unique and different

Disclaimer--In my opinion, this "It's Saturday" is a condition entirely uncomplicated by fine print, loopholes, liens, riders, or codicils.  But you have carte blance to think as you want! 

Joesixpack says--Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.  Their talk is about as edifying as a belch!  We are all unique and different.  Oh ya!  My thoughts are like as fleet as lighting--I have to write them down right now or I will forget them.  And my thoughts are many times unique and different compared to your thoughts folks.  Psychologists say that I only use 10% of my brain.  Well, there is my problem.  Saturday question--Do you use good judgement?  Good judgement is the ability to make the best decision possible based on the information you have, without being swayed by others or by predetermined ideas.  Mark Twin said--Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment."  Such is life.

SusieQ says--If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes.  I was hiking with JoeTheHike.  He was my leader.  And I can tell you that that statement is true (i.e. all I saw on our hike was his butt).  I have many friends who are unique and different (i.e. true leaders).  I think that's why I like you guys.  I'm thinking about one particular person now who by his own admission is a hybrid.  He is always trying to put a round peg in a square hole (i.e. nutten is standard in his thinking).  He's always doing something different and unique.  He doesn't do anything like it has been done in the past (i.e. very futuristic and innovative and energetic).  He's always on the cutting edge.  He is very confident and has a very positive attitude.  He appears to be very successful.  He is unique and different compared to the large majority of folks who like everything to stay the same.  Some of you will think I'm talking about you.  I might be.  I have many friends who are unique and different and fit this mold.  Maybe I like folks like that as I get bored easily and I like your attitude. 

Monday was a national holiday sooooo Arlene and I had the day off from our normal loafing.  We went on a good hike up and around Usury Mt.  Some of you might think we are different and unique doing that.  We might be unique and different compared to many seniors if their normal is sitting, eating, drinking, and talking.  It all depends how you define "normal" folks.  I had a person ask me a different and unique question this week.  She asked my what I was going to do this afternoon--I told her I was going to give blood.  She asked--Why would you want to do that when your are a retired snowbird down here in the Valley (i.e. da).  Every one's normal is normal to them maybe.  You think soooooo!  Such is life.

I read what an acquaintance wrote on his facebook page--My boy is wise beyond his years, came home from school today with the realization that some girls are just nuts.  CadillacJack asks point blank--Are girls really that much different than guys in their thinking do you think?  Soooo are they really unique and different?  Or are guys unique and different?  DK says--My wife and I were sitting at a table at her high school Reunion, and she kept staring at a drunken man swigging his Drink as he sat alone at a nearby table.  I asked her, "Do you know him?"  "Yes", she sighed, "He's my old boyfriend. I understand he took to drinking Right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear he Hasn't been sober since."  "My God!" I said, "Who would think a person could go on Celebrating that long?"  And then the fight started...

Sooooo are you a team player or are you like DuaneTheWorm, all for yourself.  Sooooo who is really unique and different?  Occasionally a pop up says--3 folks unfriended me.  For some folks that can really be unsettling--different folks have different number of friends on facebook and others aren't on facebook at all.  Some use up all their cell minutes and other don't come close.  Some are in every social event and others don't go to any.  Some are always in the center of attention and some are wall hangers.  We are all unique all right.  Some read and other don't.  Some play pickle ball and others don't know what it is.  GeorgeTheCrook's son says--All I hear around here is about germs and Jesus; And I haven't seen either.  Such is life.

Lincoln was such a person too (i.e. unique and different).  His history, his brain, his thinking, his wife, his timing was just incredible.  He was one of a kind I think.  Are we not all one of a kind.  Did you see the movie Lincoln.  If not, I suggest you go see it.  I really liked it but I'm a Lincoln guy.  He was/is soooooo amazing, sooooo mysterious, soooooo dynamic, sooooo unique!  Even his appearance was sorta kinda a stick out.  He had to be a very intelligent man but yet a man of parables and humor (i.e. simple). 

ItchieBitchie says--After I retired I felt that I wasn't important anymore.  No one cared about me.  I was a nobody.  Soooo if I understand  you right ItchieBitchie, you are having a bad day?  Do you feel alone and abandoned?  Are you convinced nobody cares about you?  Do you think nobody cares about your failures in life or in business?  Are you sure nobody sees your successes and failures?  And nobody cares if you live or die?  You are wrong!  There is somebody very interested in everything you do...  When everyone else quits on you.....  Internal Revenue Service; we never stop thinking of you!  Such is life.

Faster...Sleeker...Stronger!  If you don't have it, you don't have it! That is self-discipline.  The check out gal at Frey's grocery was maybe late 30s.  Arlene forgot her chips soooooo she ran back to get them.  I asked CheckoutgalFaye if she eats chips--not anymore since I lost all my weight--soooo how much did you loose--65 pounds--sooooo how did you do that--exercise and calorie counting--congratulations, that is a great accomplishment; you must have great self-discipline--it was not easy but I feel sooooo much better; thank you--well, congratulations again--thank you she said again; I'm back to the size I was in high school.  She was very proud of herself (i.e. she should be).  Folks with that determination a.k.a. self discipline are unique and different.  Yes they are.  Anybody can sit on the couch and eat chips but...!  I'm going for a run up'erein'emmountians right now.  I'm motivated. 

