besieged

Are you fascinated about life or frustrated about life?  Is it our choice do you think?  I’m pretty much fascinated with life; I try to make everything a game and enjoy the game. Even problems can be opportunities and can be fascinating. Come on folks, we are all going to have problems in life. We are.  Yes, when we get besieged with many problems (i.e. especially difficult problems) it is very challenging. No question. But if we solve them the best we can by making them fascinating, it seems to work better. My opinion. But remember, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

Many of the hurricane clients we worked with in FL were besieged with many problems besides the damage to their property. Many many in some cases; some had real difficult problems. Some problems that seemed to be unsolvable. When there are soooo many problems it can become unbearable. They might need mental professional counseling. We provided opportunities for them to get it, and some did. Yes, many of them were God fearing folks and had support from family and friends but still needed professional counseling. I believe it can really help people. And in these folks’ situations, I think it’s free. Soooo why wouldn’t they get counseling? One reason is they say they don’t have time; I absolutely have no extra time. One gal said to me—erv, I’m tough, I can do it by myself. I asked her if she is sure?  And she just fell apart.

We are besieged with stimuli constantly, constantly. Soooo who are you?  MaryLouFromKalamazoo says—I am who I am; that’s just the way it is. I am thinking about MaryLouFromKalamazoo’s statement. I want  to always try to be erv, no phony or fake; I was reminded this morning to be that, to be me! In 1517, the Protestant reformer Martin Luther prepared an outline of 95 complaints against what he considered to be ungodly church practices. By refusing to retract his complaints, he was called before a church council in Germany in 1521. Tradition says his final answer to his accusers was, “Here I stand; I can do no other.” In the end, he was excommunicated. It appears that some folks will put on a mask and try to be someone that they are not.  It usually doesn’t work; folks eventually see right through them and its disaster, my opinion. A friend went to a lecture by Louise Penny, a popular book author from Canada. One of the questions asked by someone in attendance was—How do you see the United States.  She said—a shit game; but Canada is toooo! That's her opinion folks!

Peter said that true beauty comes from “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit” (1 Peter 3:4). Solomon said, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful” (Proverbs 15:13). Ecclesiastes 8:1 says, “A man’s wisdom makes his face shine.” I say that a happy gal is always much prettier; just look around; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out!  I had a client in FL that was 72 and she looked like 50. She was under a lot of stress. She did have a whole lot of responsibility because of the storm and with her challenging family.  She told me that she was worried that the stress would get to her and make her look old! Ouchy ouchy!

Bobby said, anybody can be a Bobby says--Never consider yourself ‘failure-proof.’ Many have been the leaders and people of influence who boldly considered them impervious to the temptations and snares of questionable or improper behavior and practices. “That could never happen to me,” they declare, until one day – it does. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). It appears that when I get a big head, even cocky, I’m much more prone for failure. How about you?  A big head makes me more besieged with temptations that I don’t even see (i.e. get blind sighted)!  Ouchy ouchy!

My past sure has influenced who I am.  No questions.  But I was thinking that some of my past is soooo different than my current life that it isn’t even close (i.e. maybe not applicable anymore).  It’s a way different world we live in to a point that it’s not really very important or is it? Life styles change, friends move or die, the business world is way different, we are part of a big world now instead of a little world in years past, laws and thinking are way different .  WildWilly says--It ain’t anything different than times before probably. Soooo what does this all mean?  I’m not certain.  We are besieged with many opportunities that we never had before. It’s a fast moving world for us.  No question.  And besides, our situations change about as fast. We have many opportunities and options. Such is life.

Dr.J says--"The world seems certain of its opinions, and pundits think they can guess what’s coming next. They’re almost always wrong, for no one except God knows tomorrow. We can’t trust the media, but we can trust the Master. His Word never fails. What do you think?  That is what I thought!  If you like surprises, wait until tomorrow!" And the crowd went wild!

CoachB says—"Good relationships/friendships get better with time and bad relationships/friendships get worse through the years.”  I have friends who do more than the bare minimum in our relationship/friendship.  They go way overboard. They walk many miles beyond the extra mile!  I hope I do that in my friendships/relationships.  Anybody can do the bare minimum but to be special, it takes more effort. If we do just enough to get by, and that is pretty much what some of our relationships/friendships will look like. We are besieged by the stimulus to do just enough to get by (e.g. do just enough to get the pay check, no more).  ItchieBitchie says—It takes very little effort to be average but a lot of effort to be special. And a lot of you are really special, yes you are! And maybe some of you, maybe not soooo much! LuckieEddie says—Special folks don’t think as much about themselves as do some (e.g.. narcissists). My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, the great ones don’t even know they are great!  If they think they are great, well then, maybe probably they aren’t. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--When you act one way with one group of people and another way with another group of people, you’re being a modern-day hupokrite a.k.a. as hypocrites today. In ancient Greek culture, actors were referred to as hupokrites because they pretended to be someone else. It’s where we get the word “hypocrite." If soooo, then some folks are showing a lack of authenticity—a lack of integrity. But God wants you to be exactly who he made us to be, no matter who is watching. Is that like putting on the dog around some folks and not around others? Like being a fake? I like real folks soooo hypocrites are not exciting to me a.k.a. actors. But some folks must like them as there sure seems to be a lot of folks who try to be phonies. As a friend says to me—erv, what you see is what you get!

