howerver

Disclaimer:  I don't want you to take me toooooo seriously.  A friend recently said I was talking directly to him (i.e. I wasn't).   It is always interesting how a story that everyone else loves will strike one person in a totally negative way. For various reasons, there will be something that they are sensitive to that no one else can hear.  Jokes are especially prone to this more than any other.  "Oww!!!"  Sooooo folks, I apologise when and if I seem to hurt your feelings.  However some folks are more sensitive that others.  Some have a lot thicker skin than do others and some have just no feelings.  This is just some fun, ok?  Relax!  Eat a burrito! Or take a laxative!  OnePuttFrank told me on the course this week--A car manufacturer says, we warrant everything, however we don't warrant the nut behind the wheel! 

Joesixpack says--However, sometimes things don't appear as they may appear.  DuaneTheWorm's motive for his actions might not be as they appear.  Most of his actions are self-centered and done only to glorify himself.  Sooooooo folks beware--like the saying in the passenger side mirror says--things might not be as they appear!  A Chicago connection said--"However, just because you are a character doesn't mean that you have character."

LuckieEddie is a swell guy.  His wife says he is a good husband and father.  He is just a great guy, however...!  LuckieEddie, I think you have lost some of your magic of years past.  Sooooo folks, do you think you act different to your spouse now then before you were married  Was fishing with a buddy in Canada maybe 20 years ago.  He told me this--My wife has really changed since we were dating.  She use to be much more passionate!  Ouchy ouchy!

Definition of Per Stirpes:  in equal shares to each member of a specified class with the share of deceased member divided proportionately among his or her beneficiaries (i.e. as children) per stirpes.   Joesxipack has Class; He's got Class.  His net worth is not exceptionally high, however but he has style with a smile.  Will his class be shared per stripes do you think?  We see where folks do influence the next generation or two and we see when they don't.  Joesixpack will never know now will he.  MissPerfect says--Some folks come for the race, however some come for the wrecks!  A friend once told me--erv, some folks don't care if something bad happens to you and some are glad that bad things happen to you; not everyone is on your side.  Huh, interesting! 

Robert J. Tamasy says--"Why rock the boat? HOWEVER! Yet most high achievers, those that have left indelible marks in their areas of endeavor, have been ones that exhibited uncommon courage – willing to swim against the current, to challenge the status quo, to venture into the unknown with no guarantees of success." ItchieBitchie says--I'm not much for taking risk sooooo I'll probably just be a low or average success guy but I shouldn't have any problems (i.e. I don't rock the boat). You might be right ItchieBitchie. Soooooo ItcchieBitchie, just say nutten, do nutten and then die.  That should do it!  Such is life.

GeorgeTheCrook says--I stay in the middle of the road.  Yabut GeorgeTheCrook, you sorta kinda get knocked down by traffic going both ways!  I read in some book that it's not good to be just lukewarm.  Have any of you every read that?  A freind told me this week--When kids get in trouble and are not disciplined, they become shitty adults! 

Friends!  He is a good friend.  I think I have a number of good friends.  I have acquaintances, friends and good friends.  Some guys will tell you that they don't have any good friends.  They have guys that they socialize with, do business with, talk sports with etc, but not really a good friend they can share stuff with.  A friend is a friend but a neat friend is someone you have a mutual relationship of a high level with.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Paul said--That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other.  However, really good friendships take a long time to develop and there needs to be a lot of trust.  However, it can be done.  If the trust is broken, the friendship won't remain (i.e. notfurlong).  Folks, that is a truism.  LuckieEddie says--Your good friends are there when you wreck and they feel for you.

I don't think they were his friends.  I stopped at the golf course deck before hitting some balls the other morning.  The social group that sits, talks, smokes, and drinks coffee were there on the deck (i.e. some of my buddies).  I listened to some of their conversation.  They made me laugh.  They were talking about Johnny Eilers, owner and operator of a bar and coffee shop on the corner in Aplington many years ago.  Johnny was a bachelor and a drinker and brazen.  A couple of businessmen came in for coffee one morning (i.e. not his alcohol drinkers in the evening--they didn't drink or at least didn't drink in front of each other).  ANYWAY they asked for a couple of cups of coffee.  Johnny took both pots of coffee and poured them down the train right in front of them and said--I'm fresh out of coffee!  I don't think he was their friend.  What do you think?