To belittle is to be little.  TheND-BeetFarmer#26. Don't let the littleness in others bring out the littleness in you (i.e. be different and unique).  ItchieBitchie says--You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.  We all need to realize and maximise opportunities of giving.  Givers are truly unique and different.  Little folks are takers and big folks are givers.  Givers are always happy and takers are never happy. 

Joesixpack says--There comes a time in every one's life when they will face a monster in some form. In that moment, you realize that you need help beyond that which logic can provide.  I read a book, The Road by Cormac McCarthy (i.e. one of our son's top ten every reads).  It says--What you see goes into your mind and you can't delete it.  The impact will always be there.  The book says in the dialogue between the man and the boy--Just remember that the things you put into your head are there forever, he said.  You might want to think about that.  You forget somethings, don't you?  Yes.  You forget what you want to remember and you remember what you want to forget."

Man has a will to power, but he has no real power!  Anyone of us could get a virus like my friend JimPaul did and tomorrow and be down for 6 weeks.  How's that for being captain of your fate?!  Ouchy ouchy!  Their are events in our lives that we can not fix but we just manage them (i.e. no cure).  Some of you know what I'm talking about if you have such a situation.  Others of you might not understand this at the point you are in your life.  Some day you might.  It's a humbling experience.  SusieQ says--The meaning of our lives, or of life in general, is far broader than can be determined simply by taking stock of our immediate feelings and circumstance.  As a kid at Roseland Elementary, we played king of the hill on the snow piles.  I wasn't king much; I was a rather little kid and the king was usually the biggest, stronger kid.  After being thrown off  the hill tooooo many times, I realiezed that I was not going to be the king sooooo I quite trying.  There was no way I could be king.  Now I don't want to be king anymore.  Why did I want to be king then do you think?  We went to the movie Parental Guidance--the new generation would make sure all the kids get to be king of the hill equal amount of the time (i.e. we don't want kids to realize that they are not all equal).  That was not the case at Roseland Elementary.  The strongest got to be king of the hill.  Such is life.

Now that was unique and different.  We went to the Cavalia's OdysseO Thursday night.  Never heard of such a thing.  Wow!  You just don't see things like that in Aplington, IA folks.  Such is life.  http://www.cavalia.net/en/odysseo/videos

LuckieEddie says--You never know what YOUR encouragement will do to the spirit of
another.  Your encouragement might be unique and different and might not ever be told to you as to what your different and unique encouragement might have done for some one else.  You probably will never know.  It takes a unique and different person to say "thank you".  Such is life.

The story comes from Ulrich Zwingli, a leader of the Protestant Reformation in Switzerland in the early 1500s. He and Martin Luther, the catalyst for the Reformation, were locked in a serious dispute, and Zwingli was at a loss in trying to resolve the conflict. He found the solution one morning while gazing at the side of a mountain.  He observed two goats approaching each other on a narrow path on the mountainside, one going up and the other going down. Upon seeing one another they stopped, then lowered their heads. It appeared they were about to charge each other. However, instead of butting heads, the goat ascending the mountain lay down on the path. The descending goat was able to step over the other’s back, and the animals were able to proceed unimpeded.  If the goats had chosen to butt heads, one may have prevailed. But the result might also have been disastrous for both. So one bowed before the other, in effect humbling itself, which eventually enabled it to advance higher.  Huh, interesting.  That approach is unique and different. 

Average Joe says--I must admit that somethings just aren't important or as important as they use to be.  They just aren't.  My attention has changed.  Somethings I just don't care about any more.  Is that age or maturity or what do you think?  Some things just aren't worth the time spending arguing about or thinking about.  Does that make a person unique and different?  An acquaintance a few condos down, two years ago went hiking with us.  Last year he walked with a walker and this year he is totally deaf.  Now that will change a guy's thinking!  Such is life.

FYI, I'm not responsible for this "It's Saturday".  It's an Act Of God!  Saturday question--Are Acts of God really acts of God?  I'm reading The Gospel According to Job by Mason.  My friend Eunice sent it with me to read this winter.  She thinks it might be her favorite book (i.e. and she is smart and is very well read).  It's very stimulating to me.  Very challenging.  Think about reading it.  Be unique and different.  It might affect your thinking.  The key word is might.  But if you don't read it, for sure you won't be affected.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Bigtoe--A device for locating sharp objects in the dark.

money money $$$

Disclaimer:  If  you are rich or will be rich 'cause of an inheritance or you married into money (i.e. married a true purebred) or if you have a big pension plus expecting a huge social security check or if your spouse is a massive huge money maker (i.e. a true hybrid cash cow)--you don't need to read this "It's Saturday".  For the rest of you, you might want to read this. I read in the paper soooo it must be right, that if you are 55 and have nutten saved, you would need to save about $6,000 a month with a return of 7% (i.e. no one gets 7% return sooooo). More realistically you need to save $8,000 per month to have a $1 million portfolio.  A $1 million portfolio will give you $50,000 for 20 years plus your SS and any pension.  Of course if you and your spouse both have pensions and SS that will make a difference.  Only $8,000 a month folks!!!!!  We know what we spend in our retirement.  Many folks have no idea what they spend or will spend.  But reality is--I read it in the paper, soooo it must be right, that the median income of a medicare recipients is $22,000.   Huh, interesting. 

