Plus+

After reading this "It's Saturday", you might need to take some Alkalizer Plus+!

Everyone likes riding in a parade (i.e. like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade)!  But not everyone gets tooooo.  Plus+ it's more fun to be the grand marshal then picking up the horse manure.  But very few get to be grand marshals.  More of us get to pick up horse manure.  Joesixkpack says--We all like things the way we like them.  It's a real plus+ to us when things go the way we want them to go (i.e. even when our way might be wrong). 

Arlene said to me the other day--That person is not nice plus+ they are very obnoxious.  When sweet and tender hearted Arlene notices this and actually says something, this person must be really be a noticeable "stick out"!  Wine drinkers are not "stick outs"!  The reason I know that is 'cause MyBigSister says--Jonah is the only book in the Old Testament that does not have wine or vineyard in it.  Soooo wine must be a plus+ for folks through the ages or she is just justifying her wine drinking. 

SusieQ says--It's not rocket science but just common sense folks.  The average grade is a C.  To get a C in high school (i.e. my opinion) is as easy as falling off a rock.  In college it's about the same.  They want to keep students in college.  Da!  It's all about the money folks.  I volunteer for the Wheaten Fanciscan Healthcare.  I do the orientation for the volunteers.  I have folks from 16 to 80.  These are really good folks a.k.a the cream of the crop (i.e. plus+ plus+ folks).  Why?  I think there are 2 reasons:  1.  Givers have that mentality (i.e. givers are happy folks, takers are never happy).  2. Many of the college age students need volunteer hours to get into post graduate programs in the medical field.  These students are not the C students folks.  They are the students who are motivated and driven.  They are above average and even excellent.  I tell all the volunteers--you don't want to be a C volunteer but you want to be an excellent volunteer.  98% of them will (i.e. they are that good).  One college student told me--On campus the joke is, C is a degree!  AverageJoe says--The problem is a C degree doesn't get you a job.

Talk about the cream of the crop (i.e. some things a guy never forgets).  Years ago, one of our insurance companies we sold for was a small family owned company.  It has been sold probably a couple of times by now.  ANYWAY they always had a golf outing each fall.  Afterwards we had a dinner and the president always told us how they appreciated our business. They had two companies.  One was a sub-standard company (i.e. took business that was sub-standard like folks with OWIs).  He said--We don't want your shit business, we what the cream of your shit business! 

Somethings a guy just doesn't forget.  I was maybe 6 or so.  My Mom, Anna Beatrice Dykema Mellema and I were feeding the chicks at the brooder house.  I said something that was not nice.  She was going to punish me but I ran around the brooder house with her after me.  She couldn't catch me.  Finally she gave up.  Then she played the sly ol' fox by pretending everything was ok and she acted like she forgot about it.  I got tooooo close and she grabbed and and took a stick and gave me a "whale of a whipping".  Ouchy ouchy!  I will never forget that.  That was 60 years ago folks.

FuneralHomeGuy told me--I don't think funerals are as sad as they use to be (ie. not as much crying their make-up off) .  That is from his bird's-eye view.  I asked how come?  He didn't know for sure but our culture has and is changing he said.  Could be.  Maybe our emotions change.  Talk about emotions, a friend went to over eating anonymous and they told her that hunger was only an emotion.  RunningFriend says--Running is an attitude; pain is just an emotion!  Ouchy ouchy!  It's all in your head sooooo suck it up cupcake and let's get going.  Throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch.  We're burning day light here, let's get going.  My Daddy, Chester, use to say--Self-discipline is the best discipline.  Soooo if we can control our emotions it's a plus+ in life.

DuaneTheWorm is a phony plus+.  He is Oscar worthy for his acting.  Sorta kinda like the famous "NBA Floppers".  They are great actors let me tell ya.  Saturday question--Are you phony or are you real?  You should know that answer unless you have been living in la la land for soooo long that reality has totally escaped you (e.g. our government).  But being phony seems to work in our culture.  Sooooo DuaneTheWorm you are in! I don't care what anyone says DuaneTheWorm, you are a phoneyplus+!

You might think this idea is like a plumber's butt but...! Here is a plus+ plus+ idea that just might work.  It appears to get elected (i.e. according to Mitt Romney) you gotta buy the votes.  Sooooo in Iowa the two guys spend about $70 million for their campaign.  Auction off the votes to the middle class and poor.  Once one of the candidates get the needed number of votes, it's done--bingo!.  They don't need to campaign anymore.  This way the money goes directly into the taxpayers hands (i.e. common folks--folks with income of the median Iowa households of $47,177) instead of the corporations who own the newspapers and TV stations.  It's like a direct stimulus package.  There are about 2m registered voters in Iowa.  You only need a majority to win soooo that would be a little over 1m of votes.  1.2 m into $70m is about $58 dollars a vote.  Do you think there could be voters who could be bought for $58?  That $70m would be spent within a week I bet.  Good for the local Iowa economy.  It would not go out of state.  What do you think?  That $70m would buy a lot of Twinkies folks!

Icon cake Twinkies plus+ Ding Dongs plus+ Ho Hos plus+ Zingers are gone!  Hostess is liquidating their assets 'casue of of bankruptcy.  They make them here in Waterloo.  Sad day for many if you are a Twinkie eater.  I have a friend who ate a Twinkie every day at his 9 o'clock coffee break for maybe 20 years (i.e. then he had a heart attach and his doctor told him he had to quite).  Looking at the size of Americans, there could be a lot of eaters of the Hostess products.  I bet they will find a replacement product.  Ya wanta bet.

AverageJoe says--It's maybe a cornucopia of events why stuff happens and why folks don't agree with you.  It's hard to accept sometimes that you are not in the majority group.  Just 'cause you are not in the majority doesn't mean you are wrong.  It just means that more folks don't agree with you.  Plus+ you could be wrong in your thinking toooo.  It was very interesting to me to see what type of person voted for Romney or Obama (i..e. the demographics).  Like black and white, married and not married, single women and married women, young folks and seniors, Evangelical Christians to others, metropolitan folks to rural folks, coast folks to middle American folks, university locations to non university location cities, Latinos to white.  That has to say something doesn't it.  I would like to see statistics as too which party the folks voted for who receive some entitlement from the government, those who have a government job (i.e. those who's incomes or part of their incomes comes directly or indirectly from the government). Also the statistics as to which party those who pay taxes and those who don't.  I have talked to both Democrats and Republicans and many folks are pretty scared as to the future of our great country.  I have said many times and will say it again--It's all about the money folks.  WildWillie says--The Republicans were clearly wrong on a whole range of fronts according to the majority of voters.  To get elected you have to give folks what they want even if you can't.  You just borrow money.  It's politics folks.  The ones who get elected are the folks who just get it.  When you give or promise folks what they want, it helps the party party.  Oh ya!

Joesixpack says--There's no doubt about it, reality affects us.  I think it's just a plus+ if a person can stay focused on what is important.  It's really hard sometimes as the world really tugs at me.  But when certain things happen in our lives, it puts everything in proper perspective.  It happens all the time to me and this last week I talked to others who had reality affect their lives and their thinking.  My mentor use to say--When things are going well, we think they will always go well and when things go bad, we think they will always be bad.  Not soooo but it sure feels that way.  I don't care what the ESPN announcers say, there's no doubt about it, Iowa football isn't very good right now!  ItchieBithcie says--If you don't have the speed in football and like in life, you can't keep up!  Such is life.

MissPerfect says--Make it happen; figure it out!  Step up and be responsible!  It's a big plus+ if you can. But for many, it's easier not to deal with it and just be average.  Just be average.  Just let someone else take care of me.  If you don't take an interest in yourself or have a advocate who does, more than likely, things will not go oh-so-well for you.  The world is moving oh-so-fast that many folks can't keep up or don't want to keep up.  Technology has done some of this.  Folks are going to learn and change or be left behind.  That is a very hard adjustment for many.  That is my opinion.  Some don't want to and some are not capable.  It's easier to just not try; let someone else take care of me (i.e. the government).  It is just too over whelming for many.  And in some cases it's just a lot easier.

I have three questions; 1.  Will Iowa win another football game this year?  2.  Will our decision makers care more about the future of our great country more than about what they do so they can get reelected?  3.  Is my financial situation going to better regardless of what decision our country decides to do about the financial cliff situation?  The answer to all those questions is no, in my opinion.  It's a plus+ if I can accept reality and move on.  Such is life.

