I've learned a lot

Skip this if you think you know everything.  You won't need to read any of this (i.e. don't go any farther).  Or if you are the best at everything, again, just skip this.  It won't be necessary for you to read on.  I know there might be some of you who fall into that category soooo I want to warn you in advance.  You won't need to waste your time or energy.  Stop.  You have more important stuff to do. 

Joesixpack says--I've learned a lot in life.  Probably the thing I learned that helped me the most is--be humble.  Haughty folks just drive me crazy.  I don't care to be around them.  They spoil my life's experience.  I would rather not be in a group if there is one around.  But haughty folks seem to like to be around other haughty folks.  You ever notice that.  IMO they don't get it.  And you know what folks, I might be visualized at haughty and don't even know it.  Sooooooo I better keep a low profile and keep my mouth shut. Good idea Joesixpack.  That will work.  Have you ever noticed that Jesus didn't have much time for the haughty?  He hung around with some pretty humble folks (i.e. low on the social food chain in some cases) let me tell ya.  Talk about the pecking order food chain.  Fall is here and have you noticed the grouping of birds preparing for the migration south.  I always wonder how that works.  I suppose fall has always meant birds start flocking, working out social problems and class rank before the big flight south.  They are just like humans maybe.  I don't know.  Such is life.

Talk about big people getting smaller.  I have a golf buddy who has lost an inch and a half of height recently.  Yup, he is getting smaller.  He says he has a degenerating back.  And it hurts when he plays golf.  He has some high powered pain medication he takes sometimes.  The problem with that is he says he becomes goofy and tired.  I really can't tell the difference!!!!!  Back pain is not fun folks.  I have learned that a couple of times.  I would guess some of you know what I'm talking about.  I had a 50 year old friend tell me recently that he went to Mayo to have his back looked at.  They gave him some exercises to do.  He says he feels good now but wonders if he will continue doing the exercises!  Good question.  I have learned from others that most don't once they start feeling better.  This guy is pretty disciplined.  We will see.  SusieQ says--It just like many dieters or heart patients.  They do it for a short time and then fall off the wagon.  Hey listen, don't take everything SusieQ says as the truth.  She admitted to me in private that her knowledge about this stuff could fit into a snuff tin with room to spare.  Great balls of fire!!!!

I really can't see past the end of my nose sooooo don't take any of what I say too serious either.  I have learned that I don't know near as much as I think.  KennyTheRiverRat says--I really think that we need to get folks from both sides of the fence to crawl  through the wire and start working together on many things going on on this earth.  Most of the folks are only thinking of themselves (i.e. their own self-interest).  IMO I have learned that self-interest is a huge massive problem in doing what is best for the situation.  It's usually about the money folks.  Oh ya!!!

I have learned that some times I don't know what folks are trying to say.  What is this guy saying?  Is he saying he's #1?  Or maybe, hi there!  Or maybe I give all the Glory to God! Or maybe he's just a dumb scarecrow being happy. And it looks like he's been working out and watching his calorie intake too!

JudgeWilma says--Oder in the court!  Order in the court!  I learned a lot from these 2 guys.  Oh ya!  KennyTheRiverRat called it "TheCycleOfLife".  My mentor use to say--Every day folks are born and folks die. It's been that way for many years erv.  That's just the way it is.  AverageJoe says--Ya gotta be able to handle the blitz and the curve ball erv.  "When we are no longer able to change a situation we are challenged to change ourselves.  ~Viktor E. Frankl, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor~  MissPerfect says--The person who views the world at 50 the same as they did at 20 has wasted 30 years of their life--GeorgeTheCrook says--When you are young and not liberal, you have no heart; when your old and not conservative, you have no brain.

This is what I learned from a couz--They  used to use urine to tan animal skins, so families used to all pee in a  pot and then once a day it was taken and sold to the tannery.......if  you had to do this to survive you were "Piss Poor".  But worse than that were the really poor folk who couldn't even     afford to buy a pot......they "didn't have a pot to "piss in" and were the lowest of the low.  I learn sooooo much without even trying sometimes.  Such is life.

