over the hump

This “It’s Saturday” is not modern digital media to attract and retain an audience. Those that do that are called “influencers.” Some folks make big money doing that.  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that Shawn Johnson East does just that.  She says—We make serious revenue doing that. She also said—Whether in the Olympics, business or our digital lives, sometimes you’ve got to do back flips to make your audience pay attention. Extremely interesting! That is always the argument in churches today. 

I think I’m pretty smart at times (i.e. NOT)!  I make myself laugh many times when I get that way.  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  But God is God. God owes no one—not even Job—an explanation. CadillacJack says—That doesn’t make me feel very smart!  It appears CadillacJack, maybe once we sorta kinda understand that, we are getting closer to getting over the hump! Bingo! Somesmartperson says--There is stuff that I don't know and there is stuff that I will never know!  

I had a nice conversation by a text thread recently.  She ended our conversation this way--"Enjoyed visiting. I'm content, but not satisfied. Always want to learn, do more, be more." Hey folks, there are some folks more brilliant than others.

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that Einstein, of all people, called himself “very ignorant.”  He wasn’t just pandering, either. Einstein was writing privately to his friend and colleague. The article also said—Toooo little knowledge is far worse than toooo much. Worst of all is not knowing just how little you know.  Studies have shown that people, on average, believe they are well above average.  In other words, almost everyone thinks they are far smarter than they actually are.  It is this type of arrogance, the kind that makes us believe we know something, that prevents us from actually learning it well.  Ouchy ouchy!  Surely they aren’t talking about any of you folks; it must be your neighbors!  

It appears that they aren’t a flash in the pan!  I’m all for IA State Football but…! A friend who is an “overthehumpIAStatefootballfan” was pretty excited about the win over OK.  Yes, it was a good win for their program (i.e. rah rah) but it doesn’t make them a premier football program.  To do that, a program has to win and win and win year after year (i.e. have a history of going to major bowls).  AverageJoe says--That scenario is pretty much like life! Matt Campbell, ISU coach, said in the paper, soooo it must be right—Hopefully that is a win that is pointing us in the right direction so we can get over the hump and become a premier program (i.e. they have now won 3 in a row (i.e. 5-2) soooo they appear to be going in the right direction—rah rah).  In sports and in many facets of life, progress and success is measured analytically and not by hype or talk (i.e. let’s see what the stats say at the end of the year). Go Cyclones! The last 10 years their record is 40-83. Ouchy ouchy! Yabut the Astros record in 2013 was 51-111 and are now in the World Series.  

SusieQ says—Our family is in constant stress as we live from paycheck to paycheck.  We can’t get over the hump.  SusieQ, there is no foolproof a.k.a. idotproof way to get away from stress and have guaranteed prosperity.  Many times folks say--I didn’t know when the sun came up this morning that this was going to happen (i.e. something good or something not soooo good).  A friend was telling me that with their income and their saving mentality, the projections are very good that they will have plenty of money to have a great retirement.  He went on to say—That is unless some crazy, catastrophe happens to us (e.g. wild fires); something that we have no idea what that might be.  GeorgeTheCrook says—Disasters do happen soooo don’t be surprised.  Like a friend says—It’s not if, but when.  Soooo there are always new humps!

Headline in the Waterloo Currier news article was—Waterloo law firm rules in favor of diversity.  It was about the diversity in their law firm.  I think that is rather neat. I was even more interested in what they said as to the type of folks they hire—The basic qualities the firm looks for are “attitude, openness and fitting into the culture.”  We would rather have a low-to medium-talented person with a good work ethic than a lazy talented person.  Sooooo there you go folks—that might be part of the equation to get over the hump.  Such is life.

WildWillie says—Sometimes it feels that I’m right at the cusp. That is when I need to make the decision that will affect me drastically. It’s like being at the peak of the hump (e.g. do I marry this person, do I invest, do I do something that isn’t ethical, do I accept Jesus as my Savior, do I do drugs, do I become someone who I don’t want to be, do I self-glorify myself, etc.).  Now those can be major decisions for all of us.  And guess who gets to make those decisions. Bingo, we each get to do it.  Now that is exciting isn’t it.  Those decisions can make a good life or not soooo good of a life.  We are at the cusp a.k.a. intersection of celebration and headache!

LuckieEddie, are you an impulsive person?  I was mediating about if I am impulsive. Am I impulsive on somethings and not others.  Am I impulsive at different times? Am I swayed by appearances, kindness, power, TRUTH, money, love, pleasures?  Am I envious and jealous at times? It appears to get over the hump and get going down the easy side, I have to make sure I have my priorities right and stay right; that at times can be hard to do.  You know what folks, you guys affect me and my thinking if you like it or not.   Do I want to be like you? You guys entangle my thinking if you know it or not.  Can I be a box in a box? Such is life.

And refreshments will be served!  I read it in the paper, soooo it must be right, that 60% of adults in America are obese and 40% of children.  I think that is a huge massive problem.  What do you think? But refreshments will be served.  I have noticed that many times when they show fans in stands, they are always eating and eating real fatting foods.  Folks love it!  How in the world is America going to change this obesity problem?  I notice that when I grocery shop, very little of the food is actually good for us.  But it appears folks love it and can’t get enough of it. It’s what folks want and demand.  Kids of all ages love candy! A big, tough guy (i.e. a friend) with a huge massive heart is a real picky eater).  You wouldn’t expect that of him by looking at him. ANYWAY, soooo I asked him what food he really likes—ice cream!  He’s a big tough guy but has a taste of a kid! I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! It appears that preaching will not change obesity; it will have to be done somehow through $$$$$ (i.e. penalizing folks financially for being obese).  And that will never happen ‘cause no legislator is going to vote for that as 60% of the folks will take a knee and they won’t get reelected.  Sooooo I think obesity is here to stay (i.e. and probably get worse)!  Such is life.

Flip the pancake!  Little Rookie is in prekindergarten and I asked him what he has learned in school.  He said—Kids in America eat toooo much sugar.  Sooooo I guess that is what they are teaching prekindergartners in Waukee, at least where he goes.  Soooo maybe there is hope to turn this obesity around.  Yabut, trick or treat and they get a whole bag full of sugar.  Such is life.

Do our friends, and family and even acquaintances and even strangers need our compassion. Do you need other’s compassion?  LuckieEddie says--It’s always easier to pull people down than to pull them up. That’s why you must make sure the people you hang out with the most are moving you in the right direction. They should be building you up rather than tearing you down. MissPerfect says--BUT many folks don’t want to be corrected or preached to or hear suggestions, or see themselves as they actually are. If we don’t want to change, we won’t; we have to have a desire. Saturday question—How do we acquire a desire to change? It appears for us to get over the hump, we might have to change. Another Saturday question--For whom can you have compassion for today? TomTerrific says--If your resources match another’s need, do what you can. BuckieBuck always lifts me up and he doesn’t even know it (i.e. I think he has a small mind)!

