it's just the way it is folks

Joesixpack asks--Do you know why the Easter Bunny hides his eggs? It's 'cause he doesn't what folks to know that he's been fooling around with the chickens!

Anyone who has this many pens in his pocket has to be important folks!  MissPerfect  says--I know that I'm important (i.e. really important) but in the end, I will die too.  You are right MissPerfect.  But...but a 100 out of 100 all die.  That's 100%.  It doesn't matter how important you think you are or how rich you are, you are going to die.  It's really not that big of a deal.  Really!  Folks have been dieing forever and forever.  You aren't anything more special than others even though you think maybe you are.  You aren't.  Such is life. 

And the reality is, we and everyone at some point becomes only a memory.  Some folks are a memory for some time and others a memory for a very short time.  And some hardly a memory at all.  Sorry that's reality folks.  ItchieBitchie says--Most all of us (i.e. 100%) all do some good on this earth and all do some bad on this earth (i.e. no matter how great and mighty we think we are).  I read while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana and some blueberries on it--For death is the destiny of every man...no one has the power over the day of his death.  My favorite book of the Bible is Ecclesiastes (i.e. as some of you know that--I read it often).  For many it's a sad, depressing book.  Like it talks about -- Chasing after the wind--nutten matters--everything is meaningless--!!  But...but at the end of the book in 12:13 it says--here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man (i.e. chief end of man...a far cry from meaningless...our fulfillment).  I like that.  Does than make any sense to ya?

How and what do you remember of folks who have passed away?  But...but we all remember a certain thing about each person. For a little while or maybe for a long time.  Maybe not a lot but maybe something.  You like funerals?  Most folks don't.  It's a very emotional time for most (i.e. especially for the folks who were close to the deceased and especially if you really liked them).  A lot of nice things are usually sad.  If there isn't anything nice to say about the deceased, they just make some stuff up it seems.  As my mentor said--Folks always get better after they die.  A friend (i.e. who has been deceased for many years) said to me--I went to...funeral but I thought I was at the wrong funeral; the preacher said stuff about...which was not the same person that I knew!  I personally wonder when the pastor says--...is now in heaven with his loved ones and they are having a great time.  First, how does the pastor know this person is in heaven (i.e. the pastor is not God) and second, how does anyone know if you will know anyone in heaven.  But it makes folks feel good.  His understanding I can not fathom--God is God--And that's just the way it is. 

LuckieEddie says--Funerals happen every day.  But...but, I don't like to talk about them; that is morbid and depressing.  Is it really.  Funerals are "a big bucks business" folks.  It's expensive to die.  I read in the AZ Republic recently the article titled--Provident planning; Thinking ahead can save on costs related to death.  Death is still a taboo subject for many people...Some think its tacky to try to save on cost...But...but having frank, open and detailed conversations with family members about their preferences well ahead of time can save money and ensure that loved ones' wishes are honored (e.g. why pay for a traditional burial if the deceased wanted cremation?)...In AZ, the average funeral with casket, viewing, memorial service and burial is nearly $4,100 (i.e. this can be much higher when other additions are added)...The average cost of cremations $900.  I hear more of prices like $8,000 to $10,000 in IA.  But...but listen folks, I'm not suggesting that you do anything or nutten.  I'm just saying that this is reality.  Soooo think ahead if you want tooooo.  If you don't want toooo, that's okay tooooo.  Arlene and I discussed, to some degree, what we think we want but...but if we aren't around, I guess the kids can do what they want. 

ItchieBitchie says--Hey, don't worry about death.  It's only death.  Really!  We went to an ASU basketball game this winter.  I asked my buddy what that word was that was painted on the floor (i.e. I never heard of it before).  The word was FEARTHEFORK!  He explained it to me.  Da!  The mascot of ASU is the sun devil sooooo "fear the fork".  Soooooo fear the devil's fork folks could be something to think about.  We use to have a pastor who "the word on the street is" that he believes that everyone was going to heaven; it doesn't matter (i.e. many folks liked his theology--I wonder why).  Soooo you can jump on his band wagon if you want.  Isn't it great to live in America and Canada where you can believe what you want.  BUT decisions have consequences.  Ouchy ouchy! Hey ItchieBitchie, how come you think you know soooo much about death?  You are still alive.  ItchieBitchie says--I can feel it in my bones!  Oh!

It is what it is.  Joesixpack asks--Have you ever caught yourself just spinning in circles?  I read recently in the AZ Republic (i.e. so it must be right)--Leadership is more about humility than personality...Disciplined people who engage in disciplined thought will be great.  It's not personality--it's humility, combined with a ferocious will.  We're advised to spend less time trying to be interesting and more time being interested because the best leaders know it's not about them--it's about the cause.  It's just the way it is folks.  I just read some more advice in the paper.  To get your way just sweeten the deal.  The article was about "the art of negotiating".  It also said--There is no such thing as "this is my final offer"!  Da!!  That's just the way it is folks!  Such is life.

MissPerfect a.k.a the mugrumper says--I can never decide what I believe.  I sorta kinda just change like the wind.  CadillacJack says--Uncertainty and upheaval does cause a pervasive psychological toll.  My Mommy, Anna, always told me--erv, always do what is right! A muckrumper sits on the fence with his mug on one side of it and his rump on the other.  GeorgeTheCrook says--At some point we all need to pick our sides!  Such is life.

