how come

It sorta kinda seems odd now doesn't it that Ragner and Helga act as they do.  How come do you think they act that way?  Joesixpack says--If you want to know how come, it's 'cause they were raised that way and don't know any different!  Soooooo what does that mean? Hey, doesn't Arlene look sooooo pretty!

We went to MN last weekend to see our friends Gene and Jan a.k.a massive huge hearted folks--real folks--mykindoffolks--very generous (i.e. they are neon orange in a beige world).  I have played in their member guest golf tourney 29 out of the last 31 years (i.e. missed 2 as we were traveling last year and the other time for a friend's wedding).  Ufft'Da!  The number of players were down to 62 players compared to the high of 148.  I asked Jr how come?  And he said--gees erv, most of them are dead or can't play anymore!   I really enjoy going there for many reasons (i.e. how come)--I really like those folks, I enjoy playing golf with them and their company and really enjoy the feel of MN (i.e. the cottonwoods, the Seva cement silos, the sloughs and the drudged ditches) as they remind me growing up a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  You can see these in the pictures in the background (i.e. you might have to click to enlarge).  I really like this.

The second day of the tournament we played with two young guys (i.e. they could hit the ball farther than we could--and you ask how come).  They were both 21 and seniors in college.  They were about 45+ years younger than us.  Wow!  I enjoyed their company (i.e. nice young men).  Yah, you betcha!  The first day we golfed with our long time friends Steve and Jr.  Jr is sorta kinda an anomaly (i.e. he just makes me laugh).  He had to drive to Westbrook between rounds to get some Grizzly Green chewing tobacco.  He said it cost $4.05 but if you buy it at the Indian Casino it's $3 as there is no tax!  When we were about to take the picture, there were another group waiting to tee off on #7.  Jr said "hi Pid" to a guy (i.e. his nickname).  How come you call him Pid?  He has a brother who we call Stu--get it, Stupid!  They aren't very smart.  Cone on, you're kidding me!  Do they know that is why you call them that--ya!  They call themselves Schrier Oats (i.e. Schrier is their last name)--how come?  They say they have good looking heads but nutten in 'em!  Ouchy ouchy! Jr went home after the day to sit in the hot tub with his two favorites, Joyce and Brandy (i.e. Joyce being his wife and Brandy being brandy).  Such is life.

Many folks function in a controlled setting very well (i.e. told what to do and when to do it with little or no decisions on their part).  But when put into a setting where they have to make their own decisions, trouble occurs as they can't do it.  How come?  I think there are many reasons such as ability, way they have been programed, their self-confidence, what their motive is etc.  I think it's sooooooo interesting why some folks seem to make better decisions than others time after time after time.  GeorgeTheCrook says--I think we're talking about neverland here folks (i.e. many times we will never know how come some folks think and act a certain way).  Such is life.

DinosaurPete says--It 's not hard to figure out the how come!  It's all in the way they are trained or brainwashed or beat or taught or loved or threatened or encouraged or parented or disciplined or genetically arranged or just horseshitluck!  You pick what you want!  Yabut folks can affect others I think don't you?  You bettcha! ItchieBithchie says--If I could get a grip on reality, I'd choke it!

A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did come over to their table. 'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a friendly voice. ' Oklahoma ,' they answered. 'Great to have you here in Tennessee ,' the stranger said. 'What do you do for a living?' 'I teach at a seminary,' the professor replied. 'Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great .. Just what I need ....another preacher story!' The man started, 'See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?' He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'
But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?' The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy?' 'This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. 'Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now, You are a child of God.' With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.' 'With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them , 'I'm a Child of God..'' The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a great story?' The professor responded that it really was a great story! As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!' And he walked away. The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, 'Do you know who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting at our table?' The waitress grinned and said, 'Of course. Everybody here knows him. That's Ben Hooper. He's governor of Tennessee!'

How come he said that I really don't know but I took it as a very much of an encouragement.  Yes I did.  I was golfing with a friends recently.  One friend who was riding in my cart with me, for some reason said to me, "God can do anything He wants"!  And I said back to him, "At any time He wants"!  My friend really touched me.  I have never heard him ever talk quite that way before.  Then in MN a big guy with a huge massive heart a.k.a. Jr gave me a hug sorta kinda out of the blue (i.e. sorta kinda different for him).  You don't see that in a club house tooooooo often (i.e. two sweaty guys huggin').  Sooooo  you know there were some emotions there.  How come he did that?  I think I know but God only knows for sure.  He touched me.  Yes he did.  These are great folks.  Yes they are.  How come?  I have my guesses. Sooooooo folks, how come I tell you this?  'Cause it's what Joesixpack says--If he earns your praise, bestow it. If you like him, let him know it. Let the words of true encouragement be said. Do not wait till life is over And he's underneath the clover, For he cannot read his tombstone when he's dead.

We drove from Westbrook, MN to Waukee, IA Sunday night to have the opportunity and pleasure of taking care of our little grand daughter Charlie for 3 days as their daycare provider was on vacation.  How come would we do that?  I think you know. Every day I rode bike from their house to Adel (i.e. round trip is about 18 miles).  Yes it was hot and humid!  How come I did that you ask?  'Cause I enjoy it.  I noticed that the wind, grade, heat, humidity, and most of all, my attitude affect me.  How come?  'Cause I'm human!  That's why. 

We didn't win the golf tournament but got 4th I think (i.e. just out of the money). LuckieEddie says--The shelf life of fame is some what greater than 15 minutes but does have an expiration date which is about 30 minutes so don't get sooooo wrapped up in fame. Soooooooooooo how come we get sooooo wrapped up into it then? AverageJoe says--It's easy to say we aren't going tooooo but how are we going to not do it. Ya, I play to win (i.e. competitive) but enjoy the competition and comradery more than the win. How about you? While taking care of Charlie, I went to the IGA State Amateur Golf Tournament at Glen Oaks (i.e. a few minutes from their place). ANYWAY I walked out to the 16th and saw a guy who looked like Rob Christensen. I asked the rules guy and it was. Rob and I played some golf some 25 to 30 years ago. Rob won the Senior State IGA Tournament twice (i.e. he's a lot better than me, that's for sure). I rode the last holes with him. What a fun time to see him again. He and his wife Jeanie came a long ways from living on the second level of the old Doc Rolf's building in Aplington let me tell you.  JoeBlow says--We all have to start some where but it isn't where we start, it's where we finish! 

I rode with the GangOf10thousand+ on Friday from Grinnell to Coralville (i.e. 74.9 miles) as part of RGBRAI which stands for Register's Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (i.e. I rode with the big boys--see how little I am compared to them).  Let me tell you, it's hard to just say "NO" to all that food.  There is a lot of it.  I think I ate most of it!  FireThrowerHank a.k.a. Secretariat set the pace for the Gangof10Thousand+.  NormTheStorm got sick (i.e. you ask "howcome"--I think he ate toooooo many pork chops).  We missed the pink bike of Brucie this year.  He almost died under the ice cream truck a couple of years ago.  Maybe that's why he didn't ride this year.  Could be!  I also rode with CaliforniaCEOTom (i.e. riding a no gear bike) and ThePieEatingQueenLorraine.  Lorraine didn't get in the breakfast pic as she stopped at all the pie tents trying to set a new pie eating record before breakfast (i.e. and she probably did it folks)! I can't say much as I stopped for homemade ice cream not toooo long after breakfast (i.e. yummy yummy yummy, ice cream in my tummy!  And it happened again.  I sorta kinda saw it comin'.  I sorta kinda caught her in the corner of my eye.  She was coming up on my left.  Before I could do anything, THEFATLADYPASSEDME again this year.  You ask, how come?  It's an easy answer--"cause I ride toooooo slow!!!!!   Such is life.  http://ragbrai.com/

My mentor Ivan, our pastor Micheal and I did a video.  You ask "howcomeyoudidthat"?  Well, Arlene and I saw some of these in AZ last winter and I told Michael that we should do that.  He said, erv, then do it sooooo I did it.  If you have a use for the video you may use it.  Such is life.  https://picasaweb.google.com/100992634446593487520/IvanSAboutTheHolySpitit#5633823722865106370

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Put your ear down next to your soul and listen hard.

U-verse

We were in Waukee last weekend as I said.  Chet and Jessica don't drink coffee and don't have a coffee maker.  I brought ours along sooooo I could have a cup in the morning.  As we were heading home, they called and told us we forgot it.  We were tooooooo far down the road to make a u-verse sooooooo we left it there. I wanted a cup of coffee before playing golf early Monday morning soooooo I took our golf cart down to Casey's about 6:30 to get some.  A farmer was in there and saw me on my golf cart and said--erv, I think you are a little off course!!!!!   Alittleoffcourse I have been many times.  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--Life boils down to a series of choices.  If you recognize that you are going the wrong direction, ya got to make a u-verse as sooooooon as possible (i.e. sooooooooner the better--ya can't do it quick enough--damage control)  MissPerect says--Doing the wrong things never gets better only worse so, tighten the cinch and make a u-verse now; I mean NOW!  Nutten bad gets better if you think sooooooo you are wrong again.  It's sorta kinda like golf--ya gotta stay down and hit thorough; That's just like life.  If you don't you are always in right field. 

My mentor told me--Discipline yourself or someone else will.  And start disciplining yourself at a young age as it makes life a lot easier for you.  My Daddy, Chester, always told me--Self discipline is the best discipline.  Soooooooo folks, do you have self-discipline?  Self discipline causes a guy to make a u-verse in his life.  Ya but self evaluation is sooooooo hard to do, especially if you have been programed for years in thinking what you have been doing it acceptable (i.e. like excessive spending, excessive drinking, bad language, bad eating, etc).  JoeCadillac says--Self discipline can really be a rush like "I did it" and I'm sooooo proud of myself. 

This little girl needs to u-verse let me tell ya.  Oh ya!  I was waiting in the car as Arlene ran into Hy-Vee to get a couple of items.  A guy came over the SUV parked besides me with his maybe 4 year old daughter.  She was sooooooo pretty in her little flowered sun dress and a bright ribbon in her hair.  All of a sudden she started a temper tantrum (i.e. mother of all temper tantrums).  It was the worse I ever saw and went on and on.  The father said--you can't act that way in a soft voice and just put her in her car seat, closed the door and said one more time--you can't act that way before driving off.  AverageJoe says that he lives in pretty tall grass (i.e. meaning he's has some pretty successful folks around him).  Do you like to be around successful folks or not?  Successful folks are usually competitive, aggressive, and active.  Many times people who aren't that type, don't like to be around those folks.  They are intimated by them.  They would rather be around someone like themselves (e.g. a woman who has a messy house doesn't like to be around women who have neat houses).  A guy gave me great confidence and he didn't even know it.  He is a very successful man (i.e. my opinion).  He told me he got beat in a church election.  I couldn't believe it!  How come I asked--He didn't know but told me that many folks don't like successful folks.  Huh, interesting.  Successful folks put pressure on folks and are indirectly telling some folks -- You need to make a u-verse in your life to be successful and those folks don't want to hear of it (i.e. rather hang around under the bleachers looking for scraps).  ItchieBitchie says--It's easy in America, ya just gotta complain (i.e. put on a massive huge temper tantrum) and the government will create a program to help you out. You don't have to be successful to eat and live.

