confidence

JoeSmart (i.e. who can act groggy at times) says—An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less, and less about more and more (i.e. or another way of putting it—until they know absolutely everything about nothing). JoeSmack says—It takes a very confident person to admit they don’t know something about something.

Cheap Charlie’s owner, Alessandro, was also a bookie I was told.  He always put the odds in his favor.  Even in a business contract, the other party always had to pay his attorney’s fees.  He was driven, completely driven by money and he made a lot and had a lot.  When he died, very few were at this funeral; none of his children.  BUT he had a lot of money in his estate.  He was a very confident and an obnoxious man.  Maybe he was happy and felt very successful.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Maybe he was simply a genus! Maybe and maybe not GeorgeTheCrook; how will we ever know.  ObnoxiousJerry says—Genius is not perfected, it is deepened. It does not so much interpret the world as fertilizer itself with it.  I have a friend who is going to have a kidney transplant soon at Mayo.  We talked and he told me that their success rate is at 98%.  I told him—I like those odds. 

A friend and I eat at a certain restaurant; it’s like the ATandT ad that says—it’s ok! (i.e. I answer with an “AT and T ok” when folks ask me how we are doing).  ANYWAY, I always laugh when I sit down at this restaurant.  They have bench seat booths but soooo many folks have sat in them that it feels like bucket seats; it’s like an old mattress.  While eating breakfast, my friend gave me this wisdom of a couple of his business associates that maybe you might what to think about.  One guy when presented with a business opportunity will listen, ask many questions, talk some more about it and then change the subject. Then in a few days, he will call and accept the deal or nix the deal.  Another person will ask the other person if he understands him right and repeats what other person has said; then changes the subject but comes back to it latter and asks the exact questions again; and guess what, he will do the exact thing the third time.  I think both of those folks are trying to gain confidence in their decision. 

A friend told me that his adult daughter is not a good decision maker with money.  She is way tooooo impulsive and her decisions usually end up being bad decisions (i.e. that is her past history). He is concerned about her handling his estate someday. He asked me what I thought to remedy this.  I suggested that she gets good folks around her and get their impute.  He said—That is the problem, she has not good folks around her; her selection is not good.  He doesn’t have a lot of confidence in her. 

Because of Arlene’s Alzheimer’s, I have had to change my life style.  That’s just the way it is for me. I elected to take the route I did; others might take a different route.  BUT because of this, I have learned to appreciate things differently; part of that change isn’t soooo bad and the other part is not soooo much fun.  I have learned to slow down more (i.e. I have no choice); I have for the most part enjoyed that (i.e. enjoyed life differently). AND it doesn’t really make any difference that I do it now or half an hour from now (i.e. like eating or washing the laundry, going to bed, etc.).  It just doesn’t make any difference.  Such is life. I seem to be living my life less pell-mell!  I realize that some of you won’t understand that and others will.  That is ok, I understand that also.  Yabut I have a friend (i.e. who never seems like he’s in a rush) who says to me—erv, hurry but don’t worry!  I recently made some new pickleball acquaintances (i.e. I played in a different venue).  When I was changing my shoes after playing, one of the folks talked to me.  He is about my age and seems to be in good physical shape.  ANYWAY, he invited me to come back and play with them and told me he plays most mornings except in the summer when he only plays 2 mornings a week; I play golf 3 days a week; my body can’t take doing both in one day anymore! 

I told you before that I bought a used snowblower.  Every machine and person seem to have a little different personality (i.e. especially a 10-year old snowblower run by a 73-year old guy who has peculiar quirky mannerisms).  ANYWAY, I have learned toooo deal with the snowblower’s and other folks’ idiosyncrasies; I just have to adjust and get use to them.  My snowblower tells me that I have to turn the gas off each time I use her, or she stinks up our garage with a gas smell, I can’t choke her when starting.  The other day the starter froze soooo I had to thaw it. I don’t have a lot of confidence in her right yet; I think in time I will when I adjust to her (i.e. she ain’t going to adjust to me).  She sure can blow the snow, but she seems sorta kinda weird and temperamental! I used her 9 times this winter at $20 to $30 a pop, she has paid for herself already. I just need to put up with her idiosyncrasies!

OneSmartPerson told me—erv, folks can make 10 great business deals and then make a very bad business deal and ruin all 10.  I asked him, why after 10 great decisions does somebody make the next one soooooo poorly?  And he said—Usually it is because that person gets cocky and thinks they know all the answers and don’t do the due diligent work that they have on the first 10 (i.e. over confident). Staying humble is sooooooo important in the big picture he said; most can’t do it; they become over confident a.k.a. very egotistical. Ouchy ouchy! Hey, if the shoe fits and it hurts, I’m sorry; I’m just telling you what OneSmartPerson told me.

I read this in the paper soooo it must be right--Embrace pessimism—Most of us don’t like to dwell on what could go wrong and many of us believe we’re better at predicting the future than we actually are.  Overconfidence, excessive optimism and the conviction that the recent past will continue in the future mean many of us don’t adequately protect ourselves.  Or as my mentor would say to me—erv, it’s not at good as it looks or as bad as it looks; it will change. 

In athletics and basically everything, if a person has confidence, things seem to go way better for them.  And of course, the opposite is true toooooo.  Sooooo how does a person get confidence?  Does success help? Probably. Long run of failures? Probably not. GeorgeTheCrook says—Some folks can handle failure much better than others; some will never try anything for the fear of failure (i.e. they probably will never be an entrepreneur but maybe an accountant).  I heard that an average business owner will fail 4.5 times before success. JoeBlow says—Do you know that many times the bean counters end up running the companies?  Yes they do.  Why is that do you think?

