change 'em, accept 'em, or leave 'em

There is this business sign here in Yakima. They might know their stuff but I always don’t soooo take that into consideration in reading this “It’s Saturday.” The people I quote probably do but me, maybe not soooo much. Remember, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a quarter south of Roseland, MN.

We are in Waukee, IA for a few days at our son, daughter-in-law and our two grandkids. I really love all our family with all my heart and am very proud of all of them; they all have been a blessing to us. And I get along well with all of them (i.e. they are good people) but I have learned that they all are nearly impossible to change soooo I accept them and after a few days in their homes, we go back to Yakima! hahaha That attitude works very good it seems! I'm a "silly goose on the loose" if I think I am going to change them; and besides, they probably think I'm the one who should change! hahaha MyPreacherManFriendFromNW-IA tells me this--"Arguing with anyone really accomplishes very little, if anything." 

Change ‘em, accept ‘em or leave ‘em are choices we have if we struggle with folks we are around that we don’t agree with. We have choices now don’t we. Change someone seems almost impossible if they don’t wany change, accept them is something we can do but it is not always easy, leave them is maybe the easiest but is it the best? I would guess most of you did all three or are thinking about doing one of ‘em right now. If not, maybe we should!

Naval Ravikant in his book, The Almanack of Navel Ravikant, says: “It's easier to change ourself than to change the world.” I think that means it is easier to change ourselves than someone else. I think he is saying we should think about changing our attitude, but I don’t know for sure. I read his book and found it interesting. The first half is about how our current culture is making big money and the second half is about being happy. I suggest you read the second half. I think it’s pretty good. The book is free online and on podcasts.

Naval also said,” If folks don’t have the same core values, there will be problems in understanding each other (e.g. if a person has a core value of honesty and the other doesn’t, it probably will cause problems in the relationship). It is better to dissolve the relationship early if that’s the situation as it will always be a problem.” He is a a big-time business guru who ends relationships immediately if the other party is not honest. He said, “It just ain’t going to work as honesty is one of my core values “ What do you think? Soooo what are our core values? Personally, I don’t want others to tarnish my life more or possibly corrupt it even more. And let's be honest, who we hang around with will affect us.

It works every time! OneSmartPerson said--It takes contrition and humility to find peace. What are contrition and humility? They are not innate qualities, but extrinsic. We can learn them. I guess we can decide to change ‘em, accept ‘em or leave ‘em. As an old, deceased friend said to me—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions!

My mentor would say to me--erv, When things are good we think they will always be good and when things are bad we think think they will always be bad but this to shall pass. I woke up the other morning feeling exceptional good. I have no idea why why I had this thought. I didn’t want it to change; I wanted it forever. But reality is, it will change as it never stays this good. I don’t know why I feel this way, really. I want to put it in a jar and keep it forever! I’m going to really enjoy it. I went to bed that day and still had the feeling. Hooray! I have the feeling that something really good is going  to happen to me (i.e. a great opportunity a.k.a. a divine surprise). Yes, I do and think it will. I can’t wait! Be patient erv, be patient! And when it does, I need to recognize it and have the courage to act on it. 

On my early morning walk this house made me think about the American Dream being a maybe a couple in a $450,000 house in suburbia, boat, camper, two cars in the drive as there is probably no room in the garage as it’s full of other toys and stuff, probably two kids and two dogs. Both have adequate jobs to support this lifestyle (i.e. with a lot of debt maybe) but it’s stressful. At the end of the day and week, they are really tired, but they are living the American Dream. The world tells us on TV that it is the way!

It appears that we in America seem tired and worn-out folks who are living the fast pace a.k.a. the rat race. Some even say they have had it, I’m burned out!  They are shot! And to me, many folks look that way. Sooo, I guess we can change it, accept it or leave it. My life is pretty simple by choice. I have to admit it, I enjoy it. But guess what, I still get tired! The ageing process does that to me, I ain’t 28 anymore. I just don’t have as much energy as I use to. The old body ain’t what it used to be! I need to accept that. It’s partially worn out and tired. But it has a little "get-go" left. Yours does too. Let’s not waste it. Let’s enjoy life and use it for good. Let’s ring the bell! I guess we can change our live, accept it or leave it!

Sarah says—“Every person on this planet faces gaping jaws of uncertainty. The only antidote to this poisonous threat is…!”  You decide folks.

I just read the book Reach For The Sky by Paul Brickhill about Douglas Bader who lost both legs and became a top flying ace in the Battle of Britain. It was a good read for me as it’s soooo positive in that it shows how attitude is soooo important in our lives. I know that and have been reminded many times, but this was another positive real story. CoachB says—"We are shaped by what we conquer"—“It is not the easy things, not things we are given, it is the things that we overcome that that truly define us. Those things define our character, our personality, our spirit and our ability to become better people.” Again, I can change my life, accept it or leave it!

When my life gets out of whack, I need to cut it down. I need to guard myself in not having an overload of negative situations and negative people around me. I need to have people of my values, beliefs and lifestyle along with positive attitudes around me. I need to guard myself. It’s my choice! That is something I can control. I can change it, accept it, or leave it! I believe we all should! What do you think?

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said--Red shy at night sailors' delight.

keep showing up

Our forefathers on July 4, 1776 threw a big dance which we still celebrate. They called it "The Indepen---dance!"