I've learned a lot--Rick Boxx says--Many universities and corporate trainers teach business ethics from a perspective sometimes referred to as "moral relativism." This basically means they do not believe in objective truth; to them, truth is in the eye of the beholder. As a result, according to this way of thinking, whatever an individual regards as right is good enough. Hey, don't folks and churches do that with the Bible?  Whatever you think is right is right?  It looks that way to me at times.  I think I do it all the time.  But that Bible is just soooooo hard to understand.  That is why, I just need faith and trust.  Keep it simple stupid!  According to Einstein there are five levels of intellect.  1. Smart  2. Intelligent  3. Brilliant  4. Genius  5. Simple

I've learned a lot by not even trying.  It just falls into my lap.  I asked a senior friend at church how she was doing.  She said--Same as always; I always say that.  Well, that's good that your are the same as always I guess.  I'm not the same as always.  Are you?  I'm changing all the time.  I'm just a constant change if I like it or not.  I wonder if she is always the same.  I wonder if she needs to drive a stake in the ground and then go back and see how much she has moved.  I think she might learn a lot.  A friend who works in a grocery store replies to me when I ask her how she is doing--Better than most but not as good as others!  She has said this to me I bet for 15 years.  Huh, interesting.  Soooo what do you say when folks ask you how you are.  Do you have a pat answer?  I asked JoeBlow how he was doing and he said--"I'm fighting lions with switches but I'm making it."  For the meaning of life differs from man to man, from day to day and from hour to hour. What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment.
~Viktor E. Frankl

On the plane coming back from Europe I sat next to a couple who were from Spain.  We couldn't understand each other very well as they said--NoEnglish and I said--NoSpanish.  We did manage to communicate through various ways (i.e. not sure if we always understood each other).  We didn't communicate very well but did some. I gave them the few euros I had left.  They understood that.  They acted like it was some big deal.  I took these two pictures in Spain and France as I had no idea what they were saying.  I just didn't understand.  Maybe they mean different things to different folks.  I don't know.  MeNoUnderstando!  I read this in a China Newspaper in Barcelona while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on top (i.e. soooo it must be right)--When KFC arrived in China and translated its signature "finger-lickin'-good" slogan.  It ended up actually telling customers to "eat their own fingers"!  Huh, interesting.  Saw only one topless babe on the beaches of the French Rivera (i.e. I only looked with one eye).  Such is life.

I have learned (i.e. VERY IMPORTANT) that when you don't know what to say to someone who is hurting, has a problem, needs your encouragement, or has trouble communicating is just to hug them and tell them you love them.  Do it folks.  They need it and you need it. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example instead of his advice. 

the world

No understanda!  No comperhenda!  Maybe some of you who haven't traveled much, might not understand or comprehend this stuff.  But maybe some of you who have done some traveling might understand and comprehend some of this stuff.  Traveling makes a guy's view of the world different and maybe it lets us develop a little feeling of how others think.  I believe it makes me more open minded, objective, and understanding.  That is my opinion.  My deceased mentor would tell me--Your eperiences program you (i.e. what you touch and see changes ya).

Sooooooo we had dinners and conversations with folks from Germany, Australia, Canada, Holland, South Africa, England, Spain, and the good ol' United States of America when traveling.  I found out that we all put on our pants the same.  Some pants are little different in style, some pants are different in color and some pants are of different sizes but we all put them on the same.  Oh ya!  I also learned that the world is concerned about a bunch of young unemployed, alienated, radicalized religious folks, mainly men who have found a vehicle (i.e. death and destruction) to express themselves.  Their religious believes and religious laws are uncompromising.  Ouchy ouchy!  This seems to be a huge massive concern and problem in most countries.  Folks are concerned about this plus a poor world economy.  Folks are concerned about the future of their grand kids.  These feelings are global folks.  Such is life.

Saturaday question--Do you every build walls soooo no one can get into your life?  There has been walls for protection of many civilizations and cultures.  We have seen the Great Wall of China, the wall around Rome, Vatican Wall, The Wall of Jerusalem, and walls protecting many ancient cities.  It's to keep the bad guys out.  The cities are built on a hill with the walls below.  It was a good defense until the cannon came along.  Even before the cannon, many of these cities were taken over by others and the walls were destroyed and then rebuilt.  I think that is soooooo interesting in the history of the world.  The picture is the city of Cagliari, Italy with it's ancient wall.  The world has a hard time keeping the bad guys out now a days as it seems.  LuckieEddie says--He who has the power wins!  When you win you get the spoils.  Or, he who has the best walls, boiling oil, stones, spears, to throw on the enemy wins.

