undertone

Have we ever been sore afraid (i.e. I really like that expression, “sore afraid)? I mean like the bogyman is going to get us. I wonder at times if that feeling is an underdone of our lives sometimes (i.e. there seems to be a lot of drama and trauma in everyone’s life). A neighbor told us a new word, actually an acronym, which is FOMO—fear of missing out (e.g. of being not being included)! Do we have that undertone or have we had it in our life?  Now that is like a bogyman is under our bed, maybe!

TheRealStuff! Things happen on this earth like illness, success, death, special events, pain, joy, aging, new birth, accidents, the unexpected call from a friend, a disappointment. Many times, we have no control over them, they just happen. Many times, these events can set the undertone of the day or our lives. Such is life.

When we are given a difficult task, there is a fine line between “Glad to do it!” and “Do I really have to?” Now that is a different undertone! But one thing can make a big difference: if the person giving the instruction says they will go with us. I think that is a great encouragement! It is a big difference than saying God bless you and then head on over to play tennis. Yes, tennis is still being played some in the 55+ communities! Oh ya!

Christmas cards are pretty private and maybe they don’t tell or show always the real or whole picture; some things are just too private to share in a Christmas card or letter. It’s like some things are sorta kinda incognito. We received one Christmas letter where our friends indicated that they lost many friends from death this year and mentioned them by name. At our age, that is going to happen; it’s reality but it’s usually not part of the undertone of most Christmas letters, but it is soooo real. Their letter seemed to be an undertone of balance of real life.

Maybe differences of feelings! We, as I said, went to see and listen to the Phoenix Orchestra and Choir perform during the Christmas time. Did you hear that, perform. I believe there is a big difference between a performance and using talent for a message. Usually, a performance produces applause, and participants bow etc. but not if they are using their talent for a message. I think there is a difference. It appears to me that sometimes there is an internal conflict for the participants. The undertone is different. And maybe the audience receives it different as well; they are split as how they see it and feel it! Could be! There might be two different undertones. I felt that! Like there was a conflict. 

We are all different, maybe! Different holiday get-to-gathers probably have different undertones. It can just be felt. It’s not said but is just experienced. Even probably different family get-to-gathers do as well for many different reasons; they might have had different feelings and undertones (e.g. when there is some tension of some kind or when the family is extremely happy because of a certain event that the family is celebrating). There can be some big differences. Maybe sometimes there are times when folks just don’t want to leave and sometimes when they wish they didn’t have to be there. Such is life.

Projections! Here is something that could make us sore afraid: what will the world look like 500 years from now, how about 100 years from now, or 20 years from now (i.e. my parents, Chester and Anna, thought the same). The world for sure will be different, probably way beyond our wildest thinking I would guess! I don’t think copilot even knows. Such is life.

I just finished John Grisham's newest book, The Widow. I enjoyed the book; I have read all of his books (i.e. I must like his writing I guess). ANYWAY, there seems to be maybe three undertones of the book: greed, don't assume anything (i.e. might mean don't get cocky), and innocent people are found guilty. All three of those can make us "sore afraid."

Oh, what a relief it is! Many of us have heard the universal antidote for “sore afraid” during Christmas. I believe it’s the correct encourager for the world. It takes all the “sore fear” away. That is my opinion. JoeWorld says--The antidote that is very popular for me is “more money!”

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Any kid will run an errand for you, if you ask at bedtime.

analogies

An analogy is a comparison between two different things to explain or clarify a concept by highlighting their shared similarities.  Here are a few stories that happened in my life recently. I encourage you to form a personal analogy reflecting the meaning of them to you from your own life's experiences.

We had happy hour with friends of Jeanne who just sold their house and had to get rid of all their stuff as they radically had to downsize. They told us, no one wanted their stuff that they thought was soooo important (i.e. not even their kids). They had to give it away (i.e. and they said—it was really good stuff).

The Takeaway is...! A couple on our mission team in San Angelo was in the milk business in TX. They milked about 3,000 cows. I asked them a lot of questions. One I asked was if she was involved in the business—yes, I did all the record keeping—did you keep records on every cow—sure did, we have very complete records on every cow—If they don’t perform, they are culled and go to slaughter. We keep only the above average ones! And your personal analogy?

Another guy on our team told us that he was conceived in Holland but born in Canada, they were immigrants.  When his mother delivered, the doctor said here is the first one and here is the second one. She didn’t know she was having twins. That increased their family to 6 people all living in a garage.