A long-time friend who I met many years ago on an insurance golf outing in FL called me recently.  We always have great conversations.  ANYWAY, part of our conversation was that he was telling me that he is conservative financially, morally, and with his beliefs but has become more liberal in his social beliefs—what changed you—pretty much my wife.  She has taught me to not be soooo black and white and more accepting and forgiving of other folks.  He said—erv, you are very conservative.  Maybe I am but I am also changing. I was raised in a very ultra-conservative black and white environment. You who are very black and white think I fell off the log and those of you who are more socially acceptable say—erv, it’s about time you come to your senses!  Why have I changed—maybe because of being besieged with my current environment or maybe something else. I’m not really sure. But I’m sure I don’t know all the answers. Even the mission trip to FL has affected me and maybe wintering in AZ (i.e. seeing something different than Butler County).  Again, I don’t know. But I am more tolerant of others, I think!

Soooo I tried to start my golf cart the other day.  It is the first year that it didn’t start after its winter hibernation.  It just wouldn’t start.  I talked to a couple of friends that are knowledgeable about this.  They told me to squirt a little starter fluid in the carburetor.  Sometimes it just needs a little help to get started.  One showed me how to do it as I never did it before.  Just a couple of puffs should do it; not toooo much.  Soooo I bought some starter fluid and gave her a couple of puffs. She fired but didn’t start. I gave her a couple of more puffs and she started right up.  That is a good analogy of my life I think.  Well, folks, I got a little starter fluid in my life; a couple of puffs!  I’m got my engine running again! It really feels good. I like it!

I had the opportunity to spend the Memorial Day weekend with our children, their spouses and our grandkids at the Lake of the Ozarks.  What fun.  We aren’t any different or more special than any of you folks (i.e. a great experience/and a memory was made). Family is very important to us.  And then on the way home, I picked up a hitchhiker at the KC airport. Another great experience is being had! Life is fascinating! It appears that words that soak into our ears are whispered… not yelled.

There is a restaurant called Scars and Tattoos which has a sign that says--Not many good stories are made with salads!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—It’s easier to go down the hill than up, but the view is better from the top.

hot spots

When I think of a hot spot the first thing I think about is a fire when the firefighters look for the hot spots to stop the fire.  We all have hot spots that get our attention in positive ways and negative ways I would guess.  And they might be different for different folks I would guess. Probably the #1 worldly hot spot is money and then maybe power, but I really don’t know.  SusieQ says--Maybe love ranks up their toooo. What do you think?  BigTena says—I think food is another one I like!

A friend asked me what my hot spots are.  Wow! No one ever asked me that before.  One hot spot that I have learned to appreciate being in the Valley of the Sun this last winter is the emotion of being loved and loving.  I have seen and talked to many folks who are lonely at different levels.  I appreciate and bask in the feeling of being loved by folks such as family and friends and a special person and loving them back. Part of being loved and loving is having folks care about me and also me caring about them.  It’s huge massive to me. One hot spot that gets me excited on the negative side is seeing folks getting taken advantage of (i.e. that really hurts me, it can tear my heart out, particularly the underprivileged).

When in FL I would get up early and go for a walk. A couple of mornings there was this maybe 70-year-old guy sitting in the lobby, just sitting there. Sooo the next morning I sat down and talked with him. I asked Jim why he is just sitting in the lobby—I’m waiting for my wife—waiting for your wife, I don’t get it—I get up at about 4:30 and she gets up about 8:30 sooooo I just sit and wait for her—you do this all the time—ya, at home in New Jersey I sit on the patio and watch my friends, the deer, a fox and a couple eagles each morning—how long have you been doing this—12 years.  He said—I really love my wife. Soooo is this love or crazy? Love does affect us differently. Have you ever been in love? Are you in love? Have you thought you were in love but weren’t really? Have you didn't know you were in love but were? CrazyMarvin says--Love does make us want to do crazy things but it's such a great feeling!  

There are a lot of ways for a man to show his wife that he loves her. Oh ya! Frank told me, erv, I haven’t talked to my wife for three months—really, how come—I love her soooo much that I didn’t want to interrupt her!

CadillacJack says--“Maybe you’ve heard the tongue-in-cheek admonition ‘Be careful what you pray for—you might get it.’”  Sooooo, I asked my special friend if she would write about her hot spots.  She said she would (i.e. that was some time ago but she stuck to her commitment) soooooo here we go!  Personal hot spots.. interesting to think about both positives and negatives. I generally describe hot spots as things that happen which trigger strong responses. We all react differently based on our beliefs, values, and experiences, so one event might trigger a strong response in one person yet not affect the next person. My positive hot spots usually are usually related to family and friends and fill me with joy. When my son-in-law’s cancer went into remission, when I play with my great grandchildren, when my grown children are happy and fulfilled, when I feel love again after my dear husband’s death are some examples. I know it’s a positive hot spot when joy fills me so full that I overflow with laughter or happy tears. That spot is right in my heart and soul. On the other hand, my negative hot spots can bring anguish and grief when the trigger is a family member or good friend who is suffering.  I have to watch that when that hot spot is targeted I don’t let it debilitate me. Triggers such as social injustice, homelessness, bad politics, disasters, and world conditions bring emotions like sadness, anger, deep concern, sometimes calling me to action, but more often result in feelings of helplessness. As a younger person, I was too quick to react, causing anger that was not helpful, as in fight or flight. Maybe it was my red hair. As I’m graying, I’ve learned to manage my hot spots better, take a step back and think about the situation. I think about whether I can make a difference or is it simply draining my energy. We have options. So is there such a thing as cold spots?

