Cinderella land

 

Pay attention here folks.  I CAN’T CHANGE YOU!  It’s impossible.  But I can change myself and that is a full-time job let me tell ya.  Soooo the only person you really can change is yourself.  Ya, I pray that some folks will change and maybe I might have a little influence but I’m not in charge. Sooooo, I shouldn't live in Cinderella land in thinking I will change someone.  It ain’t going to happen. That’s my opinion.

Life might be reality compared to Cinderella land.  Sooooo don’t be surprised.  Sooooo there is a guy in our 55+ community that some folks call “Brick.”  I asked folks why they call him “Brick.”  ‘cause he’s a Brick; I still don’t know why they call him “Brick.”  I wonder what noun they call me! Yikes!  What noun would folks call you do you think?  Hey, listen, I know some folks that have huge massive egos and I would guess they would think that folks would call them some really flattery nouns but in reality, probably not, maybe just the opposite! They are just in Cinderella land but they don’t know it. But flip the pancake. I know folks who don’t know how great they are but are really great and other folks know it (i.e. I really like these folks).

I was introduced to a couple recently that I enjoy.  Something that really amazed me is that they have a very nice house located in a beautiful location in a faraway state, they travel the world, and they are well read but still totally enjoy spending 6 months in a small park model in our park for the winter. They said—“We just love it here. It’s the people, they are soooo darn nice, soooo friendly.” I’m not sure if I understand much, but it appears to me that people need and want interaction (i.e. friendships, relationships and being accepted).  Again, I think, soooo, it’s my opinion that folks really want to be cared about and really want to be loved.  I do but maybe I’m abnormal but that is my self-evaluation.  You might think differently.  Maybe these 55+ communities a.k.a. winter camps for seniors offer something quite powerful to many; maybe something that they have never had before, and it fills a desire.  I think I’m unto something here. It’s sorta kinda like a Cinderella land for some!

My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, everyone has problems, it’s just that some folks handle them differently.  I believe that and it's my opinion!  RickieRick says—"We often think that the world is impressed with our success and how we enjoy our prosperity. But they’re actually more impressed by how we as Christians handle adversity (i.e. my opinion again is that Christians do handle adversity differently). Folks may wonder what it means to be a Christian when you’re in the same kind of pain they are. Does it look any different? The truth is, Christians have the same pain as everybody else. We just have a different source of comfort. Your successes don’t give you credibility. Your suffering gives you credibility. The more honest and vulnerable you are about the suffering in your life, the more powerful your impact will be in people’s lives (i.e. that’s also my opinion again).” BUT you might not agree, your opinion might be different.  Now that is up to you!

We hiked Cowiche Canyon near Yakima, WA and this was on a marker.  We liked it! I have had many good experiences and one major one this winter in the Valley of the Sun.  It has been great but there is a part of me that makes me wonder.  Is this major experience just Cinderella land and it will last?  History shows that many such experiences don’t last (i.e. like my special golf buddies aren’t coming back next year; everything has to come to an end). This feeling of will it last isn’t a good feeling, oh no.  We all have had such experiences and maybe you are experiencing one now.  You folks might have a variety of such experiences now or in your past.  Relationships and friendships just don’t always last for many reasons. JoeBlow says—My family can’t even function well soooo how can I expect my other friendships and relationships to be perfect. BUT, my opinion and belief is, I think we can really work on making them last if they are important to us; I think with effort, the chances are a lot better (i.e. odds are in our favor).  MissPerfect says—Yabut, it takes both sides to want it to continue to keep a friendship or relationship strong; one sided friendships and relationships usually don’t work very well. Soooo folks, do you believe in miracles that you just can’t understand? I do! Some things seem to just fall in my lap! They are just miraculous!

I’m’ heading back to Butter County this coming week via way of CO and Waukee.  I will get to see Jimmer’s violin concert and one of his baseball games and Charlie's 7th grade musical.  I also hope to ride with Erin driving the car at age 15 and I hope to live to tell about the experience!  Her mom said—This isn’t Aplington, IA where folks know that she’s a new rookie driver when they pull over and give her the whole street; this is metro CO where it’s reality and not Cinderella land. It’s not Butler County where there isn’t one stop light in the whole county! But Butler County is really good at raising corn, soybeans and pigs; a ton of money has been made doing just that! Make no mistake, they are good at it!

I went to the hot tub on a beautiful AZ evening.  There was a lady in the tub and she shared part of her life with me. She was 78 and is working as a kitchen designer at Home Depot. She said she loves it. She has been a widow for 7 years and made the change quite well after a slow start. She also told me that her marriage was a 15-15-15.  She and her husband dated since they were14 years old, got married for fifteen years, got divorced for 15 years and then got remarried for another 15 years before he died of cancer. What? Well, he became an alcoholic and was very abusive and she just could not live with him.  He then married a real party lady, and he almost drank himself to death to a point that he was in the hospital for 2 weeks during which it was life or death. He lived and quit drinking and they got married again and had a super marriage for 15 years (i.e.  blue book version of her life). There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.

Soooo when I was walking to the hot tub a guy walked with me.  Sooooo how’s it going—ok, I like the hot temperatures—you stay for the summer—ya—soooo are you still looking for a woman—ya, sorta kinda—well that shouldn’t be hard as all the women seem to like you—no no erv, I think more women don’t like me than do; but I can’t get married anyway—how come—my wife put in our divorce decree that I can’t get married for two years after our divorce—really—erv, do you think that it will hold up in court—I don’t think soooooo—erv, can I tell her that you said that—you sure can!  What a hoot!

I was waiting on the platform for the train to take me to parking at the airport.  I was standing next to a flight attendant who I would guess was in her mid-30s. She was called in this morning to work but really didn’t want to work but did.  She said she works a lot of hours to make a living.  Soooo you like your job—I do—can you make a living—barely—sooo what do you do—I’m retired—that is what all of us want to do!