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that Sports Digest once said that 78% of the NFL football players are broke or under financial stress after they retire.  They said on TV during the “taking a knee controversy” that these guys are smart guys; that doesn’t sound very smart to me.  How about you?  Dr. J says—Prosperity is a poor teacher; adversity is much better. You believe that?  AverageJoe says—Smart folks at any level of income spend less than what they make (i.e. save) soooo when tough times come they can deal with them; that is how ya get over the hump.  Sounds pretty simple to me. LuckieEddie says—Unless you are like me; I have a 98-year-old, multi-millionaire mother-in-law!  She’s my retirement plan!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Spend time counting your blessings, not airing your complaints.

you know

Probably most, if not all of you, think that this “It’s Saturday” isn’t #1 but more like #2!  Sooooo if you think it stinks like #2, spray some Febreze on it and read on! 

A friend was at a meeting when the presenter was explaining something to the audience and said—you know.  A person stopped the presenter and said he didn’t know and asked her if she could explain it.  The presenter stumbled around but could really explain it and concluded with this—you know!

You know what (i.e. is that a question or statement)?.  LuckieEddie (i.e. he's always going down hill with the wind at his back) says—It appears that folks with money have a tendency to be givers by giving money and those who don’t have a lot of money have a tendency to be givers by giving their time. Why is that LuckieEddie?  You know!  No, I don’t know, explain that to me please.  CadillacJack says--Life is great (i.e. period) or (i.e. question mark)!  If you change the . to a ?, it changes the statement completely.  Soooo life is great?.  Suzie says—It all depends what emojis you use!  Susie, I can’t always understand those emojis!  They confuse me at times.  But I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  Onesmartgolfbuddy/friend said to me "yippee skippy!" I have no idea what that means! Such is life.

The other day three businessmen and myself sorta kinda accidentally met in front of a local business.  We gave each other a hard time, talked business, shared stuff, laughed a lot, gave each other crap etc.  The whole meeting lasted maybe 15 minutes.  It was soooo uplifting to me.  These guys are great, real guys with good hearts; my kind of folks.  You know, that get-to-gather was maybe just happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo. Dilly Dilly!

I was talking to a one-smart businessman and he told me that the best course he took getting his MBA was business ethics (i.e.I didn't ask him why, should have). Is cannibalization good business? Is it ethical?  Is it necessary to stay afloat? Is it expansion? Is it good business? Is it free enterprise? Is it capitalism? Will it ever stop? You know the answer you know! My Mom, Anna, said to me a lot—erv, always do what is right.  I think that is good advice for good reason.

Friends have this sign hanging on their porch.  I don’t think we will ever have peace on this earth until Jesus returns.  The Bible says that there will be wars and rumors of war tell the end.  A “onesmartguy” told me that we need to all want peace and by doing that it will create a better world to live in.  Sooooo, you know, some folks do pray for peace and for leaders of the world to make good decisions.  LuckieEddie says--Maybe the peace we want is internal peace.  You know, that all makes sense to me.  How about you.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Peace may not be possible in our world, but it’s possible in our hearts because God has given us acceptance, inheritance, deliverance, grace, hope, bounty, joy, nearness, righteousness, and salvation. Hallelujah!

ItchieBitchie says—It seems like everyone is critical (i.e. barkin’) these days. You know!  And it seems that many folks are frustrated and weary. You know! And you know that everyone wants high reward with low risk.  ItchieBitchie says—Yabut, we listen but we don’t hear; we only hear what we want to hear and interrupt it the way we want or think we want (i.e. called rationalizing).  Some buddies and I went out for breakfast last Saturday morning.  I invited another buddy—told him at Todd’s at 7:30—he went to Matt’s at 6:30. I’m going to have to send a note home with him to give to his wife next time! Arlene had her ears flushed out this last week. She says—loud; I assume that means that she can hear better.  Well she should hear better after getting rid of 71 years of crap out of her hears.  You know, I think my buddy should consider getting his ears flushed!  Such is life.

Do you think others really understand you?  Do others know about your boots a.k.a. called errors or mistakes?  Of course not everyone knows about all our boots (i.e. when we kick it).  And even if they know some of our boots, they don’t remember them even though we seem to remember them (i.e. others are soooo busy remembering their own boots).  You know! I had a visit with a super senior friend sorta kinda by accident the other day.  When I say super, she is getting up there in age and is a super gal.  ANYWAY, she told me things about herself that I didn’t know; very interesting stuff (i.e. she was vulnerable to me in telling me about some of her boots—very humble).  I thought I knew her pretty well but I didn’t know the stuff she told me. You know, I actually like her even more now than I did before because I understand her better (i.e. because he was soooo real). 

BigPictureBetty says--An object in possession seldom retains the charm it held in pursuit.  Have you ever wanted something really bad and after you got it, you found out it wasn’t as good and exciting as you though it was going to be?  I have.  But I get bored easily.  I recently did an activity that I enjoy.  But I didn’t enjoy it very much this time.  Maybe it was related to many different reasons; now that could be you know.  Or maybe I need a break from that activity to appreciate it more. Now that could be.  As the song goes—After you been having steak for a long time, beans beans taste fine! You know what I mean!

Attitude is important, you know!  WoldClassLarry says--Hate destroys a person’s spirit. Saturday question—Have you ever been hateful or are you hateful today?  Hate just tears a person’s mind and guts up; yes it does you know.  And the only one it affects is the person who has the hate.  The folks who folks hate aren’t affected or really don’t care. Da!  Crazy, you know! My Daddy, Chester, had the saying in the pic.  I have it hanging by my desk.  You know, he might be right.  What do you think?

I also have this magnetic sign on my file cabinet next to my desk as a reminder.  I’m never perfect or even near perfect but all these reminders help me to focus better.  LuckieEddie says—What you put in comes out! That is why it is soooo important to be around good folks; you just got toooooo.  Especially folks who lift you up and don’t tear you down.  That is why I like you folks; you are uplifters (i.e. except for one of you ha ha).  We have a group of folks in our church who meet monthly called WHO (i.e. we help others—that is what we try to do).  We have been meeting for
several years.  It has become quit a closely-knit group.  They are very uplifting to me.  We share and laugh and sometimes even cry (i.e. we are pretty open with each other).  And of course, we drink coffee and eat goodies.  You know what I mean.  I really like these folks.

