it's a real doozy

Some folks are just not a nuisance but are game changers (i.e. a real doozzys).  Sometimes those game changers come incognito.  When it happens, it can sometimes be unconscionable.  A lady from MN was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, 'Do these turkeys get any bigger?' The stock boy answered, 'No ma'am, they're dead.'

It's a doozy of an idea!  More and more retail companies are going to be open on Thanksgiving day (i.e. and some very early).  How come--It's all about the money folks.  They are trumping Thanksgiving Day.  It's like spreading gravy on the potatoes!  They all want more of the $602,000,000 that is being expected spent on Christmas.  They think they want to get their share! 

Extremists! Extremists are doozys folks.  My mentor and I agreed that Thanksgiving seems sometimes more fun than Christmas.  Christmas has too much baggage connected tooooo the real thread.  It takes us out of our routine (i.e. tooo much disruption that disturbs us).  It is overwhelming for many folks that produces anxiety, tempers flare ups etc (i.e. moderation Murphy moderation).  Then you add alcohol, parties, gifts, traveling, money concerns and you really have a mess (i.e. moderation Murphy moderation).  Then the husband makes some wise remark and his wife goes off the cliff  ~  Police are called to an apartment and find a woman holding a bloody 3-iron standing over a lifeless man.  The detective asks, "Ma'am, is that your husband?" "Yes" says the woman. "Did you hit him with that golf club?" "Yes, yes, I did." The woman begins to sob, drops the club, and puts her hands on her face. "How many times did you hit him?" "I don't know -- put me down for a five."

A thankful heart!  I was working in the yard recently and wore my "yellow farm gloves" as I call them.  My Daddy, Chester, always wore them on the farm.  Good memories.  Growing up on a farm a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN, I grew accustomed to seasons and the routine of different farm jobs done during certain times of the year.  Two of my Daddy's, Chester's, favorite times of the year were the planing season in the spring and the harvest in the fall.  Planting is a time of hope and harvest is a time of celebration and thankfulness.  Chester and Anna were just common folks who lived very modest and humble lives, worked hard, but had good hearts and were thankful.  My Mom, Anna, would help my Daddy with the harvest.  I remember him giving my mom some jewelery one time and said "thank you for helping me with the harvest".  I still remember that.  It was a necklace.  That was at least 45 years ago.  Huh, interesting. 

I was just sitting in our sun porch the other day watching the leaves blowing across the lawn.  It became another of life's little things that I was thankful for.  We have so many things that we take for granted.  I have sooooo many things that have just fell in my lap.  My cup runnth over!  Does that Cubby bobble head look familiar to anyone.  It was a gift to me from a friend many years ago.  Do you remember?  I do!

LuckieEddie says--Thou who hast given so much to me, give one more thing: a grateful heart. A friend called me the other night.  She said, erv are you looking at the sunset.  I said I was.  It was just beautiful.  We both really like sunsets.  We think that it's a form of adoration and thankfulness.  What do you think?

It's a  doozy alright, the choice we make in our minds a.k.a. attitude.  "Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice....It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint."  ~  Henry Nouwen  ~  DuaneTheWorm (i.e. a real doozy) would not understand that statement I would guess.  He's one crafty, manipulative guy a.k.a. a self-centered, a cleaver schemer!  Well, ok, he might be grateful that he's soooo goooood (i.e. at least he thinks he is).  Huh, interesting.

This is a doozzzzy of a story folks.  These parents are friends of friends who told me the story.  These folks have three children.  One son is a qb at a college, another son is the starting qb on a D1 school, and their daughter is a volleyball star and track start at a D3 school.  That's not the story!  The story is--When their daughter was in high school she told her parents about this girl who lived in a car (i.e. homeless).  Her mom was a druggie. They pursued it and took her in.  Then another boy needed a home 'cause he was being abused by his "whacked out on drugs" mom.  Soooo they took him in tooooo. The girl played bb at a D1 school and the boy is a D1 football player.  That's not all the story.  The boy had a younger brother (i.e. high school age now) who was severely abused by his drug additive mother.  Recently he defended himself with a bat but caused no physical damage on his mom.  His mom had him arrested and jailed.  When they went to court, these parents showed up and told the judge the story.  They left with custody of him toooo!  These folks enabled both of these kids to get "full ride scholarships" and are working on the third.  There are soooome gooood folks out there.  Maybe these kids lives might have beeeen way different without these folks. Sooooooo I would guess those children have a lot to be thankful for.  Soooooo have you thanked your parents for what they have done for you?  Do you think these kids caught a break?

Not a good season to be a turkey.  Here is an interesting Turkey story--I really had a laugh. I watched very little of the Turkish Airlines Open (i.e. professional golf tournament) a couple of weeks ago. You know how everyone has to be quit when those guys hit or it might screw up their head which could screw up their shot. Well, the few minutes I watched, there was a loud speaker whaling an Islamic chant (i.e. 99% of Turkey is Islamic). The players didn't complain nor did the announcers say anything. In America when one spectator says anything, the players get all over them. Maybe those players are just a bunch of turkeys!  Huh, interesting.

Their kids and grand kids maybe might think they're turkeys (i.e. big dooozzzzys).  Arlene and I had the opportunity to have breakfast with a couple of senior grandmas from our church recently (i.e. it was a hoot).  These gals are very good hearted, real gals; my kind of folks.  ANYWAY they were telling us that at Thanksgiving, they are going to tell their kids and grand kids that they have to silence their cell phones and put 'em in their pockets or give them toooooo them.  There will be no use of cell phones during our family get-to-gather.  They need to talk with me!  I asked them if they will do that.  They didn't know.  I said you could threaten them with no Christmas cash!  One more thing I learned from these senior grandmas--What they would like more than anything else from their grand kids and kids is--a call or a visit.  That is what they would like the most.  Just a call or a visit.  Huh, interesting.  They said they don't need anything and have plenty of junk!!!!

Being grateful!  We all (i.e. hopefully) have our "pet" places that we like to give (i.e. our $$$$, our time and our talents).  We give many of our special $$$$ gifts at this time of the year.  It just seems right to us.  ANYWAY we got a letter from most of them thanking us for our support.  One letter said this--Thank you for believing in us...thank you!  We are grateful!  They personalized it with a short hand written note on the bottom and underlining some of it.  I think that is class.  We have a tendency to like to give to them more.  If folks don't show their appreciation, we wonder if they really care.  Are they just using us for $$$$$!  A piece of wisdom I have learned from some smart folks--One of the best forms of advertising is a sincere, "Looking 'em right in the eye--Thank you for your business"!

Thanksgiving is a fun time to reminisce with family and friends of days gone by.  It's a good time to be grateful for family and friends.  Arlene got this fun email from friendJudy of days gone by.  --  Arlene, you are still my favorite golf partner. Never laughed so hard in my life as when we golfed at Parkersburg one year and you told me it was about my turn to contribute! (I think you were joking but I'm not for sure!) You said, "I think you need to just put it in the hole right now!" So I blasted a shot from about 100 yards out and into the hole it went! We both were shocked and the two older ladies we were golfing with were stunned as well. They asked you, "does she always do what you tell her?" And you said "pretty much"! Those were the good ole days for sure.