Dr. J says--"It has been said that people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. No matter who we communicate with, the way we speak or write has a lot to do with how others hear us. We must know what to say; equally important is knowing how to say it." I have no idea what you will hear in this "It's Saturday;" I guess some will hear more than others or different things than others; that's just the way it is. I ask that you cut me some slack! Remember, I'm just another bozo on the bus! A new acquaintance and a possible new friend told me--I got hearing aids soo now I can hear but now I can't remember what I hear!

"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth—only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair." — C.S. Lewis

James, anybody can be a James, says--"So much of what we believe is the residue of someone else's thinking. Sooo pause and question things for a moment. Is this really how it has to be? Is this really what we want?" I heard a lecture about our culture chances from generation to generation. The speaker said—“We now live in an ‘I’ world and no longer a ‘we’ world. It’s all about ‘I’. We don’t hardly listen to anyone any more as there is nuttin authentic anymore (i.e. everything is a scam to get our money) so we just believe what ‘I’ wants to think. It’s all about getting the money!  The world just cares about themselves (i.e. how does everything affect me; that all that counts).” That is what the speaker said. Do you believe that?

We keep showing up every day but….  CoachB says—“We have three options with our lives, we can make the world better, make the world worse or be neutral. It is our choice.” Saturday question--Who are/were the shining stars of our universe?  You know, the ones that kept showing up for us! The ones who are/were firecrackers in our lives!

A speaker touting Young Life, an organization working with youth said—“We go to their world; they are not going to come to our world. We just have to keep showing up in their world, be persistent, we just hang around. We need to build relationships; that is what is needed to help young folks. We just have to keep showing up in their lives. They live in a way different culture than adults do. Their environment is way different than an adult environment. It is hard to understand; we try to force them into our environment or our past environment when we were kids. It doesn’t work. Our stories aren’t even relevant to them. They don’t make any sense to them. It’s just a way different world. We can’t hit 'undo'!" You believe that?

I called a friend from Western Illinois (i.e. about 17.5 miles East of the Mighty Mississippi River) who is a retired farmer who with his wife still live on the farm. He told me that he can’t do much anymore but I still teach Sunday School at church each Sunday and has been doing it for 50+ years. I just keep doing it a.k.a. showing up; it’s still something I can do. He’s 94 and his wife is 93. My wife makes the coffee and the goodies for each Sunday and I do the teaching. We try to get there about half an hour early as that is when the folks come to talk; it’s when we hear the good gossip! Those folks are loyal and just keep showing up soooo I keep teaching!

I heard another speaker say--… that to correct the accelerating generation changes we have three choices: we can try to revert it back to what it was, we can adapt to the changing world, or we can do our best and let God be in charge. I mentioned this to a friend and he said—erv, you mean we don’t do anything, just sit on our hands, and just let God take it from here like whatever will be will be! What do you think?

We had dinner at TX Roadhouse and the manager came by our table and asked how our meal was. It was good. She was about 32, had three children and another on the way. She works 55-60 a week, her husband is a carpenter and works 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now that is quite a family. We asked her what her biggest problem was as the manager—workers not showing up on time (i.e. we wonder if she was gracious but instead it being employees in general). JoeBlow says--"Talent is a gift. Reliability is a choice." What do you think?

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it: "Getting what you want out of life largely boils down to (1) the story you tell yourself and (2) where you direct your attention.” It appears to me that it sounds like it is very important as to what our attitude is! Our minds are something else let me tell ya! What do you think?

A friend told me this story about his adult son. He was raised in the church but in his adult life didn’t seem to believe.  We take his young daughter to church with us (i.e. kept showing up) and she touched his life (i.e. Jesus just kept showing up) and know he has accepted Jesus as his Savior and he is a way different person. Wow! Yes, that is a wow! That is really a great story, my opinion. God's ways are mysterious, even to those who know him intimately. What do you think?

 

'The times, they are a-changing' is an expression made popular in a Bob Dylan song that expresses some of the social and moral change experienced during the 1960s and '70s (i.e. do you remember the song). If we like it or not, we live in a time of change that strikes at the roots of our everyday life. SusieQ says--I think life on this world has been changing every day forever, it ain't nuttin new! AverageJoe says--YaBut, I still don't like it! I want everything to stay the same!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said--Forget yourself and think of others, you'll quickly find joy in your life.

life's formulas

An Yakima Valley orchardist, who is a great cleanup hitter, says—“Hard times create strong people. Strong people create good times. Good times create weak people. And weak people create hard times.”  Around and around we go, where we stop no one knows!

This sign was in a bathroom I was in recently. A MD missionary in the Bible study that I attend, said that when they first went to Africa to be missionaries, his wife said that she felt imperfect as a missionary, but she found out that none of the other missionaries were perfect either!  Sarah says in her book-- “There is nothing perfect in this world except God. That is why closeness to God satisfies deep yearnings and fills us with joy. Much frustration and failure results from our seeking perfection in this life.” Maybe, just maybe, we should work on persistency and not on perfection. What do you think? That is what I thought. We can’t wash our hands perfectly clean; we are animals!

The perfect formula of life has been said many times to be balanced physically, mentally and spiritually. It appears to me when my life gets skewed, I need to take a break and refigure it once again. It works quite well for me. And it is easy for me to get my life skewed, let me tell ya. There is a lot of stimuli out there let me tell ya! Sarah in her book says--"The curse of this age is overstimulation of the senses, which blocks out awareness of the unseen world."

