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!

yowza

I met a new acquaintance on my walk last week. We really enjoyed each other (i.e. he's a very interesting person). There is a chance we might become friends. He actually played a role in a friend's life in CO because of his consulting work he did there. It affected my friend very positively in the long run although my friend didn't know it at the time (i.e. isn't that the way it works sometimes). A small world, huh.  When I left, he said to me--I enjoy people and I enjoy talking! Yowza!

Soooo I suggest you be open minded in reading this “It’s Saturday.” You might find something that you agree with or even learn if you have an open mind. But if you decide to have a closed mind and think you know everything already, you’ll be wasting your time probably. But remember, I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile a quarter south of Roseland, MN. That's why I mainly tell you what others say. Yowza!

I opened up my computer and it said—Your computer has run into a problem, it needs to restart. That sounds like my life sometimes. I need to reboot, reorganize, get rid of some crap, clean house, reprioritize, do some serious thinking, etc. And once I do that, I feel oh sooo much better. Yowza!

Do you every look at some food and it just makes our mouth water? I do and man does that give me a sensation of me wanting that food right now! AverageJoe said—Man, that CrossFit is hard, but good, no you mispronounced it AverageJoe, it’s croissant, and you had three of them. He went on to say—My New Years resolution was to lose 10 pounds but I only missed it by 15. Yowza

Business executive and former CEO of Pepsi, Indra Nooyi, reminds us to assume the best in others: “Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different. When you assume negative intent, you're angry. If you take away that anger and assume positive intent, you will be amazed.” I’m going to try to do that more. Yes, I am. Yowza 

A friend told me that she is going to write down her blessings as they happen on small pieces of paper and put them in a little box. Then at times she is going to that box and pull one out and read it to remind her of of all the blessings God has given her. That’s a good idea, my opinion. JoeBlow says--The shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory sooo write them down—those blessings. We forget soooo soooon. Yowza

A friend writes—"My daily goal is to encourage others, be grateful, stay active and eat healthy. At age 81, I view each day as a gift.” Yowza

Dr.J says—"Trust by faith in God’s promise regardless of what our senses say.” Yowza! That is hard for us to do at times. There are a lot of folks who think they know a lot who say—It doesn’t make any sense (i.e. I’m an analytical and I want proof) so I won’t believe it and they don’t (i.e. but some do)! RickyRick says—" We may have done some really amazing things in life, but if we think we’re going to get into heaven, forget it. The only way any of us gets in is by receiving God’s gift of grace, which is available to every person.” And God has no prejudice.” Can we believe that!  MissPerfect says--That ain’t how it works in the world I live in! My world is run by the golden rule, the one with the most gold wins! 

I often wonder if my efforts are very valuable. Are they just a waste of time or do they produce results. I wonder.  I read recently that all really great things happen in slow and inconspicuous ways. Yowza 

A humbling experience for old erv! I was hiking to the bottom of Colwich Canyon last Saturday afternoon (i.e. Jeanne doesn't like rattle snakes). When I got back to the trial head Jeanne was there--what are you doing here--I got a call that someone found your phone on the trail--I sat down to enjoy the view of the canyon and it must of came out of my back pocket--we waited for a short time and a group of six teenagers came and asked if we were the ones who lost the phone--we thanked them profusely and Jeanne said, it is sooo great to see teenagers who are sooooo kind. Their facial expressions were very appreciative of us acknowledging their kindness. One of the teenagers said, we do what is right. Yowza! PS Chief James of Emergency taught me to put my emergency information on my phone. It paid off! 