Winston Churchill said, "The glory of light cannot exist without shadows."  Ok folks, it's not always easy to be thankful when we are sad.  It's hard.  God has a plan and His will will be done but I wonder if He knows what He is doing sometimes.  Maybe I'm tooooo tender for others and their situations.  Maybe.  Could be.  But, His understating I cannot fathom.  But He's always there.  Always!  ItchieBitchie says--Everyone has misery in their life; maybe it's just our turn now!  Christine Sutton in her book Stop and Smell the Garbage:  A Caregiver's Story of Survival says--If you are in the dark, if you're at the bottom, please believe that hope will dawn again.  And remember folks--There is no medicine like hope, no incentive sooo great, no tonic sooo powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.  God is our Hope.

Give without remembering and receive without forgetting.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving day folks. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The secret of happiness is freedom.  The secret of freedom is courage. 

You're good

Ya, he's good!  There are folks  who can see around corners (i.e. they are almost not human).  Now that is a great innate ability.  CadillacJack says--Those folks are uncommon.  And there are other folks who can't see something when it's in broad view.  Why is that?  I don't think you can teach that (i.e. like you can't teach speed). What do you think?  These folks who can see around corners can be great leaders.  LuckieEddie is such a guy--He could lead if he would get the lead out!  If he would throw those chips away and get his butt off the couch!

He's good folks!  A golfer teed up his ball on the first tee, took a mighty swing and hit his ball into a clump of trees. He found his ball and saw an opening between 2 trees he thought he could hit through.  Taking out his 3-wood, he took a mighty swing. The ball hit a tree, bounced back, hit him in the forehead and killed him. As he approached the gates of Heaven, St. Peter asked, "Are you a good golfer?" The man replied: "Got here in two, didn't I?

Calm down and stay within yourself Joesixpack!  Stay poised!  Don't get soooo excited that you aren't yourself.  Don't try to become something you are not.  Be real.  If you are good, you are good.  You don't need to add anything (i.e. don't try to exaggerate).  My Daddy, Chester, would say to me--erv, folks who are good don't have to tell folks they are good; folks know that.  DuaneTheWorm (i.e. great at gaming the system) is always trying to tell folks how good he is.  He's funny!  Such is life. 

I learned a new word this week.  It's alchemy--a power or process of transforming something common into something special.  There is hope for AverageJoe alright.  Hope that he might become SpeicalJoe.  Being special is not necessarily becoming financially rich or obtain a certain position of power or  get to the top of the food chain.  It might be but then it might be something way different!  Why do folks change (i.e. mentally or physically).  That always interests me.  Fascinates me!  I know a number of folks who have changed from AverageJoes to SpecialJoes.  Yes I have.  It's very apparent.  Some of those folks are you guys. 

Changing from proud to humble might be part of the process of becoming someone special.  What do you think?  WildWillie says--For believers (i.e. are you a believer?), the fear of God is the astonished reverence we feel as we gaze upon His majesty, contemplate His immensity, and recognize His infinite power. I wonder if that ingredient a.k.a adoration is sometimes missing in us.  I'm just wondering folks, I don't know.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Oh God, it's sooooo hard to be humble; Thank you God that I'm soooo humble.  Such is life.

I ran into an real estate client/friend from years past the other day.  She was telling me about her husband and how she is his caregiver.  I said--That has to be tough for you--no no I'm tough and I'm stubburn; I will not let it get to me.  She is a tough old bird let me tell ya.  Her husband should be soooo happy that she is in his camp.  She is very good to him (i.e. someone special).  My hat goes off to her.  Yes it does. 

Pet count!  I read in the paper (i.e. soooo it must be right) that a town in IA is considering a pet limit proposal -- Households would be restricted to a total of 4 dogs and cats combined.  Huh, interesting! Soooo if you have 4 or less, you are good to go!  Now that will create a new job.  That town will have to have a pet census taker.  The pet census taker will have to go around and ask folks how many pets they have and then verify it on their tax return or something.  Sorta kinda like when folks are asked how many people they have in their household (i.e.. U.S. citizens of course and related some way such as step kids, half bothers, kids of what father, grand kids of which daughter and what their income is in order to get a free or discounted rate for Obama care).  I'm sure all those folks will be honest as to how many pets they have  Da!  Really folks, do you think a 4 pet household limit is going to work?  Really!  Read between the lines folks.  ItchieBitchie says--I think if you get free Obama care or reduced rates for Obama care, you should not be allowed to have any pets!  Now that would create more jobs (i.e. it would have to be policed)!  SusieQ says--What?  That's not fair is it!  That has to be unconstitutional or something!  You can't get reelected with that attitude!

Tip of the day--(i.e. I read it in the paper soooo it must be right). Most CEOs come from the financial side (i.e. bean counters). MissPerfect says--Sooooo why is that?  I don't get it. TyphoonBillie says--Real numbers never lie!  Phantom numbers lie!  That is why crooks have two set of books or make up numbers to fit the situation.  Some folks are really good at fabricating the numbers (e.g. I have seen some farmers who had great yields to establish their yields and have low yields to work their MPCI claims).  They are good.  And it is very hard to monitor.  For some, the attitude is--It's only the government sooooo who really cares!  It greases my pocket sooooo...!  Money is green no matter how I get it.  MissPerfect says--There are folks in this world who are scoundrels.  Oh ya!  MissPerfect asks--Do you really think some day we will be made accountable for our actions?  StickyfingersRalph says--I'm an universalist!  Good plan huh!!!

RogerDodger is good!  He says toooo himself--I'm good at cheating.  Yes I am.  Cheating is hard to cover and requires meticulous planning.  I'm very good and successful at doing this.  Very good.  Doesn't that cheating bother you RogerDodger?  No, ethics are determined by what they catch you doing.  If you don't get caught, you haven't violated any ethics.  I have it planned that I'm going to cheat the government and insurance companies (i.e. no one cares about them; they are only the government and insurance companies--I'm not really hurting anyone--seems like everyone does it).  I'm going to do it for ten years.  I talked to the local pastor where my wife goes to church and he assured me that all sins are the same (i.e. no big ones or little ones).  That is good to hear.  He also told me that if I ask for forgiveness, all the sins will be forgiven (i.e. slate washed clean, white as snow).  I like to hear that tooooo.  Soooo after ten years I will go to church, confess my sins, ask for forgiveness, give them $10,000 and everybody is happy (i.e. my insurance policy covering my back side).  I'm good to go!  The pastor asked RogerDodger--Wonder if you die first?  He has a good point.  Soooo I changed my plan a little.  I will go to church every Easter and Christmas to confess my sins, ask for forgiveness and give $500.  If I really do well with my cheating, I might bump up my giving (i.e. if I do well, the church will do well, sorta kinda a win win situation, everybody is a happy camper)!  I'm good, huh! 