This isn’t really a hot spot but it might be!  It is folks who are not open minded; they sorta kinda get under my skin.  Do you like to be told what to do or preached to?  I don’t think anyone likes to be preached tooooo but some folks think they know everything and preach like they do; some do think that way let me tell ya! haha We are all independent folks, and all make up our minds even though maybe we are influenced by much stimuli (i.e. some we don’t even know about)!  It appears to me that when folks make their own decisions and take their own actions, it is better.  We all make our own beds but then we have to sleep in them. But we don’t always like other folks’ actions and decisions.  Maybe we should think about being more tolerant and accepting of others.  At times this can be hard toooooo stomach!  It’s like giving a gift with strings attached! Then it isn’t really a gift anymore but a business transaction.  ItchieBitchie says—Yabut erv, it is soooo hard to watch some of the decisions our children and friends are making! How can they be soooo radical! Could it be that we are the radical ones? MissPerfect says--Who What Me? Never, not me! Soooo one afternoon on our mission trip it was slow as there weren’t any folks at our site to interview. I was sitting there and fell asleep in my chair. One of our captains took a picture of me.  She thought I was going to fall out of my chair and get hurt—I texted her and said—Who what me!

Alfred Lord Tennyson once wrote, “A lie that is half-truth is the darkest of all lies.” Certainly, it can be one of the most difficult to squelch (i.e. a real hot spot). You can refute a blatant lie with the facts, but a half-truth lives on in suspicion and innuendo, persisting despite your best efforts to silence it. Have you ever been told a half-truth and got hurt from it.  I like real folks with good hearts.  Half hearted folks not soooo much.  It’s maybe another hot spot of mine.

Sooooo when I got home from my mission trip in FL I went to our post office in our little town of Aplington to pick up my mail.  Sparky the postmaster, that is what I call her as she is sooooo sparky and nice, said--erv, where have you been, I was worried about you. I was ready to do a wellness check on you in your house--oh, I filled out a hold mail but something must have happened--don't do that to me erv.  That's small town Iowa in Butler County.

Sooooo we were going down I-85 near Atlanta and Larry gave me advice about a hot spot he thinks I and Doris, my kid sister (i.e. his wife) have.  He thinks we have a “show me” attitude. It’s an attitude that we are sorta kinda pessimistic.  He sorta kinda wonders if we wonder if it’s going to happen; we want to see it first.  He thinks it’s maybe because our parents died when we were quite young, and it really impacted us like being a big disappointment and we have that in our heads subconsciously.  Could be!  He’s pretty darn smart let me tell ya!  Soooooo he thinks I should change my attitude about a situation I’m in to what Admiral David Glasgow Farragut once said--“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.” That's not just his opinion but his honest opinion!

Warren, there aren’t tooooo many Warrens but there are some good ones let me tell ya, tells of a frontier town in which a horse-drawn wagon with a little boy was racing through the streets. A young man risked his life to stop the horse and save the child. The rescued child grew up to become a lawless man and one day stood in a court in front of a judge--the now-grown young man who had saved his life. On the basis of their prior relationship, the convicted man pled for mercy. The judge responded, ‘Once I was you savior, but now I am your judge.’ I sentence you to your just punishment. Soooo think through that will ya! That might make your ulcer act up!

Do you and I have erosion in our lives? When I got back home, I found a lot of erosion in my ground cover area of my yard. There must have been a lot of ran. Maybe the erosion in our lives is something we always don’t notice until it has been going on for a long time and then we have a “Grand Canyon” which is pretty difficult to correct without some really major work. I mean major! It appears to me that love is a major force that can correct erosion in our lives.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

When I got home and before I leave again this morning for a family get-to-gather, I felt that I had a lot to do around my house. I sorta kinda felt a little anxious. But what I did first in the morning was my mediation/devotions and then went for a long walk on the golf course. I needed to get my head right first. Talk about not having my head right. When in FL near one of our interview locations was a thrift store. My kid sister, Doris, bought some hand painted Delft from Holland.  She thinks she got a bargain (i.e. as long as she thinks she did that is all that counts), and she really liked it; she sorta kinda collects this stuff.  She was soooo excited.  Sooo she took it out of the box and showed me.  I said “oh!” I should of got more excited. I disappointed her. I bet if she would have shown it to another women, they would have said all kinds of good stuff even though maybe they might not have meant it.  I think she should have shown it them and not her big brother!!!! haha

Some family members use a lot more tact that others. A friend told me the story of one of their family members.  When he doesn’t want to do something with the family he says—I would love tooooo but I’m busy sorting my socks in my sock drawer!

Soooo Evelyn, not everyone can be an Evelyn, showed me how to use Google lens to find out what they are asking for anything on eBay (i.e. sorta kinda find the value of something)..  It was slicker than a whistle.  She does a lot of buying and selling and says she makes some money and enjoys it.  Sooooo, on our data questioning we asked clients if they have some talent that would help in their recovery or help someone in their community.  A client told me she has a lot experience with the computer and could help people.  Soooooo, I told her my story about Google lens.  She said to me—erv, where have you been all your life! What a hoot!

Soooo Linda, another gal on our team, bought something from the thrift store as well.  She was telling Pete, her husband. and me about it.  She was all excited. Pete said—I have a rule, she can buy anything and put in in our house but she has to take something out; we don’t need more stuff in our house.  I think ol’ Pete’s bark is much harsher than his bite.  He loves Linda soooo much; I think he melts like butter!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--One of the finest accomplishments is making a long story short.

energy source

WorldClassLarry says--If I want to improve my life, I need to be around energy sources (e.g. thermodynamic sources) that get me going.  And what might they be? CoachB says--If we are going to change we need to get to a different level. Suck it up cupcake and let's get going. We're burnin' daylight!