Suggestion and recommendation! We have a book that we would like you to see. It's called Be Nice. The End. The Simple Wisdom of the Playground Kids. At first glance it looks like a children's book but I really enjoyed it — it was good for my mind and soul and life. The illustrator who created the artwork for the book, which we think is amazing, is a woman we met in San Diego last winter. Her name is Wendy Kieffer Shragg and she and her husband were spending part of the winter in the same ocean-front apartment building that Jeanne and I stayed in. Wendy collaborated with the book’s author, Byran Skavnak. Their intent is for it to be a coffee table book that is shared by generations, as a way to open conversations about what’s really important in life. Wendy told Jeanne: “The information shared in the book is important to instill in kids, but an equally important reminder for us as adults…especially with what’s going on in our world right now. Kindness never gets old and you can never have too much in the world!” Jeanne really liked everything about the book and bought several copies. We suggest you take a look at it. Here is the link to Wendy’s website: wendyshragg.com We think you might like it. If you buy a copy, tell Wendy that Jeanne suggested it. Here is a page of the book as an example.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Busy people don't have time to be busy bodies.

PS I met Pat at church last Sunday. She was a charming, refreshing and happy lady. I said to her--you appear to be a happy person--I'm very happy--what makes you sooo happy--I know who I am and where I am going!

impower

Hey listen folks, if I would of had more time, I would have written a shorter "It's Saturday." 

When I was growing up on the farm a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN, Chester and Anna gave me a lot of responsibility, beginning as a young kid. I think they wanted me to learn to make decisions and to grow by them and even learn from them even if my decisions weren't soooo good I think. They impowered me. I liked it but I didn’t always like it!

I think a good definition of impowering is giving someone the authority or power to do something. It appears to me that most folks like it when others impower them. The opposite would be not to have power like to not give them any responsibility (e.g. being a puppet). It appears being impowered gives a person self-worth a.k.a. as confidence. And how important is confidence to a person?

Sooo do we like to have someone micromanage our life or our actions or our job? I don’t think sooo. I was visiting with a friend recently about an action they are contemplating in their life. We talked about the pros and cons but I told them the decision is completely up to them, no one can make or should make that decision for them. I sorta kinda impowered them. I don't know if they liked what I told them. I think they wanted someone else to blame if it didn't work out. Yikes!

I have read that employees really like to be impowered to make decisions on their own, it's their decisions, they are given complete control in making the decision. It is saying, I trust you. When we do that in business or in a personal relationship, we are really saying to that person, I trust you completely. What a complement and relationship builder. Think about that. Try that, you might be surprised how beneficial that is for both sides.

Flipthepancake! But should all be impowered or does everyone want to be impowered. Maybe many folks do better having someone else tell them what to do. Think about that. That is why we hire others to manage parts of our lives as we don't have the expertise to do it. Look around, that's not rocket science.

There are parents still making all the decisions of their adult children. I wonder how that makes the adult child feel. I think I know. Daddy and mommy aren’t going to live forever! Da! I wonder how in a marriage that works if mommy or daddy are still trying to make the decisions for their child and spouse in the marriage. Da! I guess that is why kids sometimes move far away from mommy and daddy to Timbuctoo!  hahaha

Here is an interesting impowering situation. Yakima's school district is 60+ Hispanic. 10 years ago there were very few Hispanic. They come from Mexico to work in the fruit industry. They like it here and seem to be accepted very well. I was visiting with a guy who works with the Hispanic and he told me that one of the biggest adjustment that older Mexicans (i.e. not sooo much for the younger Mexicans) have is that their tradition is the man runs the house Well, the women get Americanized a.k.a. impowered and the men aren't soooo sure they like that! All I can say is--they will get over it!

I believe that the greatest empowerment of all kinds is being impowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit we get by believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit is Father, Son and Holy Spirt a.k.a. The Triune God (i.e. that can be hard to understand alright). If we believe that then the Holy Spirt is always with us which makes us have a different attitude which makes our life much better. That’s my opinion. But look around folks, it’s not rocket science!

The world tells us to be impowered we need Red Bull. I think that's a bunch of bull! Very temporary and artificial, my opinion. ItchieBitchie says--Soooo much of what is told us is propaganda! 