We have neighbors, family, friends, acquaintances, and even folks we really don’t know very well that give us food (i.e. good folks with good hearts).  It’s really good stuff let me tell you.  We really appreciate it; yes we do; no question.  A couple of our friends really make me laugh; yes, you gals do (i.e. you know who you are).  One gal usually says—It’s what we eat; it’s nothing fancy.  The other one says—I don’t cook very much anymore; you know me.....zero confidence in my cooking!!! They just make me laugh! Then we have other friends (i.e. a husband and wife team) that bring gourmet food.  And we have many of you who bake banana bread for us (i.e. especially for me). I have never tasted a bad loaf! 

I heard a sport announcer call a player “ultra confident.”  I never heard that before.  What does that mean?  How can you tell if a person is “ultra confident?” What do you think of this comment I have heard a friend say--Being confident and being cocky are not the same thing.  AverageJoe says--You should be confident in your abilities and who you are, but you should never brag about them or be boastful about your accomplishments. Remember that being loud and being truly confident are not the same thing. Just because someone is loud about what they are doing or what they have accomplished, it does not mean that they are truly confident. I know many of you folks quite well (i.e. I think soooo anyway or you are fooling me ha ha).  Many of you are confident folks. I know that and besides being confident, you are humble.  Goodness gracious alive!

LouLouLou says--Christians need to have the humility to concede that how the universal love of God and the particularity of Jesus fit together isn’t exactly clear (i.e. now that is for sure—my opinion--maybe). Furthermore, the fact that Christians belong to Jesus doesn’t mean Jesus belongs to us. We do not control Christ, nor do we have the authority to place restrictions on his love. Jesus the Good Shepherd has the freedom to call into his flock whomever he chooses, however he chooses, whenever he chooses. As C. S. Lewis observes in Mere Christianity, “God has not told us what His arrangements about the other people are” (p. 65). But as for me, and I hope for you as well, I intend to take Jesus at his word.

Even though some of you are sooo confident that you are right, you still don’t always get it right! ha ha  A distantrelativein-lawFran (i.e. has a lot of confidence) sent me this pic of her refrigerator with a note which part of it said--erv these sayings that I have on my refrigerator and as you can see I fail them miserably. She is a good person with a good heart (i.e. my kind of person).  ANYWAY, ain’t that the truth now that we fail miserably sometimes. I have a tendency to say to folks—I try!  I think the person who think they are perfect, are not (i.e. fooling themselves); they just think soooo. I admit that I’m a hypocrite but at least I admit it some of the time; the times when I’m not perfect (i.e. which is ALWAYS)!  ha ha

The other day I took Arlene to an assisted living/dementia care facility to visit a gal from our church (i.e. and to make our rounds to see some other folks that we know). Arlene gets buggy in not getting out (i.e. the winter has been brutal).  ANYWAY, the gal who we were going to visit was in the common area playing bridge with other gals of the community.  All four gals we know as some go to the same church, some Arlene played bridge with for years and also socialized with for years.  All reacted to Arlene differently (i.e. that is always soooo interesting to me).  That experience and maybe just being in the care facility (i.e. particular the dementia section) really dissolved the little confidence Arlene had.  It was really hard on her. My intuition was that she saw her reality.  Such is life.

Here is an opportunity/suggestion to make all our lives better (i.e. it’s universal to all; yes, it can be done by  everyone of you and it costs nuttin and it takes very minimal time and effort; it doesn’t get much better than this folks; the only thing it takes is for you to do it; it won’t help if you don’t do it; bingo).  It is to encourage yourself.  I heard in one of my video devotions recently that the first thing we should do in the morning is say something positive to ourselves; it will affect our whole day (i.e. set the tone of the whole day).  It develops confidence in ourselves; it’s an uplift.  JoeBlow says—One of the most powerful ways to ruin someone’s confidence is to ignore them.  Sooooo don’t ignore yourself, say sometime positive to yourself the first thing in the morning; do it while stretching or while going to the bathroom or whenever.  Make it part of your routine. 

I have no idea why but it was what it was.  I got Arlene up early last Saturday morning to go to the bathroom.  She was happy and seemed stronger physically and mentally than she has been for a long time.  She said to me—do something.  Crazy!  I text our son, Chet and asked if we could come for a short time to see them and Charlie and Rookie.  It worked out soooo I got Arlene some breakfast, gave her a shower, washed her hair, got her dressed, brushed her teeth etc. and we headed to Waukee for a 2.5-hour visit.  Some of you think we are crazy spending 3.5 hours on the road for a 2.5-hour visit.  Believe me, it was worth it; maybe the last time it will happen.  We played charades and Charlie and Rookie put on a magic show for us.  Right after Jessica took the picture of us, Rookie says to me—Grandpa, you have hair growing in your ears!  What a hoot. The visit was soooo fun but yet soooo sad. Some of you will understand and others of you won’t; I understand. 

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

erv 

MyFriendJean says—Truth has to only change hands a few times to become fiction.

mum's the word

There are folks who might think this “It’s Saturday” sounds delusional, crazy, cannibalistic, and repulsive. Now they might be wacko or right on target.  Now you get to decide.  Read at your own risk. But remember what ItchieBitchie says—When we make assumptions, we contribute to the complexity rather than the simplicity of a problem, making it more difficult to solve.

How do you decide what is “delusional, crazy, cannibalistic, and repulsive?”  I have no idea that is for sure but I have some ideas.  You do tooooo if you are honest and look at the truth.  One of my ideas is our past and current environment influences our decision.  I realize I say that a lot but folks, it is very obvious; isn’t it.  Many folks always don’t like to admit it (i.e. mum’s the word). Honest self-evaluation is very hard and for some it’s impossible.  I admit that sometimes I wonder if I understand anything correctly!  When I was a lad, I thought having a shack on a lake, with my dog Blackie and my horse Queen and my rifle and my fishing pole would fit me alright (i.e. a simple life).  I sometimes wonder if that still would be alright. ha ha  JoeBlow says—Isn’t that what the monks and priests do? But without a horse and a dog and a rifle and fishing pole and surely no women?