CoachB says—"We need to master our urges!  And if we don’t, we are going to have problems.” My Daddy, Chester, would say—erv, the best discipline is self-discipline!  BUT to do that isn’t always easy.  We seem to want to live in the present but the present creates the future.  And soooo many things once they're done they cannot be taken back.  I try to think about that.  If it’s done, it’s done.  We might live in Cinderella land for a little while only to live in the “bad lands” for a way long time.  Ouchy ouchy! WorldClassLarry says--It's a whole lot easier to prevent a mess than to correct a mess; besides, many times the small amount of potential gain isn't worth the risk of the potential huge massive down side! Put that in your pipe an smoke it folks! A friend was telling me that they can get soooo excited about what they are doing with their life which can cause their blood pressure to go up because of the excitement and also because of the stress.  They understand this and try to self-discipline themselves to control this event.  They say it has worked! They also told me that they socialize a lot and there is always food around. It’s hard to watch calorie intake. It really takes self-discipline!  Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! Yikes! 

As I started this It's Saturday I said I can't change you and you can't change me BUT I believe the Holy Spirit can change us and did just that for me AGAIN. Bingo! It happened when I gave up, then it just happened. It just fell in my lap a.k.a. answered prayer. AGAIN! Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—It isn’t who you use to be but who you are in the present!

humongous

A friend told me about someone in their family that had an unbelievable brilliant mind (i.e. as smart as a tac).  But they had a hard time functioning in life and ended up dying prematurely.  Ouchy ouchy!  I won’t have to worry about that!  I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.  Sooooo remember that when reading this “It’s Saturday.” CrazyMarvin says—Yabut erv, everyone wants their kids to be brilliant; some parents even pray for that!

Soooo I was hitting some golf balls on the range the other day.  The older guy (i.e. older than me) next to me started talking to me and told me this story of his neighbor.  He would practice his swing all winter in his basement and then watch hours of YouTube to get his swing just prefect, and it was really good.  He then in the spring would go to the range and hit balls nearly perfect. Then went to the first tee and he couldn’t even hardly hit the ball.  How come!  He could not handle the real thing I guess. Now that is a humongous problem! AverageJoe says--I would guess we all have that problem with some stuff in our lives.  Maybe anyway! When the real thing happens, we can’t perform (i.e. we choke)!  Some folks just aren’t gamers, and some are! Ouchy ouchy!

A friend years ago gave a book of John Wooden sayings.  Here is one--“Too often we get distracted by what is outside our control. You can’t do anything about yesterday. The door to the past has been shut and the key thrown away. You can do nothing about tomorrow. It is yet to come. However, tomorrow is in large part determined by what you do today. So make today a masterpiece. You have control over that." – John Wooden

ItchieBitchie says—"Every second of your life, there’s a battle in your brain. There’s a mental battle going on right now! It could be between right and wrong, between what’s easy and what’s hard, or what’s healthy and what’s unhealthy.” You ever feel like you have a humongous wrestling match going on in your mind?  I would guess all of us had such feelings through our years.  If we haven’t then we should have had (i.e. we have really missed out)!  haha  It’s like a friend recently told me that he has the devil sitting on one shoulder and an angel sitting on the other; there is a humongous wrestling match going on.  I find myself this morning trying to decide what I’m going to do.  I think I should do something, but I really don’t want to do it.  I’m thinking about the pros and cons of doing this thing but still haven’t decided.  I think I will force myself to do it (i.e. but that doesn’t mean I will do it).  Why, I think it is the right thing to do and it’s good for me.  But I don’t really feel like doing it!  For me, it would be easier not to do it.  And this event will not affect my life in a humongous way, oh no.  Just think if it would, how much more pressure there would be. Like the old saying—I have a black dog and a white dog fighting in my mind and the winner will be the one I feed the most! Such is life.

Just about everything in this life is subject to change without notice. There is one constant, one thing you can count on, now and forever, and that is the unfailing love of God.” I believe that even though it is hard to understand or to comprehend. Folks have opinions which are just that, opinions.  We have beliefs that are just that, beliefs based on experiences.  If you have experiences that are “one of the kind”, no one, yes no one can argue those experiences (i.e. unarguable). What is a personal awe in your life?  No one, yes no one can experience your personal awe, only you can maybe.  That awe experience cannot be explained by you to another person in a way for them to really understand it, it just can’t be done (i.e. soooo we most times we don’t even try, we just keep it to ourselves).  It’s a humongous feeling. BUT no one can’t argue your awe either, it’s unarguable)!  Such is life.  

A friend sent me this little line. It’s just a little line but has humongous importance. Great opportunities to help others seldom come, BUT small ones surround us every day. Here is another little line that I really like—Don’t wait to do something! And when is the best time to do opportunities?  Of course we all know that, it is NOW!

The lesson of wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes (i.e. a book I read a lot) is that there is no human being “under the sun” who has achieved everything they desired (2:1-11), and no accomplishment fully satisfies (6:7). There are suppressed regrets and sorrows behind every smile, and everyone ultimately faces the tyranny of time and age (8:8; 9:11). Life is more than our accomplishments. Sooooo, suck it up cupcake and let’s get going!

Have you ever had a humongous thrill in your life that just stands out?  Like one that you will never forget? Is that fun or what?  What might that be?  Surely different for different folks.  Aren’t thrills fun?  The wide world of sports used to open their TV program with the saying and videos—The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!  That has always stuck in my mind.  Or as our kids and I say often—It’s a lot more fun to win than to lose! I visited with a friend recently who is not experiencing a thrill in his life right now.  He's in a funk or as he says—I’m living in the shadow right now, not an exciting part of my life right now.  He wants to have a relationship with a gal. He is trying to change it put it just ain’t happening right now anyway (i.e. not a mountain top experience).  Personally, I like thrills!  I have thrills! Saturday question--Sooooo can we really make the great thrills of life, or do they just happen? I really wonder about that. I have a thrill that just fell in my lap and it happened when I least expected it! Crazy, huh!