Saturday question--Is Thanksgiving just a day thing or is it an attitude?  If you think it's an attitude, it a massive huge plus+ for you (i.e. my opinion).  SusieQ says--Thanksgiving is the day before Black Friday a.k.a. the "granddaddy of all retail shopping days, with a following and fervor in Iowa only second to tailgating before an Iowa-Iowa State football game."  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.

The following is a It's Saturday plus+!  I had the opportunity to get to know this guy from Syria a few years ago.  Our mission committee through our church had the opportunity to have him around us and our community for a week.  He stayed with us in our homes and did speaking in our church and in our communities.  He was and is a Christian leader in Syria.  I sorta kinda keep in touch with him.  This is what he wrote on facebook (i.e. it's about as real and personal as it can get--my opinion):  These days we feel we are burnout. As if we are burning the candle at both ends. We lost strength of keep going because we feel we have nothing left to give, unable to push on, and tapped out emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. In our current turmoil times, it is not surprising that we become psychologically exhausted and feel drained, paralyzed and less ambitious. Our body, mind an...d soul are eating itself. No physical exercises, no getting out, not enough sleeping, too much TV news and facebook, less organized work and less sincere friendship. Sometimes what seems to be strong is very weak. The key issue is not external appearances and maturity rather internal burnout and stress. The world around us is rushing in a high speed towards brokenness, warfare, bloodshed, evilness, atheism, injustice, and self-destruction. The level of social ethics and morale is low. Discipline relationships are corrupted and dried up. Individualism, hypocrisy and mistrust are drastically over-ruling human relationships. Human rules and conducts are upside down. The ceremony of joyful and spiritual life is lost. Even religion is manipulated and used for mean interests. Values of love, compassion, hope, connectedness, consciousness, assertiveness, reconciliation, discipline, faith, fellowship, humility, integrity, mercy, productivity, and spiritual gifts are at stake. We need a divine sign to uplift us from this junk pool. But collective human awareness and efforts are also needed.

direction

I don't know if you guys will gobble this up but...!

'I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells.  Fantasy is necessary ingredient in living.  And it helps develop a sense of humor, which is awfully important in this day and age.'

Joesixpack says--I wonder if we sometimes look in the wrong direction for our help?  Ouchy ouchy!!  MissPerfect says--I just close my eyes when it gets scary.  Years ago when I hunted ducks, we would be looking one way for the ducks to come in (i.e. into the wind) when all of a sudden they would come in from another direction (i.e. not suppose to) and they would completely surprise us.  This reminds me of my most favorite ever ever ever duck hunting story.  My buddy and I were in a boat with our decoys out front.  There were a lot of other boats out there this day.  It was rather a slow day.  When all of a sudden this bunch of ducks start working and coming into our decoys.  We emptied our guns and didn't hit one.  We sat down in the boat rather embarrassed.  Then some one in another boat shouted real loud--You guys couldn't hit a bull in the ass with a scoop shovel.  We laughed too! 

Why men fail (i.e. what's inside their heads)?  I read it in the paper soooo it must be right that financial rewards to education have increased over the past few decades, but men failed to get the memo. To succeed today, you have to be able to sit still and focus attention. You have to be emotionally sensitive and aware of context. You have to communicate smoothly. For genetic and cultural reasons, many men stink at these tasks. Men are rigid; women are more fluid. To succeed you have to be more adaptable to new circumstance and explore new surroundings more enthusiastically. Men are not as flexible and resilient as women. Men have to be less like Achilles, imposing their will on the world, and more like Odysseus, the crafty, many-sided sojourner. They'll have to acknowledge that they are strangers in a strange land. Joesixpack says--It appears that men are not the governors of how to get it done on this issue. Men might have the metal smashed to the floor but don't have the direction right. Such is life.

I noticed...DuaneTheWorm is really full of himself.  He doesn't ever want to be second fiddle.  Flip the pancake, I know some folks who have massive huge hearts and are very real folks (i.e. my kind of folks).  They have the attitude of -- Not being somebody but of making friends with the nobodies.  I think those are the folks who "ringthebell".  I think DuanetheWorm is going the wrong direction.  His attitude makes me feel topsy-turvy!  AverrageJoe says--Some folks just seem to need more attention that others.  Do you think AverageJoe that maybe those type of folks are insecure?

ItchieBitchie says--Don't worry, be happy, Christians!  Don't waste your time responding to atheists and critics of the Holy Scripture--the Bible (i.e. they are going the wrong direction).  God's word has and will always stand the test of time.  Keep in mind this fact:  When all of the naysayers, past, present and future turn to dust and are blowing in the wind, the word of God will remain as eternal truth, until Christ returns.  Until then don't let your heart be troubled, rather sing that uplifting song:  "Don't worry, be happy!" 

Wouldn't it be to bad that we climb the latter of success one painful rung at a time (i.e. killing ourselves) then get to the top of the latter only to find out we have our ladder against the wrong wall (i.e. going in the wrong direction). 

JoeBow says--If you find out you are going in the wrong direction, stop immediately.  I repeat, stop immediately.  Turn around pronto.  Like right now folks.  Make a 180 degree turn now.  It's your decision and remember, decisions have consequences.  Such is life. 

SlamminSamie is big and nasty.  His direction is really questionable.  And he doesn't even know that his direction is questionable.  But, it really depends who is deciding what the correct direction is.  Your direction might be different than my direction.  You might think you are exactly absolutely correct in your direction and others might think you are goin' the wrong way.  Sooooo how do you know then?  SusieQ says--I think his actions are just a cover up folks. A big shindig!  That is what I think.  He knows better but is just a game player.  It's all for attention. 

GeorgeTheCrook is a stubborn as a mule.  It's hard to change his direction.  All the king's horses and all the kings men have tried without any success.  GeorgeTheCrook is stubborn folks.  Really stubborn.  Being stubborn on your direction is good as long as you are going the right direction. 

I taught middle school physical education the other day.  I only had one fight in the locker room.  Not bad.  I asked the girls in the class if they ever fought--ya we do, about we only use words!  At noon I asked if I could sit with 3 sixth graders (i.e. 2 girls and 1 boy) in the cafeteria.  Sure they said.  I had a very enjoyable time with them.  They were really neat kids.  They say they know who the trouble makers are in the class, who the ones are who think they're really hot stuff, who are the true leaders etc (i.e. they already know who the DuaneTheWorms are).  I can be in a class bout a half hour and tell you what direction most of the kids are going.  Oh ya. 

CadillacJack says--One of the virtues of being young is that you don't let the facts get in the way of your imagination a.k.a. fantasy.  GeorgeTheCrook says--If you give folks what they want or even tell them what they want to hear, they like you.  If you can't produce, they seem to not like you.  I like over producers better than over promisers.  BUT in politics it's about whateverworks.  Folks don't seem to figure that out.  Never have and never will.  If your life is going the right direction (i.e. have money in your pocket) everyone is happy.  The direction of our lives can change sooooooo fast and over some strange stuff.  Nate Kaeding said--Football like life is a fragile game.  The difference between being at the top of the NFL's all-time kicking accuracy chart (i.e. which is he) and losing your job can be a few gusts of wind or a slip in the rain-soaked sod.  Such is life. 

Good way to change the direction of a discussion is by changing the conversation.  Time is a good way of helping folks changing the direction tooooo.  Time lets folks forget how mad they were by letting them concentrate on some new problem taking the focus off the old situation.  It works in politics and in anything.  The press is real good at this.  Just change the subject (e.g. same sex marriage in Iowa or Benghazi assault in Libya).  WildWilly says--erv, be light on the trigger!  JoeBlow says--It's only weird if it doesn't work. It's only weird if others don't agree. It's only weird if the folks don't agree with you about the direction you are going. Yabut JoeBlow, if it's not weird (i.e. accepted by the majority) doesn't necessarily mean it's right.

Sometimes stuff comes sooo fast that if you don't know the direction it's coming from, you will miss it (e.g. the T-38 Talon jets doing the fly over at the Iowa/Purdue game last Saturday @ 400 knots honoring our veterans).  Zooooom and they're gone.  Ya can't be picking your nose or or picking your seat or you will miss them. 

