soooooo what's right?

Your drinking!  Have you ever drank tooooo much and puked?  You really don't have to tell me but you can if you would like.  You might not want to admit it.  I did one time.  I said, I will never do that again.  And I didn't.  I'm not much of a drinker, never have been.  I really don't have a liking for it.  Oh ya, Arlene and I will have a glass of wine quite often before dinner and I will have a beer with my buddies sometimes but I can take it or leave that toooooo.  I realize that some of you are big drinkers, have been big drinkers, and for some of you, drinking is a big part of your life.  Well then, I suggest we all consider our drinking habits.  Many lives would be much better if there was no drinking in their lives.  No drinking is a lot better than drinking (i.e. my opinion).  Arlene spend some time at the pool in AZ.  The pool is very close to our condo and it works well for us.  She said several times to me--A lot of folks talk about drinking and eating.  Such is life.

Being polite!  We live in a world in which many folks always want to be politically correct (i.e. it's good for business and in having others liking us).  We don't want to offend anyone.  We live in a polite society unless it comes to money.  Then the world is not soooo polite.  A company won't be sooooo nice to an employee if that employee is not doing their job and costing the company money. LuckieEddie says--A polite society doesn't talk about God with their family or friends.  It's just not polite!  We can talk about many things but surely not about God.  We might offend them!  Sooooooo folks, what's right? 

Being obnoxious!  Sooooo what's right?  Right might be right to you but it really isn't right!  WildWilly says--The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.  Ouchy ouchy!  Joesixpack says--I think sometimes I don't care if I'm right or wrong but I'm just being obnoxious.  I have soooooo much pride that I will not accept that I'm wrong or could be wrong.  Joesixpack, I think we are all that way at times.  Some folks more that others maybe.  Some folks think they are never wrong or have ever been wrong and are always right.  They are not much fun to be around. 

There are different trails to the top!  Let's do it right!  Soooo what's right anyway.  Can we "doitright" several ways (i.e. more than one way to skin a cat)?  If we don't do it right, then are we doing it wrong?  Or are we just in "flux"?  LuckieEddie says--Do it right the first time and life is a lot easier.  Decisions have consequences; and guess who gets to make the decisions!

Drug testing! I stopped at Fareway the other day to pick up a few items.  I wanted to buy some over the counter drugs.  I wasn't familiar with Fareway and couldn't find a drug area.  Soooo when I checked out I asked the check out gal (i.e. a pretty college gal)--Do you sell drugs.  She thought I met illegal drugs I think and stammered and stuttered (i.e. difference in generations I guess).  After we got that figured out, she asked me if I found everything else ok?  Not really, I was looking for Bailey's coffee creamer (i.e. all the flavor of Baileys without the alcohol) and couldn't find it.  She said they don't sell it.  I said--What kind of store is this, I can't get my drugs or my booze here!  We had a good laugh.  Sooooo what's right, should we have legal illegal drugs?  Soooo should all the folks who get subsidized by the government be drug tested?  Soooooo what's right?  That would mean that all farmers would  have to be drug tested.  Plus about everyone else.  Huh, interesting. 

Change like the wind does!  Joesixpack says--I say one thing but do another.  Sometimes I'm JoeExcitment and the next time I'm DebbieDowner!  I'm just a bundle of contradictions.  I have no idea what is right; I need guidance and help I think.  You know Joesixpack, I think you are right.  Sooooo where are you going to get your help?  Joesixpack, your mutterings and actions reminds me of DuaneTheWorm's duplicity!  I hope you don't become like him. 

Trottin'!  Soooo what's right?  On my 2.5 mile route that I run every other day, I run past an acquittance's house.  He's in his upper 80s.  One day I called him about something and he said--I see you trottin' past my house sometimes.  Torttin' he said, not running or jogging but trottin'.  He farmed with horses when young sooooo it's a walk, trot or a gallop.  He told me that with his Parkinson's disease, he doesn't trot anymore  It's just hard to walk.  I think he's right, I trot!!!