The world is changing.  It use to be the poor folks, fishermen, and industry were located along the sea but now it's high end.  Things change in the world alright.  Rome was pagan and then changed to Christianity.  Many Christians were killed for their faith in Jesus.  The Pope was the King of Rome and owned all the property.  Then about 150 years ago the three regions were united into one country.  The Pope didn't like this as he was King (i.e. it's all about the money).  Sooooo they compromised.  Pope got to be a separate nation (i.e. a sovereign nation called the Vatican) and also kept 10% of all of Rome  (i.e. that is why Rome was not bombed during WW II). The Pope back then was really not a very nice person I was told and he was very powerful.  He still seems to be very powerful in our topsy-turvey world.

Our tour guide in Rome told me that tourism is down in Rome.  Way down.  The demographics of where the tourists come from has changed.  Way less from Japan, England, France, Germany, Arab countries and US but a lot more from Russia, China and India.  A professor from Germany told me that they have a saying in Germany--The pirates (i.e. one generation) makes the money, another generation maintains the money and the third generation spends the money.  Hey, it's that way all over the world I told him.  "The pirates make it" was sorta kinda interesting.  He said--Some think with the change of governments and policies in some countries, some folks make out like pirates in some countries while the poor stay poor.  Money is a huge massive motivator all over the world.  Staying alive is too.  I didn't remember that the Gladiators were prisoners and after soooo many wins they could get their freedom.  Now that would make a guy fight all right.

There are savers and spenders in all the world.  A 50 year old Holland guy told me this--I'm a saver and each year we travel the world.  He asked me if I was a saver--I'm Dutch what do you think!  He laughed.  I asked him if his wife was a saver too?  Yes of course; If she wasn't, it would be better not to have a wife! 

It's the same all over the world folks.  This store is the busiest store in Barcelona, Spain and in Jordon Creek Mall in West Des Moines, IA.  Folks just love technology and really like the Apple stores.  We live in a globalized world.  If there is trouble in any part of the world we know about it immediately as it affects most of the world if we like it or not.  Such is life.   

Big world but getting smaller. We were to travel to Tunis, Tunisa but with the trouble in Lybia we didn't go as it was more dangerous to be in a Muslim country (i.e. unexpected events happened). Good thing as they rioted there. It's a small world when you know what's going in within seconds.  Apple knows that too!

I went for a run late one afternoon along the sea side wall at Santa Margherita (i.e. a million dollar view folks).  Riding the tender back I went up top and sat by the driver.  A young lady came up there and sat with me.  She was one of the dancers on our ship (i.e. she had long slender legs).  She had danced at Las Vegas, Denver and with the Rockettes.  Sooooo why are you dancing here, this can't be near as high pay?  I want to see the world!  See the world.  There are soooooo many beautiful places in this world. The long trip (i.e. about 24 hours)  coming home was not sooooo much fun but, hey, we're retired; time means nutten. 

I really think Arlene was a little disappointed that some Italian guy didn't pinch her butt!  I don't know for sure but I think soooo.  Sooooooo I pinched her butt but I don't think it was the same!  Such is life.

I really love America and am glad to be home.  I enjoy traveling but sure like our home let me tell ya. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Life must be understood backward, but it must be lived forward.

where ya goin'/where ya been?

You probably wonder if I have a method to my madness.  This "It's Saturday" could be befuddling sooooo be careful.  Maybe reading this "It's Saturday" is not on your bucket list, but, hey, it's cheap entertainment.  Remember, you get what you pay for.  Don't have high expectations, then you  won't be disappointed  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--Where you going?  The problem is that children, like adults, often don't initially ask the real question.  Invariably, whenever I answer where I am going, I am bombarded with the next question:  "Can I go?"  "Can I go?"  That's the real question they wanted to ask.  Soooo the real question that really is the real question is:  where are you going after you die on this earth?  To heaven or hell?  Or don't you believe in heaven and hell.  If that is the case, then where are you going?  MissPerfect says--Whether you know it or not, children eventually find out where you are going (i.e. you can't fool them).  Eventually they ask of life on some level, "Can I go too?"

Where do you think we've been?  Here is a hint. There is a lot of Gothic architecture in this city and some world famous Gaudi architecture as shown in the picture.  It is of the landmark Sagrada Familia Basicila (i.e. Gaudi's most famous work) a.k.a the unfinished church.  Hint--They have bull fights in this country.  Hint--This city hosted the 1992 Olympics. 