Missperfect is good!  She makes sure all the trains are running on time.  She supports the organization with no personal agenda.  Now that is one good wife folks.  WorldClassLarry says--90% of a guy's happiness is who he marries.  Such is life.

A heart jabber!  My friend is good, folks!  She can affect me alright.  She is 92 and calls me and says--erv, have I said something bad to you?  No, why do you think that?  You haven't come and seen for a while!  Ouchy ouchy!  A stab right in the heart folks!  Gottcha! 

He is good!  JimmyTheJanitor says--Young Charlie from back home (i.e. Alberta, Canada) was in a big lecture hall writin' his final math exam, Aaa.  The supervising professor was right grumpy.  He was pacing around yelling out how much time there was left.  Finally he yells, "Times up".  Well everyone passes in their papers except Charlie, Aaa!  He kept on writtin'.  The professor just sat there glarin' at Charlie and stacking the papers in a big pile, Aaa!  Finally one hour later charlie finishes and walks up to the desk.  The professor says, "Sorry, you are one hour late; you have failed this test."  Charlie says, "You know who I am?"  "No I don't."  "I didn't think so".  With that Charlie lifted the stack of papers half way, stuck his paper in, dropped the rest on top and walked out!  ~    James a.k.a. The Smoke that Thunders accomplished his goal.  He, after taking courses on line for 4 years continuously from CO State, has received his BS degree in Business Management.  He is 43, works full time and a father of two small kids.  Not an easy accomplishment.  James is our son-in-law.  We are proud of him.  I thought he got a B.A. but he said it was a B.S.  He said--Heather said--I am full of BS so perhaps I should pursue a Masters Degree next! 

Things aren't always black and white!  AfriendMargret did the childrens' message last Sunday.  She asked the kids is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes.  Difficult question!  AfriendGalene had this outfit on Sunday (i.e. make no mistake about it, I'm not saying she's a zebra).  It was just sorta kinda a good example of black and white (i.e. believe me, she lives her life as a good example--as does Margret--both good gals with good hearts--real folks--my kind of folks).  ~   I had a very good experience recently.  I got to know a guy who I really didn't know before.  I knew him but really didn't know him.  Through a unique experience I got to do some one-on-one with him and found out that I like him a lot more (i.e. he's good).  I got to know him deep inside. I felt soooo bad that I didn't get to know him before.  Everyone has some good in them; it's just that we don't know about it most of the time (i.e. haven't had the opportunity).  CadillacJack says--Sometimes we think we are tooo gooooood for some folks and then we find out we aren't sooooo goood ourselves.  Our images of folks change when we get to know them (i.e. rub shoulders with them).  Huh, interesting.

This is not good!  I read this in the paper soooo it must be right.  Hawkeye football player arrested on OWI charge.  He was charged at 1:06 a.m. with operating while intoxicated and driving with a suspended or revoked license when a vehicle he was driving bumped into a police car at an intersection.  Like I said--not a good thing but especially if you are under the influence. Influence of Jack Daniels.  Jack is a terrible influence. 

AfriendMarty, you're a good person Marty but your action was not sooooo good.  She was telling us that the other night she was soaking her feet in hot water while watching TV.  She had the remote in her hand and fell asleep.  She dropped the clicker in the water.  Not good folks.  Not good!

Everyone smells money (i.e. sharpening their knifes for a slice of the pie)!  This is not good.  I read it in the paper soooo it must be right.  Detroit filed for bankruptcy with debts of at least $18 billion.  Legal fees could total $60 million plus various expenses such as $250,000 to price and sell some assets.  A fee examiner has been hired to keep the expenses in line, but he charges $600 an hour.  Huh, interesting but not good folks.  Not good..

It's the rut season folks.  The bucks are in a rut to rut!  SusieQ says--The buck does funny things when the does are present!  Is that good or not good for the bucks?  That is a homograph I believe!  Saturday question--Do you know any crazy bucks?

Putting a different spin on it!  LuckieEddie says--If you're not good on defense than ya gotta be good on offense.  You gotta improve on your weaknesses and use your strengths as good as you can.  Sooooo be creative and innovative. 

ItchieBithcie has a heart of gold, his own gold! Not good!  Ouchy ouchy! 


She knows I'm a "little shot" but she does it anyway.  Oh ya, she reads papers for me and the marks the articles that she thinks I would like (i.e. big shots have that done for them). She's a neat gal alright (i.e. neighbor Lila).  ANYWAY here is what I learned from an article she marked for me to read--When a person said to a less fortunate street person who looked like they needed some money--Do you need any help?  The street person responded--Don't we all!  Think about that folks.  Don't we all! 

I was running the other morning.  It was about 8 I think and the temperature was lower 30s.  I ran past a house where a boy of about 10 was out side with his hoody over his head throwing a football.  I asked him if he's any good at football--I'm very good--good enough to make the NFL--Sure am!  He's good folks.  Maybe he has got hit in the head one to many times already!!!!  To make sure, we would have to subject the subject to a series of tests! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Music washes away from the soul the dust of evryday life.

PS I hope you participate in this opportunity.  It will just take a second.  Send me your definition or example of what a turkey is--he's/she's a real turkey.  I will use them anonymously. I will use some of them in my pre-Thanksgiving "It's Saturday" next week.  I will pick the winners just like they do on Dancing With The Stars.  This could be fun. 

outward or inner appearance

A friend says--When the Gonger gongs, there is only one thing that matters! 

 AverageJoe says--Some folks have something about them that others don't have (i.e. some consider 'em sorta kinda off the beatin' path). 

I recently got this email from a friend.  I appreciated it very much.  You will see leadership qualities in him.  He took a risk (i.e. some of these situations don't end happy).  He also took a risk in sharing his experience with me.  You know you have to have a pretty good friend who you can trust in order to share something really good that you have done or something really bad you have done (i.e. someone who appreciates your actions).  Many folks think you are bragging about something good you are/were involved in and some can't keep their mouth shut about your misfortunes.  This person and I had a very nice telephone conversation about many of the feelings that aren't expressed in this story.  This person is a good person (i.e. my opinion).  He might be at iconic status!

I am sharing his story with his permission but changed the names.-----I'm trying to make a long story short. A little over 7 years ago a friend of mine who was in his late 70's came into my office and said to me. JoeBlow you know everything about me and you know where all my money is invested. Promise me that if anything ever happens to me you will take care of my wife. They had no children, his wife had two sisters but not close to her. He told me his wife's health was not very good and spent a lot of time in bed with depression. I told him not to worry I would make sure she was taken care of. Three weeks later he died. The first time I met his wife was when my client/friend was in Hospice and his wife called me to ask me to take her to see an attorney. Her words were "Mr JoeBlow this is  SusieQ, so and so’s wife; my husband said if I ever needed help to call you".  