When is the last time you laughed soooo hard you cried?  My big sister (i.e. only in age) sent me an article called, How Can I Laugh at a Time Like This.  It said that laughing is soooo important for all us, especially caregivers.  It said many caregivers don’t laugh anymore (i.e. after all, what is funny).  Bob Newhart once said—Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it, and then move on.  When our “caregiving support group” meets, many times we laugh very hard (i.e. I don’t think I ever cried though).  What we laugh about, most of you wouldn’t understand I don’t think.  Soooo mum’s the word about these things to you guys. 

Myoldercouz, the one who went through the pain rehab at Mayo, told me that they said a person needs to laugh at least three times a day.  Sooooo I get this email from a pickleball buddy, John (i.e. anybody can be a John), which said-- My High School Principal told me 56 years ago, and I have never forgotten.(Experience is the bestTeacher, but it charges like a Specialist). I tell you what John, I have learned my share from the best teacher and I have paid the specialist rate!  And I’m still learning.  I only wish I could be as smart as you (i.e. not many are but maybe the reason you are soooo smart is what your principal told you 56 years ago).  Could be.  Maybe! You get all the breaks! Such is life.

Abraham Lincoln (i.e. one of my heroes) was very good at using humor in the most difficult of times.  Some say that is what kept his existence.  He loved to tell humorous stories at the most unlikely of times (i.e. at times of grimmest situations which drove some of his colleagues crazy).  In the article that my big sister (i.e. only in age) sent me said “to learn how to laugh now and not wait for someday.”  The end of the article said—"Caregivers, take care of yourself” (i.e. that is almost funny to caregivers).  Caregivers hear that all the time from many sources, but it is very hard to do (i.e. now that ain’t funny folks).  ha ha Why that is soooo funny to caregivers is that to take care of themselves, they need help from the people who say that.

                                                                                                                                                                 

I wonder about some friends, acquaintances, and etc. who might have had some bad experiences during their childhood or during their adult life that they have never told anyone (i.e. mum’s the word).  Maybe those past experiences have really messed up their life.  We now seem to hear more about adults who say they have been sexually or physically or mentally molested by different folks and how hurting it has been.  I wonder how many there are who will never spill the beans (i.e. maybe that is partly the reason they are as they are). I can understand that, somewhat, but not really as I have not experienced what they have.  It appears it can really help to share those hurt with someone who they can completely trust. But, you got to find that person who you can completely trust (i.e. someone who lives up to the expression “mum’s the word.”  I have some friends who I think I could do that with; you know who you are.  And some folks have “leakage of the mouth” that I probably wouldn’t tell. 

Tom Sawyer said to Huck Finn—“Oh, shucks, Huck Finn, if I was as ignorant as you, I’d keep still—that is what I’d do.”  Have you every felt like saying that to anyone?  SusieQ says—I have but toooo be politically correct and be the social queen, mum’s the word!  That is unless I’m in my elite clique: then it’s “a point getter” to bash someone who we think are lower on the social pickin’ ladder than us!  MissPerfect (i.e. who is better than the best) says--Let me tell ya, I can bash with the best; maybe I am the best; that is why I’m mother queen a.k.a. the alpha basher of the most elite clique!

Grumpy… would say—Can you keep it under your hat; play dumb; don’t let the cat out of the bag; don’t let on; don’t breathe a word; seal up your lips; can you do that?  The late Grumpy… (i.e. an Iowa legislator/independent insurance agent) told me this story while he and I were using adjoining urinals at an insurance meeting maybe 35 years ago—If you want something spread through the Capital, find the right person who loves to spread crap (i.e. a regular loud speaker) while using the adjoining urinal and tell them what you want spread. Tell them not to tell anyone.  Everyone will know it in a hour! It’s a great political move; it works every time.

Grumpy’s  “Mum’s the word” is the best way to spread the word even if it’s not true. Now they call it “leaking” or “fake news.” But now, it appears, words are used for the purpose of destroying. It appears that much of what is said in today’s culture is cosmetic veneer which causes most folks to believe nuttin anyone says any more (i.e. unless you are really totally, already brain washed—which maybe most of us maybe are). P. T. Barnum has said to have coined the phrase—“There is a sucker born every minute.”  And I think I could be the sucker! LuckieEddie (i.e. who can be an air horn at times) says—This is a crazy world we live in; sometimes it’s hard to make sense out of it.  LuckieEddie, it appears it has always been this way throughout all history; it ain’t nuttin new (i.e. it’s a continuous rerun—nothing changes in the story; just different actors using new technology)! I, like you, are probably the actors (i.e. some actors seem to be better than others)! Crazy!

Saturday question—Can you keep your mouth shut or is your mouth a public address system?  May I give you a suggestion?  If the person who you are going to share something with talks about others’ lives, well, they will do the same of you even if they say they won’t (i.e. mum’s the word they say); you are not that special even if you think you are; you are not and they will tell others what you asked them not to repeat.  Don’t trust them.  I was told by onesmartperson that if folks won’t talk about their personal shortcomings and their faults but always about someone else’s, well, be leery of them (i.e. they probably are big gossipers with huge massive noses).  I think onesmartperson learned that from experience (i.e. experience is a mean teacher). 

Mum's the word is a popular English idiom. It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2. The word “mum” is a slanged version of momme, which was used between 1350-1400 in Middle English with very close to the same meaning: Be silent; Do not reveal. How do I know this? I goggled it (i.e. I’m not that smart). Tom Sawyer said to Huck Finn—“It ain’t no use to try to learn you nothing.”

