a time for everthing

The country music band Alabama has a song about the pace of life that says: "I'm in a hurry to get things done. Oh, I rush and rush until life's no fun. All I really gotta do is live and die. But I'm in a hurry and don't know why."  A friend says--Don't worry, just hurry!  I have another friend who eats fast.  He says you can get a lot more done in a day!  Suck it up cupcake, let's get going, we're burning daylight! GeorgeTheCrook says--If you are a person who does a lot and are around folks who do little, it's hard!  Can be very hard. It can drive a guy crazy! FlipThePancake--If you are a person who does little, folks who do a lot can drive you crazy as well!  Such is life.

While golfing the other day.  I hit a drive that was ok but a guy in our foursome said--Great shot!  I said--That wasn't a great shot.  Another guy in our foursome said--That's cutting right through the bullshit! A married couple trying to live up to a snobbish life-style went to a party. The conversation turned to Mozart. 
"Absolutely brilliant, magnificent, a genius!" The woman, wanting to join in the conversation, remarked
casually, "Ah, Mozart. You're so right. I love him. Only this morning I saw him getting on the No. 5 bus going to Coney Island." There was a sudden hush, and everyone looked at her. Her husband was mortified. He pulled her away and whispered, "We're leaving right now. Get your coat and let's get our of here." As they drove home, he kept muttering to himself. Finally his wife turned to him. "You're angry about something." "Oh really?" You noticed?" He sneered. "I've never been so embarrassed in my life! You saw Mozart take the No. 5 bus to Coney Island? Don't you know the No. 5 bus doesn't go to Coney Island?"

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Waiting is part of living, and sometimes it's the hardest part.  We're programmed to hurry, but sometimes God has a way of slowing us down. (i.e. speed bumps).  Maturity takes time, and time requires waiting.  Ouchy ouchy! Maybe you're waiting for Mr. Right or Miss Congeniality, or for a prodigal to return, or for an employer to call. We learn more about walking with God through waiting than through anything else. Our faith grows when we're trusting in His promises and patiently laying our concerns before Him. Missperfect says--I still hate waiting!!!

Saturday question--Compound interest or compound problems--Which one would you prefer to have? A time for everything; a time to take action and a time to do a little more thinking!  I was on one of my everyotherday 2.5 mile runs and thought about something probably 20-25 years ago (i.e. a time for everything).  I thought about a talk I was asked to give about money.  It was a short talk and was given to maybe 60 ladies who were mostly middle aged, seniors and super seniors.  I talked about getting good advice (i.e. many of them were going to be widows and some were).  Who should you get advice from?  Don't get it from the wrong folks.  Those folks might be nice but don't have a clue what's going on.  Find someone who you can trust, has knowledge and as my mentor would tell me--erv, someone who isn't selling you something.  Get good advice even if you have to pay for it.  I remember leaving disappointed as it appeared my advice was not received with a lot of excitement (i.e. maybe they would rather talk about arranging flowers or something important).  Maybe they didn't want to hear it or maybe they thought I didn't know what I was talking about (i.e. giving 'em poor advice).  Could be!   But maybe it positively impacted some that I will never know.  If a blind man leads a blind man, they will both fall into a pit. ~Jesus of Nazareth~

Mentors!  I have mentioned that my parents died when I young.  My Daddy, Chester, (i.e. had an entrepreneur mentality, taught me much about business before he died when I was 17.  I knew about real estate, had several small businesses, borrowed money, had feed accounts, etc.  My Mom, Anna was a very hard worker and helped me with the physical stuff.  She tried to teach me about kindness, about God and a great work ethic.  I also had the opportunity later in my life to have a great mentor in which he taught me much stuff (i.e. he shared his knowledge on many topics).  I sucked it in.  I miss him.  I have many of you as friends.  You guys are smart and I pick your minds.  Thanksamillion for sharing all your knowledge.  My Daddy, Chester, would say to me--erv, ask questions; it's a good way to learn and it's inexpensive! SusieQ says--Mimic the good folks and not the bad ones.  But ya got to decide who is good and who is bad!!!!

A friend/golfbuddy and I were talking about getting good advice.  He told me that when he quit farming, he sold his machinery and gave half of the money to a professional money manager to manage (i.e. of course for a $$$ fee).  He took the other half and invested it in stocks that he liked (i.e. didn't study them or knew much about them).  His half is doing way better than the professionals.  That is how lucky that guy is! Huh, interesting. 

Suggestion--Get a lot of advice from good folks either by asking or by reading.  Then compare the  advice to formulate something that fits you.  This will work with  almost anything.  But listen with an open mind to their advice and don't just talk to or read about folks who have the same thinking.  This is just a suggestion.  And you know what, this still is no guarantee that it will be a slam dunk.  BUT you are putting the odds much more in your favor -- maybe!! Timing can make a person look pretty smart or dumb!  Is that something they call luck?

A time for everything in a person's life!  You finally realize you're never going to be really good at something like golf.  The things you used to care to do, ya aren't as interested in anymore, but you really don't care (i.e. they aren't very important). A time for everything!  And some things just increase in value with time.  Our family is in Waukee spending a few days together.  It's a hoot.  Karen (i.e. anybody can be a Karen) says--Your kids are becoming you...but your grand kids are perfect! BUT as perfect as they are, there comes a time when grandpa needs to go on a bike ride or a run!  Oh ya!  He needs a little quiet time to himself!!!

A time for everything.  Sometimes a guy just has to "fade into the sunset". Yogi said--It gets late early out there.  LuckieEddie says--Some can do it gracefully and some can't! Some can slip into anonymity without anyone knowing it!!!!  Sorta kinda incognito!  CadillacJack says--It's part of the aging process.  Folks don't stay important very long if they are important at all (i.e. DuaneTheWorm just thinks he is--(i.e. he's maybe like a shooting star, he has flamed out).  Guys become expired roasters that still crow a little but no one pays any attention to them (i.e. unless they want their money).  And the chicks become hens and then after they can't lay eggs anymore, well...they become chicken soup like the old roasters.  Chicken soup folks!  My mentor would say to me--If a man is poor, he is stupid; if he is rich, he's a crook; if he goes to church, he's a hypocrite; if he stays away, he's a sinner.  If he's in politics, he's a grafter; if he takes no interest in politics, he's an unworthy citizen; if he dies young, there was a great future ahead of him; if he lives to a ripe old age, he's a burden to society.  The only man who is never criticized is he who has never been born.  Such is life!