Well, Easter is new life for anyone who believes that Jesus Christ is their Saviour.  Anyone who believes that Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins and that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life (i.e. Christians believe that we are saved by God's grace--now that is sorta kinda hard for the human mind to understand isn't it).  Sooooo if you don't believe that (i.e. a non believer, anyone who doesn't believe in anything, a Jew, of the Islamic faith, of the Judaism faith, or of the Hindu faith), the Christians believe that you are not saved.  That means Easter is no more than a ham dinner, colored eggs, and a bunny.  From a Christian perspective, no faith in Jesus deprives folks of the Joy of Easter (i.e. A New Life a.k.a. The Good News of Easter). 

History says that the Spring equinox was considered the start of the
pagan new year. This was the day of resurrection of the sun god from the underworld of winter. He met his goddess, Eostre (which comes down to us in the words East and Easter), who was a deity of the dawn. She was associated with new life, and many of the traditions of Easter (Easter eggs and rabbits – symbols of fertility) are derived from these ancient pagan rituals and beliefs.  Traditionally, spring has been associated with the start of life. This is the time when the earth wakes up from its sleep (winter) and the world appears to be reborn.  NEW LIFE!

Thataboy!  You did a great job (i.e. you're a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10).  You can't do a better job guy.  Have you ever thought something and then later found out that you were wrong and made a complete ass out of yourself?  A member of the Fountain of the Sun Country Club let the club rent out his cart.  The club told the renter that the cart was in stall 6a so they took it.  The owner of another cart wanted to know where his cart was; it was gone.  I guess what happened was that the cart was in the wrong slot soooo it was taken by the renter by a honest mistake.  The club found his cart; it was on hole 14.  Sooooo he goes out there and gets his cart and gives the renter heck (i.e. was a real jerk) that he took the wrong cart (i.e. the renter did just what he was told to do).  Then the owner says---where are my clubs--there were no clubs on the cart--you stole them (i.e. he went on and on that this old couple stole his clubs).  He made a complete ass out of himself over some old cubs that no would want in the first place.  Sooooo he goes home madder than hops.  He gets home and finds out that his clubs fell off his cart (i.e. he didn't have his hearing aids turned up high enough to hear them fall off) and they were laying on the drive.  Now that is making an ass out of yourself folks. 

FancyPantsCarol says--I am not wearing a diaper, so don't try to change me erv!  Hey, listen FancyPantsCarol, I'm not trying to change you.  And besides, I can't change you.  You only can change if you want to or if a miracle happens to you (i.e. you might have to click on the comic to enlarge sooo you can read it).  We all have come to a fork in our path and have to decide which path we are going to take (i.e. very few of us have a talking donkey, a burning bush, a cairns showing us we are on the right path or a voice coming out of a bright light telling us which path to take.  Do we take the high road, the path less traveled or what?  And those paths have consequences folks.  At least for me they did and do.  Such is life.

My sister, Myrt, send us an Easter card.  She wrote in it--The message of Easter is so promising for us as believers!  And I say--I guarantee you that ain't no bull!  LuckieEddie says--Yabut Tiger Woods in his new Nike ad says--Winning takes care of everything! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor man, perfected without trials.

PS  If you have a minute, check out this little, funny video (i.e. there are maybe four short ones--the two about the chicks are the ones about new life   http://www.flixxy.com/michael-carbonaro-the-magic-clerk.htm#.UTwOkqWVdOQ  I think they are really funny.

And what's more...

Quote from the movie Caddyshack--Judge Smails: You know, you should play with Dr. Beeper and myself. I mean, he's been club champion for three years running and I'm no slouch myself. Ty Webb: Don't sell yourself short Judge, you're a tremendous slouch.

Will Roger said--It don't take no genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep!  And what's more, it don't take no genius to spot a DuaneTheWorm in group of folks.  But some folks are very gullible (i.e. can't see the goat wearing the sheepskin).  Abe Lincoln once said--You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.  And what's more, DuaneTheWorm way over hypes himself!  After about soooooo long, folks figure him out sooooo he needs to find another fresh batch of suckers. Such is life.

And what's more...it really doesn't make any difference.  I have made a makeshift office with an old card table.  It sits in the master bedroom next to the window.  There is a little par 60 golf course in our community.  The hole in our back yard is about 150 yards for men and maybe 110 for women.  And what's more, It seems like 80% of the folks can't hit the ball that far.  And what's more...at this juncture in their lives, does it really matter!  Really!  Those folks are enjoying themselves, getting a little exercise and socializing. 

And what's more...some of the Dykema (i.e. my Mom's side Anna Beatrice Dykema Mellema) cousins got together this week here in the Valley.  What a hoot!  I heard some real funny stories let me tell ya but this is the funniest of all.  Dave (i.e. cousin-in-law) grew up on a farm near Bird Island, MN.  It was 1952 when his parents packed all 7 kids (i.e. ages 3 months to 19) into their 1951 Oldsmobile 98 and headed west to Fresno, CA for the winter.  They left the day after Thanksgiving and returned the end of March.  They encountered snow storms to sand storms on their way.  I said--Dave, that's impossible--9 folks in one car!  It's right; we had kids on the floor, in the back window and anywhere they could fit.  Mary asked--Where did you put your luggage?  I guess in the truck (i.e. really for 9 folks for the winter--we have a hard time gettin' all our stuff in the car for the winter and it's only 2 of us).  Can you imagine stopping for a pee break!  And what's more, when they got there, they stayed with relatives (i.e. I bet they were happy to see them come--NOT!).  They did rent a house after a while and the kids went to school there.  Dave said the trip will stay with him forever.  I wonder why Dave!