SusieQ says--I probably will need to change some things in my life like a new energy source (i.e. change is hard it seems).  Maybe replace my energy sources that don’t add value to my life with energy sources that do. Soooo when I went to my hometown church, it was fun to see my friends of the church. We enjoyed each other’s company again. I was catching up with a friend and I told him about a new source of energy that came into my life which is pretty exciting.  He said—erv, this new source of energy gives you hope (i.e. my friend has good insight, he does). He is exactly right; this new energy source is a great feeling. No question. LuckieEddie says—erv, you can’t get to where you’re supposed to be by staying were you are. I read in the paper soooo it must be right what Iowa Hawkeye Jack Campbell said about himself being drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lyons--I plan to be the best version of Jack Campbell I can be every single day. I try to live my life that way. Big on the try!

Richard Blackaby, an author and international speaker, tells the story about a businessman who expressed frustration that God had been silent when he sought wisdom about whether to accept an offer for a new job. This man claimed he had taken the job because he did not hear from God. It turned out to be a terrible decision. Blackaby said while talking with the individual, he began asking some probing questions: “What did your wife think about the job?” “Oh, she never liked the idea,” the businessman replied.  Next, Blackaby asked about whether the man had consulted with his pastor. “He’s not a business guy, so I ignored him!” he responded. “Even my son told me not to take the job, but he’s just a kid.” Immediately recognizing what the problem might be, Blackaby observed, “It sounds like God spoke several times. You just weren’t listening.” 

Coach B says—"Seek wise counsel and listen to them. You will rarely run into trouble, and you will rarely run into danger when you get and take advice from a multitude of wise people. And then take the advice that they give you.” I am potentially contemplating a major decision. I talked to our children and their spouses in depth about this and also to some friends. I’m listening to what they think as they have and will influence my decision. They are wise and see the situation from a different angle beside being very important to me. TomSmart says--By all means erv, listen up!

AverageJoe says--Climate change, sexuality, pandemic, election security, gun rights, and racial justice are all culture-war buzz words fraught with baggage. These words divide, and we often can’t even talk to each other about them. How can we solve our problems when we can’t talk to each other? Lincoln said—A house divided cannot stand. That statement applies to relationships and friendships and churches as well.  Are my relationships/friendships divided?  Am I compatible with folks that I am close toooo?  I hope sooo. I would guess it’s not much fun when folks aren’t.

ItchieBitchie says--When someone presents opposite points of view, they may say, ‘On the one hand...’ then say, ‘On the other hand... .’ That is like talking about the pros and cons! I recently visited with a friend who went to a celebration of faith service for a friend in a church that they used to attend.  She saw a lot of old acquaintances and friends from years past. She said it was quite fun.  A pastor of many years ago spoke.  She said he was very well liked when he served their church.  I asked her why. Well, he admitted that he didn’t know all the answers and actually talked about both sides of the issue. People could relate to that. They trusted him and they liked to be around him, I guess. WildWillie says—Usually folks get pretty sick of folks who always think they know all the answers (i.e. and really don’t). Huh, interesting.

Being around other likeminded  folks (i.e. on most things) on the mission trip impacted my life. These folks are from all over the U.S. and Canada. But if we talk to the same folks every day about the same stuff and all think the same, we become stuffy and boring, my opinion. Soooo is it good to be open minded and talk to a broad range of folks with different opinions who are not just like-minded folks? I was talking with one likeminded person who told me that she was very certain that she was right but after much study and thought she changed her mind. Huh, interesting. Hey listen folks, we are influenced by our past environment, our current environment and our genetics. Don’t kid yourself! Study and thought could make a person’s head turn. Saturday question—Have you ever changed your mind about anything? If you haven’t, I doubt you are very open-minded (i.e. my opinion). Actually you might be stuck in the mud! Ouchy ouchy!

I have relearned that everyone has different abilities in solving problems.  Way different!  Soooo some are very good and some are very poor and many in the middle in solving problems. It is a huge massive disadvantage if we are poor problem solvers. Sooo how can folks become better problem solvers?  There are many ways but some ability is in our genetics, our past environment and our current environment.  No question. Working with clients for disaster relief I saw terrible problem solving. That is why they come to see us; we can gather their information and probably get them a case manager who will help them make decisions. Literally, many can not do it by themselves or do a very poor job doing it.  I encourage all of us to be advocates for folks who don’t have good decision-making abilities (i.e. and maybe we might not have good problems skills either soooo then we need to point them to someone who does). GeorgeTheCrook says--But many don’t want help soooo there you go. CoachB says—Most everyone wants change, but no one wants to be changed. Ouchy ouchy! It appears that many just want to kick the same can down the same street and call it good. DoingItTheSameWally says--By making the same mistake over and over I at least learn to do one thing well!

I have had the opportunity to be a part of the World Renew team in helping hurricane victims find some help in trying to get their lives and property back to some normality the last two weeks (i.e. we are on our way back today). You might say—wow! that must be depressing. No no just the opposite.  It was joyous. I realize that some of you won’t understand this.  ItchieBitchie says--The world says—Help yourself by making more money, that is how you find joy! To me helping others was a breath of fresh air (e.g. a friend was helping take care of her great grandson who is two.  He was sleeping and woke up and came down the steps and said—"me waked up gg" with a big grin; my friend said it was such a joyous feeling that money can’t buy). Freshness doesn’t last very long. It disappears pretty fast. That is why we need to freshen our lives with really good stuff like helping others (i.e. such a joyous feeling). Dr.J says—"Even our personalities become spoiled and stale if we don’t continually renew them with fresh joy, fresh grace, and fresh experiences. We cannot live today on yesterday’s joy. We can’t borrow from tomorrow’s grace. God gives us day by day a fresh supply of all we need to remain inwardly renewed. He gives us seasons of refreshing and daily bread for our soul.”  But we ain’t going to get this feeling sitting on the couch eating chips let me tell ya!  I told you that I asked to pray with all my clients that I had the opportunity to work with and they all accepted. Well, some of them prayed for me and World Renew.  Why? They were soooo appreciative that someone cared about them. They are very stressed and many feel that no one cares about them. Saturday question—Have you ever been desperate and had nowhere to turn? Have you ever been in dire straights? How did you feel? And some of us have never had this experience soooo we have no idea! Soooo maybe we shouldn't be soooo judgmental.