Ya can't just sit on the couch and eat chips folks! Maybe, just maybe there comes a time when we need to proactive instead of being reactive (i.e. use discernment).  What do you think?  Maybe we have to take some initiative. There is a time for everything. There is an old story preachers tell about a man trapped on the top of his house during a flood or hurricane or tsunami (insert your own natural disaster). The water is swiftly rising. As this man sits on his roof, fearful of being swept away by the current, he cries out to God, “God please deliver me.” A few moments later, a farmer friend arrives with his boat. “Hey, friend, want a ride to safety?” he asks. “No,” replies the man on top of his house. “God is going to deliver me.” An hour later, the water is up to the gutters. A voluntary rescue person comes by on his yellow raft. “Hey, let’s get you off of there—and on to safety,” he yells. But the man on top of his house refuses to go. “God is going to deliver me.” Another hour passes and now the water is halfway up the roof. Roof Man is now on top of his chimney, nervously looking down at certain death and destruction. Fortunately, a Red Cross volunteer swings by in a canoe and offers to ride Roof Man to safety. But Roof Man refuses. “No, God is going to deliver me.” A couple of hours pass by and the water sweeps over the top of Roof Man’s house. He is carried away by the current and drowns. When he gets to Heaven, he meets Jesus and says, “I though you were going to deliver me.” Jesus looks down at Roof Man and says, “I sent a boat, an inflatable raft, and a canoe—but you refused each one.”  We probably all have heard that story and every time we hear it we laugh and think, how dumb was that guy.  Hey folks, I have been that dumb guy more than once let me tell ya! Oh ya!

In the book or Rotizatice, Chapter 12, verse 22 it says--I get to spend 100% of my income on me.  Another Book encourages us to give away 10% first and then the rest is yours to do as you want.  A friend's book says, 10% to give away first, 20% saving and then I can spend the rest as I please (i.e. has done that for 40 years).  Saturday question--Which book to you tend to believe and follow? I think, my opinion, that if you can figure that out early, you will be a much happier camper.  Talk about being happy, I finished reading Mike Finley's book Financial Happines$$ (i.e. a 5 star rating on amazon--easy read toooo--stimulating).  He's one of the grullas I had breakfast with. It was a great read for me.  It was about attitude and money (i.e. strong on the attitude).  But, maybe if you have the right attitude you will get money.  Could be.  I suggest you read it.  Here is his web site that you can order it.  Very good for anyone even if you have no interest in money (i.e. I don't know who that would be but...)!  http://www.thecrazymaninthepinkwig.com/  GeorgeTheCrook says--Instead of buying a 12pack of imported beer, buy this book.  It will impact you much more and you don't have to pee as much. Or buy the book and drink the 12pack as you read!  I golfed in league this week against a guy who said when he was younger he was drunk for 10 years 7 days a week.  Is that possible or is he blowing that up some?

ItchieBitchie says--I like a balanced life.  Moderation my friend, moderation!  ItchieBitchie says--I eat of the 5 major food groups each day--beer, bacon, wine, chocolate, and chips.  I seem to be doing quite well, thank you! Of course I exercise every day; I go to the bathroom and the frig many times a day!   It appears that our country is becoming a country of under-achievers.  I was talking to a young man the other day.  He was telling my that he just got back from a family vacation with his wife and child in northern MN.  He said he's going to Canada fishing this fall with his buddies.  Sooooo I asked--who do you work for now?  I'm unemployed but I help a carpenter once in a while!  Sounds like a good life to me if you can make it work!  Da!  But maybe his wife has a good job.  I didn't ask him that.  Joesixpack says--The easiest way to make money is to marry it or inherit it!  BUT I will guarantee you that if a person doesn't have money management skills, someone else will have their money in just a short time.  Such is life.

Is it just smack talk or good advice? A friend, Tom, (i.e. anybody can be a Tom) gave me this newspaper article (i.e. soooo it must be right)--Whether you run 30 minutes or two hours a week, your risk of early death will be lower than if you don't run...runners, no matter the duration or speed, will reduce mortality risk by about 30% compared with non-runners...some exercise is clearly better than doing none at all...fitness may be the strongest predictor of survival. Saturday question--How much time do you spend watching TV or exercising?  Maybe that newspaper article is just one of Tominsanties!  Could be!  MissPerfect says--It's a lot easier to sit on the couch and eat chips.

AverageJoe says--It comes a time in life when you need to do more than just give advice to grandma--you need to help her.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--No horse gets anywhere till he is harnessed.

on second thought

Disclaimer--Don't take anything I say tooooo serious. If I offend you, I don't mean tooo (i.e the truth of the matter is that everything is a matter of perception; your outlook determines how you interpret this and your perception mainly comes from how you have been programed!). Sooo think about how you are looking at something folks before reacting (i.e. maybe you are a little touchy on some things--touchy touchy!).   ItchieBitchie asks--Does anyone really take time to think?  LuckieEddie says--I just do what they tell me on TV!  I just follow the crowd.  It seems to work!  I'm broke and unhappy but it seems to work!  It's American isn't it?

Some of you folks are rare horses, a real grulla (i.e. a horse of a different color--not maybe physically but mentally)!  Make no mistake, you are even if you don't think you are. A grulla is a fairly rare color of a horse and often is the result of mating a black stallion with a red or dun mare (i.e. soooo it's your parents fault that your are a grulla or it might be your environment or a combination of both). My mentor would say--erv, we are all programmed by our genetics and our past experiences.  On second thought, I guess you could make an argument if you are a gurlla or not but then you folks can make an argument for just about anything.  Hey folks, grullas are very pretty horses (i.e. my opinion).  Such is life.

What a hoot I had!  I had the opportunity (i.e. it just fell in my lap) recently to meet with two very smart folks over breakfast (i.e. they are "loco".  Loco comes from the Mexican vaqueros. It means "crazy" in Spanish..  They are true gurlias!  Not normal. No question.  In fact one calls himself a "crazy guy" and I called the other "weird".  Why they are crazy and weird is that they are individualists (i.e. very smart, rare birds).  They are exceptional folks (i.e. not crowd followers--they think for themselves).  Albert Einstein said--The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd.  The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has every been.  My Mom, Anna, would say to me--erv, remember if everyone else jumps off the cliff, you don't have toooooooo and shouldn't! Think for yourself son!

Steve Jobs said--Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.  Don't be trapped by dogma--which is living with the results of other people's thinking.  Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice.  And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
   
I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Repentance speaks of changing our loyalty and completely reorienting the way we think about life.  It means to stop going, thinking and living one way, and start going, thinking and living the opposite way...it's not just about charting a new course on the same old map; it is about throwing out the old map altogether (i.e. a new life). Joesixpack says--On second thought that repentance might be a good idea!

