how much our bodies and minds can endure if we have the right attitude.  Maybe, it is perfect timing for me as I am in a new adventure with a new chapter of my life. Could be.  I suggest you give it a read.

I had a friend call me that normally doesn’t call me.  He talked about how this year has been tough on a lot of folks, him included, because of all the political turmoil and the virus situation.  I surely agreed with him. He concluded our conversation in telling me—erv, love your kids and their families even if they don’t agree with you on some issues.  What great advice.  There are maybe families that don’t agree about issues and it has affected family harmony to a point of not loving each other anymore.  His call was really not a normal communication that I would expect from this friend (i.e. this guy is wise and a good friend, for sure). It really was good for me to hear this—not just about family members but about other friends and acquaintances (i.e. erv, be more tolerant even when they aren’t tolerant of me—now that is hard to do sometimes especially when they are surely obnoxiously wrong haha). Thanksamillion my friend; you have infected me.  Sushma Swaraj (i.e. I wonder if any of you know about her) said—"My best friend and most trustworthy friend is my husband. I trust him more than I trust myself.” I bet very few toooo none know who Sushma Swaraj is or really care!  She was pretty impressive in her own right but not here deep in Butler County especially with the guys who drink coffee in the shed! She was known and is known by many folks of the world. Put this in your brain—sooo if she is that important and you never heard of her, how important are you?

We are infected by our past.  LutherMyLittleCouzFromRoseland sent our family this in regards to MyKidSisterDoris’70thBirthday that made me emotional (i.e. some of you folks say you like that when I’m personal)—“I remember going with your mother and Doris (i.e. my kid sister) to watch Erv play basketball at NWC. Your mother drove all the there and back the same day. Erv showed me his dorm room, pretty cool. I remember him telling the guys in the room to keep it clean because I was his little cousin from Roseland. Than he laughed. Your mother was a special lady.” That was maybe 55 years ago and LittleCouzFromRoseland remembers it. Huh interesting.

Recently I had sorta kinda a dilemma.  I want to start playing pickleball inside with the club that I usually play with in the metro.  BUT the virus is on a rampage soooo I really wondered if I should do it.  I decided I was going to do it.  Then I got up the next morning and my hip hurt me.  It never hurts.  What is going on.  I probably couldn’t play and probably shouldn’t play.  Decision made for a few days.  Is this crazy or a blessing or happenstance or what?  You every have stuff like this happen to you. 

A classmate, Zinger, of good ol’ Danube High (i.e. class of 63 which makes us 75) usually keeps in touch but hasn’t for a while.  I get this email from him that is something--Sorry I haven’t stayed in touch. I haven’t got a good excuse so I’ll try to make one up. I have age related macular degeneration. So, I’m blind on my left eye but so far my right eye ain’t real bad. We inherit this from our mother. I knew Mom had this and I knew I might have it some day. But, I wasn’t worried cuss Mom was really old when she had it. Well, I did the math and guess what? She was about 75.  Other than that and being hearing impaired life is really good! 

The other day probably was my last round of golf for 2020.  It was a beautiful sixty-degree day with acceptable wind.  I scored well and enjoyed the company (i.e. a good combination).  ANYWAY, on the tee on #3, I said to my senor guys—My body really feels good today, better than it has for some time.  I think I might have been infected with the virus—why do you think that—I have been tired and felt lazy and my whole body hurt for a few days.  They all said—That is how they feel all the time!  Soooooo maybe I didn’t have the virus.  haha  On the 7^th tee box, DownTheMiddleRon, who I was riding with, said I better start hitting a few down the middle or you’ll change my name!  Soooo DownTheMiddleRon, when are you going to FL for the winter—a week from tomorrow—you have told me different dates about three times—I’m impetuous and indecisive—can you be both—I am—I know you more being impetuous--probably. MyFriendSometimesDownTheMiddle infects me! 

Our daughter, Heather, had two imagery friends when she was a little girl.  They were Cindy and Beaner.  Imaginary friends can get by with almost anything.  They are soooo much fun.  You have any imaginary friends, or did you?  Here is a meaningful parable of an imaginary friend—There once was a mouse that lived in a tavern. One night the mouse found a leaky barrel of beer, and he drank all he could hold. When the mouse was finished, he sat up, twirled his whiskers, and looked around arrogantly. “Now then,” he said, “where’s that cat?”

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Alone we can do little, together we can do much.   Helen Keller