Come on!  I watched a little of the Bears Texans game Sunday night.  I saw the hit that Tim Dobbins put on Jay Cutlar.  TV showed a close up of Cutlar after the hit.  I could see immediately that he had a concussion.  I could; sooo if I could why can't the doctors, coaches and trainers on the field.  He played until half time!  Da!  "It was good that he was out," Dobbins said. "You always want to take the quarterback out of the game. I hit him in his chest. I did not hit him in his head. Nowhere near."
Bears players disagreed.  "That was ridiculous," center Roberto Garza said. "You shouldn't hit players in the head."  I wonder if this is all sooooo good folks.  It seems to be part of the direction Americans love.  Dobbins got fined $30,000. 

I got to know Bruce sitting at a state BB tournament game maybe 5 or 6 years ago.  I really respect what this guy says (i.e. has creditability with me).  He's right on target on what he stands for and what he does.  Is that integrity?  I think soooo.  Anyway we communicated this week about an athlete.   Bruce said this--"Goes right back to character Erv. You can not measure that part of life but it was the difference for..."(i.e. this person).  Character  without a doubt is a big part of the direction our lives will gooooo!  No question folks.  Many think it's luck or catching a break but almost always character and attitude are big components in our success (i.e. what ever you consider success is).  Hard work and determination don't hurt either.  Such is life.

I went and saw Skyfall this week (i.e. 143 minutes of pure fantasy).  It was tooo much fantasy for Arlene.  She didn't want to see it.  It was a typical James Bond 007 movie.  Pure fantasy.  I guess folks needed some fantasy after all the political action and all the fiscal cliff talk.  Skyfall took in $87.8m for the weekend.  That seems like a lot of money or is it my fantasy!!!  I walked out with a guy who said to me--Wow was that good.  I have seen all the James Bond movies and this was the best.  Man was that good!  Soooo there you go folks.  What more can I say.  Pure fantasy!  Gobble gobble!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Whatever ya do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto man.

harpers vs encouragers

You might think this "It's Saturday" is just mule feed.  Hey, mules gotta eat too!  Soooo let's make some hay!  'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that matter - don't mind... and those that mind - don't matter.'

Saturday question--Are you a grumbler, bellyacher, crabber, quarreler, squawker, quibbler or a person who endures, tolerates, cheers, applauds, and commends?

A couple weeks ago I taught 5th grade.  That is something that I never did before (i.e. a new experience).  ANYWAY I felt like I harped a lot.  I kept saying--Be quiet be quiet be quiet!  And I don't think my harping had an impact on them as they just kept being noisy!  Maybe I was tooooo nice.  I guess if I was a full time teacher I would get that corrected.  I heard an experienced teacher taking them to physical ed say--Be quiet and get in line real loud.  They responded. 

Have you ever thought maybe you were a harper to your kids or wife or husband or employees or friends?  Do folks like to be around harpers do you think?  I think not!  They are sorta kinda a drag to be around.  Are uplifting folks more fun to be around?  I think soooooo!  Were your parents harpers?  Are you like your parents?  Are you constantly lecturing to your kids?  Did your parents helicopter over you all the time?  Is helicoptering over kids a good thing or a bad thing do you think?  It's sorta kinda like harping isn't it.  MissPerfect says--YaBut if you don't keep after them, they just won't get there.  Such is life.

At some point the kids start hovering over their parents.  I went for a long bike ride on the Cedar Valley trails the other day.  It was 43 degrees but really wasn't bad at all.  I saw only 3 other bikers who were also crazy seniors.  I wanted to make a call on my cell but there was a message on the screen about a web site.  Did I want it or not.  I didn't want it but couldn't get the darn thing off my screen.  Sooo I decided when I saw the next young person, I would ask them for help.  The next guy was about 30 and  he was playing on his iPhone sooooo I asked him if he could help me.  He looked at my phone and said--I haven't seen one of these phones for years!  I can't help you!  I think he thought my flip phone went well with my AZ cap, my nylon running pants with rubber bands around the ankles to keep them out of the chain, and my brown jersey cotton gloves.  I bet he shuck his head and laughed after I left.  He didn't know but I had a good laugh toooo!  Such is life.

GeorgeTheCrook says--You ever feel like you are always harping about something.  Nutten is ever right.  You are always gripping.  Always gripping. Always nagging!  You never are an encourager but always negative.  I like to get compliments.  Do you?  If folks are shown appreciation, I think they will actually try harder to please you.  You will have a better relationship.  Joesixpack says--Yabut some folks need correction as they don't make very good judgements.  That is true Joesixpack but they don't seem to know that sooooooo somehow a suggestion needs to be made with a positive spin.  Is that possible do you think?

They say it takes many positive sayings to offset a negative statement to a child or an adult (i.e. 5 positive to each negative statement).  Many folks seem to put a slam on everything they say to everyone especially family instead of a positive twist.  Some folks can say something with a positive twist to something negative and it works much better and it much more accepted.  And some can't. 

Some parents are always harping--Don't don't don't.  Do you think that gets old and non productive?  I think sooooo!  My parents, Chester and Anna, gave us kids a lot of responsibility and let us make many decisions at a young age.  We also got to suffer the consequences at an early age.  I don't know if that was planned or just happened.  Maybe it was part of the big plan as my parents died when us kids were pretty young.  Maybe it was to be that way.  I don't know.  I don't remember our folks harping a lot at us.  I sometimes wish they would have more.  I wish they would have pushed me more like to study more or have higher expectations.  They just seemed to let us ramble along.  I had great parents who taught me a lot, a whole lot but we sorta kinda learned it from their example and not from any harping I think.  But they made us do certain things even if we didn't want to.  And they were firm disciplinarians. Is that good or bad?

I read it in the paper sooooo it must be right that if enough folks tell a person that they don't look well, the person will actually think they are not well.  I wonder if enough folks say positive stuff to a person if that person will respond accordingly.  You think sooooo?  Here is an experiment to try.  Make an attempt to say 5 positive things to a certain person each day for a week.  See if they change how they respond to you.  For some folks, this would make the other person wonder what is going on especially if you never say anything positive to the other person but just are a haprer (i.e. might think you are cuckoo).  Try it. 

I have a friend who's wife tells him--before you says something to others, big dog, say it to yourself three times.  Now that might work.  Maybe we won't say such things that we wish we would not have said.  Good idea smart lady.  Maybe lighten up the situation instead of harping might work toooo.  Make fun of it and not be soooo serious (i.e. don't get soooo offended).  Maybe if we can take a jab and not react with another jab life might be better tooo (i.e. don't go for the juggler all the time).  Or best yet, just keep our mouth shut.  Don't say anything.  Now I bet that would work sometimes instead of saying something stinging back.  Ever wonder if maybe you are wrong sometimes and the other person is right?  I'm going to try these things.  Yes I am. 

When the kids were young and we were traveling in our mini van, sometimes Arlene and I would sorta kinda get after each other about directions.  They hated our disputes and would go as far back in the van as they could.  I don't think kids like their parents always being at each other.  I don't enjoy being around couples who are always jabbing, arguing, disagreeing, up shooting each other.  You get two strong personalities going after each other, well, it ain't pretty folks.  It gets real old to me (i.e. sorta kinda like the presidential debates).  Such is life.

I hope you don't think I'm harping here folks.  It's to be an encouragement.  Rocky says--Mortification means killing the very roots of self-love; pride and possessiveness, anger and violence, ambition and greed in all their disguises, however respectable those disguises may be, whatever uniforms they wear.  In fact, it really means the entire transformation of our personal, professional and political life into something more consistent with our real situation as small dependent, fugitive creatures; all sharing the same limitations and inheriting the same half-animal past.  That may not be very impressive or unusual; but it is the foundation of all genuine spiritual life...wherever we find people whose spiritual is robust and creative, we find that in one way or another this transformation has been effected and this price has been paid.

'We're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness -- and call it love -- true love.'  Talk about donkeys and elephants.  We have friends who are married; one is a stanch Democrat and the other a stanch Republican.  They are both active and vocal.  Can you believe that!  I don't know another couple who are this bi-polar but yet get along sooooo well (i.e. it appears).  They don't seem to harp at each other.  They are definitely unique.  I wonder if there will be some harping now that the election is over.  I hope there is no--I told you soooooo!