MyBigSister, only in age, sent me an article as she thought I might like it. I liked it.  It is by Louis Lotz.  Here is a part of it—Sometimes the most memorable ballgames are the ones that never happened.  Like the most enchanting romances, or the most beautiful sunsets, they’re the ones you only imagined.  Some true things never happened, if you know what I mean…sometimes the best sermons are the ones you only think you heard.  You know!

You know, you have to be pretty lucky to get a hole in one a.k.a. an ace.  Well I got one Tuesday.  My third.  Wow, you say, you must be pretty good. No, just pretty lucky once in a while!  My little, sweet Arlene in her playing days got two.  They use to put pictures of folks who got aces in the paper. My point is that we make a big deal out of somethings that aren’t really a very big deal; they are just fun but really not very important (i.e. lucky).  I want you to write down 5 major accomplishments that you accomplished in our life.  Now those are accomplishments that should be applauded.  Those are important; not lucky.  Oh, you know, it is the custom to buy drinks for everyone on the course when you get a hole in one.  Arlene was riding with me and there was another 2-some on the course.  They were a retired CRC pastor and one of his parishioners; I don’t think they drink; at least publicly!  Besides, the clubhouse was closed! I get all the breaks. Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Beware of giving up too soon. Our emotions are not reliable guides.

P.S. "Money doesn't change men, it merely unmasks them." - Henry Ford

rersolute stuff

It’s baseball playoff season and the world series time.  When a hitter hits a 96 mph fastball off the end of the bat, the ball takes a crazy, funky spin.  This “It’s Saturday” might be one of those balls hit off the end of the bat.  Take that into consideration when reading.

Ricky says--By the time a typical American student graduates from high school today, he or she will have spent more than 30,000 hours in front of a screen (including video games, tablets, laptops, and televisions). That’s 4+ hours a day for 18 years.  That sure seems like a lot of time to me.  What do you think? How will that affect our children?  I have no idea.  What do you think? WorldClassLarry says--But we are programing our future generations and even our current lifestyle.  "The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking." - Albert Einstein  ~   Saturday question—What kind of a future world are we creating?

I took several hours early the other morning and was completely by myself and my thoughts a.k.a. a time out.  For me it’s a great investment which has a good return.  One question I pondered was—Who is the best human being I know?  Sooooo I ask you: Who is the best person you know?  I know a lot of good folks (i.e. many of them are you folks) and the “cream of the crop” comes to the top, but who is the best human being I know? Arlene has some awareness and if I would ask her, and if she would completely understand what I was asking, she would say me—sure she would (i.e. I think!).  I take care of her every need and is her complete caregiver; she couldn’t function without me.  But I might be surprised; she might think someone else is!  I don’t think I will ask her ‘cause she might say one of her old boy friends! ha ha!  Sooooo who is the best human being that you know? 

We took care of friends’ dog, Rudy.  He loved us; thought we were the best.  When we are at Chet and Jessica’s house, their dog Mabel, really likes me (i.e. I think she thinks I’m the best human being around).  Chet says to me—Dad, don’t get to big of a head, Mabel loves everyone who will rub her! Rudy sparked Arlene and uplifted her.  Amazing.  Rudy along with some of you folks who showed such love and kindness to Arlene, I think Arlene realized that people care about her and love her.  I seen a change in her mind set (i.e. her limitations haven't changed but she seems uplifted.  Thanksamillion Rudy and you others. I'm not saying you others are dogs! Oh no! But Rudy sets a pretty high standard!  ha ha

Ya got to keep the old clock wound up to her going!  A 90-year old friend said to me—I have to force myself to do things or I won’t do them. Once I quit, I probably won’t do them again.   Now that takes a strong resolute attitude to force yourself; don’t kid yourself. It’s a lot easier to just quit and never do it again. BuzzardBreathRaymond (i.e. who has very little ambition) says—I don’t force myself to do anything; I’m just pretty lazy; we have a government to take care of folks like me.  BrutalNancy (i.e. aggressive but under control) says—BuzzardBreathRaymond, throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch you lazy son of a gun. Oooops, BrutalNancy shouldn’t of said that; it might not be politically correct (i.e. but it ain't an around the end run)!  ha ha Ok folks, if you take a knee, I hope it’s to clean the stool or to say a prayer! 

A friend has had some severe health issues and now has Parkinson’s. His wife/caregiver says this--We are continuing to live into those 4 essentials Dad shares with our PD friends (some days harder than others!):1. Attitude 2.  Faith in the Lord 3. Humor 4. Keep moving! These folks are good folks with good hearts (i.e. my kind of folks).  They have a strong, honorable resolution. 

 "The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln

Last week was the best my body has felt since May when I tore my hamstring which then affected my back and hips.  I played pickleball hard for the first time.  I was telling a retired doctor this while taking a break.  He said—You should quit now and be happy; it’s when you get cocky that you will hurt it again.  Sooooo I quit!  I wonder if #3 Oklahoma was a bit cocky playing IA State (i.e. a 31 point underdog and their starting QB didn’t play for some personal health issue).  They got beat!  CrazyMarvin says—If you want to increase your chances of beating someone, tell them how great they are and how easy it will be for them to win!  Folks with big heads don’t perform very well, usually. 

SusieQ says—I have to be in a certain mood to do certain projects; sometimes It seems to take a long time for me to get in the mood! I need a “little juice” to get me going. I usually go for a 1.5 hour bike ride while Arlene has her hair done.  Well, it was a gloomy day and cool.  I debated if I wanted to ride or not.  I forced myself to do it.  I saw 2 other folks on the trails.  Seeee, others didn’t feel like doing it either.  And you know what, I really enjoyed myself.  Bingo!

I talked to some friends last Saturday morning.  They were cleaning the leaves off their yard.  They told me that they had resolute determination in not buying a bagger for their lawn mower and didn’t forever.  This year they did and said—What were we thinking; we should have done this years ago; way easier and it makes life soooooo much more enjoyable.

ItchieBitchie says—If you are a top caliber person, certain stuff just can’t happen (i.e. they won’t let it happen)!  I was visiting with a person recently and asked her if she is a confident person.  She said she was (i.e. but she’s not over the top about it; cocky). She said she likes herself.  Wow! I think that is a good quality—to like yourself.  I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—We are to love our neighbor as our self.  Sooooo, it would appear, a person has to have strong resolute thinking to do that (i.e. love yourself before a person can love someone else).  What do you think?