A long-time friend from MN, who sits with us in church, told me that she didn’t sleep well last night, I slept for two hours and then couldn’t sleep again until 5. What’s the deal?  I ate toooo much chocolate I think. You better cut back on the chocolate!  No way, I like chocolate!

There are winners and losers! I talked to a guy in our 55+ park at the mail box who has lived here for 30 years. He has lost his wife 10 years ago but had a girlfriend for the last 6 who recently has passed on. He told me he’s lonely and will start looking for a new one soon. He is 89. Soooo I asked him if the park has changed a lot in 30 years—yes it has, more folks from CA with a lot of money and different attitudes that I don’t much care for. I talked to a land developer who really likes CA folks who have a lot of money: I can put up with their attitude if they have the money! And your analogy is?

We visited Big Bend National Park on our way back from San Angelo and a couple at our motel said that they really enjoyed the park—sooo what did you enjoy about the park—the vastness was spiritual; the hike along the Rio Grand River in the Santa Elena Canyon was really magnificent and touching as well. Sooooo we hiked it. Sooo what is your analogy?

We had the opportunity to listen to the complete Handel Messiah by The Phoenix Symphony and Choir. It was long but beautiful. If I understand it right, it tells about Jesus Christ from prophesy to resurrection. It has been popular since Handel wrote it in 1741. The place was packed and the folks really enjoyed it and it seemed to affect folks (i.e. and most paid big bucks to experience it). Sooo what is your analogy to the Handel Messiah in your life. Oh, Leonard Bernstein, the late New York Symphony conductor, once said that the most difficult position in the orchestra is the second fiddle. Do you have an analogy for that?

We ate breakfast in Study Butte, TX population 173 at Chilly Pepper Café. Jeanne and I shared the Mexican omelet which had prickly pear in it chopped that morning. We really enjoyed the locals especially Ben and Shirley. Ben is 89 and Shirley is 76. They came here 20 years ago and liked it sooo well that they bought 20 acres and built a stone house. We like the quietness, few people, warm weather. We come to Chile Pepper Cafe every morning for breakfast. Shirly told us she was the town’s ambulance driver for 10 years. You seem very comfortable here—we are very content. I asked them if they are believers—Ben said, we sure are. They were a hoot! Soooo what is your personal analogy that fits this story?

Now this gets a high 5! I read this in one of my devotions that was very interesting to me and maybe it might be to you—"My children are grown. They’re not the adorable babies and toddlers I sang over all those years ago. My relationship with them hasn’t always been easy, but they’ve never stopped being my children, and I’ve never stopped delighting in them.” Do you have a personal analogy for this?

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

A New Year Thought from my second cousin once removed a.k.a. The Other Warren from Omaha--Yesterday is a cancelled check  --- tomorrow is a promissory note --- today is cash.  Use it "wisely".

think

 Saturday question--What do you think about the most? TheTexasChilieDog says—"What we hope for is what we want our future to be. It sorta kinda tells us what is really important to us. If we think about money all the time or ourselves or others or pickle ball or eating Christmas cookies or if we think about being more like Jesus' outrageous, lavishing, and radical generosity, then that will pretty much tell us what is the most important to us.” I think that is correct. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

TheTexasCowgirlRuby says—"Honestly, I find myself reflecting on my goals and the direction my life is heading. I also often think about the people who matter most to me, like family and close friends, and how I can support them. These thoughts tend to shape how I approach each day and the choices I make.” TexasCowgirlRuby--Let me tell ya girl, What you think is what you’ll be! Ride 'em cowgirl!

Now, do I have us thinking about what we think about? Are we surprised by what we spend most of our time thinking about?

A long-time good friend told me that I think tooooo much! But my Daddy, Chester, would tell me—erv, most folks don’t think enough. Now that is an oxymoron. I read somewhere—Don’t believe everything you think!

I think what Catholic Charity said in their newsletter is important for me and you. Let’s see what you think!  Encouraging Mindfulness to Minimize Holiday Financial Burdens  “ We at Catholic Charities encourage everyone to approach spending with peace, purpose, and practicality.  Setting a simple budget, choosing meaningful experiences over expensive gifts, and tracking small purchases can help keep financial stress at bay. Avoiding high-interest credit and planning ahead for extra holiday costs are ways we honor both our households and God’s call to wise stewardship. Open conversations with loved ones about expectations can also relieve pressure and create more intentional, joyful celebrations.” I really think that makes sense to me.