Just remember what ItchieBitchie says--Voting is like a jar of Jalapeno peppers--what you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--One person can start a quarrel, but it takes two to keep it going.

inside my head

Warning:  You ask, what am I saying?  I ask, what are you hearing?  MissPerfect hears but doesn't hear the same stuff as I do!  MissPerfect sees but doesn't see the same stuff as I do!   The gap between more and enough never chances folks.  It just doesn't.  It seems like it doesn't matter who is President.  Such is life.

I wish. I wish I wish!  I sometimes get in my head that others have it better than I do. I wish...! I do. I shouldn't but I wish...!  I wish sometimes that things would be different (i.e. have you ever thought that).  The reality is that I  just think shallow sometimes.  My thoughts sometimes make me sad! Sad inside my head at times.  Maybe my sadness doesn't show on the outside but I am sad on the inside sometimes.  You might not have any idea what's going on in my head!  You maybe just don't.  I might be sorta kinda like DuaneTheWorm when he butteres your back when you are with him and berates you when you are away. 

I"m working on hitting my third shot just over the net when playing pickle ball (i.e. BigPete says I have to do it as all the good players do it).  It was all in my head that I couldn't do it.  I have worked on it a little and I have some hope.  Sometimes I get something in my head and it creates a problem.  I just got to work at it and it amazes me what I can do and get better at if I get the right thoughts in my head. 

We are putting in a fairway water system in our golf course.  We are doing it with volunteer help.  We have EngineerJim and EngineerPaul and the rest of us are just grunt workers.  ANYWAY I was working beside a guy who I didn't know very well.  I asked him how old he was--73.  When did you start playing golf--age 50.  Then after a while he said--I play a lot with my brother.  He does things and says things that just get in my heard.  I play some with a guy who is a game player (i.e. he is always trying to get in guys' heads with his actions and his sayings).  I don't think he affects me (i.e. at least consciously).  What is funny to me is that he can dish it out but can't take it (i.e. he gets mad if someone tries to get in his head).  Such is life.

Happenstance, na, I don't think sooooo folks!  This guy got inside my head.  When working on the fairway water system, one of my golf buddies (i.e. sorta kinda out of the blue) said in front of several workers--I am really blessed; really blessed!  He really made me think.  I am really blessed; really blessed toooooo!  I have the life of Riley.   

Do you think there is anyone who totally understands you?  I doubt it folks.  There is no such animal who can totally understand you.  No way!  I heard SusieQ talking to herself (i.e. pretty much a one way conversation) and I really think no one can understand her.  No one, I mean no one, knows what is going on in her head.  Some folks might but really they don't.  Even if you explain to them what's going on in your head, they still really don't understand!  They really don't.  They can't.  Everyones situation is somewhat different (i.e. not exactly the same).  That's why no one can understand what's totally going on in your head. 

JoeBow says I like what's going on in my head.  I really like it.  I don't want to give it up.  I'm very comfortable with my thoughts.  My thoughts are the most favorite thing in the whole wide world--ever ever ever ever?  What is your most favorite thing in your head.  I mean in the whole wide world--ever ever ever ever?  I know some folks who have some strange thoughts in their heads (i.e. from my perspective).  But they love their thoughts and don't want to give them up.  The extreme Republicans and the extreme Democrats are good examples (i.e. it appears that they have a constant buzz in their head). Iowa is a swing state they say.  I think we should spend more tax economical development dollars each year creating it to be a swing state in each Presidential election.  It has brought in millions and millions and millions of dollars to our state.  I think we need to develop this situation.  It's a cheap and effective way to stimulate our economy each 4 years.  Ya gotta be innovative.  This is a slam dunk folks!

Socrates in 399 BC was executed by drinking a hemlock 'cause folks didn't understand what was going on in his head.  The folks of Athens thought he was corrupting the youth and expressing his ideas against those of Athens.  Socrates said--From the deepest desires often comes the deadliest hate.  I had an acquaintance tell me that she lost all hope in her life (i.e. folks didn't understand what was going on in her head--they just didn't understand).  BUT little by little she started getting a little hope back (i.e. by different folks encouraging her, Christian music, God's promises and etc).  There is no medicine like hope, no incentive soooooo great and no tonic soooo powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.  She changed her stinkin' thinkin'!

The old saying "Pressure can break a pipe" is true.  Oh that pressure of life.  Joesixpack says--A guy has to weave, bob and duck that pressure or it will kill ya.  Oh ya!  Pressure can be like a punch to the gut! Perchance you have experienced some pressure.  Maybe just maybe pressure we apply is inside our head (e.g. we what perfect perfection which can't happen).  President Franklin D. Roosevelt told his son Elliott in 1941--There has never been, there isn't now and there never will be, any race of people on earth fit to serve as masters over their fellow men.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."- Steve Jobs

Jealousy a great motivator a friend just told me.  It is also the cause of many many problems.  It's mostly about money that folks are jealous about.  That is what he said.  He's a smart guy soooooo listen up folks.  I catch myself comparing sometimes.  There is nutten good that ever comes out of it.  I try real hard to get it out of my head but it rattles around inside of my head sometimes.  Ouchy ouchy!

I got it in my head that I wanted to buy a kayak.  Sooooo I started to do some looking around at new and used kayaks.  I asked folks who have kayaks what they thought.  I got some good advice.  Here is some of it--get a long one as they are easier to keep straight but the shorter ones are easier to turn--are you sure you can get a kayak on top of you car by yourself--be careful as you need to buy all the equipment that goes with it and it might cost more than you think.  I talked to a guy at a major sports store and he give me some neat advice--He said he sells about 500 each year.  Most of the folks use them about 3 times and then don't use them and then sell them for half price (i.e. in their head they thought it was going to be more fun that they thought).  He suggested I do research and get all the advice I can and then make a decision (i.e. maybe even rent one to make sure you want to do it).  He also said his granddad gave him this advice--Get all the information you can but just keep the information that applies to you; get rid of the rest.  I have gotten it out of my head--I'm not buying a kayak (i.e. at least not right now).  Such is life.

Maybe it's just inside my head?  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.   How silly idolatry is! Someone cuts a log in two and cooks dinner with one half while worshiping the other. Stupid! But are we really different? We still bow before things humans have made. Can we see our own foolishness? We buy things thinking we own them. Instead they really own us. We pay for them, maintain them, store them, insure them, move them around, and finally throw them out. When hard times come things are powerless to help us.

SusieQ asks--Are  you tired of being tired?  My advice is to get some advice!  I had the opportunity to be involved in a business meeting recently where there were two female college students.  They might have equal intelligence and might have the same work ethic (i.e. I don't know about that).  But what a difference in their demeanor.  One was dressed business casual and the other in a sloppy tee shirt.  One was very poised and receptive.  The other sniffed loudly 4 times, redid her hair twice, blew bubbles with her bubble gum and adjusted her bra cups twice.  Their was a massive huge difference in their demeanor folks.  And I don't think it's in my head.  I believe the one person's mannerisms put her at a disadvantage.  What do you think?  This gal needs some advice to change her mannerisms (i.e. my opinion).

ItchieBitchie says--I don't like outliers.  It causes a lot of self doubt.  It's ok if you're wrong if everybody else is wrong with you.  It's not ok to be wrong if you're the only one wrong (i.e. inside the bubble).  It's what is inside your head that matters anyway.  It doesn't really matter what is really right or wrong.  It's if you think you're right then that is what's really matters to you.  And if you have already made up your mind what is right, there isn't much use in discussing it.  You have already have it inside your head.  But sometimes a guy can get thrown for a loop by being brainwashed. Oh ya!

We were in contact with a young man about 35 who we haven't seen for maybe 12 years.  He reminded my of his story of how a person tried to get in his head.  His high school guidance counselor told him that he was not college material and he should just find a job.  He got a BA and is now a high executive in a technology company managing massive huge projects and have many many folks under his supervision.  Soooo why didn't he listen to his high school guidance counselor and just lay down and die?  Not 100% certain but I think it had to do with what's in his head, the motivation of his siblings and good parenting by his parents.  I think soooo.  Sooooo the moral of the story, don't let others get in your head and destroy your dreams.  They might have a head problem of their own.  Ouchy ouchy!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--It's usually better to work on the construction gang than the wrecking crew.