TomTerrific has “got it going on” right now! It’s fall and its harvest time in rural America.  To keep rollin’ the farmers have to keep their machines greased, oiled and adjusted.  If not, there probably will be a greater chance of a breakdown.  I had to do some greasing of my brain recently; yes I did.  I was not running right.  It really helped. The drive chain needed some WD40.  It’s a lot better now.  Runners know when there is something wrong with their bodies; something isn’t normal. MyFriendTriathlonSteve says--Sooooo you have to decide if it’s an ache that you can run through or is it something that requires a medical check or a rest.  Runners can listen to their bodies and avoid injuries and burnout (i.e. need a little grease or oil). But do they always listen? Soooo do runners every lie to themselves?  In my case, I knew I was not running right and had to make an adjustment.  I feel, oh soooo much better.  MyFriendTriathlonSteve just bought a new bike (i.e. probably the best there is).  He said—Of the three events, the only thing I can buy to make my time better is the best bike; the other two events are up to me!  Is that buying a better time?

I walked uptown (i.e. or is downtown) the other day and saw this. When we get old and die or need to move out of our house, it’s time for the big dumpster. All that stuff that we collected, well, most will go in the big dumpster.  You might think your stuff it great but most otherrs don't. If you are saving it for your kids, well folks, most kids don’t want it. You know, that stuff that you haven’t used for 20 years or is outdated.  Your kids say—What were they thinking. BUT folks have to have a strong resolute mentality to throw that stuff away while they are alive. Yabut, the other day I needed a scrap of wood and didn’t have one; I should have kept some scraps!  Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--For many people in the world, real meaning in life is the next vacation, career success, or stepping up the income ladder. It is a life based on pleasurable experiences. Many a human being has toiled their whole life to gain a pleasurable lifestyle only to find a life that is empty and meaningless (i.e. get to the top of the ladder and find out they have their ladder against the wrong wall). You only have to watch television for one evening to discover that advertisers want us to believe this is the goal of life. The work-to-play theme is consistent with most advertising messages. It appears that it takes a strong resolution to withstand those plies (i.e. you gotta have it—just buy it). It appears that many folks want just what the advertisers want them to have a.k.a. the American Dream.  Bingo!  MissPerfect asks--What audience do you play to?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—What we teach our children today will influence the world.

P.S. AverageJoe says--The single greatest challenge we face as a human being is handling the truth about ourselves!.

exact/notsoooooexact

We have a friend who is an advanced math teacher. There is no speculation in math, it’s either right or wrong.  Way different than adjusting a roof for hail damage, it’s notsooooooexact.  Folks ask me how my respite has affected me.  I tell you what folks, it’s very hard to know or decide (i.e. very notsooooexact).  Maybe I will never know for sure.  But, a change a.k.a. a getaway is good for everyone (i.e. now that is an exact/notsoooexact answer!). I can tell you about my emotions but they aren’t always accurate.  Emotions tend not to measure things right (i.e. emotions can’t always be trusted).  Soooo the exact answer is—I really don’t know (i.e. the exact answer is invisible and unmeasurable). 

Here is something I can measure accurately (i.e. 100% exact).  The words of encouragement from many of you to me to do a respite and those who encouraged me after doing the respite.  Some of you spoke from exact experience you personally had and others from professional view points and others from common sense.  I really appreciate your encouragement.  Sometimes it’s easier to not do something than to do something (i.e. you have probably been there).  Sooooo thanks for all the encouragement. Quite a number of you have offered to stay with Alene and help me.  That is very much appreciated.  Sooooo far I have not had a great need for your offers but the time might come.  I have not forgot about you.  No, I haven’t. 

WildWilly says—A lot of folks make these three common mistakes that get them in trouble. 1. Listen to bad advice (i.e. exactly right).  2. Follow the crowd (i.e. exactly right). 3. Rely on circumstances (i.e. exactly right). Yabut WildWilly, we shouldn’t be too quick to judge others, because we do the exact same things (i.e. exactly right).  GeorgeTheCrook says—The only thing speculative about that is how we interrupt the information! ItchieBitchie says—We have a tendency to interpret information the way it fits us the best (i.e. our self-interest). LuckieEddie says—We can be mulish stupid sometimes (i.e. exactly right)!  Ouchy ouchy!

I watched some baseball recently (i.e. I am a lukewarm fan of the Twins and Cubs—yay yay!). The strike zone is notsoooooexact.  There are a lot of mistakes which cause a lot of unhappiness and can be part of a win or a loss.  I don’t understand that.  Why don’t they just use electronic ball and strike calls.  They have the capability.  They use the electron replay in field calls.  Why not make the calls consistent and exact?  I don’t get it folks.  

Sometimes we don’t like the numbers but numbers don’t lie folks.  When I was in Waukee, I had breakfast at Jimmy Egg (i.e. a new yuppie breakfast place).  On the menu, all the entrees had the number of calories beside them.  I assume they are exact but I don’t know for sure.  But look at the cinnamon rolls; one has 1,520 calories and the other 680 calories. Which one do you think tastes the best?  That is what I thought.  The 1,520-cinnamon roll is all your calories for the day folks; no more eating.  Ouchy ouchy!  SusieQ says--Yabut, they taste soooo good!  Such is life.

FlipThePancake--JukeboxDean says--Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with.

I greeted a couple, who are my friends, at church Sunday.  She said—erv, did you notice that he (i.e. her husband) has a new shirt on? (i.e. he always wears the exact same shirt)—no I didn’t, it looks like the exact same green shirt he always wears—it’s the same shirt but new (i.e. he said—but one size bigger!).  Later she told me that she bought him two this time; a green one and a blue one. Holy smokes; I don’t know If I can handle seeing him in a blue shirt!!!! Notsoooooexxact! Crazy fun! 

A friend sent me this text-- I'm a big fan of Jan Karon books. I just read a quote and thought of you.  "Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous ".  Kinda like happenstance?  Nah...  That is an interesting quote as we seem to want everything to be exactly the way we want it (i.e. it ain’t going to happen sweetheart). MissPerfect says—I get unhappy when I don’t get what I want!  I guess that is why it is called faith.  Does that make any sense to you?  That is what I thought, exactly!

I was talking to a pickleball buddy this week.  Conversation went like this—Doesn’t your husband like to play; I know he is into physical fitness—he can’t fit into this competitive structure—soooo he’s not competitive; more laid back—oh no, he’s very competitive in other things; let me tell, you he’s competitive!  Then we played pickleball.  I have no idea what she meant!  I got a notsooooexact answer or was it exact and I just didn’t understand it!!!! Now that could be.  FlipThePancake—A grandmother was telling me about one of their grand girls who runs cross country.  She was telling me that she is pretty good (i.e. talented) but has no competitiveness at all.  Grandma tells her she has to run faster but she doesn’t seem to care; she is happy; grandma didn’t seem happy!  Now I think that is funny.

