It really shouldn't concern you

MissPerfect says--I'll admit I'm wrong if you admit I'm right!  What?!  What I think MissPerfect is saying is--It really shouldn't concern you! 

A little one-on-one!  He's as tough as a $2 steak let me tell ya!  My friend Hank a.k.a Secretariat ran in the Bemidj Blue Ox Marathon two weeks ago Saturday in a time of 3:58:21 and then last Saturday ran in 4-Bridges Marathon in Chattanooga in 4:02.  Both times are Boston Marathon qualifying times.  Hank is 66.  Wow!  He's an animal folks.  I was telling our adult growth group at church last Sunday that I have a tendency to do everything fast.  MyFriendLyle said--erv, you don't run fast! Heather and James ran in The Rock 'n' Roll Denver last Sunday.  They ran the half marathon together and both finished with a time of 2:04 (i.e. with one potty stop of 3 minutes).  I think that is neat that they can do that together.  My81yearoldfriendMartha at church (i.e. has had some speed bumps) said--Being old, a person has to be brave.  This gal last week made the food for our Wednesday night supper at church for maybe 40-60 folks.  You don't learn this stuff unless you have a little one-on-one with folks.  You have to have some concern for others in order to have relationships (i.e. my opinion). All 4 of these folks have PMA (i.e. positive mental attitude). Such is life.  ~  Heather's most favorite signs that folks held to encourage runners were--You are running better than the government; Run as if someone called you a jogger; You are almost there....this was at the 1/2 mile mark.

A friend told me she shrunk 3 inches and is now 5 feet tall.  A golf Buddie said he shrunk 1 to 2 inches.  Life can be that way at times!  It can shrink a person right up.  We can almost end up looking like prunes!  I have been told recently of two situation where folks had strokes and heart attacks.  Folks close to them feel they were caused by tremendous stress.  We all know that stress is a killer.  We all know that we shouldn't let stuff concern us but that is sometimes hard to do.  Life can be stressful alright.  But don't get discouraged, their is magic in prunes!

Fillerup please!  A golf buddy was telling me that he has two senior siblings that need financial help from his elderly father.  His dad asked what he thought of that--it's your money dad, you can do with your money what ever you want.  Another sibling doesn't feel that way.  That is an age old problem a.k.a money.  It has caused a lot of hurt and family erosion in many families let me tell ya.  I have seen it a lot in my business.  Yabut parents are trying to do the right thing (i.e. helping the kids who need help).  Should it be a concern of the other siblings?  Should problems of adult children be the concern of the senior parents?  What do you think?  MissPerfect says--Parents always care about their kids no matter what their age (i.e. they have a concern 'cause they love them sooooo much).

I saw an ad by a chiropractor that said--Take care of the problem before it starts.  Good advice in a lot of areas of our lives.  LuckieEddie says--Physically exercise, do something to improve your mental health, and do something to improve your spiritual life. PositiveToyna says--Now that is a muclemaximizer!

Looks like patchy fog to me. Jr calls home after the homecoming weekend.  Tells his mom and dad that he had a date with the homecoming queen.  Wow son, that's neat and impressive.  She was soooo pretty, romantic, nice and sweet; I thought she was smokin' hot. Ya it was quite an experience all right.  What's her name son.  Stephen.  Did you say Stephenie?  No, I said Stephen!  Jr's mom said--I'm confused Jr.  I was confused toooooo mom let me tell ya.  Like I said mom, it was quite an experience.  And she looked soooo cute.  Boy was I surprised dad.  Holy Cow son.  Folks, should this concern you and I?  NewgenerationKatie says--It really shouldn't concern you seniors a.k.a. old fogies!.  It's the  new generation.  You guys are just old fashion!  And I thought Showdog DuaneTheWorm got the best of the show award!  And Chester and Anna thought Elvis and the Beatles were wild and crazy and wacko! 

Wet limp washrag!  Joesixpack says--I think my spirit is growing faint!  I'm getting tired about caring about others and our world.  It seems like my caring just doesn't make any difference.  It seems like it might be a lot easier if I didn't care (i.e. many don't care and seem to get along pretty good).  They just don't make anything their concern.  Don't care.  What ever is, is okay with them.  They're numb to everything; it's not their concern, they just don't care.  They are just like a wet limp washrag!  They don't worry about tomorrow, or future generations or their kids, or friends, or parents, or neighbors or fellow workers, or anyone.  They just drink beer until they run out of money!  Well, I'm not going to be like that Joesixpack.  I'm not. I refuse to live a life of "I don't care"! I think there are times that we need to have concern and times when we should show concern (i.e. express it).  I just hope I know when those times are!  Is that called discernment?