Be a giver or sit on the couch and eat chips!  Sooooo what's right?  I gave blood recently (i.e. it was a great experience--the folks treated me real nice).  ANYWAY the gal who was the volunteer taking care of the canteen was such a sweet person.  I asked her how often she volunteers--a couple times a week here, I volunteer at the hospital also and also at the community play house; I do some every day--really--Ya, I enjoy helping others; besides my husband is deceased and my children are out of state; I really enjoy it--Are you a Christian--I am; In fact I was at mass this morning at 7, then I helped at the theater and am here this afternoon--Soooo what's your age--I'm 82!!!!

Charge!  Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there. ~ Will Rogers ~   The gal who did the whole blood donation process with me did such a great job. She told me that she is 32 and has three children. She was very thankful for her job with the American Red Cross. She took the initiative to get some education sooo she could get this job. She was previously a manager at McDonald's. I asked her if this is better--oh yes, way better job, I get paid more, I have a change for advancement/change and it feels way better to say that I work here instead of at McDonald's. But she is the one who put forth the effort to get it done (i.e. a CaptainDiane).  ItchieBitchie says--There are dreamers and there are believers! 

SusieQ says--Even God can't steer a parked car!  To move forward we must choose.  We must take all the information available to us--natural, supernatural, rational, Scriptural, intuitive, the advice of others, and so on--and toss all of this data into the pot of our souls and stir it around.  And then we must make a decision. Soooooooo what's the right decision?  I'll let you know in 20 years!  Or when I die!  Hindsight is always better.  Such is life.

Get good advice!  Dzhokhar Tsarnaev probably followed the advice of his big bother Tamerlan I would guess.  And where did Tamerlan get his advice?  Da!  And Katherine Russell Tsarnaev got brainwashed by Tamerlan it appears (i.e. I read it on the internet sooooo it must be right).  Be careful from whom you get your advice.  Make sure they are where you want to go or at least headed there.  For sooner or later, their advice will take you where they are.  Make sure you want to go there. The Bible is clear and is good advice (i.e. my opinion).  Corrie Ten Boom says--Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.  What do we know about God? We know that he is a “present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). We know that he is also “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ps. 103:8). Even more comforting, we learn in Romans 8:37-38 that not even death can separate us from the love of God!  God can and will give us peace and strength for whatever lies ahead.  Sooooo you ask, soooooo what's right? 

The talking cat!  Do you believe cats can talk? Our friends' cat, Socks, died.  They will really miss him.  He was 16 years old.  Rox and Ran say Socks could talk.  Ran gets up at 4:50 each morning to go to work.  Socks was his alarm clock.  He would wake him up every morning at exactly at 4:50 (i.e. never miss).  He would first stand by the bed and pat Rand on the cheek, if that didn't work, he'd just jump up to be sure he'd get up!.  And how about this--Ran would tell Socks on Saturday night that tomorrow was Sunday, so don't wake me up.  Socks understood that.  Rox says--I have many witnesses to him calling me "mom".  It was very understandable. We never had to tell him "no" EXCEPT when someone came that didn't like him or didn't "talk cat".  Rox says to me--erv, I know you think I'm nuts but it's the truth!

Feedback advice!  I want your feedback pertaining to my new format this week.  What do you think?  I really want to know.  Also, if you have any other suggestions I would want them tooooo.  If you make a suggestion and I don't use it, don't feel bad.  It might just not work.  If you really like this better than the other way, then I might use it!  I will be testing the advice!!!  Testing 1 2 3!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Sometimes it is the simple moments that mean the most.

Crazy Insane Concepts

Joesixpack says--Everyone has ideas; good ideas and bad ideas and crazy ideas and insane ideas.  But, everyone has ideas! 

JoeTheEntrepreneur says--Sooooo lets make a hoop of plastic that folks can whirl around their hips.  Mr.NegativeThinker says--What kind of a crazy idea is that.  Then later, Mr.NegativeThinker says--I wish I would have come up with that idea!  LuckieEddie says--Most ideas don't work.  BUT a few do!  If you can't handle failure, you probably won't hit the big one.  And most folks can't handle failure sooo they sit on the couch and eat chips and complain.  It's a whole lot easier and not as hard on your ego.  CadillacJack says--In looking back on my life, I think I might have lost more times than I have won (i.e. yikes).  New ideas are risky folks (i.e. yagottahavealotofnervefolks--yagottacontrolyouremotions).  But new ideas are exciting!