Dear James, Here are your Daddy Daughter Date Night pictures. We are sorry for the delay. Thank you for attending our event and investing in your daughter! Visit Chick-fil-A at Belleview Shores on facebook shortly, to see the famous couple. :-) Jessica Armerding Marketing DirectorChick-fil-A at Belleview Shores 5260 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80123  Joesixpack says--And what's more...I do the best I can with the ability I have and see what happens (i.e. and many times folks don't get to see what happens).  We may not be aware of what our involvement produces until long afterwards, if at all.  GeorgeTheCrook says--I don't even know what is right sometimes.  I think one way and the majority think another.  Am I right or are they right.  Ya, I just hope I do my best as I'm only traveling this path but once.  Joesixpack goes on to say--And what's more...I'm not bad but I wouldn't call myself good either!  Such is life.
 

What's more...there is a tipping point. It's Palm Sunday tomorrow. Palm Sunday is when Jesus was coming into Jerusalem and folks laid down their coats and palm branches and shouted out -- Hosanna in the highest. They made a decision as to who they thought he was (i.e. their Messiah). Decisions to be a follower of Jesus isn't always easy folks. My kid sister, Doris, and brother-in-law, Larry, are doing a mission trip as teachers to the Wycliffe missionary children in Papua New Guinea. This is what they wrote to me in an email (i.e. printed with permission)--Nationals here are very open to new religions. There are many denominations present - Lutheran, Seventh Day Adventist, Protestant, Assembly of God, Catholic, etc. What happens is that the nationals try to retain their own beliefs - evil spirits, witchcraft, etc. and just add the new beliefs to it. Someone here described it as a "stew". Even though they say they believe in God, when push comes to shove they often resort back to their old beliefs. While we were here about 2-3 hours drive away, a 20 year-old woman was burned alive under a pile of tires. She was accused of using sorcery to kill a six-year old boy. Sometimes nationals will intervene, but sad to say in her case that didn't happen. ~ We've heard stories from many of the translators who work in the villages describing the nationals fear of evil spirits which they believe live in rocks or trees. Some translators will even say that they have felt the "heaviness" of evil around them, but through prayer and their belief in a stronger presence - God- they are able to carry on. Unfortunately for the nationals their old beliefs trump their new beliefs. Remember that is a generalization and that there are some truly committed nationals who have accepted Christ as their Savior. ~ It's only been about 2-3 generations which have heard the Word so beliefs and costumes change slowly. Back in the '60's they were still practicing cannibalism. That's another whole different story for a different day. ~ We learn more each day. Conversations with people who have first hand experiences are so interesting.

Do you think you know any rats? Ratty rat rats? Rats are a pest if you have ever had them. We use to see them back on the farm as a kid (i.e. a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN). Especially when we shelled corn in the late winter or early spring. They sorta kinda gave me the creeps. The story goes that they would run up guy's pants legs when shelling corn. I have never seen it. I think that's just a corn shelling story that the old guys told all us youngings. That is what I think. ANYWAY there are roof rats in AZ. They are a pest they say. They eat the rip fruit (i.e. oranges, grapefruit and lemons). We are told to pick all our fruit to prevent them of hanging around. Huh, interesting.

Oh rats! I think (i.e. my opinion) that it is difficult or impossible to understand another person's  mind (i.e. they are programed uniquely by their environment and genetics). You can not change them very easily. You just need to accept them as they are or don't be around them. Occasionally a person will change 'cause of their free will and desire. It's much like what JoePetroelje says (i.e. I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half banana and some blueberries on it)--It shouldn't surprise us that we can't wrap our minds around the reality of eternity (i.e. like a different person's mind). "I remember as a small child attempting to imagine what "forever" was like, and it scared me. There is no way to understand on this side of heaven what eternity will be. There are questions that can't be answered until we join with our Creator. And even then, our present wanderings may be forgotten in the experience of joy greater than any we have known." How did your mind accept those mutterings? Take heart, every mind will accept them differently 'cause we are all different. IthcieBitchie says--You cannot make someone something which they are not and don't want to become. Huh, interesting. 

 We went to the business office to have something notarized.  I asked the gal what day it was.  She laughed and said--It's not Friday; When you are working you say, "Thank God it's Friday" and on Mondays you say--"I can't wait until Friday".  Working folks like Friday nights; they even sleep better.  When folks are retired, every night is a Friday.  Most of us don't know what day it is most of the time. Now every day is a Friday (i.e. a life of Riley).  This retirement is really something. It's not the same as when we really said--Thank goodness it's Friday!  Such is life.

He surly fooled me alright.  A guy who I play pickle ball with and I were sitting on a bench waiting our turn.  I have played quite a bit with him but never really talked to him.  I asked him what he did for a living.  He started as a math teacher but was recruited by a computer company where he became a programmer and then into management.  It was a good time as the computer was just getting started.  And after 30+ years the computer business was falling apart and he was retiring.  At the end he had to fire 26 folks in Philadelphia one day.  He would meet with them and then the resource person would take them to their desk to pick up their personal stuff and then escort them out of the building.  Then at the end of the day, the resource person was fired tooooooo.  And what's more, this guy is a world class bridge player.  And what's more, this guy is a world class senior volley ball player.  And what's more, I have no idea what's in his heart.  And what's more, I tell you what, he really fooled me.  I would have never guessed this by looking at him.  He's just an AverageJoe on the pickle ball court like many of us.