Flip the pancake! On our plane flight to Denver for Thanksgiving, the airline pushed their credit card through their flight attendants. It was obnoxious to me and I think others. They said—“We should buy a lot of gifts as you don’t have to pay for them for 90 days nor pay any interest for 90 days, soooo get our card and spend big time for Christmas.” What a joke, I think! How dumb do they think we are! TheDenverBronco says—erv, pretty dumb pretty dumb! Abe Lincoln said—"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time."

Mrs.PricklyPear from Southern TX says--We can give a lot of gifts at Christmas, such as clothes, toys, food, money, but if we can give the true gift of Hope, now that’s a gift that will have large ramifications. In my opinion, the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that we could give anyone.

A friend from South Butler County says—"Think different—live better.”  If you look around, you’ll see that great people do things they don’t always feel like doing. They do things that other people aren’t willing to do. They seem to think differently than the average dog!

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits says--"Reflection requires stillness. One cost of rushing from thing to thing is that you lose the space to think. Hard work matters, but nonstop motion often hides a quiet truth: you could have used your time better. If you never pause, you confuse activity with effectiveness. Make time to think."

We visited with a snowbird here in AZ who is maybe in her middle 60s. She told us she went back home to be with family over Thanksgiving. Soooo we asked her how did that go. She said—This is the first time the girls actually talked to each other. It was amazing. I think age and circumstances can make a difference maybe. A preacher recently said—God will be merciful to those who repent. Maybe that is a concept that happens in families too. What do you think?  That is what I thought.

I want you to think about making a Christmas experience this Christmas that you will remember (e.g. our mission trip to San Angelo, TX was a Christmas experience that we will never forget and be part of our life forever). More stuff just doesn’t mean as much; we have enough stuff but experiences are a different story.

We got this from one neat person--"This time of the year reminds us that we are all on this amazing journey. We could never have imagined the beauty of the whole thing but now we are just reminded how special life is and to say thank you God." What do you think of that? Maybe the older we get, the more we understand, just maybe! I really don't know but I think I seem too. A little anyway!! But remember, I' m just a little of' farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

I took this pic looking out of our motel room last Saturday morning in El Paso, TX. I told Jeanne that I hope those folks driving the Penske truck don’t need to leave right away!  Jeanne's thinking was that it was a couple moving and they have all their stuff in the truck and they parked their car behind the truck soooo no one could steal their stuff. Two different thinking about the same situation. That reminds me of how many of us think about Christmas differently (i.e. for some, it’s all about the stuff and others think about the true meaning of Christmas). We hope you choose the true meaning! The experience is much better. That is what we think!!!! Merry Christmas to all of you from Jeanne and I.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--The fiddler calls the tune.

I accept

Suggestion—Before you read this It’s Saturday, you need to accept the terms and conditions! Ready? Don’t be angry at any person!  Start with the person that angers us the most. Give it up! ‘Cause that person controls us and ruins our life. Let it go! And we will have peace in our mind, soul and life. Everything will be better. There is only one person who can do that and that is us, me. Pretty simple and it costs us nuttin! AverageJoe says--I can master my mood, not theirs! They don’t even know they frustrate us in most cases. How crazy is that!

When I have something or somethings that bothers me, frustrate me, perplex me, confuse me, affect me, control me, disgust me, makes me wonder, gets under my skin, irritates me, I sit down in the quiet and write them down in detail and why they bother me. Most of the time they dissolve, or I find out they aren’t as bad as I thought or much easier to figure out and resolve than before. It really works for me. I guess it’s because I accept them.

It's hard to accept certain things, yes, it is. A friend suggested that a mutual acquaintance contact us about our advice about marriage as seniors. She did text us and asked if we would call her on her main cell phone and not the cell phone she just texted us on. She said the first cell phone is my burner phone that I uses to find my main cell phone!

I’m thinking that more folks in general are starting to mellow in their radicalness. I hear folks tempering their attitudes, I think. I think we as a human race are starting to accept the reality that if we don’t work together we are going to self-destruct as a country and as a world. The Bible tells us that there will be an end. ItchieBitchie says—We all know we are going to die on this earth! We all have expiration dates just like the milk in the refrigerator does. Da!

Oswald Chambers said, “God is the Great Engineer, creating circumstances to bring about moments in our lives of divine importance, leading us to divine appointments.” I accept what Oswald said but SwervinErvin has trouble recognizing them and accepting them sometimes. I accept that non-believers think believers are weird but they really like how believers act! Yes, yes and yes!

Saturday question--What is the most important thing for humans to accept do you think?