SusieQ says--When I was six years old I was so wise that I could go skipping down the street in plain view of a crowd, and singing at the top of my lungs!  And her mom said--Why don't you grow up; you act like a 6 year old.  And the she said--That's how old I am mom!  Kids have many ideas (i.e. great imaginations like making up imaginary folks like Grandma Rosy, Beaner and Cindy).  They are soooo exciting but then we temper and stifle their attitude.  I watched Tianlang Guan of China play at the Masters(i..e. young phenom) .  He is 14.  When they interviewed him and on the course, he was very poised.  He is an amazing 14 year old as I see it.  There sure are differences in kids.  I know a guy who is middle aged and still acts like a kid many times.  He sometimes makes decisions like a 6 year old would.  Maybe we all do.  BUT some more than others I think.  I read while eating my oatmeal with a half of banana on it this--The process of becoming a true individual, it seems, involves dying to oneself.  One might, like Job, run completely out of steam, come to the end of the line, exhaust all the energy of flesh, and disappear.  One must be crucified with Christ.  It appears to me folks, that this is a mature idea.  What do you think?

Mr. McGoreski had his ideas and Mrs. McGoreski had different ideas.  A friend said he heard this on the radio (i.e. soooo it must be right) ….When Neil Armstrong walked on moon he said “one small step for man, one giant leap for man kind”. When he got back on Apollo the mike still on he said “Good luck Mr McGoreski”…no body knew what that meant, and when asked he would never explain that comment…In the late 1990’s in a small interview he finally explained what he was saying “because the McGroeskis both had died” …“when growing up in Ohio at about 8 or 9 the McGoreskis were our neighbors. One day I was playing ball and; I hit the ball over McGorski’s house and when I looked around and didn’t see any one I jumped over the fence to get it ….their bedroom window was open and they were in the middle of an loud argument…Just before I jumped back, I heard Mrs McGoreski say …“you want sex!!…you want sex!! …when the kid next door walks on the moon that’s when you’ll get sex”…and when I got back into Apollo that’s all I could think about.”

In principle and in practice, not just in principle!  AverageJoe says--I have a great idea, let our church be a church of service.  I mean, lets help others and don't think sooooo much about ourselves (i.e. become a outward church instead of an inward church).  MissPerfect says--Yabut it's easier to be an inward church and an inward person like DuaneTheWorm.  WildWillie says--Churches and individuals who are service minded and think about others more than they do of themselves are much more fun to be around.  ItchieBitchie says--Yabut we live in "numero unos" world.  I like what Pope Francis said in the Easter Vigil service, "Our daily problems and worries can wrap us up in ourselves, in sadness and bitterness, and that is where death is."

I really enjoyed going to church for our first time after we got home.  It was just great to be around soooooo many great folks. Someone had an idea to make my Sunday even more enjoyable.  Someone cut a bouquet of pussy willows and put them up front.  It reminded me of my youth.  My Daddy, Chester, would always cut a bunch of pussy willows in the spring and put them on the kitchen table.  He never would tell us where they came from.  I told Charlie about my good memory.  I found out it was FriendDoreeeeen who did it!  ~  FriendCalvin had an idea and acted on it!  Yes he did.  Sooooo don't tell me it can be done.  Sunday at church, he told me that he started a diet last year when he weighed 262 pounds.  Now he weighs 195.  He said he weighed 185 when he got married.  His goal is 180.  FriendCalvin is 85.  Soooo I asked him how he did it.  A bowl of cereal in the morning, grapes and yogurt for lunch and then a normal meal but with small portions in the evening.  Great idea FriendCalivn with the great self-discipline.  Way to gooooo!  LuckieEddie says--We really are what we eat, unfortunately!

Let me know what you think!  This week I'm writing about some crazy concepts I've encountered lately. Do you think maybe I'm the one who's crazy?  What do you think?

Chet and Jessica were here for The Tradition of the Masters.  It's been sorta kinda a tradition in our
family to watch the final round of the Master together.  We enjoy it and like to have a special reason to get together and enjoy each other.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I pick up and put away childish things!  We got many of Heather's and Chet's old toys of about 30 years ago for Charlie to play with.  It was fun.  Yes, Chet had to pick up and put away childish things (i.e. Barbie stuff and Lincoln logs)!  Such is life.