Here is a formula by Dave Ramsey that is part of life that makes many lives much better:

I sent this to my grandkids (i.e. ages 13 to 18). I think their age is a good time to learn this life formula. What do you think?  Our 13-year-old grandson’s remark was this—“Thanks! I got a lot to learn…”

A friend always tells me—erv, you need to use the three Ps—proper prior planning. Soooo I pulled on the farmyard of one of my clients years ago. His parents were immigrants from Germany, and he had a German accent. He was sitting under a little tree in its shade as it was a hot, humid summer IA day in an old chair with a stub of a lead pencil in his hand and a small piece of paper that at one time was wadded up and now looked crunchy. I asked him what he was doing—I’m going to built a new barn and I am making a building plan, erv, you gottta have a plan—I said, oh, that’s a good plan! He was a very hardworking man, he built the barn.

Businesses have and make plans for their future, one-year plans, five-year plans, 10-year plans. They are called business plans. Plans that we project and measure progress by. A banker when loaning money wants to see our business plan (i.e. how are you going to fund the business endeavor and how will the project cash flow to pay off the loan). It’s just plain common sense, isn’t it. Here is what I don’t understand, why don’t we spend more time making a plan for our lives a.k.a. a formula for our life. It appears that there are a lot of folks that don’t have a clue what their plan is in life or for their soul.  Eternity is a long time folks. I just plain don’t understand why we all don’t work more on that plan. We seem to be more concerned about our money that will be here today and gone tomorrow (i.e. like when we die and we are all going to die on this earth).  Such is life!

RogerDodger says--"I believe that if, at the end of it all, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do... We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try.” And CadillacJack says--“Our response to a challenge defines us more than the challenge itself."

Oswald Chambers says—“Receive the Holy Spirit; it is an invasion, one that cannot happen until we come to the end of ourselves. We must come to this end not just in our imagination but in reality. When we do, we realize that, in fact, we never did have any power of our own. That’s why all our vows and resolutions ended in failure.” I believe that! Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Don't start your day with the broken pieces of yesterday.

compound

Shakespeare said—“There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” Now that is how important thinking is! Soooo let’s do some thinin’.

Here is an example of compound interest: If a person would save $250 a month starting at age 25 with an interest rate of 8% at age of 65, they would have $878,570. If they start at age 35, they would have $375,073. If they start at age 45, they would have $148,236. Think about that!

I just had my dollar and 50 cent hotdog yesterday at Costco. I shared my table with a middle-aged man who gave me some real good advice about saving a lot of money. He said that he always has $1.50 hot dog before he shops at Costco as it saves him about $100 every time because it satisfies his appetite otherwise he buys everything he sees. If folks would save the $100 each time and with compound interest that might save folks a zillion dollars! But when we are older the saving isn't very much soooo most of us older folks will just buy what we want!

We took a little day trip to Bickleton, WA to see the bluebirds. We had a good time. In 1960 a couple put up a coffee can for a house for a bluebird couple and they nested in it. Next year they put up 9 houses. The Bickleton area folks bought into it and today there are some 2,000 bluebird houses. Now that is compound interest. BUT the female bluebirds have not progressed to the modern culture. Oh no! The male bluebirds return in mid-February. They find a nesting site and a month later the females come. After choosing a mate, she will work hard to build a nest out of grasses and soft plant fiber, doing most of the work while her mate sings. Well, he did pick out the house! I guess it will be just a matter of time!

BUT! OneSmartPerson told me this--"If we have the same assets and I can earn an 8% annual returns, and you can earn 12% annual returns, but I need half as much money to be happy while your lifestyle compounds as fast as your assets, I'm better off than you are. I'm getting more benefit from my investments despite lower returns."

Different perspective! I have acquaintances who always think (i.e. maybe big on the “think”) they get the short end of the stick (i.e. always negative) and then there are some who always think they get the long end of the stick (i.e. always positive). Maybe there are some who waffle between both and get the middle of the stick! hahaha For sure whatever we think is what it will be in our minds (i.e. what we think is what we will be). And then that thinking will compound just like compound interest does. It will get bigger and bigger and bigger. Those two thinkings will continue to compound by being around similar thinking people, reading similar material etc. It will mushroom! It can’t be any different, my opinion. If we are negative, our chance of having a happy life is slim to none and if we have a positive attitude our lives will be much more happy. Of course that is my thinkin’. But look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Saturday question—How do we get a positive attitude? MyFriendDownTheStreet says--When our mine is stuck on a negative focus, Houston, we have a problem. Violet Stillwater asks--How can I change my perspective anyway? I would like to do that, I think. Listen Violet Stillwater, the battle for the control of our mind and souls is fierce!

Navel Ravikant says-- “All the benefits in life come from compound interest — money, relationships, habits — anything of importance.” 

Navel also said--“Earn with your mind, not your time.” It seems like everyone wants passive income. That’s income where it makes money for us every minute of our life and we don’t have to work (i.e. it just compounds). But to have passive income we have to have money working for us that we saved or got some way. We need money to make money as they say. Yes, most do that by saving and using compound interest but some inherit money and some marry money. Those two are a lot easier but maybe not as satisfying. But I don’t know.

