now what

Now what!  Buga buga!  That is what TheCunnuckfromThunderbay says in Tiger Woods back swing of his putting stroke.  Soooooooooooo why do you do that--to jinks him; I don't like him!  He can't hear you on TV--I don't care, I still say Buga buga and sometimes I say oink oink! TheCunuckfromThurnderbay seems to like to drink (i.e. especially in the U.S. as it's sooooooo much cheaper he says).  His favorite drink is gin/tonic.  He says he bought Crown Royal whiskey here in the Valley on sale for $14 as compared to in Canada it's $60+.  Canada taxes booze and cigarettes heavily to support the free health care.  Cigs cost $10 to $12 a pack.  Hey, maybe America should do that.  What do you think?  I'm not much of a drinker but am not really apposed to it if it's done in moderation and a person isn't an alcoholic (i.e. drinking is not a big part of our lives).  In fact I stopped at a friend's place while riding bike the other night and we had a beer together.  He mixed it with clamota (i.e. I never heard of that before).  I sorta kinda liked it.  He's from Nordakota and a Scandahoovian. He seems pretty normal!!!!!  Really a great guy.  I hope he invites me back for another some time.

Now what am I going to do!  We went to Trinity Baptist Church with our BlueBunnyFriends (i.e. they are from LeMars, IA home of Blue Bunny Ice Cream).  Steve Johnson asked us what our purpose on this earth is--to glorify and love Him for ever -- go out and make disciples of all nations...and I will be with you always.  He said there are 6.8 billion folks on this earth and 7.8% are Christian. 41% of the world population have never heard the The Good New of Jesus Christ.  Wow!  Soooooooo what is your call a.k.a mission of life?  He said we need to use our gifts.  Soooooooo now what erv?  I read this while eating my oatmeal with blueberries on it--Stand tall in your faith, courageous in your commitment, for He is truly a great God.  Psalm 48 last verse.  Soooooo now what erv?  I have said this many times--I pray for opportunities, the ability to recognize them and the courage to act on them.  Such is life.

Now what!  Jr was visiting the Valley from Dover, MN (i.e. SW MN--an ol' golf buddy).  Soooooooo we are trying to play last Saturday morning along with Mike and Ron.  The weather deteriorates and really starts to get ugly (i.e. rain, wind and cold).  And Jr was wearing shorts.  He hits a thin shot (i.e. he sculled it) and it went over the green and over a tee box and came to rest on the other side.  I drove him over there.  There were two natives from AZ on the tee box and one said to Jr--you must be from MN.  It was a good laugh.  After that hole, we had enough fun and quite.  On yes, I learned something new from Jr. Jr's last name is Serverson (i.e. that's Norwegian).  He got his name as some relatives name was Sever and when they came to America the son was called Sever's son sooooooo that is why his last name is Severson (i.e. Ole's son now is Olson).  I have learned a lot from Jr through the years--most I can't repeat!!!!!!  Only kidding.  Have you ever had a Norwegian hug ?  I had one from my cousin's husband at our cousins' reunion hosted by Ron and Fay (i.e. 6 cousins and their spouses on my Mother Anna's side--Dykema).  It's like a wet washrag let me tell ya!  Hey, that's what he called it and he's Norwegian folks.  What more can I say.  One more thing--of the six couples, 3 were married for over 50 years, 1 will celebrate their 50th this year, Arlene and I 42 years and the youngins were married 40.  That's quite amazing to me.  We sure laughed a lot. 

Now what!  I read it in the paper soooooo it must be right--The biggest-ever study of chronic-fatigue syndrome treatments has challenged the strategy championed by patient groups:  taking it easy is not the best treatment; exercise and behaviour therapy are.  Da!  Soooooo now what?  Joesixpack says--be a go, go, go-getter!  Hey I read this in the paper tooooo--More women than men express worry about the recession (69% of women vs. 54% of men).  Sooooo what does than mean anyway?  MissPerfect says--That's just real life!  ItchieBitchie says--Some women seem to just go on and on; go on for ever!  WildWillie says--I maybe maybe wrong and I maybe maybe right but things are sorta kinda slipping!

Now what!  I think cars drive toooo fast on AZ 60 and loop 101 here in the Valley.  I have seen several accidents on 101 where cars are toooooo close together at a high rate of speed and then the traffic slows or stops and then a lot of back ends get dented.  Sooooooo I watched a few minutes of the Daytona 500.  These cars are going 195 mph and are pushing each other (i.e. actually touching each other).  What in the world!  How can they do that?  That just blows my mind how they can do that.    Did you hear Trevor Bayne's interview after winning.  He is one of the 7.8% folks.   www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=34693  A golf buddy told me going down the fairway Monday--Sport announcers really don't like folks who are that expressive about their faith.  It makes many of them nervous it appears (i.e. maybe they are part of the 92.2% and they wonder, now what is he going to say).  Another thing--I stereotype NASCAR drives and fans as big beer drinkers.  I have never been to a race.  Is that a correct image or a false image?  Such is life.