Golf really is only a conduit for our friendship. My friends Bill, Mike, Jim (i.e. those are really their real names I think) and I seem to have really got along well.  We have had a good relationship through the years.  It appears that a couple of them might not be coming back to the Valley of the Sun next year for a variety of reasons (i.e. things change folks).  I miss them already. I think, my opinion, sincere relationships and friendships are soooo good for folks. A read this what a psychologist wrote, soooo it must be right—“Keeping promises ‘is an incredibly important aspect’ of maintaining a healthy and secure relationship—and ‘that applies to all forms of relationships whether it be romantic, intimate, professional, or parental. Broken promises can lead to trust rupturing, which can very quickly fracture a relationship.” Us guys have really laughed a lot through the years!  What fun we have had. Orison Marden, who told this in a story in an old book, said, “Laughter begins in the lungs and diaphragm, setting the liver, stomach, and other internal organs into a quick, jelly-like vibration, which gives a pleasant sensation and exercise, almost equal to that of horseback riding.” Dr. J says—"Most of us worry more than we laugh (i.e. shouldn’t be that way). But remember, ‘A merry heart does good, like medicine’ (Proverbs 17:22). In Luke 6:21, Jesus promised laughter to the weeping. Cultivate a merry heart now. Instead of focusing on what might be, focus on what it is.” TomSmart says--Laughter and great fellowship are humongous, they are the real deals folks. 

RustyTheRoadrunner says--Have you ever noticed that if you’re critical with others, they’re critical with you? If you’re kind to others, they’re kind to you? Or if you’re generous with others, then they’re generous with you? Whatever you give in life, you’re going to get in return (i.e. generally but not always). RustyTheRoadrunner, that’s maybe a little idealistic.  haha   RustyTheRoadrunner, I think you have been running around in the desert way toooo long).

Sooooo here are a couple of stories that touched me.  A friend and her family smothered other family members who came to the park to close on a purchase of a park model.  They did kind acts and touching acts to welcome them (i.e. absolutely amazing) in a very humble way.  Their complete motive was to just love them.  Story #2—One of my golf buddies told me that there was an ad for someone who wanted to rent a golf cart for a coming month.  He thinks it might be for someone who has a physical disability.  He said he was going to just let them use his with no fee even if they aren’t disabled. Soooo what is his motive do you this? Bingo.  Sooooo, for some folks, it ain’t all about the money!   LuckieEddie says—A small act of kindness can have a humongous effect! These folks don’t want any attention or anything in return; if they did, then it would be a business transaction! These are real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare: it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.

did I get fooled again

I wonder if you folks listen to what I say in “It’s Saturday.”  Why I say that is I just read this story of President FDR--He hated White House Reception lines. He always said, you shake hands and speak but nobody really listens to you. Soooo at one reception he decided to try something different. So, with a firm handshake and big smile he said to his guests—I murdered my mother in-law last night.  He said some of the people answers were, that’s nice, how lovely, keep up the good work!  Finally, a foreign diplomat leaned down and whispered into his ear, I’m sure she had it coming.

SusieQ says--Anyone who says money doesn't buy happiness just doesn't know where to go...shopping! The thing that makes deception so deadly is that those who are deceived don’t know it. Once they realize they were deceived, they aren’t deceived any more (i.e. what a big disappointment most times when a person finds out that they have been deceived). And most folks never know they were deceived (i.e. I could be one of them, I will never know probably).  Ouchy ouchy!  I really enjoy real folks, not soooo much phonies and fakes!  I have had the opportunity to meet some great folks recently, they appear to mirror my thinking and feelings a.k.a. the real deals just like many of you folks who are the salt of the earth).  What a great experience and stimulation.  I don’t think I have been fooled again! They are soooo nice! Well jumping carrot cake!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"The religious Jews who had courted Judas’ favor to obtain his cooperation in arresting Jesus cared nothing for him (i.e. they deceived him with money—it usually works). They simply used him. The devil’s crowd will flatter you and see that you will prosper as long as they can use you, but when there is no longer anything in it for them, they will forsake you just as the chief priests did Judas (i.e. threw him under the bus).”  It’s a great form of deception, sucker! That is why many folks don’t trust folks when they are nice to them. They think they say nice stuff to gain an advantage of some kind (i.e. many gals have heard most of the lines before and some were deceived—ya mix those lines with alcohol and it usually ends up bad like the Fast Fredies). It’s quite simple and probably a good thinking in trying to make sure first. What do you think?  That is what I thought. It’s like a golf buddy who gives putts of almost any length to fellow players.  We asked him why he does that—I want folks to like me!

JoeBlowFromLasVegas says--In competition of most forms, we try to gain an advantage.  Find their weak spot and go after it (e.g. stroke their ego). Just as an athlete or military person’s success depends partly on how well they know their opponent—they scout their opponent—they find their weakness or trends and then go after them (i.e. their juggler) in an attack mode. In competitive pickleball, opponents try to find the weak player or find the weakness of their opponent and attach it relentlessly; it works. In Las Vegas, they serve alcohol using pretty women with seductive clothing on to get gamblers to make poor choices (i.e. and it works).  Bingo! It’s all about the money folks, don’t kid yourself!

Have you ever heard the idiom seeing through rose-colored glasses? It’s used to describe someone who always sees a person or a situation in a positive way, sometimes to the point of thinking it is better than it actually is. Maybe even getting folks to become soooo positive that they can’t go wrong! Tell folks what they want to hear and then stroke them; or even give them a little success before smacking them. In our business we really never had a major problem with account receivables but had of course some concerns (i.e. it’s hard not to but it helps to do business with good folks and not to be naïve and greedy).  Folks who had bad credit reputations we guarded, took precautions and watched closely but the ones that were most difficult were the ones who were good for years and then turn bad because for many reasons (i.e. gottcha). It appears that this scenario happens in relationships as well sometimes.  As the saying goes—If we don’t give you credit you get mad and if we give you credit and you don’t pay we get mad, it’s better that you get mad!