"The pessimist complains about the wind (i.e. exactly); the optimist expects it to change (i.e. exactly); the realist adjusts the sails (i.e. exactly)." - William Arthur Ward

I heard part of an interview with Bill Gaither last Saturday night.  He said—When folks get to be 40 or 45 or maybe 50 and some even 60 or 70 and have a couple of kids, experience life knocks some, see sorrow and death, have disappointments etc., the lyrics of the Christian songs sometimes start to take on a different meaning. The lyrics are exactly the same but nosoooooexact in how they are felt and interpreted.  Is Bill saying that a stubborn, stiff-necked neck person can change? I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Have you ever been guilty of judging someone for an experience they've had that you've never had? Did you dismiss it as extreme or something not of God? God is in the business of changing our paradigm from no personal experiences to God-experiences. However, if you operate on a level of rigid logic, you may never have the privilege of having the God-experiences. Keep your heart free to experience new paradigms with God today.

I have been at tooooo many meetings when I hear talk talk talk and talk but no action is ever taken (i.e. we ought to do this and that).  I have been fortunate to be around many good folks (i.e. you guys) who don’t talk all the time but do things.  Many of you just get it done; sometimes without much or any talk.  And in many cases, no one even knows about it, even after it is done.  WorldClassLarry says—Many folks get more done by noon than others doooo all month!  Some are still talking about doing something two weeks after it is done!  That is why committees, government, groups, clubs etc. are soooooo slow in getting anything done (i.e. tooooo many folks with toooo many ideas who like to talk and talk and talk.  AverageJoe says—Talk it a lot easier than actually doing something! Such is life.

A pickleball buddy is a financial advisor.  I asked him--how is business—we have a lot of money that folks want us to invest—that sounds like a good problem—it’s good but also somewhat scary—why is that—it’s another time of “behavioral economists”—what’s “behavioral economics”—it’s when the market is high and some now want a part of it; it happens historically; it’s typically not a good time to invest; the same type of folks are the ones that invest at this time; we want to invest their money but we always don’t know what we should do.  SusieQ says—Investing is not an exact science; it’s more of a notsoooooexact science! Yabut Mr. financial advisor—folks are cow’n on you!!! When you make folks money they go gaga! But when you lose money for ‘em, well, that is a different story!  It’s a lot more fun to win than to lose!

I found this ball on the golf course while running the other morning.  I have a friend who loves the color of pink.  Soooo I played it Wednesday while playing with my buddies (i.e. a tribute to my friend).  It says on the side of the ball—TD WOMEN!  Maybe that is why my buddies called me Ervina!  Hey folks, the TD stands for True Distance! That True Distance is exactly what I need.  Bingo!

Ok, 24/7 caregivers, here is some notsooooexact advice from a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN—Do respites!  You need tooooo and you have toooo.  If not, you stand a better than a 50/50 change of dying before the person you are taking care of.  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Living for the future puts today in perspective.

shifting sand

Note: There is a link to my podcast at the bottom of this “It’s Saturday.”  It is with Jeremy Jungling a.k.a. The Five Year Man as it has been 5 years since he was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 38.  Jeremy and I discuss how that diagnosis changed his life and that of his family, how it inspired him to start chasing his dreams today instead of waiting for tomorrow and what lessons others can learn from his experience.

I saw this sign in a feed store in the Sand Hills of Nebraska.  You folks will have to decide if this “It’s Saturday” is quality oats or not!

Have you ever been on the sand dunes along the ocean, major lake or in a desert?  If you have, you were probably amazed with the sand dunes and also how they can change from year to year or storm to storm.  The sand dunes are ever changing (i.e. pretty much like our lives, at least mine—your life maybe is more like The Rock of Gibraltar).  The sand dune I remember the most is The Big Bear Sand Dune in western MI along Lake Michigan.  My extended family camped near there and we climbed it years ago. I know some of you have done the same.  It really impressed me.

When coming back from CO, I traveled through the Sand Hills of  NE.  This is huge massive cattle country.  I stopped in Arthur (i.e. population 56) at the Bunk House and had lunch with the locals.  A real old-time rancher, Brad, talked to me.  He looked the part and talked the part and dressed the part.  He was 88 years old; he and his wife Doris still ranch.  We talked ranching.  I asked him what kind of wood is those fence posts—hedge, hard as a rock; can’t get a staple in them; don’t rot—how deep do they put them in—deep enough sooo the top is up to a rancher’s sternum—soooo a tall rancher’s posts aren’t as deep; you got it young feller.  I stopped at Crusty's Feed Store and asked how much they cost—regular posts $4.50 and corner posts 6 to 8 dollars.  Where do they come from—KS. How was ranching this year—pretty good; cattle prices are good and had some rain.

Do you know what xenophobia means?  I didn’t but now I do.  It was Dictionary.com. website’s 2016 Word of the Year. There seems to be a lot of it going around; it’s pretty popular it seems.  But there is no vaccination for it.  We need to deal with it.  I have found out talking to many folks in the Sand Hills that we are all pretty much the same.  We all have souls, love our families, watch ESPN, believe in the same God, try to make a living, concerned about the world situation etc.  Ya, we do things differently and live a little different but we are basically the same. 

I was introduced to a lady the other morning.The person who introduced us told me later that she and her husband own a rather major local company; are good people; her husband is crazy smart (i.e. over the moon smart). Are you crazy smart? Do you know folks who are crazy smart?  Well, I’m not one of them; my IQ score and my ACT score will attest to that.  I would guess there are crazy smart folks up ‘er in ‘em sand hills doing what they enjoy doing.  CowgirlRita told me that her granddad was crazy smart; bought a lot of sand hills when no one wanted them (i.e. or was he just lucky). But not all crazy smart folks are CEOs or have some prestige jobs (i.e. they don’t want to be).  Maybe they don’t want to sit in traffic a couple hours each day; would rather drive their pu or ride their horse in the sand hills. Such is life.

Fall harvest is starting in IA.  I text a crazy smart friend who is a grain/farmer asking him if I can ride with him in the combine (i.e. I try to do it every fall)--I’m flexible, especially for you. Good cheap information is hard to come by these days! His response--One of the secret to life, there is a difference between cheap and low-cost. I told you he is crazy smart!