That was 7 years ago, she died 4 weeks ago in a house fire. SusieQ was a small lady with big heart. She did not drive a car and very seldom would leave her house. I arranged for someone to do all her shopping, mow her lawn, clean her house, take care of the snow and handy man to do odd jobs. She would call me at least once a week with a question (she just needed someone to talk to). At times she would get very depressed but refused to see a doctor for anything. She did not go to church but would always send them money in her envelope. She would also send money to the church she was baptized in and where she was confirmed. She would send gift cards to people who needed help. Several times she would call me and ask me to bring a check to Hospice (Christmas day, Easter and Valentines day) it was usually $2,000.00 and she instructed me to tell them to buy special gifts for the people in Hospice.  

SusieQ had 2 special wishes: First that her house would go to her neighbor but they were not to know it until she was gone. They brought her mail to her house everyday, took care of her garbage, filled her bird feeder and walk around her house with the dog to make sure everything was ok. Second was that all of her personnel items would go to the shelter house. She also made me promise that I would clean the house before the neighbors came in to see it. SusieQ smoked 2 packs a day so you can image how the house and everything inside the house smelled. I did not say this to SusieQ but no one would want the stuff because of the smell. Over the last 18 months, SusieQ would call me more often and would always end the conversation with I just want my Lord to take me home.  

The fire that took SusieQ also did major damage to her house. Her 2 wishes came true. The neighbor got a house that was all fixed up and I can use the insurance money to buy brand new stuff for the shelter house. 

I hired a company to come in and take an inventory of all her personal items. I stopped there to see how things were going and one of the ladies took me into the garage to show me something. She pointed to the Bible and said she found it on the kitchen table.  SusieQ spent all her time at the table reading and watching TV. The lady looked at me and said "Mr. JoeBlow you are not going to believe this but everything in the kitchen was covered with ashes BUT the Bible it was perfectly clean. I said I believe you. SUSIEQ DID GO HOME  

I was asked to help SusieQ but she probably helped me more.

Joeblow 

P.S. she left Hospice $125,000, $25,000 to YMCA and $25,000 to her church 

ItchieBitchie says-- Faith is both blind and irrational.  Mark Twin joked that faith is "believing what you know ain't so."  H.L. Menchken, the American anti-supernaturalist critic of Christianity, once said, "Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable."  Evolutionary biologist, professor, and familiar atheist Richard Dawkins said, "Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence.  Faith is believe in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence." 

Life after death?!  Dr. David Jereimah says--A well-known bumper sticker has been around for a few years that reads, "Life Is Hard. Then You Die." That bumper sticker might be found on a car driven by a nihilist ("there is no purpose"), a cynic ("life is a joke"), an existentialist ("life is absurd"), or a humanist ("it's every man for himself"). These worldviews agree: Death is unavoidable in the end, so what's the point?  Death is the great leveler -- it is appointed unto man once to die.  Without a solution for the problem of death, life can appear to be an exercise in futility. But that is the great message of the Christian Gospel! God has given us victory over our ultimate death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ...But because of the Gospel, we can change the bumper sticker to read, "Life Is Hard. Then We Die and Live Forever!"

WildWilly says--Life starts with a bang and ends with a bang.  Who's the Banger? 

Robert Jastrow, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies says--Maybe, just maybe, some folks who have lived by their faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream.  They have scaled the mountains of ignorance; they are about to conquer the highest peak; as they pull themselves over the final rock, they are greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Nothing is a waste that makes a memory.

PS  Broke out the Christmas mugs this week.  Sooooo what does that mean folks.  I like the feeling, I really do.  It makes me warm inside.  Maybe my inner appearance is different than my outward appearance.  MAYBE!

 

 

cheap shot or classy

Disclaimer:  You might think what I write and what I think is "a full load of crap"!  I'm warning you, it might be! 

Sippin' the nector of life or ...!  Hector's wife says he spends toooo much time down at the pub, Aa!  Soooo Hector takes her along.  He says--What will you have girl?  Oh I don't know, the same as you I suppose.  Well, Hector orders up a couple of whiskeys and he drank his in one gulp, Aa!  His misses watched and took one little sip.  Yuck!  This is awful!  Well, there you go girl, and all this time you thought every night I was out enjoying myself!  Alittlebitofclass or alittlebitofcheapshot!

TheBear a.k.a. a classy guy said--Have been hosting "small group" at our house. Studying Jerry Sittser's book "The Will of God as a Way of Life". Know it? A good one. We got into the topic of forgiveness tonight. Jerry says "Forgiveness is a process, not an event. It is a decision of the will, not an emotion we feel." And further, that "bitterness can be...ruinous to the soul. The one who suffers the most from bitterness is the one who is bitter. The antibiotic used to treat the disease of bitterness is forgiveness."   ItchieBitchie says--If you are referring to my bitterness, I don't want to change.  I like to be bitter.  I enjoy it.  What!  I think you are just taking a cheap shot ItchieBitchie.  Be classy and get over it (i.e. even if you think that person who you are bitter at hits below the belt).  But it's your decision and decisions have consequences.

A sneer is the weapon of the weak (i.e. alittlebitofacheapshot).  A sneer is to smile or laugh at someone or something with an expression on your face that shows dislike and a lack of respect. : to express dislike and a lack of respect for something. The other day I went and got another cup of coffee from the kitchen.  Arlene was watching the Today Show.  They were interviewing Kate Upton who is on the cover of the 2013 Sports Illustrated swim suit edition.  It caught me eye sooooo I stopped and watched a few pictures.  Sooooo were those pictures classy or a cheap shots?  Joesixpack says--I don't know but they sure sell copies erv!  Soooo why did you stop and look erv?  Hamburgers, cars, medications, (i.e. ok almost everything) is advertised with some good looking gal or guy in good physical shape (i.e. many sexually slanted).  We must be very susceptible to that.  It must affect our subliminal mind or something (i.e. like cartoons do to kids).  They wouldn't do it if it didn't work (i.e. make money).  Sooooo are we easy to sell toooooo or what (i.e. we maybe like the cheap shot stuff instead of the classy stuff)!  Such is life.

I don't know if it's necessarily classy but it's very effective let me tell ya.  And cheap!  I trimmed our trees the other day.  I don't have a pickup or trailer sooooo I had to make dooooo!  I pulled the limbs behind my golf cart to the tree dumb site.  It took me I think 6 trips.  Such is life in small town Iowa. 