We went to Hope Lutheran's 9:15 service in West Des Moines Sunday.  I'm going to tell you a little bit of what Pastor Mike Housholder said--What is your goal in life.  Is it the love of money or appearance, or a relationship with Christ?  If it's love of money or appearance you might want to make a u-verse.  If  it's money or appearance you might want to change your program; if you don't set your program, you will be programed by default (e.g money and/or appearance known as the world).  And you can't say one thing and do another--it's what you do that defines your life.  GerogeTheCrook says--Maybe you and I need a "Holy Appointment" to get our heads screwed on right once n a while!  You think sooooooo?  In between services they must have served hundreds of full breakfasts.  Wow!

There are a lot of things that goes on "underthecap" of SusieQ let me tell you.  You really don't want to know what all those things are I don't think.  Her mental makeup can be rather scary at times (i.e. that is our opinion based on our set of values and thoughts).  I was talking to a couple of my golf buddies the other day and they were telling me how they wish a couple of their children would make u-verses in their lives.  They just don't understand why they act in some of ways they do (i.e. they are not like them).  Sooooooo are you like your parents?  Are your kids like you?  Should they be like you?  Should you be like your parents?  A friend tells me -- We need to accept folks as they are!  That is fine my friend BUT when people you care about are hitting their heads against the wall, it just seems like a good idea (i.e. did you catch that I said it SEEMS a good idea) that you should tell them that if they would stop, it would stop their hurt.  It would seem if they made a u-verse they would be much better off.  Such is life.

She might make a u-verse!  I substituted for a golf team in league this week.  I got to play and ride with a friend who is maybe 51 or soooooo.  Got to catch up with what his children are doing.  He told me that his daughter and him don't get along very well--how come--I say 3 words and she starts to argue with me--maybe that will change (i.e. make a u-verse)--I hope soooooo! LuckieEdie says--I don't mean to be disrespectful but maybe you are the one who needs to do a u-verse.  This guy on the first hole took clubs out of my bag and put them in his (i.e. he was all mixed up) soooooooo maybe LuckieEdie is right, he's the one who needs to do the u-verse.  After that I checked every hole to make sure I had the right number of clubs.  He did ask me a very interesting question--What is the best thing you have done in your life?  Soooooooo I will ask each of you the same question--What is the best thing you have done in your life?

Oh boy did I do a u-verse the other morning.  Oh ya!  I was walking on the golf course early and really had to go to the bathroom--I mean really bad.  It felt like the mother of all lumps in my small intestine which was about to come out!  I u-versed and headed to the club house.  I was hoping JeffTheGreensKeeper had opened it--he didn't.  Just then SammieThePoolGal arrived and saw me doing the "pottydance" and came and opened it preventing within seconds of a massive huge lump in my pants.  Oh did that feel good.  I mean like I deposited maybe 10 pounds.  The rest of my walk felt like I was floating.  Man was that a good feeling.  Such is life.

I really had a fun u-verse the other night.  I played golf with a couple of my young friends.  Cade is 12 and Lyndie is 13.  They both like golf and are quite good at it.  It is sooooooo refreshing to be around them and see their excitement for the game.  Both might end up being excellent golfers (i.e. depending on their continued interest, how coachable they are, and how they progress).  At our buddies group a.k.a PIGS -- Pretty Interesting Guy Stuff we talked about leadership.  DinosaurPete says--We always don't have to lead the elite but maybe we should pay attention to the ones who will accept leadership--some folks you ain't going to tell 'em nutten and some really don't care nutten about nutten, sooooooo...!!!  Can you be leed?  Are you a good leader?  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Speak kindly, pray softly, prune back.  Now plow ahead!

d-o-n-e

Joesixpack says--A friend is more valuable than a fortune yet many folks spend more time trying to make a fortune than making a friend.  When it's done, meaning life here on this earth, FriendJesus will be what we want, not our fortune in $$$$$$$ (i.e. my opinion).  A friend keeps coming to my thoughts this morning.  He's smart, has a lot of money and goes to church some but seems to do stuff mainly for himself.  I mean I wonder if he's self-centered and thinks mainly about himself and does stuff to just puff himself up (i.e. he might be a rodeo clown).  When you talk to him he is always telling me what he has done and how great he is.  I never see him or hear of him doing anything for someone else.  One of my sisters were talking last weekend that as we get older, stuff doesn't mean as much to us.  Huh, interesting. 

SusieQ says--Stick a fork in her, she's done!  I had the opportunity to have a lady in the orientation session for the hospitals the other day who expressed her life amazingly to me.  I give all the folks a chance to tell a little something about themselves and why they are going to be a volunteer.  She was maybe 70 and said--I have lived my life as a taker, self-centered, money hungry, and demanding (i.e. something seemed to go terribly wrong).  I joined a Bible study and realized this and now want to be a giver before my life is done!!!!  Her expression to herself was--Oh you're kiddin' me that I was really that way!  I really was and I didn't even know it.  SusieQ says--She had a smart phone but did stupid stuff!  Life has a limited warranty--very limited folks.  ItchieBitchie says--This gal has been in a fog for 70 years!  Such is life.