AverageJoe says--The NFL is one big cash cow and don’t you forget it.  They have had their image tarnished with the head injury issue and now they have to deal with this protest thing.  Sooooo probably most of the companies you folks work for would not think toooo highly of employees protesting like this (i.e. unless protected by a union contract); probably some employees would find themselves working in the mail room or driving truck down I-80.  If all the female employees of the convenient stores (i.e. making $15 an hour) would protest about “female abuse”, how much attention would they get? That is what I thought!  I’m just trying to put this in a perspective to look at both sides here (i.e. be open minded); when millions and billions of dollars are involved, the situation changes; don’t kid yourself folks.  The NFL and the owners have a problem and they don’t know how to handle it (i.e. hoping maybe it will just blow over--and it might).  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right—The way Hawkeye football players look at the hot button issue that is the national anthem:  Once you step into the Iowa’s Football Performance Center, political views are checked at the door.  And now we have a scandal in college basketball!  Guess what it is about—of course, money! OneCrazySmartPerson said to me—It’s called “situational ethics.” "It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." - Roy Disney ~  I tell you what folks, this is going to be interesting to follow. There might be major ramifications and maybe not. My opinion is that there is a pretty clear “right side” on this issue,. BUT I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN soooo your opinion might be different. BUT isn’t it great to live in America?  I bet "The Little Rocket Man” would handle it way different. BUT TheAverageJoeAmerican can voice their opinion by where they spend their money; that is where this might be settled and not by talk. Money talks!  Such is life

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--In Making Sense of God, pastor Tim Keller writes, "All judgments that something or someone is good or bad are based on an awareness of purpose.... How then can we tell if a human being is good or bad? Only if we know our purpose, what human life is for." For the secular person living without a belief God or a higher purpose, human life is not for anything. It is ultimately meaningless - we are here only by chance due to random physical forces. For the follower of Jesus Christ, however, we are here for a reason. Pastor Rick Warren begins his popular book, The Purpose Driven Life, this way:  "It's not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose." Saturday question—Sooooo who is really a crazy smart person?

Sooooo I go down the road to Mullen (i.e. population 563).  I went into the courthouse (i.e. an old building of the 50s—the inside was the same as then).  I asked the assessor if he had a minute—a minute lasted about an hour.  There are less than a thousand folks in Hooker County.  Use to be more but a rancher use to hire 8-10 cowboys but now the ranches are 10x as big and a rancher and his wife run them.  It has the largest school district taking in parts of 3 counties.  Depending on the part of the county (i.e. rain fall is different) it takes about 17 acres to support a cow/calf.  The sand hills cost about $700 an acre currently. There are some huge massive ranches.

The reason I stopped at the courthouse is I wanted some information about The Sand Hills Golf Club that is maybe about 16 miles south of Mullen in the middle of nowhere (i.e. in the sand hills).  Some rate it the #11 best in the world.  I drove out there and they treated me very nice; shared a ton of information.  Most of you will not be interested in if you are not a golfer.  It amazes me that they have a private club which is very low key in the sand hills of NE.  In 8 years, they were out of debt.  These tidbits might interest you--they hire all local people, one green keeper and 18 hs and college age kids; 10 caddies which are all local hs kids. Very interesting to me.  I have made a copy of the brochure if you want to enlarge it for more info. 

"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." - Henry David Thoreau 

Soooo I go down the road and have breakfast at Burwell (i.e. population 1,210 and the county seat).  Burwell claims to be in the middle of the sand hills, They have a huge massive rodeo facility at the edge of town; Big Rodel.  Soooo I ask a local where I should eat breakfast—Verdas across from the post office.  There are three retired guys sitting at a long table; I sit by the table next to them. I had my IA Hawkeye cap on and one says—you from IA—ya, I was wondering if that sign that says Big Redo really mean big rodeo or just for show—this is big rodeo country and we have the biggest rodeo in Nebraska; guys wear their spurs to church here—are you guys rodeo/cowboys; one guys was—Did I see that the Huskers are 0-3 (i.e. did that get them excited)—how are the Hawks going to be—we are average but we are 3-0!  A couple of ranchers came in and sat with the other 3.  They talked about the price of cattle, hay baling, dry land corn yields, good cattle horses etc.  I really enjoyed listening to them. I paid and when leaving I said—I will leave you Huskers soooo you can cry in your beer some more.  They laughed and cried and complained! They love their Huskers!

LuckieEddie says—You can’t make a person someone who they don’t want to become. Have you ever tried to make someone into someone they don’t want to become?  How did that go?  That is what I thought. CadillacJack says—It’s really hard to change someone who has been programed by their genes and also many years of their environment; many folks are just who they are.  I know some of you think I’m just crazy (i.e. not crazy smart); I do know that I bumped my head the other day sooooo...!!! I would guess many of the ranchers up ‘er in ‘em sand hills were raised there and really it is just their life.  They love it!

That’s my jam for the week!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Language, like linen, looks best when it is clean.

I like that

GeorgeTheCrook says--I would like to think some folks’ thinking is screwed up.  That could be right GeorgeTheCrook but those other folks probably think that your thinking is screwed up compared to theirs.  Soooo how will we ever know who is screwed up? Folks, think about that when reading this “It’s Saturday.” Think about who is screwed up!  If we like it or not, we are all screwed up to some degree.  Who is normal.  Soooo who is screwed up?  Who is the judge? Your mother-in-law?

Today, it’s ‘them’ vs. ‘us’!  There seems to be a “great divide” in our country now.  It’s probably nutten new; we have had great divides before.  Folks on both sides of the “great divide” all think they are right (i.e. again, that’s nutten new). The new term that is used now is, “they are on the wrong side of history.” There appears to be a lot of ignorance and self-serving egotism (i.e. again, that’s nutten new). Folks on both sides think they are the enlightened ones who know what is the right direction a.k.a. the right side of history (i.e. again, that’s really nutten new). ItchieBitchie says—When you get to the root of the problem, it’s all about the money; don’t kid yourself.  I would like to think that something is right. It could even be something in the middle.  CrazyMarvin says—NO WAY!

OneSmartGuy told me this after our discussion about the “great divide”-- It is true there has always been a divide politically and in other areas. But there has also proven to be a right answer with hindsight. Most of the time the objectively right answer isn’t known until after the fact. The Confederacy thought they were right to own slaves and they had Biblical text on their side. They were certainly on the wrong side of history. So when you see things like Nazi and white supremacist marches happening today, it’s pretty easy to see who is right and who is wrong and who will end up on the wrong side of history. If it is hard for someone to see that…well, I don’t want such a person in my life.

I like all of you folks, except maybe one of you; but I haven’t decided for sure on the one! We might have “great divides” and maybe “little divides” but I still like you guys.  The reason is – you are good folks, with good hearts; my kind of folks.  I would like to think that is a good reason. You are my heroes!