When playing in my friend's member/guest tournament in MN this summer, I heard a guy on the deck of the club house (i.e. drinking beer) state that he has been in jail in all the continental 48 states.  Jr questioned him and said--I don't believe that (i.e. I think Jr thought he was flying in a headwind).  He said he was.  Huh, interesting. ItchieBitchie says--Sometimes we stop speaking the truth to one another and ourselves.  It hard to believe that the tattoo guy was in jail in 48 states.  He was only about 50!  But, ya never know now do ya. Someone asked him if he was in jail in Rode Island--yep, that was my last state--what were you in for--pimping!  Oh well, each their own!

Where ya been and where ya goin'!  Labor Day morning I went for a run.  I ran into Aaron Kampman (i.e. a local boy who played 10 years in the NFL and was released this summer).  He, his patents and and I think his oldest child were scraping his grandma's house). He told me they are building a house in IA and am taking a year off and listening to God as to what the next chapter in their life will be.  Are you physically okay--yes I am both physically and mentally; it was a good time to be done--don't you miss all the lights and glory--not a bit; I'm glad it's over; it was very good but I can't do what I'm doing this morning; Many NFL guys loose their wife and most of their money; it's easy to gain respect on the field but much harder to gain the respect of your wife and children.  Aaron, I'm real happy for you; you have always been a good person--I have had good...~he pointed to his parents.  Yes you have Aaron.  He's not a belly flop folks!

I know some folks who don't know if they are telling the truth or a lying.  They have done it for soooo long that there is no difference and they can't distinguish the difference in their minds.  What's interesting to me is that I'm not the only one who think they are wacko.  I use to think I was the only person who thought that way.  Others do to.  Folks pretty much figure others out.  In many ways.  Soooo where am I going with this?  I'm saying, folks know and see the real you and me.  Whatever that is.  You really aren't fooling anyone HattieHacker!  I played golf in a group which I normally don't play with.  One of the guys invited a guy from his church to play as well )i.e. made it a 5some--we played captain's choice).  He came up to me after about 2 holes and said--These guys are competitive, they really get after each other.  Soooo you can sense that--immediately, there is an under tone and an overtone of friendly competitive tension in the air.  I felt right away.  Really!  No question. 

Where do you think we have been?  Hint--This is one of the second smallest countries in the world but one of the richest.  Beautiful!  Right next to Nice and Eza. 

Arlene told me the other day that I shouldn't get all "puffed up".   I hate that when she sees right through me.  She thought I was getting a little like my oatmealwithskimmilk when I put it in the microwave--gets all puffed up!  Ouchy ouchy!  Usually when I get all "puffed up", I'm heading for a big fall a.k.a. disaster.  I realize that a very small, I mean a very small percentage of the world population really cares about me, even knows me and could care less where I am going today, tomorrow or where I'm spending eternity.  But there is one who tells me--you're getting a little too "puffed up" erv!  Something else that shrinks my head are those down hill putts that break to the right.  Such is life.

I read it in the paper sooooo it must be right that many folks suffer from having a real purpose with their life.  They don't see something important for them.  No direction.  Nothing to get them excited.   Here is the answer folks, a sure answer.  Honoring God is that purpose.  ItchieBitchie says--Everyone needs purposefully meaning in their life.  Honoring God can be done in many many ways.  Most ways are not flamboyant but are just soul satisfying small things we do.  What do you think?  Einstein said--What is the meaning of human life, or, for that matter, of the life of any creature?  To know an answer to this question means to be religious.  You ask:  Does it make nay sense, then, to pose this question?  I answer:  The man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.  That is what Albert had to say folks.

Where do you think we have been?  Many movie stars have gone here through the years.  Hint--Next to Santa Margherita.


Henri Nouwen says--If there is any posture that disturbs a suffering man or woman, it is aloofness. The tragedy of Christian ministry is that many who are in great need, many who need an attentive ear, a word of support, a forgiving embrace, a firm hand, a tender smile, or even a stuttering confession of inability to do more, often find their ministers distant folks who do not want to burn their fingers. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it-- How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Where do you think we have been?  Hint--When in Rome, ya do what the Romans do, drink and be merry or follow the tour guide!  Hint--It contains the smallest but richest country that is owned by the Catholic Church.   

Where he been and where is he going.  LuckieEddie says--I've been to hell and back.  What?  You heard me, I have been to hell and back.  I have been through some real hellish stuff.  It can't get any worse that what I've been through.  You think sooooo LuckieEddie?  Maybe we have no idea how bad hell is.  But you think your have been to hell and back.  Do you like to be back?  Did you like hell?  Was it hot in hell?  Did the devil torture you?  How did you handle hell anyway?  Do you want to go back?  Would you suggest others not to go there?

