parasitic draw

When in Branson on Halloween night, a comedian told this story.  He said—We have a world class magician in Branson who is sooo good that he can make Thanksgiving disappear.  After the last trick and treater leaves the last door, he makes Thanksgiving disappear and the Christmas lights come on and there is no Thanksgiving. All the shows turn into Christmas shows tomorrow!  Thanksgiving doesn’t make anyone any money, but Christmas is a big money maker. It’s all about the money! I really like Thanksgiving! Yes I do. At our small group, I was reminded once again to never forget my blessings of the past, never never never; always be thankful for them!

WARNING! This “It’s Saturday” is mostly off-the-cuff remarks soooo take that into consideration when reading it. You get what you pay for! Many of you folks like “free” soooo that is the quality you get!  Such is life.

The battery in a friend’s fishing vehicle would be dead each morning. Something was draining the juice, but he didn’t know what. He had to put a trickle charger on it all the time. Sooooo he did a lot of testing but couldn’t figure it out soooo he called a friend who is an expert. His friend asked if he had something in the cigarette lighter and he did, his phone charger, but said he didn’t use it all the time; that is the number one drainer he said. The expert then said—In the auto fixing business, this is called a parasitic draw. That wasn’t it. Soooo he figured it out that it was his radio soooo he removed the fuse and got rid of the parasitic draw a.k.a. the sucker. Bingo, that did it, got rid of the culprit. His life is a lot better!

Nancy, anybody can be a Nancy, says—"When the Bible says we’re sheep, it’s not a compliment. Sheep are helpless and dumb. They get confused and lost: ‘We all, like sheep, have gone astray’ (Isaiah 53:6 NIV).” I hope none of us are a parasitic draw, but we might be at times. Who what me! Baa baa baa!

There’s an old story about a preacher who showed up early for a speaking engagement. Looking around, he noticed a moneybox on the wall. He made a five-dollar contribution to it, thinking it was for the poor. After the service, his host walked him to the door and took the money from the box. “This is where our people contribute to the visiting preacher,” said the man, “and you’ve done better than most. Look, here’s a five-dollar bill.” Later the man told the story to his family. “Dad,” observed his son, “if you had put more into it, you would have gotten more out of it!” My opinion folks is that if we put more love into others, we will get a lot more love out of life. That’s just my opinion folks. CadillacJack says--Don’t be a parasitic draw, be a giver, that makes life way better for everyone!

SusieQ says--I hate it when people act all intellectual and talk about Mozart, when they've never even seen one of his paintings.  A friend told me recently that he has some “sandpaper folks” in his life that just rub him wrong! They are very egotistical and think they know all the answers. Do you know any “sandpaper folks?” Those “sandpaper folks” are a good example of a parasitic draw, I think! Have you ever been egged-on? Maybe really teased into doing something that is not right or isn’t really you but do it to look good. Those eggeroners are not good folks to be around a.k.a. parasitic draws.  ItchieBitchie says—Be careful who you are around. Don’t jump off the bridge just because others do, that’s my opinion. TomSmart says—Don’t do the easy thing to get attention or be popular but do the right thing! Saturday question—Have you ever done something stupid that you wish you would not have done?  Driver:  "What am I supposed to do with this speeding ticket?"  Officer, "Keep it. When you collect four of them, you get a bicycle.

A friend’s grandson was bow hunting for deer on his farm but didn’t get one. In a few minutes he found a picture on social media of a guy who shot a big buck. He put his face on this pic and sent it to his mother.  She was soooo excited for him until he told her it was a fake. I see advertised on TV the new iPhones that can alter a photo about anyway you want.  I had breakfast with a friend who is a professional photographer and asked him about this. He said they can remove double chins, reduce weight, tint hair, increase cleavage, remove zits, change eye color etc., pretty much whatever folks want. A friend told me that pictures aren’t allowed as evidence in court anymore soooo I asked him about that. Yep, they can be altered soooo perfectly that it cannot be determined if altered. Soooo there you go again, a person can’t believe anything anymore, more phony stuff. Now that is a parasitic draw! JoeBlow who can sound like a resounding gong, says-- From the beginning of time, humans have had difficulty discerning what is beautiful and valuable from what is ugly and worthless.

Flip the pancake!  I am around folks (i.e. some are some of you folks) who are just a joy to be around. You just make the world happy! What a pleasure you are.  You uplift me! Ring my bell! You make me feel good! And others not soooo much! Ouchy ouchy! You great folks are the opposite of a parasitic draw, I think! Oscar Wild said—Some people cause happiness wherever they go and others cause happiness whenever they go. An old college friend who I played basketball with became a coach and AD of a college and still does some work at the college (i.e. he says he cleans the gym floor every morning). This year he has a college student (i.e. his work study job) that helps him who is a tall lanky kid with a huge bushy hair style.  He works his butt off scrubbing and scrapping the floor and is just a joy to be around. After some time, they got to know each other, and he found out he was a star on the basketball team (i.e. completely humble and unpretentious). Bingo! BettyLou says—"Let us be quicker to praise than find fault. Let us be quicker to thank others.” I agree BettyLou and may I suggest that we give thanks to God Almighty! For those who don’t believe in God, who do they give thanks to at Thanksgiving? Maybe their Master Charge card!

De-clutter! Toooo much stuff makes us run low on energy a.k.a. a parasitic draw. RickyRick says--Your faith journey is a long one. Too many people start off strong but putter out before the end. God wants you to go the distance.” Maybe get rid of some of the stuff that is a parasitic draw (i.e. drains the life out of us; like useless stuff).  What do you think? That is what I thought. Most employment, employees are working for someone or some company.  Management has the right to terminate our job for many reasons. BUT all of us are unpinkable as to being terminated in how we live our life a.k.a. how we treat others, our morals, our actions, our faith etc.).  I believe that a great part of happiness in life is determined by us. Well, it could be, maybe! But I don’t know for sure! Possibly! WildWillie from north Butler Co. says—For me, I think money is the answer; man, do I like money; I’ll almost do anything for more money!