Dumpster

GeorgeTheCrook says--Language is the expression of thought. Every time you speak or write, your mind is on parade. O'MY! Start the band as the parade is beginning folks. 

Joesixpack says--Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have.  Are you content with what you have?  Really!  I have to admit that I'm pretty content.  Our neighbor passed away (i.e. she was a nice lady and appeared to be content).  She had a comfortable house and it was furnished comfortably as well.  But much of her stuff and much of our stuff will end up in the same spot.  In the dumpster.  Who wants it.  It was good enough for us but no one wants it.  Our kids don't want it, you can't sell it, and you can't even give it away.  Soooo it goes in the dumpster.  We live in a very affluent society.  If it's not a big screen HD, you can set it on the curb with a sign--free but no one wants it.  Such is life.

It seems we have a massive huge problem here folks.  A gal who works at a clinic told me that in the medical area it appears there is a problem with determining what a need is as compared to what's a want is (i.e. entitlement or a privilege).  There are folks who are given free medical care (i.e. sometimes just a want instead of a need) but have to pay a co-pay of $4 but say they don't have the $4 but have an iPod5 and a $40 nail job.  Sooooo how do we change that dumpster mentality anyway?  I read in the paper sooooo it must be right that Howard Buffet said at the Iowa Hungry Summit--1/6 of all Americans don't know where they're going to get their next meal.  But yet we have sooooo much food thrown away each day and the majority of Americans are obese.  How are we going to change that dumpster mentality anyway. 

He said ya gotta get your mind out of the dumpster.  I talked to a friend who is a caregiver for his wife.  He has been her caregiver for 6 years and has a very limited ability to get out of the house. He and I went for breakfast the other day.  I asked him how he does it.  He said--You got to train your mind.  And then you think you have your mind trained, all of a sudden it ricochets all over the place.  Dreams and reality are not the same. But ya gotta do what you gotta do and then do it.  But!  Sooooo Brother, what's the most difficult?  Not having someone to talk too.  SusieQ says--That is why we like to put things we don't much care for out of site--out of site out of mind.  Now that could be SusieQ.  Could easily be.  The other day I talked to a lady who was recently widowed.  She told me that you learn real quick that it is a couple's world.  You can't live through your kids; you got to learn to adapt and move on the best you can; learn to take care of yourself.  I think this gal will do just fine in spite of her husband dieing.  Soooooo it is in most things as my brother said--you gotta train your mind; you got to do what you have to do and do it.  Such is life.

It said in the paper soooo it must be right--Your chances of reaching age 100 could be better than you think - especially if you get some additional sleep and improve your diet.  To live to 100 they say ya gotta get proper sleep and eat a balance diet.  71% of the centenarians - say they get eight hours or more of sleep each night. By contrast, only 38% of boomers say they get the same amount of rest. And when it comes to eating right, more than eight in 10 centenarians say they regularly consume a balanced meal, compared with just over two-thirds (68%) of baby boomers.  How to reach 100? Centenarians point to social connections, exercise and spiritual activity as some of the keys to successful aging (i.e. attitude).  Such is life. 

Arlene and I had dinner at the TX Road house the other night (i.e. I like eating there).  ANYWAY our waitress came over when we were almost done and asked--one ticket or two.  We both looked at her sorta kinda strange.  In WaitressHolly's eyes, we must of looked like we weren't married for 44 years but were having an affair or dating or just living together or something.  Is that the image the younger generation thinks?  But maybe some married folks each pay for their own (i.e. like a new way of living that we don't know about).  Could be!  Alan, tell us who a guy should marry--Who should you marry? -- You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming. -- Alan, age 10  Maybe Alan, that's why sooooo many marriages end up in the dumpster.  Could be.

Saturday question--Who is the majority and who is the minority?  If you are hiring an employee, looking for a mate, selecting a banker, who you would like your children to marry, who you would like for a boss, or selecting a good friend, would you rather have a honest person, a crook, a game player, a person with integrity, a cheater, a person of high moral values, someone with dumpster thinking or a doitrightperson.  Where do you find the folks with high standards?  Someone you can trust?  Do some groups of folks meet the highstandardmarks more than others?  You know, the good ones. You surely can't be interested in being around the folks that have bad moralBO or bad ethicalBO or have a bad meonlyBO or a bad compromisingBO, or acheatingBO.  So are you in the majority or the minority?  Really! What kind of person do you want next to you anyway?

I watched the guy who picked up the dumpster at our neighbors.  I was interested how they load those dumpsters.  But what really got my attention was he sorta kinda went through the dumpster looking for stuff maybe he wanted or could sell.  He set aside a few items.  Soooooo our neighbor's stuff was worth more to him than to others obviously.  Or, FredTheDumpsterguy just has a house and sheds full of stuff that no one wants but he thinks has value (i.e. stuff tooooo good to throw away but no one wants).  Such is life.

WildWillie says--I'm 100% certain that all of my stuff some day will end up in the dumpster.  100% certain.  100% is everything WildWillie.  Are you sure?  My wife says that all my stuff is outdated and out of style but, hey, I like it (i.e. I'm content).  My mentor use to say--You can't tell a guy's net worth by how he dresses but you can by how his wife dresses.  Soooo WildWillie, if you are content, enjoy life.  If 100% of  your stuff some day goes in the dumpster, sooooo be it.  "Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses."~George Washington Carver~  Not 100% WildWillie but 99% sooooo maybe only 99% of your stuff will go in the dumpster.  100% seems like a lot to me! I think you over exaggerating it by saying 100%.  I can understand 99%!!!!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Faith in Jesus Christ--If you demand logic it makes no sense. If you are a cynic you call it “slaughterhouse religion” and throw it in the dumpster. If you’re into self-worship, it’s all too much out there. But if you’re troubled by the evil you find within yourself, or burdened by remembered sins, you fall on your knees in grateful wonder.

ItchieBitchie says--He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. 
 

Ya just know

Socrates was put on trial for treason.  He said I know more than the people who are judging me.  I know nothing and they don't know that they don't know nothing yet!  Such is life.

This reminded me of the presidential debates.  I saw a huge massive billboard by Kearney, Nebraska on I-80 advertising Pioneer Village.  It said--They had 5,000,000 satisfied visitors.  How do they know that.  Sounds sorta kinda speculative to me.  Ya just know they can't be accurate.  Sorta kinda like the promises I hear at the debates.  Somethings you just know stuff  is a bunch of hooey and sometimes you just know stuff is true 'cause you heard it from a cousin of a co-worker's sister's uncle's best friend's son-in-law's niece's hairdresser's neighbor's ex-boyfriend's oldest nephew (i.e. is's gotta be right then).  

After you have been around folks for some time, ya just know what they are going to say and do (i.e. pretty predictable).  No surprise.  That's just the way they are (i.e. and us too).  And if you know folks very well, you know why they act the way they do and say the things they do.  As my mentor use to say--We are programed by our past much like a computer is programed.  AverageJoe asks--Sooooo is that our character then?  Is our character constantly changing do you think?  Can you and I change our character?  Can we change to become more like some one's character that we would like to be more like?  What do you think? 

MissPerfect says--My normal might not (i.e. more than likely) be the same as your normal.  I'm not sure that any of us understand why some folks act the way they do, but they seem to always do the right thing even if it's not what others would do and maybe not the most popular.  Hey, I know folks like that and I really like them.  Sooooo why do they act that way and others react just the opposite.  Two brothers might be just the opposite or two sisters.  Now think about this--you go to a meeting and if you know the folks pretty good, you know who is going to complain, talk, object, criticize, praise, have a solution, go overboard, have wisdom, say things that you will wonder about, drag the meeting on forever without really saying much or knowing much, say nutten, say very little, get it figured out, don't have a clue what's going on etc (i.e. and they know how we are going to act too).  And for the most part, you know that before you go to the meeting.  Ya just know it.  Huh, interesting. 

Negative folks are just negative folks and positive folks are just positive folks.  No getting around it. Ya just know who they are.  Complainers are just complainers and doers are just doers.  Folks who do little just do little and folks who do a lot just plain do a lot. Some folks just talk about it while the others have it done before the others get done talking.  Ya know that.  Ya just know who all those folks are. 