And what's more, I really like this guy!  Our neighbor, Sonny,  asked if I could carry in a chest that his wife bought on the annual "Fountain of the Sun Patio Sale" last Saturday.  He said--I hurt my back and don't want to lift it--how did you hurt your back--I slipped off the stool and hit the bathtub--I would suggest you don't do that anymore--ya, I'm going to try to quite that.  How can a guy slip off the pot!  He is 79 and has a ways to go if he lives as long as his mother (i.e. she's 102).  He better keep taking his vitamins!  MissPerfect says--I don't know but it looks like your neighbor is on a black diamond and going straight down the hill!  And what's more, I really like this guy!

It says in the paper (i.e. soooo it must be right)--St. Patrick may have driven all the snakes from Ireland, but apparently he never made it to Arizona...Arizona is No. 1 when it come to rattlesnakes...rattlesnakes bit 270 people in Arizona in 2012...Fatalities from rattlesnakes bits are extremely rare; 1,912 rattlesnake bites that occurred in Arizona in a 10-year period, just four resulted in death...and what's more, it appears that more folks might die by slippin' off their stools in their bath rooms!  Such is life.

LuckyEddie says--You ever have some days that stuff tastes better (i.e. like the blueberries have more zest), you have more enthusiasm, the body feels better, you see things differently, you heart is softer etc? It's just not the same. Something is different aboutja. Why is that do you think? And what's more... we have days we don't think as well as others. I was buying a trinket from a older gal at the patio sale Saturday for a 25 cents. I gave her a dollar and she was struggling making change. She said she woke up at 2:20 and couldn't get back to sleep--you must have been pretty excited about your sale--didn't think sooooo but maybe; I'm going to take a good long nap real soooooon yet me tell ya.

Will Roger also said--Never miss a good chance to shut up!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--When all is said and done, more is said than done.

It's not the same

Dr. Zock told HagerTheHorrible--You are in pretty good health for the shape you're in!  I'm warning you and notifying you that this "It's Saturday" might get in your head.  I'm not responsible for the results.  Some of your minds are in pretty good health for the shape they are in and others are not (i.e. as far as I can tell that is)! 

I met a guy who was the chief accountant of the sate.  I was impressed.  He retired and become a across the country truck driver.  He said it is was like he was on vacation and then it became a job.  It wasn't the same after that.  He quite.  The state called him back to work.  How about that. 

Joesixpack is an old coon from the high-up creeks, and he knows the signs (i.e. been around the block).  He's not the same as when he was a young man.  He has changed (i.e. has seasoned alright).  He use to be a leader of the unsettled youngsters, the malcontents, and the hardheads but now he is the leader of winners.  He is not the same.  All his past was long ago and far away...like another world than this.  He's just not the same as he use to be folks.  Way different.  I like him better this way.  Yes I do.

It's not what you know, it's who you know.  They're not the same.  Went to Broadway Christian Sunday morning and the Wild Horse Pass Casino in the afternoon.  Oh ya, our friends invited us to go with them to watch a college basketball teammate of his put on his show, Larry King and The Legends of Country.  We got to talk to Mr. King behind stage before the show and he gave us free VIP $30 tickets to the concert.  BigJim and Larry played for Southeastern State in Springfield, SD which is now a prison.  I might have played against them when at good old Northwestern College.  BigJim scored 24 points that game (i.e. the star) but I don't think I got to see the court or didn't make the box score.  ANYWAY BigJim, Larry and myself aren't the same as we use to be.  It's just not the same folks.  But we really like to hang around with BigJim and Karen 'cause they get all the breaks!  Such is life.  http://www.azdinnershows.com/id15.html

The WI snowbird who sat beside me seemed to enjoy the show more than me.  He had a couple of whiskeys.  Maybe that was the reason.  I don't know.  I asked him--how ya doing when he sat down next to me.  He said--Hanging in there; When you become an old fart that's what ya do, just hang in there.  I really don't understand the casino thing.  Those folks sit in heavy smoke to give their money away to the Indians.  That just doesn't make any sense to me.  I guess it's not the same for everyone.  There were about 1,500 folks at the show.  I was impressed.  Larry King put on a show alright.

She's not the same as she was when I married her at age 22 but she is still the prettiest looking babe in the bunch!  No question.  Arlene sang in the Fountain of the Sun chorus again this year.  They had two performances this week.  And I might add, not only the prettiest, but the sweetest!  I might be bias a little but...!  The guy in the front is the piano player.  He's 92!  Such is life.

JoeTheHike says he isn't going fishing in Canada with his old group this year after going for 48 years.  How come?  It's not the same; most of my old buddies are dead or aren't going.  It's just not the same as it use to be.  

These two attitudes are not the same folks.  When we approach God with the attitude of "I'm in charge God and I need your help" compared to approaching God with the attitude of "I'm a sinner God and need your help", it's not the same.  SusieQ says--You are in charge God and I know that.  I come to you repenting and asking you for your mercy. 

I really like hiking in the Superstition Mountains.  I hiked to West Boulder Saddle summit this week with the folks in the pic.  Pretty tough hike but a lot of fun (i.e. Ken said it was a 2 beer hike).  The Mexican Poppies are starting to bloom.  The desert and mountains are very green this year because of the rain. 