Jane, anybody can be a Jane, says--Things Aren’t Always What They Seem! Or it could be said as we heard in the  performance of Queen Ester, God works in crazy ways! Or as I read, God turns setbacks into comebacks (e.g. I just burned 1,200 calories; I forgot the pizza in the oven). Or someone said somewhere at sometime (i.e. but I can’t remember who or where or when)—You cheat yourself if you don’t do the right thing.

Flip the pancake of parasitic draw for a second please!  In our lives we have or had folks who are our heroes, folks who we admire and would kinda sorta want to be like. Saturday question—Who are some of your heroes? Well, one of my heroes is Bobby Jones. I just read this about him, and it depicts who he was. I would like to be like him, yes I would. “The unassuming, respectful way in which Bobby Jones treated others set him apart as a true sportsman and gentleman.” Now that’s a person who is not a parasitic draw, my opinion! My Mom, Anna, was a Bobby Jones! Yes she was. I like to be around Bobby Jones type of folks. Many of you are Bobby Jones, I think.

Recalculating your route! Olson, anybody can be an Olson, says—"Disappointment comes when we can’t get something we think we need or want. And while that is natural a.k.a. human, it’s also an opportunity to ask: ‘What am I really living for?’” My opinion, how we answer that question pretty much says who we are.  Saturday question—What are you thankful for?  CrazyMarvin says—I have soooo much stuff that I’m thankful for that I don’t know where to begin. The problem is most of my stuff is on payments and the stuff is depreciating in value! Ouchy ouchy!

CoachB says—Maybe ask ourselves, “why me” to all the good stuff that has happened to us (i.e. be thankful).  Have we ever shared with someone all the good stuff that has happened to us?  Yes, we must have a very good friend to do that with or some folks will think we are bragging about ourselves. And many folks don’t have such a friend maybe. I guess we can be positive or negative.  As my deceased friend, Paul, told me—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—If you get something for a song, watch out for the accompaniment.

P.S. I heard a gal say to another gal this week--I'm smarter than you look! The other gal didn't know what to say!

de miminis

Toot toot, move over please, I’m coming through.  They didn’t move over for me one little bit! I think I might be too small for them meaning unimportant for them to care about me! Yikes! Such is life.

I sorta kinda like some Latin words; they seem intriguing to me.  De minimis means, essentially, too small to care about!

When I was a kid, I think everyone who found a penny on the ground would pick it up. Not anymore, it is now de minimis. Maybe a nickel or a dime might not even be picked up.  As my 8-year-old neighbor boy said to me when I tipped him a dollar: A dollar, what can I buy with a dollar! He is sorta kinda right even though I didn’t care much for his appreciation. I have to admit that I pick all pennies up as I like to read what it says on them—In God we trust. It’s a good reminder to me. And also, Lincoln’s face is on them, and I like what Lincoln stands for.  Sooooo a penny makes me sorta kinda feel good. Some of you will call me a de minimis! That is okay! You may!

I read again the other day that 99% of stuff won’t make any difference 5 years from now and some stuff won’t make any difference 5 minutes from now (i.e. we think about bad stuff that angers us but maybe it could be good stuff also that we get all bend out of shape about). Actually, some of us might be died in 5 years, maybe. And many can’t remember much now in five minutes! Much of the stuff is soooo de miminis. Saturday question—Then what is important that we should pay attention toooo? ItchieBitchie says-I don't think it was improper when I responded to a neighbor's wedding invitation with "Sorry, I can't make it, maybe next time!" 

I must admit that I’m stiff-necked and stubborn (i.e. that is not a de minimis thing). Are you? I don’t want to be stiff-necked and stubborn but I still am. How about you? Do folks like stiff-necked and stubborn folks?  Sooo what type of person is a person who is not stiff-necked and stubborn?  An antonym of being stiff-necked and stubborn is being humble, unpretentious, and modest. Tom Brady said this about Brock Purdy--"You don't hear of guys like Brock Purdy until Brock Purdy's doing amazing things out on the field, so it's kind of a fun story and I hope it continues for him because he seems like he's a really humble young man, and he wants to go out there and do great things." Soooo how can we lessen being soooo stiff-nicked and suborn?  AverageJoe says—The first thing we have to do is admit we are stiff-necked and stubborn which many can’t do soooo that makes it impossible, maybe. OneSmartPerson who does not like splashy headlines about himself, says—Maybe we need to self-evaluate ourselves and our churches. Maybe. Could be. But I don’t know! But possibly!

This for sure will sound like a de minimis to some of you but not to all of you.  Get counsel!  Get counsel from an expert who is neutral. I have done this on business matters many times. Sometimes from professionals and sometimes from very knowledgeable friends and acquaintances who know what they are talking about. I have never got professional counseling on anything personal in my life. Many of you have and it has been very helpful. Very! I think it’s really great to have a friend who we can talk to who will listen and can be trusted to keep their mouth shut. That itself is a form of counseling, I think. I know of churches and individuals who got counseling and who were given good possible solutions to their issues but didn’t accept where they were wrong and didn’t apply the advice, in which case nuttin probably changed. Soooo the same can gets kicked down the same street. Joesixpack who sounds a lot like a clanging cymbal, says—Yabut erv, at least I know how my current pain feels and I might not like the maybe new pain of change that might happen! I think I will just keep hitting my head against the same wall just like I have been doing!

Our kids think my hearing is bad but I don’t. Our son gave me a membership to Costco for Father’s Day  soooo I could get it tested! Soooo I went recently as my membership was running out. On the information sheet it asked why I am getting my hearing tested. I wrote—to see if our grandkids mumble or I can’t hear!  The technician laughed! The test showed that I had mild hearing loss but not significant. Soooo then it is that our grandkids mumble—the hearing technician said, well erv, our younger generation do seem to mumble—why is that—they do communication by electronic methods and don’t talk face to face and when they do they do a very poor job in talking clearly and looking at folks in the eyes; especially talking with adults.  Now that was her opinion. I will recheck my hearing in a year again and hear what I hear or don't hear then again!