And ya just know who the fakers, phonies, and smoke blowers are (i.e. DuaneTheWorms of the world).  It doesn't take no brain scientist to figure those folks out.  Ya just know!  Ya know who the real folks are with the huge massive hearts (i.e. my kind of folks).  Ya just know!  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 the time.

Ya just know it.  We were in Costco in Littleton, CO last weekend.  I was waiting for our family (i.e. patiently).  There was a gal standing beside me waiting too (i.e. about 30 or soooo).  I said to her--you have some important cargo in your cart (i.e. she had her little baby boy).  She said--I sure do; he is sooooo precious--how old is he--6 months--what's his name--Benjamen--that's a nice name; is there a special reason why you named him that?--it's a Bible name and we liked it--Are you a Christian?--yes we are--Are you--yes we are--do you have family--yes, those over there are our family; children are frustrating at times but parenting is the most joyous think we have ever done--we just are soooo blessed with little Benjamen and are sooooo happy.  Then her husband came and I said--I am soooo happy for you guys.  I said I had to go.  The gal stuck out her hand and shock my hand.  Huh, interesting.

SusieQ says--Some folks seem like they are always living in Pleasentville and others are always living in Dumbsville). Ya just know when tragedy (i.e.speed bumps) strikes how folks will react (i.e. pretty much anyway).  Ya just know when good stuff happens to folks how they will react (i.e. pretty much anyway).  If you know folks well enough, you probably won't be surprised.  Our character, what we believe in, our personality, our heart, our mind are all developed through the years by many things (i.e. genetics and environment).

Change is hard.  All change is hard.  Ya all know that.  JoeBlow says--It's hard to change your spouse, child, pastor, president, neighbor, self, parents, siblings, besides trying to change folks from a a different culture or part of the world.  It can be done.  Money, power, world success seem to get folk's attention to change them.  With jr high girls, it's being in the group (i.e. the elite group considers themselves the best, but we know they aren't!).  I guess that works for women of all ages even when they are seniors.  Many who want to be the elite group and will change to be there (i.e. will almost do anything to be popular and be part of the so called elite group).  Ya just know who they are.  But I think folks (i.e me included) can change).  I think if we really want to change we can but we really really have to want to.  If we really don't want to, we won't.  That's my opinion. 

I know folks who are very powerful and rich who are very good folks.  I know folks who are powerful and rich who are jerks.  I know folks who are not very powerful nor rich who are very good folks.  I know folks who are not very powerful nor rich who are jerks.  Soooooo folks, power and money does not make the person who they are.  It has to be something inside of them.  Inside their heart and mind.  There is something intangible that make those folks good and not sooooo good.  Ya just know jerks and ya just know the good folks. It doesn't take to long to figure that out.  But again ya have to be careful as everyone has a different measuring stick as to who is a jerk and who is a good person (i.e. or do they).  Such is life.

Sometimes we get to a point where we think we know everything and plan our lives that way (i.e. ya just know it all).  But then something happens which we have no control over that reminds us once again that we are not in charge of the universe.  JaneTheOlsen says--My parents remember the letters that used to follow announcements in the church bulletin: "The church picnic will be next Saturday, DV. "DV" stood for Deo volente, "God willing."  Arlene's Mom, Cora, use to say to me a lot--If God is willing.  I sorta kinda laughed at that.  But now I understand it more.  That is what age does maybe.  Does wisdom come with age?  Socrates once said--True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.  Huh, interesting.

CadillacJack says--Ya just know it's time to quite something or give it up (i.e. make a change).  Or you know it's time to start something or move on.  Ya just know.  It's just not working out the way you are currently doing it (i.e. self-evaluation).  Sorta kinda knowing when it's time to have knee or hip replacement.  They say ya just know it.

Ya just know that you have no idea what Joesixpack is going to do next (i.e. he's a real character).  He is sooooo unpredictable.  One thing you do know is that you don't know what he is going to do.  You know that 'cause that the way he has always been.  I had a friend say to me in church recently--I like being a little different than all the others a.k.a being a little weird! 

You just know the answer already but...Who/what dominates the presidential election?  The paper says that about $1,000,000,000 will be spent on campaigning.  Now that's a lot of money.  Where does that money come from?  1. Poor black folks 2. Poor white folks 3.  Middle class Americans 4. The rich white folks.  Well it doesn't take no rocket scientist to figure that out.  Why do the big givers give to both parties?  Da! 

Talent is God-given, be humble. Fame is man-given, be grateful. Conceit is self-given, be careful.
~John Wooden~  You just know!  GeorgeTheCrook said this about his wife--I married Miss Right but didn't know her first name was Always!  It didn't take long to flush that out of her let me tell ya! 

ItchieBitichie says--I can't understand some one's character who is a big advocate for saving all the pets but is pro-abortion.  That person's character seems a little shallow to me.  What do you think?  Maybe they have a peek-a-boo character. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--There plenty of rules for attaining success, but none of them works unless you do.

Dude, come on!

Joesixpack says--erv, your "It's Saturday" is both good and original, but the part that is good is not original and the part that is original is not good.  Soooooo just remember, you get what you pay for folks.  Here is a cavalcade of thoughts. 

LukcieEddie says--I think it's funny that he thinks he's funny but he's not funny but just thinks he's funny.  Dude come on! I have several folks who don't understand my humor. I bet there are many others as well. There are some folks' humor that I don't think is funny either. I just don't understand their humor. It's just not funny to me. I guess we are not on the same page or maybe not compatible as far as humor goes. They say stuff that they think is humorous and I don't see the hummer in it or at least it doesn't touch my funny bone. Sooooooooo Dude, some of my humor in "It's Saturday" you might not think is funny while I do. That's okay I guess. Sooooo don't get soooo excited about it, ok? It's only written stuff. Relax! Come on Dude!

You think sooooo Dude?  Last Sunday a guy said to me at church.  I only come once a month and that being on communion Sunday.  I know there is all there is really to know as I have studied it and read about it.  But, I come for Communion just in case I missed something and to cover my tracks!  That is what he said.  I said--It's good that you are here then!

Hey Dude, if you like it or not some of you are on the backsideofyourlife!  Or as a gal said in SS, she is in her sunset years.  Just rollin' down the hill to the canyon below.  You can have a face lift, paint your toenails, dye your hair, have your cataracts removed, and fix your varicose veins but you are still rollin' down the hill.   Be ready for the crash at the bottom of the canyon.  It's a coming Dude!  We are all terminal. We are at the short end of the stick.  Soooo what's your thanatopsis?  As LittleBoyPete always asks--Are we there yet?  LittleBoyPete, we are not.  You will probably hear some ruckus roars and cockeyed stares when we arrive!  Oh ya!  MissPerfect says--The long and short of it is the longer your waistline the shorter your lifeline.

Dude, come on! I'll have you know, sir, that I cannot be bought.  However if you want to rent me for a while, that's another story!  Now that we know what you are, all we have to do is negotiate a price for the rent.  Dude, I'm cow'nt on ya!  Mooooo!  And that ain't no bull!

Dude, come on!  Why do you, when talking about yourself, maximize your supposedly good stuff about yourself and minimize your supposedly bad stuff?--Well, I like to be accepted by folks and be important soooo I can be part of the elite group (i.e. be the big cheese).--Dude, who is the elite group anyway that you want to  be part of?--You know, the social elite, the powerful, the shakers, the folks with all the new clothes, new cars etc.--Sooooo you think that will make you happier?  Do you think you will ever be happy Dude.  Dude, come on!  John Koedyer says--My wife and I like to watch a British program on PBS called Keeping Up Appearances. “The lady of the house,” as she calls herself, is always trying to impress others and cover up the blemishes and blunders of her family. It’s human nature to “keep up appearances” despite what our real circumstances might be.  Soooo there you go, we have the answer folks!  Such is life.

Dude, I do know that you can't over exaggerate the greatness of God. Impossible.