On second thought, I will answer the question the way the professor wants me tooooo 'cause...! A student is a person who sits at a desk and writes down what the teacher puts up on his or her PowerPoint presentation so that they can spit it back out on a test (i.e. to get a good grade is to tell the the professor what they want to hear even it it isn't right but just his idiotic personal philosophy).  Students compile information but disciples pursue transformation.  Huh, interesting.

I finally got all the boxes of old pics and went through them.  Organized them.  I wanted to do this for many years.  Finally did it.  How come today?  I felt like it I guess!  To many other days I thought about it but said, "on second thought" I'll do it some other day.  A guy just has to feel right to do a certain thing. HoochieCoochie says--Sometimes I just don't feel like doing it and sometimes I do.  That's just the way it is.  And when you are retired a guy can pretty much do whatcha want. I was at a retired guy's house the other day.  It looked to me that he never feels like doing anything (i.e. he has no schedule and no time demands; there is always another day).  FlipThePancake--I have a friend who washes all of the windows in their house and washes both cars every Saturday morning.  I bet they are clean as this guy is particular.  And he has it done by 8 a.m.  Such is life.

I wonder what will happen to those pics when the kids clean our house out some day.  I wonder!  They have their own pictures.  A friend said that on their recent afternoon of boating, their daughter took 1,000 pics.  Another friend said that their friends celebrated their anniversary and put a 1,000 pics on facebook.  What will happen to all those pics.  Those are just one day's worth.  Joesixpack asks--Who really wants to look at 1,000 pics of some one's anniversary anyway!  Come on folks, that's a little over the top, ain't it?!  I think you would have to have a pretty big ego to do that.  What do you think?

Different folks seem to react differently to different stuff in their different heads I guess (i.e. have different  motivating snakes).  Some folks can't sleep unless they get their projects done and others never get them done (i.e. just sleep).  Why is that?  We all seem to have different kinds of motors which produce different desires and different interests I guess.  We all do different stuff and act a different way 'cause of different reasons and different whys I guess. It's crazy how CrazyHerman acts (i.e. he's different).  Such is life.

Inner Peace--If you can start the day without caffeine, If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, If you can resist complaining and forcing people with your troubles, If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it, If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time, If you can take criticism and blame without resentment, If you can conquer tension without medical help, If you can relax without alcohol, If you can sleep without the aid of drugs, you're Mabel, the family dog!

LuckieEddie asks--What is the value of life?  On second thought, some things never change!  "How little you know about the age you live in if you think honey is sweeter than cash in hand"  ~Ovid (43 B.C. - A.D. 17?), Roman poet~  ~  ~  There is no value in life except what you choose to place upon it and no happiness in any place except what you bring to it yourself. ~Henry David Thoreau~ ~ ~ Sooooo folks, a friend says--Decisions have consequences!  Guess who gets to make the decisions!  It appears a lot of folks blame the government or Obama!  Congress is suing Obama it said in the paper.  Now that is interesting.  Such is life.

On second thought!  I got a response by email from a friend.  Very interesting to me.  He said--I have thought over the years that a lot of people did very silly things to prolong a low quality of life for older people. But when it comes time to make the decision, it is really hard. Mom is on board and that is the best part. So ready to go.

I was sitting on the bench next to a friend (i.e. maybe 45) at the pickle ball court the other night.  I made the comment--When you look down the street, it appears that everyone has money.  He said--erv, I think there are a lot of folks who are really struggling.  On second thought, he might be right.  But soooo many times it doesn't appear that way.  He said--Looks can be deceiving; we assume stuff sometimes.  A smart guy he is.  He is a good person with a good heart. My kind of person.  Mike (i.e. anybody can be a Mike) says--Living the American dream can lead to financial and emotional bankruptcy.  That is what he says folks. A friend told me this week that he's living "his dream".  Soooo I asked him--what's your dream?  He said--My dream could be a nightmare!  Ouchy ouchy! Such is life.

I read it on the internet soooo it must be right!  That about 33% of folks are in a collection agency.  That seems like a lot to me.  My Daddy, Chester, taught me to not to borrow money on anything that depreciates (i.e. only on stuff that appreciates--If you don't have cash, don't buy it).  My Uncle George told me many times--It isn't what you make but what you save.  Is that old fashion?  It seems to be.  What do you think?

Wacky, but effective!  Everyone is nice to ya if they want your money (i..e. short lived and manipulative generally).  In golf league this week my partner gave putts up to maybe 5 feet (i.e. and I really like this guy--you can tell he has a giving heart).  He even gave my opponent pretty long putts (i.e. I think he got nervous that I didn't give 'em).  Did you know that pro golfers make only 50% of 6 footers.  I didn't care (i.e. I'm not a bit competitive in league but am competitive with myself about how I play).  ANYWAY my partner said to me--I want to be liked sooooo I give them all those putts.  He wants to be liked folks!  If you give folks what they want, they do seem to like you, at least for a short time (i.e. like a kid who begs and gets candy an the check out).  Bingo, they like you.    

Recently I talked to 3 teenagers of the same family walking past our house.  They were done for the day of detasseling.  They make $10 to $11 a hour depending on past years of work.  They usually work about 100 hours a season which equates to about $1,000.  Wow!  The gal said--That's nutten to sneeze at!  Yabut some kids would rather complain and sit on the couch and eat chips (i.e. expect someone else to pay their way--entitlements).  ItchieBitchie says--A good work ethic is very important.  

I can count my lucky stars or something like that. Maybe it's like Yogi said--It's like deja vu all over again.  ANYWAY one night recently I was rather discouraged (i.e. usually not that way).  I think I thought I was in charge of the world and found out I wasn't (i.e. I just got a good reminder-- humbling).  On second thought, it was a great lesson a.k.a. opportunity to get my head screwed on right again--a true blessing.  Happenstance, na, I don't think soooooo folks!  A good night's sleep plus an analyses of my situation seemed to put things in proper perspective again.  It appears that every once in a while I think I'm more important than I really am.  Do you every get that way?  My mind needs a correction just like the stock market does at times.  

Don't think it will always be the same!  Data shows that a person will change their careers 5 to 7 times in their life.  What!  Holy Molly!  GeorgeTheCrook says--Yabut I'm in such a rut that I can't seem to ever get out of it (i.e. a rut is a grave with both ends kicked out).  GeorgeTheCrook, usually it has to get real bad before we even think about changing (i.e. bingo, the light comes on).  I mean real bad.  Most folks don't like change and would rather just "keep hitting their heads against the wall".  It hurts but they know the feeling and are comfortable with it.  It sounds crazy, GeorgeTheCrook, but that is how the mind seems to work (i.e. we want to change but on second thought, I will stay the same).  Such is life.  Thomas Edison aptly stated, "Restlessness and discontent are the first necessities of progress."

Roof knocking!  Israel says they tell the Palestine folks where they are going to send the missiles and send the shells.  It's called roof knocking.  I wish I would know when and where I'm going to have  missiles directed at me so I could dodge those suckers (i.e. turn my fortunes around).  On second thought, maybe I don't want to know the future. Joe Blow says--Yikes, knowing the future could  not be pleasant. What do you think? If someone would do some roof knocking on us, it might make us "owly lookin'"!  Ouchy ouchy!

On second thought, I'm soooooo happy! I'm happy 'cause I changed my trail I was on and went with you on your trail (i..e. maybe she got roof knocked!!!  A friend told me that when they got married they had conflict.  His wife came from a family who spent all their money (i.e. lived from check to check).  He was a saver and investor. She always wanted to buy stuff and he wanted to invest.  It was a battle, he said, for about 10 years.  Then she got on his band wagon and as they say, "the rest is history".  They are now retired and living the good life (i.e. have a pot of gold).  She says now--I'm sooooo glad I saw the light.  Bingo!  

On second thought, I was really influenced by these two grullas last Saturday morning.  We bought them breakfast at the Drake Dinner.  Of course they had to have their picture taken on top of the Drake Bulldog!  They sorta kinda can warm grandpa and grandmas' hearts pretty fast.  Such is life.  MableTheDog seems to even give me advice (i.e. it's free, the kind I like).  I think sometimes, Mabel is really smart (i.e. one smart dog).  I listen to her advice!  Mabel has qualities I really like--She is always the same and is always happy to see me.  I do think that MabelTheDog thinks I'm a little 'loco" at times but she loves me anyway, especially when I scratch her (i.e. give her what she wants)!  

Saturday suggestion--Always ask folks (i.e. no matter who they are) -- What do you think?  And then listen.  It's amazing how much a guy can learn.  Another great question is--What can I do for you?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Some people pursue happiness, others create it. 

onsecondthought gaahaa says:

Rainbows are a sight to behold.
They're God's creation we're told.
The colors you see
Amaze even me.
Have you seen the Pot-of-Gold?

competitive+

Our pastor is getting married today, yes he is.  Jane (i.e. anybody can be a Jane) says:  
Our preacher gets marriage quite soon.
His bride's state bird is a loon.
Their contract will say
WHO does WHAT each day.
Let's ALL go on THEIR honeymoon.

Don't get your butt out of joint, I'm not talking about any of you guys here! ItchieBitchie says--Some folks are just "white noise" and others are the real noise (i.e. main event).  And some folks are just "social media megaphones".  Uh, huh, yep, right, gottcha!

JoeBow asks--Have you ever thought you were going at a pretty good pace when all of a sudden someone comes from behind and just plain runs ya over?  Smack! CadillacJack says--Now that is a horse of a different color!  That can be hard on a guy's ego.  Especially if you are in competition and think you are pretty good!  How can that guy go that fast anyway.  And I thought I was going fast.  How did he get that fast anyway?  My opponent in golf league last week was an acquaintance that I haven't seen since last summer.  He really looked like he was physically fit.  How much weight have you lost I asked.  30 #s.  Wow!  How did you do that?  I did a 10 week 5 days a week intense kick boxing program.  That is how he did it folks!

A friend has been the #1 sales person in his company for 5 years in a row!  Wow!  I bet he doesn't just sit on the couch all day and eat chips!  What do you think?  He has to have some competitiveness in his wheel house to accomplish that.  I know his wife (i.e. she is a sweet lady) sooooo I don't think she is a whip cracker (i.e. and maybe I just don't see her at home or in the office).  My, Daddy, Chester would say to me--erv, you can make more money with you brain than your hands.

Since Adam and Eve ate off the wrong tree, things have been competitive folks.  That is why we have wars and wars and wars.  HoochieCoochie  says--In the natural, the way it works is it's nature's wonderful struggle for balance between them that eats and them that gets eaten.  Yabut CadillacJack, we aren't in the natural world.  We should be more human and help folks. Right?  Everyone is entitled to a smart phone and huge massive flat screen TV with cable. Aren't they? It's America!

Are you an ego-centric individual (i.e. win at any cost)?  It would be a person who takes recreational competition way too seriously (i.e. would even cheat to win). It says in the paper, soooo it must be right, that ego-centric folks derive their self-worth on winning and outperfoming others, proving one's ability, being better than others, and they don't care if they act in over-or hyper-competitive ways (e.g. manipulating handicaps soooo they can always win).  Most folks but not all, usually  move to a "mastery orientation" with age.  Mastery orientation is where success is based on trying your best and self-improvement. So there's a potential conflict between people who just want to "play" and people who want to play.  My opinion--sometimes I think we can play to win and sometimes we can play to be social.  What do you think?  LuckieEddie says--Everyone likes to win! Don't they?  MissPerfect says--Winning isn't everything but the will to win is!  Saturday question--How important is winning?  Hey MissPerfect, don't throw darts at me now  'cause I just bought a new pickle ball paddle!  If I didn't care how I play, I wouldn't need a new paddle.  Ouchy ouchy!  I want an advantage!!!  My opinion--The most fun competition is to compete against someone of your own ability (i.e. or a little better) and you don't care who wins (i.e. you play as hard as you can but when done, you just congratulate each other and enjoy each others company and their ability and then forget about it).  MojoPete says--Ya can say what you want erv, but it's a lot more fun to win than to loose!  Not for everyone MojoPete and not in certain situations.  The Wild World of Sports had this saying--The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!

Some folks will do almost anything to win.  Saturday question--How important is winning to you?  OneSmartGuy says--The highest virtue here may be the least in another world.

RuthieThetoothpick says--Who cares who is #2; we only care about who is #1! Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, said--Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.  And it appears in the NFL that is probably true.  It's all about the $$$ and power and fame.  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--Some folks can get pretty competitive (i.e. excited) when it comes to religion, politics or money.  Oh ya!  I got an eamil from a pickleball buddy (i.e. she and I compete with all our might against each other--about the same ability--she seems to be of good character).  In her email, she quoted Ned (i.e. anybody can be a Ned).  Ned said--Go win the day for God!!

Cheater cheater pumpkin eater!  I told a golf buddy/friend that I was going to write about competitive+ (e.g. some folks will actually cheat to win).  He told me this story about himself.  When he first started playing golf about 25 years ago, he was playing with a league teammate.  His ball was by a tree and said there is no way he could hit it and he would just take a penalty stroke.  His seasoned teammate said--You can hit.  Sooo he tried but missed the ball.  When his teammate put the score down, he didn't count the whiff.  Their opponents question him about it.  His teammate said--It was a practice swing.  My buddy/friend said--I knew it wasn't a practice swing, my teammate knew it wasn't a practice swing, and our opponents knew it wasn't a practice swing.  They all thought I was a cheater.  It has bothered me for 25 years (i.e. he thought he was branded a cheater forever).  Huh, interesting.

Is cheating good business or an Amageddon scenario?  I read in the paper soooo it must be right--At the Big 12 media days Monday, Bob Bowlsby, the conference commissioner, said "cheating pays" and that anyone who conspired to bend the rules could do so successfully and probably not get caught in most occasions.  Hey folks, there is an awful lot of pressure to win (i.e. winning is $$$$$ for universities).  Soooo is the risk worth the reward???  Saturday question--What is character?  The AZgecko says--Usually cheaters become over confident and self destruct at some point.

I think she is very confident but she doesn't seem to have an ego!  I must admit that my sisters and myself are survivors (i.e. maybe a little ego-centric).  We were not born with silver spoons in our mouths.  We had to fight for everything.  Soooo that made us rather competitive by nature.  I hope we aren't obnoxious but have a "underwatercurrent" that doesn't show.  When your parents die when you are young, you have to take the bull by the horns or just get trampled.  My kid sister had no parents when she was teenager.  That isn't easy folks.  She is a fighter and got her masters degree and has done very well in all aspects of life it appears (i.e. appears well grounded).  She is a real person with a good heart (i.e. my kind of person). I'm very proud of her.  She is a hybrid of our parents.  Chester and Anna would be real proud of her.  Real proud!

Folks can act different when they play cards! I have heard of super seniors who play cards like winning is life or death.  They get angry and pissy at each other over some recreational card game.  I think that is funny.  WildWillie says--Cut 'em old folks some slack erv, we all know some of those old farts rant and rave a lot but you have no idea what is going on in their heads (i.e. there might be demons there).  WildWillie, you are probably right and I really maybe don't want to know why they act that way.  I bet real money that something has made them that competitive.  There is a good chance envy and jealous has something to do with it..  What do you think?

Last winter I had a pickle ball buddy tell me -- erv, don't play off now and be sociable, you play hard.  You and my wife need to kick this guy and his partners' butts.  I don't like them as they are cocky.  You know some folks are way more fun to beat than others.  Some folks I don't mind letting them win or playing hard and loosing to them.  And some, well I would rather beat them.  Huh, interesting.


There are a lot of ways to let folks win!  Oh ya!  You can play off, make mistakes on purpose, let them get the bid, act dumb, work on a part of your game that you want to improve, miss putts on purpose, keep your mouth shut, don't be aggressive, make them look good, let them get the attention, step in the background, etc.  Sometimes a guy has to get beat up pretty bad before he learns to let his woman win.  But it helps if a guy can learn soooooner before later.  Remember guys, a happy wife is a happy life.

 Are we winning or loosing folks? While eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it, I read this by Dr. David Jeremiah--Since its founding in the 1770s, America was known as a Christian nation. Many pilgrims were Christians seeking religious freedom, many founding fathers were Christian, and many foundational documents expressed biblical principles. But beginning in the mid-twentieth century, America began to be known as a post-Christian nation as God was moved further toward the edge of public influence. Why do you think this is happening?  Are we winning or loosing? Is that good or bad or just indifferent?

It appears that the new buzz is to blame that rascal Obama!  AverageJoe says--Ya gotta blame someone!  Abraham Lincoln said--"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time."  My opinion, I think most folks are easily fooled.  Money is the biggest tool to fool folks.  It seems to always work. Ya just promise them the world and they will believe it.  Folks seem to have a hard time to catch on to that (i.e. suckers).  MagicalHerman says--All ya have to do to fool 'em is pretend to be Santa Claus.  Do you think we are delusional?  Joesixpack says--The bottom line is...always it seems!

They say ya gotta have confidence if you want to be competitive! Played golf with a long time friend and golf buddy this week.  He and I really had some fun battles during our hay days.  The group he plays with usually plays best shot each afternoon. On this afternoon, he and I were partners and we did pretty good.  He told me that he can't hit the ball anymore; just can't.  Age can do that to a guy alright.  He said he has no confidence; like not even 1%; more like 0%!  Ouchy ouchy!  AverageJoe says--Confidence is a huge massive issue if you want to be competitive!  Saturday question--Are you a confident person? I read what Michael Greller, caddy for Jordon Spieth, said in the Northwestern Classic--The #1 thing at this level is self-belief!  Well, I think self-belief a.k.a. as confidence is good in any body's life. What do you think?

Do you think these guys are "rain makers"? I went to the Waterloo Open for a while last weekend.  Sat behind #18 and watched and talked.  A WWII vet (i.e. 94 years old) talked to me a long time.  A bomber pilot.  Says he is darn lucky to be alive.  They knocked them out of the sky like flies. He said--I hope God forgives me for some things I did and some things that I didn't do! Played basketball for Wm Penn in 1938.  Talked basketball with me like it was yesterday. Played forward. He said he really likes golf but had to quite for a while; had prostrate cancer; healing up.  He says he's beating the odds.  Then a young man sat next to me.  He plays football at Grandview.  Soooo are you on scholarship--oh ya--how much--about a quarter and I get another quarter academically--soooo how much does it cost at Grandview--$32,000--soooo you get half paid for then--ya, I can make that work.  How much do you weigh--317--what position do you play--guard--you guys any good--national champs last year.  My friend, Geno, called and said he shot 71 at Rolling Hills Country Club (i.e. par 72) in a tournament over the weekend.  Shot his age.  Wow!  What a stud!

Another one of Jane's:
I know a young fellow named Erv
Who's always most willing to serve.
He'll try everything.
Have you heard him sing??
That character has now lost his nerve!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The only ideas that will work for you are the ones you put to work.

Joan (i.e. anybody can be a Joan) says: 
I once knew a lady from Quirk
Whose husband was quite a jerk.
When he'd get out of line,
 She'd whack his behind,
 And say, "You drive me berserk!"

out on a limb

I'm going out on a limb here; I don't think GoffyHerman will understand the content of this "It's Saturday".  GoffyHerman calls the computer store and asks a sales clerk if they carried Linux for Dummies. "No," the clerk replied, "but we do sell The Complete Idiot's Guide to Linux." GoffyHerman groaned and said--The Complete Idiot's Guide to Linux is way over my head!

Talk about a complete idiot, a golf buddy (i.e. he manages The Mill truck stop here in Grundy Co, IA) was telling my last Saturday on the 3rd tee that a guy asked him for help--how do I get to Chattanooga, TN (i.e. didn't have a clue).  He map quested a route for him (i.e. about 800 miles)..  Soooo where did you start this morning--Branson, MO (i.e. 480 miles out of the way)!  Really!  You went the wrong direction.  I must have taken a left when I was suppose to take a right somewhere!  It's Obama's fault!

A policeman was rushed to the hospital with an inflamed appendix. The doctors operated and advised him that all was well, however, the patrolman kept feeling something pulling at the hairs in his crotch. Worried that it might be a second surgery and the doctors hadn't told him about it, he finally got enough energy to pull his hospital gown up enough so he could look at what was making him so uncomfortable (i.e. went out on a limb). Taped firmly across his pubic hair and private parts were three wide strips of adhesive tape, the kind that doesn't come off easily --- if at all. Written on the tape in large black letters was the sentence, "Get well soon, from the nurse in the Ford Explorer you pulled over last week." 

My Daddy, Chester would say to me--erv, don't let your emotions get into your business decisions.  I had breakfast with a couple of farmer friends before playing 27 holes of Ridder Cup last Saturday.  We talked about the price of corn (i.e. locally currently $3.58).  They both told me that they had corn from last year yet.  Could have sold it for $6.98.  How come you didn't sell it?  One said--I fell in love with it!  It's Obama's fault! I think they made sooooo much money last year that they didn't want to pay the taxes.  My advice to them--Buy a monkey and listen to his advice!  You can write the cost of the monkey off as a farm expense.  Sooooo the more you pay for the monkey, the more you will save on your taxes!  Farmers get all the breaks!  Such is life.

More free advice! Robert Jamasy says--When you are wrestling with a dilemma or problem, how willing are you to seek advice? And if you do look for advice, who are the people with whom you choose to consult? Seth Godin, a noted author, entrepreneur, marketer and public speaker, recently offered observations about good advice. He called it "priceless. Not what you want to hear, but what you need to hear.... Not designed to make you feel better, (but) designed to make you better. Seek it out and embrace the true friends that care enough to risk sharing it." Godin says good advice is "priceless" because it is not what we want to hear, but what we need to hear. Too often we seek advice from people we feel confident will tell us what we desire to hear - to reinforce our conclusions or affirm decisions we have already made. But true friends and trusted advisors are not those that "tickle our ears," but those willing to risk - to tell us difficult truths if necessary. ItchieBitchie says--I wish I would have got good advice a lot sooner! Why did I wait soooo long? I have regrets.  Probably ItchieBitchie, 'cause you didn't want advice, that is why!  Ouchy ouchy!

The mind is sooooo interesting to me! I just read Stephen King's new book Mr. Mercedes (i.e. all 436 pages).  I have never read any of his books before 'cause I think they are a little goofy (i.e. my opinion) and they are sooooo long.  ANYWAY I read the review in the paper and was interested in this one.  It is a detective mystery novel which sorta kinda explains why folks' minds are as they are (i.e. why we do the things we do 'cause of our environment and our genetics).  Some times we are goofy and sometimes we are brilliant!  It all depends on goofy stuff in our lives and our genes!  This might sound goofy to ya!  And it might be folks!  It's Obama's fault! Such is life.

Do you think through all the possibilities?  Or do ya jump to a conclusion 'cause it has always been that way (e.g. like, when you hear hoof beats, you don't think zebras)! I'm going out on a limb here folks, I think most of us think horses!  Detective Hodges did in this book. When you try to understand goofy folks, ya got to think goofy!  Saturday question--Who is goofy?  And remember folks, we all have issues.  Everyone of us.  SusieQ says--Yabut if you are very self-centered, you don't think you have any; just others do; you're pretty much perfect! It's Obama's fault!  Huh, interesting.

Does your life have incremental repetition?  I'm going out on a limb and in saying--I bet real money that it does!  Maybe, just maybe, it time to crank it up a notch.  Do some forward thinkin'.  What do you think?

I had one interesting day Monday.  Oh ya!  I had breakfast/inspiring conversation with a friend, went and volunteered at Wheaten Franciscan Health Care, changed into my bikin' cloths (i.e. wore a pickle ball tee shirt that says--Kiss me, I might be Irish!), and stopped at McDonald's for a burger while reading the Des Moines paper.  While doing sudoku this super senior babe came to my table and laid a huge massive smacker on me--then said--there you go!  What a hoot!  Went on a 15 mile bike ride and on that ride I met a gal and three children.  Two little girls, maybe 8, yelled at me as I approached--Ya ever kiss a red head?  No, I don't think sooooooo!  Crazy!  On my bike ride I went and looked up (i.e. literally as they are on top of a building) the 4 goddesses over looking the Cedar River on a bike trial that I like to ride in Waterloo.  I especially wanted the goddess of knowledge to "look down on me" to be a harbinger of more knowledge.  I can't tell the difference but maybe it hasn't kicked in yet (i.e. maybe I have to activate it with a password).  Could be.  They were made in 1907 as goddesses of science, agriculture, justice and knowledge.  Maybe they are just arty farty!

I don't think I'm gong out on a limb here folks in saying, I don't think we have a clue!  ItchieBitchie says--The earth really doesn't travel that fast.  Only does one spin every 24 hours.  I can't even feel it.  Are you sure it spins on it's axis every day?  Yes it does ItchieBitchie and it goes around the sun once a year.  Pretty slow, right? Ya, uh-huh, right!  Really folks, and really it wasn't that many years ago when the folks thought the earth was flat!  Now we can look in space and think there might be endless galaxies!  We just don't know.  And we think we are soooooo smart.  Huh, interesting. His understanding I cannot fathom!

JoeBlow sorta kinda looks like a robot with dead batteries.  It's Obama's fault! I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Most people don't get enough exercise; most people who join gyms don't visit them; most home exercise equipment sits unused. There is a difference between purchasing a home treadmill and using it to increase your health. There is a difference between making a commitment and following through on that commitment. Just like there is a difference between believing in God and actually doing something with your belief.  Huh, interesting. The same day I read this--A Purdue University study found that executives who work out regularly are better decision makers. The study tested the decision-making capabilities of 80 people over a nine-month period. Results showed that the exercisers' ability to make complex decisions had increased 70% over the non-exercisers. Have been beating yourself over the head because you've made a few bad decisions lately? The Purdue study shows that bad decisions are actually related to being out of shape. If your body is not in shape, then your mind MAY be out of shape too. So take the bait of the Purdue researchers and go out on a limb by try to workout and feel better and THINK better. Joesixpack asks--Are you the fisherman or the fish?

LuckieEddie says--Let me refresh your memory (i.e. as the lawyers say). My dogs are Dumb and Dumber. Aside from Dumber being insane – really – and Dumb being dumb, they are good old dogs. We understand each other! LuckieEddie is like the cherry on top of the sundae.  

You're not putting yourself toooo much out on the limb when you talk about stuff that has no answers (e.g. how many angels can dance on a point of pin?).  CrazyMarvin says--That is pretty much just "simply a debating exercise"!  Ya just are exercising your jaw; that is about all that gets accomplished.  To me it's a waste of time. Holy smokes! I had breakfast with a friend this week.  He said that his church says often that 1 out of 5 folks have a broken heart!  1 out of 5 folks.  MY OPINION--I think churches should talk more about healing broken hearts than arguing about how many angels can fit on a point of a pin (i.e. be positive encouragers).  And you know what folks, I will go out on a limb and bet real money that many folks who have broken hearts don't come to church (i.e. they hurt tooooo bad).  MissPerfect says--If you have never had a broken heart, you don't have a clue!  What do you think? I stopped after having breakfast with my friend and saw another friend.  She told me that an old health problem poked it's ugly head up again.  She thinks it returned 'cause (i.e. in her opinion) of the tremendous stress she has had recently in her life (i.e. broken heart).  I will go out on a limb and agree that stress can do that folks.  What do you think?

Have you ever laid an egg!  I like Zack Johnson's quote that was in the paper (i.e. sooooo it must be right) before he teed it up at the John Deere Classic--Obviously I've got some confidence here and that sort of thing.  But heck, that's happened many times, and I've come out and laid an egg.  Well, he didn't come out and laid an egg.  He shot 8 under and was a co-leader after the first round.  Ended up ended in second place and a cool half a mill!

Saturday question--Have you ever really flubbed something?  Really screwed it up?  Really made a mess of something?  Like blew it, bumbled it, butchered it, botched it, mucked it up, muffed it, or murdered it? There is nutten like the feeling of getting it back on the track somehow (i.e. getting if off your chest).  It's a wild ride to carry that ugly feeling around all the time.  It's Obama's fault! MissPerfect says--What works best for me is to admit I made a poor judgement and accept it and seek help in getting it going the right direction.  I will go out on a limb and bet real money that the folks who do, will end up happier and do better in life.  What do you think?

I'm going out on a limb here but I bet real money that some of you don't know what a limerick is.  I didn't.  A limerick is a five-line poem in which the first, second and fifth lines rhyme and the third and fourth lines rhyme, like such: AABBA. And it has a certain cadence. Here's an example:There once was a man in Tempe / Whose leg melted off at the knee. / When asked, "Are you hot?" / He said," I am not / For we don't call this hot in Tempe."  Can any of you write one for me.  I would like to see yours!  ByTheWay, it's going to be 108 degrees in Tempe tomorrow!  Ouchy ouchy!  YaBut it's dry heat!!!!!!!

In the paper it says Lance Armstrong might start a new foundation (i.e. soooo it must be right).  He says, "I'm a big believer in the whole (author) Jim Collins theory of 'Who's on the bus? Who wanted to get off the bus? Who wants to get off the bus now?' So we might have to look at who's on the bus." GoffyHerman, you might not understand this.  It might be over your head. Don't worry about it!  It's Obama's fault! Such is life.

I gotta go but maybe not as fast as my friend KenThePung (i.e. who says he's not Santa Claus but I think he's a big Obama fan).  He sent me an email saying--By the way erv, I have a whole banana, all bran and raisin bran for breakfast, how's that for a fast moving start? KenThePungMyFriend, you better stay close to the...as I don't think you are as fast as when you played college football! It's Obama's fault!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A pint of example is worth a gallon of advice.

where are you

Soooo where are you?  I heard a guy ask that to someone he was talking to over his smart phone. The person must of answered--I don't have a clue as he then asked more questions. Soooo folks where are you (i.e. Car 54 where are  you?--Any of you folks remember that show)?  

Soooo I guess we just don't know where we really are sometimes. The average life expectancy in Iowa is 79.5 years.  That means that some folks have to die before that age and some live longer.  Soooo where are you?  In business we would do an "feasablility study" to try to find out or hire a "strategist" to help us.  I still think death and putting are tooooo final; it should be the best 2 out of three!  Joesixpack says--Our casket could already be in town! Maybe it's time to install the rapid strike approach!  LuckieEddie says--Life doesn't last for ever, like a soccer game!

I'm going to steal some of his thunder!  And you guys think we just rah-rah-rah, blab, blab, blab when we play golf.  A golf buddy and I talk about many good things (i.e. actually golf is just a conduit for our interaction maybe). Could be and maybe not!  He was asked to speak in his church last fall for this summer.  He said he would but had no idea what he was going to talk about.  Then in FL last winter, he was waiting on the first tee and over heard a guy telling his friends about his schedule--pickle ball, softball, botchie ball, golf....  His friend said--No way he could do all that.  Then he said--I have worked hard for 37 years and "now" is my time!  Bingo--there was his topic for his talk (i.e. happenstance, na, I don't think so).  The Bible story he is going to use is Haggai's.  My buddy is going to mention Ravi Zacharias' 3 principles for choosing our pleasures. Principle #1 "Anything that refreshes you without distracting from, diminishing or destroying your ultimate goal is a legitimate pleasure." #2 "Any pleasure that jeopardizes the sacred right of another is an illicit pleasure." #3 "Any pleasure, however good, if not kept in balance will distort reality and destroy appetite making it an illicit pleasure."  "The primary use of our homes and our lives is to reflect and to distribute the love of Christ.”  Not all of you might agree or want to hear my golf buddy's ideas.  We are pretty self-centered at times and can be pretty selfish.  I know I can.  How about you? This struggle will probably continue--'Til who laid the rail!  Where are you on all of this?

Saturday question--Where are you as far as what you think and do?  SusieQ a.k.a. the lady with all the bells and whistles says--One of the greatest presents we can give is time -- to our children, to our spouse, to our church, to friends, and sometimes to strangers on the street or neighbors in need. It's the most hospitable kind of hospitality. AverageJoe says--Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give. A golf buddy told me this week that his sister is on her 4th marriage.  What's the deal I asked him.  It seems she's never happy!  Huh, interesting.

Where have you been? I went for a walk on the other morning. It was a cloudy, cool day with a moderate wind. It reminded me of some days we spend "up north" at friends' cabin on Lake Pokakama. Yes, we had some cool, cloudy days up there at times. They toooo were great in their own way. Then I started thinking about Arlene telling me that she ate a lot of spam as a kid (i.e. why I thought about this, I have no idea). Sooo I went to see if they still sell it. Of course they do! And it's cheap! Spam--glorious spam it says on the can. I fried some up for lunch. She didn't like it as well as she remembered it as a kid back home at Wichert, IL (i.e. 60 miles south of Chicago). I had it occasionally back home as a kid but not like her I don't think. Her Mom, Cora, worked very hard in the gladiola fields every day and didn't have time to make lunch soooo they had pre-cooked spam out of the can. It worked. But, I felt like I was eating the yucky part of some fat sow! We probably have had enough of spam for the rest of our lives. We are not there anymore I guess! I have no idea what place we are at though but not in the spam world I guess! "There is no place like this place any where near....  ...this place, soooo this must be the place for us right now."   Soooo that is where we are right now!  Where are you?  Such is life.

CadillacJack is in his "hemanmentality"!  Like I don't need any directions!  I don't need any help!  I can do anything and everything myself.  I'm the man!  A friend of mine was this way once.  But then his wife died and he told me that he wasn't very tough at all; he changed into a meek guy.  He was always in charge but this really affected him.  He would cry with me.  He said, he never cried.  He was there but now he is here!  Crazy huh!  ItchieBitchie says--Looks can be deceiving.  A person can look pretty glitzy and showy but have a bad heart (e.g. an apple that looks ok on the outside, but when you cut it open it's black and full of worms).  Flipthepancake--A person can look pretty humble and meek and have a great heart.  MissPerfect says--Pictures can really be deceiving; you can dress anyone up to look good and then have a good picture taker touch up the pictures even more soooo the person looks perfect.  It appears you can make folks look anyway you want them to look BUT you can fake a heart!  ItchieBitchie says--Abnormal folks don't like other folks to know they're abnormal! Abnormal folks are easily flammoxed!  Soooo who is normal ItchieBitchie?  What's the bench mark for being normal?  I wonder if we aren't all a little abnormal, but just to different degrees.  What do you think?  CrazyMarvin says--We all have some crawling snakes in the back of our minds!  Yabut CrazyMarvin, when a person understands the snakes, he doesn't take the bait!

AndyTheSmuck says--I'm beyond those folks; I'm much higher on the food chain; much more important; live in a different neighborhood; have a lot more money; have a lake home; don't shop at Dollar General anymore; we have a big boat; I don't even need God anymore; I don't need grocery specials anymore: I have arrived; I'm here! Soooo you think AndyTheSmuck, sooooo you think! Just because you wear expensive underwear and sleep on expensive sheets, it doesn't make you who you are. Sooooo where really are you anyway?  Just maybe, you need to get your head out of your... and rescrew your head back on!  Just maybe!  Just maybe AndyTheSmuck, you just believe tooooo much of that "fantasyland crap"!  Ouchy ouchy!

On TV I hear the advertisement about "your #" meaning how much your net worth is or how much you think you will need for retirement.  I talked to a smart young man the other day and asked him about the age of the folks in his office.  He said--Some retire and some seem to work for ever.  Soooo why would some work for ever?  Well, if you have a certain standard of living they need to work.  Some were/are big spenders, some had a couple of divorces, some like lot of toys etc.  They just can't afford to retire.  They need the income to support their habits. Some aren't very forward thinkers.  Some are obscured by a cloud! Such is life.

Here is a good story of being here and going there as the story goes.  It’s about a true AZ 20th-century range war that took place near Globe. Actually, this doesn't seem to have been a range war as much as a feud between two families, the Armers and the Bacons, both of whom established or bought ranches in the Tonto Basin during the 19th century. In 1920, one of the Bacons bought the Dagger Ranch, which was the only non-Armer-owned property. This annoyed the Armers, who wouldn't let the Bacons drive herds across their land to the Globe road. The cattle had to swim across Roosevelt Lake to get to the train depot. The story involves charges and countercharges of rustling and hired gunmen and so on. The conflict went on for a few years until one day when the senior Armer rode to the senior Bacon's ranch and was invited in for a meal. Supposedly after dining, Armer said, "Damn, this is good beef." To which Bacon replied, "Oughta be. It's yours." They are said to have shaken hands, and the war was over.

I have arrived!  In about 1958 or soooo, my Daddy, Chester, said to me, erv, we have arrived.  We got the farm paid for, just bought a new big tractor, just bought 4-row equipment and I'm going to have a lot more time.  We are going to do a lot of fishing and hunting together.  Then he had a heart attack and struggled for a few years and died in the fall of 63 (i.e. I was 17).  He arrived all right, at his final destination.  Such is life.

Does WonderWoman always have the answers? Soooo WonderWoman, how many times have you thought you have arrived only to find out you need to go around another bend in the river, go up one more hill, go around one more corner, or slow down for one more speed bump in your life (i.e. life is trials and triumphs).  Then when you arrive, it ain't like you thought it was going to be.  That ever happen to you?  GeorgeTheCrook says--Expect the unexpected; then you won't be surprised!  ItchieBitchie says--Get a handle on yourself; Ya gotta have balance in your life.  Ya can't be just one dimensional.  Live life like it's unfinished.  As I'm writing this, I'm sitting in our sun porch seeing  a father and son walking down the street toward the golf course.  The boy is maybe 12 or soooo and he is pulling a golf cart with  his bag on it.  The father has no clubs.  They are walking slowly looking like they are engaged in a conversation. That is heart warming to me. WonderWoman can make a guy smile!  She has her ways!

I was looking through some old pictures etc this week.  It reminded me once again how fortune I have been.  Unbelievable!  And a lot of it "just fell in my lap"! Huh, interesting!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be somewhere else.