It’s my opinion that it is good to accomplish something every day. It makes me feel way better. It doesn’t have to be much, even something like making my bed, taking a shower, dusting, washing the dishes, reading my devotions, walking my 2.3 miles, mowing the lawn, washing the car, cleaning the bathrooms, talking to friends and family on the phone, sending an encouraging note to someone, doing a fix it project. Actually, anything of an accomplishment is very good for me. It might sound de minimis to you, but it is very important to me. I picked up an old friend for breakfast (i.e. old ‘cause he’s old and old because we have been friends for a long time).  He told me that he woke up at 6:30 and stayed up as he didn’t want to oversleep and miss me and then he got cleaned up, clued his teeth in and dressed; it was a lot of work to go out with me. He told me that he is doing much better than a year ago when it wasn’t good at all.  He did admit that he does not have his initiative/motivation back; he said he is very lazy!

This might sound de minimis to you, but I think it’s very important to me.  That is to be appreciative about my life and my situation. Are you appreciative? We live in a very competitive environment and very comparing environment soooooo they distract me from being appreciative. I think most folks would be much more content and enjoy life more if we could be more appreciative. Sooooo how do I get to this frame of mind if that is true? I have some ideas and have implemented some of them. Yes, I have. I think I need to work on creating them and then working on them. That is my opinion. RickyRick says—"God never meant for you to go through life exhausted. When you’re too tired to love others well, take a good look at how much you’re resting, what you’re eating, and how often you exercise. Then make better and often more difficult choices to take care of yourself.”

Pretty de minimis but…! Soooo I asked both of our teenage grandgirls if they would call me as I have some advice I want to suggest to them. They said they would when they have time. I did tell them they didn’t have tooooo if they didn’t want tooooo (i.e. left them have an out). They both called me when they did have time. I gave them my suggestion a.k.a. advice. I have no idea if they will do what I suggested. It might be de minimis to them but maybe not. I don’t think I will ever know. They are both good kids soooo they might take my suggestion a.k.a. advice. BUT that is ok if they don’t. I’m 77 (i.e. they probably think I'm as old as dirt) and they are teenagers!!! We have a lot of air between us! I understand. Yes, I do! Such is life.

“Finish your broccoli, or you can’t go to the sleepover,” says MissPerfect, the mom. It’s an empty threat, a rash promise that the child knows cannot be true. How many promises have we heard from others that we know aren’t true?  Most everyone knows it except for a few who have their heads up their butts. TomSmart says--C’mon folks, figure it out, quite living in la la land!  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 can not fool all of the people all of time.”

A friend told me about a private experience she had (i.e. very personal).  I was very impressed with her actions and also her mind set. ANYWAY, she said she talked out loud while doing some actions and it was very rewarding for her. Do you ever talk to yourself out loud?  Do you every talk to God out loud?  It might be a de minimis action we think but it might be very rewarding for each of us. If you haven’t, try it, you might like it! Or let Mikie try it first!

Is this de minimis do you think? What does it mean to be MidWestern anyway? It must mean something! I have lived in Iowa for most of my life soooo I must be MidWestern. Am I MidWestern? Must be! A friend from Butler County told me, I think we are the minority, erv!  And he wasn’t talking about not having a dog either, but I really don’t know exactly what he meant but I think I do! I do know when visiting the Seattle area this summer, that it appeared that some of those folks don’t care much for the beliefs of the folks from Iowa (i.e. why do I know 'cause they told me sooo, very vocal about it). Soooo there! I read this in an Iowa newspaper soooo it must be right—Evangelical voters in Iowa are crucial to Republican presidential hopefuls. I really doubt if voters in New York give a hoot what the Iowa voters think! Maybe they think Iowa voters are nobodies a.k.a. de miminis who live a little west of Nowhere (i.e. just a fly-over state where they grow corn)! This ervie likes to be Midwestern! My evening meal is still supper! I grew up learning that and other stuff from Chester and Anna on the farm a mile and a quarter south of Roseland, MN.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Everyone wants progress, but few want the change that progress requires. 

over cook

Our grandson was invited to help a friend with their family's haunted house. He really enjoyed scaring folks!  Why do we like to be scared or scare others? WARNING! This “It’s Saturday” might scare you to death, or scare your pants off or scare the crap out of you!

Do you like over cooked food; I don’t mean over done; I mean over cooked.  Like the turkey Catherine cooked for the Christmas diner in the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Clark said sorta kinda sarcastically--It’s good but just a little dry. He was being nice instead of saying that it’s more than well done, it’s over cooked!

KnowEverthingBob is an overcorrecter! When someone tells someone that they are doing something wrong, some just go on and on like preaching to them a.k.a. over cooking it a bit! It could be a helicopter parent, preacher, coach, friend, spouse. sibling, neighbor, etc. I was visiting with my optometrist during my exam about his three girls, ages college freshman to 8^th grader. He told me that he and his wife are demanding of their girls for them to learn how to talk with adults and we make/let them do it as it’s a very important skill in whatever they do in life.  He told me their oldest girl had two jobs this last summer and one was being a waitress at the country club. Her ability to talk to customers, particularly to guys on men’s night, made her a lot of money. Huh, interesting. He has young people who he examines that the parents won’t let their children talk for themselves, they do all the talking for them (i.e. parents over cook their kids). He thinks that is bad parenting. Could be! I’m guessing most children learn by listening to their parents as to how to talk with others. You think soooo? Saturday question—Where did you learn how to talk to adults? Some of you sure sound like your mom or your dad! Some parents must be doing something right or wrong! Such is life.