Step it up Dude! Come on Dude! Ya gotta do better.  Hey Dude, I like your heart and your attitude but don't much care for your crazy mannerisms.  MissPerfect says--If folks would point out his crazy mannerisms, Dude can change them and get along much better in life.  But if no one lets him know, well, he doesn't have the advantage of ever changing (i.e. a pro golfer changed one of his disturbing mannerisms in his pre-swing routine as someone told him about it--MPO, he needs to change a few more).  Mannerisms can be changed.  I recently saw a gal who I haven't seen for maybe 8 years.  I remember her as just a real common looking gal.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  She had a modern hair cut, lost some weight, and had some attractive cloths on! Wow, has she changed.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Well, folks can change their mannerisms too if they want tooo (i.e. if they know they have distracting mannerisms).  Mannerisms can be changed.   

Joesixpack says--When I see KnowItAllRoy, I run the other direction.  Dude, you have proven me wrong.  Thanksamillion Dude.  Dude proved to me that not everyone sees folks the same.  I always thought that everyone sees folks the same but maybe they don't. Example--You take a radical Democrat and racial Republican, they cannot understand how the other can think the way they do.  No way!  The radical Democrat will be considered a wise person in his circle of other radical Democrats and the same for the radical Republican.  A person who is radical in believing a certain position, just can't understand the other but in their racial circles, they are understood.  I don't know for sure if they are understood outside their circles. Such is life.  IMPO I think the national debt can be compassionately reduced.  But there will have to be compromises.  BUT you can't get elected by taking things away from folks (i.e. ya got to tell 'em what they want to hear like I'm working to reduce your taxes).  If that is true, how in the world will the national debt ever get reduced?  No one wants their free lunch taken away from them.  They want more free stuff.  Soooo it appears Houston, we have a problem.  AverageJoe says--It helps to keep life in proper perspective.  Your perspective often depends on whom you associate with.

MPO is that the current trek the good ol' U.S. of A is on, we are heading full speed for the cliff (i.e. backsideofournation).  I would call our condition of the union abominable.  We need to make a change of plans but unless something really majorly bad happens, it ain't going to happen; it just won't Dudes (i.e. as my brother-in-law said to me over the phone the other day--we are on a slippery slope--he just had knee replacement and was all doped up soooo...).  And what is really scary, it appears that the good ol' U. S. of A is the prettiest horse in the clue factory.  Ouchy ouchy!  Hey but listen, many nations, empires, ruling leaders before us failed too.  It has happened before.  The Persians, Babylonians, Geeks and the Romans thought they had it all figured out one time too.  Maybe the U.S. being on the tippy-top is just on a sugar-high!  Could be Dudes.

Dude, I have a question for you.  I think I had 3 real special experiences with God.  But I wonder if I really have.  Maybe they were just emotional times when I just thought this feeling.  Maybe I just saw the Emperor's Clothes.  Maybe the timing was right for me to feel this way.  How do I know for sure Dude?  I called a friend and asked him if he has ever had special experiences with God.  He said--I think soooo but I wonder sometimes if they were just emotional situations.  Sooooo I'm not just weird then?  He didn't think sooooooo but didn't know for sure!!!!

Dude, come on!  I went to see a young friend participate in a school activity recently.  I was disappointed in this person's effort (i.e. did not maximize their talent).  This person is very talented but used about 70% of their ability.  Looked lazy to me.  Ouchy ouchy!  It hurt me.  Maybe its 'cause I'm not a super talented person and had to fight and be a survivor just to be average.  Soooo when I see a super talented person not using their ability it makes me mad.  Maybe I'm envious.  That could be.  Dude, come on, get your butt off the couch and get after it.  You have been given talent sooooo use it to 110%.  Don't be a coaster.  Okay?  If you have a talented person who has a 110% attitude, wow, you really have something.  Then if you add a good heart to that equation, wow, it's dynamite, just dynamite folks.  Dynamite!

Hey Dude, have you ever prayed about anything?  It was our little grand daughter, Erin's 5th birthday recently.  Heather told me that when they were leaving for her party at a park, it looked like it was going to rain.  Erin said--Don't worry mom, I prayed to God to not have it lightning, thunder and rain.  The faith of a child.  Oh ya!  Some Dudes think God and prayer are just for kids and folks who are weak in the head.  I must be a kid and/or weak in the head.  Could be!


Last weekend we along with Tom and Missy (i.e. Jessica's parents) painted the nursery for the future BudBoyMellema or as Charlie calls him, Frank.  This weekend we are in CO (i.e. front range) buying pumpkins.  Dudes, it doesn't get any better than this.  Heather says, "Well according to Erin 'arock o bammie is going to change the world'.  Erin said she heard it on TV.  Sooo it must be right!

Hey Dude, what if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The Joy of life is living it and doing things of worth.

Kenny Salwey a.k.a. the last river rat

Maybe a month ago I read an article in the paper of a self-described 'river rat' a.k.a. Kenny Salwey touting his new book Muskrat for Supper.  It was about his life along the Mississippi River.  I really like the Mississippi 'cause as a kid I spent some time with my Uncle Jim and Aunt Grace at Alma, WI.  Our family would visit occasionally and a couple of times I took the train from Willmar, MN to St. Paul, change trains and then arrived in Alma. I remember the conductor waking me up and telling me I had to get off.  Then I would walk the maybe 200 yards to their house.  Another time my kid sister, Doris, and I went alone.  We were young.  I was maybe 14 and she was maybe 8.  We just did it. Didn't think a thing of it back then.

I really liked Mr. River.  Their house was just across from Dam #4.  I watched the barges go through the lock and wanted to be the captain of one of those tug boats some day.  In their back yard was maybe a 500 foot bluff.  In front of their house was 6 feet of sidewalk, highway, 2 railroad tracks, and the river and the dam.  Uncle Jim would take me fishing along the wing dams of the Miss, rattle snake hunting (i.e. never found any) along the bluff and boating on the mighty Mississippi.  He also had a commercial fishing license for set lines.  We would go out in the back waters in the evening and put out set lines and then in the morning take the john boat and see what we caught.  The catfish that we caught we took to a fish buyer in Nelson.  Uncle Jim insisted on buying me some smoked carp.  I didn't like it and when he wasn't looking I through it away.  When Arlene and I went to Uncle Jim's funeral, there were maybe 8 people there.  Us 2, my uncle Sam Mellema, his wife Aunt Edna there son Earl, a couple of neighbors and a priest who he drank beer with.  The priest said a few words and we went and buried Uncle Jim.  I said to Arlene, the grave marker was a waste of money as no one will ever look at it again.  Wrong!  We were there again.  I said over Uncle Jim's grave--I'm sorry for stepping on your fishing pole in the boat and breaking the tip off.  I did that some 50+ years ago.  I still fell bad about that.  Sorry Uncle Jim!

Soooo I looked on Amazon and saw that Mr. Salwey had written 4 books and I bought his first, The Last River Rat.  What a surprise.  He was a river rat in the swamp just south of Alma near Buffalo City/Cochrane.  I know that area some.  I really got interested then.  I really enjoyed the book.  It said in the back cover that Mr. Salwey lived in Buffalo City soooo I called the city clerk and asked if she knew him.  She said she was new in town but would find out if she could get his phone number for me.  She contacted me back.  He lived in Alma area.  What!  Soooooo I called him and had a very delightful conversation.  I asked him if we came down to visit Alma if we could buy him lunch.  He said--fine if I'm in town.  We did just that recently.  Great experience.  Just great. 

How the River Rat's life changed.  He was in his Big Lake Shack back in the swamp (i.e. back waters of the Great River) one day when the game warren came to his shack by air boat.  He thought he did something wrong.  But, he wanted him to do a talk at the school in Wabasha as he couldn't make it.  Kenny said he was a river rat and not a talker.  The guy told him that he has been a taker all his life and it was time for him to be a giver.  Besides it was worth $20 and free lunch.  That "giver and taker" statement really hit Kenny hard.  Sooooo he took some snake skins, turtle shells, traps and alike and did the talk. He was very well received in his slow but pleasing delivery.  He was asked to do another talk and the rest is history.  Kenny now does 100 talks a year in a 5 state area, has written 4 books, taught a class at Winona State, and done a film by the BCC which won an Emmy.  It can seen in  5 clips on you tube titled Last of the River Rats 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73sH2N-wWP4&feature=plcp
Watch his first clip and see what you think.  They are all about 9 minutes. Each clip goes through a season in the swamp of the Mississippi.  Kenny told me it took 18 months to put it together. 