It seems that many people are internally confused; it ain’t nuttin new. Why are folks bitter at times? Is it they don’t get what they want or think they deserve more or they compare themselves with others or they don’t like their past? Do some folks lack confidence, or they become cocky and showy because they have no confidence (i.e. I think that’s an oxymoron statement). It sure appears to me that folks who have the right type of confidence are much happier (i.e. they are not braggers near as much it appears). The true meaning of confidence is self-trust. It is a quiet, realistic assurance in our own abilities, value, and capacity to handle life’s challenges, rather than an arrogant, bitter and unhappy feeling. Do you think faith in God affects our confidence? Does confidence make us feel better? Soo then, does bitterness and confidence compound through the years and time like compound interest? Think about that! Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius on taking the high road:  "The best revenge is not to be like that."

I shared a table with Cliff and Diane while we all ate our $1.50 hot dogs at Costco. They were in their mid 80s. Each had long marriages and lost their spouses. They were married for 5 years. Almost our story exactly; even met in church like we did. We sing the same music let me tell ya. I asked them if their children from their previous marriages are happy for them. And they said—We think they are very happy, happy that we take care of each other and they don’t have to!  Now, that is compound interest!

C.S. Lewis famously advocated for the active, rigorous use of the mind, arguing that failing to think deeply is both spiritually and intellectually dangerous.  

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said—You do not get ulcers from what you eat, you get ulcers from what is eating you.

Great Plain Jane

ItchieBitchie says--When we are born we look like our genetics and when we die, we look like our decisions.

What do you see in the pic? What don’t you see in the pic? What do you like in this pic? What do you not like in this pic? My friend, DoyleTheClick, says he can make any family look any way they want to look in a pic for a price (it's all about the money)!  It’s modern technology; it’s not that hard; anybody can basically do it (i.e. make it a Facebook pic). BUT do you think this is a natural pic or is it doctored up? Is this how you think the average, common family looks? Each of us might think of a common family way different than other people think. I don’t know what an average common family is anymore in our culture, I don’t.

I was hiking in Cochise Canyon the other day and ran into a fellow hiker. (i.e. a common looking senior hiker; nuttin special about him until I got to know something about him). He was about my age, but an avid hiker. He asked me if I had seen any snakes. I said no – he said I‘m very afraid of snakes, especially rattlesnakes. He pulled open his hiking shirt and said, ‘And I’m a Marine.” He had a Marine T-shirt underneath his hiking shirt.  We had a very nice conversation, including that he became a orchardist in midlife after working in jobs in Seattle. He bought the family farm against his parents’ wishes as they said you cannot make any money farming here in the valley. They planted half of the 80 acres to apricots and the other half to cherries (i.e. it took 8 years before they picked the first cherries). He said I’ve been so blessed! I never had one crop failure and that is incredible, almost impossible for that to happen. I said to him, you sound very grateful--I am very thankful to God. I asked him if he was a believer? I absolutely am, completely. I’ve had a very good life, he said, and I’m very thankful for it. He just appeared to be just another common hiker!

My mentor would say to me—erv, we are all Common Joes and Great Plain Janes (i.e. at times we all just blend in with the wall); we all have warts, but other folks always can’t see them). Think about that! Did my mentor think of warts as actual warts or used warts as a metaphor?

There are common folks who are special and special folks who are common; common folks who are just common folks and special folks who are just special folks; there are common folks who think they are special but aren’t and special folks who think they are common but aren't. We made the acquaintance with a person who we don’t know if they are special but just act common or common but are just special. We think most likely they are a special person and they act special, but it is hard to know for sure. They are something else (i.e. they hit a lot of game-winning walk off homeruns let me tell ya)! Very impressive to us. They remind us of many of you folks; you know who you are! Saturday question—What kind of person do you like to be around? I was told by an impressive person--Remember one of the quickest ways to loose good friends is to talk about politics. Another impressive, special, common person who is a good friend, gave me this wisdom years ago--Dad, I would rather not discuss with you controversial subjects which we might disagree about; it's not worth it; I don't want to take any risk in hurting our relationship.

Can humans stay common when they are filthy rich or have unbelievable power, or have big time fame or are extremely intelligent or born in a certain family or extremely gifted, etc.? Is it possible? We hear of very rich folks that live somewhat common lives. (e.g. some of you seem to live a fairly common life considering). I would think it would be very hard to be common under some circumstances. Dr. J says--"When we’re filled with the Spirit of God, our life will be different. We will have a song in our heart, a spirit of thanksgiving in our personality, and a yearning to bless others." Soooo I guess anyone can have the Spirit of God no matter who we are.

AverageJoe said this--"Exceptional people are rare. When you find someone wonderful, invest in them. When you find a great employee, pay them well. When you find a great friend, prioritize the relationship. When you find a great spouse, out-love them each day. Relationships are probably the most important part of life. Take care of the great ones." I’m just another bozo on the bus, but I think relationships are very important, very!