CadillacJack (i.e. who can act like a prehistoric man at times) says—The meaning of words has been reduced to a personal affinity in our modern culture which produces some interesting implications.  Sooooo those implications can really affect us if we like it or not; I think they do (i.e. they are our current environment which will become our past environment).  It will probably affect future generations.  The old saying goes something like this—It will take one or two or three generations to correct the implications (i.e. to get the pendulum to swing the other direction).  Such is life.  Sign outside a second-hand shop read:  We exchange anything – bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?

Off-putting!  That is an interesting word; I never heard of it before (i.e. I heard of putting off though).  But you got to remember that I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  ANYWAY, I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it and “off-putting” was in what I read.  Here is part of it (i.e. our modern culture doesn’t allow many of us to read anything that is tooooo long). ha ha  Tooooo many folks of the younger generations, think Christianity is countercultural; it swims against the stream of contemporary life…There are a lot of theories as to why church leaders look out on so much empty lumber on Sunday mornings—lower birth rates, institutional irrelevance, fuzzy theology—but sometimes I find myself wondering if the demands of the gospel are simply too off-putting for people nowadays. The problem is not that the theology is fuzzy but that it is alarmingly clear—there is a cost to discipleship, and the cost is to die to yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus. “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?”…To the crowds listening to Jesus that day, his words sounded delusional, crazy, cannibalistic, repulsive. “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (John 6:66). And so many people today also turn back. What do you think of that? That is what I thought. GeorgeTheCrook says—I live it up today and die tomorrow!

I am going to have a new experience, yes I am.  I’m going to an Ash Wednesday service and have the ash cross put on my forehead.  I’m also going to fast on Ash Wednesday and also on Good Friday (i.e. never did that before either).  I read this in the Catholic Charities Newsletter—"Many will celebrate Lent in traditional ways with prayer and fasting. During Lent, we are asked to focus more intently on the third pillar of Lenten practice, Almsgiving.  Almsgiving is the practice of donating money or goods to the poor and performing other acts of charity.” I think I might try this as well.   How about you guys giving it a shot? 

The midnight ride – of Paul for beer – led to a warmer – hemisphere – Burma Shave

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—The greatest risk may be in not taking one.

incredulous

How are you doing on your hamster wheel?  Are you going at a good pace? But are you really accomplishing anything?  Will what you are doing make any difference 5 years from now?  Maybe we need to go faster and longer; that might help us!  ha ha  Hey, you want some crackers with your whine? Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going! Saturday question--Are we on a bigger mission than our hamster wheel? I am reminded what I told one of our office support staff maybe 25 years ago.  She was kidding me (i.e. and maybe she wasn’t) that she had soooo much work to do; she did and she could do it—she was good and still is I bet.  I kiddingly told her to just work faster!!!!!!  She has never forgotten that.

When Arlene had her bad cold and cough, I bought a humidifier sooo when she slept, maybe her breathing would be easier.  The fan has multiple speeds (i.e. most equipment of life do).  Sooooo I asked myself, what speed am I operating on?  Well, I think that depends on what I’m doing and the day (i.e. I’m retired ha ha). Actually, I have been working on slowing down (i.e. I have a tendency to do everything fast—not always good).  BUT, is my desire to improve (i.e. or save) the world or is my desire to enjoy (i.e. or savor) the world? CadillacJack says--Now that is a rather philosophical question, erv!  Now that is incredulous!  I would like to think I have the mentality of both but I don’t’ know; I wonder about myself sometimes! ha ha  Sometimes I think I just “glug glug glug” filing myself up with stuff that doesn’t make any sense (i.e. a waste of my time and effort).  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Paul suggested this to mediate on and act on--Things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8-9). I’m going to try to turn the speed up a notch on those?

Some of you folks will find this incredulous! Yes you will!  I ran into a friend at Kwik Star the other morning. He was getting a snack for his trip to Minneapolis to catch a flight to Honduras to do a mission trip.  It is his ninth year; this year he is staying, I think, 20+ days; they build rafters and put tin roofs on the buildings for the poorest of the poor; he just leaves his tools down there. I asked them if the people are thankful—they seem to be—are they content—they seem to be.  I told him he was a good person with a good heart. He just shrugged his shoulders. I could put your name in this story as many of you are just this type of folks; and yes, some of you aren’t!  Like I said, this is just incredulous to some of you.  Such is life.                                                                                                                                                                                

Have you ever had something happen to you what was breathtakingly positive? Like it was incredulous? You just can’t explain it?  An extreme example of this would be-- Tests showed that the tumor is gone. What?  Some doctors are mystified (i.e. they call it "spontaneous regression." It can make folks dumbfounded, utterly incredulous. Sometimes we just don’t know what to think about it.  It is soooo amazing that we don’t even tell others because others might think we are crazy.  Maybe we feel that this can’t be; is this real!  Folks I would like to hear your incredulous story.  Here is an opportunity to share it with someone; I will not tell anyone. 

Ya have to have a real good friend who you can trust completely to tell them about just good stuff that is incredulous. Actually, many folks don’t have such a good friend. WorldClassLarry says—Success isn’t much fun if you can’t share it with someone!  The reason why we always don’t share successes is that most think we are bragging.  Oh ya, it’s easy to tell folks about bad stuff in our life; everybody does that but to tell someone something that is incredulous good about yourself, well, that is another story. A great friend is happy for you and will celebrate with you, not be jealous or envious but extremely happy for you.  My mentor would say to me facetiously—erv, half the people are glad something bad happens to you and the other half don’t care.  Well, maybe that mentality can apply to folks’ reactions when something good happens to you, maybe. 