Time and again when NewIdeaManSam shows up, folks get real nervous 'cause he always has a new idea.  He bucks and agitates. He just doesn't like to leave things as they are.  When I sat on a corporate board, we had business plans (i.e. one year plan, five year plan and a 10 year plan).  Most folks, businesses, and churches have no plans (i.e. just fumble along).  ItchieBitchie says--It sorta kinda worked last year sooooo it should work again next year.  It reminds me of a story that makes me laugh every time I think of it.  It was maybe 30 years ago when I pulled on Hank's farm yard on a very hot day.  Hank was sitting in an old lawn chair in the shade of a a small tree.  He had a stub of a pencil and was writing on a small sheet of crunched up paper.  I asked Hank what he was doing?  He said--I'm going to build a new barn and I have to have a plan.  Hank died several years ago but I will never forget that. 

I really like this (i.e. great idea). Let's go places. Not just the ones you can find on a map, but the ones you can find in your heart. Let's go beyond everything we know, and embrace everything we don't, and once we've reached our destination, let's keep going. Because inspiration doesn't favor those who sit still - it dances with the daring and rewards the courageous with ideas. Excite, challenge, even inspire. Ideas that take you places you never imagined. Ideas big enough and powerful enough to make the heart skip a beat, and in some cases, maybe two. Toyota, let's go places. http://www.popisms.com/TelevisionCommercial/67916/Toyota-Commercial-2013.aspx

PeggySue's doctor said he had an idea for her.  His idea was that she gives herself an early birthday gift or an early Christmas gift.  PeggySue asked her doctor what kind of gift he had in mind.  Her doctor said--A membership to Weight Watchers.  Ouchy ouchy! 

You and I might not all share the same ideas.  Saturday question--Are you more yin or yang?  Your ideas might be quite different if you are a yin or a yang I think.  What do you think?  I have an idea that this gal will do very well in life.  We had dinner the other night at a restaurant in the metro.  Our waitress was a very attractive,  personable, poised young lady.  She was a sophomore at UNI majoring in biology in hopes of doing something in the medical field (i.e. has 5 siblings--sooo probably has to work to make ends meet--not given a golden goose like some).  She works 30 hours a week and has a high grade point.  I asked her if she will graduate in 4 years?  Absolutely she said.  I really think this gal is a winner.  She seems to have her head screwed on right.  Soooo don't tell me it can't be done!  She has an idea and is acting on it.  Good for her.

Henry and I had the same idea (i.e. just one great idea)!!!!  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Proverbs 29:18  --  “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”   ItchieBitchie says--In many cases the passing years only causes people to relax their disciplines, to abandon their dreams, and to cease to obey their finest instincts (i.e. get in a rut and don't explore any new ideas).  Some folks become staid and musty old guards.  Many times the old seem to grow more afraid of themselves and the life in general (i.e. looking at a perfect storm).  They know they have only a little time left, and so they grow excessively cautious.  They can no longer risk spontaneity or adventure.  They cannot afford to make mistakes, and so they become less human.  Folks, there is a huge massive difference between maturity with wisdom than being just old in years (i.e. my opinion).  Soooooo my suggestion is if you are old in age,  think of some new ideas and try them (i.e. take the risk).  It will make your lives much more fun.  Try it, you might like it.  Such is life.

Some of you maybe are thinking--erv, you pompous little windbag.  You present all the appearance of a fool.  You sound like you're just full of youthful pluck a.k.a. a young whippersnapper.  Wait until you get my age, then you will understand. That could be or is it just your crazy concept.  Such is life.

GeorgeTheCrook says--It's hard to persuade analog folks to use digital ideas.  Almost impossible.  BUT if there is money involved, they can and will change (e.g. social security payments now can only be received by direct deposit--do you want your payment or not--OldAnalogFred says--I can change to that digital idea!!!).  A friend told me that he has used the Bible app on his phone and has down loaded the Bible.  When he runs, he listens to the Bible.  He said--It has been amazing how much I have enjoyed it.  Huh, interesting.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to let them alone to do it.

semantics

Webster says--Semantics is the language used (as in advertising or political propaganda) to achieve a desired effect on an audience especially through the use of words with novel or dual meanings.  Disclaimer--Be careful when reading this "It's Saturday" as I might be using semantics in affecting your subconscious.  You will never know folks.  Never!  LuckieEddie says--A simple chat with me could change your mind!!!  Oh yes!  A simple chat!  My # is 800-289-7783. 