Where am I goin'?  Where I'm goin' there are no pictures for hints.  I'm going to heaven some day.  I know it's great; beyond comprehension.  There are no pictures that we can even get a glimpse of heaven and it's greatness.  I know that is where I want to go.  No question.  What do you think it looks like?  What do you think you will feel like in heaven?  Where is heaven do you think?  Is there heaven on earth?  Who will go there and who won't?  Are you going there?  Do you want to go there?  Here is what's soooooo hard for some to understand--it free to us; it's already paid for.  No charge to the Visa card.  Wow folks, that's a deal!  Who would ever not want to pass a deal like that up.  It's for eternity.  Eternity is for ever.  You have any idea how long eternity is!  And you know what folks!  I like to travel and we have had the opportunity to go a lot of places in this ol' world but I sorta kinda think that this trip will be out of this world (i.e. the mother of all trips)!  Oh ya!  And you know another thing--I'm sorry to tell you that some of you are going to be stuck here on this earth with United States' 16 trillion dollar debt.  Ouchy ouchy!  $16,000,000,000,000 has/will really put a hurt on a lot folks and this great country.  Happy trails!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--In all things it is better to hope than to despair.

Excuse me!

Tomorrow it might be different again. Who knows? All depends on the people you meet, the experiences you have, and the ideas and desires which make sense to you at the moment. Excuse me.  Do you understand what I'm talking about folks?

"Excuse me, what did you say?" Sometimes we ask that question politely because we didn't quite catch a person's comment and we just want them to repeat it. Other times we ask it in a tone that says we heard it, all right; but we can't quite believe what we just heard! What did you say? Sometimes figuring out the the difference becomes a challenge. Especially if you are in a different culture and folks have different ideas.  Oh ya!  Yabut when folks hold their hand out and say excuse me, everyone understands what that is about!  Such is life.

My father, Chester, used to say that you could tell the caliber of the mind of a person by the questions that they ask.  Excuse me!

Excuse me.  Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. ~Viktor E. Frankl, psychiatrist and holocaust survivor~  I have read his book Mans Search for Meaning a couple of times.  It's an attitude book folks.  A good read IMO!  Excuse me.  If you have a stinkin' attitude and don't want to change, don't read it.  You are wasting your time. 

Excuse me for sending "It's Saturday" early this week.  Arlene and I are off on an adventure. Where we are going I'm not taking our lap top as it's tooooo much of a hassle and toooo expensive to gain Internet connection.  Also, next week's "It's Saturday" will be on Monday as we don't return tell then.  We are going looking for (i.e. see picture) in the wild blue yonder with an attitude.  Such is life.

"Well, in our country," said Alice, still panting a little, "you'd generally get to somewhere else — if you run very fast for a long time, as we've been doing."
"A slow sort of country!" said the Queen. "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!".  At coffee after church Sunday morning I was talking a friend who is 85.  She said to me--I saw you walking past my house this morning.  Excuse me!  I told her I was actually running but maybe I was running soooooo slow that it looked like I was walking to you.  She said--You look pretty good but you would look better if you didn't stay so long in one place!.  Ouchy ouchy!  She was saying I think, that I showed a lot of activity, but not much progress. Joesixpack says--For many of us, our lives tend to look that way, too. We keep busy, but what have we accomplished? If we have accomplished little, why do we continue to do the things we have been doing?

Excuse me Mr. Hummingbird.  Thanks for making my day more enjoyable.  It's the fall migration of the hummingbirds.  I put out a feeder on the window of our sun porch.  Here is the picture of what I see while sitting in my recliner with me feet up.  It looks like the lawn needs to be mowed toooo.  I'm use to mowing it every 8 weeks or soooo.  Now we get a little rain and the blue grass responds instantly.  Excuse me mother nature for questioning you.  Like my mentor use to tell me--Nothing is as good as it looks and nothing is as bad as it looks.  Such is life.