It's just good business!  A client who cheated on a claim once said to me--erv, that's just good business.  Last fall we changed to Dish from MeidaCom.  It was a huge massive savings as we are gone for the winter (i.e. they give us a vacation discount).  ANYWAY we change a couple of our TVs around sooo I can have one of our HD TVs in the sun porch in the summer.  The technician who installed Dish told me that I just need to change the TVs.  Soooo I that that this spring.  However it didn't work.  Soooo I called support and after some time he basically told me to call the TV manufacture (i.e. I can't or don't want to help you).  I thought about that and called and talked to a different support person.  This person told me that I needed to have a technician come and do something on a receiver box.  Sooooo the technician came and showed me how to change two cables outside of our house and BINGO!  He told me that sales folks always don't tell the consumers everything.  They are in sales however.  He said that technicians are having all kinds of problems as sales don't say that the Hopper is not wireless.  They want to make the sale (i.e. it's all about the $$$$).  Folks get all upset when we tell them that its not wireless.  Such is life.

There are many quality sales folks.  Folks who really care about other folks.  Sales folks who really try to do the right thing.  Money is not there chief motive.  BUT there are some that can sell snowballs to Eskimos!  And the Eskimos love them for it.  At least for a short time.  Saturday question--How would you rate yourself?

I read this on the internet soooooo it must be right (i.e. however I wouldn't bet my life on it)--O. J. Simpson insisted he had absolutely nothing to do with the brutal 1994 murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman … however, he totally killed them.  WildWillie says--Now that's a sales job folks.

Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?  Do mothers ever quite worrying about their kids?  Is there a time to quite worrying about them and move one?  It's their life!  You don't do everything your parents do soooooo why should your kids.  Yabut, we just don't like them to do dumb things.  Soooo who determines what dumb things are anyway?  And you know what, you can't control an adult child but only pray for them.  SusieQ says--However, worry is a good time consumer!  However that worrying about your kids might change some day.  MissPerfect says--One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, "Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered. I was worried."

Have you ever talked to someone but you can tell they aren't listening.  Sometimes they don't even pretend to listen.  They have something else on their mind, think what you are saying is not important, getting ready to talk about themselves, they don't like what you are saying, don't want to hear what you are saying, don't think you are important enough to listen to, or are just not nice folks.  However, I have noticed that the "good ones" always listen to other's ideas and suggestions.  They are not closed minded.  You ever notice that! 

MyNeighborLilia told me--When I go to the doctor, the doctor doesn't seem to listen to me.  The doctor always says--When you get to your age...(i.e. what do you expect)!  Talk about listening to women.  I rode bike the other day and stopped at my favorite place to read the Des Moines Register and have a pecan waffle.  There were not many folks in the Waffle Shop.  There were two gals in the booth next to me talking about their pap smear experiences.  I tried not to listen but however it was just tooooooo funny not toooooo!  When you get to my age!

We like many of you folks had the opportunity to go to graduation parties for the high school seniors.  We wish them the best and encourage them to do well.  However, there is nutten more we can say (i.e. they probably don't listen to us anyway) but now just sit back and watch them go forward.  We'll see how much guts they have to form their lives!!!!  I believe it takes a lot of guts to do what is right in this world.  What do you think?  CadillacJack says--erv, however when you say it like that, it makes perfect sense!!!!  Ya right! 

I was golfing with a long time friend the other day.  We were riding
together and talking how nice the course looks.  He said to me--God's creation is just beautiful.  I sit outside almost every evening and am in awe of His greatness.  This is one wise person (i.e. my opinion).  One of my favorite spring floweres is the bleeding heart.  I think they are really neat.  Tooo bad they don't last longer but I look at our plant and its flowers every day. 

I tell you what folks, The LuckieEddies seem to seek wisdom, listens to it and then apply that wisdom.  Seeeeems like those LuckieEddies just have more luck!!!  Huh, interesting.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Habit is man's best friend or his worst enemy.