  

StuckInTheMudBud says—I would like to think that folks can figure things out. A vendor who represents both Direct TV and Dish told me that we need to change between the two every two years to get the best deal.  There are some customers who could save up to $100 a month.  Many have been with either company and never ask for deals or change when the promotions go off or when the freebies are over.  Soooo why don’t they change?  Many, like what they have; they are comfortable in knowing how to run the equipment and don’t want to learn something new or don’t want to talk on the telephone, or work out the bugs.  They would rather pay the excessive amount (i.e. companies know this, don’t kid yourself).  But the younger generation is really putting pressure on the TV providers.  This guy told me, in 2 to 3 years there will be major changes; some are already here.  Maybe the providers don’t like it (i.e. not as much money in their pockets) but the changing culture is demanding it (i.e. they are being forced to be innovative and creative or someone else will take all their business).  Where is K-Mart? I would like to think we can figure that out in many parts of our lives but it appears we struggle with that. Such is life.

It feels soooo goooood to accomplish  missions (i.e. biking Waterton Canyon and ice cream in Littleton)  Oh ya!  The best quote I heard by our grand kids of CO was by Jimmer (i.e. age five). His Dad disciplined him for something and he came running into the house crying—I asked him what was wrong—My Dad ruined my life!

This might bedevil some of you folks but it is what it is!  TomTerrific says—Try to be relevant to the future.  I know that some of you folks won’t like to hear that (i.e. it’s problematic to some of you). It is a good practice for women to do a self-examination of their breasts for lumps (i.e. a possible early detection of cancer—maybe save their life).  JoeBlow says--An unexamined experience is worthless. There are people who are 50 years old who haven’t lived 50 years. They’ve lived one year 50 times. They’re still making the same mistakes, because they never stop and extract the lessons. They never stop to ask, “What happened in this last year, and what can I do differently so that I am living life better? LuckieEddie says—When I examine myself, “what was and wasn’t” it is revealed to me (i.e. if I am honest to myself).  That self examination can change a person’s mettle.  Yes it can.  I like that. Saturday question—Where do you want your future to take you? MissPerfect, you are fine (i.e. right)?  Booyah!

JoeBlow says—It’s good to “be in the know.” Yabut JoeBlow, some times we just think we are in the know!  I went and watched Jimmer in his jiu jitsu class last Saturday morning. This is the sign that was on the wall.  I thought it was interesting.  Jimmer (i.e. age 5) told me that Russel’s dad is obnoxious—what do you mean by that—he thinks he knows everything and hollers a lot; he’s obnoxious; I don’t like him!!! He always says—There you go, there you go.  He’s obnoxious.  Folks, I wonder if I’m obnoxious to you guys (i.e. I don’t wonder, I know I am).  My opinion is that many folks don’t realize that they are obnoxious at certain times and to certain folks.  Hey, folks, maybe many don’t care.  MissPerfect says--I like to be obnoxious. There you go, there you go!!!! I talked to TrapperJoe at Clear Creek in Golden and he said--A good way not be obnoxious is to “keep your mouth shut as tight as a number 4 beaver trap.”  I like that! This experience reminded my of a road sign I saw going through Omaha.  It was an ad for Mutual of Omaha that read—The first thing we do is listen.  I like that.  Saturday question—Have you ever been around anyone who yaks all the time and you just tune them out?  Com’n now, tell the truth; that is what I thought.

DennisJackrabbit says—I give you the “kiss off” erv, when you write about prayer, attitude or stuff like that.  Yikes, you’re obnoxious DennisJackrabbit!  ANYWAY, a cousin-in-law sent me this writing about attitude.  I like it.  Maybe you will toooo.  ~  "Suffering can be one of the greatest challenges to our faith because we become mired in the depths of our sorrow and can't bring ourselves to see the possibility of a positive side.  Maybe finding meaning in suffering is not about perceiving an event as good or bad but rather about acknowledging that suffering is part of our journey - this thing that makes us hurt has happened and here's how things have changed.  Putting our suffering to good use is about remembering that while we have no idea where we're going, God knows and is always with us.  And for this, we will continue to rejoice."  Then she said--It's all about our attitude, isn't it? I realize that you folks (i.e. except for one of you maybe) are very positive and would charge hell with a bucket of water!!!!

I was having breakfast with Rookie (i.e. our grand boy--age 4) and Charlie (i.e. who is our grand girl--age 7) on the way back from CO.  They were telling me about their Aunt Whitney’s wedding to Joe. Rookie said--Whitney was his girlfriend, then they got engaged and now they got married and now he’s our Uncle Joe like Uncle Jamie.  Rookie asked me—Grandpa, why did they get married?—Probably ‘cause they love each other. I asked Rookie if he has a girlfriend—Penelope—Charlie says—I thought it was Ava—Rookie says—Not anymore; she kisses me at school and I don’t like that—Charlie says—That kissing at school is inappropriate; our teachers tell us we are to save our kisses for our mom and dads at home. What a hoot!

Our son, Chet, and our daughter-in-law, Jessica, told me at my stop in Waukee this—Dad, it is sad about Mom’s situation but about 65 years of her 71 years have been very good.  They are soooo right.  We have been married 49 years in which we really had a good time and a good life.  I said—I don’t want to dwell on the negative but the positive but it is not always easy when you are in the middle of the battle. I have emotions; if I didn’t, I wouldn’t care.  Hey folks, it is sorta kinda like what Penn State’s football player, Saquon Barlely, said after beating IA 41-14 last year--“You can see in their demeanor when they don’t want to be on the field no more.”

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

erv

MyFriendJeans says--An argument usually produces plenty of heat but no light.

North Star

For some of you, this “It’s Saturday” is just humbug and to others it is not.  PopUpEddie says—Some folks are very easy to humbug and other are not. I was talking to a couple of gals recently on the veranda.  They asked some questions about “It’s Saturday.” I told them that some readers tell me sometimes they don’t have a clue what I’m talking about (i.e. we are not on the same page I guess). ANYWAY, those two gals said they understand me perfectly.  Now how do they know?  Maybe they just think they know! God only knows folks for sure. And does it really matter?  I don’t think soooo. That is what makes it soooo much fun. It’s like going to an all-you-can-eat buffet; different stuff looks good to different folks but some eat it all!  Such is life.