Do some folks always look happy and others always look unhappy a.k.a. wearisome! I think soooo! Why is that? I always say that unhappy females are not pretty. It is soooo obvious, my opinion. An acquaintance, who is becoming my friend, said that it's nature and nurture a.k.a. genetics and environment. He thinks his mother really affected his attitude of life. Saturday question--Do you see any common denominators for being happy and being unhappy?

This cat in our neighborhood sits on our back fence just looking for an opportunity. It does it a lot. A great hunter it appears. That cat is sorta kind an inspiration to me to be always looking for opportunities. I guess that cat sorta kinda impowers me. I have told you before that I pray for opportunities, pray that I might recognize them and pray for the courage to act on them. Sometimes I have to jump off the fence! Ouchy ouchy!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Many hands make light work.

being important

"The following help-wanted ad for a garage foreman once appeared in a St. Louis, Missouri, newspaper: 'Qualifications: Patience of Job, leader of men, a lover of people, nerves of steel, six hands, twelve ears, ability to be in four places at once. Experience. See John H....”  Now this job needs an important person!

What in your mind makes a person important? What does the world tell us what makes a person important? What does the Bible tell us what makes a person important? There might be some conflict in the thinking of those sources as to what makes a person important. I think soooo folks, my opinion. Soooo what else is new!

Before we left AZ, we sat at a bratwurst feed in our 55+ community with two couples who both have been coming to AZ and our park for over 25 years (i.e. very nice folks). One couple is not coming back next year—we asked why—to sum it up they said we have aged out. They were saying many years they were important in the park but aren’t anymore; culture and times change. They told us that in years past if folks didn’t play tennis here they were a nobody (i.e. not part of the holy elite huddle, a.k.a. the good old boys club a.k.a. the Post Toasties being just a little bit better, a.k.a. the country club attitude). As soon as folks joined the tennis club they were in and important). One person said he put a tennis racket in his bike basket, and he was instantly much more important to the club members. I thought this example was soooo funny but accurate in life! Soooo what else is new about  being important!

ItchieBitchie says--It appears that some folks try to become important by being a braggart or a narcissist (i.e. they are always crowing about themselves) It appears they think that the more they gloat about themselves, the more important they become, but the reality is just the opposite many think. JoeWise says--A little of how great we are goes a long way.

The word on Main Street is that Bigmouth Braggadocious and his sister Windy Braggadocious can’t even tolerate each other. Huh, interesting. Is that quality genetic or a learned behavior do you think? I really like real folks and we have got to know some folks in AZ who fit the bill (i.e. very real, our kind of folks). We enjoy them very much (e.g. they are not braggadocious related). Jeanne was interviewed by her granddaughter for a class as she fit the criteria of being a 80 plus person. One of the questions was “what is important to you.” I read her response which was soooo real and was exactly her, no faky stuff or braggadocious stuff. It was the real deal and she lives it. Abraham Lincoln said--"If a man is going to be a liar, he'd better have a good memory."

Perspective—Sort out what is important and what isn’t.

Play with emotion but keep it under control! Maclntyre gave the 15th green an obscene gesture, and then later on did a very sportsmanship act by hitting the ground real hard with his club at the Masters tournament. The Masters tournament does not tolerate actions like that and they reprimanded him (i.e. no matter how important players think they are or are). Maybe even not ever letting him come back again. We don’t see many organizations that have a strict code of ethics for such actions. We don’t see it in churches, in schools, in families, in business, in education, politics, etc. very much at all anymore. I did find it interesting that in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament that many of the players played with great poise. It appears to me that the coach has a lot to do with that (i.e. actually any type of leadership). It seems to very much different from team to team it appears to me. So what does that all mean! Does it mean that for some leaders it's more important than to others? Saturday question--Are folks much like their leaders?