Now what?  Do drinkers sorta kinda hang around each other a lot do yo think?  I sit in the hot tub most nights, usually by myself.  On a couple of occasions, JoeCoolTheMovieStar has come when I was there.  I call him that 'cause it appears he thinks he'sGodgifttowomen (i.e. my opinion).  I don't think, unless he's different than my impression, that he and I are compatible.  I know a guy back home who drives me crazy (i.e. he's a faker and phony, he only thinks of himself--my opinion) who I'm not compatible with--in fact I really don' like this guy.  There is only one person in this world who I really don't like--he's it.  Oh ya, there is another guy who is on the edge but I can tolerate him but not for very long.  I met a guy who reminded me of him the other day and it made me excited (i.e. it's better I'm not around him I think).  OneSmartGuyRon says--Birds of a feather flock together.  Oh ya, maybe JoeCoolTheMovieStar is God's gift to woman and I'm just jealous.  Now that could be. 

Now what!  Do you know why they have caps on the beer steins?  I was told on the golf course that it's to keep the bugs out of the beer.  Saturday question--Do more folks get the job 'cause they drink beer with the boss or more folks don't get the job 'cause they drink beer with the boss?  SlurTheBlur says--I don't know the answer but I do know that excessive drinking may make a guy trip and fall under the buss!  I have seen that.  Ouchy ouchy!

By Dr. Rick Warren--If you are like most people, various studies of human behavior indicate that:  You average 30 conversations a day. · You will spend 20 percent of your life talking. · You will speak enough words in one year to fill 66 books - each 800 pages long!  The average man, research has determined, speaks 20,000 words a day. The average woman, the same studies show, speaks 30,000 words in an average day. (Maybe this explains why some husbands have nothing to say when they get home at night, while their wives are eager to converse).  The husband might have already used up his daily allotment of 20,000 words at work; his wife might have utilized the same number of spoken words, but she still has a 10,000-word surplus!)  SusieQ asks--Soooooooooo now what?  Joesixpack says--When a man and woman marry they become one.  The trouble starts when they try to decide which one!  Ouchy ouchy!  I took a Sabbath one day this week--I didn't do tooooo much or talk to toooooooo many follks--I spent it pretty much by myself--I even sat in the sun for about 2 hours just mediating, even thought about a few you guys--even watched NCSI with Arlene in the evening (i.e. Arlene's favorite TV program--I never watch TV except for sports)--I need that once in a while--it makes me feel ohsogood!--I didn't use up my 20,000 words--look out tomorrow folks!!!!

Now what?  It's called Valley fever.  Yep, that's what it's called.  Folks breath in a fungus and it stays in their lungs.  Many doctors, I have been told, from outside the Valley don't know what it is.  It's sometimes believed to be cancer.  ANYWAY it's hard to get rid of I hear.  I don't want it. Doctors say you should wear a mask and/or stay in the house (i.e. now that's not much fun).  LuckieEddie says--There's always somethin'! I sneeze more here in the Valley I think.  I think it 'cause of the dust.  The Valley is just a dessert really.  I replaced my in-cabin air filter of our car--man was it dirty!  Such is life.

Now what!  A golfing buddy a.k.a GovernmentKen is German and likes his beer he says.  He said he grew up drinking beer.  I like my beer he says, I'm a pretty good beer drinker!  But he has changed to NA after having a stint put in (i.e. to improve his triglycerides).  He plays in St. Martins (MN) German City Band and does all the old German songs in German of course.  One of them is this one--Lyrics to Ein Prosit--German Lyrics--" Ein Prosit" ~ Ein Prosit, ein Prosit ~ Eer Gemütlichkeit ~ Ein Prosit, ein Prosit ~ Der Gemütlichkeit. ~ OANS ZWOA DREI! G'SUFFA!  English Lyrics  -  "A Toast" ~ A toast, a toast ~ To the coziness of it all ~ A toast, a toast ~ To the coziness of it all ~ ONE TWO THREE! DRINK UP!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DednRoVoiKE  GermanHerman says--When in doubt, call a kraut! 

This was a real education as to how uninformed I really am.  I had a hard time and I wasn't even drinking!  See how you do.  www.rethinkingschools.org/just_fun/games/mapgame.htmlhow

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

dutchmeanerv

MyFriendJean says--A kick in the rear is a step forward.
Atipfromkipspecializingingolfrelatdmentaldisorders--chin up

methinks

MissPerfect says--Today is the present, a present from God a.k.a. a gift.  Methinks that he was blessed (i.e. a gift from God--my opinion)!  That's what methinks.  I was walking to the first tee with a guy who I have played some golf with (i.e. I like this guy).  He's a MississippiRiverRat from Dubque, IA.  ANYWAY as we were discussing something, he told me that 6 years ago he and his wife had coughing colds.  His wife calls their doctor and the doctor gave her a prescription over the phone.  His wife suggested he do the same. Sooooooooo he called their doctor and he said, I think you should have a chest x-ray.  He did and found out he had lung cancer.  They removed about a fourth of his lung capacity and he is walking 18 or 9 with me.  Soooooo I asked him if it was tough--very tough; a roller coaster of emotions (i.e. some of you know what this is).  The surgery was through the back and he had 48 staples.  For 12 weeks every time he moved it really hurt.  Sooooooooooo why were you soooooo blessed to catch this early and not die--I guess it was my day to be in the barrel!  Their doctor, to this day, is not certain why he required the x-rays.  He could have gone either way.  Methinks he was blessed--he knows that and seems to really appreciate life.  Paul said--Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.  We rejoiced together.  Yes I rejoiced with the MississippeRiverRat just before I complained about my not picturebook perfect tee shot!!!!!!  Such is life.

Methinks that I'm not appreciative enough most of the time.  Saturday question--Are you appreciative most of the time.  Are you optimistic or negative most of the time?  I just finished reading the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.  Lois, Phil and Mac are in a life boat shot down in the Pacific during WW II.  Louis and Phil are optimistic (i.e. eventually start praying together) and Mac is negative. Guess who lives and who dies?  They survived 47 days in that raft only to be picked up by the Japanese and tortured.  Louis made a comment that he thought Mac was born negative.  Do you think that is true.  Hey, I was just blown away with the ending (i.e. incredibly positive but very surprising)!  Joexispack says--Negative folks don't even know they are negative and positive folks don't even know they are positive.  It's sorta kinda like this--A thought kept coming back to me several days after I read it as part of my devotions while eating my oatmeal with a half of a banana on it (i.e. I must think it's important to me if it keeps coming back to me).  A University of Kentucky psychologist says that much of our self-esteem comes from feeling better about ourselves than about others because of the group we belong too.  That thought kept sticking to me like dried oatmeal sticks to my breakfast bowl if I don't rinse it out.  Sooooo am I bias and prejudice?  Of course I am; everyone is even if you think you are not (i.e. that is what methings--my opinion).  Such is life.

Methinks there is a difference in women (i.e. my opinion).  I was hiking the other day and caught up with three gals maybe in there middle 50s.  I said--how's it going to the last one who was taking a layer of her clothing off and just dropped her hikin' map--she said, I'm doing fine as soon as I get my shit together; sometimes that's challenging.  She made me laugh, I just don't hear that from the gals I'm around (i.e. maybe I'm around babes that don't say that--at least in public).  Soooooooo I hiked some more and got maybe a mile out and come across this babe who had a fancy black dress pants on, a designer white winter coat, a black fuzzy long scarf and carrying this big black purse.  It looked like she was going to a Christmas party in Iowa.  She was all by herself.  Methinks there was something wrong with her--Medidn'task!  Methinkis it was better to head on up the mt. Hey, you think I'm picking on women.  I'm not.  I hiked with three guys and a gal the other day.  The gal (i.e. a real Secretariat) was second to last in the line and I was last.  Suddenly the guy ahead of the gal fell back so there was a massive huge gap between him and the guy ahead of him--what's the deal--Ron's farting again!  When we were about 2/3 of way of our 9 mile hike (i.e. couple of the guys were tired) when Ron said--Bill and I think we should have died by now considering the way we live our lives during the week!  HikerguyfromtheTwinCities a.k.a the smile generator and I got talking--He has a heart for volunteering.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Helping others give meaning to life (i.e. making someone elses life better). Missperfect says--Let the GO begin!  Such is life.

Methinks this guy is on the right track.  Arlene and I hiked the Treasure Loop on the base of Flat Iron of the Superstitious Mountains in the Tonto National Forest (i.e. it's a moderate difficult hike).  It's a nice hike which takes us about an hour and a half.  ANYWAY as were were approaching the back of the loop when we saw a steward (i.e. a person who volunteers to work on the trails) carrying a 12 by 12 timber maybe 5 feet long up the trail on his shoulder.  We caught up with him putting it in the trail as a diversion for the water erosion.  He was digging it in with a pick ax--sorta kinda hard ground to dig in--sure is, lots of rocks and just hard ground--you must be one tough guy to do this--I wasn't when I started a couple of years ago; I have lost 25 pounds doing this; I have it the best, a free work out and a great office--you are doing the right thing by volunteering and making other folks' lives better--I would like to think soooooooo!  Soooooooo folks, get off your "blessedassurance" and do some volunteering (i.e. bring some joy to the joyless).  We had gone around the loop and were starting down and met a couple of gals.  We stopped and talked.  Lil was 91 and was with her daughter.  Lil told us that her and her husband hiked this loop many many times during their 40 years wintering in the Valley (i.e.they were from IN).  She had real flowers in her pocket--I said--we usually don't see folks with flowers in their shirt pocket hiking.  It's real personal--Arlene asked her what it was--My husband died 5 years ago and asked that he have half his ashes scattered behind Green Mt (i.e. on the loop).  We are going up there to place these flowers there.  Is that touching or what folks.  Methings she is quite a gal. 

Did any of you ride your bike to the course with your clubs on your back when you were a kid?  Well, when you get to a certain age, ya sorta kinda revert back again.  Methinks guys revert back to their boyhood after a certain age.  Remember when you didn't hear your parents?  Now when us guys get older we can't hear again.  LuckieEddie says--Three retirees, Paul, Lowell and Erv, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine February day down here in Sun Valley. One remarked to the other, Windy, isn't it? No, the second man replied, it's Thursday. And the third man chimed in, So am I. Let's have a beer. Methinks that is about' true down here in the Valley with us ol' geezers!  But then again some things just don't seem to change with age.  TheCunuckfromThunderbay told me this story about his neighbor Tom.  Tom is 86, can't see very well, is on oxygen most of the time, can't hardly walk but still plays golf (i.e. sorta kinda of--he unhooks his oxygen, hits and then walks a few feet back to his cart, and some times doesn't play all the shots).  ANYWAY TheCunuckfromThunderbay and Tom were playing and were coming from on hole and going to the next.  They had to cross the street and there was a middle aged lady standing there.  Tom says--That babe sure has a nice ...!  Such is life. 

Methinks it will change (i.e. money will force it--it always does folks)  Fountain of Sun Country Cub is in our 55+ community (i.e. it is owned by some members now).  It was probably built when the community was built maybe in late 70s I would guess.  It was an elite club back then costing $10,000 for a stock in order to join.  Well, a lot of those folks back then are now dead or can't play or can't pay the $$$$ needed to make this club function.  It was then sold to some members.  The stock is worthless and the club seems to be really struggling.  Things have changed and they haven't.  The club/course probably looks the same as it did when it was built and the younger folks don't want that elite feeling (i.e. my opinion).  It will have more financial problems and it will be sold probably for about 50 cents on the dollar and then that party will go broke and then it will be sold again for 50 cents on the dollar.  And then it will still be hard to make money.  This is all my opinion folks but I did read this in the paper so it must be right--Desert Mountain Country Cubs sold for for $73.5 million but thought it was worth $200 million.  Ouchy Ouchy!  Back to the Fountain of the Sun Country Club--I went into the club house last Sunday to buy some tokens for the driving range ball machine as they close later Sunday afternoon.  The gal told me I couldn't hit range balls since I had a tee shirt on--okay I said, can I wear blue jeans--ya, she said with a smile.  She knew what I meant.  I see members wearing blue jeans that look terrible (i.e. that makes me laugh).  Sooooooo on the pro shop's door there was a sign (i.e. probably from the 80s) that is suppose to say--No spikes allowed (i.e. no one wears hard spikes any more).  Some one scratched it a little and it says No spies allowed!  That makes me laugh as there seems to be trouble in the club (i.e. everyone has the answers but doesn't want to pay any money).  That all makes me laugh.  Okay we go to church at Trinity Baptist Church.  We have gone there several times and seem to like it.  The services are exciting, never the same, uptemple, Biblical, personal, constantly changing, encouraging, very Christ centered, and they use some of the old but much of the new.  I feel that many denominations and churches need to adapt and not be like the old country club.  That's my opinion.  Sooooooo after church we go to Paradise Bakery and Cafe for breakfast.  On the door it reads--Change is delicious, Not doing away with our old favorites but adding some new.  We hope you embrace the change and enjoy our fresh new kind of goodness.  Huh, interesting. I read this as part of my morning devotions while eating my oatmeal with a half of banana on it--Medical studies have shown that even though people who have had heart-bypass surgery are told that they must change their lifestyle or die, about 90 percent do not change.  Typically, 2 years after surgery the patients haven't altered their lifestyle.  It seems that most would rather die than change. And John the Baptist said--Repent, (i.e. change) for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Such is life.

Methink that it was tough for them.  We were invited to go to a Valentine night at the Scottsdale Bible Church with our neighbors last Saturday night.  It was a supper followed by a movie "What if".  ANYWAY I sat next to Kerry at the dinner.  We got talking some and he told me that he was an engineer but recently was laid off and was with out work for 21 months.  He was 51 and they have 4 children with the oldest being 19.  His wife went back to work and they got real close to selling their house.  They spent all their savings but did keep his 401K.  He does have another engineering job now BUT at 40% of his pay before.  Ouchy ouchy!  He said their life style will never be the same.  He wonders if he will ever be able to retire.  We talked how things can look soooooo bad and then change (i.e. like corn going to $7 a bushel).  I told him my mentor tells me that things are never as bad as they look and never as good as they look.  He asked me about the relationship I have with my mentor--what do you guys talk about, how old is he, how did you get to that relationship, etc.  We talked about how God is in charge and we just need to do what we can (i.e. have faith and believe).  Soooooo I talked to my mentor the next day and told him about this.  He was the one who told me that corn went to $7.  I said--I should have been a farmer--he said--I think you have had a pretty good life erv (i.e. life of Riley).  Such is life.  

Methings this might be a fun gift to someone or even for yourself.  See what youtink!  http://www.godfeet.com/  SusieQ says--Now that maybe would be a nice surprise for someone.  I read about it in the paper.  Quite an interesting story.  The folks are working out of their garage in Gilbert, AZ just down the road from Mesa.  Sooooooooooo what do youttink?

Getting back to volunteering.  I read this in the paper so it must be right--According to leadership and spiritual guru Deepak Chopra, individuals have more control over their happiness than they might believe...the easiest way to be instantly happy is helping someone else...Get outside yourself......Give them appreciation.  Methings more folks would be happy by throwing those chips away, getting their butts of the couch and helping someone (i.e. my opinion).  Methinks that volunteering can give you hiccup relief!  What do youtink?  CadillacJack says--Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives.

Methinks she quite a gal.  Arlene and I were having our late afternoon sip of wine sitting in front of our condo.  Our neighbor across the street came out and was getting in her vehicle.  She was all dressed up and walked over to us (i.e. smelled good tooooo).  Her name was Fran and she was going out with her Monday night group on Tuesday night.  I gave her a hard time that it was nice to know who was responsible for the loud music and wild parties late at night across the street keeping us awake at night!  Fran, I guess was maybe 80 and her home is in SW IA.  We talked about IA weather and then she told us she was originally from MO but came to SW IA to teach.  One day she went to the local store to buy something and that night the owner called her and wanted to have coffee with her.  She said she didn't have time as she was correcting papers and besides she had to go to choir practice.  He said, I need to start to go back to singing in the choir, I'll meet your there.  3 weeks later they were engaged and 4 weeks later they were married.  I said to her--He must of been one good kisser!--that's another story, on our second date he asked me what I would do if I really wanted to do something but didn't quite know how to do it; I said I would make a plan and then act on it; he then hugged me and kissed me; I sorta kinda walked right into that one!  They were married for 40 years and he died.  She was a widow for 7 years saying she would never get married but then this guy came along and talked her into marriage again.  He has been dead for 2.5 years.  I asked her if she was gritty?  Gritty, what does that mean.  Like tough.  She said--you gotta be!  Okay Fran, when you come home late tonight, don't make soooooooo much noise and wake us up.  She just laughed.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Some folks can not be worked with, they have to be worked around.
Atipfromkip--specializingingolfrelatedmentaldisorders--squench toes.

What in the world!

Some of you say--What in the world is he (i.e. erv) trying to say now!  What is he really saying?  Well, what I am saying probably is not the same as how you interpret it.  Why, you say.  Well, how you interpret this depends much on:  your emotions, your environment now and in the past, how you have been programed, your self confidence, your attitude, how you are educated, who you are around, your age, and a zillion other reasons soooooo don't take any of this toooooooooo serious.  Disclaimer--Bottom Line... composing e-mail or posting something on the Net is as easy as writing on the walls of a public restroom. Don't automatically believe it until it's proven false... ASSUME it's false, unless there is proof that it's true. Suck it up cupcake! 

My favorite adds during the Superbowl were the Snickers (i.e. about whining), car.com (i.e. let others go first) and Teleflora (i.e. it's a Valentine one).  They made me laugh.  You can  watch or rewatch them all at    http://superbowl-ads.com/article_archive/xlv/   I bet this guy wasn't laughing.  What in the world, I bet he thought. I guy told me that maybe 20 years ago he and his wife were having a burger at a lake (i.e. on vacation) on night. Out of the blue his wife said--You aren't any fun anymore. What! You spend all your time and thoughts on making money--you're no fun anymore. At the time he was very engaged in a large business. He told me he didn't sleep very well that night. When they got back home, he sold a part of his business. He turned fun again. MissPerfect says--Sooooooo where are you and I positioned on this?   
 
Who in the world is that Guy anyway!  Arlene sings in the Fountain of the Sun's chorus.  They practice every Tuesday for a couple of hours and then put on a performance in March.  She doesn't much care for the music this year (i.e. different director with different taste).  ANYWAY she and another gal were talking after practice and Arlene asked her if she likes the music--much better than last year, last year we sang all that Jesus stuff.  Arlene said she's a Christian and really liked the music last year.  I bet she doesn't know who that Guy is! 

I talked to a couple who told me that when they have a disagreement, they have a time out.  They then go and have a few beers together and talk it out.  The beers seem to be the trick.  What in the world!  I never heard this method of problem resolution before, it's a new one on me.  They call it drinkandthink!  Sooooooooo I asked--how many beers does it usually take?  The gal said, for me, about one and a half.  I told the guy, she's cheap!  It was a good laugh.  Talking about cheap.  We had breakfast after church Sunday at J's.  I was going to the register to pay when a couple of well dressed, foxy senior gals were going to the register toooooo.  I was ahead of them and one of them said--I have the exact amount and laid their ticket with the money down  next to the register.  I said--you're easy!  She said--but not cheap!   What in the world did she mean by that?

What in the world is going one here anyway? I got to have my knee looked at by some doctor or someone.  After pickleball, ping pong, bikin', walking 18 and that long hike, it got swollen and it hurts (i.e. some of you think I'm crazy doing all that stuff but I figure I can do it and I enjoy it soooooo I'm going to do it).  ANYWAY I bought a knee sleeve and a knee stabilizer.  Maybe that will help.   I'm not as tough as I use to be.  Sooooooooo I called Mayo Clinic down here in the Valley and asked them if someone would look at my knee--do you have insurance--yes--sure we can arrange that (i.e. we do our physicals at Mayo in Rochester so they have my records); she gathers my records and says, your set.  Sooooooo when can I have it looked at--how about tomorrow morning at 8--sounds good.  Sooooooooooo they xrayed it and the doc basically tells me I'm a wimp (i.e. you get no cheese with your wine so quite your whining; suck it up cupcake!  Dr. Arlene says--Do you live underneath a rock erv, if you just do things in moderation, it will probably be okay.  What in the world am I going to do.  MissPerfect says--There are always three sides to every story:  Yours, mine and the truth!

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore. Dream. Discover--Mark Twain  MyOpinion, jump on those opportunities.  Throw those chips away, get  your butts off the courch and do something!  Those opportunities always won't be there folks.  Such is life.

Oscar Wilde's says--The consciousness of loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring.  What in the world is going on in the world (i.e. it seems like a mess)!  GeorgeTheCrook asks--Is there any love in  this world?  We sang the song Sunday in church--They can tell we are Christians by our love by our love!  Saturday question--Have you ever been loved?  If you have, how did/does it feel?  How does it feel when your heart is broken?  Hey, it's Valentine Day coming up here.  Joesixpack says--Soooooooo just give her something on Valentine's day to show your love?  What in the world!  Do you just show your love by a box of chocolate on Valentin's Day? Valentine's Day is mostly about money folks (i.e. my opinion).  LuckieEddie says--They put that guilt on a guy and it works every time!

Tom Wyscoff said on TV at the Phoenix Open--92% of all golfers can't break 90.  He also said that confidence is a massive huge factor in golf; it's Tiger's problem right now.  That all could be right Tom but I have a few more issues with my game that I need to settle in my head.  I want it to be picturebook perfect and it just ain't going to happen.  Soooooo what in the world should I do?  And you think you have problems up there in the Midwest with the snow and the cold, you have no problems compared to me.  One of my golf buddies has a "sweet as silk, rythmatic" swing.  He's a good golfer and a true gentleman (i.e. he's about 70 I think).  ANYWAY he was telling me he is going to get a new driver.  He said--I went to order it and the guy asked how old my current one was--6 years; are they better now--not really; your current one is still very good; you probably really don't need a new one--but I want one--then you better get one.  I told him if you want one and have the $229 for it, get it (i.e. confidence).  You aren't going to live for ever.  Sweetandrythmaticswingguy told me he has this dream several times a week (i.e. it is not pleasant)--he dreams that he is still working!  What in the world!  Such is life.

What in the world is going one here!  I read it in the paper so it must be right.  I read this:  An event to attend--SKIRT CHASER 5K  Part race, part singles mixer, all fun!  Well we don't know about that last part, but you will get a workout at this Valentine's Day themed run in which woman get a 3-minute head start over the men.  Later comes a happy hour with fee beer, wine and food for contestants. #2  I read it in the paper so it must be right--No. 16 gets new craze--Caddies races' are a big hit with fans around TPC Scottsdale's wildest hole--The fans bet each other $1 which caddie will touch the green first--The cool thing is the caddies and the gofers pretty much all know what's going on, so they have a lot of fun with it, too.  #3  I put a hummingbird feeder up as I really like hummingbirds.  I wondered how they make it during the cold mornings we have had.  This is what was in the paper so it must be right--They survive cold nights by going into a state of torpor, kind of like hibernation.  #4  It said--we like you snowbirds' money down here in the Sun Valley but...your speed limits up there in the north is 35 in town and 55 on the highway.  Here in the Valley the speed limits are 45 in town and 65 on the highway soooooooo please drive the limits you snowbirds a.k.a. the ol' farts who spend a lot of money in the Valley!  Soooooooo there you go!

Arlene and I had the opportunity to have breakfast with the NorthDakotaBeetFarmer and his charming wife recently.  I always learn sooooooo much from this guy (i.e. and it doesn't cost me anything).  He educated me in that the Red River runs north (i.e. maybe the only river that does that).  It starts in MN and SD and runs to Canada.  What in the world is going one here anyway--I didn't know that!  ANYWAY he said I wonder if God knew what He was doing when he did that 'cause snow melts from the south to the north--the water just can't go anywhere).  He told me that the Red River Valley use to be a massive huge lake and now it's some of the richest farm ground in the world.  But it is going to flood again this year.  They are worried.  What in the world is going to happen--no one knows.  Such is life.

We went to Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith's concert at the Celebrity Theatre down town Phoenix Saturday night.  Amy did most of the first half of the show.  Amy had four guitars, two sets of drums, 2 key boards, 2 back up singer and then sang like she was singing into a bushel basket in the silage shed! Didn't understand many words other than Jesus and Lord occasionally. I felt like my buddies Paul and Lowell (i.e. they can't hear very well).  What in the world is going on here anyway?  Smith was good. I like what Richard W. said one time--I wake up soooooo optimistic and excited; I say, let's get after it God!  I knew more of his songs and he sang them with little or no background noise which I like.  Maybe I'm just old.  Now that is not a maybe.  I'm a ol' snowbird down here in Sun Valley with a knee that hurts (i.e. but there ain't nutten wrong with it)!  Heather told me -- maybe it's just you dad who can't hear it (i.e. suck it up cupcake)!  Such is life.

What in the world!  I have read the book Between a Rock and a hard Place by Aron Raston, we went to the movie 127 hours, and watched the documentary on TV the other night.  He has to be an amazing person (i.e. probably not more amazing than many of you).  In the book and in the documentary (i.e. more than in the movie--not popular--$$$$$$), he talks about this event in his life being a very spiritual experience.  Many of such events in our lives are as well.  BUT he like us, have trouble always appreciating them some time later.  Example--Aaron after all this, had 3 friends commit suicide and a breakup with a gal put him into a serious depression.  We might say--How in the world can this happen after how he was blessed.  MissPerfect says--The mind is really something isn't it.  Such is life.

I experienced my first snowbird jerk.  Yep, my first snowbird jerk.  I was playing ping pong and this new guy (i.e. a cocky banty roster) ended up being my partner.  He played quite well but was an absolute jerk.  He knew everything and told everyone so (i.e. I play just for fun; it ain't that serious).  Sooooooo we played another two person team.  One of the opponents did not play much so I was rather nice and easy (i.e. hey it's about having fun).  This guy got on me for not playing hard and letting our opponents score.  He didn't bother me; in fact I had him begged as a jerk and it was rather funny to me.  ANYWAY the other opponent was the founder of the ping pong fun.  He started with no tables and no folks and now has four tables and maybe 30 folks playing (i.e. he's a good guy). Soooooooo he couldn't take it any longer and charges to our side of the table telling the jerk what he thinks about his attitude (i.e. really got in his face).  I don't think the jerk probably even knew what he was talking about (i.e. jerks are just jerks--what more can you say).  The jerk just thought, what in the world is he talking about.  I respect the founder doing that.  Such is life.

More disclaimer--Some of you are maybe glad this "It's Saturday" is over (i.e. ended).  It's sorta kinda like what a pastor said to his congregation--my sermons all have a happy ending!  Everyone is happy when I'm done!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Do right and leave the results with God.
SportsPsychiatrist"specializingingolfrelatedmentaldisorders" tipfromkip--LFT elbow rotates and aims at Rt. hip

Here we go!

Here we go folks!  Every thing seems so crazy nowadays!  I read all of this in the paper so it must be right:  In the 2000s, the average family income peaked at $63,471 and then fell to $60,088 in 2009.  In Arizona:  $57,855,  U.S. deficit to reach record $1.5 tril!  Social Security will keep running at a deficit until its funds are tapped out by about 2037.  Here we go folks, here we go!  Yabut I heard that it will be just fine on TV the other night (i.e. just throw some more money at it).  LuckieEddie says--I seem to have seen this movie before!  That's just stupid.  Stupid like a Cannuck called himself the other day.  Oh ya!  He told me that he drove the whole way from the Toronto area without using his seat belt.  I told him -- that's not smart (i.e. sorta kinda crazy)!  He said--I was a stupid idiot! 

I was the youngest person there (i.e. Arlene says you just think that erv).  Here we go folks, here we do.  Arlene and I go to some music concerts.  Most are southern gospel quartets.  We went to one the other night when a member of the Foundations form MN had us all say John 3:16 together.  We did.  We did it in the King James Version.  Everyone knew it (i.e. is that crazy or what).  Wonder why, everyone there was probably about 65+.  What will the next generations think of that do you think?  The member of the quartet who asked us to do that was 83!  He reminded me of a banty roster.  Huh, interesting.

SusieQ thinks her husband CadillacJack is crazy.  CadillacJack says to his wife SusieQ--You know that tree we planted in our yard when we got married to symbolize our growing relationship, a tree that can endure all the tough storms--yes--the wind just blew it down!  Here we go folks, here we go!  I read this also in the paper so it must be right--Your sweetheart or your pet.  Whom would you choose to dump if one had to go?  The vast majority of current pet owners said they would keep their spouse or significant other (i.e. 84 percent), but 14 percent would pick their pet.  Ouchy ouchy!  That's crazy!  Sooooooo where do you stand on this issue?  Joesixpack said--Really, I would have never guested that of you (i.e. that you would have picked your pet)!  There appears to be some howlin' goin' on folks.  I pulled up behind a small plumbing truck at the stop light of Sossaman and Southern the other day.  The name of the plumbing company on the truck was Coyote Plumbing--Underneath the name was their slogan--We're only a howl away!  It made me laugh.  Such is  life.

I got ambushed by some bad guys--Bob and Daniel cut me down just in the nick of time (i.e. this is a joke folks, just my crazy humor)!  Here we go!  I went on a hike with my ping pong buddy Bob.  He's another Secretariat.  He's 68 and is a mover and shaker and can do anything.  ANYWAY this is his invite to me--I plan on going to 1st water trail head. on 1-29-2011.  Will take 1st water trail 1/2 mile to Dutchman trail, take Dutchman trail 4 miles to Bull Pass trail, Bull pass trail 1.5 miles to Terrapin trail , Terrapin trail 0.8 miles to Upper Black Top Mesa pass trail, take Upper Black Top Mesa pass 1 mile to Peralta trail, take Peralta trail 1 mile back to Dutchman trail and 4 miles back to back to trail head (i.e. Superstition Mts). A total of 12.6 miles (i.e. we looked for a landmark sooooooo it ended up being 14.5 miles).  That's the longest I have every hiked (i.e. my knee hurt the next day).  Bob's gps said we averaged 2.8 miles an hour.  He said that was a good fast speed.  You would never know it when we hiked.  He kept saying--You will get no cheese with your wine so quite your whining!  Pick it up cupcake!  Daniel went with us.  These two guys love the Lord and shared their life stories and testimonies with me.  I learned a lot again.  Enjoyed my day upth'reinthosmountains!  A great walk in the park.  Such is life.