MissPerfect says--Don't let it get out of control. That is in many things and everything (e.g. love of money, eating, drinking, etc). Money and power are both related to the "greeneyedmonster'. Moderation my friend, moderation!  Here's what to do if you're really, really determined not to use your credit cards.  But them in a tin can, add water and freeze.  Doing that might keep you from making those impulse buys.  To get to the cards, you'll need patience and hot water.  You can't microwave a tine can!  Discipline, oh that discipline.  Some folks just can manage their money better than other (i.e. it's always been that way and always will).  Joesixpack says--My budget is, I spend what ever I make and sometimes more!  Ouchy ouchy!  LuckieEddie says--My objective reality is obscured by my subjective illusions many times.  Ouchy ouchy!

It's only money!  Dick and Paul, a couple of pickle ball buddies, and I were talking the other day.  Dick said he hit a shot the other day that hit Paul in the head and knocked out his hearing aid.  It feel to the court and broke (i.e. $4,000 hearing aid).  Paul said--That was bad enough but I have a watch that controls all the functions of my hearing aid.  I went into the hot tub after playing pickle ball and forgot to take it off and ruined it toooooo!  Now that was an expensive morning.  Such is life.

GeorgeTheCrook says--Be wary of outward appearances. We tend to judge people according to our perceptions – what we see and hear. What we perceive, however, can be inaccurate. The novelist Joseph Heller who, at a lavish party on Shelter Island, N.Y., was ribbed by another guest, author Kurt Vonnegut, that their host had probably make more money in a day than all the money Mr. Heller had earned from his best-seller, "Catch-22." Mr. Heller's retort: "I've go something he can never have...enough."

There are money pictures and then there are non money pictures.  We usually keep our money pictures and show others our money pictures but others don't get to see our non-money pictures.  Pictures were on Chet's screen saver and this one came up of our family taken a couple of years ago.  It is our non-money picture (i.e. our family as it really is).  Where's James--oh, he's taking the picture.  I have a golf buddy a.k.a. DoyleTheClick who can make anyone look good with the new techniques of photography (i.e. besides, he's good).  I bet for enough $$$ he could alter our picture and make us all look good.  It just costs a few bucks and he can make you look like a million dollars.  He will remove your zits, fix your makeup, make you hair look good and make your smile better.  Why you ask?  He wants your business.  He doesn't want you to look like you normally do (i.e. it's hard on business).  MissPerfect, I suggest you bite on the $89.95 upgrade--it removes your jowls, removes your double chin, removes your facial hair, decreases the size of your ears, straightens your teeth out and also whitens them, flattens your nose and fixes your wild eye brows.  Also I know how vain you are soooooo I suggest toooo that you bite on the $19.95 super upgrade.  This super upgrade will remove the bags from under you eyes, slims your body, increases the size of your boobs and uplifts them.  Money$$ can do most anything folks (i.e. make a person not sooooo pretty look pretty).  Such is life.

Maybe this tells me something about money in our economy.  Maybe and maybe not.  The representative with the company we work with doing our rental of our condo will here in the Fountain of the Sun (i.e. about 1,300 houses of about an average value of $170,000, 865 condos with an average value of about $120,000 and maybe 200 double wide manufactured houses of an average value of $75,000) says that values have stayed about the same (i.e. have gone up some).  But, this company manages 36 rental properties and this is the first year that some are vacant--no tenants for them (i.e. 4).  Usually there is a long waiting list.  Huh, interesting.  Also she told me that there are quite a number of forclosers in the park.  Huh, interesting. It use to be when folks bought a property here, it was almost always cash.  Not any more.  Most are with a loan.  Huh, interesting.  But filipthepancake, I read in the paper that values of Valley houses have gone up 20% in the last year.  Also, we see more building than past years.  Huh, interesting!

ItchieBitche says--How bad do you want to change?  Do you want it bad enough?  Your change of path will only come when either you make up your mind that you are going on a new path because you are determined to change OR the pain becomes unbearable on the current path. The problem with the latter is that once the pain eases you often return to the old path.  Ya gotta be a super super strict self-disciplinarian to change.  Don't forget, you are what  your record says your are!  As ItchieBitchie says--Here you are, appearing as your witness!  SusieQ, you got my vote of no-confidence!  Ouchy ouchy!  I have seen your past record.  Flipthepancake--Now WeightLoserPickleBallKaren (i.e. lost 30 pounds over summer), you have my vote of confidence!  I have seen your past record (i.e. labeled).  But there are always those greatsurprisefolks who change their record.  Oh ya!  I applaud you who are in that group (e.g. non savers to savers).  Yes I do.  You can do it.

Jessica said that Charlie had to act a certain way 'cause she was a big girl now.  Charlie (i.e. our three year old grand daughter) said--I don't want to be a big girl anymore.  Do we really want to be responsible for your own money management?  Maybe some might want someone else to manage their financial destiny.  SusieQ says--I'll let the government do it for me; I don't want to be a big girl. I don't want to be responsible for my actions. 