When visiting with Kenny, we found him to be a real person with a massive huge heart (i.e. my kind of person).  He does everything slow as he states in his book and again told us.  I had all my lunch done and Kenny hardly was started.  ANYWAY we had such a good time.  He said he dropped out of country school but is married to a PHD!  He is just a neat, enjoyable guy.  A real alive Mississippi River Rat.  Maybe the last one alive. 

I asked him for some advice for my life.  Here is what he said--erv, Be like a child (i.e. always curious and excited about nature); Do different things and appreciate life around you (i.e. familiarity breeds contempt); Learn manners (i.e. manners change folks); Slow down (i.e. always have time to talk to folks in an unhurried manner); Be neighborly to everyone; Treat all folks nice and respectfully; Have a good attitude (i.e. attitude and values develop behavior); Enjoy nature having quiet time to mediate (i.e. very important); Don't miss a window of opportunity (i.e. it might never happen again); Stuff does not make a person happy (i.e. was hired to guide rich folks on hunting trips, fishing trips. bird watching trips and 8 out of 10 are unhappy--happiness is in the heart); Always be a giver (i.e. givers are always happy folks and it's the right thing to do); Be yourself (i.e. don't be a faker).

I asked him what if anything he would do over in his life.  He told me that is the most often asked question by the film folks, book producers and the like.  His answer--I wish I would have been more like a dog.  A dog is always happy to see ya no matter who you are or what your condition is.  Dogs give you their utmost love and ask very little in return.

I have a little river rat in me I think.  When I was a kid I thought it would be a great life to live by a lake, have a dog and horse, fish and hunt.  That was my dream.  Then along came girls, cars, money, sports, etc and messed up my paradise dream.  Such is life.   I really don't think I could have been a real river rat like Kenny (i.e. lived off the land).  I think I would have died the first winter.  I'm not near as tough as I think I am.  Really!  I'm really a wimp! 

I suggest you might read one of his books.  He said they are selling well.  There must be a reason folks.  All of his books have a 5-star rating on Amazon. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--When God takes something from your grasp, He is opening your hands to receive something better.

I've learned a lot

Skip this if you think you know everything.  You won't need to read any of this (i.e. don't go any farther).  Or if you are the best at everything, again, just skip this.  It won't be necessary for you to read on.  I know there might be some of you who fall into that category soooo I want to warn you in advance.  You won't need to waste your time or energy.  Stop.  You have more important stuff to do. 

Joesixpack says--I've learned a lot in life.  Probably the thing I learned that helped me the most is--be humble.  Haughty folks just drive me crazy.  I don't care to be around them.  They spoil my life's experience.  I would rather not be in a group if there is one around.  But haughty folks seem to like to be around other haughty folks.  You ever notice that.  IMO they don't get it.  And you know what folks, I might be visualized at haughty and don't even know it.  Sooooooo I better keep a low profile and keep my mouth shut. Good idea Joesixpack.  That will work.  Have you ever noticed that Jesus didn't have much time for the haughty?  He hung around with some pretty humble folks (i.e. low on the social food chain in some cases) let me tell ya.  Talk about the pecking order food chain.  Fall is here and have you noticed the grouping of birds preparing for the migration south.  I always wonder how that works.  I suppose fall has always meant birds start flocking, working out social problems and class rank before the big flight south.  They are just like humans maybe.  I don't know.  Such is life.

Talk about big people getting smaller.  I have a golf buddy who has lost an inch and a half of height recently.  Yup, he is getting smaller.  He says he has a degenerating back.  And it hurts when he plays golf.  He has some high powered pain medication he takes sometimes.  The problem with that is he says he becomes goofy and tired.  I really can't tell the difference!!!!!  Back pain is not fun folks.  I have learned that a couple of times.  I would guess some of you know what I'm talking about.  I had a 50 year old friend tell me recently that he went to Mayo to have his back looked at.  They gave him some exercises to do.  He says he feels good now but wonders if he will continue doing the exercises!  Good question.  I have learned from others that most don't once they start feeling better.  This guy is pretty disciplined.  We will see.  SusieQ says--It just like many dieters or heart patients.  They do it for a short time and then fall off the wagon.  Hey listen, don't take everything SusieQ says as the truth.  She admitted to me in private that her knowledge about this stuff could fit into a snuff tin with room to spare.  Great balls of fire!!!!

I really can't see past the end of my nose sooooo don't take any of what I say too serious either.  I have learned that I don't know near as much as I think.  KennyTheRiverRat says--I really think that we need to get folks from both sides of the fence to crawl  through the wire and start working together on many things going on on this earth.  Most of the folks are only thinking of themselves (i.e. their own self-interest).  IMO I have learned that self-interest is a huge massive problem in doing what is best for the situation.  It's usually about the money folks.  Oh ya!!!

I have learned that some times I don't know what folks are trying to say.  What is this guy saying?  Is he saying he's #1?  Or maybe, hi there!  Or maybe I give all the Glory to God! Or maybe he's just a dumb scarecrow being happy. And it looks like he's been working out and watching his calorie intake too!

JudgeWilma says--Oder in the court!  Order in the court!  I learned a lot from these 2 guys.  Oh ya!  KennyTheRiverRat called it "TheCycleOfLife".  My mentor use to say--Every day folks are born and folks die. It's been that way for many years erv.  That's just the way it is.  AverageJoe says--Ya gotta be able to handle the blitz and the curve ball erv.  "When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves.  ~Viktor E. Frankl, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor~  MissPerfect says--The person who views the world at 50 the same as they did at 20 has wasted 30 years of their life--GeorgeTheCrook says--When you are young and not liberal, you have no heart; when your old and not conservative, you have no brain.

This is what I learned from a couz--They  used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a  pot and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery.......if  you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor".  But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even     afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to "piss in" and were the lowest of the low.  I learn sooooo much without even trying sometimes.  Such is life.

I've learned a lot--Rick Boxx says--Many universities and corporate trainers teach business ethics from a perspective sometimes referred to as "moral relativism." This basically means they do not believe in objective truth; to them, truth is in the eye of the beholder. As a result, according to this way of thinking, whatever an individual regards as right is good enough. Hey, don't folks and churches do that with the Bible?  Whatever you think is right is right?  It looks that way to me at times.  I think I do it all the time.  But that Bible is just soooooo hard to understand.  That is why, I just need faith and trust.  Keep it simple stupid!  According to Einstein there are five levels of intellect.  1. Smart  2. Intelligent  3. Brilliant  4. Genius  5. Simple

I've learned a lot by not even trying.  It just falls into my lap.  I asked a senior friend at church how she was doing.  She said--Same as always; I always say that.  Well, that's good that your are the same as always I guess.  I'm not the same as always.  Are you?  I'm changing all the time.  I'm just a constant change if I like it or not.  I wonder if she is always the same.  I wonder if she needs to drive a stake in the ground and then go back and see how much she has moved.  I think she might learn a lot.  A friend who works in a grocery store replies to me when I ask her how she is doing--Better than most but not as good as others!  She has said this to me I bet for 15 years.  Huh, interesting.  Soooo what do you say when folks ask you how you are.  Do you have a pat answer?  I asked JoeBlow how he was doing and he said--"I'm fighting lions with switches but I'm making it."  For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment.
~Viktor E. Frankl

On the plane coming back from Europe I sat next to a couple who were from Spain.  We couldn't understand each other very well as they said--NoEnglish and I said--NoSpanish.  We did manage to communicate through various ways (i.e. not sure if we always understood each other).  We didn't communicate very well but did some. I gave them the few euros I had left.  They understood that.  They acted like it was some big deal.  I took these two pictures in Spain and France as I had no idea what they were saying.  I just didn't understand.  Maybe they mean different things to different folks.  I don't know.  MeNoUnderstando!  I read this in a China Newspaper in Barcelona while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on top (i.e. soooo it must be right)--When KFC arrived in China and translated its signature "finger-lickin'-good" slogan.  It ended up actually telling customers to "eat their own fingers"!  Huh, interesting.  Saw only one topless babe on the beaches of the French Rivera (i.e. I only looked with one eye).  Such is life.

I have learned (i.e. VERY IMPORTANT) that when you don't know what to say to someone who is hurting, has a problem, needs your encouragement, or has trouble communicating is just to hug them and tell them you love them.  Do it folks.  They need it and you need it. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice.