Mentality

I had a great experience. In our sun porch, we have Mon-Ray windows http://www.monray.com/ that have been in our sun porch since we built it maybe 25 years ago. We really like them. Some of the whether stripping sorta kinda wore through the years. A couple of years ago I said I was going to fix that and a couple of latches. I called the company and the company sales manager Jim Nelson stopped at our home and looked at it. He showed me how to fix them. I put it off (i.e. a certain mentality I have) until I retire (i.e. when I have more time). Well, this is the second year I have been retired soooo…! This spring I emailed Jim and asked him for his advice to fix them. He gave me the best tips and advice but still I put it off. Finally last Saturday I started to work on them. It wasn’t near as bad as I thought. Jim’s tips made it very easy. I ended up needing 6 feet of whether stripping so I emailed Jim and asked him how I could order the stuff. He emailed me back and said he would just send me that stuff at no cost. I tell you what folks, that is service and a certain mentality I like. I bet a box of donuts Jim is a very good guy. What do you think?

LuckyEddie says---Sometimes it’s a little better to travel than to arrive! I think what LuckyEddie is saying is that we are always in such a hurry to get somewhere that we miss the travel. Is that a normal mentality? Really, what do you think? We are retired so time means nutten to us soooooo..! We are in CO visiting our little Erin, James and Heather and I got to do something I said wanted to do when I retired (i.e. when time means nutten to us). We drove through southern NE by state highways and county roads going through all the little towns. I was more excited about it than Arlene but up with my mentality. Maybe she has a more normal mentality. I don’t know. I like experiences (i.e. maybe unusual experiences according to your mentality). ANYWAY StacyO was sorta kinda our travel guide (i.e. she grew up in this Nebraska area on a cattle ranch doing all the cattle stuff—a very special gal in our mind and hearts). She suggested the roads and also a place to stay (i.e. I wanted an experience and not a Holiday Inn Express). What a good time we had (i.e. like I said--time means nutten to us—we’re retired)! Actually we started our NE experience via way of Waukee/Iowa Cubs game with our little Charlie, Chet and Jessica (i.e. a beautiful summer evening at the ol’ ball park). We saw two spectacular catches. One was by the I-Cub’s center fielder who made an unbelievable catch on a hard line drive in which he went back and to his left making a diving catch landing hard on his belly. The fans stood, hooted and hollered, and clapped showing their appreciation. The second catch was by about a 10-year-old boy off a foul ball. The foul ball was sorta kinda behind first base. Two pretty gals of about 14 stood up to try to catch it but it went through their hands. The little boy, two rows back from them, snagged the foul with his glove and instantly gave the ball to the girls (i.e. no hesitation nor was he told by his father—it was a spontaneous response). The father said something to his son and the crowd clapped for the boy. You have to have a certain mentality to do that. I was really impressed as well as some of the crowd.

On our way the next morning, I always wanted to stop at Walnut, IA, the antique city they call themselves, (i.e. population 847) so we did (i.e. never thought we had time the zillion times we went on I-80 at 75 mph past it before). What a hoot we had! There sure are a lot of antique places there. We stopped at this one place as it had so much stuff in the front yard. We talked to Kelly, the owner, and I said—you sure have a lot of stuff—Kelly said—I have a lot of junk. Arlene bought a piece of his junk for her garden. Kelly said there will be a lot of venders and guests coming to Walnut for the weekend (i.e. I heard two numbers--80,000 and 10,000 visitors so somewhere between those two figures I would guess). So we were heading out of town and I saw Roberts Treats and Treasures (i.e. a bakery with a store in the back). I saw it advertised on a billboard coming into town. I had to stop. I told Betty that I saw CBS on their billboard and was wondering if they were on CBS—no no, it’s the name of the advertising company which owns the billboard. I asked Betty what their specialty was. It was the pecan Danish so I bought for $1.60. So Betty what time do you get up in the morning—4 and usually work until 10 at night—wow that’s a long day! Betty then said kiddingly—My husband does all the work and I just boss him around and I’m good at it!!! Larry came to the front and he said—there is enough work for all of us. I said to Larry—you must make a lot of dough—yes we do but not the right kind! What nice folks (i.e. the salt of the earth—my opinion).

 Our next opportunity was in Brownville, NE (i.e. population about 100 maybe). Brownville is the first town across the Missouri River (i.e. actually on it). It was such a quaint little town so we drove through the main street. We stopped at the post office to mail some letters and the officer in charge (i.e. postmaster at another town but is just filling in here) was Kathleen Rullagh. She told us all about the little town. It was the first town in Nebraska as it had a stone landing for the ships coming up the Missouri River. It was were the wagon trains crossed the Missouri as it was shallow but wide here (i.e. about a mile wide). It had the first post office and first newspaper in Nebraska. She was the most delightful lady (i.e. we enjoyed her much). She suggested we eat across the street at a sorta kinda a tea house (i.e. we ate outside under their front porch—what fun). We walked down the little street as there were several artists who had their shops. We went into Gallery 119 LLC were design meets fine art http://www.gallery119jewelry.com/ Harry Andersen introduced himself to us. He makes pendants out of rock I think. They were very pretty. I asked him where he sells them—on line and he does one-man shows in several major cities in the U.S. How in the world did you ever get to Brownville—I was educated in Philadelphia (i.e. I think he had two Doctorate degrees in this art design). I was flying from coast to coast and we had mechanical problems and had to stop in Omaha. It was going to be 48 hours so I called a friend from the area who came and took me to Brownville and I fell in love with it here so I stayed. Wow! Ya have to have a certain mentality to live in Brownville (i.e. my opinion).