GeorgeTheStingingCactus said to his wife: I accept you a.k.a. appreciate you! When we accept others, we tell them that we support them and our relationships appreciate in value. FlipThePancake, if we don’t accept others, relationships depreciate in value very fast, deteriorate, decompose, dissolve, disappear. My Daddy, Chester, told me never buy something that depreciates in value if you don’t have the cash (i.e. save the cash before buying it) but I could buy something that appreciates in value with credit. I accepted his teaching.

CoachB says--Keep calm and carry on! I agree Coach and I accept your advice but how do we keep calm and carry on is the 64,000 question. Paul tells us the answer but not all accept his advice. As a deceased friend, whose name was Paul also, would say to me—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who makes the decisions. TheTexanWithTheBigCowboyHat says--If you make wise decisions, compound interest is a blessing. If you make foolish decisions, compound interest is a curse.

Jeanne and I spent this week in San Angelo, TX working with a team of World Renew folks doing assessment for folks’ needs as result the terrible. disastrous flood they had last summer. These assessments will be used for the volunteer construction teams that will come later. Our team seems to think one of the biggest sources we can give them is Hope. Yes, the material fixing is very important too. They seem to accept both very much. We don’t know who is blessed the most, them or us. It is very humbling for us but feels oh soooo good! And we know, Life is like riding a bicycle -- if you stop peddling, you fall over. San Angelo was founded by sheep ranchers manly and it has sheep sculptures all over town. We saw one sign that really caught our attention. It read--In a world of sheep, be a goat! I accept that!

I’m erv and I accept this message!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—When you are in the dark, look for the stars.

the market

Disclaimer right up front. You don’t have to believe anything I say or talk about; in fact, you might not want to believe anything in this “It’s Saturday.” Some of you might put it in the same category as "AI slop."  This “It’s Saturday is for you and I to THINK (i.e. I realize that is hard for us at times)! hahaha I’m actually not even a writer; many of you have corrected me many times! Sooo what is my motive in writing this “It’s Saturday; my son asked me this when I started writing it many years ago. He told me—Dad, if your motive is wrong, it won’t work. None of you have to read "It's Saturday" like you have to read what a teacher tells you to read or listen to what your pastor says at church; this is purely optional. BUT I have a market! As there is a large number of people that read “It’s Saturday” weekly. I really can’t explain it. I really don’t know why but they do. It is what it is. I have no idea!

When we hear the word “market” many think of the stock market first thing I would guess. But many of you have markets that affect your livelihood as well a.k.a. corn market, apple market, car market, employment market, housing market, social market, etc. All those markets affect our standard of living in one way or another. I talked to a large fruit grower recently and he told me that the fruit business is in trouble right now—how come—over production. I read in the paper that the growers want folks to eat the old standard apple, Delicious, but the people want to eat Honey Crisp. Delicious apples are what they are used to growing but the public market is different. They don’t want to change. It costs a lot of money and time to change. They want to do it the old way! Da! Who do you think will win this battle!

The pastor at church recently told us--"The 'church attender market' is small and shrinking. Folks don’t want to go to church as much anymore. In Europe most don’t believe in God and it’s becoming more that way in the U.S. The churches have tried everything to get them to come but it appears that nuttin is working. The churches have moved the pulpit, discontinued the organ, made it casual, used hip songs, used performances etc. Now what! And the market that does go to church is aging out!" Yikes! There has to be a new mouse trap—that was in the book, Who Moved the Cheese years ago!

CactusJack, a nut of distinction, says--Day2day, year2year, life2life, time keeps going if we like it or not! The market for park models a.k.a. tin huts by my definition is slower in the 55+ communities now than it has been. The supply is greater than the demand. Soooo that drives down the prices some. That’s dynamic pricing as the business world calls it—like green fees in AZ during the winter when the snowbirds want to play golf, the prices go up—whatever the market will bear. But the demographic is that in the future the percentages of older folks is going to be much larger soooo there will be a larger demand but will they be able to afford the properties or the life style, that is a question that no one knows. Maybe the future generations won’t want to winter in park models. Maybe they will want something much more upgraded (i.e. they are use to much more high-end stuff). Could be! A tin hut, maybe not! I asked a friend how his Thanksgiving went--we had great news that a grand daughter is going to have a baby; most of our grandkids it seems would rather have dogs!