Saturday question--What's a lot of money?  What's a lot of cookies?  A lot might be a different amount to different folks.  Soooo what's a lot of money?  Joesixpack says--Some people are so poor; all that they've got is money...Money is snot always the answer folks.  Benjamin Franklin said--A man is sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps through fear of being thought to have but little.  He also said--"I would rather have it said 'He lived usefully' than 'He died rich.' "  Benjamin published Poor Richard's Almanack (i.e. very successful).  It contained much stuff including maxims such as Creditors have better memories than debtors; Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise; Fish and visitors smell in three days; The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise;  Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead.

The gospel according to erv might not be interpreted the same by you.  Your gospel might be different.  So is that semantics.  We live in the same world and see the same things.  Sooooo...Maybe it's 'a different way of putting it' with 'our own peculiar slant'.  We even interpret the Gospel of Christ differently now don't we.  Maybe 'cause we draw on our own experience, our own thought patterns, our own vocabulary, our different mental capacity, our different education levels, and maybe 'cause we have different hearts.  That cold be.  BUT the Gospel is true and it is the answer (i.e. gospel according to erv).  Many don't agree with my gospel!  Such is life.

LuckyEddie says--What I think is fun you might not.  I had a really

fun day last Saturday.  I got to ski with our little grand daughter Erin (i.e. age 5) and James at Loveland.  I was waiting for her coming down a blue run when a ski patrol guy stopped and asked me if that was my grand daughter.  I said ya.  That is such an opportunity you have; enjoy it and appreciate it.  I did!  James and I each took a couple runs by ourselves while the other skied with Erin.  I was riding up the lift with two boys in a three person lift.  We got talking and I asked them what their other hobbies were.  Then I asked them how old they were.  One said 10 and the other said 11.  One asked me how old I was--I said how old do you think I am.  One said 20 and the other said 30!  I asked them if they like to read and go to school.  They both said they did.  Then one said--Sooooo how old are you anyway?  67  I told them to get a good education, watch your diet,  and exercise.  Don't sit on the couch and eat chips and get fat.  It was quiet for maybe a minute and then one of the boys said--Sooooo we can ski when we are 67!

An apple doesn't fall toooo far from the tree!  That's called an idiom I think. 

Recently I turned on TV to watch some basketball while doing some business (i.e. multi tasking).  The TV station that the TV was on was the Golf Channel.  The show on was Feherty Live and he was interviewing Bob Knight.  I  watched it.  It was entertaining.  Knight used a small clip that was used when Feherty interviewed  Bill Russell.  I watched all of the interview with Russell.  He made this statement--True kindness is an act of strength. Knight did some color commentary when the Iowa Hawks played Baylor in the NIT finals.  He didn't spare any words when he said at the end of the game--Iowa got beat by a better team.  Baylor was better in all five positions.  Russell's interview http://www.golfchannel.com/media/feherty-bill-russell-030512/

When a golfer steps up up to the tee to hit the ball, their conscious changes to sub-conscious between addressing the ball on the tee and hitting it.  There seems to be a disconnect there somewhere.  The golfer says "great"!  Soooo did the golfer hit a good shot or a bad shot do you think?.  Well, if I heard the person say it, I could tell you.  But the word "great' is the same either way.  Does it have a new meaning at different times?  Is that semantics? 

Puns!  Major league baseball has started. JoeBaseball said--I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.   A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.  A small boy swallowed some coins and was taken to a hospital. When his grandmother telephoned to ask how he was a nurse said 'No change yet'.  The store keeps calling me to come back and buy more bedroom furniture, but all I really wanted was one night stand.  Smaller babies may be delivered by stork but the heavier ones need a crane.  I did a theatrical performance about puns.  