My daddy, Chester, died when I was 17.  He taught me much about money when I didn't want to learn about money (i.e. didn't want to be a big boy).  I'm thankful that he made me learn about some business stuff.  I graduated from high school that year and was just starting college.  I know my junior year in high school our family lived on $4,200.  My Daddy shared a lot of his money stuff with me.  He also taught me not to make money your idol.  I remember when I was 15, he paid off the farm, bought 4-row equipment and told me that we have the world by the tail now; we are going do a lot of fishing.  Then he had his heart problems.  The rest is history folks.  My Mom, Anna had to work at a nursing home as she didn't have a lot of money and my kid sister was still at home.  We had no life insurance and no health insurance.  She sold the farm for $350 an acre.  15 years later, the new owner sold the rock piles off the farm for more than he paid for the farm (i.e. and I hauled many of those rocks).  My Mom was a trouper folks.  The best Mom I could ever ask for.  She died 5 years later of cancer.  Ouchy ouchy! 

BillyBigDollar says--The two groups were loggerheads.  Neither would budge.  Each thought the other was unreasonable. and believed their own position was entirely fair and justified.  Violence seemed a real possibility; indeed it was quite probable.  How often this scenario plays out, whether between party and party, labor and management, political advocacy group and state government, or nation and nation.  There seems little chance of peace.  ItchieBitchie says--Most wars are about money and power.  That's just the way it has always been and always will be.  Such is life.

DK says--LuckieEddie and his wife HotFlashTenna were in  bed watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire. LuckieEddie turned to HotFlashTenna and gave her "his wink".  'No' she answered.  LuckieEddie then said, 'Is that your final answer?'  She didn't even look at him this time, simply saying, "Yes..'  Sooooo LuckyEddie said, "Then I'd like to phone a friend."  And that's when the fight started!

It's all about the money folks.  Rory McLlroy is getting an estimated $20 million a year to do this ad with Tiger.  Now that's some serious cash folks!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NCDYjHtEcU&feature=youtu.be  I played golf with a couple of guys from Ankeny, IA the other day.  We talked about the Barrett-Jackson car auction as one of the guys is a car collector.  The conversation went to the guy from Ankeny who is a huge car collector and has a private 18 championship golf course right on I-35 in Ankeny.  I asked how he made his money--chemicals; ag chemicals in South America.  But the rescission has hurt him tooooooo is the talk on the street.  Street talk is that his net worth went down from $4,000,000,000 to $1,000,000,000.  That's street talk folks.  Now that seems to be a lot of cash folks (i.e. serious cash).  Especially when the average family income in U.S. is $50,054 according to goggle. 

I don't understand how folks can do it.  Really!  We were talking about the cost of Henry James' birth last weekend.  I goggled it and the average cost of virginal birth in the U.S. is $9,000 to $17,000 plus $2,000 to  $4,000 for the child.  Cesarean birth is from $16,000 to $25,000 plus the cost of the child.  This does not include any complications (i.e. complications can run up to a million bucks).  Sooooo if folks have insurance, folks will pay generally from $500 to $5,000.  And those who don't have insurance, I have no idea if they pay anything or how much.  We were talking and I learned that circumcision costs about $650.  Heather who is a roving RN clinic nurse with the Denver Children's Hospital says that she assists a doctor with circumcisions sometimes.  She said, this doctor won't do it unless he's paid $500 before the surgery.  Why, he obviously doesn't get paid by many folks probably!  Huh, interesting. 

Our conversation went to cost of day care, pre-school, kindergarten cost in CO and then to logistics of all this stuff.  Many many households are very innovative to make all this happen.  It just makes me tired to think about it.  And then to save some money for retirement!!!!  Soooo how do families that are larger in number dooooo it?  I have no idea.  They just do it or have someone else help them do it in some form or another I guess (i.e. maybe look to the government).  They also told me (i.e. I also read it in the paper sooooo it must be right) that health insurance cost will go up 15% to 25%.  How can they do it!!!  Something has to give doesn't it.  Especially if you make the average U.S. income.  How do families do it that make $12 a hour? 

MurkyMarvin says--If you don't win coach, we will cut you in pieces, boil you in oil, and pee on your grave!  You got it coach?!  We can't afford to have a loosing football program.  I heard on ESPN during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge that Kentucky's football program makes 2.5 times more money than the basketball program does.  Sooooo when the football program talks, folks listen.  In reality, the football program funds most of the athletic programs both male and female.  That's why they can pay a big salary to football coaches.  It's all about the money folks.  Such is life.

Janet Jackson once said--"There's nothing more depressing than having everything, and
still feeling sad."  The saying, "The ones with the most toys wins' is attributed to the late publisher Malcolm Forbes.  Joesixpack asks--Wins what?  LuckieEddie says--When you leave here, you'll leave what you have, and take what you are.  JoeDollarTheDragonOfJackAssFame says--I put all my money into my Visa account; I can spend it all over hell! 

I read it in the paper, so it must be right (i.e. the talkingheadssay), that higher income does not necessarily equate to the same percentage of being happier.  Actually a very low percentage relationship if you start with a sustaining income.  Under indulgence and spending money on others are massive huge factors in being happy with your money.  Such is life.  The pastor at Hope Lutheran in West Des Moines last Sunday said--If you put your money into your idols, at some point you are going to be very disappointed.  Saturday question--Who are you?  Where do you put your faith?  Who/what do you identify with?  Where is your foundation?  Who is the real you?  The pastor said--If you put you confidence in your money, it's a false confidence.  Don't let your money be your idol.   God's understanding I cannot fathom (i.e. God is God and I am human--there lies a massive huge difference folks)--God is God folks--That's just the way it is.  We went to the movie Flight last night (i.e. cheap date--$2 movie theater).  The movie ended this way--His son asked his father--Who are you?  The father answered--Now that is a good question.  Such is life.