Excuse me but are others getting in your way?  Henri Nouwen says--It seems necessary to re-establish the basic principle that no one can help anyone without becoming involved, without entering with his whole person into the painful situation, without taking the risk of becoming hurt, wounded or even destroyed in the process. The beginning and the end of all Christian leadership is to give your life for others. Joesixpack says--Be real to others. If you really want to understand another person's story, ya gotta share yourself and take a risk. So what do you think? Do you really want to get involved in another's story. That could take some time, effort and money. ItchieBitchie says--It's a lot easier to be a DuaneTheWorm a.k.a. abeastofadog and just think about yourself and live in your own little world and the heck with everyone else. There are givers and takers in this world. Which one are you?

Excuse me God!  Ya I wish I would hear from God through a burning bush, a talking donkey, or Him putting a million bucks in my checking account. But I haven't experienced those things. Do you think if I beg more, complain more, ask more, plead more (i.e. like a squealing pig) I'll get more stuff from God. Lot did and he got what he wanted. Such is life.

Well, excuse me!  Ole lived across the Minnesota river from Clarence, whom he didn't like at all.  They were yelling across the river at each other all the time.  Ole would yell at Clarence, "If I had a vay to cross dis river, I'd come ofer dere an beat you up good, yeah shure, ya betcha, by golly!"  Clarence would yell back, "Ya don't scare me, ya old turd. I cud beat cha wit one hand behind me back, fer sure!"  This went on for years.  Finally, the state built a bridge across the river right there by their houses.  Ole's wife, Lena, says, "Now iss yer chance, Ole. Vhy doncha go over dere and beat up dat Clarence like you said you vud?"  Ole  replied, "OK, by yimmy, I tink I vill do yust dat!"  Ole started for the bridge, but he saw a sign on the bridge and stopped to read it, then
> turned around and came back home.  Lena asked, "Vhy d's you come back?"  Ole said, " Lena, I tink I changed my mind 'bout beatin' up dat Clarence. You know, vhen I yell at him from across da river, he don't look so big. But dey put a sign on da bridge dat says "Clarence is 13 feet, 6 inches.

Excuse me!  Pardon me!  WildWillie says--I don't mean to step on your toes but I don't agree with you.  I don't think we think much alike.  I think it's better MissPerfect that you go your way and I go my way.  We are not even in the same book besides being on the same page.  I'm a saver and you are a spender.  I'm a conservative and you are a liberal.  I believe in Jesus and you don't. You remind me of a couple of peaches I bought recently; they looked sooooo good on the outside but when I got to their insides, well, they weren't worth a toot!  I'm glad we found this out before we got married. 

Esau probably said to his father Issac--EXCUSE ME pop after his mother, Rebekah, and brother, Jacob, deceived Issac and stole Esau's blessing.  Issac said to Esau--Hey, they betrayed me and fooled me.  I gave the blessing to Jacob.  You're screwed son.  Tough luck I guess.  Life's not fair, the only thing that fare kid is the Butler County Fair and that's in June.  Soooooo you're SOL son!  But good luck to ya though!  Hope you have a good life.  But you are not going to have it as good as your brother. 

LuckieEddie says--Excuse me! We come this way but once. We can either tiptoe through life and hope that we get to death without being too badly bruised or we can live a full, complete life achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.  LuckieEddie, you shouldn't say things like that as it will make a lot of folks shake their heads in wonder.

Bon Vogage!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.  It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Every Llife Has A Story

I didn't know that about SusieQ?  If I would have known...about her, I would have treated her differently.  Ya, every life has a story.  And there are many many stories.  Many of the stories never get told soooo many times they are never known by most folks.  Such is life.

Retirement surely lets a guy make his own life stories.  Joesixpack says--Spend your free time the way you like, not the way you think you are suppose to.  Not everyone spends their free time the same now do they.  My opinion is that folks who are the happiest are sorta kinda individualist and walk to their own, unique drum beat and not to someone elses.  And really folks, hardly anyone knows your thinking, your story, your situation nor what you are doing.  Sooooo why do we spend soooooo much time worrying about what others think.  Really now folks.  Enjoy your life. 

How many of you could just as well have been dead (i.e. ya dodged the death bullet)?  I mean you missed death by a fraction of a second.  Many of you can't explain why you are alive?  Many of you are just plain miracles.  Many of you, by rights, should not be alive.  Many of you have told me stories of your life that are just amazing, unbelievably.  And many of you, I just haven't heard your story.  Every life has a story. Many of you have been very blessed.  Oh ya!  Every life has a story and most lives have many stories!  I had the opportunity to be invited to a friend's birthday party.  He turned 80.  There were 32 golf buddies who played golf and 50some for dinner.  Chuck shot 85 on his 80th birthday.  Not bad.  Chuck had 3 very close calls with death that I know about (i.e. the last time they had to shock him 5 times to get him alive again).  He and I talked about them.  He's very much appreciative to be alive.  Frank was my partner at Old Goats Monday.  Frank was almost burnt to death, left at an auto accident for dead, and beat cancer. 