When we left from MI last weekend, niece Lauren gave me a container of fresh MI blueberries (i.e. she knows that I really like MI blueberries).  I got a Maure #7 shirt from a nephew in law and his boys as I give them a hard time that the Twins are going to come from from 8 back and overtake their Tigers.  Their hearts are massive huge!  But probably the best gift I got was from one of my great nephew Wil who said--Thank you for the marshmallow shooter and all the other gifts you gave me.  It was said without any prompting from his parents (i.e. that is a tell tell sign of good parenting).  And how can you not like what my great nephew Nickolas Ervin says by sitting on my lap. Sooooooo kids and adults like to be remembered and given attention toooooo.  Oh yes.  My Daddy, Chester, told me, good folks are nice to kids and other folks who the giver has no alternative motive to be nice to other than just being nice.  As the sun was going down, I was walking on the golf course the other night.  There was a mother and her son out there.  The young boy of maybe 10 was playing and the mother was in a cart some distance away.  The boy and I intersected and he said--Hi erv.  I have no idea who he was.  Some where we have crossed paths but I don't know where.  That young boy really made me feel good.  As I was typing this, Heather called and told me that our little Erin (i.e. age 3) wanted oatmeal with blueberries on it for breakfast.  She said--It's grandpas' favorite, he will be jealous.  Isn't stuff like this touching and fun.  I sure think so.  You can't buy this stuff.

Friendships are soooooo neat--I was talking to a friend/businessman and he was telling me about friends that I have made through different situations who he does business with.  Just think about all the friends you have made thorough the years.  Some for a shorter time than others and some you have been friends with for ever it seems.  Some friends come into you life and leave.  Friends are soooooo  special.  Well, we have been friends with the Jungling family for many years (i.e. maybe 35 to 40).  Our family and their family are just friends (i.e. special friends).  I really think it's 'cause they are soooooo nice and accept us as we are.  ANYWAY JerBear married Claire last night at their lake home (i.e. it's a done deal).  It was a very special evening for them, their family and our family (i.e. our kids were invited and came for the special occasion).  I wish all of you could have special friends like they are to us.  Like I said, it's mainly 'cause they are sooooooo nice (i.e. massive huge hearts--real folks--my kind of  folks).

Talk about getting married being a done deal.  These good folks with huge massive hearts have been married for like 14years.  When they went into counseling with their pastor, he advised them not to get married.  I asked them why.  They really didn't know but he thought it wouldn't work for some reason.  Maybe the pastor too is a rodeo clown!  They done it anyway.  Now have three kids and seem very happy to me.  Sooooo what did that minster know.  The male part of this marriage was telling me that he told his boys' teachers that they can discipline his boys if they misbehave and they will get it at home too.  These boys have such a huge massive advantage to have the parents they have. 

I was around a guy who normally doesn't mow his lawn on Sunday.  He just doesn't think it's right.  BUT he said--the ox fell into the ditch.  He had to get it done so he mowed it on Sunday (i.e. he done it).  He's an Xlerator compared to the World Dryer.  GeorgeTheCrook says--It's easier said than done to keep those oxen out the ditches!  Such is life.

It can be done folks!  Oh ya! Many folks have done many good things (e.g. done good things at their churches, golf courses, communities).  I mean many folks have done many good things.  My hat goes off to all of you who do such good stuff.  And many times no one even knows you did it (i.e. you didn't do it for attention or fame; you just did it).  You folks know you did it.  I hope you continue with your attitude.  For those who do nutten good except for yourself, I would suggest you think about changing your attitude.  My Mommy, Anna, use to say to me--erv, givers are always happy and takers are never happy. 

WidlWilly says--It's done different ways boys (i.e. there are different ways to skin a cat)!  Oh yes.  AverageJoe says--Why do I always have to do my best.  Why can't I just be lucky!  I was in Casey's the other day and a previous client (i.e. a good guy was in there).  This was the first time he sold his calves instead of feeding them out (i.e. the price was high).  Then to top it off corn that he usually feeds to the caves went over $7 which he sold (i.e. now that's a double money maker).  I told him he always did things right (i.e. He's a Xlerator compared to a World Dryer).  He said--You either got to very lucky or super crooked!!!!  It's like a sign I read outside a bar--Slender Girl Martinis!  I bet you wouldn't sell too many selling Fat Girl Martinis!

I don't remember ever seeing turkey vultures in Iowa.  But the last several weeks I have seen many of those vultures eating free lunches at the road kill while riding my bike.  They are massive huge and sink their beaks into the guts of those dead raccoons on the road (i.e. their lives are over--done).  I then figured it out.  They came from Minnesota as their free lunches are done there.  They have used up all the free lunches there and now have came over the border to get free lunches here in Iowa.  They have used up all the money there.  The free lunches are done there for now.  Maybe those Minnesotans will pay more taxes so those vultures will go back to Minnesota for their free lunches.  I hope soooooo, they are ugly!  Such is life.

Talk about free lunches.  This guy in A'town has found a free lunch all right.  He walks the highway and streets each day picking up cigarette butts (i.e. he has done a good job keeping our streets clean of cig butts).  He should get the citizen of the year award I think for his community service.  I was told that he takes them home and recycles the tobacco from those butts and uses it to roll his own smokes (i.e. now that is innovative and a money saver).  I guess he's done it every day for some time.  Such in life. 

This "It's Saturday" is done!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--In solitude we give passionate attention to our lives, to our memories, to the details around us.

Give me your answer please!

I was with a friend who I enjoy being with.  You ask why I like to be with him.  Give me your answer please.  It's 'cause we have a common denominator?  Some common detonators are drinking, smoking, golf, singing, playing cards, being widows, book clubs, pickle ball, homosexuals, heterosexuals, church, work, money, etc.  You get the idea as to the common denominators we share.  But a strong common denominator is family.  Oh yes.  We spent the weekend of the 4th with my sisters and families in the Grand Rapids, MI area and then stopped in Wichert, IL and saw Arlene's brother and sister-in-law.  They all treated us like we were world class VIPs and it felt soooooo good.  I made marshmallow shooters for our 7 great nephews (i.e. these boys are respectful and polite--they have been programed that way--they are soooo fortunate to have such great parents).  They seemed to like them (i.e. there were a lot of marshmallows in the air anyway).  It was a great time.  Only way it could have been better if our kids, spouses and grand girls were there.  I think you can understand that. 

Are you arrogant, selfish, and rude?  Chris, Jen and family also traveled to my sister's place (i.e. Jen's parents) in Byron Center, MI.  My other sister lives in Wyoming, MI.  Both are southern suburbs of Grand Rapids.  ANYWAY  They are from Oosburg, WI so they have to travel through Milwaukee, Chicago, Gary, IN and up the east side of Lake Michigan.  They were on Interstate 196 near Benton Harbors and there were several bridges being worked on.  Traffic was very heavy as many were heading up to northern MI for the 4th.  These bridge projects would cause traffic to back up maybe 5 miles, then about 3 miles out a sign would say--work zone ahead.  Then maybe 2 miles it would say--left lane closed ahead.  Then maybe a mile away from the bridge there was a merge sign telling folks to merge to the right lane.  They were in the right lane even before the merge sign (i.e. they are really nice folks).  Some folks didn't merge exactly at the merge sign but went a little farther.  Jen was soooooooo upset with those arrogant selfish and rude folks.  She said--Illinois car, Illinois car, Texas car, Illinois car, Iowa car.  Hey that gray Avalon  has a bike on the back and has Butler County plates--It's uncle erv!  Please give me your answer please.  Well, I soon got a telephone call with the answer (i.e. a kick in the fanny--I was not an excuse maker--it was an ooooops).  Man after that, I was the first one merging over let me tell you.  Someone is always keeping an eye on me wherever I go.  Such is life.

Are you a mugrumper?  We were on the 7th tee and there is a mulberry bush in in the fence line.  Another guy and I ate some mulberries--they were really good.  We were like a couple of bears coming out of hibernation.  ANYWAY do you know why many mulberry bushes/trees are in fence lines?  Well, I will tell you.  Birds like mulberries too soooooo they eat them and sit on the fence and become MugRumpers (i.e. mug on one side of the fence and their rump on the other--they yack with one side and crap with the other).  When the wind blows a different direction they put their head on the other side of the fence and their rump on the other (i.e. sorta kinda like slick Duane--you know him toooooo).  Soooooo when the birds craps on the fence, it deposits seeds for a potential new mulberry bush/tree.  Soooooo please give me your answer if you are a mugrumper?  

Give me your answer please.  I recently had a most exciting, influential, challenging, open hearted, important conversation.  It just happen between 4 guys (i.e. good guys with good hearts) after church.  It really was a God thing I believe.  A friend asked another--Sooooooooooo what's important to you today?  Timing was just right I think sooooooo the clouds opened and he had an opportunity to express himself.  Then he asked him--Soooooooo how are you going to make this decision?  This whole conversation was God centered but very real (i.e. no phony talk here folks).  We all exposed ourselves some.  I think most folks after church were talking about sports, weather or some other unimportant stuff and we were talking about the "meatoflife".  Huh, interesting.  This conversation affected me.  This conversation and these guys makes a decision we are contemplating much harder.  And my answer is?

Playing league golf the other night, we played against 29 and 31 year old guys.  ANYWAY they play bare back, drink a lot of beer, smoke a lot of smokes and play good golf.  Soooooo on the 7th tee box I asked them if they have girl friends.  The 29 year old said he has one--pretty serious gal--I hope so, she's moving in with me but when my two previous girl friends moved in, it was the death of our relationships soooo we'll see (i.e. they wiggled their way out)!!  Sooooo I asked the the 31 year old if he has a girl friend--Ya I do, we have lived together for 3 years and have a kid together--soooooo you going to get married--I hope not but maybe!  Soooooo a little later I asked them how many beers do they usually drink during the 9 holes of league (i.e. give me your answer please)--don't count them; quite a few tonight as it's playing slow--how many is quite a few; like 6?--don't count them!!!!!  Joesixpack says--It's a free for all!  MissPerfect says--It's a new generation erv a.k.a the new normal.  My playing partner is in his 60s and told me he has two sisters.  One has been divorced 2 times and the other 3 times.  Sooooooo Arlene and I have been married for 42 years (i.e. sorta kinda abnormal maybe.  Such is life.

Most of us are devastated by the stuff that happens inside of our personal hearts and lives (i.e. our castles).  We really can't hire soldiers or personal body guards to protect us against that type of stuff. That type requires a different type of guard. Our money won't guard us against it. Our alarm systems won't. Our gated communities won't. Watching the news won't. The fastest internet connections, the most TV channels, the highest definition screens, the fanciest or most fuel efficient cars won't either. There are some things in life, which just so happen to be most of the really important things, that only we can guard against. And much of that guarding depends upon whom you choose to ally yourself with to watch over you.  Soooooooo who are you going to ally with? Perhaps it's time for a changing of the guard.  And your answer please!  Suck it up cupcake! 