 

 

 

 

Afraid

Disclaimer:  My bight light might not be the same as your bright light.  Sooooo advance with caution.  I question if there are any two folks that think exactly alike.   I might be off the beatin' path or you might be (i.e. who knows for sure)!  When and how will we ever know folks?  Of course we could both be off the beatin' path!  Na, that couldn't be!  LuckieEddie says--If everyone is thinking alike, then I'm afraid somebody isn't thinking!  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--This is my final offer!  Ya, right Joesixkpack!  There is no such thing as a final offer!  How many guys keep asking and eventually they marry her.  They didn't accept her final offer.  Persistence.  Keep after it.  Is that good advice do you think?  If you really don't care, then move on but if you really want a certain result, a guy needs to keep after it (i.e. my opinion).  I'm afraid that quitters usually don't win the prize.

 However, sometimes we need to accept realty and move on.  That is hard sometimes as we are pretty stubborn sometimes.  About as stubborn as SusieQ.  She is as stubborn as her stubborn belly fat.  LuckieEddie says--Learn the lessons of the past school of life and apply them; Focus on the current reality; Don't be afraid about the "possibility reality" that you are worrying about. 

I was golfing the other day.  When I was done I stopped by the club house as some of my buddies were on the deck socializing.  I said I had to go.  Why do you have to go?  I promised Arlene I would clean the sun porch floor.  Are you using a mop or getting down on you hands and knees?--I found an old sponge-squeeze mop in the basement that I'm going  to use; Arlene said, it won't work--Delbert
said, tell her to go for a walk (i.e. everyone laughed).  Sooo several days later I was at the course and those same guys were again on the deck socializing.  They asked me if I got the sun porch floor cleaned.  Ya, I'm afraid the mop didn't work; all the dirt went in the grout sooooo I'm afraid I had to get on my hands and knees after all (i.e. and they all laughed again).  And Arlene said--I told you sooooo!  The picture I took while sittin' in my recliner in our sun porch looking at the clean sun porch floor (i.e. that sucker shines folks).  Ya, I have the life of Riley!   Such is life.

Afraid of your master.  Saturday question--Who or what is your master?  Who or what has control of your life, you emotions, your money, your thinking, etc?  Are you compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient?  Or are you a DuaneTheWorm (i.e. always putting on a front to make himself look better--all about him)?  DuaneTheWorm can schmooze with the best of them. He's good let me tell you. He's doesn't know what he's always talking about but he knows he's right!  GeorgeTheCrook says--Ego is a huge massive master let me tell ya!  A loving, kind, tender attitude doesn't get much attention in the aggressive social world.  erv speaking here--I like the real folks with the good hearts (i.e. you guys).  My opinion is that DuaneTheWorm is a blight!

Concave or convex!  A friend told me--Some days I'm more liberal and some days I'm more conservative.  It varies and I don't know why!  I think he's right.  I'm afraid some days I'm maybe smarter than other days tooooo.  Is that possible.  I saw a friend the other day.  He was going for a run.  He had his I-Pod on and I asked him if the plugs stay in his ears.  I told him sometimes mine don't stay in very well.  I just keep pushing them in farther but it doesn't seem to help.  He said there is a left and right, you knew that didn't you.  No I didn't!!! Such is life. When you get to be a senior, lots of things happen that didn't use tooooo.  Ask any senior golfer at any senior golf outing (i.e. you don't have ask them, just observe)!!!!

SusieQ says--Wow!  That was kind of close.  We almost missed the boat!  Mental preparation: Examine your life to find what you're really grateful for. What makes you happy? What keeps you going? Give thanks for these blessings. Physical preparation: You need to slow down in order to be grateful. When you're always on the move, you have little time to rest and give thanks. Schedule time for this. Diet: Allow for spiritual nourishment. Biblical characters such as King David, Paul, and even Job gave God praise in the best and worst of times. Read their accounts. Expert insight: Who in your life exercises gratitude? You are likely drawn to them. They live well, laugh freely, and truly love others. Model their behavior.  LuckieEddie says--I'm afraid many humans just plain miss the boat doing these suggestions.  What do you think?

WildWillie says--Maybe I don't like the situation I'm in but do need to accept.  I afraid that we need to deal with it if we like it or not.  MissPerfect says--I'm afraid I have been angry before and it doesn't seem to help!  Ouchy ouchy!