Gratitude is what we should have for being alive.  Gratitude makes a life much more enjoyable.  Gratitude in the morning, at noon day and in the evening.  Thank you God for life.  Thank you God for opportunities.  Thank you God for letting my be part of your creation.  Thank you God.  Giving gratitude makes me goose-pimply!  Oh ya.  Lou Gehrig said in his farewell address in Yankee Stadium July 4, 1930 retiring 'cause of Lour Gehrig disease--I  have a whole hell of a lot to be thankful for...I'm the luckiest man on the face of the earth...I might have been given a bad break, but I've got an awful lot to live for! 

Maybe some of our life's current stories aren't soooo pretty.  In fact they might be ugly.  Those might seem to be the "downs" of life.  We need to do what we need to do.  We need to look for the best and move on.  We must.  "Be prepared.  You're up against far more than you can handle on your own."
~Ephesians 6:13, MSG~  Do you believe in Divine Providence?  LuckieEddie says--The definition of Divine Providence:  Something chosen and promoted by God for us, not necessarily perceived as positive.  I (i.e. my opinion) think that God lets things happen and doesn't make things to happen to us.  I like my statement that I stand by--His understanding I cannot fathom, God is God, and that's just the way it is. 

We have never had the Golf Channel before but I wanted to watch some of the FedEx play and maybe the Ryder Cup.  Of course Media Com could help me get it on our TVs.  It was instant if I pay $7.95.  They were replaying the Dicks Sporting Championship of Sunday.  I watched the last 2 holes and Willie Wood made a 30 footer to tie for the Championship and won it on the first sudden death hole.  In his interview he said--I haven't won since 1996 and have to qualify every Monday just for a change to get to play in the tournaments.  This means soooooo much to me.  He said he has had many downs but this sure is an up.  You know folks, we all need some ups in our lives.  They don't have to be major but we all need to have some ups.  Sooooo in your story of life, what are your ups? 

Talk about ups and downs in life!  Abraham and Sarah wanted to have a kid.  It wasn't working out (i.e. downer).  God told Abraham that they were going to have a kid at Sarah's age of 90 and Abraham age of 100.  That's a lot of years of trying folks (i.e. you do the math).  ANYWAY What did Sarah do--she laughed.  But it was true and Issac was born.  Now that was an up.  When they least expected it.  Such is life.

I can get bored rather easy at times.  I like new things.  New ups.  Can you make new ups do you think.  I think you can.  A lot has to do with attitude.  I will guarantee if you just sit on the couch, eat chips and feel sorry for your self, you won't have toooooooo many ups.  SUGGESTION  do something different (i.e. a new challenge, a new event, something different).  Make a story in your life.  How about making a new relationship.  Pick someone who you think needs a up as well (i.e. don't pick the star social babe).  Now that's a win win situation.  RoseyRose says--One new honest-to-goodness relationship is worth ten fistfuls of business cards.  Think about that folks.  You might find the treasure at the end of the rainbow.  This winter I'm going to learn how to swim properly and learn to whistle with my fingers.  Yes I am.

MissPerfect says--Everything you do is based on the choices you make.  It's not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument or your age that is to blame.
You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make, period.

My life story or stories are just amazing.  Just amazing.  I really have had a good life (i.e. it seemed to just fall in my lap).  Way better than I every expected (i.e. but I had no expectations soooo...).  I attribute this good life to lot of things:  good parents, accepting Jesus as my Savor, being around many good folks (i.e. you guys) etc.  I have been blessed.  Yes, I have had many speed bumps and made many poor decisions.  And I know I will have challenges left to come.  For those of you who know me well (i.e. close friends and family) you know my life well.  You know what I'm talking about when I talk about my life.  My story isn't much different than your life's story or stories.  EasyMabel says--You're least prepared for the things that change your life the most.  Whoa Nelly!

My life has had many stories as does yours.  I have a picture and a motto on the wall in our bath off our master bedroom (i.e. it is not Arlene's choice but through negotiating, they are up).  It reminds me constantly that my life is like a ship on the sea.  It's not always easy and it gets bounced around pretty good some times.  But there is always peace after a turbulent sea.  Oh ya!  Ya might have to click on the the picture to enlarge to read the motto. 