Most folks seem to like to settle in and stay put (i.e. now that is very comfortable). ItchieBitchie says--For gosh sakes, don’t let something happen (i.e. that is incredulous) that will shake up my life.  JoeBlow says—I don’t want anything (i.e. like an opportunity) that will take me out of my comfort zone for gosh sakes!  I like safety first!

Maybe we all need more grit! Chickens need grit (e.g. small stones etc.) in order to digest food in their gizzard (i.e. can’t live without it). When I was a kid, we feed our chickens oystershells which was needed for calcium soooo the egg shells were strong.  Grit and oystershells have two different purposes.  Well folks, how much grid do you have? Some have more than others.  Yes they do.  My Mom, Anna, was sweet, kind, hardworking and had a lot of grit; she was a good one; she died toooo young (i.e. 56). Here is a paragraph from Huck Finn that I really like (i.e. there are soooo many good ones).  Huck said this about Miss Mary Jane:

On Valentine day, Arlene started crying and trying to say again that she wanted to die and go home (i.e. heaven).  That is soooo hard for me to see but I understand.  I told her—Hey, I gave you chocolate today—did you like it—GOOD!  I told her that she’s my girl. She smiled!  Then I lectured her that we have to be tough; it is not easy. Are you tough? And she said-NO!  I laughed at her and said—well, I’m not either.  Arlene was never a snacker and not a big chocolate eater when she didn’t have Alzheimer’s (i.e. many who have the disease take a big liking to sweets; I have no idea why). ANYWAY, she doesn’t walk very well anymore (i.e. a struggles) but I caught her at the counter in the chocolates eating her heart out.  I just had to laugh.

Saturday question--Have you ever had something incredulously bad happen to you?  I mean like getting stung, beat up or taken advantage of?  I have; no question.  I’m a pretty trust worthy person and maybe that makes me even more vulnerable, maybe!  ANYWAY, I have tooooo be careful that I don’t become gun shy!  Have you ever been or are gun shy (e.g. like not wanting to get married again, trust a financial advisor, trust a medical person, trust a boss or co-worker, trust a friend—you get it). When we become gun shy, we are a way different person (i.e. that is for sure—no question).  The church we attend, is in a transition of being between pastors.  I am gun shy a little as for the last 10 years we have had a bad experience (i.e. my opinion).  I’m not being diabolical, but some might think I am! Yes, that makes me a little gun shy of the process and the future.  I think many others feel this way as well.  And maybe we should.  If we have been burnt, it can get into a person’s head; at least mine.  Such is life.

I think those miniature horses are cute and crazy and amazing. They sorta kinda make me laugh.  Some of you are maybe incredulous about God, could be, maybe. LouLouLou says--Even in this era of biblical illiteracy, when almost half of those responding to a recent survey identified the ark of the covenant as a big boat constructed by Noah, I think we can be reasonably sure that the great majority of people are familiar with John 3:16, especially in the language of the King James Version: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Luther called it “the gospel in miniature.” Now this Luther is a different Luther than my cousin Luther who lives on Eagle Lake but grew up in Roseland, MN; I want to be clear on that! I have no idea which Luther is the smarter!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—The best sermon is a good example.

I don't know about that

ItchieBitchie (i.e. who always has his motor runnin’) says—I don’t want anyone shoving their opinions down my throat, unless they’re covered in crunchy candy shell!  Sooooo, I am putting a little crunchy candy shell on this “It’s Saturday.” You’ll love it! I remember when I had to take vitamin pills as a kid; I fought it tooth and nail.  Soooo my Mom, Anna, put them in a little white Karo syrup and I liked it (i.e. I couldn’t get enough pills!). She could seem to always manipulate me! I liked her and still miss her. Always will.

I am sure that all of you know what metamorphose is.  You probably all have heard a talk or read about it.  Sooooo I don’t need to repeat what you already know (i.e. like all the weather reporters do; I think that is soooo funny); you guys are smart; way beyond some/most folks.  I appreciate that.  ANYWAY, I don’t want to waste your time soooo let’s get to the issues.  You guys are really something; yes you are.  Many of you just surprise me (i.e. you satisfy my expectations that I didn’t know I had)!

You guys are continuously reforming and changing and seem to be always right. Well folks, I have a lot of fuzzy thinkin’ (i.e. confusion).  Generations younger than me think different than I do; it seems for the most part anyway.  I have no idea if they are right or wrong, but it appears that many think different than I do.  Sooooo I was thinking back about 40 years ago when I was put on our church board (i.e. pretty darn young; didn’t know much and still don’t).  We were discussing an issue and the old guys (i.e. back then it was truly was the old GUYS) asked me what I thought—I said I didn’t care either way.  They got all excited and really got all over me; they said I had to have an opinion and had to care (i.e. I really didn’t).  They could not understand that and were unhappy with me (i.e. whatever it was, it wasn’t important to me).  Sooooo, it appears that many of the folks of the younger generations today don’t care about certain things and now I’m the old guy who can’t understand that.  Huh, interesting. ANYWAY, I was asked by a person recently what I thought about building the wall—I said—I really don’t care.  They got all over me; they couldn’t understand that (i.e. surely I had to care and have an opinion and pick a side and be obnoxious).  TomTerrific says—If the stalemate over the wall isn’t resolved quickly, it may take awhile! 