Our  granddaughter Charlie's shirt says it all! Saturday question—How do you and I market ourselves? Our market is the sum of our parts I think, and not just one flick of time. I like real folks and not fake folks. Real folks are who they are all the time and not just when they are trying to impress. Real folks are who they are in all situations (i.e. being themselves). Real folks don’t need AI to write a profile of them to make them look and sound good, it shows and is real. LuckieEddie says--We are who we are! Don’t kid yourself! A pastor said recently, we believers should act always in a way that others ask what is different about us. I believe we do! I asked our waitress at breakfast recently who was marketing herself in such a pleasant way if she was a believer; she said—yes sir, I am. I told her that I can tell!

Some markets are changing their brand; we see it quite often now. Meaning, they want a new, fresh impression, a change. They want to express their company or business differently. It’s a tool to increase sales, become more popular, develop more interest, align with the current culture, get rid of the old fashion look. It appears that folks do that all the time, create a new brand for themselves. Some of those brands are internally permanent and some are just surface branding. Both of those brand changes come from something or for some reason, they just don’t happen. BillTheRoadrunner a.k.a. The Big Nut, says—I think my personal marketing brand depends a lot on the folks I'm around. Yes, I do. Our environment really impacts us how we market ourselves. I suggest we take a break and think and ponder about the brand that we have!

Reminder—None of this might be right or make any sense to you, remember, I’m just another bozo on the bus! Besides, it seems that most folks in our culture think they know all the answers and they don’t want to think about changing.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFreindJean said--It's not how many hours you put in but its what you put in the hours.

P.S. THINK ABOUT THIS! We were at the Millennial Choir and Orchestra Christmas Concert at the Mesa Arts Center and were waiting for the doors to open. I was talking with a guy who was from Idaho. He said in part of our conversation that we are blessed even blessed to be here at this concert. Sooooo who blesses us? Santa Claus? Our government? The man in the moon? Sooooo who blesses us? Soooo when we say thank you for being blessed, who are we saying that to?

A Thanksgiving Opportunity

 Peter said—Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, what does this mean?

Thanksgiving can be a joyous time but can also be a sad, miserable time for you and I. Or even parts of Thanksgiving can be some of each. Some of you are in a house full of family and friends (i.e. maybe full of joy) and some of you might be alone (i.e. maybe full of loneliness. I have experienced both through the years.

I am offering you the opportunity to email me and tell me how you feel this Thanksgiving.  It does a person good to share our feelings. Our talk will be completely confidential. I know all of you in some way and we have met somehow and somewhere. Even if I don’t know you, I would like to meet you. I will return all your messages even though if many of you contact me, it might take me some time. It’s A Thanksgiving Opportunity for both of us.  ervmellema@gmail.com

Jeanne and I have the Thanksgiving Opportunity to be with Arlene and my children, their spouses and the grandchildren in Morrison, CO for Thanksgiving. As many of you know, it doesn’t always work for that to happen, and the clock is a tickin’! We understand that we have expiration dates! Last Sunday was our first church service back here in the Valley of the Sun. Some old friends from NW IA sat next to us to our left and an old friend from SW MN sat next to us to our right. Our old MN friend told me that she is #3 in her church back in MN! #3, I acted puzzled! She said--I'm the third oldest in our church and might be moving up soon!

And Paul said--Do not be anxious about anything, but….

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--It isn't necessary to blow out anothers light to let yours shine.

respite

This "It's Saturday" might make you AAA-CHOO!  Beware!

It appears to me that our culture is a very unhappy culture. It’s hard to be positive in a negative society (i.e. our environment). There is soooo much stimuli that tries to drag us down (i.e. seems like constantly).

When I was a kid on the farm a mile and a quarter south of Roseland, MN, we would butcher friers each fall for meat for the winter. My mom would put the friers’ heads between two nails on a log behind the chicken house and with one whack she would cut their heads off with a hatchet. The friers would jump around on the ground for a while with no head and blood squirting out (i.e. that’s where we get the expression, we ack like chickens with their heads cut off!). I wonder if we act that way sometimes.

It appears to me that our minds, souls and relationships are suffering from this constant. contagious thinking. Maybe we can’t fix everything but maybe we can manage it better. It appears to me that we all need a respite from this constant bombardment of negativism. For me, it’s being in a quiet place by myself for periods of time. I like to study scripture, pray, meditate, and most importantly, just be still and quiet. I like the early morning (i.e. for me it’s a decompression chamber). God says in scripture--“What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who listen to him.”

Many of you are celebrity models to me a.k.a. a respite. Yes, you are and you don’t even know it. I tie my boat to you! I hang my hat on you! You’re as good as gold! I really enjoy real folks and you are real folks! My kind of folks. You are a respite to my soul and mind. And some of you, not soooo much!