I watched a little of the baseball playoffs while I multi task.  I am doing the same with the world series.  I am amazed how hard they can hit the ball and how good they are on defense.  I heard one of the managers defend himself when asked why he has AverageJoe in the lineup.  He said--I'm going with the folks with the hot hand (i.e. the guys who are smokin')!  Ya gotta go with the folks who are hot now (i.e. in the moment--not the ones in the slump)!  Makes sense to me.  How about you?  CadillacJack says--Some folks seem to carry a high career average and others carry a low career average and others are very cyclical!  That can apply to batting averages and also stuff in life.  YaBut CadillacJack, if you want to win the baseball game, ya gotta put the odds in your favor (i.e. it is your concern--there is a lot of money involved).  Huh, interesting.

erv, it really shouldn't concern you!  Is this gal any of your inlaws' extended family?  Just checkin'!

I stopped at the library the other day to read the Des Moines paper.  It was a cold, windy day.  Perfect for reading the paper.  I sat down in the reading area with an elderly lady who made crazy noises (i.e. they shouldn't concern me).  ANYWAY  I asked her if she was reading today's Des Moines paper--no no this is the Sunday paper--that's a few days old, that's old news--no it's not if you haven't read it!--I guess you have a point there!  Her tone of voice was--it really shouldn't concern you! 

More patchy fog!  ItchieBitchie says--Some folks seem to have a special quality; they can put their mind in the moment when it matters.  Others seem like they can't.  Why is that ItchieBitchie?  Some seem soooo focused on the moment that they sorta kinda don't care about other foolish worldly stimuli!  Why is that ItchieBitchie?  ItchieBitchie says--It shouldn't really concern you erv.  Or should it!   ~    If a person is hitting their head against the wall time after time, is it my concern to tell them that if they would quite hitting their head against the wall their head would feel a lot better.  Maybe erv, but they are sooooo comfortable with their current pain that they don't want to change.  That doesn't make much sense to me.  Sooooo I should just let them flounder through life when they could really enjoy it much more, is that right?  ItchieBitchie says--erv, you are judging others.  Maybe your standard a.k.a benchmark is wrong.  Maybe you should just not make it your concern.  Ok, could be.  I'll let them alone.  I just don't like to see them hit their head against the wall.  It looks like it hurts.  Such is life.

Joesixpack says--I think SusieQ acts like a gum ball machine but it really shouldn't concern me.  She thinks she acts more like a Norvex window washing cloth.  Do any of you use them?  I was doing a project with several folks (i.e. washing windows for someone).  I'm a terrible window washer, yes I am.  Actually after I got done washing my assigned windows, the women did them again.  Sooooo I called the master window washer down in TX for help.  The wizardwindowwasher said I had to get Norvex window cloths.  I was coming home from golf the other day and stopped at my neighbor.  Her girls were there washing her windows.  I told them what the wizardwindowwasher said I should buy the Norvex window cloth.  They showed me that is what they use.  They are great they said.  Sooooo what else can you help me with?  They informed me about Mr. Clean miracle cleaning bars.  It really works.  They gave me one.  It's good folks.  Being clean might not concern you but if it does, check these products out. 

I think he's wobbling a little here.  GeorgeTheCrook might have a drinking problem.  It really shouldn't concern you erv.  When should some one's actions, life styles, or habits be my concern?  Never, sometimes, always?   What do you think?  We discussed this in our adult growth group.  Many different opinions.  It's hard to judge someone when we have our own ugly stuff to deal with.  But, aren't we suppose to help each other (i.e. make each other accountable)?  Cadillac Jack says--erv, take care of yourself and let other take care of themselves.  You aren't God!  What do you think?

I was looking through an old file full of stuff while watching the first half of the Colts/Broncos game Sunday night.  I ran across this clipping I saved maybe 30 years ago.  Sooooo you are my concern.  Yes you are.  Rules # 9 and 12 I really like.  They apply to me for my concern for you guys (i.e. my opinion). You might have to click on it to make it larger to read.

Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt~  Saturday question--If that is true, where do you and I fit?  Are we the problem or the solution to the problem?  Do you just complain or do you have an idea to correct the situation?  Or is it really none of our concern?

JoeBlow, don't make any more cow pies, you have stepped in enough already.  You got enough poop on your boats.  erv, it really shouldn't concern you!  Ok JoeBlow, I will give up on you.  Show you no more concern or attention.  I won't care about you any more.  When you don't encourage (i.e. show any attentions to a person) that means you have given up on them.  When you give up on someone, that means they are no longer on your radar.  You just don't care about them any more.  Physiologists say that is one of the worse feelings of all is when someone doesn't care about you any more and shows you no attention.  Such is life.

erv's conclusion of the matter!  These are suggestions (i.e. of course my opinions) sooooo....!  If someone has concern for you, be thankful.  You are fortunate.  If you show concern for others, you are heading in the right direction.  You are blessed to be a blessing. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

how ya eat an elphant is one bite at a time

Sooooo what can be the elephant be?  A big project, a long term investment plan, reading a book, starting an exercise plan, changing your life style, fixing your house, climbing a mountain in our life, getting an education, developing a new relationship, etc. 

A golf buddy who was riding with me the other day told me that a long time friend won't talk to him any more--how come?--I think it's 'cause I didn't rent my farm to him but I don't know for sure (i.e. and he could be all wrong like I am sometimes).  Sooooo that made me think.  Some folks (e.g. friends, acquaintances, family, neighbors, buddies etc) have certain actions that irate me (i.e. might not be irritating to others but only to me--maybe). They aren't going to change soooo I need to change.  I need to zipitup!
Suck it up cupcake, buck up, just accept them as they are!   Accept reality. Rub some dirt on it! Shake it off!  I probably have the problem.  Soooooo solve the problem ervie!  It ain't that complicated!  I'll just let it go.  It's not really that important.  It's just my ego, I'm acting like a baby.  Let me just calm down.  Let me look at it from their point of view.  BUT I don't have to spend a lot of time around them if I choose not toooooo--it's my choice!  Eat the elephant one bite at a time.  Such is life. 
Maybe, just maybe! We are teaching our children the wrong stuff (e.g. learning to beat the governmental system for free stuff). Maybe! Maybe we are barking up the wrong tree! Maybe! Maybe we aren't eating the elephant one bit at a time but trying to eat the whole elephant in one bite or not eating the elephant at all (i.e. let someone else feed me).  Be realistic folks--If the government is going to give you everything you want, why would you want to change.  It just ain't going to happen. 

Arlene was at her salon getting her hair done while I rode bike. Got done but she wasn't done sooooo I went into this salon and wanted to read the Des Moines paper. The Des Moines paper was below their standards I think.  I remember a sign on the wall that said something like this--Natural beauty isn't normal!  And beauty isn't cheap either let me tell ya!  Sooo there was a little waiting area soooo I just sat down. A client got done with her hair work, paid, and then came and sat down by me (i.e. waiting for her daughter to get done). She was very attractive, petite, happy, well dressed with long black hair. Sooo we got talking and she told me that everyone things long hair is a lot of work. It isn't. I can really only have it cut twice a year (i.e. trim around her face by herself she said). I asked her if she works out to stay is such great shape--some but not always; I eat but small portions and not some foods; she was raised eating vegetables, fruits, little meat but no ice cream or pastries.
She told me she was a Vietnamese boat person and came over at the age 13 and came to Fargo (i.e. she said he was born in 1980). Her and her husband owned a restaurant for 18 years working 12 hour days 7 days a week in the Cedar Valley. During this time they purchased rental property and now he manages the rental and they both manage/own a nail store (i.e. toenail and fingernail). I asked her if the change was hard--no no, it was such a great opportunity for us to come to America. We wanted to work but there was no work in Vietnam. Hard times made us stronger. We are very happy. We are very appreciative. We have three children and are doing very well. Attitude folks, attitude. They aren't sitting on the couch eating chips trying to figure out the system.

One day at a time!  An old friend who took care of his physically handicapped wife (i.e. MS) for many years told me when I asked him how he handled that situation (i.e. one big elephant) said--erv, you just take one day at a time.  MissPerfect says--Don't say it, do it!  Sunday I talked to a friend who had a heart attack and had a couple of stints put in.  Sooooooo how's it going--ok, I'm doing rehabilitation now and working some--soooooo what do they tell you--they tell me I can eat anything I like and need to do things I don't like to do (i.e. the big elephant)!--what do you think of that--I have my own conclusion--and what's that--I'm going to eat some of the stuff I like and just in moderation (i.e. he needs to loose 50 pounds).  He says--Now I'm going over to moms and eat a massivehuge dinner (i.e. an elephant of a meal).  Huh, interesting.   Sooooo how ya eat an elephant is one bite at a time!  Ya gotta change your life style my friend (i.e. but you don't have toooooooo)!  I saw on a billboard on I-80 last Sunday this--We can live as we choose!

Hawks fall for the fake!  Sucker!!!  Gottcha again.  At the MI State game that I went too, MI State faked a putt and was successful.  I read it in the paper sooooo it must be right--For the second time this season and the sixth time since 2010, an opponent successfully executed a fake punt or field goal against the Iowa football team.  How many times does it take to figure that out!!!!  Da!  After the game I went across the street from Historic Kinnick Stadium and saw Brent Ridder.  He's from our community.  I have known him since  he was a kid.  He has been in the University of Iowa Hospital since April.  He is on a heart pump waiting for a heart transplant.  I can't imagine being there that long.  I just can't.  How do you eat an elephant is one bite at a time but...!