While I was running Silly Mt. the other day, I was thinking what Anne said yesterday while sitting on their patio.  Anne said--Folks who come to the Valley for a holiday of a week, 2 weeks or even a month really don't understand.  When you stay the winter it becomes a life style.  It's just not the same as for a short time (e.g. dieting for 2 weeks or changing your life style for ever).  Most folks exercise more, socialize more, do activities that they won't do at home, and eat better.  As I was almost done with my run, I passed a mother and her two children.  I asked one of the boys how old he was--10--on spring break this week?--yep, the best week of my life!!  I hear that the kids back home got out a few days for snow.  That's their spring break maybe but they have to make some of those days up at the end of the school year.  Most of those make up days don't amount to much as some of the teachers are ready to quite and most of the students are toooooo.  They're just not the same quality of education. 

LuckyEddie says--Some women when they get the taste of money are just not the same anymore. They act different, smell different, and are just not the same as they use to be. Oh that money can change folks alright.  It's not the same is it?  It ain't the same folks--Prosperity is a great teacher;
adversity is a greater.  JoeBow will work himself to death just so he can find time to bore himself stupid!  Man is a strange animal folks.  GeorgeTheCrook says--It's not the same having no money as having money.  GeorgeTheCrook goes on to say--I am getting some money in my jean pockets.  Nothing makes a person cockier than some money in his jeans.  Love and money can really get a guy going alright!  Joesixpack says--Love is often mistaken for good sense.  They are not the same folks.  Oh no!

CadillacJack says--I have changed and didn't even know it until I returned to a place that remains unchanged to show me how I have changed.  I have changed my thinking and didn't even know it until I got around the unchanged.  That bench mark showed me that I have changed.  Wow!  My priorities have definitely changed.  I have a different spirit in me.  Why you ask.  'Cause for many reasons I think.  Many reasons.  But if I would not have returned to some unchanged place, I don't know if I would have noticed my change.  Does that make any sense to you?  I have great appreciation for folks who make changes.  Especially for folks who are addictive to something and then break away.  That takes courage and discipline.  I told that to a friend recently (i.e. on the putting green) who is a recovering alcoholic for maybe 20 years.  He said--I didn't do it by myself; God was my strength.  WildWillie says--When abnormal becomes normal without you even realizing it, it can 'cause big problems.  Maybe that's when a guy has to step back and take a look at our lives from 10,000 feet.

WildWillie asks--If you have a large vocabulary does that mean you are smart?  ItchieBitche says-- I got a job in a factory one summer and worked alongside a guy who could swear for two solid minutes without repeating a single word.  It's not the same folks. 



It's not the same!  A woman goes to the Doctor, worried about her husband's temper. The Doctor asks: "What's the problem?  The woman says: "Doctor, I don't know what to do . Every day my husband seems to lose his temper for no reason. It scares me."  The Doctor says: "I have a cure for that. When it seems that your husband is getting angry, just take a glass of water and start swishing it in your mouth.  Just swish and swish but don't swallow it until he either leaves the room or goes to bed and is asleep."  Two weeks later the woman comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn.  The woman says: "Doctor that was a brilliant idea! Every time my husband started losing it, I swished with water. I swished and swished, and he calmed right down! He's not the same.  How does a glass of water do that?"  The Doctor says: "The water itself does nothing. It's keeping your mouth shut that does the trick...."

It's not the same as a car but it runs cheap.  This guy sells motor bikes near our park. Sooooo I stopped and checked them out.  He wanted me to ride one sooooo I did.  You engage the clutch and start peddling and then pop the clutch and the way you go about 30 mph.  150 miles to a gallon and you don't need a license.  He started riding one when he lost his license for an OWI he said.  He puts them together and they sale for $600 to $800.  I think I would like one but then I think I want a lot of stuff and after I think about it I think I don't really need one.  I really don't need a motor bike.  It might not be the same if I didn't have a license.  Can you see Arlene sitting on the handle bars and us tooling around Mesa!!!!  I always wanted a motorbike as a kid.  Forest Van den Einde was selling his as he was getting a car.  My Daddy, Chester, and I went to look at it.  I wanted it really bad.  My Daddy said it was toooo much.  I never questioned him and didn't say a word. I knew we didn't have much money.  Never did get one.  He wanted $20 for it if I remember right.  Such is life.

The snowbird from the 10,000 lakes says--Everything will be ok at the end. If it isn't ok, it's not the end yet! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--You can't get anywhere today if you are still mired down in yesterday.

I think...

I think I think but maybe I don't think or I think but nutten happens!  It might appear to some of you that I don't think at all or I think differently than you think and many wonder if I think at all sooooo I think I should just get going with this "It's Saturday" as I think I'm going nowhere!!!  What do you think?

I think this guy was confused or didn't have his glasses on!  I was running on the back side of Usery Mt. the other day.  I was approaching 2 snowbird couples on the trail.  As I was about to meet them I said, hello.  One of the guys must have been yacking and watching where his next step was going to be as I really scared him.  He jumped and said--Jesus, you scared me!  Like I said, I think he was either confused or didn't have his gasses on! 

I think this was a banner week.  I have had sooooo much fun being around sooooo many good folks (i.e. you know who you are--just sooooo many).  Just a banner week.  A friend from childhood, Dean, and I spent the day together going to the Karshien Carverns (i.e. one of AZ's main tourist attractions with a very interesting story http://azstateparks.com/parks/kaca/  ) over by Tucson (i.e. seeing stalagmites and stalactites).  What a hoot.  I learned from Deano that--Everything in the SW either bites ya, stings ya or pricks ya!  Just one of many fun experiences this week with many good folks (i.e. folks with good hearts--my kind of folks).  Had a great worship service last Sunday with friends and acquaintances.  Just a great experience.  Happenstance, na I don't think sooooo folks.  Such is life.