Afraid to move forward?  Are you afraid right now?  What are you afraid of?  Here is some advice from www.MountainWings.com  that I really like but might be hard to do.  Think about it.  I have.  "My advice is to take that leap of faith. You will probably say, "But I don't have the resources now!"  You may be in the best shape now for such a leap of faith.  The business world is getting tougher. We are getting older.  You will never be as young as you are right now to leap.  You may never have as many resources as you do right now.  Later, you may have less resources and the leap required will take an even higher jump. The further you travel down a wrong road, the further it is just to get back to the point where you turned on the road. I don't believe that the road you are on is particularly wrong, it's just not going anywhere that you want to end up."  My, Mom, Anna use to say--erv, the best time to do anything is now (i.e. seize the moment)!  

I'm afraid he might be right!  My friend said--It was 'cause of all the beer he drank
 (i.e. 365.25 days of drinking low-calorie beer = 1 Lite year).  A friend told me
that he weighed 193 pounds at his heaviest (i.e. had a big belly).  He was one big Clydesdale folks!  He has weighed 150 pounds for years now.  He went on to say--I sorta kinda watch my weight but my 193 weight was 'cause I drank toooo much beer.  It was when I was younger!  I watch what I eat more now.  Have you ever noticed that some days food tastes better?  I had some raspberries on my oatmeal the other day (i.e. something different than my usual half of a banana).  One day they didn't taste soooo good and the next they tasted oh sooooo good.  They were from the same package.  I wonder if my thinking is that way tooooo--some days my thinkin' is better and different that others. Some days I can do Sudoku verily well and the next day I struggle.  Why?  Could be that I'm not as focused some days (i.e. am multi-thinking with like other stuff on my mind) or...!

I'm afraid most folks don't do! Calculate your target No matter what your age, you should have at least some idea of how much income you'll need in order to maintain your standard of living once you're out of the workforce. Retirement analysts generally set the number at 70% to 85% of preretirement household income. That's not because you'll be expected to skimp in your old age, but rather because some costs, such as payroll taxes, money set aside for retirement saving and work expenses, will disappear and others, such as your income taxes, could drop. To keep it simple, Fidelity arrives at the 85% replacement rate by multiplying your final salary by eight. The calculation includes Social Security but doesn't factor in dual incomes; it assumes you'll retire at 67 and spend down your nest egg over 25 years. Fidelity also gives you savings mileposts: Save one times salary at age 35, three times salary at 45 and five times salary at 55. "The idea is to give people a rule of thumb so they know whether they're on track while they have time to make adjustments," says Jeanne Thompson, a Fidelity vice-president. A friend passed this on to me. Pretty good huh! Many folks don't like to listen to this. SusieQ says--It's a lot easier to marry it or inherit it! Such is life.

A friend told me--The difference between being considered eccentric and crazy is money! Does age have anything to do with that tooooo do you think? ItchieBitchie says--I'm not quite pushing 90 yet, but I'm taking notes on things to do to stay active! Shot my first turkey yesterday. Scared the sardines outta everyone in the frozen food section. It was awesome! I'm afraid that is near redneckdom!

Mothers not on the couch eatin' chips! My kid sister, Doris, age 62, ran in the 36th Annual Fifth Third River Bank Run last Saturday in Grand Rapids, MI (i.e. 8 of 60 in her age group in the 5k run division).  That's a wow folks!  That's my kid
sister!!  What more can I say.    There were 21,000 runners.  Wow!  They had several different divisions of runners  One division was the Clydesdale, men 185-199 men 200+ and women Clydesdale 145-154  and 155+.  That made me smile some.  Our daughter, Heather, ran in the 11th Annual Mother's Day Boulder T9K+ (i.e. a bit over 6 miles--486 of 1,629).  I think that's pretty neat.  I applaud both of those mothers.  And what did Arlene do on Mother's Day? 

I had the best mom possible.  Anna was a very nice lady, tenderhearted, kind, firm, hardworking and was also the spiritual leader of our family.  She planted seeds and let the Holy spirit take it from there.  She just died tooooo early at the age of 56.  My sisters have many of her fine qualities.  Yes they do.  Our mom was rooted in love.  Here is the video that was used at Hope Lutheran in West Des Moines on Mother's Day.  It was very touching to me.  http://skitguys.com/videos/item/my-mom  One more thing, the pastor said--Some of you do not or did not have good  moms.  Sooooo if that is your case,  you be the 'Champion of your family" and break the chain. 