Dave, anybody can be a Dave, says-- As mortals our physical lives are fleeting. We really are like grass. As the hymn says, “We blossom and flourish, like leaves on a tree, and wither and perish …” (“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”). It seems to happen so quickly. Even if we make it to 80 years, or even 100, in the greater scheme of things we’re just like the grass and the flowers. As the saying goes, “Here today, gone tomorrow.” BUT we are all important in our life in different ways on this earth, that is for sure. Even though we might not think or feel sooo some days. We might even feel unimportant at times. BUT we are important to God and we have a responsibility to use our lives for good. That is my opinion but it is based on Jesus’ teaching. Soooo what else is new! Saturday question—Soooo what are we going to do today to use our life in an important way.

You want to be important?  Here is a suggestion: Get in folks’ traffic lanes. In other words, affect folks for the better. Make a difference!

I was walking in our neighborhood and a dog on a lease in front of a house was barking at me. The neighbor lady was standing there and I said to her--I must be an important person--she said, no no, you are not an important person, the dog barks at everyone!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Doing right is never wrong.

what in the world

A support staff named Sunny at our tax preparer office and us were talking about being rich. She said--When I got married to Rich a family member gave us a toast, may your life always be Rich and Sunny! That was 37 years ago! Hey, I met Jeanne, I dream of Jeanne and I got a dream come true. I caught another break! What in the world! 

We saw at a tattoo shop where there were at least 13 people waiting in line for a tattoo and it was a week day. Wow! Our culture has really changed, we use to wait in line for an ice cream cone! But maybe it was a special day like tattoo Wednesday much like taco Tuesday! What in the world!

This is a full circle saying from being a kid to being a senior person--If your feet smell and your nose is running, you are built up side down. What in the world. My mentor would say that to his young grand kids. 

Ride 'em cowboy! And some believe that the cow jumped over the moon! Sarah, anybody can be a Sarah, writes—“Trouble and distress are woven into the very fabric of this perishing world (i.e. everyone understands that). Only if we trust, wait and hope in Jesus can we become impowered to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer” (i.e. not everyone believes that, but many do and understand it—But I believe in that). Some folks say--What in the world are you thinking erv! So be it!

I herd Brad Underwood, head men's bb coach of IL say in an interview when asked about his success--I have had the opportunity to have a lot really good people surround me (i.e. his environment). Analogy! We noticed when at the ocean beach that the salty air was hard on all metal and wood and even our car (i.e. bad environment for stuff). We noticed that cars that were in this area for a long time, the pant looked terrible and just disappeared. Well, my life does at times get out of whack. I then need to self-evaluate, slow down and get humble. My environment starts to disturb me: ruins my shine. I get out of whack; I need to Be still and…! erv, Be still and...! CoachB says--When we come to a fork in the road, sit quietly for half an hour and think about it and then call two successful people in the the area of our concern and seek their wisdom before making our decision.

Dr. J says--"Spiritual life is not to be found among the spiritually dead." I interpret that to mean to get around good folks.

Ben McCollum, IA men's bb coach said in an interview that when he moved to a new school, he got rid of any previous players who were negative.  Just got rid of them as they could not be part of their team. They just ruin the whole team (e.g. like a bad apple spoils the whole barrel of apples). The team concept is that everyone has to buy into the system and work together).

My big sister, only in age, sent me a note saying—"Several times you have called attention to OBs that you felt were misrepresenting the person that had passed. I saw this OB in the paper and thought you might like.” Here are some of the lines: 

What in the world! Do you and I tell the truth? Maybe we just tell part of the truth or maybe embellish the truth or tell none of the truth at times? My mentor told me—erv, once a person dies, they become a much better person; just read their obituary. My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, if you are good you don’t have to tell anyone, they will know. It has been written many times that once we are dead folks will not remember us by what we write about ourselves but how we made each of them feel, that is the truth as to who we were. MissPerfect says—I don’t know about that, Abraham Lincoln said—"You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but you can't fool all of the people all of the time!”