Arlene has had a long bad cold with a bad cough; I hear there is a lot of that going around.  ANYWAY, our home care provider suggested I put slices of potato in her socks at night.  What!  Yes, folks say it really works and will stop the coughing.  Hey, it’s only a half a potato soooo I did it.  The potato slices turned black and it seemed to work, maybe.  I have no idea if it was the potato slices or “hockie pokie,” coincidence or God only knows.   Ask goggle if you don’t believe our home care provider. Goggle said this remedy was invented by a beet farmer near Fargo!  CrazyMarvin says—I don’t know about that! Hey folks, it only costs half a potato—do it when no one is looking!  ha ha

WildWillie (i.e. is sorta kinda a fixerupper) says—Some things change and some things don’t and it is hard to determine which things will and which things won’t.  JoeBlow says--The great god Ra, whose shrine once covered acres, is filler now for crossword-puzzle makers. I read in the paper that “Super Bowl Sunday ads” give a snapshot of American psyche (i.e. maybe viewing the folks at the State of the Union Address does the same).  Advertisers were mostly avoiding social and cultural topics; too toxic for the world right now. That didn’t mean the ads were devoid of cultural makers. Women’s empowerment was among the themes that took center stage.”  ~  Do you remember this ad?  Car in ditch – driver in tree – the moon was full – and so was he. – Burma Shave

I ran into our 88 year old neighbor (i.e. she can run a person out of the gym) in the grocery store. She said her mom use to say to her a lot—It could be worse.  Now that is true—It could be worse.  ANYWAY, she told me that she drinks a lot of milk and eats a lot of vegetables and fruit; that is what keeps me runnin’.  Another neighbor, JimmieTheSnertDog, told me that he likes his meals balanced between the four food groups; sugar, starch, grease and burnt crunchy bits; that is what keeps me runnin’! Could things be worse?

CrazyMarvin (i.e. who can really slip and pop) says—Sometimes I’m willing to change and sometimes I’m not. You ever notice folks are much more willing to change if there is money in it for them!  ha ha  And sometimes we just don’t have a choice; we just have to change.  A friend’s wife has Alzheimer’s and he has to change but he doesn’t want tooooo but he has tooooo.  It has really been hard on him.  He told me he is soooo lonesome; his wife can’t carry on a conversation plus many other deficiencies. 

SuperChiefJoAnn says—“Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French; sour cream makes it Russian; lemon and cinnamon make it Greek; Soy sauce makes it Chinese;  garlic makes it good.”  LuckieEddie says—SuperChiefJoAnn, I don’t know about that, I don’t like garlic that much.  Besides, garlic gives me bad breath and my girl friend doesn’t like to kiss when I eat garlic, and I like to kiss (i.e. I really get the big urge sometimes)! LuckieEddie, my advice to you is, I would skip the garlic! 

I don’t know about that but…!  I asked a lady how the program went—well the speaker spoke for a hour—a hour!—yes a hour; us ladies sitting in the back who served the meal went to the kitchen pretending we had things to do—we actually had enough.  I lOL!  A friend told me once—If you speak over 20 minutes, folks get sick of you; they won’t come back the next time (i.e. unless you are an exceptionally good speaker or have some information that is exceptionally good).  I agreed with him, but we all think what we have to say is soooo important and we all think we are soooo exceptionally goooood—it ain’t and we’re not for the most part; we are just feeding our egos.  What is nice about you reading this blog is that you can exit at any time; you don’t have to sit through the whole thing (i.e. you have options—you don’t have to be politically or socially correct—and you don’t need an excuse—no one will know or care). 

 Da! Asked to resign it says.  Not toooo many years ago he would have been lynched. TheOx says—I don’t know about that. Ok, at least they would have tarred and feathered him and ridden him out of town on a rail.  But TerrySlick says--I still think he would have been lynched if they had enough to drink or if enough folks lost enough money (i.e. a ra ra inciting leader helps in really stimulating the rioters/protesters). Now we just ask them to resign (i.e. it’s only just tax dollars).  AverageJoe says—At least they could send the dogs after him and scare him a little bit!

I had a conversation with a longtime acquaintance that just made me laugh.  He has an ego as big as Mt. Everest!  He thinks he is right about everything from politics, money management, gardening, religion, house cleaning, medical issues and God only knows what else (i.e. he’s not a sports person or otherwise he would know all the answers about that tooooo).  He is intelligent, I think. I will give him the benefit of doubt about that, but he is not God.  I’m sure about that but he doesn’t know it (i.e. probably will go to his grave thinking he knows more than God does)!  He made me laugh!  What a hoot! I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it:  

DuaneTheWorm can really put on a show (i.e. he’s a great faker; an actor).  A flopper he is.  That is a term used in basketball when a person flops to exaggerate the situation to look like a player ran into them (i.e. a fake).  It’s much like a person who hollers wolf all the time but pretty soon no one pays any attention to them. JoeBlow (i.e. who has a lot of guts) says—There sure seems to be a lot of folks who seem to “tout their own horn” in our culture.  Maybe excessively; even to a point of major exaggeration. I agree JoeBlow, it appears there is more of that all the time, but I don’t know that the majority of folks much care for it, but it seems like a lot of folks do (i.e. particular certain segments of society).  It might be because our culture is changing or that I’m just getting older and recognize it more. My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, if you are good, you don’t have to tell anyone; they will know.  JoeSmart says--Yabut, it appears that it is harder and harder for folks to determine what good is.

TrickieRickie says--For change to happen in any area of your life—whether it’s financial, vocational, educational, mental, or relational—you have to begin with the physical. Why? Because your body affects your behavior. Your muscles affect your moods and your motivation. Your physiology can actually affect your psychology. MissPerfect says—I don’t know about that.  MissPerfect, I really think that is true if you like it or not.  Sooooo quit eating those chips and get your butt off the couch and do something; you will fell a lot better.  Bingo.

The gal west of Bristow said—He can’t fool me!  I have been married to him for soooo many years that I have him figured out.  She was saying that in regard to watching her hubby walk across the farm yarn and she can tell if something is not going well.  Wow!  I would guess many of us could say that about our spouses or close friends.  My “old couz” who did that pain rehab, told me that they took a picture of her face before the rehab and after (i.e. sorta kinda like a before and after picture when someone loses a lot of weight).  ANYWAY, the after picture showed a face of less stress, strain, pain and more happiness.  Wow!  Gals, this might be a way to get rid of some of those wrinkles!  ha ha  MissPerfect (i.e. is as smooth as butter) says—I don’t know about that!