ItchieBitche says--Sometimes a person needs to just move on.  Don't be soooo hard on  yourself (i.e. don't beat yourself up).  You can't eat the whole elephant at one time.  You just can't.  As a ex-office support staff use to say to me--erv, shit happens (i.e. just accept it).  That's just the way it is.  Sooooo don't get sooooo excited.  Just accept the fact that that's the way it is (e.g. you can't get a par or better on every hole--ya just can't--you are going to have bad holes--that's just the way it is).  Don't try to figure it all out--you can't!  Accept reality.  Rub some dirt on it!  Shake it off!  Buck up!  Such is life.

How in the world did we get ourselves in this pickle!  Now we got this massivehuge elephant sitting on us.  What are we going to do about it.  LuckyEddie says--First of all, we got into this pickle by one little bite at a time and secondly we need to get out of this pickle by one little bite at a time.  Folks (i.e. my opinion) it ain't goin' toooooo  happen.  No way!  Won't happen.  Our country's financial situation will not change until we have a massivehuge disaster (i.e. the snowball is rollin' down the mountain side and gaining size and speed--it can't be stopped).  It can't be fixed any other way.  The government is like a big bleeder that can't be stopped.  Folks don't want to fix it.  I read it in the paper sooo it must be right--The majority of the folks are now living off the government (i.e. partly or entirely) .  The majority of folks don't want to change that (i.e. love it and learned to depend on the freebees and giveaways).  To get elected, ya gotta give folks more stuff.  Everyone wants someone else to pay for their life style (i.e. not everyone but many--the majority).  No one wants to give up their subside.  No one.  Soooo, it just can't be fixed until we have a disaster.  It will have to be a big one.  We are not to that point yet (i.e. we still are finding ways to manipulate the system to make it work but it can't continue for ever--our parents and grand parents said that tooo).  We just continue to kick the can down the street!  It's not if but when!  It will probably happen when we can't borrow any more or our money is worthless (i.e. can't just keep printing it).  In business, folks go broke.  Sooooooo no use to get excited about it.  I can't do a thing about it.  It's just the way it is and will continue to be.  Accept reality. Rub some dirt on it! Shake it off! Buck up! Yabut I sure hope you younger folks keep paying for my Social Security.  In fact I could use a raise in payment.  Interest rates are down!!!!  Golf isn't getting any cheaper you know!!!!  Such is life.

Opinions are just that, opinions.  And most of the time we don't agree with each others' opinions.  Everyone has an opinion about everything.  Arlene and I had an incredible experience happen to us last Sunday morning. It just fell in our laps. Way unexpected.  It was such a neat surprise. Just the opposite of what I expected. A WOW!  I told a couple of friends about this and one emailed me back--neat surprises are neat...........sorta sounds like "it's nice to be nice to the nice"(Frank Burn's quote from MASH)!  Yes, some folks were really nice to us.  I don't know if we are nice but it was nice of them to be nice to us.  Very uplifting.  Our feelings were not opinions, they were real.  I saw a bumper sticker going down I-80 heading to see Chet, Jessica, Charlie and Henry last Sunday afternoon that said--Out of opinions!  Soooo how ya eat an elephant is one bite at a time!  Talk about eating--Charlie was working her tongue on something in her mouth--soooo what you got in your mouth Charlie--Mabel's (i.e. their dog) hair!  Yuck!  It adds fiber to her diet!!!

How do you play 200+ 9 hole rounds of golf in a summer?  One round at a time.  We played 18 last Saturday.  It was windy.  We were the only ones on the course.  I wonder why!  I don't like wind any time but especially when playing golf.  Over our favorite beverages after the 18 I asked the other three guys--Sooooo how many 9 hole rounds have you played this summer?  The champion round player had 200+, next about 120, next was 100 and then me about 60.  How can I compete with those guys anyway!  We have a good time.  We pretty much shoot the same numbers sooooo that makes it fun. These guys play until you just can't play anymore.  They have weather shades that they put on their carts with gas heaters inside.  I might try that this year if I'm invited to play with them.  I never did that before.  I read while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Some people go to such extremes that their judgment is impaired and they become fanatics.  Ok, if it takes 2 hours to play 9 holes that means I spent about 120 hours on the course this summer.  That's 3 40hourworkweeks (i.e. I'm retired and time means nutten to me).  That seems like a lot.  BUT how about the champion round player at 200+.  200 at 2 hours is 400 hours or 10 40hourworkweeks.  He probably averages about 40 strokes (i.e. maybe less) soooo that is 8,000 shots.  Now that is a lot of shots folks.  I know of no one, I repeat no one, who plays that much golf in a summer.  That is his hobby and he loves it.  There is not a shadow of a doubt that this guy never gets overgolfed!  Such is life. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--SusieQ said, "I was bitter, angry, foul-mouthed person, and I didn't care what anybody else thought.  It was all about me--me and my mean spirit."  Ouchy ouchy!  Then she grabbed the elephant by the tail and with one bite at at time she changed herself completely (i.e. a 180 degree reversal).  She had to get beat up (i.e. dinged up as my friend says) to understand herself for the change to happen but it happened.  How do you think she did it?  What do you think was the Xfactor in the modification?  How do you think she looks now?  Our lives can change alright.  It can be done and is done.  But for many, it seems that something drastic has to happen first.  Why is that do you think? 