What in the world! I talked to a snowbird in AZ who told me about his father-in-law and mother in-law.  He said—His mother-in-law is a hypochondriac who thinks she is sick all of the time, but it’s all in her head.  It drives my wife and I crazy and she is draining.  My father-in-law has a one-track mind and that is golf.  He didn’t say anything good about either one of them.  Now I wonder what my kids and their spouses say about me. What do you think your kids and spouses say about you? BUT I didn’t get the mother-in-law’s and father-in-law’s side of the story about their son-in-law and daughter! Their story might be way different, maybe! Maybe they think their son-in-law and daughter are way out in left field. There is always two sides to every story! And then there is the right story! What in the world!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--What's good for the goose is good for the gander. 

blurred vision

I wear reading glasses sometimes. I can’t see near as well when they are dirty. And when I clean them, I see way better. Da! Sometimes I say to myself, why didn’t I do that sooner! Da! It’s such a simple task but I didn’t do it! The analogy is that I can apply that to many of my little habits. BUT I gotta do it! If I don't, I have a blurred vision!

CadillacJack asks--Who wants to live a life like a bad person? I’m guessing but I don’t think anyone does, do they? Sooo what qualities make a person a good person (i.e. opposite of a bad person)? Does our vision ever get blurred as what the difference is. If soooo, what could blur our vision? What could make our vision clearer?

Most job applications want our resume meaning they want our past history. That includes probably our education, experience etc. (i.e. basically who we are). AI can make us whatever we want to be but if they investigate our past they can pretty much find out who we are. And then they interview us and call references or see what we write on FaceBook. A face to face is important but sometimes people can fake it. Maybe different employers are looking for different qualities; some employers want the basic good qualities and they can teach the rest. If a person has a sketchy past, it might present a problem for the applicant (i.e. what is their history). I guess no one wants to hire a problem! But, don’t we all need a second chance at times!

I find it very interesting how people in the Bible were pretty much not the big hotdogs of their culture but folks of minor importance and some even had bad and sketchy pasts and yet became very important in the Christian history. That is amazing to me. Christianity believes that God looks at all the people the same, no favorites. He loves all of us the same and gives opportunities to the most unlikely folks. I like that! JoeSixPack says--That sorta kinda goes against the American dream and capitalism, doesn't it!

John Wooden's philosophy was--"Fairness is giving all people the treatment they earn and deserve. It doesn't mean treating everyone alike." He believed treating everyone the same was unfair because it ignores individual differences.

Sometimes some of the Canadians don’t like the U.S. but sometimes they do. I went to see an old golf friend who happens to be Canadian and winters here in the Valley of the Sun. He showed me a big jug of vodka and asked me how much I thought he paid for it. Well, it was on sale at Albertson’s for $5 with a limit of 2 bottles per person per day. He and his wife bought 14 bottles. He said they can each bring 5 bottles back to Canada but have to pay duty of 20% soooo he said we have $6 in each bottle. In Canada we would pay $66 per bottle sooo we just saved $600. It’s all about the money and how it affects us; our vision gets blurred when our personal money is involved sometimes, maybe. Don’t kid ourself, money talks! In the world we live in, it's all about the money! We have blurred vision many times! Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--If you don't pitch in don't you bitch. 

I wonder if we live in a Star War world blurred vision which is not reality but make believe. I wonder!  We just don’t like to or want to see reality. I wonder if we live in a fake world, I wonder. Sooo we ask ourselves, what is reality anyway! Good question folks, good question. It seems that reality is different to different folks. We really don’t all agree what reality is. Soooo in reality, if we are not going the same direction or fighting for the same cause, that might be be a problem. I believe in a sovereign God that is in control which means that He can change anything at anytime. Soooo, I won’t be surprised if that will happen. It has happened in the past and could happen at any time. That is my opinion and I have read it in the Bible of the past in which that has happened (e.g. a huge massive revival; maybe one is starting right now). You might not agree, we might have different blurred visions on this. JoeBlow says--erv, I think you are for sure the one with the blurred vision!!! No way that can happen!!!!