A team member who is a widow told me--When my husband died 8 years ago I thought maybe I would find another man. Now that 8 years have passed, I don't have a man. Now I'm 8 years older and the odds are becoming less and less as there aren't as many men anymore.  And besides, I'm very independent, strong willed and aggressive which many men don't like! This gal is fun, a hoot! LuckieEddie says--Yabut if she is rich, I could put up with her!

Any time we volunteer we need to be flexible and patient and easy going. OneWiseGuy said to me--erv, there is too much talk and not enough action. And I'm not good at talking about nuttin all the time. He needs to relax and cool his jets. haha  That's just the way it works folks. I have found out that most volunteers are aggressive folks and want to get after it (i.e. accomplish something and be useful). But there are some that maybe just are along for the ride maybe just want to eat the donuts. But not in our group! These folks were on a mission! They were all focused! Good folks with good hearts; my kind of folks.

To sum up my experience--Proverbs 31:9 says--Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Judge others as you want to be judged.

spit it out

A friend tells me when I sorta kinda fumble with words—Spit it out erv! Remember folks, you won’t know if this It’s Saturday is for real until ya know it; ya never know until ya know about anything in life!  A member of our team said—erv, in Canada we have a statement that goes like this—Bull shit baffles the brain! Such is life.

Humor is a two-edge sword; it is fun, but it is misunderstood many times and sometimes it can hurt. For some folks they have no humor in their life; they just never laugh. I had a friend who is now deceased who never laughed.  He didn’t understand humor soooo I never used humor around him.  He just never got it. Why? I have no idea. I have another friend who seems to be always laughing (i.e. always soooo happy) and also makes me laugh. This friend is soooo much fun to be around. The gal who did our morning breakfast at our motel, Terry, was soooo happy.  I asked her if she is always this happy--pretty much, once in a while I get in a short funk!--She pointed to her name tag which under her name she had printed--Morning Sunshine.  I said--I like folks like you!  She was happy and proud to get that compliment (i.e. she should be).   

Kindness can not be misunderstood; it just spits out!  Soooo at the same motel breakfast I was wearing my Boston tee shirt and a couple of gals asked it I was from Boson.  They were from Maine and told me that I should come and visit Maine. I told a friend about their suggestion and we might just do that. These gals were soooooo kind and pleasant.  See how kindness and niceness affects folks. Huh, interesting.

Abraham Lincoln said—"Men are not flattered in being shown that there has been a difference of purpose between the Almighty and them.” Do you think that is funny?  Do you understand what he is saying? Was he serious, being humorous, or a little of both? Does it sting at all?  It is in the “wit of Lincoln” section of the book about him soooo…!

Personality can open doors, BUT only character can keep them open. ~ Elmer G. Leterman. Abraham Lincoln said—"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” I had a friend who is now deceased who told me once (i.e. he just spit it out) that he didn’t think he had any real friends; he said--I bought my friends, obligated folks to be my friends or forced them to be my friends. Ouchy ouchy! SweetJane says—If we just have one good friend, our whole life is soooo much better!

When coming back from CO I was in eastern CO on I-76 where there are only tumble weeds, cows and coyotes doing my standard 80 mph at about 7 in the morning when a high-end SUV with two high-end bikes on the back and a high-end wind dynamic cargo carrier on the top with Dallas County Iowa license plates passed me going 90+.  I thought, now that is how you make good time.  About 2 miles down the road I see this vehicle making a U-turn from the other direction through the median and takes off in front of me.  That can mean only one thing!  I go a few more miles and see the lights flashing down the interstate.  Yep, Mr. CO Highway Patrol was saying—Good morning Mr. Iowan, may I see your license and registration, and your proof of insurance, please! And the moral of this story is—You get to decide! Spit it out! Another team member told me that her dad would not tell us kids what to do. He would say--If you want to grow up to be an idiot, that is up to you!

When in Waukee, our 10-year old grandson Rookie asked his father and me if we were President what would be the #1 change you would try to make. I fumbled around and finally spit something out that wasn’t anything that really could be made into law (i.e. that we treat others better sooo we can trust each other). Soooo later that evening we had a family discussion about what everyone thought. Not everyone had the same idea.  Quite interesting! Great ideas! Of course, all those ideas would need to have a method of accomplishing them and then policing them. Reality is they ain’t goin’ happen! One reason is that there is toooo much money involved by money interest groups who have a lot of power. It's all about the money, don't kid yourself.

A friend sent me this.  There are two ways of exerting one's strength: One is pushing down, and the other is pulling up. ~ Booker T. Washington      Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up their companion. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10   A good friendship/relationship is soooooo valuable, my opinion. If you have one good friend you are rich! Money can’t buy that! When I got back from AZ, the pilot light on my hot water heater was off.  I tried to light it but no go.  I called a friend, who can do anything, if he would try before I call the plumber.  He had no problem and had it going in a minute; I didn’t press the ignition button while holding down the pilot button.  He probably saved me a wad of money.  I hope I can help him someday. MissPerfect says—Helping each other makes good friendships/relationships.