I do know about this; yes, I do.  Recently I had communication with some of you that affected me (i.e. what you said and your caring and also the timing).  Thanksamillion!  You will never know it but it was a real form of encouragement; you don’t even know if it was you; well, you know it wasn’t you if you havn’t communicated with me recently! ha ha  Some of what you said was in discussion, maybe even critical, pointed, encouraging, complimentary, about really nuttin, or just funny.  You reminded me again how important contact with folks is.  You guys warm my heart! Thanksamillion!  Addonatnocost—Onesmartgoodperson sent me some really good advice (i.e. nuttin that I didn’t know before but such a good reinforcement).  That is what I think we need to do for each other—reinforce reinforce reinforce!  Part of the reinforcement they sent me is this--We all know that happiness is contagious.   Surrounding yourself with happy, positive people can only lift your spirits and help you see the world in a better light.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Hard work is easier to admire if you don’t have to do it.

Waltzing Matilda

Some of you might think that this “It’ Saturday” is all bun and no beef!  And to top it off, CrazyMarvin says—And erv, you probably actually believe what you write! Well, ItchieBitchie, in my defense, says—Competence, like truth, beauty, a beefy “It’s Saturday,” and contact lenses, is in the eye of the beholder.  

Yes-siree-Bob! A friend a.k.a JoeTheHike who I met in AZ but is from MN, called recently.  He told me that he can’t do a fourth of what he could when we did a lot of hiking up’erin’emmountains in AZ a few years ago!  How come; you have health issues—no, got those straightened out but the medications have side effects.  I had another friend call from FL and said many of his friends are falling apart (i.e. a lot of health issues).  BUT with the many new health procedures, folks can live for a long time (i.e. but to keep Matilda waltzing, it is expensive). 

I have a unique college friend who tells me that he is a terrible driver; I really am erv. I have been pulled over several times (i.e. I’m all over the road) and the officers put their heads in the car as they think I have been drinking; I even had to do the field sobriety test once.  Well Waltzing Matilda!  By the way, my friend bought me breakfast the other day.  I asked him how much money he has in his fancy money clip—I usually carry 2 to 3 thousand!  He is one unique guy who I really like; he is very straight forward and not a bit phony.  He really makes me laugh. He has had a lot success in business.  He is a very hard worker and also very smart (i.e. a good combination).  ANYWAY, An Wang, a Chinese-American computer scientist who helped develop magnetic core memory, said, “Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius.”  ~  Cautious ridder – to her reckless dear – let’s have less bull – and a little more steer. Burma Shave  ~  I told my friend that we usually remember folks by some crazy things—One memory I will always remember you by my friend is by your money clip!  ha ha

I had really no idea about the song Waltzing Matilda until I researched it.  I found it very interesting.  I find that “oh soooo interesting” that what the song is all about is way different than I ever thought.  I think that feeling is the same about many things; we just don’t know.  We might say a word or phrase, but we don’t know what it means.  Sooooo anyway, Waltzing Matilda!  Do you know that the idiom, No-siree-Bob means?  Bob is an euphemism for “God. I realize that all of you probably know this information, except for one of you and I know who the one it!  I’m the one but you got to remember that I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a fourth south or Roseland, MN. 

Recently I communicated with our kids (i.e. sent them something that I thought was interesting about myself).  One of them sorta kinda corrected me; basically, saying I didn’t read the other communication correctly (i.e. I didn’t); I didn’t read it accurately and as a result I didn’t get the whole message; soooo I really just screwed up!  I told her/them—I don’t have it all together! I was an idiot! I have quirks!  Are you ever just not with it?  Not focused 100%? This came from the paper soooo it must be right--Quarterback Kirk Cousins has a brain coach who helps him sharpen his focus. During the 2016 off-season, for example, Kirk watched every Star Wars movie with EEG monitors attached to his head. If his brain lost focus, the movie would shut down. To enjoy the film, Cousins had to stay focused on it. In so doing, he was training his mind to stay “in the zone.” Well Waltzing Matilda! If I did that, I would never get through the first movie!  Such is life.

I really learned, no relearned a fact the other day. I didn’t’ research it or wasn’t even thinking about it.  It just fell into my lap.  ANYWAY, a couple of folks said, without knowing it, that folks and myself are not near as important as we think we are. They told me this through life situations that surely showed it. It was a good reminder to me (i.e. it rehumbled me and rejumbled me).  SpookyOllie says--Sooooo folks, don’t take yourself soooooo serious; most folks really don’t care that much about you; they are tooooo busy thinking about themselves.  SpookyOllie lived in the next room in the dorm at good ol’ Northwestern College.  His name was Ollie Watamaker and I think from Chicago.  We called him “scant back” as he was a little guy who really could run fast and was a running back on the football team. He was black and was very scared of ghosts.  We use to play tricks on him.  He loved it.  He was a fun guy. I was reminded of him when I read Huck Finn (i.e. Jim was scared of ghosts). He might have only stayed in school for a semester or soooo.  Isn’t that interesting how we remember folks from our past!  He was the first black person that I really had any contact with.

TrickieRickie says--The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act. If you want to change the way you act, you start by changing the way you think. In addition, if you want to change the way you feel, you must start with the way you think. Let me sum it up this way: You are not what you think you are; rather, what you think, you are.  I realize that some of you won’t understand that and others will.  Such is life.