We are back at our home in Yakima, WA. As we were walking in our 55+ community in Mesa just a couple nights ago, a couple from the Midwest said to us--When we go home, it will be a different world. And it is! Maybe not better or worse but just different maybe. For many it might be back to the real world compared to an senior Disney World here in the South. For others it might be back to a very secure place of comfort of a familiar place of many years or back to the place of the same old problems of many years (i.e. the environment is different); It's a different world. Maybe either world might be a blurred vision for us!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Let's not cry over spilled milk. 

encouragement+

says—"A form of encouragement is talking reality and not just telling folks that everything will be great ‘cause it ain’t.” He went on to say—"It is good to learn to face reality and learn how to deal with it (i.e. learn how to handle real life); if children don’t learn to handle failures, life will be very hard for them; they will live in a make believe unhappy world.” My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, everyone has problems, but they just handle them different.

 CoachB coaches about—"We need to have a balanced life—money, relationships, spirit and health.” Think about that folks. It appears if we get out of balance, life is distorted and isn’t as good which is easy to do (i.e. this is my opinion). 

A devotion I read early one morning said—If we have the right mind, we can be joyful even in and during and while enduring a conflict. AverageJoe says—That seems far fetched for me to understand! Saturday question—Where do we find the right mind?

We saw this on a bench on the Coast Trial in La Jolla along the cliffs. Sooooo who could be our Alex that we would like to live like or do live like? Does our Alex know that they encourage us? Maybe we telling them that they are our Alex might be an encouragement to them. You can’t do it when they are dead, that is for sure! Or as a friend said to me--Give flowers and money with a warm hand!

James, anybody can be a James, says—The business that delivers a quality product every time earns the customer's trust. A  person in a relationship who shows up is reliable — who keeps promises, who responds with steadiness — earns the trust of the other. The pattern is the proof." Now that can be encouraging to have a friend like that.

I encourage you to enjoy every sandwich and give thanks. I believe giving thanks is a great opportunity for us to handle disappointments. Not to complain but to give praise and thanks about something. It works for me. David was a great example of doing that. His example works for me. He's one of the best, my opinion.

SusieQ says--Mommy and daddy shouldn’t always bail Jr or Susie out, no way should they! Children need to know there are consequences from their actions, good and bad and learn to deal with them.

CoachB encourages me with this statement—"Ya gotta move on to the opportunity of a lifetime and our lifetime is the opportunity.” Dale Carnegie said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” Saturday question-- Why not take a moment now to pray for that difficult person in our life? I believe that is a great form of encouragement, my opinion. And who really is the big winner, the person we dislike or us? Most folks don’t even know we dislike them. How crazy is that! LuckieEddie says--I seem to let other people be in control of my attitude. How crazy is that!

I believe there is power in encouraging others. And most people don’t even realize it. It encourages them and it encourages us. It feels sooooo good! And how we encourage others is different for different folks, for sure. AverageJoe says--We need to keep this in mind: People don't remember what we say, but they will remember how we make them feel.

I was getting gas and above the pump was this sign. It appears to be great marketing in tempting everyone to spoil themselves, you deserve it, just go ahead and have something you enjoy, don’t worry about your calorie intake, just eat and be happy. It’s a subliminal encouragement message to our mind. It must work or they wouldn’t do it. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—Self-discipline is the best discipline. Such is life.

I saw some folks throwing coins into a wishing pool the other day for I would guess for one wish. Saturday question--Soooo if we could have one wish what would it be?  That question sounds like a question at the Miss America contest. There they have to answer it politically correct or they won’t win. I guess most folks would wish for money. I know what my wish would be. Do you? Please send me your wish. I would be interested. You can send it with your name or anonymous. I would be interested. Saturday question—Do most folks wish for something for themself or for something for someone else? Now that might tell us something about ourselves. Crazy huh!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—A person who never makes a mistake is a person who never does anything.

the way I see it

A senior citizen, a name older folks are called among many other names, said this--The older we get, the smaller our dreams get. When we're young we want to change the world but when we're older we just want to get through the day without any problems. I don't agree with that statement completely. I have a lot of big dreams. My dreams might have changed some but I still have a lot of dreams. But that is me, that's the way I see it!