A lot of you are good problem solvers, you just are!  I try to make problem solving a game: it's just more fun to do that for me.  My brother-in-law Larry is a great problem solver. He says he’s also very impatient with people who think out loud but never say anything (e.g. he sang and sings in their church choir for years and when the choir director would over talk everything, he would put a copy of “Auto Trader” in his music and read the car adds as she rambled on!).  See, he’s quite a problem solver! He made it a game! Sooooo we were going down I-75 on our way to FL and Larry says to me—erv, I am who I am and that’s just the way it is.  I said to him—And Larry make no mistake about it, you are really good at it!  And my kid sister, Doris, his wife, said—And he never changes! What a hoot!

We have 19 on our team with World Renewal of the CRC Christian Reformed Church denomination that are doing assessments of needs of hurricane Ian victims of 2022. We have heard many difficult stories of frustration, financial loss, and personal problems. Most of our team are members of the CRC (i.e. real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks).  World Renewal is well received in the disaster program world. They do an excellent job. We were told that we could ask if we could pray for the clients but did not have too. All the folks that I asked if I could pray with them, accepted. We were not pressured to push our faith. Saturday question—Do you think that method works well? This was a soft, gentle opportunity and experience.

Spit it out erv!  This is an opinion, opinions are just that, opinions, soooo they ain’t worth anything other than being fillers!  Soooo when doing assessments of hurricane victims’ damage, I again discovered that it’s best to listen. Don’t talk about ourselves but listen to them (i.e. our clients are the main event).  Some folks have a hard time with that as they want to be the star attraction. We were told that listening is the key component of doing a good evaluation for them. Makes sense to me. Soooo, I think we have many times tooooo high of expectations driven by our egos and also predeterminations of the way we think it should sound and be (i.e. not good). As I told my old golf buddies when they complained about their golf game—Lower your expectations and then you won’t be disappointed! I think I operate better when I take the “low key approach.” Saturday question—Is that approach being part of being humble?

Spit it out erv!  I have noticed, observed, and realized that all folks need help (i.e. me especially).  Some of us need different kinds of help than others. Some folks don’t have the knowledge, connections, or finances needed or the ability to know how to communicate to get help.  WE NEED TO HELP EACH OTHER I have relearned. And helping each other is such a great feeling.  If we just help ourselves (i.e. all about me and my ego) and not others, we are really missing the boat (i.e. my opinion). And especially if we help others who cannot help us back (i.e. that is a true gift, my opinion). CoachB says—When you learn how to be comfortable in your head you will never be disappointed and always will be comfortable.  I’m comfortable doing what I’m doing these two weeks.  A United Way reprehensive who is a great guy, told us that his wish for our team was that we could reenergize the hope of the folks that have lost hope.

Jeff, anybody can be a Jeff, says--Those who hope in the Lord . . . will soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31). Emily Dickinson in what might be her most beloved poem, “Hope is the thing with feathers, uses a bird as a metaphor for hope, and goes on to say that hope not only perches in the soul but also “never asked a crumb of me.” Hope doesn’t cost anything, and, most importantly, as both Dickinson and Isaiah note, it can fly.

Sooooo last Sunday, we had a couple of hours soooo we went to Venice Beach.  It was fun.  On the way back we stopped in old town Venice for a few minutes.  I was buying a couple post cards and was checking out.  There was a customer in front of me soooo the clerk said I should go to the other clerk as she is free soooo I did. I said to her—the other clerk said I should see you as you are free (i.e. she interpreted free different than how I meant that she did not have a customer, she laughed). She asked if I wanted paper or plastic. I said—I don’t really care as I’m easy. She said—Aren’t we a pair, I’m free and you are easy!  We both laughed!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—More ears and less mouth!

making the turn

Yogi said—When you come to the fork in the road, take it!  SusieQ says--Aaaah man!  I never know what to do when I come to the fork, I just don’t know, I just never know, I honestly just don’t know what turn to take! Saturday question--Have you ever came to the fork and made the wrong turn? How about have you made the right turn?

We get to know a lot of folks in our lifetime.  Many we even call friends.  We maybe know about them intellectually (i.e. surface information) but that is about it (i.e. know their profile).  Others we know differently such as family and maybe special friends or spouses. If we really know someone, usually we get to know them intimately like we have feelings of rapport, affection, trust, and love with them. When we do, then we start making the turn! Saturday questions—How many folks do you know intimately? Have you ever had an intimate relationship fall apart?  Why did that happen?

Dr.J told this story—"A parent tells a teenager to be home by 10:30 at night, but the teen comes home at 11:30. The teen heard the instructions audibly, but he didn’t hear them in a way that affected his behavior. His ears received the instructions, but his heart didn’t.” Can any of you relate to that story as a teenager or one of your children as teenagers? At some point most teenagers make the turn; big on the most! I saw this plate on a golf cart in our 55+ AZ park.  It’s kind of fun to be that teenager again, I admit it! Making another turn! Many folks in 55+ parks have a golf cart, not to play golf, but to drive around and talk and go to a happy hour.  Of course, a number of them can’t walk very well anymore.  But they all seem like they can talk, eat, and drink! Such is life.

Karen, anybody can be a Karen says this—"A new spirit I will put within you. (Ezek. 36:26) If you were ever a candidate for cataract surgery, your doctor probably promised that your dull and drab world would be bright and colorful after your surgery. Of course, you couldn’t know that your world was dull and drab until you had the surgery. You had to take that step in order to find a new world.”  I like that statement. That’s being proactive a.k.a. positive. Sooooo the question is, what’s a new spirit and how do I get it? LuckieEddie says—Some folks change (i.e. a noticeable difference), and some folks stay the same.  Why is that? What causes that anyway?