Sometimes our life story has a sequel.  And then another sequel just like the movie Batman (i.e. the story goes on for ever).  At some point we need to admit that we are just not going to hit the home run in the bottom of the 9 in game 7 of the world series.  It just ain't going to happen.  JoeBlow says--Ya got to face it before you can fix it.  Do you every wonder if we really don't face reality very well?  I mean we really don't see some things the way they are.  We are blinded 'cause we don't want to face reality.  If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and acts like a duck, it's probably a duck.  And some things we can't fix.  We just need to deal with it the best we can (i.e. they just can't be fixed--impossible). For me, that's hard to accept sometimes.  Soooo my life story just goes on.  But my life, I bet, doesn't have as many stories as Methuselah who live to 956.  Now that would be a lot of stories I bet. 

Many of our stories are "allbutfortgotten" by others if they even know about them in the first place.  That makes me feel oh so small at times.  Soooo you win some local bowling tournament and you think you're some big deal.  Does anyone really care much except you.  Do they even remember or want to hear about it.  Very little if at all.  I think about that some when I write about stuff that we/I do.  Maybe most folks really don't care (i.e. like DuaneTheWorm who is into "the horn business".  But flip the pancake, I follow some of you folks on facebook and enjoy it a lot.  I really enjoy knowing and seeing what you have been doing.  I really do.  More that you know or I express.  If you would like to be my friend, let me know. MPO is this--In the end, after all is said and done, all the wear and tear, all the crying and gnashing of teeth in this life, all the chasing of rainbows, finding our dreams, all we are left with is our memories.  Such is life.

Every one has a story.  Old Rev. Johnson was begging his board of directors to buy a new chandelier for the church.  Pleading for more than an hour, he sat down sullen and hopeless in his ambition to acquire a chandelier.  Then the elder president of the board stood up.  "What're we wasting time talkin' for?" he said rhetorically.  "Foist of all, a chandelier, ... we ain't got nobody who could even spell it.  Second, we ain't got nobody who could even play it.  And third, what we need most in the church is more light!"

God said to Abimelech--You are as good as dead because of a woman you have taken; she is a married woman.  IMO I'm 99,99999999% certain God was serious!  Abimelech told God that he did not touch her (i.e. it was just not a story Abimelech that made up0.  God said he was alright then.  Abimelch was relieved let me tell ya!  Such is life.

Stories stories stories.  MissPerfect says--I think I have heard them all.  I know a guy who has a lot of stories.  Half of those stories are not true and the other half I don't believe.  And he thinks I'm going to believe them.  Da! Try to put your brain around this story--An acquaintance who I haven't seen for maybe 20 years (i.e. about 50 years old) told me he's divorced.  A friend told me his wife was tired of him playing golf all the time and her sitting home.  Moderation MurckyMarvin, moderation.  A golf buddy told me recently that he is trying to treat his wife the best he can (i.e. her wish is his command).  Sooooo how is it going.  Pretty good but I sometimes fail.  Soooo sort through those two stories folks and glean what you can from them.  Last Saturday we were playing golf in the afternoon.  We got 9 in and it was raining soooo we went into the clubhouse.  There was a father and his 30+ son sitting at the bar having a beer.  I hadn't seen the kid for maybe 12 years or so.  I asked him where he was living now--back at home with dad and mom--oh--I'm going through a divorce--that's toooo bad; I;m sorry to hear that.  Dad says--It happens; it's just one of those things.  I don't like to hear those type of stories folks but our pastor said over 50% of folks get divorced.  Ouchy ouchy!

Everyone has a story or two or a whole bunch.  Our little granddaughter Erin (i.e. age 4 and a half) does not sit still very long.  BUT last time we were together, I started telling her short stories of when I was a young boy.  She sat still and kept saying--more stories grandpa!   Sooooo, folks like stories (i.e. folks of all ages).  Jesus told stories in his teaching called parables (i.e. earthly stories with heavenly meaning).  Folks seem to enjoyed them and can somewhat understand them.  Huh, interesting. 

Watch this short video--It' called Every Life Has a Story.  It touched me.  It makes me realize that I need to be more understanding.  I really don't have a clue what other folks' story is sometimes.
http://www.mountainwings.com/past/12209.htm

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Never let yesterday use up too much of today.