I think she has this right:  Danica Patricks's No. 10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet's hauler has painted on it--"Embracing what makes you different is sometimes what makes you great".  But I found out this week that I'm just a common guy.  Oh ya!  I was paying for me round of golf last Saturday morning at the club house of the Fountain of the Sun Country Club. A golfer said I should go and look at the bargain rack; prices are 50% off. Soooo I looked and didn't find anything in my size. I told a couple of ladies looking as well that there is nutten in my size. One said--You're just tooooo common! That is what she said! I'm just a common guy! Such is life.

MissPerfect says--Once I think I'm pretty good at something, I get humbled real fast.  AverageJoe says--I shouldn't think!  I'm not very good at it.  One of my golf buddies is a smart person a.k.a. a good thinker I think!  ANYWAY he takes a  lot of pictures on his little Canon SD1200IS.  He says about 200 a month.  I take that many maybe in my lifetime.  Soooo the screen doesn't work.  The camera is about 3 years old. No wonder it doesn't work--That's about 7,000 pictures.  Soooo  he goes on line and finds a "fix your Canon" for $11.95.  He buys it and with tweezers fixes his Canon.  He's a retired engineer--maybe that explains it or is it because he frugal!  I bet no one under 40 would do that.  They would throw the sucker away and spend $105 for a new one.  That is what I think. 

GeorgeTheCrook says--I think my buddy ItchieBitchie is a rat fink.  Ya, he has a lot of "jerk" in him.  That's just the way he is.  GeorgeTheCrook says--I think just the opposite of DuaneTheWorm (i.e. his hide is unbelievably slippery and he's a great spoofer).  I think that at the heart of our culture is a belief in doing the right thing...we believe that when others win, we win too.  But then again, how powerful are the opinions of others (i.e. especially mine)?  Opinions many times makes folks just roll their eyes or make them yawn (i.e. especially if those opinions are different from ours).  Some opinions appear to be real dumb and some seem to be real intriguing and some seem to be just misinformation.  We interpret opinions based on how we have been programed (i.e. my opinion).  This might be a little murky for some of you--think through it folks!  Some bullets you just can't dodge.  Sometimes we are just victim of circumstances.  Such is life.

I think we are all sorta kinda branded.  Not branded with a mark but branded as who and what we are by our actions.  And certain brands seem to cling together (e.g. certain employees of a company hang out together, smokers seem to hang out together, folks of any hobby tend to hang out together, folks with certain believes seem to hang out together, etc).  We are all different and unique and enjoy being around others who somewhat think like us.  I was playing pickleball in the afternoon and next to the courts there was having a ceremony for dedication of a new building.  There were maybe 150 folks listening to the band and eating a hotdog.  I asked a fellow pickleballer--Do you know most of these folks from your park?  Heck no, I only know the pickleballers!  Some oft-quoted words of Henry David Thoreau are--"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.  Let him keep step to the  music which he hears, however measured for far away.  Why should he turn his spring into summer?"  One of my golf buddies (i.e. age 76) told me recently that his son and wife purchased a bed and breakfast.  He and his wife really wonder "what  are they doing".  They both have good jobs and now are doing this!  It's what they want to do so I guess they are doing it. 

Products are known for their brand like Coke, Titlist, John Deere, etc.  Much like churches.  We have The Regular Baptist, The Evangelical Baptist, The Southern Baptist and the Primitive Baptist.  I don't think that The Primitive Baptist is a very catchy name.  What do you think?



I think I met Jack Wagon the other day!  WildWilly can be a Jack Wagon at times folks! So do you know what a Jack Wagon is? Maybe it’s a SW term. I don’t know but I heard it several times down here in the SW.  I think I met Jack Wagon this week.  I have no idea what a JackWagon is folks.  But I have met a lot of folks soooo I bet I have met one.  I met this guy playing pickle ball the other day.  When we got done, we were sitting on a bench and his cell rang.  He told me it was about his medication that he is not going to take any more.  It almost killed him Sunday.  It lowered my blood pressure to such a low level that it was life threatening.  It happened at church and if a nurse wasn't there, I probably would have died.  Sooooo did you loose consciousness?  Ya, I think I saw heaven.  It was sooooo pretty and I was soooooo peaceful.  I was alright with it.  You are blessed to be a blessing.  I have been blessed many times in my life.  I once had an accident with a chain saw and had over 500 stitches in my arm and face.  I really have had a good life.  I'm sooooooo happy.  He shuck my hand a couple of times and said--I hope we can play together again.  I think this guy has a good attitude.  What do you think?  If you don't believe in Jesus, you for sure don't understand that.  If you believe in Jesus, you might understand that.  Such is life.  I goggled Jack Wagon and it says--a crybaby loser pussy-type who needs to grow some cajones and start acting like a man.