When I was on my hike in the Canyon, I took this pic. I thought it was a great example or a mirror of life. The desert is dry and only a few plants can exist, and they are really not that bright green in color. But the plants on the canyon floor are very green and lush and plentiful. Why, we all know why, it’s where the Cowiche Creek runs with water that waters the plants. It’s common sense. Ok, if we are around “The Living Water” how will that make our lives look. Isn’t that common sense? I think soooo! Da! Great Plain Jane asks—Has our world lost its common sense? Does all what’s going on (i.e. the current picture) make any sense to us? Will we ever come to our senses? But John, anybody can be a John, says--But everyone has a different sense of what common sense is! Da!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said—Strive not to be a success, but to be of value.

it sounds fishy

Some friends sent this to me—I was walking past a farm and I saw a sign that said: Duck, eggs!.....I thought: That’s an unnecessary comma – and then it hit me. You know folks, we always don't understand things the same now do we. Maybe some of us don’t quite understand what the saying is trying to express, could be! Take that in consideration when reading this "It's Saturday." We just don't always think alike! But, maybe the most import thing is that we think! My Daddy, Chester, would say to me--erv, most folks just don't think enough!

GeorgeTheCrook says—"It sounds fishy" or "it looks fishy' are idiom meanings for when a situation, story, or explanation seems dishonest, untrustworthy, or highly suspicious. It suggests that something is not right, questionable, or "shady," rather than literally smelling like fish or looking like a fish. I think we all understand that expression the same! Bit on the think!

Have you ever had something that sounded "too good to be true" a.k.a. fishy and then to find out it was. We had to find out the hard way that is was not the truth. We got scammed in some way, in some form or in some degree! It was fishy from the beginning and after the fact we say, I should have known better! FlipThePancake, have you ever been presented opportunities that were "just too good to be true" and they really were (i.e. unbelievably great)! And they ended up to be God Winks, blessings way beyond our belief or imagination, just amazing opportunities. I have, they just fall in my lap! Soooo I ask, how could we know up front?

Sooo, do we analysis the odds, look at all the possibilities, test it against the worst possible scenario, pray about it, ask our brother-in-law who doesn’t know which way north is, flip a coin, ask for advice from wise folks, go with our hunch, hire an expert, never take a chance, look at our past experiences or others’ experiences, ask the dog, etc. And then we still don’t know what we should do most of the time. OneSmartPerson says—But sometimes we do know what we should do and don’t even do it and wish we would have! Ouchy ouchy!

LuckieEddie says--If it sounds fishy or smells fishy it usually is! Don’t kid yourself. Don't be sooo gullible! That's been my experience! 

Here is a precious fishy story. Our granddaughter has a friend who is also a friend of their family. He took Jimmer, her brother who is 14, who likes to fish but has had little experience fishing the other night (i.e. they have developed a friendship). He seems to be a very fine young man—he just graduated from high school with honors, an Eagle Scout, and a believer—pretty good credentials, my opinion. Soooo they fished from 10 to 1:30 and Jimmer caught his first walleye. It almost sounds fishy; too good to be true.

I really smell something good in what James, anybody can be a James, says—" We can train our eye toward the opportunities each day quietly presents. We can become competent at noticing our good luck: the little moments of joy, the stranger who helped, the small things that went right, the opportunity in front of us right now. So, what are we competent in observing? And which types of observations seem to serve our life best?" Flip the pancake, I think all of us don’t give thanks to God enough for all the good things that God gives us. Why do we forget soooo soon or don’t even think of it (i.e. maybe we just take it for granted). I smell a rat in the thinking of why we don't thank God more with sincere gratitude! It's fishy for sure!

Google says—Global scam losses are estimated to reach $442 billion annually. In the United States official reports track over $12 to $16 billion in reported losses yearly. Only 3% to 14% of victims report their losses. The true financial impact on Americans ranges from $119 billion to $106 billion annually. Ouchy ouchy.

 “There is a sucker born every minute” is a quotation associated with American showman P.T. Barnum (1810-1891). It appears that nuttin much has changed. As I see it there are soooo many ways that we can be scammed; sometimes we don’t even know it. Some scammers are really good at it. We have a tendency not to trust any folks anymore. We think they are all taking advantage of us. I have been scammed by folks who I had trust in and then they went bad or just plain took advantage of me. Sucker erv! But they weren't even fishy!

There are really some nice young people! Here is another example. We like to walk along Chestnut Street and the surrounding area. We park at Franklin Park and walk through the park to the area. As we were walking through the park there were three young men who were talking while holding their powered scooters. We were walking right by them so I asked one if he would teach me to ride his scooter as I like experiences and never did that before. He said sure and I rode it for a little ways. I guess we didn’t look fishy since we are 80-year-old folks! He was 14 with braces and was going into high school next year (i.e. a very typical young man). I told him that I have a grandson who is doing the same and he is a little nervous. I asked him if he is—a little maybe! I asked him his name—Skyler—I told him he is a fine young man—he said thank you--I shook his hand. While I was riding the scooter, Jeanne said to the other two young men—you better get your phones out to get ready to call 911—one said to her, he'll be alright! What a hoot! I wonder what they told their parents when they got home. Their parents probably told them not to trust those old farts!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said--Good examples have twice the value of good advice.

practice humanity

I got the idea for the title of this "It's Saturday" from a friend’s experience. He was asked to question the employees who he supervises as to why they work for their organization. One employee of 27 years said—I get to practice medicine and humanity. That really struck both of us. Soooo I researched what practicing humanity is. It is-- Practicing humanity means consciously treating others with empathy, compassion, and respect, recognizing our shared vulnerability. It shifts focus from self-interest to actively uplifting others. It transforms being human from a biological state into an ethical choice.