Yabut erv, you got to put some heat to it for it to go up!  Anyone can go down; gravity will pull all of us down, but it takes energy to go up and energy is usually heat.  Light the fire baby! And to start a fire there is usually friction (e.g. like lighting a match). And many folks don’t like friction of any kind soooo they stay put or go down. Am I over cooking this! You ever over cook noodles? If you have, you know they become mushy and soft! Yuck! Such is life.

Do you believe what everyone says?  I hope not as you will be very disappointed to find out that what they say isn’t always right. There have been quite a few wrong predictions in history. In 1901 Wilbur Wright said that man would not fly for fifty years. Henry Ford’s banker was told by a lawyer, “The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty—a fad.” The manager of the Grand Ole Opry fired Elvis Presley and said, “You ain’t goin’ nowhere, son.” And a Los Angeles surgeon said, “For the majority of people, the use of tobacco has a beneficial effect.” We gotta remember that opinions are just that, opinions!  Some folks think they know everything, they just over cook their thinking maybe!

Ya just can’t over cook who you are or can ya!  You are who you are! SusieQ says—I alter my face with a lot of makeup; I cook my face up! I really like real folks, not phony folks (i.e. folks who pretend to be someone who they are not—fakers). Even dogs and little kids can tell when folks are fakes. Who are they trying to fool! Hey listen, pretending is big business in our world. Don’t kid yourself. Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the folks some of the time, some of the folks all the time but you can’t fool all the folks all the time. I have had gals who didn’t what me to see them because they didn’t have their face on! They do look different all right! My opinion is--Outside appearance is attractive but inside beauty is more important and is the real beauty of a person which is very important. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder; I say beauty is inside and out! That is my opinion! BUT have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror first thing in the morning?

I was talking to a person who I do business with and was explaining my situation. I will probably hire her to help me.  She asked about my situation and I told her. She said may I ask who your new friend is.  I told her. Several minutes later, she called me back and said--I know her, and she is a very nice, sweet person; a down to earth gal, a sweetheart. How is that for a raving real endorsement. This business person tells it like it is. A real person who would not give a fake review to get my business She is very sincere. WorldClassLarry says—We all leave a trail now don’t we. Some trails are pretty and some aren’t so pretty. In the wild frontier folks would try to cover their tracks and others would hire very good trackers (i.e. usually Indians) to follow their tracks. Sometimes the folks would leave fake trails to fool the folks after them. Maybe that’s like folks using false information on their profiles! In today’s world we have new ways to track folks like cell phones, security cameras, DNA etc. BUT some folks still try to use false information as fake trials. Even in advertising, there are fake reviews! Saturday question—Have you ever been in a relationship only to find out that they were fake, like phony to the bone!  Wendell Phillips aptly described Lincoln as the Indian hunter, who lays his ear to the ground and listens for the tramp of the coming millions.  IthcieBitchie says—If the apple stinks a little bit now, it will stink a whole lot more with time BUT if the apple looks delicious and tastes delicious now, oh how great it will taste in the future; it’s really a good one!

I was having breakfast with a talented, classy friend who is in upper management. He will be hiring a supportive management employee.  I said—You can hire a “yes person” who will make you look good! He told me that he doesn’t want a person who finds a problem in our management and comes and asks me how I am going to fix it.  I want a person who finds an opportunity to improve our management and comes to me with several possible solutions and shows me which one they think is the best and asks me what I think. I guess he wants more than a complainer; anybody can be a complainer.  A complainer doesn’t have to have much talent! They are a dime a dozen. There is an old question—Are you the problem or the solution to the problem?

Betty Lou says--There seems to be a huge massive difference between ne’er-do-wells and al’ys-do-wells a.k.a. the haves and the have-nots.  Soooo what’s the deal do you think? It seems like some cook the stew better than others or follow the recipe better or just are luckier or God only knows! There seems like there are some basic ingredients that are the same that show up after some time; maybe we don’t like to hear about them but maybe we should. What do you think?  That is what I thought. ThePersonNorthOfTown says—My mom told me what they were, but I didn’t believe her! I thought she was over cooking it!

Sooooo, what’s the difference between being religious, spiritual, a believer, saved, an agnostic or an atheist?  And can you tell the difference between these different types of folks?  It appears that some folks can tell the difference between them or at least they think they can. Abraham Lincoln, one of my heroes, read the Bible many times, had much of it memorized, quoted it in many speeches and referred to it in many speeches. He never joined a church and never said he was a believer, yet he had many religious leaders come and discuss the Bible with him and pray for him. A friend gave me the book, Lincoln in his own time.  In it different acquaintances say this about Abe’s faith: In his early life he had tried hard to be a believer, but his reason could not grasp and solve the great problems of redemption as taught; Lincoln was very cautious never to give expression to any thought or sentiment that would grate harshly upon a Christian’s ear for a sincere Christian he had great respect;  He once said he could never reconcile prescience of the Deity with the uncertainty of events; The only evidence I have of any change was I saw him reading his Bible later in life and he said, “Take all of this book upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier and better man.” Sooooo did Abraham Lincoln go to heaven?  C’mon, some of you who are judges know! Don’t give me that crap that you don’t know; some of you seem to know everything.  I hear folks at Joes’ and Marys’ funerals that say—Today Joe or Mary is with Jesus in Heaven. They say they know. Maybe they have a direct connection! Or are they just over cooking it!

We visited Jeanne's roots in the area where she was born and lived for her first two years. It is where her grandparents and other relatives are buried (i.e. up 'er in 'em 'er Ozark hills let me t'll y'all), It is near Tin Town. A local told us that there was probably moon shine made in those hills years ago. What a great opportunity to show homage to family. It was a pleasant experience and we do have pleasant hope for our future! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—If you lighten the way for others, you’ll never be in the dark yourself.

it's a toss up

"I never graduated from Iowa. But I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's" --  Alex Karras / Iowa

I’m in the minority again.  Soooo I could be wrong. My next door neighbors have dogs (i.e. one has one plus a cat and one has two). My neighbors across the street each have dogs (i.e. one has two and one has one; there must be something wrong with me; I must be missing something!  Take that into consideration when reading this It’s Saturday.

Most dog owners feed their dog(s) the best possible ration soooo they can be healthy at any cost.  They also feed them just the right amount soooo they don’t get fat. They even take them for a walk every day because it’s good for them. Flip the pancake, many parents feed their children all the worst foods and high amounts and let them spend hours on their electronic devices. What! When I was a kid at a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN, our dogs got the table scraps and they seemed to do quite well but us kids ate the good stuff first, they got the leftovers if they liked it or not! Actually, we ate a lot of stuff out of the garden. The reason was it was cheap food and my Mom, Anna, worked very hard and was frugal!

Flipthepancake!  A friend who is a retired small animal veterinarian told me that for many senior widows and widowers a pet is a very good companion, and the cost is small for preventive good mental health. He said he would ask them—do you see your kids much—hardly at all; they are too busy with their lives to come and see me. Sooooo their best friend and family is their pet. What! Saturday question—How often do you see your parents or how often do your kids come and see you? A pet will show constant and unconditional love. It is said that some folks say they love their pet more than their spouse! Yikes!

It’s a toss up folks!  A friend is in a book club and one of the gals makes great pies soooo they decided to have her teach them how to make this rhubarb delicious pie.  She sent them the ingredients they were to bring along and one was one stick of butter flavored shorting a.k.a. lard which is very high in calories and latent with fat.  My friend and another of the book club won’t eat it as they think it’s not good for them as one slice has more than their daily intake of calories (i.e. mainly from sugar) and so much fat/cholesterol that it would kill a horse, soooo they gave the pies to friends as a treat!  Their friends loved them! Did you get that, gave it to their friends who get the calories and fat!  haha

Is it a toss up in our minds or do we know it?  I recently had a conversation with a friend who shared some insightful thoughts with me.  I thought this thought was very good for me, maybe you might not. It’s a toss up!!  haha  He said—"If I share the gospel and someone rejects God is that on me? Or if someone accepts the gospel is that because of my smooth talking or because of Gods work? We need to keep Christ at the center of it all and be willing to do what he has called us to do, even if it is difficult.” I took it to stay humble and don’t think we are soooo important, ervie is not in charge of the universe!

I had a conversation with a friend who knew a person who I now know when they were in college.  He sorta kinda mentioned that this person always wanted to be in charge and thought he was better than the rest of the class.  I didn’t say anything, but I get the same impression of him today and he’s probably 60 or so (i.e. and maybe he is better than the rest of us, that could be).  Huh, interesting. But it could be a toss up.  haha

Suggestion but suggestions are a toss up in that you might not even listen to it at all.  I understand you folks! haha I’m Mr. Irrelevant! Brock Purdy was drafted the very last player two years ago in the NFL draft and that position is called Mr. Irrelevant.  He won 5 games at the end of the season last year as qb and got the 49ners in the NFL Championship Game and has won 5 games this year.  From Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Relevant.  My suggestion might save your life.  Does that make any difference to you? It’s a toss up to some of you. I understand you folks! haha The suggestion is free soooo take it or leave it. I asked my primary physician when doing my Medicare physical if there is anything I could do to be more proactive with my health at my age (i.e. I need another 53 years to do the things we want to do)—he suggested having an EKG and also a chest calcium scan. I accepted). They did the EKG immediately and scheduled the chest scan that gives an amount of calcium a person has in their arteries in determining if there is maybe blockage or potential blockage to prevent a heart attack or death. I asked the technicians if this scan is quite popular—it is more and more all the time, but many folks still don’t want to do it, and some can’t afford it as it costs $150 and it is not covered by insurance.  My score was high soooo my primary doctor had me see a cardiologist for a consultation. He told me that this is only an indication and can be higher with age but quizzed me a lot and since I have not had any symptoms of blockage, he suggested I should have a stress test. I did and it was ok. My doctors tell me to make sure if I have any symptoms of blockage to let them know immediately and they can do a more advance test and if there is blockage, they can put in a preventive stint(s) to prevent a heart attack or death.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"The eggs of a potato bug hatch in 7 days. A canary’s eggs hatch in 14 days. A hen’s eggs hatch in 21 days. A goose egg hatches in 28 days. A mallard egg hatches in 35 days. The baby parrot comes out of the shell in 42 days. All are divisible by 7. There are 7 days in a week. Seven is a number of completeness.”  Does that mean anything to you folks? Where does the perfect number 7 come from? Huh, interesting. Maybe just a toss up!

It’s a toss up maybe!  I made shepard’s pie, one of my favorites.  I make it in a casserole container which I can have 3 or 4 meals from.  After I had the first meal, I didn’t put the rest in the frig as my Mom, Anna, never did until it was cooler.  I never did understand why she did that.  It never made any sense to me soooo I googled it. It said—USDA suggest you don’t refrigerate it until it cools off but it’s unclear why!  That made me laugh; I put in the frig.  Soooo I asked OneSmartFriend why we can’t put it in the refrigerator right away.  She told me it is probably because years ago the hot food melted the ice faster in the ice box soooo they waited to put the food in the ice box until it cooled off.  Makes sense. BUT sense grandma did it, the next generations still do it.  Aren’t we something? Soooooo the Butler County farmers don’t do what grandpa did, oh no.  They change.  The reason why is if they can make more money and make their life easier, they change. haha

It’s a toss up! Dr.J wrote—"We sometimes discover that a friend had a need that he or she didn’t make known or went through a time of trouble without asking for help. And we say, ‘Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you call me? You know I would have been there.’ And the answer is often, ‘I didn’t want to bother you. This was my problem, and I needed to solve it myself.’” Suggestion—Give the gift of teaching a person “to ask for help” and then helping them!  WorldClassLarry says—Here is something to think about: make a huge massive effort to help someone who needs a boast! C’mon folks, get with it! Maybe help the poor and needy with their problems; the elite a.k.a. financially rich can buy help if they need it but the poor can’t.  BUT remember, it might be harder to help the poor (i.e. usually it’s more complicated)! It’s a lot easier to give $5 to a mission agency and let them take care of it and besides, it makes us feel like we are really doing our part! Such is life!

"Snakes Alive!" "Great Balls of Fire!" We are in Branson to watch some Christmas shows, enjoy life, and explore Jeanne's early life's history as her early childhood was in this area (i.e. near Red Top, MO). There are many white hairs and guys with no hair here spending some of their retirement money!  It reminded me of a story my mentor told me about himself many years ago. He and his wife where here in Branson going to a show. His wife went to the bathroom and he was waiting in the lobby for her. There was a group of mentally challenged folks being lead by several leaders going to the show who were in the lobby as well. One of the leaders came up to my friend and told him he needs to get in line; just follow Betty Lou.  He tried to explain to her that he wasn't part of the group. She said--I understand but just get in line and follow Betty Lou!  My friend told his wife--It was a toss up if I belonged with them or not; obviously the leader thought I belonged with them! Such is life in Branson!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Be too busy to worry in the day...you'll be too sleepy to worry at night.

adventure mode

It’s an adventure mode to be around folks.  It’s also an adventure mode to be alone. Saturday question—Which adventure mode do you prefer?  I really don’t know which one I prefer. I like them both; I always have. If you are around a person or persons 24/7 for long periods of time, it seems to work a lot better if folks are very compatible.  If not, well, it seems like it doesn’t work very well.  They get under each other’s skin! They need some space. SusieQ says—Relationships are adventures alright! I read that about 50% of all marriages in America end in a divorce. That must mean that not everyone gets along.  Even many marriages don’t look soooo pleasant to me (i.e. some seem to be a mess).  But some really seem good. What is the secret do you think or what is the problem do you think?

Have you ever had/have an event become known as “The Great Excitement.” Do you folks like adventure? I seem too and seek it some.  When we are excited about something, we seem to think about it constantly and want to do it all the time. Sooo what excitement do you have in your life? How can we create excitement? Why wouldn’t we want excitement in our lives? What can we do to create some excitement? I was invited to go on a hiking and camping trip next summer and sleep in a tent!  We will be 78. Now that could be an adventure!

I really never got it but now I do, at least I understand it more!  I got it by having an interest about Zack Wilson, New York Jets’ quarterback, while watching him play the other night.  Sooooo I googled him and found out some information about him. One thing I learned is that he has ADHD. A friend told me a little about it, but I really didn’t understand it.  Sooooo I researched it and learned a lot. If you have it or have a friend or family member who does, you know all about it (i.e. how folks act who have it). It’s not curable but manageable; it has nuttin to do with intelligence; they have it for life; it’s genetic.  I now have a little understanding of folks who have it or I think they have it.  It changes my perspective about them.

I read there is a difference between acceptance and approval of folks. They are very, very different. They both are “adventure modes” for sure. CrazyMarvin, who is very muscled,  says—Our family won’t accept anyone in our family if we don’t approve of them (i.e. we throw them under the bus). YaBut Crazy Marvin, wouldn’t it be better to accept them even if you don’t approve of them because of some reason? Saturday question—Can you love someone even if you don’t approve of them? It appears that some folks are better at accepting others better than others. It’s an adventure for sure! I have a friend (i.e. is it you) who is very good at accepting folks for who they are. They are very good at it. MissPerfect says—The church that I sometimes attend isn’t very good at accepting all folks (i.e. very legalist and judgmental); that confuses me! That is sorta kinda an oxymoron to me!

My neighbor was admiring the beauty of their tree and it’s fall color.  She said that since they took down the tree next to it, the tree has grown much more out sense it had room to grow which made the tree much prettier.  Sooooo, I was wondering if we sometimes had/have folks around us who have/had hurt or are hindering our growth and beauty.  I know I have somewhat removed myself from a group of folks and I’m much happier (i.e. I don’t know if I am any prettier though)! haha 

Talk about an adventure mode! RickyRick says-“And, if you don’t live a life of love, then nothing you give will matter. ‘If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing’ (1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT). Love isn’t always the motivation for giving. Some people give just to get back, or out of guilt, or for control or prestige. You can give for a lot of reasons, but the Bible says if you’re not doing it out of love, then none of your giving counts. Finally, if you don’t live a life of love, then nothing you accomplish will matter. You can rack up an incredible list of personal achievements. You can get your picture on the cover of Fortune magazine. You can win the Nobel Peace Prize. You can have enormous accomplishments, be entrepreneur of the year, build a billion-dollar company, have incredibly great successes in your field of endeavor. But the Bible says it isn’t worth much if you don’t love. The Bible says—God says—that life is about relationships, not accomplishments.”

George Washington said—"It is better to be alone than with bad company.” I have thought about that a lot in the last several years, I decided I would rather be alone than with bad company. BUT I sure enjoy being around good company! I have seen and heard of this by observing many folks who are miserable being around bad company and others who really enjoy life being around good company. And ervie gets to make the decision who he wants to be around now doesn’t he. Saturday question—Who is bad company and who is good company? I do know how I enjoy good relationships, yes I do! They are tremendous adventure modes a.k.a. a big plus of life. CoachB says--The right partner will make you better and stronger and the wrong partner will make you weaker and worse. Soooo, choose your partner wisely!  That is his opinion! C'mon erv, that's just common sense; you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out! A nice, sweet, wise friend says--My dream a.k.a. adventure mode is for you and I to grow side by side, intertwining but never interfering in each other's growth, promoting joy and happiness together.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Misguided, short-term thinking can get us into trouble. The other morning it was the first cold day of fall being 40, overcast and the wind blowing about 30.  I crawled in the shower and took a long, (i.e. and I mean long) hot shower.  It felt soooo comfortable. I probably almost used most of the hot water but I’m alone, soooo who cares. Besides, I pay the gas and water bills! I thought of all the good events of yesterday and also the most pleasant conversation I had before going to bed the night before. They were all great adventures and I really enjoyed them. It was hard to get out of the warm cozy shower and out of such a happy adventure mode. And you folks wonder if I really eat oatmeal with half a banana on it!

Here is a real adventure mode for me to think about.  OneSmartPerson says—"We often look at people and think, “Look how far they have to go. But we don’t stop and say, I wonder how far they’ve come? Maybe they were raised in a family where they had no model of kindness or courtesy. Maybe they grew up in a very dysfunctional home, and it’s a miracle, really, that they made it this far. What are the burdens they’re carrying? They may be sick. They may have a family issue. They may have just lost their job. There are all kinds of battles and burdens people carry that you and I don’t know about. Proverbs 19:11 tells us to overlook offenses. Do you overlook offenses, or are you offended by offenses? Are you so touchy and irritable that you’re offended by anybody who looks at you funny or forgets to say something or doesn’t see you? Love lets it go.” ervie, get it figured out!

Quiet desperation or joyful anticipation! BobbyT says—"Back in the mid-1800s, essayist, poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau made a statement that has become familiar to many of us, The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.’ In Thoreau’s extended quotation, he said, ‘What is called resignation is confirmed desperation…. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.’” I think that is where “the adventure mode” can be a great benefit. An adventure mode is more than an attitude of a $20,000 trip (e.g. it could be going for a fall walk with a friend or going by yourself). Make it an adventure and we can become joyful. That is just my opinion. But a $20,000 trip might work tooooo!

I believe that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind! I think that is a choice that I have. Maybe you don’t think you can alter your choice, but I know I can. It’s like a friend who says when something doesn’t go his way—it’s not a problem erv, it’s an opportunity! I really believe that my attitude really can affect the quality of my life. Soooo then if I am right, I can change my choice that can change my life?  For me, I pretty much know what that choice is; it has really worked for me in my life (i.e. it’s the conclusion of the matter a.k.a. the meaning of life to me).

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—To stay young, associate with youth…to grow old, try to keep up with them.

riled up

I have learned once again that the opinions of the folks in Butler County IA, population of 14,175, a county that still does not have one stop light, and is 81.8% white, may have changed a little through the years, but not the fact that they still think that they are 100% right! But then again, it seems that everyone thinks that!

Thanksamillion to all you folks who have helped me paddle in my life. You know who you are! I would never have had such a great life if it wasn’t for you folks. No question! I was once again reminded of this when reading Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven (i.e. you might have read his little book or heard his speech). It’s good and was given to me by a friend. William says this—“Like the small rubber raft we had in basic SEAL training, it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that our success depends on others.”

We get riled up about seemingly good events and good stuff in our lives and about seemingly bad events and bad stuff in our lives. I don’t have to tell you what they are in your life, you know, we all do. But here is what I find hard to understand, how can we really express our emotions and feelings to others. I really don’t think we can completely understand other folks’ emotions and feelings but just a portion of them and then another person can’t really understand ours as they have not ever experienced the same situation and also their mind is different than ours. We are all programed by genetics, our past environment and our current environment.  We are all programed differently.

I was introduced to the study of neurodiversity by a friend. I have never heard of it or had any knowledge of it. It ain’t nuttin new but I have found it quite interesting and researched it some. Basically, we all don’t think alike, and we can’t make others think like us; we are different. We enjoy others who are similar to us but none of us are exactly the same. I hear folks say—I have no idea how they can think that way!  Well folks, they think different than another person. AverageJoe says—Well, some are brainwashed, that’s for certain! Now that could be AverageJoe, it seems like some folks are brainwashed easier than others. And why is that? I really think we are all mentally ill but just to different degrees! 

Coaches, political candidates, parents, religious leaders, news casts, teachers, unions, business leaders, etc. all rile folks up.  Sometimes it is for the better and sometimes not soooo much for the better. They might be messed up themselves and think way differently than normal folks do (i.e. and who is normal). But as long as they can influence folks and get them riled up and get a following, they have an army. In a democratic form of government, it is much easier to do than in a communist form of government it appears. But then again, if folks get desperate enough, history proves it can be done.

CadillacJack says--And we all get riled up about different things and at different excitement levels. Sometimes it’s fun to be around riled up folks and sometimes it just isn’t (i.e. at least I’m talking about myself in regards to radicals; they can be a pain for me). ItchieBitchie says—The only folks who enjoy radicals are other radicals and they don’t even seem to really like each other!

I think we all have different minds just like we have different fingerprints.  We are all unique alright.  GeorgeTheCrook says—For sure no one has a mind like my sister-in-law; not even close; I have no idea what God was thinking when He put her mind together! Yabut GeorgeTheCrook, she might think the same about you! A friend told me that his father called him " the different one in our family."  He said he took that as a compliment from his father. 

And of course, there are folks that have all kinds of excuses about themselves, and others have none.  What a difference for sure. Some never think their bad actions or thinking is their fault but always someone else’s fault.  But some give others credit for their good actions and thinking. Again, big difference in folks. My neighbor works as a register of prisoners at a large county jail. She says that they all get riled up and say that it was not their fault but someone else’s fault why they are going to jail. Da!

A golf buddy told me that if politicians tell the same lie 7 times, then the folks believe it’s the truth.  MissPerfect says, that’s the truth, it works when speakers want to get your attention and want you to remember something, they use repetition. Now that is how politicians get folks riled up!  Now that is psychology at its best! They know what they are doing! Oh ya! RickyRick says--If you don’t live a life of love, then nothing you say will matter (i.e. repeat that 7 times).