Flip the pancake! I say one thing about relationships but do another! What kind of person am I!  I just bought some wireless earbuds with the purpose of not having to listen about some person’s hemorrhoids while working out at the work out center at our 55+ community here in AZ. Or another person telling me how great their grand kids are or another complaining about the neighbor’s dog peeing on their rocks in their front yard. I can listen to what I want or just fake it and have quietness! A great investment! Well, jumping Cholla! 

But there is hope! There is no medicine like hope, no incentive sooo great, no tonic sooo powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow. And I believe that God is our hope. It appears to me the folks who believe this are much happier with a much more positive attitude. It’s sad when we have no hope. That is my opinion but look around folks, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

Do you think this is the first  time humans have experienced a world full of evil? Do you think you and I are the only ones who ever struggle with good vs. evil in our minds? It sure appears that this attitude has been around from the beginning of time. Yes, some periods of history sure seem to have been more positive than others; that’s for sure. Greek scholars remind us in this phrase—the evil day—refers to a particular hour when evil will be manifested in an unusual way in the thoughts, activities, and pursuits of humanity. Yikes! I don’t care much for that! I need a respite. Soooo, maybe we need to manage it better. What do you think?  That is what I thought.

Yes, for me, I don’t care to see evil win over good (i.e. it really hurts me). It appears to me that is what is happening a lot now; mass confusion; a major trend! Where is Babylon today? Where is the great Roman Empire today? Why did they disappear? What happened to them? History should tell us something!

A deceased friend would argue—Why would God allow all this evil on this earth if He is really God, the sovereign God? That’s an age-old question that folks have struggled with forever. For me, I think that God is God and I’m erv—His understanding I cannot fathom. And that is a large piece of my faith. I think that is sorta kinda what God told Job.

As for me, I’m going to try to do good!  I encourage you to do the same. The problem that many folks have is that we disagree what good is, it appears. There seems to be differences of opinions on that! VioletStillwater says--But we all know what good is now don’t we. C’mon! An acquaintance seemed to be struggling with his purpose in life. He asked for some counseling and was told he needs to think about volunteering (i.e. think about other folks). It has affected his life. Maybe!

CoachB sorta kinda says this about a respite, my opinion. He says—"A right heart makes right decisions.”  Sooooo, as I see it, if we make right decisions then our lives are much more enjoyable and useful; I don’t think I’m overcookin’ this! SusieQ asks—Sooooo, how do I know I have a right heart? Good question! SusieQ, there are ways. CoachB also says—Wake up and do the right thing; not just (some)thing but the right thing!  Yikes!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone. 

protest

AverageJoe, who is big on weekends, says—I protest how my life is going!  A friend of mine who is probably about 45 now who when she was a little girl would stomp her feet and pout and get mad and put on a huge massive temper tantrum in protest cause she wasn’t getting her way. She wanted her way! I don’t think her temper tantrums every helped very much! But it seemed to make her feel better!

When I look at the newspaper there are folks protesting all over the world about anything and everything. There sure seems to be a lot of protesting. Soooo there are some folks who are unhappy about something it seems everywhere.

There was a protest in Yakima where people marched and made a lot of noise. I had no idea what they were protesting. I read in the local paper that the reporter asked some of the protesters what they were protesting about, and they all had a different thing they were protesting about. They were just mad how their life was going maybe. But not all protesters; a friend told me he asked a protester in London while on vacation what he was protesting and they said—I have no idea, I just like to protest; it’s fun. BUT there was another article in the Yakima paper about the apple growers’ association who are not happy how the situation is for the folks who pick their apples and are aware that they will need to be part of the solution in solving it. They just aren’t making a lot of noise but are being proactive with a solution.  They know they need them to make money. It’s all about the money!

Of course there are folks that just don't care. I have friends that don't pay any attention to the news. They tell me they just don't care; I can't do anything about it anyway, It's less depressing and doesn't confuse my mind. When I was in IA recently I went back to Aplington to wrap up some business and ran into this guy/long time friend at the bank who played basketball on the high school team that I coached about 55 years ago. His tee shirt says it all.

Ok, I have internal conflicts in my mind that I struggle with; we all do without exception. Some folks’ struggles are more severe than others and some folks’ minds are wired differently it appears (i.e. from genetics, past environment or current environment). I have had one person sincerely tell me that we don’t think alike. I agree with that person. We live in America and we have that privilege. I can pretty much accept other people but might not agree with them. Some folks protest when others don’t agree with their thinking cause they think they are right and everyone should be like them.