Do you think different generations have different allusions (e.g. different generations have different expectations of their futures)?  I mean parents who are 70 years old, parents who are 50, parents who are 25 might have different expections for their chiildrens' futures.  Does different generations want the same things but just look at them differently (i.e. semantics)?  Maybe different generations think differently, talk differently and maybe act differently.  I think soooooo but maybe want the same things (i.e. like to be loved, be good parents, do good, enjoy life).  Maybe our culture just changes which in turn changes our thinking.  I asked a wise young person (i.e. a different generation than me) about what he thought about what the Supreme Court's decision will be.  He said--In five years it will be in the dustbin of history along with other eyesores like racial segregation and band on interracial marriage.

The word "No" can mean a lot of things.  It really depend who says it and how it's said.  WildWilly says--MissPerfect says no but she really mean yes!  Parents say no all the time to their children but they let them do it anyway.  I guess what they are really saying is no no no but if you beg long enough I will give in and make a no no no turn into a yes.  WildWilly says--It's sooo hard to 'know' what 'no' means sometimes.  I think 'know' and 'no' is a homophone. 

 I tell you what, GeorgeTheCrook doesn't really speak very well but he enunciates, pronounces, and articulates very well when he uses all his swear words and cuss works.  GeorgeTheCrook must work on those words more.  He's really good with those words let me tell ya.  I think he thinks that those cuss words and swear words are better than the normal vocabulary--GeorgeTheCrook, they're snot! Those cuss words and swear words are called colorful language by some, off colored language by some and bad words by others.  It's who you talk tooooooo.

I read recently that 60% of folks who have heart attacks while sleeping don't wake up!  Think through that one folks.  Is that semantics?  LuckieEddie says--Not on this earth anyway.  I just read while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--The folly of a fool is deception.  Now that's pretty straight forward, isn't or do you read something different into it?  They say you can interpreter most anything any way you want to fit your thinking.  SusieQ says--Yabut when you step on the scale, it's what it is; you can't read more or less into it.  Such is life.

Putting a different spin on the same results folks ~ An interoffice softball game was held every year between the Marketing Department and support staff of one company. The day for the game came, and hard as the Marketers tried, the support staff whipped the Marketing Department soundly.  In their best tradition, the Marketing Department decided to find the best "spin" they could on the dismal result.  They showed how they earned their keep by posting this memo on the bulletin board after the game:  "The Marketing Department is pleased to announce that for the recently completed softball season, we came in 2nd place, having lost but one game all year.  The Support Department, however, had a rather dismal season, as they won only one game all year."

I write notes to Arlene.  She sometimes can't understand them 'cause for several reasons: 1. my handwriting is bad 2. I use abbreviations and not complete sentences and erv'sshorthand.  3. My writing sorta kinda is like Hebrew.  This problem with words and understand the meaning goes way back folks.  Travis West says--The Hebrew language is as different from English as any two languages can be. The structure of its grammar, the ways that words connect to make meaning (syntax), and even the range of meaning of individual words make reading the Hebrew Bible a profoundly cross-cultural experience. Not to mention a perennial challenge for translators! One passage that has confounded translators for centuries has to do with how many times Elisha strikes the waters of the Jordan River.

We skied on the top of the world.  Well, maybe that is playing with words but Loveland is on the Continental Divide right on top of the Eisenhower and Johnson tunnels.  You can see I-70  way down in the bottom soooooo...maybe it just feels like it's the top of the world.  Could be! 

You can read into this whatever you want.  Anyone can make words fit their situation.  Pastor Bruce said Sunday in CO that 41% of all Americans get divorced.  If you go to church, the percentage is about the same.  If you are under 40, the percentage of divorce is about 70%.  GULP!  Living together before marriage is snot the answer; if folks live together before marriage, the rate is even higher.  BUT if couples pray together, read the Bible and do a ministry together (e.g. small growth group) the divorce rate is 1 in 800 (i.e. that's less that 1%)!  Soooo folks, if you think you are going to fix your spouse with a little duck tape after you get married, I tell you what folks, the duck tape just ain't going to do it; it's just snot!  Pastor Bruce says--It's having a relationship with Jesus Christ folks.  I suggest we all read between the lines.  What do you think.  Such is life.

"And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the earth".
Then he made the earth round...and He laughed and laughed and laughed!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The glory of life is to love, not to be loved, to give, not to get, to serve, not to be served.

Evaluation

Saturday question--Am I making a better tomorrow?  SusieQ says--It's easy to think that when everything is going your way. 