CoachB says--Do you know what you see changes what you do? There is a principle in life that whatever you surround yourself with, whatever you’re looking at, whatever you’re listening to, whatever you’re talking about eventually changes what you do. Soooo folks, what are you looking at, listening to, who are you around and what are you talking about? Soooo get around good folks!  Sooooo be careful folks, be careful. Don’t get fooled again! WorldClassLarry says--There is a thinking of life that says—Associating with the right person is a decision that will determine 90% of your happiness. 90% seems pretty high to me but I agree with the thinking. The right person sure can really make a person soooo happy (i.e. just one person; some folks call it miraculous). A wiseguyfromMI likes that 90% tooo as he endorses the opinion that "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it!" Such is life!

I went and had my blood pressure measured by some retired nurses in our park. They do this as a service to us seniors, that’s pretty nice of them.  You know what, I told the nurse that took my blood pressure, blood pressures numbers don’t lie.  She laughed and said—but some folks think they do! We teach children to count as a milestone in their early learning.  Do we teach them what counts? I guess we have to decide first, what counts to us.  Usually, adults count their money and sometimes don’t always learn what really counts.  We teach others what counts to us but if we are messed up, then we are teaching maybe tooooo much of the wrong stuff, just maybe.  Now that’s my opinion; there is a big difference between those two.  Maybe both are useful but there is a difference. You think soooo! Talking about numbers, how long is forever going to last? Forever! Now that number is hard for me to fathom!  Soooo where do you want to spend forever?  Rookie when visiting me said—Grandpa, the streets in your park are all the same and infinite!

AverageJoe says--It's sure is a lot harder to get into shape than to get out of shape (i.e. easier to sit on the couch and eat chips and watch a Netflix than to do exercises--lot easier to go down than to go up--lot easier to get into a mess than out of a mess).  Yikes! Saturday question—Have you ever been in a mess?

My Daddy, Chester, would say to me about making a decision—erv test it against the worst possible scenario and if it passes, it’s a good deal.  Hey, things always don’t go well soooo test it against the worst possible result as it might happen.  It just might. The future consumes a lot of our time.  Soooo what is our future going to be?  What can I do to form my future?  Futurism is a big business. Trends, forecasts, economic predictions abound. Fortune-tellers, astrologers, and palm readers market their shadowy views of the future. Many folks work hard in trying to develop their future into the future that they would like it to be, but it always doesn’t work that way now does it?  Many folks feel they must find the right path for their lives.  WorldClassLarry says—Be careful who you listen tooooo and hang around with!  Be careful! Ya don't want to get fooled again.

I heard the statement “good enough isn’t” again recently.  I have heard it many times before; you probably have toooooo.  I think I heard it first in the movie/documentary Free Solo where these mountain climbers climb these 1,000+ feet rock walls with no safety ropes or nets; one slip and they’re dead.  Their statement is “good enough isn’t.”  It is said that in business 80% of businesses fail, yes 80%; “good enough isn’t.” MissPerfect says--Relationships can be hard and many fail; “good enough isn’t.” Now that is thought provoking for me.  MissPerfect says--It is really hard for me to be on the top of my game all the time!

Did I get fooled again? Easter is a very important day for Christians as we believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and rose from the dead to give us salvation. I have talked to numerous folks this winter down here in the Valley of the Sun that don't believe in Jesus as described that way but maybe have their own version of Jesus or of God). Sooooo, do you believe that we can be touched by Jesus a.k.a. God and then major changes can happen to us?  Do you think that is possible? Sooooo who do you think is getting fooled here? If any of you have ever been touched by God/Jesus, no one, yes, no one can argue that.  It's undisputable! Undebatable! Miraculous! Incomprehensible! Holy azalea!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--There was never a person who did anything worth doing that did not receive more than he gave.

it ain't what it looks like

How do you know if this “It’s Saturday” is even written by me?  Maybe it’s ChatGPT or language based on OpenAI a.k.a. robot artificial intelligence.  Maybe it ain’t what it looks like.  SusieQ who is a high octane person, says—C’mon on erv, we can tell!

I was sorta kinda watching a person for sometime from a distance. It seemed like this person looked perfect or near perfect.  After some time, I met this person close up.  This person wasn’t near as impressive as I thought they were.  I was really disappointed! My distant impression was way wrong. They weren't what they looked like from a distance let me tell ya!

Magnus Carlsen, 32, of Norway is one of history’s greatest chess players. He earned the title of grandmaster when only thirteen and became World Chess Champion in his early twenties. Carlsen claims he can see fifteen moves ahead and sometimes twenty. If so, he must be a genius, for that many moves involves a lot of possible variations. I contend that if a person who is intelligent, smart, has a good personality a.k.a. chiasma and has a good heart; now that is a quite a person.  BUT if they lack a good heart all the other qualities are pretty much useless!  Now that is my opinion.  I think, my opinion, is that character must become before charisma.  What do you think?  That is what I thought! Saturday question—Sooooo what’s a good heart do you think?

I ran into this person one evening in the park by accident; happenstance, na I don’t think soooo! ANYWAY they sent me this text later--"After we encountered each other tonight, I stood for a long time, gazing at the moon, and feeling deep thankfulness for life, for very special friends like you." This person qualifies to be a great person with a good heart (i.e. my opinion).  It sure looks that way to me. I think being grateful is a great quality.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

A person said to me the other day—erv, do you believe that!  I said—I seem not to know what to believe these days; nuttin surprises me anymore! The cacti in the AZ Sonoran Desert can look pretty harmless from a distance but they have protection with their spines (i.e. a major defense).  It ain’t what it looks like! Even pretty roses have thorns to protect themselves (i.e. even if they are sexy red).  AverageJoe who slips into neutral occasionally, says—Ya gotta protect yourself from predators, you just got tooooo! Soooo how do we do that?  Well, most folks after they have been burnt one or more times, become leery of other folks’ actions and talk.  We ask ourselves, what is their real motive (i.e. we have our antenna up alright). Is that person real or a fake we wonder.  We test the water! We don’t jump in with both feet! And even at that, sometimes we get stung (i.e. they ain’t what they look like).  Ouchy ouchy! It’s really too bad that we get to a point that we don’t trust others, at least very fast!  We are very suspicious of them! And maybe we should be! MissPerfect who has a lot of faith in her brain, says—My boyfriend was way different after the honeymoon was over let me tell ya!  Okay, did you interpret that in that he was much better or much worse?  That is what I thought. Your thoughts probably are based on your past environment or your current environment.  