ItchiBitchie says--I want to upgrade.  It seems that everyone in America want an upgrade.  It's capitalism at its best folks.  For only $9.95 more you can upgrade to this finer service, model, quality etc.  For only $9.95 folks!   Okay, go ahead if only $9.95!!!  Gottcha.  You can upgrade your Internet service, your meal at McDonald's, your car warranty, your car wash, your kitchen counter tops, your car model, your windows, your shoes, your makeup, your hairstyle, your golf balls, etc.  Almost everything is upgradeable!  And for only $9.95!!!  Such is life.

I went for a long hard run up'er'in'em'er mountains yesterday and relearned a very valuable lesson.  I said hi to 2 gals maybe in early 40s.  It went like this--Hi gals--how are you--great--yourself--marvelous--great day to be alive--I'm living my dream (i.e. the gal had on a cancer saviour tee shirt on).  I stopped and talked to another gal as she had a search and rescue tee shirt on.  She was 70 (i.e. great shape and had a great attitude).  What did those gals have in common?  A love of life.  Here is the lesson I relearned--Money can't buy what I just experienced--ya gotta get around positive folks.  That is what I have to do.  That is why I like being around a lot of you guys.  Depressing folks just drag a guy down.  I like to be around real folks (i.e. folks who have massive huge hearts and attitudes).  Of course maybe the 75 degrees and sun had something to do with all of this toooo.  I don't know!  Such is life.

AverageJoe says--Keep your legs moving--that keeps your mind going!  Besides, folks who exercise are much more positive (i.e. have stronger positive attitudes).  I saw a sign on Southern that said--The only think I gained in 2012 is weight!!  Soooo there you go!

A smart, good money manger sent this to me.  You might like to read his about money.  And maybe not.  I think it's good.  A certain perspective about money. 
http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertglatter/2012/07/27/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-be-happy-2/

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.

old

Riley here-- We are in Waukee, IA (i.e. suburb of Des Moines) home of the new grand son, Henry James.  Our whole family is together to just have a good time.  That is what old folks get to do.  They have the opportunity to see the children and grand children. Such is life.

Disclaimer:  Take this "It's Saturday" with a grain of salt as I'm just another old codger, lost in his own weird world.

Ya gotta remember that AZ is one of the retirement meccas (i.e. that means that there are a lot of old folks compared to some of you).  Old folks are just that--old folks.  Old folks do stuff that old folks do.  They just do.  Such is life.  ANYWAY--A old wife texts her old husband on a cold winter’s morning in Iowa:  "Windowsfrozen."  Husband textsback:  "Pour some lukewarm water over it."  Wifetexts back 5 minutes later:  "Computer completely screwed up now."

Ya gotta remember that when men get old, many of them get grouchy (i.e. get off my grass grouchy).  Can they help it do you think?  A friend sent me a link about "grouchy men".  I don't know if he is saying something or not about me.  ANYWAY, the article said--Many guys get grouchy at 60 and above.  The biggest reason is that loss of testosterone.  That's it folks.  It causes old men to become cranky and grumpy and irritable.  There might be a lot of those type of guys around AZ maybe then as there a lot of old guys over 60.  Joesixpack says--Being grumpy is just my way of getting through it and laughing at myself.  Such is live in the Valley.  MissPerfect says--Where can I buy some of that testosterone for my husband, LuckieEddie?  He needs a boast; he's hard to live with; he's a regular sour puss!  WildWilie pointed to 2 old drunks across the bar from him and told his friend Bob, That'll be us in ten years."  Bob turned to WildWillie and said, "That's a mirror, you dumb shit!"

There is a reason why there are a lot of old but gritty folks around.  Here is the reason:  Year Male Female life  ~  1900 48.2 51.1  ~  1940 60.8 65.2  ~  1950 65.6 71.1  ~  1960 66.6 73.3  ~  1970 67.1 74.7  1980 70.0 77.4  ~  1990 71.8 78.8  ~  1996 73.0 79.0  ~  2007 75.4 80.4  ~  2012 78.5 avg male/female  ~  Arlene and I went our for breakfast after my golf one morning this week--I was walking past two senior old ladies--I over heard one of them say to the other--I felt terrible this morinng but then I took all my pills and now I fell better!!!  Such is life.

Winter can affect our attitude which can affect our lives.  It seems to be a lot easier to do stuff when it's sunny and warm compared to cloudy and cold.  Yes, older folks might have some limits physically but many make up for it with an attitude of "I Can" and "I Will".  I see a lot of that attitude with the snowbirds.  They are pretty gritty.  Many seem to have over come the "Fear of Failure".  Also in this environment, there is less competition and more an attitude of having fun and acceptance.  It appears that way to me.  Folks just accept each other as they are and help each other in many ways. MyFriendKen a.k.a. KenThePung a.k.a. TheDigger is a good example--He takes his neighbor golfing.  His neighbor is pretty blind.  He lines "theblindguy" up and lets him hit it.  Then he tells him how close he is to the green and stand on the green by the flag sooo he know what direction to hit it.  Tells him he has a 20 footer down hill with a right to left brake.  He does pretty good MyFriendKen says..  There is no "fear of failure" as it isn't present.  It's about having fun and enjoying others' company for the high percentage of the folks.