I have acquaintances who I really don’t understand and they don’t seem to understand me.  It’s really funny as we just don’t see things the same.  Something that I really thing is funny, they don’t and vice versa.  And some folks I think have no humor at all; and some folks think I have no humor at all. Sooo we don’t spend much time together (i.e. I wonder why).  As a friend says—We just aren’t compatible. What’s more, goggle keeps track of how many readers read “It’s Saturday.”  Some of my best blogs (i.e. my opinion) get a smaller number of readers than what I think are my lessor blogs.  Sooooo go figure! I just don’t understand that!  haha

Everyone has tooooooo have their own north star directing them in the direction they are going.  My North Star this week is different.  I am in CO seeing our Heather, James, Erin and Jimmer.  I have taken a week of respite and Arlene is in a 5 star care facility near Chet, Jessica, Charlie and Rookie (i.e. but it's still a care faculty and she is the dementia unit).  Soooo, before I left, I asked Erin and Jimmer what they wanted to do when I’m there—they want to ride bike with me and eat ice cream (i.e. my North Star of course)! Leaving Arlene was tough.  I felt guilty.  Almost didn’t go at the last minute.  Friends and family really encouraged me a.k.a a North Star!

The Israelites had a cloud that was their North Star.  They followed it; they stopped when it stopped (i.e. sometimes for an hour, a week, a month and even a year).  How lucky could they get!  They weren’t happy or did they appreciate it.  The cloud took them all over the place; they had to take a few more laps around in the desert (i.e. like forty years of laps).  I think only 3 folks over the age of 12 when they started their hike to the promised land actually got there.  You remember the reason why? I got to go the Erin and Jimmer's run for money at their school.  It's the school's one and only money maker.  I think money raised (i.e. from parents and grandpas) goes to the teacher of that room to sue as they want.

Where is the Great Roman Empire?  Where is Babylon (i.e. the largest and most cultural city of it’s time)? It appears that some folks like to live in the past (i.e. as it always has been).  Folks, there are endangered buildings, endangered programs, endangered equipment, endangered traditions, endangered life styles that are going to go to the way side real soon.  That is just the way it is. I took in the Archway Monument in Kearney that showed how the area has changed from the wagon trains to the railroad to I-80 ( i.e. I have been by it many times and finally stopped and saw it--I bet many of you have toooo)  Some of you might have a “set to” about the changes but it won’t make much difference. Coach says—You got to move on; your “use to be” is gone; you got to move on; yes, your past was maybe good and fun but it’s gone; you got to move forward. It’s history!!!!

Her North Star is…! My phlebotomist at the Red Cross blood drive was a cute, happy, young gal in her early 20s.  She told me that she recently broke up with her boyfriend.  They have lived together for 5 years and were engaged with wedding plans done.  What happened—I decided not to marry him; he drank way toooo much.  Wow!  He just wouldn’t change and I didn’t want a husband like that; my mom was an alcoholic and I didn’t want to deal with that; it would have ended in a disaster.  It is hard but it is the best.   I told her that I wish good things for her. 

A friend is on a certain diet for his health.  He is a very much of a disciplinarian.  He seems to be doing very well controlling his appetite for certain foods.  Even if he can have something like once a month, he doesn’t do it as he says--It just makes me to want more soooo I don’t have any.  He also told me that after you have been eating food you don’t like, after a while you learn to like it.   What do you think his North Star is?

I think the conclusion of the matter is that live is more than about zeros!  After hiking to the top of a 14ner, sitting by the ocean, looking up in the universe at night, sitting in solute in the quietness of early morning, mediating in a special place doing a respite, etc., it's hard to believe that we live in a material world. But we do folks, just turn on TV or go to social media.  While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, I read what Dr. Jeremiah said—"Although society is performance driven and applauds those who are constantly striving for more, God invites us to rest. Our value and worth are established in Him.” GeorgeTheCrook says—And here lies the rub; I want both at the same time.  ConniverSharon says—I try to connive and make both work.  WorldClassLarry says—ConniverSharon, you can only have one North Star.  Such is life.

A buddy and I recently rode some bike together.  He told me that he gets short of breath when going up stairs—what are you doing riding bike—I’m ok—you need to get a stress test ASAP when you get home; when is the best time to do it buddy—I know I know it’s now but I feel ok—get a stress test; they can’t fix you up after you are dead; you have been given the warning soooo head it (i.e. a lucky break); you got to honest with yourself that you might have a problem. He promised me he would do it. I told him I will check tomorrow with him to see if he did it.  Soooo I did. He said--I didn’t have time today as it was my golf day but will do it tomorrow.  Soooo I text him the next day and he did get an appointment for a stress test in a couple of days. What is his North Star?

Ooh la la! I was around Struttin’Emily the other day.  Listen folks, she would make a good hood ornament.  StruttinEmily has the swagger folks to turn heads and she did.  It was fun to watch her and others who she got their attention.  StruttingEmily just plain loved it.  The more attention Struttin’Emily got the more she strutted. It was a hoot! I got a good idea what her North Star is. Recently I saw a 75ish gal trying to be a Sturrin’Emily; it was hilarious; I lol! I would have paid to watch that show; it was that good. Obviously, she had a different image of herself than what I saw. SmartPantsSam says—Usually people believe their motives and emotions are known to themselves alone, yet few things remain concealed from an intelligent observer with time to see, to consider, and to speculate.  Such is life.

Do you show what your North Star is?  Or would you rather be a mug-rumper (i.e. sit on the fence and have your rump on one side of the fence and your head on the other).  You want your pie and eat it toooo.  MyfriendCaleb sorta kinda tells what his North Star is. 

Sometimes I catch myself doing meaningless things (i.e. things of no importance—basically just time fillers).  A sorta kinda “chasing after the wind” type of stuff.  Saturday question—Is that ok to do once in a while (i.e. sorta kinda sitting on my hunches and watching the world go by)?  I went for an early morning bike ride and breakfast Labor Day morning.  There were very few folks around.  I think maybe there were a lot of folks sleeping in.  But I noticed a couple of our neighbors were up early.  I have no idea what they were doing (i.e. places to go or people to see or work to do).  Maybe they forgot it was Labor Day.  Now that could be; I have no idea what their North Star was.

OneSmartGuy (i.e. must be smart as he has a Doctor’s Degree) says—"We think of life as relative calm broken up by occasional periods of trouble. But the opposite may be more true: Life is troublesome relieved by occasional periods of peace. That is not pessimistic; it is realistic. It parallels what Eliphaz said to his troubled friend, Job: “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). Perhaps the most personal and private trouble we ever experience is loneliness” Have any of you ever been lonely? Are you lonely right now?  If soooo, that is when a person really needs a tremendous North Star. 

My mentor would say—erv, when it’s good, folks think it will be good forever and when it’s bad, folks think it will be bad forever. Not soooo erv, not soooo.  He also gave me this great piece of advice--erv, this tooo will pass!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Swallowing your pride occasionally will never give you indigestion.

P.S.  "Live the full life of the mind, exhilarated by new ideas, intoxicated by the romance of the unusual." - Ernest Hemingway.

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."
- Mahatma Gandhi