It says at the end of Ecclesiastes--And the conclusion of the matter is to fear God and keep His commandments, that is the chief end of man.  Soooo what does "fear God" mean to you?  Many interpret it to mean to have awe of God.  I like that.  Soooo what does awe mean then. I recently was told by a great friend—erv, don’t get cocky now!  Think about that advice. That is pretty powerful and applicable to my life.  Usually when I get cocky nuttin good happens.  At least for me! Such is life!

A Wooo Hoooo! Have you ever just been in the right place at the right time?  Like somethings just fall in your lap and you have no idea why?  Or as a friend, Jim, anybody can be a Jim, says—Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo erv! I had that happen to me recently, AGAIN, and it was an “are you kidding me experience!” What did I do to deserve this special gift! It was just what it looked like, unbelievable in a massive huge gigantic portion! NutbagRalph says—erv, it’s not magic, it just feels that way; well, zip-a-dee-doo-dah! Well, waltzing Matilda!  That is all I can say.  A new senor couple who I have had the opportunity to be meet told us how they met. He said that they were on a dating service and she was his 31^st date soooooo he calls her “#31!” What a hoot! They seem very happy and have been married for 10 years. Happenstance, na, I don't think soooooo!

GeorgeTheCrook, who is a total package for negative marketing, says--It's hard when you don’t know what you don’t know! It’s the same as, it ain’t what it looks like! A group of us were having dinner at person’s place and it was really raining hard when the party broke up.  I rode my park bike over to this person’s place.  The hostess gave us a ride home.  Sooooo the next morning I went to get my bike and the gal said--I wonder what the neighbors think that your bike was still here this morning!  It ain’t what it looks like! Now that is how rumors get started!  But it seems in these 55+ communities a.k.a. Senor Disney Parks, most folks really don’t care or maybe might even be envious! It ain’t like small town Butler County folks! What a hoot! We had such a good laugh! An old golf buddy who lost his wife (i.e. this toooo happens a lot in 55+ communities as folks get older) gave me this advice—Have fun and make her laugh, it heals a lot!

I use to coach high school basketball years ago.  We could help guys improve by teaching them skills and techniques, but we could not tech them quickness (i.e. some call it Fast Twitch), it just can’t be done, my opinion.  You either got it or you don’t (i.e. it's genetic). Sooooooo, I was thinking about a relevant quality and that is sweetness (i.e. I don’t know really how that is relevant but it sounds good to me). I really wonder if sweetness can be taught or not? It’s pretty easy to tell if a gal is sweet (i.e. my opinion) but can it be taught, I don’t think soooooo folks!  BUT I think sweetness can be lost.  I do.  I think it can be lost for a variety of reasons.  And I also think it is hard to get it back.  When is the last time you discussed the topic of sweetness?  That is what I thought!  Saturday question—Girls, are you a sweet person? LuckieEddie says—My girlfriend ain’t what she looks like let me tell ya!  Oh no! Are guys ever sweet?  Maybe!  I know that guys can be sweet on gals!  Some of  you girls know that I bet!

ItchieBitchie says--It ain’t what it looks like.  My mentor would say to me—erv, everyone has warts but you just can’t see them.  Yup, that is probably true.  BUT some folks are soooo much more like us than others I think (i.e. makes us more compatible I think). You agree? And sometimes folks fool us until we get to really know them and then there are some who are just plain who they are (i.e. what you see is what you get, no phoniness at all, the real deal—my kind of folks).  My Daddy, Chester, use to say to me—erv, the great ones are great and don’t even know it but the ones who think they are great but aren’t, are not soooo much fun to be around.

Again, remember folks I lie a lot. Soooo what is your job description for being on this earth?  Is it to play tennis all day, drink some beer at 5, have dinner, watch some TV and do it all over again the next day?  If soooo, you are fulfilling your life’s job description. If it is to help others, then what are you doing? I guess we have to read our job description and compare our life’s actions to it.  Maybe we lie to ourselves sometimes.  Just maybe! 

It ain't what it looks like.  I went and had brunch with mycouzonceremoved and his wife who winter in Sun City (i.e. they are 90 and 88 and just great folks, my kind of folks, we did a lot of laughing).  They told me about a 80-year old lady in their 55+ park.  She said--We were renting a park model when my husband died.  The guy across the street was having a deck party and invited me to come.  I had a good time. He and I started to spend some time together and he said after about two weeks that I might just as well move in with him soooooo I did.  That was three years ago!  We still haven't told any of our kids!

We went for a hike up 'er 'in 'em Superstition Mountains last week.  Great hike at the face of a mountain called Treasure Loop.  It is one of my favorites.  A friend who I was with really liked it and also likes nature a lot.  She calls it getting a big dose of Vitamin N!  I like that. I really think exercise in nature is soooo good  for our bodies, minds and souls  That is my opinion. But my friend was a lot tougher than me going up the mountain. I was just draggin' behind her. What can I say.  She made me look like a wimp! Of course I played 13 games of pb the day before in a tournament. What am I thinking, like I'm 19 yet! Crazy fun!

Soooo, I talked to the guy down the street who was sitting on his deck enjoying the morning sun.  Great morning—yes it is; but we’re heading back home soon where it’s still winter—where’s home—Canada—well, have a safe trip—we will, my wife is driving—when you leaving—when ever she tells me; she plans everything and I just shake my head; we get along really good; it works for us! AgreeableAlfred says—There is more than one way to skin a cat! Or as a Canuck friend says--If you ain't the lead dog, the view never changes!