GeorgeTheCrook says--Not much really changes now does it. Seasons change, people come and go, and life goes on.  Many times it appears we don't seem to get it.  "Ignorant men don't know what good they hold in their hands until they've flung it away." ~Sophocles (495?-406? B.C.), Greek dramatist~  BingoSamTheGateKeeper at the park I play pickle ball at and I had this conversation this week.  How are you BingoSam--doing good on a nice morning like this--how old are you BingoSam--74--you look like you are doing well--ya, I don't know, each morning my wife sticks a pin in a doll to keep me workin' (i.e. it's all about the money folks)!!!

Us seniors here in AZ have come up with an brilliant idea, just brilliant!  We have changed our passwords to "incorrect".  Soooo when we type in our password wrong, it will say--your password is incorrect.  Brilliant idea wouldn't you say  Senior DK says--SeniorBigButtLena was standing nude, looking in the bedroom mirror.  She was not happy with what she saw and said to her old husband, BigBellyBen, "I feel horrible; I look old, fat and ugly.  I really need you to pay me a compliment."  I replied, "Your eyesight's darn near perfect."  And that is when the fight started!.

MyFriendGeno told me this true story of what happened at their Kiwanis club in Westbrook, MN.  A visiting/sharing member, Bob, visited their club.  Kiwanis pass around a happy dollar box which you can put in a dollar to tell something good about yourself or wife or whatever.  This guy says he went to his wifes' 50th high school class reunion in Iowa last summer.  On the way back home to MN after the reunion he says to his wife--Did you every in your wildest dreams think that when we met that I would go with you to your 50th high school reunion?  She said--You were never in my wildest dreams!!!!!  Ouchy ouchy!

Like RedGreen says, "If the women don't find you handsome, at least they will find you handy."  LuckieEddie says--My father-in-law, a former builder, can make or fix just about anything. My wife, having grown up in that sort of household, expects me to have the same skills. She is always disappointed.  Ouchy ouchy!

SwenFromMN says--When you were young, it was a privilege to stay up to see the new year in.  When you were middle age, it was something you were suppose to do.  When you are an ol' snow bird from MN, you really don't care.  AverageJoe says--Be reasonable out there.  Treat others like you want to be treated.  The other ol' snow bird might have some defects that you are not aware of (i.e. don't jump to some wild conclusion).  They might be covering them up with some "make up"!  Don't be a DuaneTheWorm and think you are God Almighty!  ItchieBitchie says--This is hard to understand but...!  Give me a place to stand and I will move the world boasted Archimedes!  But Job's intimate knowledge of his own utter helplessness made him oh soooo powerful.  Think through that folks.  Quite a contrast.  Best bumper sticker I saw recently here in the Valley--Dog spelled backwards is still man's best friend!  That, being humble, is sorta kinda a "bitter brew" for some.  Talk about bitter brew.  When we got here I thought my coffee that I made wasn't very tasty.  Thought maybe I was just getting old or something.  In fact I thought it was really bad.  The third morning, I noticed that when I rinsed out the coffee pot there was soap suds in the pot.  Someone really cleaned out the pot with soap but did not rinse it well sooooo my coffee was not good.  Such is life.

SusieQ says--There is pain in gettin' old.  As long as it's happening to someone else, pain is but an abstraction. But when it touches you the whole picture changes now doesn't it.  I must admit that many times I'm not very considerate to others like I should.  There might be a reason why they act the way they do and I just don't know.  And old age brings upon more of those pains and issues.  If we like it or not. CadillacJack says--The mystics teach us that to appreciate the joy and fulfillment of life we must experience pain. I really don't care what the mystics teach, I don't like pain.  PickleballPat and I were talking at pickle ball the other morning.  I told her that I just heard three folks' stories of how they are in pain of some sort or another.  PickleballPat said--I use to play in a 55+ softball league.  After the games, it seemed like most everyone was hurt (i.e. tried to do things that they no longer could do--trying to be a super, super hero). Then I joined a 65+ league and it seems like not as many got hurt (i.e. they finally realized that they can't do it the way the use toooo)!  Such is life.

OldSnowBirdJimFromMN says--Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, because if I'm not home in time for breakfast, my wife, OldSnowBirdHelen, tells me I'm going to be in a lot of trouble!  Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters.  And you know what, Boomers and Busters do a lot of strange things in the eyes of the ol' folks toooo.  Such if life.

John Grisham's book Racketeer--The main character said his dad is 69 and came to visit him. He said--his dad never quites telling him how to live his life. I wrote that down. I think that is interesting. I hope I don't tell my kids how to live their lives.  It is very frustrating for many parents when their children want to do things differently than the parents think they should. Or when they think differently than the parents. Parents all learn that. many old parents think they are always right and many of the younger kids think their parents are just old. It's probably always been that way and will continue (i.e. it's just an old tradition maybe). Such is life.

I talked to WildWillie form MN the other day.  He was not a happy camper even though it was a beautiful sunny day here in AZ.  I wonder how you would act if you were WildWillie who has three adult children in all variances of delinquency, plus a wife who is crazy!  Ouchy ouchy!  OldDufferDuff says--The easiest day was yesterday!  Ouchy ouchy!  "Insufficient facts always invites danger." ~Mr. Spock, first officer of the Star Ship Enterprise~  WildWilly says--Don't worry about old age, it doesn't last that long!