Life makes us turn alright!  Here are a couple of communications from friends:  #1Hard week for me, as we said good-bye to a longtime friend. He had been going downhill for some time, and did not recognize me when I visited him after returning home from Arizona.  Yes, a great friend. ------" Friends are like four leaf clovers, ---- very rare. and hard to find" .   He was an easy guy to relate to when getting to know him, particularly after I learned he had 4 season tickets the Husker football games on the 35-yard line ---our friendship developed and fell into place real quickly.  Funny how that works.”  #2  “2 friends’ husbands have died, 2 Celebration of Life services in 1 week. It sort of makes the big world go away and the importance of family and friends come closer….” 

The turn isn’t always easy to make!  I was talking to a person who is president of a group.  She said to me—erv, it’s really hard to get folks to think from another’s perspective. And maybe it’s hard for all of us to think from another’s perspective.  Now that could be about any subject or belief from politics to religion to money management or anything else. I discovered that I don’t think I have voiced my opinion about controversial stuff much this winter.  I have heard my share but have not said anything or much.  I try to listen. I probably still have my opinions and beliefs but just haven’t shared them.  No one really cares anyway sooo why get all excited.  Basically, what I say is irrelevant. “Better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”  Mark Twain

I had a talk with a friend about a team concept.  We both described what we thought a team concept is.  Sooooo what is yours?  We agreed with our definitions.  One concept that we discussed is that members of a team is wanting the best for the team (i.e. like to win) and not just about themselves.  Soooo if you are in a friendship or relationship with someone and are a team player, why wouldn’t you do everything to help the other person and in effect help the team. Why would you want to hurt each other? Good team players do, we decided, complement each other to make the team great! GeorgeTheCrook says—Some folks just aren’t team players. In many sport franchises and in business, and in marriages, they get rid of poor team players. Ouchy ouchy!

On my way home from AZ I stopped at Waukee and to see Charlie perform in her 7th grade musical.  There were maybe 40 7th graders in the musical and maybe 10 stage hands.  They all didn't have the leads; there can only be a couple of lead actors and actresses.  But to have a successful musical there has to be minor participants as well.  That is a team effort.  Charlie had 15 lines and sang in 4 groups.  She had a great experience. 

You ever feel like you are living in a survival mode?  I read that many folks are doing just that. Just trying to live one day more and have no idea about their future.  Live today and the heck with tomorrow (i.e. sounds like our government). Life can pretty hectic for many. LuckieEddie says—Probably many folks don’t know any different. Saturday question—Are you living your life in a survival mode? Sorry to say, I think I have learned this winter that many seniors are just coasting on out! Not enjoying life to the fullest for sure.  They need a change.  Some do want a change, but it is soooo hard to do.  Tooooo bad for many it appears to me. And some get “an unexpected bingo” in their life and their life is enhanced. Maybe we need to ripen up as we make the turn.

FREE OPINION at no cost!  I believe a very good prayer we can pray for anyone that is soooo simple but soooo powerful.  And it is to pray that a person may receive wisdom. Wisdom is soooo powerful and takes care of everything. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7. I pray for wisdom a lot; you all know I need it!  The Bible says in James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you,”. Really folks, I don’t know what is best for me or you, I ain’t that smart.  ItchieBitchie says--Yabut erv, I am! ItchieBitchie, maybe, just maybe, if you ask God for wisdom you just might be turning the corner! Wisdom is very all-encompassing! Like a catchall!

I like new experiences! That includes new ideas, new foods, new conversations, new activities, new folks to talk to, new excitement, new refreshing things, new scenery, new food to eat, new opinions, etc.  I realize that most folks like everything the same forever (i.e. don’t change a thing please).  I don’t. I am probably in the minority here.  That comes from a person who has lived in Aplington for 54 years and lived in the same house for 48 years and was married to Arlene for 51 years.  Soooo you can believe either side of me! Crazy huh! AverageJoe asks—erv, which side of your mouth are you talking out of?

I was home in Aplington, IA (i.e. Butler County) for just a few days but now I'm on my way again.  I have been invited by my kid sister and brother-in-law to go with them on a two-week mission trip with World Renew to FL helping the hurricane victims. I am really looking forward to this.  A new event in my life.  It sure beats sitting on the couch and eating chips and self-serving myself. That’s my opinion. Don’t kid yourself, I will self-serve myself later!  I have plans. haha

I was ending my walk when in Morrison, CO one morning last week when I noticed three senior ladies meeting at one of their places and packing a SUV including their bicycles for an outing.  They were all in good physical shape (i.e. were doing more that sitting on the couch eating chips).  I hear folks say all the time, I should do something and get out of my lazy attitude; I have a lot of ideas and plans. Sooooo I ask them, what have you done in the last year--and their answer usually is--NUTTIN! 

Victor Frankel, the famous German psychologist who endured for years in a concentration camp, wrote the book Man’s Search for Meaning (i.e. a book I have read multiple times--I think it's that good--an icon) says this, “ One who is to give light must endure the burn.”

Last call for passenger, BettyOffTheBoat, the door will will close soon! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--It is better to bite your tongue than to let it bite someone else.

live up to our billing

No spoofing here folks. Some folks live “up to their billing” as advertised on the advertising slick tacked to the pole!  No phoniness or faking, they are the real deal as advertised.  What you see is what you get. For me, that is soooo refreshing when folks are who they are.  You don’t have to peel back five layers of veneer to get to the real person that they really are. These types of folks are special let me tell ya. My opinion anyway. They ring my bells. 

You might not agree with the saying but I do.  I guess we all have the freedom to believe what we want.  And guess who gets to make that decision?  You are right, the person in the mirror!  That’s you, the AverageJoes and the average Marys! Here is an idea told by Karen, anybody can be a Karen, as to how to become great--"We allow God’s Spirit to make us into compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, forgiving, and loving people." Of course, we all have a decision if we want to believe that or not! And if those are qualities that we think make us great! The world says--Greatness is how much money and power we have! Wow! Now there is a difference in those two!