It ain't what it looks like, maybe!  A friend made chicken noddle soup for a friend who had COVID.  When her friend brought back the container her friend left some penuche (i.e. any of you remember penuche, my Mom, Anna, would make that, it's a throw back).  The throw back mentality is "to always return a bowl full).  Sooooo a friend gave another friend this throw back advice--Don't do anything I wouldn't do but that gives you a lot of latitude! Here is another throw back--The first glass of wine makes a gal warm up! The second glass makes a gal...chatty! And the third glass makes a gal brilliant! And another throw back--A really neat gal doesn't need diamonds or wine to make her sparkle!!!!

Do you know what "Invented Spelling" is?  I didn't but do now. Very interesting.  I like it and it can be very exciting.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

I would like to give you a suggestion--Put your heart right! It ain't an erv original, oh no!  I read it while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.  

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn.

the writing is on the wall

I don’t always see things right sooo be careful with what I write in this “It’s Saturday.”  For example—A  friend and I were having lunch in a restaurant down here in the Painted Desert.  I said to my friend, see those two folks over there, that is what we will look like in 18 years.  My friend said to me—erv, that is a mirror!

Saturday question—Are you the one out of four or the three out of the four?  Okay, the three out of the four are all the same and get what everyone else gets throughout history; the one out of four are different (e.g.  David, anybody can be a David says--‘Deny’ self-exaltation – Exalting self is characteristic of a person who is a rebel! ‘Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,’ Matthew 23:12 says ‘Deny’ boasting”). JoeBlow who doesn't know if his head is above or below the water line at times, says—C’mon erv, being humble isn’t American, you won’t get anywhere being humble! Maybe, just maybe sometimes we don’t read the writing on the wall and we miss the train!

Maybe the expression, the writing is on the wall, came from the story of King Belshazzar who saw the writing on the wall—the ultimatum from God himself. Before interpreting the writing, Daniel told the story of King Nebuchadnezzar’s arrogance and the way God had humbled him. Nebuchadnezzar repented and was restored as king. Belshazzar had the opportunity to learn from his father and reform his ways but instead chose to offend God himself by bringing out vessels looted from the temple in Jerusalem to use for feasting and praising other gods. His arrogance was just as great as Nebuchadnezzar’s, but he ignored the treatment for his disease.

A.K. said—"Some diseases can be treated and cured, and when they’re cured, the immune system builds a defense mechanism against possible recurrence. Other diseases are not curable but are manageable through lifestyle changes or medication. Whether it is curable or manageable, disease demands our immediate attention. Delay or complacency can be fatal.” Understanding the writing on the wall is maybe up to us as what we want to do." As my deceased friend would say—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions!

CoachB says, "Getting married does not solve the 'happiness issue. If you aren’t happy with yourself going into marriage you surely probably won’t be happy in your marriage.  ‘cause now you got to deal with another person who has issues as well!"  Ouchy ouchy! BettyLou says—I don’t know about that CoachB,  SusieQ who can bring the house down, says-- I married a guy who has really made me happy, he changed my life. There has been marriages maybe where there was writing on the wall before folks got married that said, it wouldn't work and they did not work.  It was soooo obvious. BUT flip the pancake, there are some marriages that were just the opposite (i.e. the writing on the wall said it was a perfect marriage and it did not end up pretty. Go figure! But TheOldCO-StatisticsProfessor says--Odds are...!

ItchieBitchie says--The writing is on the wall but we sometimes ignore it.  We don’t want to deal with it.  We pretend it isn’t the truth; we say it doesn’t affect us.  BUT usually, please excuse the pun, eventually the…hits the wall! We have to deal with it. We have no choice.  It doesn’t go away. We have to face reality.  There is an old saying—"nip it in the bud early” sweetheart!

Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.”  Maybe it’s telling us to ponder before promising. Deliberate before deciding. Muse before we choose. Reflect before we select. In other words, pause and pray before we decide. That attitude just might help me make better decisions, you think? LuckyEddie, who can get the cart before the horse sometimes, says—If it stinks a little at the start, give it some time and it will really stink! Quite kidding yourself.

Recently I was sitting on a friend's deck drinking coffee and  talking (i.e. eating and talking and drinking are very big part of 55+ community living). They were telling me that when they were younger they were pretty much black-and-white but as they got older things become more gray. They said that one thing that influenced them was when they were 40ish, their pastor who was an older fella with a long gray beard said this while stroking his beard—When I was younger everything was black and white but as I got older things became more gray!

I had two opportunities happen to me recently that were "wows" as I see them now.  At the time they happened, I didn’t see them as "wows" but as problems and they acted that way at that time.  Crazy, right!  But I see them way differently now. Wow! The ability to see, with both eyes, an object clearly from twenty feet away is referred to as 20/20 vision.  While not everyone has 20/20 vision, it is often said that hindsight is always 20/20. That is, we may not be able to see everything clearly as it happens, but after the fact we can see things much more clearly. I think my experiences actually were really great happenings for me a.k.a. opportunities and might have been blessings for me and others involved (i.e. but maybe I will never know for sure). Crazy huh! At the time of these situations, the writing was not on the wall! I didn’t see the big picture!

It has been said over and over—"Dreams don’t come true for free! For dreams to come true usually we  have to sacrifice, work, spend some time, wait on it, preserver, hustle and put your big girl/boy pants on and muscle through it.” Soooo if we want to make our dreams come true, maybe we need to wake up and get after them (i.e. throw those chips away, get our butts off the couch and get after it--suck it up cupcake and let's get going).  I have two friends who are recovering alcoholics and have been sober for many years.  They both still go to AA meetings. They both tell me that it takes effort.  But they tell me that about 80% of folks who work with AA do not drink again. I read recently that at an AA meeting a person wanted to talk about acceptance. Like we need to accept stuff in in our lives.  Wow! I thought that was a great subject to talk about.  I think we miss out of a lot of good stuff of life by not accepting stuff in our life and not adjusting/adapting (i.e. my opinion). We don’t face the issues! I called my friend from back home and he told me that it was his 29^th sobriety birthday that day. He was very humble. He’s a real person with a good heart; my kind of person. My other friend has been sober for 20 years. I applaud these guys.