FountainOfTheSunBetsy down here in Sunny AZ said--I very quietly confided to my best friend OldLadyBetsy that I was having an affair.  She turned to me and asked, 'Are you having it catered'?  And that, my friend, is the sad definition of 'OLD'!  I participate in a golf outing at the Fountain of the Sun Country Club each Saturday morning.  It consists of 124 old folks both male and female.  After playing, many have brunch together.  They call it the Mixers.  The old cronies I play with are fun.  We have a good time.  ANYWAY we are waiting on the tee for the foursome ahead of us.  84 year old ExChiacgoPoliceOfficerMel said facetiously--They shouldn't let those old ladies play; they are tooooo slow.  The Ex Chicago Police OfficerMel took a 8 with a three put on the next par four hole.  He said--I'm going to play another 20 years and then give it up unless I'm improving!!  Oh those bloody seniors as BadToTheBoneWayne a.k.a. WayneTheAce (i.e. ya he got an ace) says!!!  BadToTheBoneWayne wears an outy shirt (i.e. I didn't understand what an outy shirt was--it's a shirt that he wears outside of his pants).  This Canuck has a special language!!  He lifted up his outy to show me his suspenders!  That's what that old golfer wears!  Such is life.

When you get to the age of spending the winter in a condo in AZ, it's not a nail bitter any more.  You are pretty much what you are.  You pretty much know what's going to happen next.  You know it's coming at some point.  You are reminded every year with friends, acquaintances and neighbors who aren't back.  It happens every year folks.  Sooooo enjoy every day of your life.  Maximize each day. 

I brought along our $4 battery operated digital clock to AZ. We used it when traveling internationally for our back up alarm clock (i.e. our cell phones didn't work there). When I unpacked, I set it on the dresser Looked at it and the figures were all goofy a.k.a gobbledygook. I looked again the next day and it was the same. I said to myself--That's what you get with a $4 clock. Then the next day I realized I had the clock upside down. Da! There wasn't anything wrong with the clock but just with it's $4 old owner. I hope that doesn't carry over to my golf game! Such is life!

Ol'ChubbyWilmaTheWonder says--I just like to sit on the couch and eat chips and watch TV.  MagicMike says--And then there are others!  GeorgeTheCrook says--Bring on tomorrow, I can handle it!  I'll just do what I have to do in whatever my life brings.  Yagottafinish!  Bobby Jones (i.e. one of my heroes) says--We must all play the ball as we find it.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--When a man gets too old to set a bad example, he starts giving good advice.

important

Warning a.k.a Note Of Caution--My writings may be colored by tendency to moodiness in my own temperament and moreover by how my emotions are currently and by the way I have been programed by my past (i.e. genetically and environmentally).  Soooo proceed carefully and with suspicion!

Joesixpack asks--Have you every felt that folks treat you like you are not very important?  A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph's Hospital.  She timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?"  The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear.  What's the name and room number of the patient?"  The grandmother in her weak, tremulous voice said, "Norma Findlay, Room 302."  The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse's station for that room."  After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, "I have good news.  Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well.  Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her physician, Doctor Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharge tomorrow."  The grandmother said, "Thank you.  That's wonderful.  I was so worried.  God bless you for the good news."  The operator replied, "You're more than welcome.  Is Norma your daughter?"  The grandmother said, "No, I'm Norma Findlay in room 302.  No one tells me shit!"

Is it important to win in Division I football do you think?  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that Nebraska's fans are not so eager to go to bowl game.  'Cause why?  'Cause expensive air fare, same bowl as last year, fans tapped out, a crisis of confidence among the fans since the Huskers' 70-31 loss to Wisconsin in the Big Ten championship Game.  The general consensus is that the Huskers are gong to get killed, so what's the point?  Winning is money folks.  It's all about the money folks if you like it or not (i.e. folks are drawn to $$ like moths to a light bulb).  Such is life.


At times I seem important.  On Christmas Eve morning when in CO, I took Erin to McDonald's in Littleton.  She ordered a McGridle with no cheese.  She ate the egg first and then the sausage and then the pancake buns.  Then we stopped at Goodwill and bought a Santa jello mold (i.e. half price).  Then we went to King Shoopers a.k.a. by me as King Kong's.  I was pushing Erin in the cart as we entered the story--she says, turn here grandpa--soooo I did into the bakery section--stop here grandpa--they gave here a free sugar cookie--she knew that--as we were going to start shopping Erin said to me--Grandpa, don't tell mom about the cookie or she won't let me have any chocolate covered pretzels this afternoon!  It was sooooo cute.  Seeeee how important I am.  I controlled her destiny.  Such is life.

What's important?  CadillacJack says--A man is not a real man if he's not providing for his family in
all three areas--physically, emotionally and spiritually. It a tough job, but God wouldn't have blessed us with a family if He thought we couldn't handle it.

I saw a sign at Walgreen that said--Buy your football/New Year's Eve beer here.  Then on the electronic signs over AZ roadways I read this--Drive hammered, get nailed!  Now that is sorta kinda a opposite thinking maybe (i.e. contradictory and polar). 

Some folks think they are important and maybe are or maybe just think they are.  I was around two people the other day.  One struts his stuff (i.e. has a certain err about him), is showy, and really thinks he's important (i.e. maybe he is and maybe he's not).  The other person is meek and humble who doesn't think she's very important (i.e. in my mind she is a very important person).  GeorgeTheCrook says--I might change my notion if I was different than who I am.  Now that could be.  Importance of someone might be in the "eye of the beholder".  Could me.  GeorgeTheCrook says--The world thinks if you have money, you're important.  That might be true and it might not.  Such is life.