CoachB says—The two most important controllable factors of health are exercise and eating habits (i.e. enjoy life more by being in shape).  I have a friend (i.e. is it you or could it be you) who is “living poetry”—poetry offers examples of language and stocks the mind with images and ideas expressed in unforgettable words and phrases and actions. Soooo how can we live a life of living poetry? Get riled up folks!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Don’t save so much for the rainy days that you can’t enjoy the sunny ones.

right or wrong

For ever I have been wrong when I thought I was right! Da!  We went for a hike in Boulder, CO and I discovered that I thought the flat irons were like flat surfaces of the mountains horizontally but no no, they are like the old flat irons sitting up.  Da!  Sooo take that into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday” as I really have no idea what is right or wrong!

JoeBlow says--We have to make the best of our reality no matter what it is now. We must. It’s reality or are we living in a virtual reality? Do you think we sometimes get confused what our real reality really is?  Like which reality is right or wrong? I don’t know JoeBlow; I get confused a lot. My mentor would say--erv, it's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it looks!

ItchieBitchie says--We are never too important to be nice to people no matter how important we think we are. That sure sounds right to me ItchieBitchie.

Loneliness and hopelessness. In January 2023, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA) asked a national sample of U.S. adults age 50–80 questions about loneliness (measured by their feelings of isolation and lack of companionship) and their social interactions. One in three adults age 50–80 (34%) reported feeling isolated from others. Liz Bohannon, who spoke at the 2023 Global Leadership Summit, said that 58% of Americans report being lonely, 70% of leaders report being lonely and 78% of young people report being lonely. She then said--We all need community and support of friends. Relationships with friends are the most important long-term predictor of happiness. I think she might be right about that.

I read in the newspaper soooo it must be right--In recent years, protests have erupted across America. Depending on which side of an issue you identify with, you’ll consider a given protest needlessly destructive or justifiably disruptive. Ouchy ouchy! Saturday question—Soooo how do we know if we are right about an issue? Maybe we just think we are right but maybe we are wrong.  How do we decide if we are right or wrong?  Maybe it’s good to stay as lose as a goose!

You think all folks have good and bad in them?  I hope that all of us have good in us. ThePersonNorthOfTown says--Sometimes I wonder about some folks!  I think I know that all of us have some bad in us, sorry to say but do all of us have some good in us! Maybe some have more good than bad in them! Is good and bad in us taught or what? When hiking to Emerald Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park, we came upon two young ladies sitting on a rock eating their snacks while overlooking a beautiful view. We talked to them and found them very pleasant and dynamic and charming. They were past college friends from the East. We told them how neat they were, and they responded—Our mothers taught us well! I have a friend who is great; I think why she is soooo great is that she doesn’t know she is great!!!!  She is always cute (i.e. happy gals are always cuter); she always has a smile from ear to ear!  How can she go wrong with that attitude!

CoachB says—What does the best year of our life look like?  What are the qualities that made that year soooo great?  What did we have? How did we feel? Is this what we are trying to achieve in our life now? Are we chasing after the wind and not pursuing what produces what we want? Again, what was or is the best year of our life? Are we living our life right or wrong? CrazyMarvin says—I have no idea, I’m just living my life a.k.a. kicking the same can down the same road!

JoeTheWorld proclaims—Be like me! Be like me and I will make you beautiful and successful!  We seem to be bombarded continuously by JoeTheWorld doesn’t it. Saturday question—How do we decide what is right or wrong?  I guess that is up to us; we make the decision. It appears that we are encouraged and nudged by folks who we are around.  Look around folks, it’s not rocket science! Da! Isn’t there a saying—Birds of a feather flock together (e.g. radicals flock together).

I read this story while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--The wife of a well-known, brilliant professor once recounted to me a conversation with her future mother-in-law, who gave this advice: “Make sure you don’t compliment him too much. It will go to his head, and he’s already too boastful.” Boatsful or humble, which one is right and which one is wrong?  SmartAleckTrish asks—Does anyone really like to be around boastful folks a.k.a. narcissistic folks)?

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Or is it?  Sometimes we just talk big, but we justify our behavior. Our behavior is okay for us but not for others (i.e. we have two standards). An example is when we complain that a certain group of folks get welfare, but we get large amounts of aid from the government ourselves.  Isn’t that like a double standard? It’s got to be right or wrong; it can’t be both or does it just matter how it affects me (i.e. it’s all about me me me)! Aren’t we something else!  It’s all about the money! 

A friend told me--You’re in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. Or maybe you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing.  Soooo how do we know? It’s sorta kinda like what I saw on the olive oil bottle—you are either a virgin or not a virgin; how can you be extra virgin? Help me here! Sooooo how in the world do we decide what is right or wrong?  There has to be some measuring stick in the sand, doesn’t there. Where does that measuring stick come from. If there is no measuring standard, then there is no right or wrong. JoeSmart says—It seems like everyone has a different measuring stick sooo that means everyone has a different right and wrong!  Saturday question—Can we be a little right and a little wrong? Ouchy ouchy! Can our right and wrong change from day to day?

Generally when we do wrong we end up in a mess! Messes are not good! If you have ever been in a mess, you know that!  Yikes! Sooo why then do we do wrong! And when is the best time to do right, maybe it’s now!  RickyRick says--For us, doing right might look like visiting someone in the hospital, writing a letter to someone who’s lonely, having breakfast with an old friend or being kind to your obnoxious coworker. Whatever right looks like for you, you should do it now. The Bible says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now” (Proverbs 3:27-28). Saturday question—Do you think the Bible is a standard of what is right or wrong? MissPerfect, who always runs downhill with the wind at her back, says--I think I need to do about 1,000 mental squats to get my mind in shape!

I’m totally convinced that we can’t go wrong by showing gratitude. I think it’s a great medicine. It appears that folks who are grateful are always better folks (i.e. that is my opinion). You might think I’m wrong but are you happy?

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  SusieQ says--C’mon erv, everyone knows that.  Then why do soooo many folks not do what is right and not save their time and effort by doing the wrong stuff? Answer me that will ya SusieQ!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Conscience is the small voice you listen to after you tell it what to say.