It's like I have a black dog and a white dog in my mind. One is for good and one is for bad. They are constantly fighting. The fight goes on. And which one is winning? Answer is easy, the one I feed the most. No question. And where does that dog food come from? There is a lot of dog food out there to choose from alright.

History shows that there has always been and probably always will be differences of opinions. And it appears that most have been settled with wars. Wars were during early history and have continued in many forms. Usually, the side that wins is the one that has the most power and might. The loser usually has to surrender and be taken over by the winner. Casualties are usually huge massive on both sides. MissPerfect says--Wars are of many varieties from in our own mind to world wars. Such is life.

A friend gave me this advice—"erv, your grown children are not going to ask you for your advice as they already know what you are going to say!  They don’t want to hear it again. If they didn’t agree with you before they aren’t going to now! You might just as well not talk about it and save your relationship.” Parents can protest all they want but I doubt if it will make much difference. Off course maybe the children are right, and the parents are wrong. Could be! I was told that the demographics of our U.S. population is going to really change in age and other aspects. Now that will change the market! Now that will be interesting. ItchieBitchie says--It’s really hard to protest ageing; I guess we can protest, but it doesn’t do any good!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--A critic is the person who knows the route but can't drive the car.

hot sauce

SlimySlick thinks he is really hot sauce and thinks he’s really something but his slim is just slim but he doesn’t know it. Our human knowledge is limited; yes it is. There is soooo much that we have no idea about (i.e. even about ourselves); some stuff is way beyond our human mind.

There is an old concept I seem to understand better these days. And that concept is to not throw the baby out with the bath water. I think there is good in everyone (i.e. some seem to have more good than others maybe it seems). The bath water might not be all sooo clean, but I don’t want to throw the baby out with the dirty bath water. CadillacJack says--BUT sometimes it seems easier! I had to take a bath in the same water that my sister used when I was a kid. I would guess some of you did as well. I'm gad my parents didn't throw me out with the bath water!

I think the human mind is unfathomable! We cannot comprehend it with our human mind. Impossible. It’s just amazing! You talk about hot sauce! Dr.J says--“The human brain is arguably the climax of God’s creation, the most incredible invention in His universe. It’s a fabulous, living super-computer with unfathomable circuitry and unimaginable complexity, a collection of billions of neurons, each as complex as a small computer. They’re all inter-connected, and one scientist said that the number of connections within one human brain rivals the number of stars and galaxies in the entire universe.” We really are hot sauce!

I’m looking for some hot sauce! Something that has some real zing to it! I’m not talking about some hot sauce at Taco Bell but some sauce for my life that will be exciting, effective, lasting, fun and worthwhile. I’m looking for an opportunity! Now what will that be? I don’t know 100% for sure yet but….! I don’t want it to be something that just fills my time, but something more than that. Actually, I have a pretty good idea what that hot sauce is going to be! I don’t want it to be like worry-- Worry is like a rocking chair; it gives you something to do, but it isn’t good for anyone. I’m sorta kinda excited about this hot sauce thinking I have.  I think it will zing up my life!

Here is some hot sauce for us to use to build relationships. “A Psychology Today article tells the story of a man struggling with alcoholism who resisted attending Alcoholics Anonymous for decades. When he finally went to his first meeting, he said: “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! People were talking about things I thought and felt, it was as if they knew me, knew my problems, and had answers I couldn’t get anywhere else.” Sharing our testimonies reminds us we’re not alone when life is hardest. There is a particular kind of encouragement given when someone vulnerably shares their story of loss or distress and then tells what (or who) rescued them. I believe that we are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works.”  I think that is hot sauce!

We as a grandparent can be hot sauce, maybe even when we don't even know it or ever will soooo don't get discouraged. When traveling we were looking at a restaurant for dinner and were talking to the café director, that is what he called himself. He was in his late 20s. We had a nice talk and then I asked him if he was a believer as he had on a cross around his neck—he said—sometimes I am and sometimes I’m not, some of the stuff I believe and some of the stuff I don’t; I’m rather confused. I wear the cross honoring my grandmother who was a believer and helped me a lot in life. That’s hot sauce!

Flip the pancake! We were talking to some friends who were going to drive over and see a grand daughter play in a golf tournament and called her mom (i.e. their daughter) and asked if she would want to walk with them to visit--no, I can't, I'm taking care of my grand daughter--soooo, when will you be done--in a couple of hours--well, maybe you can join us for her back nine soooo we can visit some--well, not really, I'm taking care of another daughter's family dog--you mean now we are behind a dog!