One bite at a time!  As I'm writing this sitting in our sun porch early in the morning drinking my coffee, I see a gal running on the street.  She is in her mid 40s probably.  I see her  when I run in the morning some times.  She seems disciplined.  She has lost, I bet, 40 pounds.  She looks way different (i.e. I have to careful how I say this in this crazy world today).  I'm not saying that she looked like an elephant before, don't misunderstand me!  Why do you think she is doing that?  What caused her to decide to do this?  Why do some folks change and others don't?  Huh, interesting.  One of my golf buddies lost 20 pounds  recently.  He looks good.  Seeee I can say that about him.  LuckieEddie says--You better be careful saying that erv, the world might take that wrong as this old world is sorta kinda different these days. 

I'm totally convinced that exercising is more attitude than physical ability. Totally convinced! A person can be talented but if they have a bad attitude, they are basically useless. I would rather be around folks with average ability but have great attitudes. But, if you have talent, a good personality, a good heart, and a great attitude, you will be dynamite. I'm involved with WHO (i.e. we help others) in our church. I really enjoy the folks who are in this group--they have great attitudes (i.e. don't sit on the couch eating chips and complaining).

 

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

 

erv

 

MyFriendJean says--Enjoy life...this is not a rehearsal!

UPI: Just in

News flash:

The Washington Redskins drop the word "Washington" from their name because it is 
deemed to be too embarrassing.

 

ok@best

Not great not bad just ok@best!  Have you ever felt that way.  "In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life:  It goes on".  ~Robert Frost~  My mentor, Ivan, told me many many times--erv, things aren't as bad as they look and things aren't as good as they look!  Probably right my old friend BUT life goes on regardless!  I miss my mentor. 

One of our grandnephews is a "technology wizard".  He does much of the technology at the church they attend.  He does many of the special events such as weddings etc.  They pay him $50 each event.  He's 13.  That's pretty impressive to me.  His parents won't let him have a smart phone until he's 14.  He's got the money but those parents!!!!  I asked him what his guess would be of the percent of 13 year olds having a smart phone.  He said--I would guess 89%! But I'm not one of them!

Very iffy! I saw a widow at our little variety store recently. I asked how is she doing--ok@best but it's no bargain. Joesixpack says--We can change any situation by changing our attitude toward it.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Real faith is a process; it doesn't occur instantly. It begins with an initial discovery that builds on greater and greater degrees of commitment and surrender. Huh, interesting. MissPerfect says--Astounding! Ever think that maybe a small change could make a massivehuge difference in your life?  JoeBlow says--Yabut, I make plans but am sometimes forced to change them because of  Murphy’s Law: If anything can go wrong, it will. .  AverageJoe says--Sometimes life can make me feel like I'm dormie!  Ouchy ouchy!  Such is life.

Testing 1 2 3!  WildBoarJake says--Among college age males, there is a practice known as the “sniff test.” Rolling out of bed in the morning, a dirty shirt is picked up off the floor, sniffed, and—if it passes the test—the shirt goes on. Picking up a dirty shirt and putting it back on is less work than doing laundry or finding a clean shirt. As long as no one notices, it is perfectly okay. There is no need to change clothes.   They might smell okay@best!  Good enough for who it's for! 

Why old men don't get hired!  Job Interview:  Human Resources Manager:  "What is your greatest weakness?"  Old Man:  "Honesty."  Human Resources Manager:  "I don't think honesty is a weakness."  Old Man:  "I don't really give a shit what your think!"

Maybe he/she is ok@best but he's/she still the boss!  A friend told me that his father said--Many folks don't like their boss and put the boss down.  Ya gotta remember he/she pays you your salary and is in charge.  He's/she still the boss.  I think my friend's dad was saying--Do not criticize the boss as the boss has the power over you and your wage.  I remember my Daddy, Chester, telling me when I was a young whippersnapper--erv, there is a massivehuge difference between being respected and being liked.  The boss has to make hard decisions.  Decisions based, sometimes, on information that the wage earner has no idea.  That is why the boss is the boss. 

When things are ok@best, there is a usually someone in the cross hairs.  Especially if money is involved.  That is why they change personnel when things aren't going as well as folks want.  Change the leader, that is what many businesses and sport teams do.  Get a new smell on the situation.  A new hope.  A new excitement.  If you are not the owner, you are always susceptible to loosing your job.  And then there are some folks who just don't perform.  And some who just are not capable to perform.  And some that just complain.  And some that don't see what they have to change.  And some who are the son or daughter of the owner.  And some who sleep with the boss (i.e. is husband or wife--but could be the other tooooo).  BUT when money is being made, usually there isn't much of a problem.  It's when #s are down (i.e. money or other #s) is when change becomes a possibility--not the results that management is looking for. 