I think this is a “practical application.”  This is not me talking or giving this suggestion.  I just heard it and think it applies to me soooo many of you might find some use for it (i.e. I'm just borrowing it). But I really have no idea.  Most folks know what they don’t want or they don’t like but if you ask them exactly what they want, they hesitate. Maybe we don’t know what we want, specifically (i.e. we don’t quantify and identify exactly want we want out of life). Example: A person says--I want to be a good person but being a good person to one person is way different than to another.  Soooo what do you want realistically and specifically?  And when you write it down, your chances of getting it increases astronomically.  Ok folks, you take it from here.  I suggest you try one small project and see how it goes. Very few folks can and will do it (i.e. statistics show that).  But the more successful folks do that and accomplish much more (i.e. statistics show that).  Huh, interesting. DuaneTheWorm a.k.a. the greatest phony of all time, probably prays lies!

Have you ever heard of chicken skin?  I have not but probably everyone has heard of goose bumps.  I was talking to a cousin-in-law by phone who we really got to know in AZ through the years (i.e. happenstance, na I don’t think soooo).  ANYWAY, she told me that her and Arlene really got along well and enjoyed each other’s company very much (i.e. it was quite obvious).  She said that one time they were sitting by the pool and Arlene gave her chicken skin as she was soooo sweet and kind to her.  This gal is a very sweet and kind gal herself.  Oh, by the way, she grew up on a farm by Prinsburg, MN (i.e. 4 miles west of Roseland).  Maybe that is the reason why she calls it chicken skin!  Just maybe!  Could be!  Well, Waltzing Matilda!

CadillacJack says—Yabut Hilton Coliseum was packed for Iowa State basketball game!  Bad weather creates many hardships for many folks.  I can only imagine.  When there is no school, well, it creates problems for working parents.  Example is our kids—Jessica said--"I am at my office this morning, Chet is home with the kids. I will head home around noon and he'll go to his office for a few hours this afternoon. Just tag-teaming it -- it's all we can do!”  Sooooo many times that is correct, it’s all we can do!  I talked to my big sister (i.e. just in age) the other day when it was soooo cold.  I was sorta kinda rough on some folks who I think really don’t want to work (i.e. milk the system in my opinion). I think business looks and does it different than when you are paid by easy dollars.  I do folks.  I don’t think my big sister agreed with me (i.e. she is older; usually older folks know more soooo maybe she is right and I am wrong).  ANYWAY, I told her that she is just old! ha ha  Go and eat some chocolate!  Sooooo she went and made some fudge.  What a hoot!  In “A Farewell to Arms,” Ernest Hemingway wrote, “That is the greatest fallacy, the wisdom of old men. They do not grow wise. They grow careful.”

My older couz (i.e. a few years older than me but that is what I call her) went to a 23-day Mayo Pain Relief Rehab.  She said it was intense from 8 to 4 every day.  Wow!  Sooooo “myoldercouz from a little east of Priam, MN.,” what did you learn—the overview is this: 1. Learn to relax by breathing 2. Exercise a hour a day 3. Listen to relaxing, soothing tapes 4. Don’t talk about your pain.  Also, they want folks to get rid of all pain medicine.  Now that sure seems to me that they are working with a person’s mind.  She said—If I want to mange my pain, I need to do these things (i.e. sorta kinda like it’s up to me). Well Waltzing Matilda!  After our phone conversation, she sent me this email--One question, does your body hurt from “hurting” or from sadness in your heart?? Love you little cuz  I think she was saying—littlecuz, this would be good for you (i.e. she is getting in my head)! I have choices!

Someone who I know very well told me these things: I feel like I’m an island; I feel like a snowstorm a.k.a. an inconvenience, a problem: right now I just want to be left alone; I’m hurting; Folks have no idea; it's tough sledding! Have you ever felt like that?  Now that is a Waltzing Matilda! Some of you will understand and others of you won't. I understand!  That someone who I know very well, says it's not always fun; you just got tooooo do it; you got to be tough; you can't be a wimp, you just can't (i.e. suck it up cupcake and let's get going)!  Such is life.

“Old bookkeepers never die; they just lose their balance.” A friend was in Hawaii.  I asked her if she was surfing—no but did a lot when I was younger (i.e. she can do anything and everything).  Years ago, Hank and I were going to try to surf on Waikiki Beach.  We rented boards but we didn’t need instruction as we were cocky (i.e. at least I was).  We paddled out there and I was already tired.  I tried to get on the board but kept falling off.  Finally, I got on the board and was soooo tired that I had to sit there to rest; then I fell off again.  It took me a long time to stand on it for a short time; then I fell off again.  I was shot.  Then this older native Hawaiian lady who was rather heavy, comes surfing by me like there was nuttin to it and gave me the shaka sign.  I paddled in and quit!  Secretariat did well (i.e. he can do anything and everything).  What a hoot.

Our backyard fence made me laugh! Yes it did. Well Waltzing Matilda!  We have had strong winds along with the cold temperatures.  A section of the fence broke lose (i.e. it’s rotten) and when the wind is from the NW it leans one way and if the wind is from the SE it leans the other.  It’s like a Mug-Rumper who sits on the fence with his rump on one side of the fence and his mug on the other and talks which every way the wind is blowing to self-glorify himself (i.e. these folks really make me laugh just like the fence does).  And why does a Mug-Rumper do it? Cause they’re rotten. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--They smelled like fish. They almost never missed an opportunity to misunderstand what Jesus was saying. One of them was a thief; ten were cowards. They did not possess education, social status, wealth, or business acumen; some of them probably could not read or write. If Aristotle chose Socrates to be his disciple, and if Socrates chose Plato to be his disciple, couldn't Jesus have been a little more selective in his choice of disciples? Yet these are the men who "turned the world upside down" for Christ (Acts 17:6). Well Waltzing Matilda!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.