What is socially conditioning?  Is that like being like some Islamic folks in Turkey who call themselves cultural Islamic or some Jews in Israel who called themselves cultural Jews or maybe some believers in Butler County who call themselves cultural Christians or some folks who are cultural Cub fans (i.e. Cub fans only when they win).  I really like that term, socially conditioning, now to me that is a modern cultural term but maybe it has always been around! Is that like being a mug-rumper who sits on the fence with mug on one side of the fence and their rump on the other side and will take whatever position that the wind is blowing.  

CoachB says—"If we aren’t different than average, we are going to get whatever most everyone else gets!" He also says—"When we become self-centered a.k.a. narcissist we become cold; cold folks don’t live as long and really aren’t very nice folks." You believe that.  He thinks the writing is on the wall folks.  It appears to me, my opinion, that certain groups of folks enjoy real life much more that others (i.e. the writing is on the wall).  If you believe that, what groups do you think enjoy life more? Really!  Wow!  Are you and I part of that group? Are we fakers and phonies or the real deal!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said-- If you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re not as bright as you think you are.

P.S. Wisdom from friends' granddaughters--While brushing their teeth they say, You brush your teeth at night to save your teeth, you brush your teeth in the morning to save your friends!  

like not making heads and tails of it or like not grasping it or like not seeing the light

BigMartha who is full of wonder and surprises, says--We are all different and think differently. Yes we are and do. Some folks are gearheads, some sneakerheads, collectors, quilters, trendsetters, techies, sportnuts, readers, and God only knows what else! Saturday question—And who do you think you are? AverageMaggy, but shops like a billionaire, says--There seems to be a lot said in our world, but much is never really worth hearing and many folks have no idea really what is said or what the purpose is.  Now that could be AverageMaggy, that could be. They don’t get it just like I don’t get a lot of stuff. Some folks say they don’t get most of the stuff I say in “It’s Saturday!” Sooo be careful when you read on! I suggest you take it with a gran of salt! I'm just another bozo on the bus! Or as Shakespeare once said--All the world was but a stage, and all the men and women merely players. 

Our son, Chet and our grandson, Henry a.k.a. Rookie to me, were here last weekend. We had just a great time, indescribable!  ANYWAY, Rookie called it a "boys' weekend!"  I asked him what were his 5 most favorite things/memories of the visit to AZ in that order.  And this is what he sent me in his words--5. Swimming. It was fun to do with grandpa because I beat him in a race and he introduced me to some of his friends. 4. Mickey D’s. It was very enjoyable food! Also,the fact that I thought it was McDonald’s was pretty funny! 3. The organ house. I didn’t even think that there would be someone actually playing on an organ! I also loved the food. 2. Grandpa’s tiny house. It was very cozy and it was just right for grandpa. 1. The hike. The views on the hike were AMAZING! I loved learning about all the desert plants! I had a great time hiking with Dad and Grandpa!

There are many things of our lives or in our heads that are indescribable!  We sometimes try to describe them to others but it really can't be done the way we see them and feel them.  Besides, most times others really don't care, they have their own indescribable stuff that they are thinking about.  Sooooo, it's pretty much me and myself smiling about them.  I love it!  I have many and continue to make more. ItchieBitchie, who is very complex, says--erv, occasionally we meet a person who understands us a little and it's such a great feeling.  I agree ItchieBithcie. It's really special if you both seem to understand each other a little or a lot (i.e. a great experience, now that is heart warmer).  Bingo!

I had a great talk with a friend who is very intelligent (i.e. that is fact) and is also very smart (i.e. that is my opinion). We seem to understand each other pretty much and you know not all folks do understand each other (i.e. my opinion). We were talking about how America is changing from a “capitalistic” form of country which to us means from being entrepreneurs and hardworking form to a “consumer” form of country which to us means being given much by the government without any work. In a country that elects its leaders, when the majority of the voters become the consumer type of folks, then the government will change, and the character of America will change (i.e. that is our opinion). It appears that many folks don’t seem to understand this and maybe don’t care, and some folks are working very hard to get it this way; they are happy the direction it is going. It’s called a mob or herd mentality.  We have seen this in past history and in more recently in other countries (i.e. I think this is fact). My friend and I agree that the only quick way this will change is a massive huge catastrophe, and we think it would have to be massive huge.  The current snowball going down the mountain seems otherwise impossible to stop, it is too big and going toooo fast (i.e. our opinion). My friend gave me this quote to think about--"Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, one by one.” -- Charles MacKay, Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds.  This is something to think about, I guess. Some folks will surely understand that thought differently than others will.  For sure! Saturday question—Do you like the way our country is going or do you not?

CoachB says—If you can’t give it away, you don’t have it, it has you. Yikes!  I have a lot of STUFF I don’t want to give away, I admit it.  How about you?  That is really hard to grasp in our selfish minds, my opinion. Soooo I have been analyzing my thoughts and life a lot this winter and have really enjoyed it.  I have. It’s complicated but very interesting.  And I admit it, it’s confusing. Many folks have used the word “stuff” in their conversations with me.  Soooo interesting. My mentor would say to me—erv, all that stuff is just a game! Another friend says to me—When the gonger gongs, all the stuff goes back in the box! Pretty deep stuff, huh! Soooo one thing I think is—We are responsible to be good stewards of our stuff! JoeBlow who reminds me of a person in a wax museum, says—I don’t know if I buy into that!