His talk reminds me of explosive diarrhea!  I was getting a Mc Donald's senior cup of coffee and doing sudoku in the Des Moines paper.  I was waiting for Arlene.  I usually ride bike but it was snowing out (i.e. yes snowing in October).  As I was sitting there, there were a table of  retired guys sitting half way across the room.  Seniors seem to talk loud as most of them can't hear, I think.  ANYWAY one guy said--He makes me madder than hell!  He's just a smart ass!  Then one guys said, I am going to be gone next week, if the Lord is willing. Now there is a contrast alright.  It made me laugh.  Age can cause us to degenerate.  In our adult growth group a gal was telling us that she gets shots in her eye as he has macular degeneration.  Out of the maybe 15 there, I think about 6 said they get those shots.  Ouchy ouchy!  That's why I just looked with one eye at those pictures of those gals in Sports Illustrated swimming addition that were on TV!!!!  Didn't want to take any chances!!!!

Maybe a littlebitofclass!  We usually stop at DQ after the IA football games.  It's tradition I guess.  Besides we all have to go to the bathroom usually.  There was a family there--dad, mom and four kids.  The dad on a tee shirt that said on the back--What we do in life echoes eternity.  Huh, interesting. 

The gal that does Arlene's hair just plain makes her feel good.  I have met her a couple of times but I don't really know here.  I only now her by what Arlene tells me.  Arlene says she's funny, crazy at times, expressive, open, exciting, personable, very nice, and fixes her hair!  Arlene really likes her and says something nice about her to me every time she goes.  Sooooo folks, what do you glean out of this conversation?  It's a classic example of enjoying your job and folks enjoying her I think.  I don't think she's a cheap shot artist!  She's a pretty real person I think.  Maybe she's not all real.  I don't know.  God only knows for sure!  Such is life.

MissPerfect says--I'm not afraid of heights. I'm afraid of widths. Ouchy ouchy! Women now days can affect their beauty but it ain't cheap folks. Some gals have their toe nails done, finger nails done. lips done, double chins removed, eye brows done, hair done, nose jobs, eye lashes fixed, things reduced, things enlarged, facial hair removed, warts removed, veins fixed and I don't know what else. I heard this true story about a dairyman the other day. He just bought some new cows--are they good cows--ya, they are registered with good pedigrees, average 82 pounds at 4% fat with the help of BST. But, one of them has only one good eye--why in the world did you you buy a cow with a bad eye anyway--well, it's like about the same as when I look at women, I look at their________ and their _________ and then their eyes; I just plain missed it! Oh!!! Do you think that is a classic statement or is it a cheap shot. SusieQ says--I think you know what I think!

He's legit!  This guy is unique, classy and successful (i.e. my opinion)!  I have known him for many years.  He has helped folks out and I'm sure many many more than I know.  He intrigues me.  Soooo I went and talked to him the other day.  Sooooo why do you help folks--I like to help (i.e. give opportunities) to down and outers!  What do you look for in them--Sincerity, integrity, and honesty.  I need to find out if they are hard workers and good managers (i.e. if they are married it really helps if the the spouse have those same qualities).  I do a lot of research on their situation; I learn about them and their business; I learn exactly their financial situation.  I ask a lot of crazy questions to find out who they really are (i.e. their character).  I know their business.  Many of those folks just got bad advice at some point.  They just need an opportunity.  A lot of folks don't want to put in the time to find out all this information.  Soooo is it rewarding--VERY!  Most folks have no idea how he helps folks. They just don't and probably never will!  He does it sooooo nonchalantly it seems.  I'm just fortunate to know it and know him.  One other thing, don't take a cheap shot at him--The relationship will be OVER! The relationship will be toast!

Maybe a littlebitofcheapshot! Arlene and I went for a ride in an housing area along the river where the landscape is rolling and there are many many trees.  We remember it as such a pretty place in the fall.  It was just as pretty as we remembered it with all the color and all the other natural beauty of fall.  BUT we haven't been there for maybe 20 years and the houses (i.e. we forgot) are also 20 years older.  Most of the houses are maybe 40 to 50 years old now.  They aren't nearly as classy as we remembered them.  Soooo we built our house 39 years ago.  Soooooo, probably folks say the same about our house even though I don't think that.  Huh, interesting.  BUT I really like our house.  It fits me perfect.  I'm very very content.  I think guys seem to be more content than women anyway (i.e. my opinion).  Seems to me that women compare more than men which makes them to quack more on the inside.  Quack Quack and then they Yack Yack!  ItchieBitchie says--That quackin' on the inside eventually becomes yackin' on the outside.  Now that can become a cheap shot!  AverageJoe says--Competition, envy, and greed are great for the economy folks, just great stimuli for spending. 

Corrosive effect!  Like the ad says--You like drama?  Then put your Social Security # on the Internet!  Obama Health Care also is producing a lot of drama (i.e. a lot of finger poinin' let me tell ya)!.  How is it going to work out?  The over-all goal seems good (i.e. I would like to see everyone have good healh care but I wish there wouldn't be wars toooooo).  There seems to be some concern if it will work. Is it going to be a cheap shot or classy?  Time will tell now won't it.  It is very interesting to me.  Will it be a success or a failure?  I don't know.  But I do think I know that ya gotta look at it from a business point and not from a Democrat or Republican point of view (i.e. open minded).  My Daddy, Chester use to say--erv, keep your emotions out of your business decisions. If  we think we want everyone to have affordable health care, then someone has to pay the piper (i.e. that might make it not affordable for some).  It ain't free folks.  WildWillie says--At some point, money makes the decisions.  I repeat--At some point! Come on folks, it's not that hard to figure out.  Well, someone has to pay for the free ones (i.e. low income folks) and the ones with poor health!  That's just the way it is.  Ya either got to cut expenses (i.e. which 'free enterprise' does not want to do) or you got to increase the income (i.e. which 'the increase in premiums folks' don't want) or subsidise it by the government (i.e. which 'many are for') but that means an increase in taxes (i.e. which 'the folks who pay the taxes' don't want).  Now we have a quandary alright. What do you think?  Hey listen folks, I'm just posing questions that encourage development of critical thinking instead of imparting knowledge!  Such is life.

Got to clean the bugs off the windshield!  Need to press the refresh button!  Need to press the reset button!  CadillacJack says--Sometimes we need to do some fresh thinking as to what is alittlebitofclass and what is alittlebitofcheapshot!  We need to be careful that we don't get full of ourselves with all our rings on our fingers and forget what is important.  Saturday question--What is really important to you?  Really?  Do you act like "that" is the really an important issue to you?  Really!  Do others think that you act like "that" is really the most important thing to you?  Really!  Hopefully we aren't blowing smoke like DuaneTheWorm!  Really!

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

erv

MyFriendJeans says--We are either leaving our mark on the world or the world is leaving its mark on us.

PS  Is this a cheapshot or classy?  This is from a 1992 bootleg concert, John Denver singing a parody of "16 Tons" called "18 Holes." It has never been released.  It might make you laugh!  It did me.  Such is life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fbTGhDDL2g&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

 

It really shouldn't concern you

MissPerfect says--I'll admit I'm wrong if you admit I'm right!  What?!  What I think MissPerfect is saying is--It really shouldn't concern you! 

A little one-on-one!  He's as tough as a $2 steak let me tell ya!  My friend Hank a.k.a Secretariat ran in the Bemidj Blue Ox Marathon two weeks ago Saturday in a time of 3:58:21 and then last Saturday ran in 4-Bridges Marathon in Chattanooga in 4:02.  Both times are Boston Marathon qualifying times.  Hank is 66.  Wow!  He's an animal folks.  I was telling our adult growth group at church last Sunday that I have a tendency to do everything fast.  MyFriendLyle said--erv, you don't run fast! Heather and James ran in The Rock 'n' Roll Denver last Sunday.  They ran the half marathon together and both finished with a time of 2:04 (i.e. with one potty stop of 3 minutes).  I think that is neat that they can do that together.  My81yearoldfriendMartha at church (i.e. has had some speed bumps) said--Being old, a person has to be brave.  This gal last week made the food for our Wednesday night supper at church for maybe 40-60 folks.  You don't learn this stuff unless you have a little one-on-one with folks.  You have to have some concern for others in order to have relationships (i.e. my opinion). All 4 of these folks have PMA (i.e. positive mental attitude). Such is life.  ~  Heather's most favorite signs that folks held to encourage runners were--You are running better than the government; Run as if someone called you a jogger; You are almost there....this was at the 1/2 mile mark.

A friend told me she shrunk 3 inches and is now 5 feet tall.  A golf Buddie said he shrunk 1 to 2 inches.  Life can be that way at times!  It can shrink a person right up.  We can almost end up looking like prunes!  I have been told recently of two situation where folks had strokes and heart attacks.  Folks close to them feel they were caused by tremendous stress.  We all know that stress is a killer.  We all know that we shouldn't let stuff concern us but that is sometimes hard to do.  Life can be stressful alright.  But don't get discouraged, their is magic in prunes!

Fillerup please!  A golf buddy was telling me that he has two senior siblings that need financial help from his elderly father.  His dad asked what he thought of that--it's your money dad, you can do with your money what ever you want.  Another sibling doesn't feel that way.  That is an age old problem a.k.a money.  It has caused a lot of hurt and family erosion in many families let me tell ya.  I have seen it a lot in my business.  Yabut parents are trying to do the right thing (i.e. helping the kids who need help).  Should it be a concern of the other siblings?  Should problems of adult children be the concern of the senior parents?  What do you think?  MissPerfect says--Parents always care about their kids no matter what their age (i.e. they have a concern 'cause they love them sooooo much).

I saw an ad by a chiropractor that said--Take care of the problem before it starts.  Good advice in a lot of areas of our lives.  LuckieEddie says--Physically exercise, do something to improve your mental health, and do something to improve your spiritual life. PositiveToyna says--Now that is a muclemaximizer!

Looks like patchy fog to me. Jr calls home after the homecoming weekend.  Tells his mom and dad that he had a date with the homecoming queen.  Wow son, that's neat and impressive.  She was soooo pretty, romantic, nice and sweet; I thought she was smokin' hot. Ya it was quite an experience all right.  What's her name son.  Stephen.  Did you say Stephenie?  No, I said Stephen!  Jr's mom said--I'm confused Jr.  I was confused toooooo mom let me tell ya.  Like I said mom, it was quite an experience.  And she looked soooo cute.  Boy was I surprised dad.  Holy Cow son.  Folks, should this concern you and I?  NewgenerationKatie says--It really shouldn't concern you seniors a.k.a. old fogies!.  It's the  new generation.  You guys are just old fashion!  And I thought Showdog DuaneTheWorm got the best of the show award!  And Chester and Anna thought Elvis and the Beatles were wild and crazy and wacko! 

Wet limp washrag!  Joesixpack says--I think my spirit is growing faint!  I'm getting tired about caring about others and our world.  It seems like my caring just doesn't make any difference.  It seems like it might be a lot easier if I didn't care (i.e. many don't care and seem to get along pretty good).  They just don't make anything their concern.  Don't care.  What ever is, is okay with them.  They're numb to everything; it's not their concern, they just don't care.  They are just like a wet limp washrag!  They don't worry about tomorrow, or future generations or their kids, or friends, or parents, or neighbors or fellow workers, or anyone.  They just drink beer until they run out of money!  Well, I'm not going to be like that Joesixpack.  I'm not. I refuse to live a life of "I don't care"! I think there are times that we need to have concern and times when we should show concern (i.e. express it).  I just hope I know when those times are!  Is that called discernment?

I watched a little of the baseball playoffs while I multi task.  I am doing the same with the world series.  I am amazed how hard they can hit the ball and how good they are on defense.  I heard one of the managers defend himself when asked why he has AverageJoe in the lineup.  He said--I'm going with the folks with the hot hand (i.e. the guys who are smokin')!  Ya gotta go with the folks who are hot now (i.e. in the moment--not the ones in the slump)!  Makes sense to me.  How about you?  CadillacJack says--Some folks seem to carry a high career average and others carry a low career average and others are very cyclical!  That can apply to batting averages and also stuff in life.  YaBut CadillacJack, if you want to win the baseball game, ya gotta put the odds in your favor (i.e. it is your concern--there is a lot of money involved).  Huh, interesting.

erv, it really shouldn't concern you!  Is this gal any of your inlaws' extended family?  Just checkin'!

I stopped at the library the other day to read the Des Moines paper.  It was a cold, windy day.  Perfect for reading the paper.  I sat down in the reading area with an elderly lady who made crazy noises (i.e. they shouldn't concern me).  ANYWAY  I asked her if she was reading today's Des Moines paper--no no this is the Sunday paper--that's a few days old, that's old news--no it's not if you haven't read it!--I guess you have a point there!  Her tone of voice was--it really shouldn't concern you! 

More patchy fog!  ItchieBitchie says--Some folks seem to have a special quality; they can put their mind in the moment when it matters.  Others seem like they can't.  Why is that ItchieBitchie?  Some seem soooo focused on the moment that they sorta kinda don't care about other foolish worldly stimuli!  Why is that ItchieBitchie?  ItchieBitchie says--It shouldn't really concern you erv.  Or should it!   ~    If a person is hitting their head against the wall time after time, is it my concern to tell them that if they would quite hitting their head against the wall their head would feel a lot better.  Maybe erv, but they are sooooo comfortable with their current pain that they don't want to change.  That doesn't make much sense to me.  Sooooo I should just let them flounder through life when they could really enjoy it much more, is that right?  ItchieBitchie says--erv, you are judging others.  Maybe your standard a.k.a benchmark is wrong.  Maybe you should just not make it your concern.  Ok, could be.  I'll let them alone.  I just don't like to see them hit their head against the wall.  It looks like it hurts.  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--I think SusieQ acts like a gum ball machine but it really shouldn't concern me.  She thinks she acts more like a Norvex window washing cloth.  Do any of you use them?  I was doing a project with several folks (i.e. washing windows for someone).  I'm a terrible window washer, yes I am.  Actually after I got done washing my assigned windows, the women did them again.  Sooooo I called the master window washer down in TX for help.  The wizardwindowwasher said I had to get Norvex window cloths.  I was coming home from golf the other day and stopped at my neighbor.  Her girls were there washing her windows.  I told them what the wizardwindowwasher said I should buy the Norvex window cloth.  They showed me that is what they use.  They are great they said.  Sooooo what else can you help me with?  They informed me about Mr. Clean miracle cleaning bars.  It really works.  They gave me one.  It's good folks.  Being clean might not concern you but if it does, check these products out. 

I think he's wobbling a little here.  GeorgeTheCrook might have a drinking problem.  It really shouldn't concern you erv.  When should some one's actions, life styles, or habits be my concern?  Never, sometimes, always?   What do you think?  We discussed this in our adult growth group.  Many different opinions.  It's hard to judge someone when we have our own ugly stuff to deal with.  But, aren't we suppose to help each other (i.e. make each other accountable)?  Cadillac Jack says--erv, take care of yourself and let other take care of themselves.  You aren't God!  What do you think?

I was looking through an old file full of stuff while watching the first half of the Colts/Broncos game Sunday night.  I ran across this clipping I saved maybe 30 years ago.  Sooooo you are my concern.  Yes you are.  Rules # 9 and 12 I really like.  They apply to me for my concern for you guys (i.e. my opinion). You might have to click on it to make it larger to read.

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt~  Saturday question--If that is true, where do you and I fit?  Are we the problem or the solution to the problem?  Do you just complain or do you have an idea to correct the situation?  Or is it really none of our concern?

JoeBlow, don't make any more cow pies, you have stepped in enough already.  You got enough poop on your boats.  erv, it really shouldn't concern you!  Ok JoeBlow, I will give up on you.  Show you no more concern or attention.  I won't care about you any more.  When you don't encourage (i.e. show any attentions to a person) that means you have given up on them.  When you give up on someone, that means they are no longer on your radar.  You just don't care about them any more.  Physiologists say that is one of the worse feelings of all is when someone doesn't care about you any more and shows you no attention.  Such is life.

erv's conclusion of the matter!  These are suggestions (i.e. of course my opinions) sooooo....!  If someone has concern for you, be thankful.  You are fortunate.  If you show concern for others, you are heading in the right direction.  You are blessed to be a blessing. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

how ya eat an elphant is one bite at a time

Sooooo what can be the elephant be?  A big project, a long term investment plan, reading a book, starting an exercise plan, changing your life style, fixing your house, climbing a mountain in our life, getting an education, developing a new relationship, etc. 

A golf buddy who was riding with me the other day told me that a long time friend won't talk to him any more--how come?--I think it's 'cause I didn't rent my farm to him but I don't know for sure (i.e. and he could be all wrong like I am sometimes).  Sooooo that made me think.  Some folks (e.g. friends, acquaintances, family, neighbors, buddies etc) have certain actions that irate me (i.e. might not be irritating to others but only to me--maybe). They aren't going to change soooo I need to change.  I need to zipitup!
Suck it up cupcake, buck up, just accept them as they are!   Accept reality. Rub some dirt on it! Shake it off!  I probably have the problem.  Soooooo solve the problem ervie!  It ain't that complicated!  I'll just let it go.  It's not really that important.  It's just my ego, I'm acting like a baby.  Let me just calm down.  Let me look at it from their point of view.  BUT I don't have to spend a lot of time around them if I choose not toooooo--it's my choice!  Eat the elephant one bite at a time.  Such is life. 
Maybe, just maybe! We are teaching our children the wrong stuff (e.g. learning to beat the governmental system for free stuff). Maybe! Maybe we are barking up the wrong tree! Maybe! Maybe we aren't eating the elephant one bit at a time but trying to eat the whole elephant in one bite or not eating the elephant at all (i.e. let someone else feed me).  Be realistic folks--If the government is going to give you everything you want, why would you want to change.  It just ain't going to happen. 

Arlene was at her salon getting her hair done while I rode bike. Got done but she wasn't done sooooo I went into this salon and wanted to read the Des Moines paper. The Des Moines paper was below their standards I think.  I remember a sign on the wall that said something like this--Natural beauty isn't normal!  And beauty isn't cheap either let me tell ya!  Sooo there was a little waiting area soooo I just sat down. A client got done with her hair work, paid, and then came and sat down by me (i.e. waiting for her daughter to get done). She was very attractive, petite, happy, well dressed with long black hair. Sooo we got talking and she told me that everyone things long hair is a lot of work. It isn't. I can really only have it cut twice a year (i.e. trim around her face by herself she said). I asked her if she works out to stay is such great shape--some but not always; I eat but small portions and not some foods; she was raised eating vegetables, fruits, little meat but no ice cream or pastries.
She told me she was a Vietnamese boat person and came over at the age 13 and came to Fargo (i.e. she said he was born in 1980). Her and her husband owned a restaurant for 18 years working 12 hour days 7 days a week in the Cedar Valley. During this time they purchased rental property and now he manages the rental and they both manage/own a nail store (i.e. toenail and fingernail). I asked her if the change was hard--no no, it was such a great opportunity for us to come to America. We wanted to work but there was no work in Vietnam. Hard times made us stronger. We are very happy. We are very appreciative. We have three children and are doing very well. Attitude folks, attitude. They aren't sitting on the couch eating chips trying to figure out the system.

One day at a time!  An old friend who took care of his physically handicapped wife (i.e. MS) for many years told me when I asked him how he handled that situation (i.e. one big elephant) said--erv, you just take one day at a time.  MissPerfect says--Don't say it, do it!  Sunday I talked to a friend who had a heart attack and had a couple of stints put in.  Sooooooo how's it going--ok, I'm doing rehabilitation now and working some--soooooo what do they tell you--they tell me I can eat anything I like and need to do things I don't like to do (i.e. the big elephant)!--what do you think of that--I have my own conclusion--and what's that--I'm going to eat some of the stuff I like and just in moderation (i.e. he needs to loose 50 pounds).  He says--Now I'm going over to moms and eat a massivehuge dinner (i.e. an elephant of a meal).  Huh, interesting.   Sooooo how ya eat an elephant is one bite at a time!  Ya gotta change your life style my friend (i.e. but you don't have toooooooo)!  I saw on a billboard on I-80 last Sunday this--We can live as we choose!

Hawks fall for the fake!  Sucker!!!  Gottcha again.  At the MI State game that I went too, MI State faked a putt and was successful.  I read it in the paper sooooo it must be right--For the second time this season and the sixth time since 2010, an opponent successfully executed a fake punt or field goal against the Iowa football team.  How many times does it take to figure that out!!!!  Da!  After the game I went across the street from Historic Kinnick Stadium and saw Brent Ridder.  He's from our community.  I have known him since  he was a kid.  He has been in the University of Iowa Hospital since April.  He is on a heart pump waiting for a heart transplant.  I can't imagine being there that long.  I just can't.  How do you eat an elephant is one bite at a time but...!

ItchieBitche says--Sometimes a person needs to just move on.  Don't be soooo hard on  yourself (i.e. don't beat yourself up).  You can't eat the whole elephant at one time.  You just can't.  As a ex-office support staff use to say to me--erv, shit happens (i.e. just accept it).  That's just the way it is.  Sooooo don't get sooooo excited.  Just accept the fact that that's the way it is (e.g. you can't get a par or better on every hole--ya just can't--you are going to have bad holes--that's just the way it is).  Don't try to figure it all out--you can't!  Accept reality.  Rub some dirt on it!  Shake it off!  Buck up!  Such is life.

How in the world did we get ourselves in this pickle!  Now we got this massivehuge elephant sitting on us.  What are we going to do about it.  LuckyEddie says--First of all, we got into this pickle by one little bite at a time and secondly we need to get out of this pickle by one little bite at a time.  Folks (i.e. my opinion) it ain't goin' toooooo  happen.  No way!  Won't happen.  Our country's financial situation will not change until we have a massivehuge disaster (i.e. the snowball is rollin' down the mountain side and gaining size and speed--it can't be stopped).  It can't be fixed any other way.  The government is like a big bleeder that can't be stopped.  Folks don't want to fix it.  I read it in the paper sooo it must be right--The majority of the folks are now living off the government (i.e. partly or entirely) .  The majority of folks don't want to change that (i.e. love it and learned to depend on the freebees and giveaways).  To get elected, ya gotta give folks more stuff.  Everyone wants someone else to pay for their life style (i.e. not everyone but many--the majority).  No one wants to give up their subside.  No one.  Soooo, it just can't be fixed until we have a disaster.  It will have to be a big one.  We are not to that point yet (i.e. we still are finding ways to manipulate the system to make it work but it can't continue for ever--our parents and grand parents said that tooo).  We just continue to kick the can down the street!  It's not if but when!  It will probably happen when we can't borrow any more or our money is worthless (i.e. can't just keep printing it).  In business, folks go broke.  Sooooooo no use to get excited about it.  I can't do a thing about it.  It's just the way it is and will continue to be.  Accept reality. Rub some dirt on it! Shake it off! Buck up! Yabut I sure hope you younger folks keep paying for my Social Security.  In fact I could use a raise in payment.  Interest rates are down!!!!  Golf isn't getting any cheaper you know!!!!  Such is life.

Opinions are just that, opinions.  And most of the time we don't agree with each others' opinions.  Everyone has an opinion about everything.  Arlene and I had an incredible experience happen to us last Sunday morning. It just fell in our laps. Way unexpected.  It was such a neat surprise. Just the opposite of what I expected. A WOW!  I told a couple of friends about this and one emailed me back--neat surprises are neat...........sorta sounds like "it's nice to be nice to the nice"(Frank Burn's quote from MASH)!  Yes, some folks were really nice to us.  I don't know if we are nice but it was nice of them to be nice to us.  Very uplifting.  Our feelings were not opinions, they were real.  I saw a bumper sticker going down I-80 heading to see Chet, Jessica, Charlie and Henry last Sunday afternoon that said--Out of opinions!  Soooo how ya eat an elephant is one bite at a time!  Talk about eating--Charlie was working her tongue on something in her mouth--soooo what you got in your mouth Charlie--Mabel's (i.e. their dog) hair!  Yuck!  It adds fiber to her diet!!!

How do you play 200+ 9 hole rounds of golf in a summer?  One round at a time.  We played 18 last Saturday.  It was windy.  We were the only ones on the course.  I wonder why!  I don't like wind any time but especially when playing golf.  Over our favorite beverages after the 18 I asked the other three guys--Sooooo how many 9 hole rounds have you played this summer?  The champion round player had 200+, next about 120, next was 100 and then me about 60.  How can I compete with those guys anyway!  We have a good time.  We pretty much shoot the same numbers sooooo that makes it fun. These guys play until you just can't play anymore.  They have weather shades that they put on their carts with gas heaters inside.  I might try that this year if I'm invited to play with them.  I never did that before.  I read while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Some people go to such extremes that their judgment is impaired and they become fanatics.  Ok, if it takes 2 hours to play 9 holes that means I spent about 120 hours on the course this summer.  That's 3 40hourworkweeks (i.e. I'm retired and time means nutten to me).  That seems like a lot.  BUT how about the champion round player at 200+.  200 at 2 hours is 400 hours or 10 40hourworkweeks.  He probably averages about 40 strokes (i.e. maybe less) soooo that is 8,000 shots.  Now that is a lot of shots folks.  I know of no one, I repeat no one, who plays that much golf in a summer.  That is his hobby and he loves it.  There is not a shadow of a doubt that this guy never gets overgolfed!  Such is life. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--SusieQ said, "I was bitter, angry, foul-mouthed person, and I didn't care what anybody else thought.  It was all about me--me and my mean spirit."  Ouchy ouchy!  Then she grabbed the elephant by the tail and with one bite at at time she changed herself completely (i.e. a 180 degree reversal).  She had to get beat up (i.e. dinged up as my friend says) to understand herself for the change to happen but it happened.  How do you think she did it?  What do you think was the Xfactor in the modification?  How do you think she looks now?  Our lives can change alright.  It can be done and is done.  But for many, it seems that something drastic has to happen first.  Why is that do you think? 

One bite at a time!  As I'm writing this sitting in our sun porch early in the morning drinking my coffee, I see a gal running on the street.  She is in her mid 40s probably.  I see her  when I run in the morning some times.  She seems disciplined.  She has lost, I bet, 40 pounds.  She looks way different (i.e. I have to careful how I say this in this crazy world today).  I'm not saying that she looked like an elephant before, don't misunderstand me!  Why do you think she is doing that?  What caused her to decide to do this?  Why do some folks change and others don't?  Huh, interesting.  One of my golf buddies lost 20 pounds  recently.  He looks good.  Seeee I can say that about him.  LuckieEddie says--You better be careful saying that erv, the world might take that wrong as this old world is sorta kinda different these days. 

I'm totally convinced that exercising is more attitude than physical ability. Totally convinced! A person can be talented but if they have a bad attitude, they are basically useless. I would rather be around folks with average ability but have great attitudes. But, if you have talent, a good personality, a good heart, and a great attitude, you will be dynamite. I'm involved with WHO (i.e. we help others) in our church. I really enjoy the folks who are in this group--they have great attitudes (i.e. don't sit on the couch eating chips and complaining).

 

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

 

erv

 

MyFriendJean says--Enjoy life...this is not a rehearsal!

UPI: Just in

News flash:

The Washington Redskins drop the word "Washington" from their name because it is 
deemed to be too embarrassing.