Changing my oatmeal recipe--maybe!  I was thinkin' this morning as I was eating my oatmeal with a half a banana and some blueberries on it (i.e. with skim milk and 70 seconds in the microwave then put my topping on)--maybe I should try some of your concoctions of eating oatmeal.  I know, as some of you have told me, that you eat oatmeal and do it in a lot of ways.  Sooooo let me know your favorite oatmeal concoction!  I'm afraid I might have become boring!!!!  What made me think of  maybe trying something different is that I have the opportunity to led adult Sunday School this Sunday and am going to do it on Lincoln's famous speech--A house divided cannot stand.  Of course Lincoln got that from the Bible (i.e. many of his speeches came from  the Bible).  Soooooo if a house wants to be unified, maybe someone has to change.  Sooooo maybe I will change how I eat my oatmeal.  MAYBE! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Do the vey best you can--and leave the outcome to God.

ya gotta do whatcha ya gotta do

Disclaimer:  This "It's Saturday" is probably not a goose-bumping walloper of an edition.  It's probably more of the vanilla variety.  Our culture seems to want bigger, faster, more thrilling, and louder stuff.  It always has to be trumped again and again.  It called capitalism folks or targeting your market (e.g. the majority of the movies today). Do you savvy?

Finding peace.  When absolutely everything is going wrong, where do you find peace? Can you find peace even when everything is going wrong? Think about that folks. To think about that, you have to have some quiet time without any world's distractions. But don't over think. Ok? A friend told me that he gets up at 5:30 every morning. He reads, prays and thinks. It's his favorite time of the day. Yabut, several days later I saw this guy at 8:30 and he was in his pajamas and his hair was a mess.  It looked like he just got up. He said he overslept.  It must not have been his favorite part of that day!  Or maybe it was!  Huh, interesting!

Ya gotta do what ya gotta do with whatcha have in the situation you're in--I heard this statement a lot this winter in Sun Valley.  When we winter in AZ, we rent a condo.  It really fits our needs and wants quite well.  We set a couple of comfortable outside chairs with a little plastic table between them, at the end of our walk right next to the street.  It's in the south sun in the morning and close to the street (i.e. more hospitable).  Many folks walk on this street. Sooo  after I get back from pickle ball in the morning, I usually sit there and read the paper and drink coffee.  I have the opportunity to visit with a lot of folks.  Everyone has a story.  Everyone.  I have really enjoyed this.  Then about 5 or soooo, Arlene and I usually have a glass of wine sitting in those chairs.  Again, folks walk by or the neighbors stop by and we talk.  I have learned that life can become topsy-turvy, up side down real fast as I listen to all the stories of these folks.  I hear an awful lot of--I gotta do what I gotta do with what I have in the situation I'm in.  Yes I have.  And you know what, many folks don't hear very well sooooo some of the stuff I hear might not be always accurate. 

SnowBirdMorrisFromWestbrookMN, an 82 year-old farmer, went to the doctor to get a physical.  A couple weeks later the doctor saw Morris walking down the street of Mesa with a gorgeous young lady on his arm.  The doctor stopped and spoke to Morris saying, "Morris I see you're really doing great!"  Morris replied, "Just doing what you said, Doc:  'Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.'"  The Doctor replied, "Morris, I didn't say that.  I said, 'You got a heart murmur.  Be Careful."

Zig Ziglar says in his book, See You At The Top (i.e. I have read it a couple of times) and also on this u-tube     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRMogDrHnMQ    (i.e. 1,518,716 views) that many folks really don't want to change.  'Cause if they did, they wouldn't have nutten to complain about; and they enjoy complaining.  Zig says--It's all about your attitude.  My Daddy, Chester, said--erv, Everybody has problems.  It's just that some people handle them differently.  Such is life

I think (i.e. my opinion) one of better things a person can do for another is to give them an opportunity to express themselves. I mean, ask them a simple question about their situation and then just listen (e.g. I bet you really miss your husband). Maybe ask a few more simple questions but let them do the talking. Don't give advice but when they ask questions for answers, maybe ask questions back again. Let them figure it out. Does that make any sense to you? I think, my opinion, the best we can do is show others that we care. Sometimes we really don't have to say much or anything (i.e. again my opinion).  SusieQ says--We are all surrounded by wows!  Oh ya, one more suggestion:  We don't need to trump others wows (e.g. you got it bad but listen to how bad I have it).  If we can just listen, then I think we've turned the corner as to be a good listener and a better person.  What do you think?