Many of my acquaintances and friends have flew the coop.  They are out of here (i.e. AZ).  Come around April 1, many snowbirds are leaving or have left a.k.a. the great snowbird migration).  All I can say to them is--Happy trails to you until we see you again next winter (i.e. hopefully next winter but stuff happens folks).  I called some friends and asked when they were leaving for home--Jan told me and then said--I'm ready.  Ready to get home in my own house and see my children and grandchildren.  BUT every body's situation is different.  A pickleball buddy said to me--Last year we played pickleball until we only had 3 to play.  It was time to go home! 

Well, we are in CO with James, Heather, Erin and little Jimmer.  Now we are doing what grandparents do!  That driving time gave me much time (i.e. 13 hours+) to evaluate myself and also evaluate our time in AZ.  I have many thoughts and ideas.  I wonder if my evaluation of myself is always correct.  I wonder if someone else would evaluate me, if they would think the same.  I wonder.  I bet not.  'Cause folks don't completely know my situation and many times have their own concerns and thoughts to deal with. 

MissPerfect says--I have warts that you don't see; I cover most of them up.  And further more, I don't want you to see my warts.  They are really ugly.  As my mentor use to say--Things are never as good as they look and never as bad as they look.  Don't feel bad MissPerfect, my mentor also said--we all have warts.  Our son had warts on his hand as a kid.  We tried over the counter stuff but it didn't do the trick soooo we had them burnt off.  It hurt he said.  Ya, getting rid of warts can be hard and painful alright.  A lot of folks don't deal with their warts until "something just has to be done"!  And then many some still don't do anything.  Such is life.

When I evaluate myself, I have to ask myself:  What is my motive for my action.  That motive tells me what I really am and not just an outward appearance.  DuaneTheWorm does everything for an outward appearance to make himself look good (i.e. that is his motive).  One day at pickleball PK said she had to go home to iron.  Another gale said IRON, who does that.  PK said she irons everything, even the pillow cases.  I asked her if she was a perfectionist--maybe she said.  Sooooo did your mother iron everything tooooo?  Ya she did.  Dick then said--My father made my mom iron everything of his, even his boxer shorts!  Then PK said--I said I never wanted to be like my mom but am more like her every day.  Soooo what is PK's motive in ironing everything do you think?  Such is life.

I think I get into attitude slumps (i.e. I just had one this last week).  Then I have something happens and I snap out of my attitude slump (i.e. I get back on the path).  Change for me is good.  I get bored quite easily and need new stuff.  As the song goes:  After you've been having steaks for a long time, beans beans taste fine.  For me, if I have been doing the same ol' same ol' over and over again, no matter how good it is, it becomes boring to me.  It has lost it's newness.  It's not impressive anymore.  I need a new challenge, a new adventure, a new excitement.  It doesn't have to be something grand or costly, but just something different and refreshing.  Are you that way or do you like things to stay the same more?  I think churches can get boring (i.e. maybe just for me).  But flip the pancake, it's a lot easier to just leave everything the same than to change.  To really have a dynamic church, it takes a lot of work and imagination.  Now that is my opinion.  Goggle has changed gmail.  Why do you think they do that?  Da!  Even that to me is a form of excitement.  To others--it's CHANGE again!!

I'm reading a book about George Washington.  It was at a low point that his political enemies chose to hatch a plot to dislodge him as Commander.  Even his friends and followers were part of the plot.  Of course it did not happen.  It is an everlasting tribute to Washington's generosity that he never allowed the memory of this plot against him to affect his subsequent relations with the men involved.  Abe Lincoln was very good at this toooooo.  Are you this type of person?  A very smart friend said this-- If you can do something about it then do that something and no need to worry. If you can't do anything about then also no need to worry. In other words...should never worry about it!