I think it takes a strong will and a lot of work to...!  Shad (i.e. snowbird from Nova Scotia age 76) walks past our condo sometimes while we are sitting in the sun drinking our nightly wine.  He told us the other day that two years ago he had a stroke while here and last year he got shingles around his eye and on his face.  This year he and his wife are on a diet (i.e. 500 calories per day).  I asked him--Don't you get hungry on 500 calories?  Not really, after about 2 weeks, ya just don't.  They have lost 35 pounds and have never felt better he said.  I read in the paper (i.e. so it must be right) You lose roughly 100 calories per mile of running.  You must add 35 extra miles to lose each pound--or 700 miles to lose 20 pounds.  SusieQ says--I think it takes a lot of work and determination to lose weight; most folks can't do it.  Most would rather sit on the couch and eat chips and gain weight.  Such is life.  Snacking is ok if you snack on the right stuff.  Here are some tips--Rice Cakes with peanut butter, cottage cheese with diced tomatoes, fruit, 23 raw almonds (i.e. one ounce) and 8 ounce bag of Wonderful Pistachios.  It said in the paper soooo it must be right--ya gotta select the right snacks.  Sooooo there you go folks.  Oh ya, I also read this in the paper sooooo it must be right--Vacuum for an hour and burn 238 calories.  Scrubbing down the bathroom for 30 minutes burns 200 calories.  In 1965 women said they spent about 8 hours a week sitting and watching TV.  In 2010, that number spiked to 16.5.  Soooooo...!  Oh ya, I also read in the paper (i.e. sooooo it must be right)--Willpower can be bought--Study finds cash incentives effective in weight loss.  Money makes things happen folks. It also said--Incentives are "not like training wheels where people learn healthy habits and then will continue them on their own" --you have to keep them up for them to work.  Such is life.

I think it is soooooo much fun.  And you have no idea what I learn while doing it.  Did Massacre Grounds hike (i.e. 6 miles) with some good folks.  I learned--don't fall.  Arlene fell scraping up her hand and arm--she okay.  Cousin-in-lawRonTheRoadrunner lead us on a hike in the McDowell Mts (i.e. 7 miles @ 3 mph--JoeTheHike said he never met a person who could walk soooo fast as RonTheRoadrunner).  I learned that when you get our age your feet get bigger-- a  half a size to a full size--I didn't know that.  I also learned as we get older, we understand better--I didn't know that.  Such is life 

Transamerica says (i.e. money is a great motivator)--The healthiest 20% of people in their 50s will retire with 3X the assets of the least healthy.  Now that is another reason to exercise and watch your diet.  Victims of circumstances?  Maybe and maybe not!  Some things we have control of and some things we don't.  Joesixpack asks--Which one are you anyway?  Are you a roadrunner or a couch potato? 

Arlene and I had breakfast with my daddy's (i.e. Chester) cousins and wives recently down here in Sun Valley (i.e. ages 79, 80 and 85). I again was told how everyone of them eats their oatmeal--all differently!  ANYWAY I think these guys are sooooo positive, happy and uplifting.  And frugal.  Mellemas had to as we are survivors (i.e. Chester's cousins are all of families of 10 to 12--not much given them for material stuff but I think were given much more important stuff--it appears).  Such is life.

Warning folks--If you are thinking what I think you're thinking, you better have another think!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--No person ever injured their eye sight by looking on the bright side of things.

Weee Doggy!

Weee Doggy!  That's an old saying from the TV show, "The Beverly Hillbillies."  Jed Clampett used to say that whenever he was excited or when something overwhelming came up.

In America we have a strong drive to be #1.  #1 as individuals and as a group.  Joesixpack says--That is good and can be bad.  Weee Doggy!  How to solve the stalemate (i.e. the art of negotiating)!  You get the two sides sitting at a table in a conference room. They check their weapons or petitions or rhetoric of whatever weirdo ideas they might have at the door. Ya set up a huge buffet in the room as well. They have to sit in their underwear and can't eat or go to the bathroom until they make a deal.  Weee Doggy!

One of the activities that many snowbirds do is go to movies.  Weee Doggy!  A drunken MN cowboy lay sprawled across three entire seats in the posh Mesa theater.  When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the cowboy, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed one seat."  The cowboy groaned but didn't budge.  The usher became more impatient:  "Sir, if you don't get up from there I'm going to have to call the manager."  Once again, the cowboy just groaned.  The usher marched briskly back up the aisle, and in a moment he returned with the manager.  together the two of them tried repeatedly to move the cowboy, but with no success.  Finally they summoned the police. The Texas Ranger surveyed the situation briefly, then asked, "All right buddy, what's your name?"  "Fred," the cowboy moaned.  "Where ya from, Fred" asked the Ranger.  With terrible pain in his voice, and without moving a muscle, Fred replied,.......the Balcony........

Highly driven career orientated younger folks don't have any time for what they think as "nonsense stuff--stuff not directed to their careers".  I read in the paper, soooooo that it must be true, that they don't have time for relationships but just have hookups a.k.a. quickies.  Young people prioritize careers over romance!  That's just the way it is.  The Millennial generation are devoted to their careers working long hours and giving up serious relationships.  I hiked with a guy who said his two children are in their late 30s and are very carrier orientated and don't seem to have much interest in getting married.  I golfed with a guy who has been divorced twice--he was never home, always working on his career.  These folks always seem tired and never have time for anything else but their career.  Sooooo they will buy into the TV add--The popularity of energy drinks has exploded in the past ten years. These caffeine-filled bursts promise several hours of heightened awareness, speed, and focus. Advertisers suggest if we drink them we will be more efficient, proficient, and perhaps even happier.  Weee doggy!  But flpthepancake!  If one wants success of some kind, ya gotta work hard and long.  Ya gotta have to have stress and take chances and look for opportunity.  Look at history and the folks around ya.  Sooooo maybe we all need to look at our priorities and and fashion a life around what is important to us.  ItchieBitchie says--Yabut I don't want to work but just want a lot money; I'm lazy; I just want to enjoy life and not work.  ItchieBitchie, you better marry money or inherit it.  Weee Doggy!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it.  Joe Petroelje says--It may be tempting to rely on something superficial to get us through the day. After all, life is demanding, whether by choice or circumstance. There are days when 24 hours just isn't enough for all we try to pack into them.  The results of trying to do too much, too fast, by ourselves? Burnout and fatigue. And also a misunderstanding about God's intent for our lives. Our reading today reminds us we don't need to be strong all the time. God has more than enough energy to supply our needs. We don't have to rely on our own abilities to accomplish the things that really matter. God has that covered.  The reading today is Isaiah 40; 28-31 which happens to be my favorite scripture.  Wee Doggy!