When you get to be ol' snow birds things of importance change.  You can't really tell or care who was important or who is important.  'Cause maybe humility comes with health issues, age factor, and our own mortality.  Importance isn't much important anymore.  I sure was happy to see my ol' golf buddies and they seemed happy to see me.  Importance is not a thought with us.  We just plain enjoy each others' company.  Yes we do.  MagicJohnTheMiracle says--Love is the humility in which self becomes subservient to relationship.

DuffnerDuff says--If you want to put the kiss of death on anyone, keep telling them how important they are.  They will kill themselves with their own big head.  No question.  Once they believe they are really important, it's all over folks.  It works every time.  Just observe.  I read in the paper soooooo it must be right--The most terrifying impotence of all, is death!  Ouchy ouchy. 

Here is a construct folks.  During Advent season, we talked about Joesph and Mary.  Poor and young folks with no power but yet very important.  Very humble and sorta kinda quiet.  Seems like God uses a lot this type of folks doesn't it?  Why do you think that is?

As I was running the other morning, I thought of Joe Daniels. He died about 40 years ago in his 50s I think. I knew me very little and for a very short time. I was walking from the parking lot to the club house at Beaver Meadow Golf course and he was practice putting on the 7th green. He was the club champ. I thought he was sooooo important. He died the same year. He was in his 50s at the time and that was probably 40 years ago. He never knew that I thought he was important.  His grandson told me--I know that virtually all great men never fully comprehend their own worth. I suppose that is one of the traits that makes them great.

DougTheCanadianArabianBreeder says--He knows he's important!  That is what he said about SuperStud Bey Ambition in the picture.  He's a super, super showman and he knows it.  They are breed for that.  He's a national champion and he knows it (i.e. very, very important).  Arlene and I went to the Rae Dawn Arabian farm in Scottsdale as part of the Arabian Farm Tour.  We really enjoyed it. We were treated like we were very important. 

The Sunday before we left for AZ, a gal came up to me at church.  She was a student of mine who graduated in 1975.  She is just as nice as she was back then.  We had a great time.  ANYWAY she went and got her family and introduced them to me.  She has two sons in their 20s, a daughter in law, and a husband.  A great looking family.  When she went to her family to ask them to come and meet me, one of their sons said--Is your hs teacher still alive!  When you get older, you are not consider as important any more maybe and maybe not.  I know for many when they retire, they don't think the public thinks they are as important anymore.  That is hard on some folks.  LuckieEddie says--If you were never important or thought you weren't important, you don't know the difference but if you were important or thought you were important, it might be a different story!  Such is life.

UppityDuaneTheWorm is always uppity uppity.  Does that make him important do you think.  Maybe it does to him.  My Daddy, Chester, use to say--If you are good you don't need to tell anyone; they will know.  Filipthepancake--I was talking to a gal recently who has worked for a small business for 37 years (i.e. and she's really not really that old--she started in high school).  ANYWAY I said she should be given the 'citiczen of the year award'!  She got real excited; didn't want any attention.  Even didn't like it when I told her that she does a very good job.  Huh, interesting.

MissPerfect says--Sometimes you'll just never know what will be good and what will be bad (i.e. what's important and what's not important. A farmer had only one horse. One day, his horse ran away. All the neighbors came by saying, “I'm so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.” The man just said, “We'll see.” A few days later, his horse came back with twenty wild horses. The man and his son corralled all 21 horses. All the neighbors came by saying, “Congratulations! This is such good news. You must be so happy!” The man just said, “We'll see.”One of the wild horses kicked the man's only son, breaking both his legs. All the neighbors came by saying, “I'm so sorry. This is such bad news. You must be so upset.” The man just said, “We'll see.” The country went to war, and every able-bodied young man was drafted to fight. The war was terrible and killed every young man, but the farmer's son was spared, since his broken legs prevented him from being drafted. All the neighbors came by saying,“Congratulations! This is such good news. You must be so happy!” The man just said, “We'll see.”

SisieQ says--Yabut if you think you are important (i.e. if you are or not it doesn't matter) and then you experience a feeling of not being important, it's maybe hard to accept and change (e.g. if you fold up some stiff wire, you can unfold it but it's usually never the same).  AverageJoe says--That can make a guy feel rather sad expecailly if you like to be important. 

Sometimes I think I'm really big a.k.a. important.  Then I look at the big picture to only find out I'm not soooooo big!  I think I have a lot of important friends and family (i.e. you guys).  I think you really are important. Especially important to me.  Joesixpack says--Do you want to have important friends like Eilphaz, Bildad and Zophar?  You know who those guys are?  They were Job's friends.  They sat with Job for 7 days and didn't say a thing.  Then what did they tell Job to do?  Ouchy ouchy!  LuckieEddie says--When in doubt erv, review the 'game film'.  Good advice LuckieEddie, many times I misunderstand myself but if I watch the 'game film' it shows the real me.  Such is life!

It's important folks to maximise each day.  BogeyManerv says--Life is like a taxi.  The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean

This is important.  I suggest you watch it.  http://www.heartrescuenow.com/