Fakey!  David Jeremiah says--He was a man who gave the impression of believing in Jesus. Then, he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (i.e. it's always about the money). Judas fell away from Jesus -- fell away from his faith -- and became what the New Testament calls an apostate.  "Aposate," in the Greek language, came from a word that meant "to lead away or to depart from.'  An apostte is one who departs from his or her presumed, professed faith in Christ.  And I thought DuaneTheWorm was a fake, phony and a show boat.  Don't kid yourself, DuaneTheWorm is just below Judas (i.e. somewhere).  ItchieBitchie says--Yabut erv, DuaneTheWorm's life always looks soooooo good on the outside (i.e. his side of the fence looks greener than mine). It's cause he uses more manure!  If you would dig around a little, you would find out, that his life is just okay@best!

The Past!  When in MI we celebrated our niece, Laureen's, 45th birthday.  We were reminiscing about her life and our lives.  My big sister (i.e. meaning in age) said that all 3 of us (i.e. Mellema siblings) have "a deficiency in pronouncing words".  We do.  None of us can pronounce words very well.  My little sister thinks it's generic and that we can't hear right.  I don't know.  But we all agreed that Chester and Anna put no pressure on us to achieve academically.  None!  They didn't encourage us, didn't care if we got our school work done, didn't pay any attention to our grades.  Didn't care if we went to college. We had very little music appreciation in our home and weren't encouraged to read.  But we were taught other stuff.  But yet we all got BAs and two got MAs.  Soooo I have no idea what that means.  But Chester and Anna were good folks but just died toooo young (i.e. they impacted me--programmed me to some degree)!  My sisters are very nice gals; I'm ok@best!  Such is life.

A salesman rang the doorbell of a house.  A kid of about 12 came to the door in his underwear, smoking a cigarette and had a can of been in hand.  The salesman said--Are you parents home?  The kid said--What do you think?  ~  Got this response from the bit about John Quincy a couple of weeks ago.  I like it.  --  John Quincy Adams was a wonderful Christian – His father not so much. From what I understand he mocked his son for believing in the Trinity and for his Orthodox convictions in doctrine. John Q. and Teddy Roosevelt wrote great letters to their sons.

He expressed trust in Christ for future life.

My hopes of a future life are all founded upon the Gospel of Christ and I cannot cavil or quibble away . . . the whole tenor of His conduct by which He sometimes positively asserted and at others countenances His disciples in asserting that He was God.[17] John Q. ADAMS Edited and Compiled by Doug Phillips

Roosevelt adored his children, four of whom were boys, each of whom he was intent on turning into a man of action. He once commented that his own father was the greatest man he ever knew. His commitment to being the same example for his sons was evident not only in the remarkable globe-trotting adventures on which they accompanied him, but also in the copious letters that he wrote to them, many of which communicated deep truths about manhood, Christianity, and courage.

Fun stories!  We stopped at a rest stop on the interstate coming back from MI.  The rest stop appeared to have been redone recently as it looked new.  As I was coming out of the rest room the cleaning lady was standing there with her cleaning cart.  She was probably in her mid 70s.  I said--how's it going--okay--looks like this place is new--redone last year--probably a lot easier to clean--you can't believe how some folks can make a mess; I wonder what their homes look like; probably the same--could be--soooo you like your job--it's ok (i.e. ok@best).  ~  Arlene and I were checking out at HyVee the other day.  The gal checking us out was also in her mid 70s and her name tag said she has been doing this for 21 years.  I said--you aught to know what your are doing if you have done this for 21 years--in 19 days I'm retiring--what are you going to do--nutten!; then I'm going to clean my closets that I haven't seen the bottom or the back of in 17 years.  As we left I said--enjoy your retirement.  She said--Ya, tomorrow I will have my house paid off toooooo!  She was better that ok@best!  ~  We were exiting the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center the other night after listening to Pulitzer prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin lecture about her book Team of Rivals:  The Leadership Lessons from Abraham Lincoln. We were going to go down a flight of stairs and I motioned to a couple (i.e. in their 80s holding hands) to go ahead of us.  The gentleman insisted that we go first with a smile on his face.  We did and I said to him--You must be a very nice man.  He said--You don't know me very well!  The lecture was excellent!  ~  One of my golf buddies was riding in my cart with me the other day.  He told me he had colon cancer in his past.  He said he was bitter toward God when he heard about the test results.  Then he meditated on it for an hour and on his favorite Bible verse--For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.  After an hour he said he was ok, more than ok@best!  That story is touching to me as that was my Mom Anna's, favorite verse as well.  This cancer survivor is a good guy!  Such is life.