Saturday question--Should a person be passive or involved in other folks' lives? I mean, what should a guy do anyway? If you are passive you just let things go on the same even if we think they are wrong (i.e. and maybe they are not wrong; yabut somethings are obviously wrong). If you get involved, sometimes folks don't like that. Soooo what should a person do? Sooooo do we truly minister to some one's suffering or do we just add to it.  Joesixpack says--Some folks think they know all the answers when really they have not a clue what others are thinking, feeling and going through. Soooo is that a paradox or a dilemma folks. It's hard for me to see folks hitting their heads against a wall all the time. Soooo I say to them--If you would change your life style, you wouldn't hit your head against the wall all the time and the hurting would stop. But they keep hitting their heads against the wall. I maybe would do the same but don't/can't see it. I think this is a place for a mentor. What do you think? I think (i.e. my opinion) it's good to ask for advice. My Daddy, Chester, would say to me--erv, the best and most inexpensive way to learn is to ask questions.  I took an old friend out for breakfast this week.  He's 91 and has a lot of experience in an area I need some advice.  Most helpful.  His advice to me was that he changed little by little and sooo will you; just accept it. I saw this on the back of a truck tractor in the SW--Amarillo By Morning.  Sooooo if I want to get to Amarillo By Morning I better make some good plans and get after it (i.e. my opinion).

Our future!  Slammin'Sammy says--Once we resolve to our situation, it is easier to plan the future.  It's not always easy to become resolved (i.e. accept life as it is a.k.a reality).  Once we do, then we can go forward and do what we have to do in the situation we are in with what we have.  If we deny our situation, it's hard to go forward, at least properly and most beneficially.  

ItchieBitchie says--Sometimes our faith becomes like the emperor's new cloths!  It's hard to always be on the top of the mountain.  Sometimes we experience the valleys.  LuckieEddie says--Life is not futile, it is full.  It's just that everything in life is not pleasant.

MissPerfect says--Once we are resolved, we need to adjust to our situation (i.e. little by little).  Adapt to what we need to do (i.e. be limber and flexible and be accepting). 

I like this prayer--God grant me peace in my suffering!  Let me relax and somehow enjoy (i.e. this time).  Be merciful to me oh God and please be gracious.  And oh God, thanksamillion for all the good in my life!  You have really blessed me.  Thanks for all the good memories. 

Humbling  Events in our lives can be humbling.  Probably all of us have experienced these times.  If you haven't, you will.  It isn't if, it's when.  Well, he almost convinced them and himself but then the roster crowed...it was humbling!  Peter was three times asked if he was associated with this Jesus.  He said three time--who, what, me!  Remember that?  Putting it in Peter's own words--I don't know what you're talking about--Luke 22:60.  Ouchy ouchy!

Some folks are smarter than other folks just like some smart phones are smarter than other smart phones.  Well almost!  CasualCalTheSchmuch thinks he's pretty smart but he's not there yet.  LuckieEddie says--You don't get smart until you get your wisdom teeth!  CasualCalTheSchmuch doesn't have his wisdom teeth yet.  It could be a couple of more years maybe!  Sometimes it just takes a little more time to get smart.  You got to be patient. 

CadillacJack says--When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1,800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter and Facebook, so my seven kids, their spouses, 13 grand kids and 2 great grand kids could communicate with me in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter with only 140 characters of space.  That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl, Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that sends every message to my cell phone and every other program within the texting World.  My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.  CadillacJack--Ya gotta do whatcha ya gotta do!

Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation.  ~Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680)~

Joesixpack says--Maturity counts but age does not!  But spiritual growth means growth in childness...to grow up is to grow down.  Does any of this make any sense to you erv?  Such is life. 

Well it's almost the same--From ridiculous (i.e. preposterous) to realistic (i.e. reasonable)!  I mean things we thought were cockamany (i.e. ludicrous) 10 years ago are now just logical (i.e. normal).  Ah Ah!  ItchieBitchie, you said that it would never happen.  It took only 10 years.  Not all folks shriek with excitement of all the changes.  Oh no!  An acquaintance showed me the "voice-to-text" feature of his smart phone.  For you non savvy smart phone users (i.e. seems like there are just a few out there--me included--I would really like one but can't justify the cost), you can say something and it will print it on the phone and then you can send it as a text message.  Neat!  A friend told me that his son uses it for his spell check.  Neat!