We headed down the road and stayed at a huntin’ lodge that night—Hunt Nebraska, Inc. http://www.huntnebraska.com/ in Arapahoe, NE population 1,001. If was quite nice and fun. John the owner has been doing this for 30 years he told me. We had dinner at Muddy Creek Saloon—what a name for a place (i.e. only in small town Nebraska folks).

The next morning we headed down the road. I saw a sign--Blackrose Angus Ranch 3 miles N and ½ East by McCook, NE. So I turned around and headed down the gravel road. We got there and there were a bunch of bulls in this lot so we stopped. There was a lady outside. She was Delphine Spencer age 85. Delphine said—You are just what I need. I just feel like sitting in the house and drinking tea. I needed you to visit. I want to mow my lawn but the blades are soooooo dull—let me sharpen them for you—no no I have sons and grandsons who can and say they will but don’t show up—you have made my day. She told us that she was divorced in the 70s and life has been hard for her. I have to be a survivor—life doesn’t seem fair. I told her my mentor just told me Wednesday morning at breakfast that life is not fair or easy (i.e. the only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and I think is going on right about now). I’m starting to get like my grandmother, Nellie, who no one liked. Why didn’t they like her—she was stubborn and thought she was always right. I never use to be that way and don’t like being that way but am afraid I’m becoming more like Nellie my grandmother. She said again and again—You guys are just what I needed today. I wanted to take her picture—she said she didn’t like to wear clothes (i.e. meaning dress up I think). I told her she had to wear clothes as she couldn’t be nude! She laughed and finally let me take her picture. I told her it’s all about your attitude Delphine. As I was getting in the car I asked her if she believes in God—yes I do but not like some—what do you mean—I don’t believe that everything happens according to God: I think some things just happen; what do you think erv—I agree with you, I think we have decisions but it’s most important that we believe that God loves us so much that he gave us Jesus so we might have salvation—I don’t deserve His love—none of us do Delphine but He still loves us—that’s hard to understand why He would still love me—but He does. Well, we will see you Nellie!!!!!!!!!! We both laughed. We all have a certain mentality now don’t we.

MissPerfect says--There are cowboys who wear cowboy hats but have no cattle. This guy didn’t wear a cowboy hat but had many cattle. Oh ya! We stopped for a sandwich at Trails West Texaco near Trenton. I asked the clerk what’s exciting going west—she said, not a darn thing!—there is just two old barns! She was wrong. Our last stop before Morrison, CO was at a feedlot by Yuma, CO. It was the largest feedlot I have ever seen. I turned in the lot driveway and there was a sign that read—We don’t do public tours. I didn’t want a tour but just ask some questions. I pulled up to the office/scale house and walked in. There were two office gals in an open type office (i.e. very nice gals). We started talking when the manager came out of his office and introduced himself to me. He was Collin who was about 35 I would guess (i.e. he would have to have a certain mentality to run this operation). This feedlot had capacity for 125,000 head (i.e. that’s a lot of cow pies folks). I asked a ton of questions—It was owned by JBS—they have 15 to 20 cattle buyers all over the country who buy cattle daily—they own their own packing plant in Greeley, CO—90% of the corn is grown in a 20 mile radius—average gain is 3.5 for the steers and 3 for the heifers—1% death rate—around 80 employees. I had the greatest of time. Oh yes, it smelt like cattle folks. Such is life.

JoeBlow says this is a good mentality to have -- Remember, to give a warm hug to those close to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart freely. Say, "I love you" to your loved ones, but most of all mean it. Hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there. Give time to love, time to share the precious thoughts in your mind and remember to forgive no matter how bad the hurt.

A guy has to have a certain mentality or is really addicted. I talked to a guy this week In Aplington. He was sitting on his front porch smoking a cig. He told me he has walking phenomena and can’t seem to shake it. He has had it about 6 weeks and has had a double dose of antibiotics but still fells terrible. Hey, he must not feel bad enough to quite smoking. Such is life.

Forgive me my nonsense as I also forgive the nonsense of those who think they talk sense.~Robert Frost~ Joesixpack says--There is a big difference between people who want to say something and people who have something to say. Often, those with something to say don't talk much and those who want to say something won't be quiet. Ouchy ouchy! It’s time to wrap this “It’s Saturday up folks. Such is life.

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

erv

ChiefervofthewetbottmIndiantribe says—Maximize every day of your life and enjoy it 110%. Take time to smell the roses. It’s your decision and decisions have consequences. Such is life.