When we were in NY, we stayed in Jersey City and the light rail was close to our motel. We decided to take it to the port for Elis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We were somewhat confused soooo we asked a NY businessman who was dressed very NY business proper carrying a expensive briefcase. He helped us and we thanked him. Later he came back to us in the train and gave us more information. I said to him—You are a good person. He looked at us like he never was told that before and had no idea what to say (i.e. maybe that was hot sauce to him).  After a couple of stops he left the train and as he walked past our train window, he gave us the thumbs up to us.

My Daddy, Chester, taught me—Test it against the worst possible scenario and if it passes, it’s probably a good deal!  My new opportunity passes the worst possible scenario soooo it’s a good deal (i.e. I like the odds in my favor). Or maybe I don’t know what the worst possible scenario is!  Now that could be! Such is life. BUT how do I know if it will work if I don’t try! I'm on it! ItchieBitchie says--erv, throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch and do something!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--The secrets of success won't work unless you do.

worldview

RickyRick says—"All our ideas, the thoughts that settle in our mind, come together to make up our worldview, the beliefs we build our life on…Our worldview determines our choices.” I’m guessing that none of us have exactly the same worldview as we have different genetics and have different past environments and have different current environments. 

M Scott Peck, M.D. in his book The Road Less Traveled said (i.e. soooo maybe it's his opinion but probably he is correct, maybe)--"It is not so much what our parents say that determines our worldview as it is the unique world they create for us by their behavior."

A young man and I were having a hotdog together at Costco. I get a big kick of Costco’s environment. We had a great discussion about how some retailers are now going away from self-check outs as they are being stolen blind. He said that his generation always uses self-check outs. He also said his age spends a lot of time on social media and many think it’s ok to steal from large corporations. Now that might be a change in a worldview.

Are you a cosmopolitan? The term cosmopolitan refers to someone who is familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures. A cosmopolitan person typically embraces diversity, is open-minded, and feels comfortable interacting with people from various backgrounds. It can also describe cities or environments that are characterized by a mix of cultures, ideas, and influences from around the world. I don’t think I am really a cosmopolitan. I have found a difference between The Great Northwest and the Midwest soooo how can I be a complete cosmopolitan? But it appears to me that with all the unrest, different opinions and wars going on, many folks have a hard time being a world cosmopolitan. Their worldviews seem to be different!

During our recent travels we have talked to folks from all over the world and the U.S. They all seem to be concerned about the future of our world. They told us about their countries, the good and the bad, and also about what they think of the U.S. It is very interesting to us. There are really many nice folks in the world. World travelers might not be a true cross section of the world, we understand that.

I have seen once again that kindness is always a common denominator with folks. Yes, it is. Here is a story, an analogy, about kindness to prove my point. Erin, our teenage granddaughter, likes animals. The neighbor’s cat climbs the six-foot backyard fence and comes in their back yard. Erin plays with the cat, gives it kindness, feeds it, etc. The cat sits on the backyard furniture to look in their house and paws at their door for Erin. And that is an animal!

Our pastor said Sunday, he was surprised that the major costume theme of the kids for the church's trick and treat was evil. And the probably #1 costume was that of a serial killer. He said--"What does that say of our world! Is that the worldview of our country or community?"

My world view can change and sometimes I get out of whack, and I don’t function well when I get my head missed up. Maybe to sum that up, it is when I’m not humble, I’m not a very good person when I get that way. And it’s hard to stay humble in the world we live in. Ok, we can be confident but still be humble I think and that is a great combination, my opinion. Sometimes I have events and situations in my life that really humble me. They really do affect me. I also am learning that certain things in life need time to develop, to play out. I need to give some things basically time to work out! I sometimes try to force things. It is hard to be patient. I also realize again that I'm not in charge of the universe; in fact I think I'm in charge of very little!

Marcus Aurelius said—He who lived in harmony with oneself is usually in harmony with the universe.

While eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it I read this:  Pride says, “Forget you, God. I have my plans, dreams, and ambitions. I’m going to do what I want to do.” But the Bible urges us over and over again to choose humility over pride. James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (GNT). And Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before honor is humility” (NKJV). Then James 4:10 promises, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (NLT).  

But then again, sometimes we don’t care what others say or think as we think we know everything! Yikes! Such is life!

In an essay titled “First and Second Things,” C. S. Lewis once observed: “...You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.”

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--A person deserves a second chance, but keep an eye on them.