Wrappin' up!  ATandT says "bigger is better". They say it all the time on their ads. Bigger is better. They also say "faster is better". Do you think they are right?  Maybe and maybe not. I like to unplug sometimes and just appreciate the little things that are important to me. I like to slow down, get rid of all the noise, and enjoy the small things. CadillacJack says--That's not American erv, faster and bigger is American. Even the little kids know that!

ItchieBitchie says--What makes an act truly great is not its bigness, but the purity of heart of the one who performs it.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.

What in the world!

IkeTheLuddite says--This word has changed.  Look around.  I don't want to go with the current world.  I want to live in the 19th century.  I like that better.  What in the world are you thinking IkeTheLuddite!  You can't live in the 19th century.  It's toast! 

Not in this world!  Joe Plantina says--We have a lot of questions about heaven. Will I know people who have passed away before me? What will it be like? If I have to sing, will I at least get a better-sounding voice? And of course, the super-spiritual questions about whether there will be golf or pets! Here’s what we know: heaven is a place that is uncorrupted by sin and suffering. It’s the place where God dwells in complete harmony and unity with his people, and the place where the pain of this life no longer exists. While the specifics are beyond imagining (see 1 Cor. 2:9), we know that none of us will want for anything or wish that anything was different.  erv says--His understating I cannot fathom; God is God and that's just the way it is folks.  I think heaven will be out of this world!  Can you imagine a place where there is complete harmony?  A place where there is no manipulating, game playing or folks taking advantage of others.  

Difference in prices!  What in the world!  Something smelt, I could smell it.  If it stinks a little on the surface, it will stink a lot more when you get to the bottom of it.  It always does.  Sooooo if you think someone is trying to discombobulate you, be careful 'cause they probably will continue to try to bamboozle you.  I just didn't believe this guy (i.e. seemed to be blowing smoke).  I listen to his blurb (i.e. sales pitch).  And I figured what he said probably wasn't true (i.e. he reminded my of DuaneTheWorm).  I was dealing on trading cars.  Soooooooo I went to two other dealers.  It's pretty easy to compare Toyotas as they have certain packages and they are all the same sooooo -- This is what I want and here is my car.  What will you trade for.  FullOfCrapMike was way off. Not just by a little either.  He was $4,807 higher than the lowest.  The Internet has made it (i.e. I  think) easier to buy a car.  I think they still are tooo expensive.  Years ago when we bought our 08, I was filling her up with gas at Casey's.  An acquaintance said to me--got a new car erv?--ya--did you get a good deal on it--I think sooooo--In his soft, monotone voice he said--As long as you think you did, that's all that matters.  He made me laugh. 

What in the world!  A couple of my buddies said that I hardly had our 08 Avalon broke in with only 132,500 miles on it.  One buddy has a 02 Camry with 295,500 miles and the other has a 06 Highlander with 288,285 miles on it.  Wow!  Don't tell me that some old lady just drove those to church!!!!  Nothing runs like a...!  And you know what folks, both of those vehicles look really good yet. 

Make your mark.  If you put your name on something, what does that mean?  What does it project if you endorse something?  When you give your testimony about someone or something, what does that mean?  What does it mean when you sign with your blood?  Does your character come into
play?  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Character is something that is built up, like a building, through a gradual, painstaking process of placing one brick upon another.  A single brick is not much.  But the soundness and careful placing of each individual brick is vital to the overall result.  In the same way, faith by its very nature concentrates on small things, giving its energy to the responsible completion of one ordinary task after another (i.e. one step at a time).

JonTheCarSaleman left his mark accidentally.  He was showing my how to pair my phone with our new car's BT.  He was using his smart phone.  He was telling us how you can pug your smart phone into the audio system and play all the songs on your smart phone.   He loaded his songs and the first two titles where Christian song titles.  I asked him if he was a Christian.  He said he was.  Soooooooo, he said, give me your phone.  I did.  He said--man, how old is this thing anyway!  I haven't seen one like this for years (i.e. I think under his breath he called me ervTheLuddite).  He tried to pair it but couldnt'.  I did it when I got home.  The picture is not of our new car but is one that a guy made in the wood working shop at the park I play pickle ball in AZ.  It's a "what in the world"!