Once again I learned at Doris Kearns Goodwin lecture--A leader must have the ability to motivate folks to follow them.  There are different methods of leadership but the qualities seem to be about the same.  ItchieBitchie says--A leader needs to look back once in a while to see if folks are following them.  If not, they are not a leader or their method is not working. 

Doris Kearns Goodwin told this story in her lecture (i.e. it's also in the book)--His best friend Joshua Speed was leaving town. His political career had suffered a blow. And he had broken his engagement to Mary Todd Lincoln. And he really did feel overwhelmed then by depression, and we have letters that he wrote saying that he was the most miserable man on Earth, and that if everybody felt like he did, there would not be one cheerful face on Earth.  And he actually was so frightening to his friends that they removed all razors and scissors from his room, fearing that he might take his life. But his best friend Joshua Speed came to his side and said, Lincoln, if you do not rally, you will die. And he said I would just as soon die now, but I haven't done anything yet to be remembered by.  He had this dream from the time he was young that he was so fearful of just dying and turning to dust that somehow if he could accomplish something great - this is the way the Greeks used to think - your name would be remembered after you die. And that powered him through the early losses of his childhood. It powered him through his early days in the state legislature, and it helped get him out of this depression.  And the great thing is that many years later, when he finally signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Joshua Speed came to see him, and he said, well, Speed, remember that conversation we had when I was in my depths? Well, maybe at last, my fondest wish has been realized. I will be remembered after I die.

Lincoln knew the Bible well (i.e. one of his main books he learned from).  He quoted it often and seemed to believe in God shown by the many things he said.  He went to church but never joined.  He had religious leaders come and talk to him in the White House many times.  But scholars are confused as to if he believed in eternal life.  There are different thoughts on that.  We will never know.  We don't need to know.  Maybe he believed but was a skeptic?  That is what makes Christianity soooo unique, faith is the cornerstone.

Really folks, my life is like putting my hand in a bucket of water and taking it out (i.e. I won't be remembered--I'm very replaceable).  BUT I hope I have used my time on this earth for good.  BUT I won't be remembered by very many folks or for very long.  BUT being remembered on this earth is not my motivating factor in life as it appeared to be for Abe.  Saturday question--What is your motivation for living?

When!  A friend gave us a little book (i.e. he is a very thoughtful, good hearted, real guy--thanks for the book my friend).  I have read about half of it.  The first page is entitled When.  It says--"...When the time comes for departure shall not the man of faith also look forward trustingly and with eager curiosity to what the new adventure may bring?"  I was with a friend at his death.  One of his children told him--Dad, you have always liked to travel.  Well, this is going to be a great and exciting trip you are about to take.

When things don't go your way (i.e. the fumble was not called a fumble for ISU in the game against TX which resulted in a L for ISU) it hurts.  I read this in the paper sooo it must be right--ISU Linebacker, co-captain Jeremiah George said shortly after the game:  It's time to move on--Life goes on!  Next stop Lubbock.  We can't let it linger, if you think the Texas Tech Red Raiders care about Iowa State getting the (Texas) game stolen from them, they really don't! (i.e. that's a truism folks).  Such is life

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--There are some things you learn best in calm and some in storm.

ArtPrize

I sorta kinda feel like the Iowa Insurance Commissioner (i.e. everything he says is 95% right).  He was explaining the Affordable Care Act--Oftentimes his answers were prefaced with a disclaimer, like the ones he used several times, "This gets very confusing" and "It depends on your specific circumstance, but in general...." 

My sisters treated me like our Mom, Anna, when we were in MI.  I felt like a king.  My big sister, Myrt, (i.e. in age and not in size) bought oatmeal for me for breakfast and also gave me some frozen MI blueberries that she picked (i.e. she doesn't just share them with just anyone).  BUT the size of bowl was a little overwhelming and the size of coffee cup as well.  Myrt and Doris went way over the top.  Maybe their niceness was just the "Lake Effect"!  You think sooooo!  Na, they are just nice folks (i.e. good hearted gals). 

I think ya gotta have a certain mind!  Friends emailed me this--Anyway we're crossing the street in McGregor and here comes a hearse. We gingerly respectfully walk in front of him. The driver has his window down. He's close enough to say "how are you guys doing". We just say a polite "good" and kinda keep on walking. He snaps his fingers and says "shucks, I'm empty."  Later we decided we didn't think it was funeral home hearse but man did we laugh.  I think you have to have a certain mind to want to drive a hearse for a leisure vehicle.  What do you think?