I was hiking up ‘er in ‘em mountains the other day and a younger couple came up behind me as we were going up the mountain.  I wonder why they were going faster than me! Da! I let them pass.  They stopped and asked if I needed some water—no, I’m fine—I have a power bar if you would like one—no, I’m good; I have done this many times; I’m a veteran hiker. I thought they were thinking—what is this old coot doing up here, we hope he makes it down!  But I also thought it was very nice of them to think of me (i.e. that is how I would treat old folks I think).  Here’s a quote-- “When you surrender to the process of aging as simply part of the human condition, you come to peace with it. You become more loving and appreciative of other people’s love and care for you. The more loving you become, you see that everybody is trying to be helpful to you. And it is loving to allow them to be helpful to you. People think, ‘Oh, I’m being selfish if I allow somebody to be helpful to my life.’ Actually, it’s being generous. Generosity is the willingness to share your life with others. It’s a gift to people to allow them to love you.” – David R. Hawkins  OldBettyLou who is a buzzer beater, says—That is hard for old folks to do sometimes; we just don’t want to hear it.

MyOldCootFoursome talk about crazy things, yes we do.  Sooooo TheMI-Engineer asked me--what's your score Irving, is that your real name--no no, it's Ervin--are you named after someone--no--you are probable named after a "thing"--a thing, what do you mean--then another old coot said--there is an old psycho movie called A Think, maybe you were named after that! Soooo as the round went along I asked the Old-IRS-AgentBill who he was named after--Sumbithch! How about you Mike--I went to kindergarten and the teacher called on students to raise their hand soooo she could get to know them--she called Lawrence Michel, that was the first time I knew my name was Lawrence. TheMI-Engineer always wears a Michigan cap on with a big M on it sooooo we called him Mr. Mediocre! What a hoot!

John Wooden said—"Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out.” Do you grasp that? It seems we all have had a rhythm of everything going well then all of a sudden, things don’t go our way. What happened?  We really didn’t change anything, or did we? I mean we are cruising along and then we have a hick up, sprain an ankle, have a family crisis, a financial problem, lose our job, have an accident, get sick or step on a nail. What happened anyway? It is hard to understand. As another John, anybody can be a John, says—It’s not if but when. I suggest you give the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen as a gift to your 10–15-year-old grandchildren or friends or get it from the library. It's an excellent book for this age of kids to learn about surviving during a difficult time in their life. It’s a novel about survival written at their level and at their interest (i.e. great investment my opinion). It’s a classic. In fact, a retired jr. high teacher told me that he taught this book.  It is that good he thinks. I read it and I agree.

We had breakfast with a friend and his wife who have been friends since we were very young.  We told the same stores we have for years and laugh just as hard as every. What a hoot.  Deano always liked music and spent a small fortune as a teenager putting quarters in the jukeboxes. One of his favorite songs I remember was "You can't roller skate in a buffalo heard" by Roger Miller.  Listen to it. It's about attitude. And it's funny! A friend sent me this about gratitude; it appears that gratitude is a big part of our attitude of life.  "Gratitude isn't about pacifying our painful or challenging times--it's about recognizing them and finding self-compassion as we do the work" Alex Elle

I always don’t understand myself sometimes! I get off kilter, out of whack, off balance, skewed, get away from what I believe. That is when I need to re-analyze, re-think, re-calculate, re-asses, re-apply, re-evaluate, re-read.  And when I do, it’s BINGO! I ask myself; do I want to be like those folks who are in their holy huddle of thinking they are better than everyone else? Is that me? Do I want to be part of the country club mentality? Is that who I am?  Maybe I need to back off and not be around those folks. Do I let the attitude of just a few folks screw me up? Ego and power tend to mess with folks.  King Herod had all the baby boys killed in Bethlehem as he was scared that one little baby boy was going to take his power away from him (i.e. it scared the crap out of him). Is that why some folks want to protect their elite group from what they think are the lesser folks?  A friend told me once that the DuaneTheWorms of the world (i.e. folks who are fakes and phony) are that way as they have no confidence soooo they need to power their way around; she might be right; the great folks don’t have to do that. Sooooo I am going to be me? I am already feeling better. Maybe I understand a little. Big on the maybe and the little! Remember, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

The social security actuarial tables say that at my age of 77 my life expectancy is about 10 more years (i.e. that doesn’t mean I will live that long or I might live longer).  If I was 60, it would be about 82.  Once you get to an older age, your chance of living to an older age is better.  TomSmart who is the good news of the week and boy do we need it, says—C’mon erv, that’s just common sense (i.e. if you are 90, your chances are better you will become 100, especially for women). I looked up on the chart to see how long my old golf buddies (i.e. who go for the whole enchilada) are projected to live, would you believe it, it said they are projected to live longer than Methuselah!

This might be hard to grasp but try.  Dr.J says—"Loneliness is a global pandemic of sorts. The most vulnerable are people younger than 25 and older than 55. Also singles, those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and those suffering from chronic disease. Perhaps you fit into one of those groups. Even if you don’t, our technologically advanced world is a lonely place. But God doesn’t want us to live in perpetual loneliness. He has given us a prayer to offer: Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. That prayer was originally composed by David, the man after God’s own heart. When you feel lonely, it helps to remember the biblical heroes who suffered bouts of the same affliction. But our ever-present God can show us how to turn our loneliness into love for others. Even something as simple as writing a note, smiling at passersby in the grocery store, or calling an ailing friend can help.” RonTheServent who is a regular brainiac, says—Listen up and pay attention, you are blessed to be a blessing. GoodPersonBilly who is ok with his crazy, says--Be a blast to someone and not an…to someone”

One of my old golf buddies hit his tee shot on hole #8 at The Fountain of the Sun Country Club, an executive course here down in the Valley of the Sun. He hit a bad slice that hit BigMartha's humming bird feeder in her yard adjoining the hole. It was smashed into many pieces.  He went over there to retrieve his ball when BigMartha was holding the ruined feeder and said to TheOldCoot--what are you going to do?  TheOldCoot thought for a minute, rubbed his chin and said—I think I will adjust my grip! Quite obviously he was not making heads or tails of what BigMartha was saying, surely not on the same page!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Living in the past is lots of fun...besides, it cheaper.