I was riding bike by the Cedar River. Those geese are always on the edge of the trail. They always hiss and act like they don't like me. They act like the world revolves around them. The other day an old gander flew up and knocked me over. I was going slow and caught myself and didn't get hurt. Geese are nesting now and very protective. Now that was a new epic, colossal experience. That old gander sorta kinda put his mark on me.  Yes he did.

I was at Wal Mart the other day and a mother was with her three children.  The oldest child was a girl about 14. They were walking ahead of me when all of a sudden the mother stopped and started shaking her finger in her daughter's face saying--Young lady, you are not tooooo old for me to slap you in the face right here in Wal Mart; I will not accept the way you are talking to me thinking the world revolves around you.  I don't know how it ended as I walked by them.  She made her mark! 

 

Beyond "what in the world"!  I read this in the paper sooooo it must be right.  Hugh Campbell,  88, started running at 87, but the first time he ran a race on a track a few weeks ago he set a national age group record.  Scientists have different theories why he can do this.  Some are partly to genetics and partly to attitude.  "Aging is not something that happens to you," said physiologist Wojtek J. Chodzko-Zajko of the University of Illinois.  "Your decisions definitely have an impact."  Such is life.

Squeaky Chair  An old wooden rocker we have all of a sudden started squeaking.  I called a friend who is maybe 90 who worked a lot with wood as to what I should do.  He said--That squeaking is music.  It puts a guy to sleep!  Soooo I went and goggled it and watched a u-tube using Tite Chairs.  Soooo I gooo to our local hardware and Brenda helps me find this product.  She says they sell a lot of it sooooo it must work.  She reads the front of the package--For anyone from 18 to 80 -- No skill required.  I said--I fit both of those requirements.  We had a good laugh!  Such is life.

Opportunity!  I was checking out at Dollar General the other day.  I asked the checkout clerk (i.e. a gal maybe 28) if she could give me a few quarters as I was going to wash the car. I asked her how many quarters does it take--I don't know, I don't wash my car--you don't wash your car ever--no, I let the rain do it; I don't have time; I have three children; I don't even have time to wash clothes--Soooo what do you do, just wear dirty clothes--ya, pretty much!  That triggered my thought process about an opportunity.  Some folks from our church's mission committee last Christmas season went to a laundry mat with a bunch of quarters and paid for the washing and drying of clothes for folks.  During this time they just talked to them.  I bet those folks thought--What in the world!  The folks who did this said it was a great opportunity.  Maybe you and I should try that!

Happenstance, na, I don't think soooooo!  I meet a guy maybe 5 or 6 years ago at the IA Boys' State Basketball Tourney.  We continued to communicate during the last years.  His wife recently developed a serious brain tumor and has now died.  He emailed me--Sue passed away Tuesday and is now in heaven.  One of her last words with six days left was " I am saved" I told her that I heard that.  She proceeded to know me through Sunday... Then was at peace as she died in her sleep.  Her ashes will be sprinkled over our flower bed.

I went with our pastor to the Iowa City Hospital to visit a guy who needs a new heart real soon.  We visited with him, his wife and his daughter.  I went to the bathroom down the hall near the waiting room  As I was almost there, I ran into his son who is maybe 21.  I knew him as a kid through church.  Have not been in much contact with him for some years.  We had a very good talk.  I told him that my daddy died when I was 17 soooooo I know a little what your emotions are.  He was very responsive and open.  He told me that we just have to have faith and believe.  I asked him when I was about to leave, if I could give him a hug.  He said--you bet and we hugged.  I didn't see him in his fathers room before or after.  Happenstance, na I don't think soooooooo folks!

I can't believe it!  What in the world is going on!  I went for a long, hard bike ride this week.  Came home and took a shower.  I was wiping out the shower and I hurt my back.  I hurt it by just wiping out the shower!!  You believe that.  Sooooo I go over to see MyFriendJean.  She tells me I need to do exercises.  She gets on the living room floor and demonstrates them to me.  She was really good at doing them (i.e. very limber).  She's 86!!!  Whatintheworld!  She just made me laugh!  It's getting better (i.e. either the exercises are helping or it's a miracle) but it has limited my activity let me tell ya! Such is life.

Her false teeth fooled me!  A friend told me that she has false teeth.  Has had them since 1960.  She said--Didn't have any cavities until she had her children and then her teeth just went to pot.  ANYWAY I would have never guessed she had false teeth.  She has some gold in two places and are colored just like normal.  What in the world!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Where there is great love, there are always miracles.