Dr. J says—“It isn’t what we say or preach but how we act.” He put it this way—"Others learn not by what we taught but by what they caught.” Talk is cheap folks! I read recently that we can’t practice humanity if we don’t have it (e.g. we can’t love and be kind if we don’t have love and kindness; we can’t give anything away if we don’t possess it).

A person named James said--"The best view of the game is probably from the stands. But that's not where the action is. And so we have to decide, do we want a nice view or do we want to be in the thick of it and playing the game?"  He also said--"Luck flows through people and travels by conversation. The people we talk to determine the opportunities we find. Keep talking to the same people, keep finding the same opportunities. Start talking to new people, start finding new opportunities. If we want different luck, start walking into different rooms."

I suggest all of us do some form of volunteering (i.e. throw those chips away and get our butts off the couch). Do something for someone else; don’t just think about ourselves all the time. Practicing humanity is soooo good for our mental health, it is just amazing. Be creative! It doesn’t have to be a lot or some dramatic event and certainly not showy. Be humble and kind and loving. Take “I” out of the picture. I have to admit that sometimes I think tooo much about me, I do. I am a greedy cow at times!

I was at a local park to walk the other day and as I parked, I saw the car ahead of me that had this on the back window. I walked over there and was taking a pic of it and someone said to me—You like that statement—I sure do and try to live that way but it is hard sometimes; is this your car—yes it is, I try to live humbly but as you said, it’s hard at times, but I feel so much better when I do—I agree 100%. The guy was probably 19 and with his girlfriend. Then he said—I wish you the best bro and fist pumped me. A great experience for both of us, I think. I think he practiced humanity. I wonder where he learned that!

We saw a lady in the airport who had a tee shirt on that said--There are two kinds of people. #1 Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data. There was no #2 soooo I guess we are to figure out what the other kind of folks are. What do you think?

It is soooo hard to camouflage our emotions; they just seem to show physically! Ericka writes--"...It got me to thinking about how little we actually know about one another and the possible internal struggles we are going through each day. We may witness the outward affects of these battles." I know Erika personally and she practices humanity, she is very special, my opinion. Yes, outward effects of inward battles show up in people (i.e. it puts us off our game). Giving folks a time to vent is a great gift a.k.a practicing humanity, my opinion. Others really don't want our advice but just want us to listen. I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--We cannot solve others' problems, they need to do that themselves. But maybe professional advice might help. OneSmartPerson says--It feels oh sooo good when I figure it out! Then the emotion of joy shows from us externally! 

A timeless question has plagued mankind: Why do the good suffer and the wicked prosper? I always struggled with why some of the wicked, unjust, ” I“ people, unethical folks, etc. sometimes seem to do sooo well in life it seems and the good folks don’t. The psalmist and Job thought the same. But they and I are reminded and most of the time we figure it out. Dr. J says this—"Both resolved the question by encountering God and His purposes. The psalmist declared that the contradiction in God’s ways “was too painful for [him]—until [he] went into the sanctuary of God; then [he] understood their end” Yikes! BigManBill says—I’ll just manipulate and buy my way out of that situation. I’m very good at both! I have a very good track record. God is no match for me if there is even a God. Wow! That is pretty egotistical, maybe (i.e. maybe he's a tad bit big on self-glorification)! CrazyMarvin says—I think, maybe, BigManBill has a monkey plan!

To sum this "It's Saturday" up about practicing humanity, maybe you have read William Wordsworth perhaps in some literature class in your studies. He once wrote that the best portion of a good person's life is 'the little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.'

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriend Jean said—Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

questions

Have you done things that you never thought you could do? A pastor broke some ribs and couldn’t sleep as it hurt sooo bad. He asked his doctor about it—where do you try to sleep—in bed, isn’t that where everyone sleeps—well, when you have broken ribs you need to sleep in a stiff back chair for the first week—who can do that he asked his doctor. Then he realized that a number of his congregation do it every Sunday morning!

LuckieEddie says--Sometimes we just have to put up with it! So what are you and I putting up with today? I can’t imagine what you are putting up with; I’m guessing some of you are putting up with some pretty serious “putting up stuff” and maybe also some of you are putting up with some pretty minor “putting up stuff.” If we would share our "putting up stuff" it would be like a mother of all smorgasbords that there ever was. Do you think your “putting up stuff” is worse than others or do you just think sooo? Like poor me!

What was the happiest day of your life? What was the saddest day of your life?  How about in the last 10 years?

This “It’s Saturday” is not a cruise ship adventure. When boarding the plane from Seattle to Denver, I gave Jeanne a new adventure. I wanted us to be the last two boarding the plane, Jeanne never had this experience before (i.e. I really show Jeanne big time excitement let me tell ya). ANYWAY, We had to let two last second people go ahead of us at the last minute. We had to wait in the loading shout with those two folks, and we had the most fun conversation with them. One was a 22-year-old grain farmer’s son from Canada who is an engineer on ships and just yesterday got off one from Panama Canal to Seattle. He does all kinds of different ships, even cruise ships. I said to him—you get all the breaks, you surely get to met some pretty gals doing cruse ships, lucky you—no no, curse ships are for newly wed, overfed and nearly dead!

What are the unmet expectations of your life?

The rest of the story getting on the plane last. The fourth person was probably a late 50ish gal. She told us her story of living in CA and having her house burn down but also has a house in Seattle. She seemed to be a pleasant lady. I asked them if they were happy—the 22-year-old young man said—yes, I am. The 50ish gal said yes I am considering—considering what—I need knee replacement and I’m in a messy lawsuit. The 22-year-old young man asked--what is your lawsuit all about—I am getting sued by the lady next door—what’s that about—she is married to my ex-husband! Ouchy ouchy!