Have you every been out of character (i.e. at least you think soooo--your personal evaluation). I played my last round with the Linksters before heading on out of AZ with my buddies John and Ken (i.e. we miss Wayne).  It felt like it was really bad but my score wasn't much different than what I usually shoot. It felt scratchy! I was maybe a little off but that little off felt like a huge amount (i.e. it doesn't take much in golf).  I like to watch the NCAA Tournament. Some teams win "out of character" and other win being "in character". I heard Bobby Knight say--A pat on the back gets some things done but a kick in the ass does a lot more. Soooo what do you think of that (i.e. your evaluation)?  Maybe I need to kick myself in the ass.  Have you ever been knocked off your horse?  Now that is a change alright.  I have many times and continue to have it happen.  A guy has to get back up, evaluate the situation, make adjustments and get back on and try again.  Sometimes it's my fault and sometimes it doesn't seem to be.  Sometimes I still think my head is tooooo big for my hat.  Ego is hard to evaluate some times.  Such is life.

GlitzyMolly says--I love my dog!  woof woof woof!  In fact, I think my dog is sometimes as smart as my husband!  ItchieBitche says--When you evaluate yourself or have someone else do an evaluation of you, you should always get a second opinion.  Always!  Henry is getting some good advice from Mabel I think.  And what's more...The cost of raising a medium sized dog to eleven is $16,400. Now that's a lot of burgers let me tell ya!  And expensive advice!  Yabut, you get what you pay for!  Yabut, you can always find someone who agrees with you other than MabelTheDog (i.e. Mabel weighs 80lbs...def a large dog!!!--soooo the $16,400 will have to be raised some folks)!  AverageJoe says--Ya just gotta look around.  There are other folks and dogs out there who will agree with you.   

ItchieBitchie says-- Suppose you were exactly the same now as you were ten years ago?  I mean both physically and mentally?  Suppose you had not grown or degrown?  What would you look like?  CadillacJack says--Good change is good. When we cease to change we stagnate.  When we fail to realize that we all need change, we become self-righteous and blind to our own errant ways.  Soooooo the Saturday question is:  Have you changed and are you constantly changing or have you just become a stagnate person?  How about your church? 

We were in In-N-Out for burger before we left this week.  I saw maybe a 10 year old kid ahead of me that had this on his tee shirt--...no, I won't fix your computer!  Now that is a fitting statement with all the senior snowbirds down in Sun Valley.  It made me laugh. 

SusieQ says--I have been evaluating my situation and I want some changes.  I wrote them down and am going to start praying for them.  SusieQ, be careful what you wish for! Often when we get something we hoped for, perhaps even prayed for, it doesn't turn out to be quite what we expected.  Soooo you want to be important (i.e. being important has consequences).  Sooooo you want to be rich (i.e. being rich has consequences).  Soooo you want to be a good parent (i.e. being a better parent has consequences).  Sooooo you want more talent (i.e. being talented has consequences).  Sooooo you want better health (i.e. obtaining better health has consequences).  You get it SusieQ?  That's why many think it's easier to just sit on the couch and eat chips.  Such is life.

I asked a friend who is a leader of a group of folks--Soooo how are they going to react?  He gave me his opinion and then said--BUT I've learned that I'm wrong about 50% or more of the time!  Now that is learning by experience now isn't it.  Folks don't always think the way we think now do they.  Are they different or are we different?  That makes it hard to evaluate the situation now doesn't it.  ItchieBitchie says--You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  But my friend said--Yabut you can put a little salt in his oats!!!!   Such is life.

Water finds its level?  Soooo what does than mean in our lives anyway?  Sooooo in evaluating ourselves or others, water finds its level?  LuckieEddie says--Yabut, maybe we can raise the water level.  Ya think so LuckieEddie?  We maybe can get better with practice and a desire.  Maybe we can raise the water level.  I think sooooo folks.  I really think sooooo.  Maybe if we are bold and relentless and be reckless abandon a.k.a. having a passionate attitude we can raise the water level.  There has to be varying degrees of water levels.  Lets give it the litmus test before and after. 

Evaluate yourself using the litmus test--Sometimes we bring on misery upon ourselves through foolishness, unbelief and refusal to repent.  Ouchy ouchy!  Have you ever fooled yourself?  Or tried to fool yourself?  Are you easy to fool?  More ouchy ouchy!

Joesixpack says this about self-evaluation--Introspection in the long run does not get you very far because every time you draw back to look at yourself, you are seeing everything except for the part that drew back, and when you draw back to look at the part that drew back to look at yourself, you see again everything except what you are really looking for! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Worry is interest paid on trouble before it is due.