Here we go erv, her we go!  And the rest of the story.  The Cannuck called me Wednesday morning at 8.  We will just start a half hour late at 8:30; it will warm up by then.  What!  The temperature was 33 degrees and the wind was 24 mph (i.e. the weather person called it an Artic blast).  Is he crazy?  I said I was going to pass on the golf until it turns 70 in a day or so.  ThunderbayWayne and another golf buddy NorthernMNKen probably went and played with shorts on! I sat on the couch with a cup of coffee and read the paper.  Such is life.

When I coached high school bb a zillion years ago, the cheerleaders had a cheer that went something like this--Here we go Panthers, here we go.  We went to the Phoenix Suns game recently.  Between the third and fourth quarter these guys put on this show--here we go Suns, here we go. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKKPhUgtfeM
You believe that!  Are they crazy of what!  We were amazed.  A friend asked me if I thought he did it on purpose.  I really don't know.  What do you think?  AttorneyJohn sent me an email that said--It will be the first Superbowl with no cheerleaders as both organizations don't have 'em.  I like what Aaron Rogers (i.e. quarterback of the Packers) said in the Arizona Republic--My favorite quote is of Francis of Assisi, a beloved Catholic friar who lived in the 13th century--Preach the gospel at all times.  If necessary, us words.  Such is life.

One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and go man go!  Arlene wanted to go the movie Country Tough, so we did.  I thought it was sad.  The movie is maybe just a movie in which they said, "fame and love just cannot mix".  It's even more about greed, money and alcohol (i.e. not a good mix folks).  !  I have been around some guys recently who have a lot of stuff going on in their lives:  a guy lost his wife, a guy's wife has some real serious physical problems who demands most of his time, a guy who went through a ugly divorce, a guy whose wife has dementia, a guy who made millions and lost millions, a guy who said he was full of himself instead of full of Jesus, a guy who loves his wife but his wife doesn't love him, a guy who can't hardly get around any more 'cuase of his legs, a guy who's children won't have any thing to do with him, a guy who is anxious and frustrated about some things, etc.  Those are just the guys who I can remember stuff about in the last week or so.  How many more guys are there who are not happy 'cause of many reasons?   I have no idea.  How many guys say "I'm great" but really they aren't.  They are just fakers a.k.a. deceivers (i.e. a guy thing)!  Abraham Lincoln said--You can fool some people some of the time, But you can't fool all the people all the time.  Here we go life, here we go! Some times life can be soooooooo sad!  Such is life. Soooooooooo really how is life going for you?  Hey, you women aren't exempt.  A hiking buddy told me that he has a female counselor and a male counselor.  They both told him that about 95% of woman who are widowed and divorced over 65 have no money and are very lonely!  Ouchy ouchy!  Life can get a little dicey at times! 

And you think you have trouble up north with the snow!  Oh man!  I was taking some citrus along to GeorgeandJane and Bob.  They live in the 55+ community where I play ping pong.  ANYWAY I put about 6 citrus in two plastic bags and tied them over the rack on the back of my bike (i.e. like a saddle bag)! I got about two blocks down Broadway when for some reason the bags developed holes in them and I had citrus rollin' down Broadway.  I had folks honkin' at me, laughin' at me and probably sayin'--that crazy ol' fart!  It was a hoot!  My Canadiangolfbuddies would say--It was a bloody mess, A!  I did manage to save 3 for JaneandGeorge and 2 for Bob.  Such is life in Sun Valley!

Here we go folks.  JoeBlow says--Sometimes we really don't even want to go forward but we have no choice.  There are many folks who  have problems but we just can't see them (i.e. mental a.k.a. crazy).  God only knows what your problem is!  ItchieBitchie says--We're all mentally ill a.k.a. crazy but just too different degrees.  Sooooooo who is normal anyway?  If you think you are then everyone else is abnormal.  LuckieEddie asks--Has normal changed over the years?  Was John the Baptist normal or mentally ill?  I think some folks of the time thought both ways.  Jesus called him the greatest man ever on earth.  Huh, interesting.  Sooooo who is a smart person?  I listened to a couple of senior guys talk about classmates in their high school who were very smart (i.e. based on their IQ).  Yet, now when they are at retirement age, they don't have a pot to...in and here we are playing golf in the Valley (i.e. that's crazy folks).  GeorgeTheCrook says--It's just crazy how some folks spend their money!  They said they were really not near as smart as their classmates.  They said, in a marriage there has to one saver and that person has to be in charge of the fiances and be dominate if a couple is to save.  That is what these smart guys said.  I just listened.  Hey folks, remember what my mentor says--Things are never as bad as they look and things are never as good as they look.  I have been surprised by how many folks (i.e. snowbirds) I have met that had nothing as a kid.  I would have guessed that there would have been higher percentage of folks who were born rich.  WildWilly says--Don't forget that the easiest way to get rich is to marry it or inherit it.  Soooooooo what is rich anyway?  Such is life.

You might think this is crazy but look at the two angels in our back yard in Iowa.  A giant snow angel and the angel on the house that some friends gave Arlene years ago.  Todd sent us this picture Thursday. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--There aren't enough crutches in the world for all the lame excuses.