What is the most important thing in our life? It might have changed from it being our bicycle to…!

Who was/is the biggest influence of our life? I am not going to tell you my response but will tell you some qualities of such people that influenced my life. My belief is that they are often attached and personal, generous, not pompous, not self-important, not manipulative, and not pretentious. Your qualities of folks that influenced you might be way different. I understand that. Like a person told me—erv, we don’t think the same! I just can't believe enough that we need to be around good folks! Just look around folks, it's not rocket science. 

How important is the spirit of gratitude? 

Are you one tough cookie? Some of you are, I know you are. Me, not sooo much, I’m more of a medium tough cookie I think. Jeanne (i.e. is a pretty tough cookie, my opinion); we just talked about a friend of hers who is one tough cookie (i.e. no question about it). She is in her 80s and should have been dead years ago! She is up early and has a big motor that runs hard and fast all day, incredible (i.e. she gets more done by 9 in the morning that most do all day; great multi-tasker). I stay out of her way as she would just run me over! Sooo why do some folks become one tough cookies and others become wimps? Do tough cookies or wimps drive us crazy the most?

Have we ever thought we were pretty tough and then got the snot kicked out of us?

Talk about a tough cookie, my kid sister ran in a 5-k race where 5,000+ people ran and she got first in her age division of 75-79. That is what I had to live with growing up! hahaha! She is truly a positive, tough person in many many ways, she is incredible. I’m very proud of her and my older sister. We call ourselves survivors as we had no choice as our parents died young. We had to be tough just like many of you. We can’t relate to many of you who were born with a golden spoon in your mouth! I don’t think we have a chip on our shoulder, but we might but just don’t know it. Do you have a chip on your shoulder?

Are we responsible to make other folks happy?

When getting my BS at good old Northwestern College, we had mandatory chapel. We were assigned seats by alphabetical order, so I sat with the same two students for four years. We sat on hard back chairs. I was tired most of my college years and I trained myself to sleep during the speaker quite often; I was really good at it! BUT I embarrassed the students who sat next to me many times as when I slept, I would jerk sometimes and kick the metal hymnal racks on the back of the chair in front of me. It was a loud clang. I learned a lot at good old NW and sleeping on a hard back chair was one of them!

Do you read books? I know some of you do. I recommend you read the book Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Jeanne’s book clubs members and other book readers suggested it. I liked it and others must as well as it’s a New York Times Bestseller. We did hear of one person who didn’t like it, it might be that it made her self-evaluate her life and she didn’t like what she saw! I don’t know, who knows! You can't please everyone! I think it's a good book! Book readers, tell me what you think.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--God uses our pain to convey important lessons.

expectations--no, I mean Hope

Disclaimer: Don't take me toooo serious! I really don't know much (i.e. I'm just another bozo on the bus) and people I quote might know a lot, but I'm not sure. Don't let me hurt your feelings, I don't mean to do that. But if the shoe fits, I can't help that! If I do, I'm sorry.  I really just want you and I to have a good life and maybe a better life. Sooooo, lighten up, just enjoy this "It's Saturday" with your cup of coffee even though some of you might think it's just shallow babble and others of you might not understand it and others of you must might get it (i.e. big on the might). Such is life.

The paradox of Hope. Many think that in order for folks to have Hope we must endure an event, situation, or something that we can’t control. If we don’t, we can’t really understand Hope (e.g. Dr. J. says--"Hope is most alive when everything seems hopeless").

We are in Morrison, CO celebrating our granddaughter Erin’s high school graduation. The ceremony was at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater, a majestic and inspiring location for sure. Yes, we are proud of Erin, and we wish her the very best. She has a great start! But as the saying goes--It's early yet! We hope that she does well in life (i.e. “well in life” is thought to be different by different folks). We also have Hope that she will do what is right (i.e. that is a different kind of Hope that is completely unseen and way out of our control). Again, maybe not everyone will agree with what is "right" either! Saturday question--Are you and I doing well in life?

I wonder if we think we need Hope when we think we are in control. Why would we (e.g. if a person makes a million dollars a year why does a person need Hope, they can buy what they want—at least it seems that way). WildWilly says—Ya but erv, if your kid has cancer which it seems like there isn’t a cure, that million dollars a year will not fix it, then we need Hope, meaning Hope for something we can’t buy or even understand. Now that is a different story isn’t it. JoeBlow says—If I can buy it or have power to make something happen, then I don’t need Hope. Anyway, that is what I think now, but I think I'm in control now and I'm pretty cocky!

FlipThePancake—I believe and it says in the Bible that God blesses the just and the unjust the same (e.g. it rains on the good folks and the bad folks—no prejudges). I guess that applies to the material stuff but…! CrazyMarvin says—But the way it looks to me, the folks who have a lot of money buy more new cars and nicer ones! Could be CrazyMarvin, could be but I wonder if they might have a harder time in finding the real Hope. I don’t know but I wonder. And remember, I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

I was eating my hotdog at Costco when a gal about 30 asked if she and her friend could join me. Sure! We started talking and she was a professional caregiver, and they were at Costco having a hot dog. She told me she really likes her job—you must be a patient and kind person—I am. I won’t take a client if the environment isn’t a happy feeling—can you tell—it doesn’t take a genius to figure that out; life for the client and me isn’t really very enjoyable if we are not happy. Saturday question—Does happiness have anything to do with Hope?