Saturday question—What do you really like to talk about? Food, pickleball, politics, weather, sports, price of corn, money, quilting, other people, cars, your job, yourself, your family etc. The way I see it, many conversations we like, others might have very little interest in.  Violet Stillwater (i.e. that is her bar name she says) asks--Sooo what are the contents of important conversations?

I would have really enjoyed visiting with C.S. Lewis. Actually, he would at every 4 o’clock go to the pub and sit on the end stool at the pub, have a pint, and talk to anyone. Some of his writings are very hard for me to understand and some are sooo full of wisdom which I think I understand such as:  "To be happy at home is the end of all human endeavor. The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal, or two friends talking over a pint of beer, or a person alone reading a book that interests them; and all economics, politics, laws, armies, and institutions, are only valuable in so far as they prolong and multiply such scenes." A friend some years ago gave me one of Lewis' books and told me, I can’t understand it, maybe you can.” I couldn’t!

When we were in San Diego, Jeanne saw a skirt in the window just like the one she had when a young lady soooo she went in as a throwback feeling. It was an up-scale women’s store for young women. As she was leaving, she noticed a security guard sitting by the door soooo she asked him if they have a lot of theft—no very little but they hire us to give the young ladies a feeling of security sooo they will want to shop here. Soooo I had to think, where do humans get their security or think they get their security? The way I see it…

The way I see it when faith moves out worry moves in. Those two qualities cannot occupy the same thought. It’s just like you can’t be thankful and discouraged at the same time. But the way I see it, I have a choice as to what I'm going to think about. It is certain that two folks can look at the same situation and see two different things (e.g. an opportunity or a problem). Why is that do you think? Isn’t the mind interesting! AverageJoe says—What you put in your mind will come out of your mind soooo try to be around good people (i.e. they rub off on us). If you don't believe me, just look around folks! It's not rocket science. That's the way I see it!

I would like your opinion as to what changes folks or is there anything that can change a person. The way I see it is that folks don’t change much or at all or maybe they do but it takes something really bizarre for that to happen. Ok, the way I see it, some genetics just can’t be changed, and the mind is trained by our environment of past and present to a point that it’s rather dialed in for the long run it appears. Sooo what is your opinion as to what might change folks—maybe like a disease, catastrophe, experience, money, accident, The Holy Spirit, ageing, etc., it has to be something that we have absolutely no choice on and I still wonder if folks change. Sooo if that might be true, why do we keep trying to change other folks. That is the way I see it. JoeBlow says—C’mon erv, people change all the time, you must be blind, where have you been! CrazyMarivin, who is as smooth as butter,  asks—Soooo does that mean that good people don’t chance as well?

A friend and his son were in a car accident that really could have resulted in serious injury or death. They were spared. It recently has been a year since that happened and I asked him if he still thinks of it—everyday when I get into the car; we have been very blessed. The way I see it, it appears that his thought process has changed.

I saw this on a car in Costco parking lot! The evenings have just been beautiful sooooo we go for walks. An acquaintance who we met walking told us she got hit by a car the other night crossing a street in our 55+ community. She got knocked down but didn't get hurt. She has tire prints on her toes to prove it. The person didn't even stop, maybe they didn't even know they hit her.

Do you like to set people straight? That means then that we think we are right and they are wrong. I know folks who always think they are right and love to argue what they think is their perfection. I like discussions but not a lecture sooo much, there is a huge massive difference in those two. Saturday question—Should we try to change folks who are legally wrong, morally wrong, destructively wrong, with possible addictions, ethically wrong or let them be? ItchieBitchie says, as I see it—You can’t win a pissing match with a skunk! Ya, I read in the Book that it’s foolish to argue with a fool! It’s better to smile and say nothing (i.e. that's the way I see it)!

The way I see it--Besides praying for wisdom in the specific areas that arise in life, we should also pray daily for wisdom to walk wisely through this world. Suck it up cupcake and let's get going!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—Actions speak louder than words.