My opinion, we need to start and then stick with it if we really want to change. Both to start and to stick with it are not always easy.  It’s quite often much easier to kick the same can down the same street and call it good! Yikes! I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--For a seed to sprout, it must lose its protective covering, break apart, and disintegrate into the earth. Only after this ‘death’ will it grow into a productive plant. A seed that refuses to die will never become a plant. So it is with our lives—death must come before resurrection. We must die to living only for our own desires. Only then can we be born into new life.” Soooo what do you think of that?  That is what I thought.

I knew a person some time ago who seemed to be a nice and good person.  I then started to wonder about this person as I saw the friends and acquaintances they hung around with.  I was quite amazed, and I changed my opinion about them. I shied away from this person. Their friends were not the type of folks I wanted to associate with. Sooooo I asked a friend what they thought and they had the same feeling. Soooo if I think that way and my friend thinks that way than others think that way toooo; we ain’t the only two that are that smart! haha Something stunk, they maybe didn’t live up to the billing that they were trying to show (i.e. maybe fakey). GeorgeTheCrook asks—Is that person called a hypocrite?

I seem to continuously forget what God has done for me.  I seem to just forget!  How can I do that I ask myself! Just think about the folks who have been part of our lives and helped make us become who we are, amazing, just amazing.  Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo folks.  Are we thankful for that?  I try to be thankful but forget many times. Gratitude is just soooo important in our lives, my opinion. Gratitude makes a good heart which makes a good person, my opinion. That makes us live up to our life's billing!  And it makes life way more fun! ItchieBitchie says—Anytime I feel the urge to complain, I am going to say, “no, instead of doing that, I’m going to practice giving thanks.” Gratitude tastes like a million dollars!

Think about this -- If you live in your own home, are able to eat full meals & drink clean water, have a mobile phone, can surf the internet and went to college, you are in a miniscule percentage of the population and are a highly privileged person this day (This equates to being in the less than 7% category). Amongst 100 persons in the world - only 8 will live or exceed the age of 65! If you are already over 65 years old - be content, grateful and thank God; cherish life, grasp every moment. If you did not leave this world before the age of 64, like the 92 persons who did pass before you, you are truly blessed amongst mankind. Take good care of your own health. Cherish every remaining moment. Soooooo live up to your billing!

There are a lot of billings nailed to the board but the “top billing” gets the most attention.  No question about it, If you are the top billing you get the most attention.  SusieQ says—Yabut, the more talent you have, the more responsibility you also have to perform. Now think about that. There are some folks that put on a show a.k.a. a great performance but are just that, a performer. DuaneTheWorm is always performing to self-glorifying himself; let me tell you, he’s really good at it! The DuaneTheWorms of the world are usually figured out by others real fast, oh ya! Do ostriches really bury their heads in the sand to “hide” from predators—as if closing their eyes will make them invisible? No—they lay their eggs in the sand and occasionally stick their heads in to check on and rotate the eggs until they hatch. Even ostriches know they can’t hide from reality.

goes the dynamite! SusieQ says--When the camera is turned on, some folks are way different folks; I hardly know that they are the same folks. I decided, yes I decided and did it. I deleted my Facebook account. I'm living up to my internal billing that I have. I have been thinking of doing this for some time and a friend actually influenced me and helped me decide.  I like this person's independent thinking a.k.a. confidence about who they are and what they think. WorldClassLarry says--We learn to live within margins and without anxiety (i.e. the disciplines of silence and solitude). Henry Ford said--You can't build a reputation on what your are going to do!  Soooo there you go!

Our CO granddaughter, Erin, was in their hs color guard that got 1st in state competition. She was a flag twirler.  Next year she is trying out to be a gun twirler. It just amazes me how those gun twirlers can synergize throwing and spinning those guns. This activity seems to have been a good experience for her. It seems like it has matured her poise, independent thinking and her confidence. It would be neat that all kids could have such an experience a.k.a. help develop their internal billing. Doesn't she look like a typical freshman. 

The vignette of the day! Sooooo, recently I went for a walk in my 55+ park in AZ one morning and had a long talk with a pb friend’s wife.  She told me that when her husband died, she started walking with a neighbor guy whose wife also died (i.e. my friend).  He asked me to go to a dinner theater and said it was not a date, but they were just going out as friends. 30 days later he asked me to marry him, and I did (i.e. that might be called engineering the relationship). His kids were not happy with that.  They said—Dad, if we would have done that you would not be happy with us.  He said—But you aren’t 56 either. That was 20 years ago. Sooooo there you go!

A friend said to me—I was just waiting for the right moment.  Oh, just waiting for the right moment to talk and tell others what they wanted to tell. It appears that the right moment is very important when maximizing the effectiveness of what you want to express.  Sometimes it just isn’t the right moment, and we force it (i.e. doesn’t seem to work very well).  Soooo how do we know when it is just the right moment? Maybe it’s the right moment when others ask you about what you want to talk about.  Maybe by hinting around to see if they really want to hear about what you want to say.  If they aren’t interested, then don’t talk about it.  Now that could be. ShowBoatSally says--But then you don’t get to talk about what you want to talk about! SillyLucy says—Most folks live up to their human billing by wanting to talk about themselves and their stuff instead of about you and your stuff!  Oh ya! But flip the pancake, the good ones ask you questions and want to learn about you!  MissPerfect says--When both parties talk, then it is a conversation and not a lecture! This friend is very good about thinking about others (i.e. she has great qualities—she is a good one)!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.