Do you every need a day to recalibrate?  Please give me your answer.  I had such a day recently.  Yes I did.  I just did some thinking and recalibrated my life.  It was a day that I just figured some things out, sorta kinda took it easy, thought through some stuff. I took some time to slow down (i.e. to recalibrate my life).  I needed some time to get away from some folks (i.e. discouraging folks).  I made some decisions and I hope they are good.  Time will tell.  ANYWAY a friend told me how good it made him feel when he accomplished a small task that he normally doesn't do (i.e. learned something new).  I did just that and it made me feel real good (i.e. something I have put off for some time--something different).  Soooooooo I think I'm recalibrated!  Such is life.

Do you really care about other folks or just care about yourself?  Please give me your answer.  "If I seem insensitive to what you're going through Captain, understand, it's the way I am." ~Mr. Spock, Star Trek, The Enemy Within~  This is a quote from the popular TV series, Star Trek. Mr. Spock was a Vulcan. Vulcan's were lacking emotions more or less. Mr. Spock was simply trying to tell Captain Kirk that it was nothing personal, but that he just wasn't an emotionally sensitive being. Not even in the least bit. It's not just Vulcans. So are you a sensitive person?  Please give me your answer?  GeorgeTheCrook says--Don't be afraid to give extravagantly to those in need. Be one who is "content" regardless of a financial situation (Philippians 4:11-12). Love the needy as much as yourself. See them as Christ and joyfully give. Don't be like many other American churchgoers who are more concerned about their standard of living than anyone else's. Set the example in loving the less fortunate.  Sooooooo how would you rate yourself as a giver?  Give me your answer please!

I have had the same glasses for maybe 10 years but I lost them.  Can't find them.  Soooooo have you every lost your glasses?  Please give me your answer. Soooooo I bought a couple of pairs at Dollar General.   A guy needs glasses or he might sign something that could get him in trouble like LuckyEddie (i.e. age 73) did when he forgot his glasses.  Yesterday my daughter asked me why I didn't do something useful with my time (i.e. don't die with your teeth in a glass). She suggested I go down to the senior center and hang out with the guys. I did this and when I got home last night I told her that I had joined a parachute club. She said, "Are you nuts? You're almost 74 years old and you're going to start jumping out of airplanes?" I proudly showed her that I even got a membership card. She said to me, "For heaven's sake, where are your glasses! This is a membership to a Prostitute Club, not a Parachute Club!" I'm in trouble again and don't know what to do! I signed up for five jumps a week!

Things change folks.  Has your community changed.  Please give me your answer.  When we were in Wichert, Illinois (i.e. were Arlene grew up her brother and sister-in-law still live) we again saw the changes that have happened and are happening right now.  Witchert is a settlement of small farms, acreages, and houses in a rural setting.  Years ago there were many Dutch who had names like Schaafsmas, Hokestras,  DeGrootes, DeJongs, Sikmas etc.  There are still some but Craig, Arlene's brother, says he doesn't know half the folks any more.  At the peak there were maybe 50 gladiola farmers and now there are 2.  First Reformed Church use to worships with maybe 300 and now there about 75.  No one use to work on Sunday but now everyone does (i.e. it's all about the money folks a.k.a. your ticket to the party).  Pucker up to the world sweetie!  ItchieBitche says--A bend in the road is not the end of the road...unless you fail to make the turn.  Such is life.

Soooo are they really that conservative or just think soooooooo?  And your answer please.  Tuesday morning we had breakfast with my sisters and their husbands before heading to Wichert, IL.  Do you think I look like my sisters?  Your answer please?  ANYWAY I took a bike ride from Wyoming to Byron Center on a beautiful bike trail (i.e. maybe 5 to 6 miles each way).  I stopped in Byron Center at a park for a break.  There were 4 seniors playing tennis (i.e. ages 69 to 74).  They played quite well for some old farts.  They told me they play twice a week and go to FL and play there as well (i.e. don't want to die with their teeth in a glass).  Soooooooo are you CRCs or RCAs--3 of us are on track being CRSs and one is RCA!  We went to the Granville 4th of July parade and there seemed to be a lot of floats for Christian schools.  Soooooo do you think 30% of the kids in Byron Center go to Christian schools?  Oh no, it's more like over 50%.  We're real conservative here in Byron Center.  Lyle, if you think NW Iowa is little Jerusalem then this is Jerusalem 2 let me tell ya!  Soooooo do you CRCs drink beer in front of each other?--you go and get a 6-pack and we well show you!  Sooooo I took a public street back to the trail that took me through a nice neighborhood.  In the middle of the street was a pair of men's Hanes gray underwear.  Maybe they aren't as conservative as they think.  God only knows how that underwear got there but...!  My goodness gracious!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Watch your step.  Everyone else does.

Freedom

Joesixpack says--Freedom is expensive folks!  Expensive in $$$$$$, in lives, in hurts, and misery!  Approximately 1.2 million Americans died fighting for our freedom.  Approximately 620,000 in the Civil War.  103,000+ in WWI, 418,000+ in WW II, 36,000+  in the Korean War, 382 in the Gulf War, 58,000+ in the Vietnam conflict, and 6,000+ in our current war on territory.  Freedom is not cheap folks! 

I interviewed Bruno Peters, age 93.  He was a Corporal in the Advance 12th Air Force during WWII.       Bruno left for war at the age of 29 and spend 4 years in Africa, Italy France and Germany.  He said he had the choice to be a MP or a cook.  He decided to be a cook and ended up cooking for the general.  They often would trade Army stuff for food for the general (e.g. the general told them to trade for some eggs as he was hungry for eggs but don't get caught doing it).  He said--We ended up doing more than just cooking for the staff, we took care of them.  If you want freedom (i.e. win the war) there are a lot of people have to die; ya gotta go in there and kill a lot of folks which also means a lot of Americans get killed too.  Not just a couple once in a while the way we fight now.   Sooooo Bruno, were you married to Kathryn before you left for the war--no, I didn't get married as I didn't know if I would return and many Americans didn't.  War changes soldiers.  They develop a lot of courage as most don't care anymore, they have seen so much death; they just want to fight for America's freedom.  Bruno said--I know what the troops are going thorough in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I think we should get out of there; we can't cure the mess; they will always hate each other; let's take care of the folks back home.  Soooooooo Bruno, tell me more about freedom that you fought for--When WWII was over it was good in our country but it seems like it is falling apart; folks want money but don't want to work; The Good Lord will provide but ya gotta work a little too!  He said the Air Force would fly over the cities at night and drop pamphlets telling the folks that in the morning the city would be destroyed; if you stay you will probably die.  The next morning they would destroy the city (i.e. that was nice of them to warn them).  Destruction and death are part of freedom he said. 

I interviewed my friend Sergent John Harms Company K 126 Infantry 32nd Division about freedom.  John is 91, a WW II vet who fought in Australia and New Guinea.  He knows what war is and has seen it at ground zero folks.  John says--Freedom is expensive.  He spend almost 4 years in war.  It's a lot different when your life is at stake compared to paying some taxes to support our military.  You either kill or be killed.  You as an infantryman have no choice when an order comes down; you do as your are told. It's not much fun when you have a machine gun barking at you.  He went on to say--We fought for the folks back home (i.e. good ol' United States of America and for it's freedom).  Many folks don't realize that war is terrible, brutal and cruel (i.e. the price that we pay for freedom).   Many many folks got killed fighting for this freedom that we enjoy today.  We need to appreciate it and cherish it. 

I was heading to the golf course for my early morning walk.  I walked past Oscar Meyer's place.  Oscar was taking his garbage bag to the the end of his drive.  I told him that I just visited with his buddy Bruno in the nursing home.  His room is across from my neighbor's.  What's wrong with your neighbor anyway?  Oh he has some walking issues, back problem and shingles--shingles, they're ugly--ya they can be--I got this gout that I can't get rid of--life is not perfect--by God, it sure isn't--how old are you anyway--92--did you ever think you would get to 92--no way, I didn't think I'd live through the war!  This is what Staff Sargent Oscar of the 297th Infantry a branch of the 4th Infantry said--Freedom is pricey!  Oscar spend most of his 4 years in Alaska and Alabama as a drill Sergent.  How were you selected for that position--Sargent Paul Christiansen liked me and took me under his arm or I would have gone to the front lines probably; I was just lucky I guess--soooo what did you drill them--learn to use your rifle very well as you will kill them or get killed; they knew that some of them were not coming home alive; they knew that soooo I told them by God learn and listen to what I tell you--hell, shoot first and ask questions later.  We ended our conversation with him showing me his little bottle of nitro pills and said--By God freedom is pricey and it's going to get worse!

I asked my friend, my mentor, my professor (i.e. also a  85 year old WWII vet) to write about freedom.  This is what he wrote--In America we enjoy Freedoms that many countries in the world do not have.  Those freedoms were won or extended through our past wars.  In world wars, many of our fighting people gave up their lives to maintain our freedoms for us.  These people were mostly 18 to 24 year olds and they certainly did not want to die.  Many died in some hell hole of a place in great pain crying for their mother.  This freedom that solders fight for give us four basic freedoms 1. Freedom from want 2. Freedom from fear 3. Freedom of speech 4. Freedom to worship God as we wish.  These came to us at a high price.  Young lives given for us is priceless.  I had a friend who was in the battles in Italy in WWII.  He told me he got up one morning wishing that he got his today.  He had seen so many of his friends killed and wounded and lying in agony that he couldn't take it any more.  Can you imagine such a mind set?  We all should stop once in a while and thank those who made it possible for us to enjoy the freedoms we have been given.  Ivan Harken LfJG U.S. Navy