Dr. J says-- "Hope affects our souls and our souls show through our faces." Do you agree with Dr. J? Dr. J also says—"Real Hope comes from despair. We can never really ever get real Hope until we experience despair." Is that the paradox again?

When we all wear our everyday clothes we all look alike, no social status is shown, we all are folks with common beliefs, sorrows, struggles, successes, and discouragements. We are alike (e.g. when I eat my hotdog at Costco and share my table with others, we are alike in many ways; there are all kinds of folks there). Sooooo, when Erin graduates from high school, her future is very uncertain. Erin has no idea what her life will bring such as I didn’t have a clue what would happen to me nor did you. What a fun adventure my life has been as well as yours. Erin has no idea! We have great Hope for her, yes we do.

Personal note—Our little Erin who just graduated has a special reason why she is named Erin. I wanted to name our daughter Erin and Arlene wanted to name her Heather, so we named her Heather. When James and Heather’s first child was born, they decided to name her Erin. Pretty touching and still is. I just spilled the beans!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Life is a journey, and only we hold the map.

communication

One form of communication is asking questions—So where did “The Lion's Share” expression come from? 

We communicate by what we say and how we act. No question about that, unarguable. Now that is a fact. Ok, let’s get going and do some communicating!

ItchieBitchie says—There is chit-chat and then there is important conversation (i.e. some folks talk a lot but don’t say much and others say little and say a lot). Our pastor in his lecture series said that most information is no longer authentic but is just propaganda, talk with an agenda. Ouchy ouchy!  You might not agree with that statement; you have the option to think that the statement is just propaganda with an agenda, and it could be!

SomeReallySmartFolks shared some real, sincere information with us. When we expose ourselves, we have very sincere communication. It appears that sincere communication is really good for us. But not everyone has a real friend or real friends they can share sincere information with. Ouchy ouchy! We have to have real, trusting friends! And let me tell ya, they're not a dime a dozen!

Here is some communication from Sarah—“Most people let their moments slip through their fingers, half- lived. They avoid the present by worrying about the future or longing for a better time and place. They forget that they are creatures who are subject to the limitations of time and space. They forget their Creator.” It takes a really good friend to share really great moments. We feel many times that folks will think we are bragging about ourself. If you really have a good friend, they will be soooo happy for us. They will just be quit and listen to our great moment and don't try to one-up us with how great they are (i.e. better than us)! SusieQ says--I would never do that!  Liar liar pants on fire!

Good communication is very powerful but some communication is like propaganda which can destroy. It can cause division and polarization in our life, in our family, church, nation and our world. It works; I think history proves it. It is said, if you can’t beat them in war, destroy them from within a.k.a. division within. Abraham Lincoln said—"A house divided against itself cannot stand.” He actually got that phrase from the Bible, he used the Bible a lot.

Communication occurs more ways than talking. In fact, maybe, some of the best communication for me is when I’m alone. I enjoy being alone, it’s a special time for me. I especially like to be alone in nature. I think many folks do. I don’t think I’m different in this feeling. BUT we need to take time to do it if we what to experience this feeling! “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where we can be quite alone, alone with the heavens, nature, and God.” Anne Frank

Computer scientist Alan Kay reminds us that our perceptions are limited:  "A frog's brain is set up to recognize food as moving objects that are oblong in shape. So if we take a frog's normal food -- flies -- paralyze them with a little chloroform and put them in front of the frog, it will not notice them or try to eat them. It will starve in front of its food! But if we throw little rectangular pieces of cardboard at the frog it will eat them until it is stuffed! The frog only sees a little of the world we see, but it still thinks it perceives the whole world. Now, of course, we are not like frogs! Or are we?"

If you ever gave a pan handler $10 on a street corner, what is the question you ask yourself? I think we all ask the same question. MyFriendThePreacherMan sent me this--"It's just human nature: When it comes to doing something good for another person, we can't help but weigh their worthiness. We know that's inconsistent with grace, yet we often wrestle with being generous if we think our gift will go unappreciated or even squandered.”  That’s me alright! I’m just communicating with you!

I admit I didn’t know where “The Lion’s Share” statement came from but I know now!  I have also researched what intrinsic qualities are as well. I find them very interesting. Intrinsic qualities are a very powerful form of communication which we don’t have any control over (e.g. talents, creativity and intelligence). The opposite is extrinsic. We might, big on the might, have some control over extrinsic qualities of communication. Think through that. It might help us in understanding other people better if we determine that others have intrinsic qualities that limit them and they have no control over them. Big on the might! Think through that!

Abraham Lincoln famously said, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother." I owe a lot to my Mother, Anna, yes I do and I appreciate her a lot. My parents died way to young! My sisters and I were communicating about our parents, and they said this about them which I totally agree (i.e. my sisters are soooo smart)—"Our parents set an example of how a life can be lived even when it's difficult. They never tried to be someone they weren't.”  erv‘s paraphrase—"They were real folks with good hearts”!

A friend told me-- I think I understood my parents much better when we had kids of our own.

Francis of Assisi is often attributed as saying, “Preach the gospel—use words if necessary.”

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Prayers are not life changing--God is!