I woke up one morning this week with a complete change of my mind set. I have no idea why (i.e. it probably won't stay that way). AverageJoe says--Do not overestimate your own strength--if you think you are "high society" be careful.  You might be over-rating yourself.  Usually it's all about our money that makes us think we are "high society".  The two letters at each end of money can cause us problems, m and y which is my!  My this and my that and everything is about my stuff.  We then seem to forget about "One" important thing that is the middle three letters.  SusieQ says--Everyone is trying to get an advantage!  It's the story of life.  Such is life.


There is a sign on the wall at Old Chicago that says--You haven't lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you! There was another sign below it that said--The habit of giving only enhances the desire to give.    Winston Churchill once said--You make a living by what you earn; you make a life by what you give.  "Let us endeavor to live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry".--Mark Twain--  But flipthepancake--See what Blondie says! Weee Doggy!

I golfed with a guy who told me that where ever he travels it seems like everyone has a lot of money (i.e. and I think this guy does himself).  It really seems that way.  There are soooooo many nice houses and second houses, fancy cars, great $$ spend on recreation, much eating out, much travel, much luxury etc. I read in the paper (i.e. so it must be right) that many folks on the street are struggling.  Soooo maybe there are both the rich and the poor (i.e. in their own world).  I also read this in the paper:  The Great Recession has upended the American tradition of moving to greener pastures.  Instead of moving to a bigger home or for a higher-paying job, more Americans moved because they couldn't afford to stay where they are.  I sure get conflicting impute.  Again, maybe both are right.  Now that could be.  Weee Doggy!

Arlene and I stopped at Frey's the other night to pick up a few groceries.  As we were going to the fruit section, there were two ladies ahead of us.  They were rather large ladies and one brushed a flower stand and knocked over a flower pot.  She looked at it on the floor.  Stood there and looked more.  Then she tried to pick it up.  She saw us and said--You've ain't seen nutten mister!  Weee Doggy!

Weee Doggy!  Freedom at last.  That is what many retired folks feel.  Freedom from obligation.  Obligation of a job, social activities, responsibility, schedules, commitments, demands, raising children, etc.  Many retirees don't want to be tied down.  They don't want to be committed.  They want to be free as a goose.  They don't want to have to do something and don't want to have to be somewhere at a certain time.  That is why many don't want to join certain activities 'cause they demand them to be there.  They would rather be part of an activity where is is optional if they are there (i.e. no demands).  They don't want to commit themselves to a continued schedule.  They want freedom.  Want flexibility.  ItchieBitchie says--BUT hold fast to Christ, and for the rest, be totally uncommitted. 

A challenge I give you this week.  Be an encourager to someone who needs it (i.e not the champ but the less fortunate).  Give someone a vote of confidence.  The champ always gets a lot of attention but give some attention to person who has really done well and is trying but probably will never be the champ.  Joesixpack says--Be full of grace to a person.  Weee Doggy that will make you feel good.  Be supreme gas instead of just being the regular gas.  When we were kids, they sold regular and ethyl gas.  You remember that?  Ethyl was more expensive but stopped the knock in the engines (i.e. had lead in it I think and now we took the lead out).  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--It is a wonderful thing to find someone else who, when we are low, can speak to us words of real encouragement...However we theologize it, the experience of isolation is still one of the most distressing and disorienting of trials.  CadillacJack says--Be a yooper instead of a troll.  I played golf with MI-EngineerJim Saturday.  He informed me what a MI yooper is and what a MI troll is.  What the heck is a yooper?  A yooper is a person who lives in the Upper Peninsula of MI a.k.a. U.P.and a troll is a person who lives under the bridge (i.e. in the lower part of MI below the Mackinac Bridge that connects the two parcels of land.  MI-EngineerJim told me that there is a singing group that are called The Yoopers.  Here is the song they are best known for he said.  http://www.lyricstime.com/da-yoopers-second-week-of-deer-camp-lyrics.html

MissPerfect says--Maybe it's an optical conclusion!  More about the champs--Major league baseball is big news here in the Valley with the Cactus League starting.  All the teams say--If everyone stays healthy and everyone lives up to their expectation, we are gong to be a great ball club!  Even the Cubs and the Twins say that.  I read this in the paper sooo it must be right what John Force said about Danica Patrick winning the pole position in the Daytona 500-- "I get that Danica got the pole is a big deal, but it is not like she delivered the baby Jesus."  He was saying that there are other important folks besides her (i.e. some folks get all the attention but there are other great folks tooooo who get little or no attention).  Weee Doggy!  

I read this in the paper soooo it must be right--It was just announced that President Obama will speak at Ohio State's graduation in May.  The president has a lot in common with those students.  He's currently in his fifth year and swamped with debt.  Weee Doggy!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The heart has reasons, which reason can not understand.