I asked a friend Les Raish to write about freedom.  Here is his response.  --  I enlisted in the U.S. Navy 1965 during the Viet Nam conflict (Yea, Right…conflict) because the big draft was imminent during that time when any man turned nineteen years old. You had the choice of either being drafted into the Army for two years or join any elected military for four years. Of course, majority of the Army solders where shipped or stationed in Viet Nam to build a military force to do “a police action for the people of Viet Nam” by President Johnson…….  ~  My thinking! “This is a no brainier. I’ll be safe in the Navy because North Viet Nam did not have a Navy.” (Think a little deeper son! How are we fighting this war?) Low and behold after 9 months of training on aircraft jet engines I was based in NAS Miramar (where ‘Top Gun’ was filmed) with a F4 fighter squadron. The squadron was VF-143 which deployed every 9 months to the Tokin Gulf to bomb North and South Viet Nam. I was assigned to the flight deck of the USS Constellation for the first cruise which we would average 300 tons of bombs a day with our normal missions. The flight deck was a very dangerous assignment, especially at night, with the recovery and launches of aircraft. Yes, I have a few stories if you are willing to listen some time.  ~  June, 1967, strapping in my Commanding Officer and his Radio Interceptor Operator to be launched off, was one of my life changing experiences, understanding ‘Freedom is not free‘. Forty five minutes later, they were shot down in North Viet Nam. Yes, they were captured, beaten, tortured for 6 years in Hanoi Hilton with Lieutenant John McCain, who in his book describes the daily routine of being a Prisoner of War. These men loved their country and fought the painful harassment of being an American. Even our soldiers taking cover in the fox holes and walking the jungles with wet socks either sacrificed their limbs or lives. And yet today, we have those who walk in the oppressive desert heat of men and women trying to share with others, “that little taste of Freedom”. The list goes on and on. ~  Freedom is a Blessing that all mankind strive throughout human history. Freedom is the Privilege to worship our own God. Freedom is the privilege to own our own home, advance our children’s’ education, criticize our own government without the fear of the dreaded knock in the middle of the night. Yes, Freedom is very precious to me and sometimes abused for those who do not understand “What really is Freedom.”  ~  Freedom is not FREE! We have been given to us by our fore-fathers, our past generations of sons and daughters giving the ultimate sacrifice, for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Sacrifices where and are still being made in many ways. Either serving the country, by our mothers and fathers praying for their sons and daughters to come home safely, or aiding your neighbors during troubled times. This is FREEDOM. God, Country, Family, Self! ~  We sometimes complain about our Government, the conditions of the economy or the next door neighbor, forgetting and taking for granted of what we have. Next time, remember this 4th of July, what the Flag really represents, from those who sacrificed to “Let Freedom Ring.”

I asked Casey Dix (i.e. currently in Afghanistan), a friend who attends the same church as we do to write about freedom.  This is what he wrote--I enlisted into the Iowa Army National Guard in 2003, a few years after the events of 9/11 and the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I’ve been with HHC 1-133rd IN BN based out of Waterloo that whole time and have deployed with the unit twice now. I was deployed to Camp Al Asad, Anbar Province, Iraq from 2005-2007 and am currently deployed to FOB Mehtar Lam, Laghman Province, Afghanistan. There is always a reason young men and women join the services, it would be hard to say that 9/11 was not mine. But I don’t think I ever really thought about why, why was that date the catalyst that got me to join. Maybe I joined out of some sort of precedence set by the generations of Americans before me. Or I joined with the understanding that this was going to be the defining moment of my generation and I didn’t want to get left behind. Perhaps I joined thinking I could make a difference. The most likely answer is that the basic idea of Freedom was attacked that day. Freedom is flying the American flag in your front yard. Freedom is giving respect to veterans young and old. Freedom is the house, car, family you always dream of. Freedom is running down to the pool for the afternoon. Freedom is a Sunday drive. Freedom is an afternoon picnic. Freedom is sleeping in. Freedom is a general feeling of safety. Freedom is the ability to do what you want, when you want, how you want. Freedom is never truly appreciated by those who have it and never fully coveted by those who have never experience it. Freedom is something that seems expected or deserved nowadays. What we as a country, society don’t fully understand is these freedoms we enjoy as Americans aren’t free, there is a cost. That cost, more times than not, is ultimately paid for with the lives of men and women in the arm services fighting in another country across the world, separated from family and friends. So when I think of Freedom, I think of the 6031 brothers and sisters in arms that have died since 9/11 (3 of them from my Battalion) and what they were fighting for.

IthcieBitchie says--I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I'm too old to track down terrorists. You can't be older than 42 to join the military. They've got the whole thing ass-backwards. Instead of sending 18-year olds off to fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn't be able to join a military unit until you're at least 35. For starters: Researchers say 18-year-olds think about sex every 10 seconds. Old guys only think about sex a couple of times a day, leaving us more than 28,000 additional seconds per day to concentrate on the enemy. Young guys haven't lived long enough to be cranky, and a cranky soldier is a dangerous soldier. 'My back hurts! I can't sleep, I'm tired and hungry'. We are impatient and maybe letting us kill some asshole that desperately deserves it will make us feel better and shut us up for a while. An 18-year-old doesn't even like to get up before 10 a.m. Old guys always get up early to pee, so what the hell. Besides, like I said, 'I'm tired and can't sleep and since I'm already up, I may as well be up killing some fanatical s.o.b. If captured, we couldn't spill the beans because we'd forget where we put them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real brainteaser. Boot camp would be easier for old guys. We're used to getting screamed and yelled at, and we're used to soft food. We've also developed an appreciation for guns. We've been using them for years, as an excuse to get out of the house, away from the screaming and yelling. An 18-year-old has the whole world ahead of him. He's still learning to shave, to start up a conversation with a pretty girl. He still hasn't figured out that a baseball cap has a brim to shade his eyes, not the back of his head. These are all great reasons to keep our kids at home to learn a little more about life before sending them off into harm's way. Let us old guys track down those dirty rotten coward terrorists. The last thing an enemy would want to see is a couple of million pissed off old farts with attitudes and automatic weapons who know that their best years are already behind them. ***How about recruiting Women over 50...in menopause!!! You think Men have attitudes!!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhh my God!!! If nothing else, put them on border patrol...They will have it secured the first night!

Thanksamillion Bruno, Oscar, John, Ivan, Les, and Casey.  Your feelings are really touching and real.  You are truly America.

Appreciate our freedoms this 4th of July my friends unless you have other plans.

erv