We went to ArtPrize downtown Grand Rapids, MI while there.  It a hugemassive art show with artist from around the world with the winner taking home $200,000 (i.e. no small change).  The public votes to determine the winner of the 1,500 entries. There are many many different "points of view" expressed in all the different forms of art!  I can't understand much of it and sometimes wonder if I understand any of it.  BUT I didn't do sooooo well in the Art Appreciation class 101 at good old Northwestern College either.  My opinion, you have to have a certain kind of mind for art (i.e. or a huge ego) to appreciate  many forms of art (i.e. or drink a lot of beer).  Many of the artiest dress different and act different--not all but some.  I think they can get by with being abnormal if they are an artist.  You think sooooooo!  But they say if you sit on a bench and look at a work of art for hours you understand it and appreciate it!!!!  For some but not for this guy.  I have limits folks.  ~  Art critic Jerry Saltz loves ArtPrize.  The senior critic for New York magazine overflows with enthusiasm for the urban exhibition and $560,000 competition.  "I love ArtPrize. I'm all about ArtPrize," said Saltz, who was a juror last year for ArtPrize's inaugural Juried Grand Prize.  When it comes to the actual art, Saltz, who said he sees more than 20 shows a week, tempers that enthusiasm. "Ninety-five percent of what I see is crap," (i.e. I think he's wrong here). "It shouldn't be surprising that most of us don't like 95 percent of what we see."  Well, that's not very nice to say Mr. Salz!  I don't think he knows any more that I do.  He is just faking it and I don't like fakers like DuaneTheWorm.  That is what I think!  I think judging art is like judging a beauty pageant.  It's a crap shoot.  It all depends who the judges are and what they are looking for (i.e. that is my opinion).  My opinion to win the $200,000 a person better find out who is doing the voting (i.e. men or women, young and old, liberal or conservative, what geographic region you are in).  Then do some art to fit that criteria.  Then get your art work in the best traffic location.  Now that sounds like business and not art!  It isn't what you like but what the voters like sweetheart!  It's much like jury selection.  I think this could be trended.  Maybe I should start a business to help these artists.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Artists usually aren't very good business people (i.e. they have different mind sets).  Such is life.

Art is not as easy to compare as buying Obama Care health insurance.  Early reports are that for an average person, not eligible for subside, will pay about double of their current rate.  Those who are edible for a subside will pay maybe a fourth of the normal rate.  It will be easy to figure out who will like Obama Care and who won't.  No guessing there folks.  That is black and white.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield, our insurance carrier, decided not to participate.  I wonder why?  I can only guess!  Usually, business decisions are based on money folks.  Money is the judge!

Change of plans!  My pick for #1 is Uplifting by Andy Sacksteder.  I talked to Andy and he told me he worked on it for 6 months with many days working from 6 to 11.  He said he was a landscaper but had an injury.  He went to Mayo Clinic and the doctors told him that it was a career ending injury.  As he was walking out of the Mayo Building, he saw a sculpture of a jumping dolphin.  He decided he was going to be a artist.  Huh, interesting.  Sooooo will you sell your piece of work to me?  Of course.  How much.  $75,000.  Our friend Jano says--You make plans and then life begins! 

I liked this one tooooo.  It is a top 10 as well.  It is the funniest (i.e. at least to me it was).  The line goes into Grand River over the walk way.  It just made me smile.  Sometimes we just make things to complicated for an average guy to understand (i.e. this piece isn't).  The art was scattered all over the city sooo folks would travel around (i.e. we didn't).  This ArtPrize loooooks to me to be a hugemassive money maker for the city (i.e. millions of millions of folks come and spend money).  ANYWAY some of the art was in a building called the BOB.  It's stands for Big Old Building!  Now that makes sense to me!  I can understand that.

There was 446,850 votes to select the public juried winner--and the winner is:   Sleeping Bear Dune Lakeshore by Ann Loveless.  My pick got third and was awarded a $50,000 prize.  Here are all of them if you are interested.  http://www.woodtv.com/artprize/winners-of-artprize-2013

I felt that the "starvin artists" are unique people (i.e. my opinion).  They seem to have a passion, an agenda, a feeling, an expression, something inside themselves.  They express these things through their art.  They show happiness, bitterness, death, satin worship, sadness, misery, excitement, discouragement, confusion, joy, sorrow, history, illness, feelings that are penned up, humor, fun, craziness, etc.  And God only knows what else.  It's way beyond my comprehension. 

Here is a oil painted piece expressing an artist's feelings and believe.  My sister and brother-in-law spoke to the artist and he told them that the atheists have really been hard on him.  Didn't think it's art and should not be part of ArtPrize.  It really discouraged him.  We saw a lot of dark art tooooo.  Saw some raw nudity tooooo.  I wonder if anyone complains about that (i.e. I bet there was complaints).  What's art to one is offensive to another.  It's art folks. 

Art opinions are about as diverse as opinions in politics (i.e. different points of view").  I saw this in the gift shop of the Gerald Ford Museum.  It sorta kinda made me smile.  Such is life in America. 

Different "points of view" about God tooooo!  Do you believe in God.  I read somewhere that it says--Even demons believe in God.  It's hard for me not to believe that everyone somehow someway don't believe in a Higher Power.  Even if folks don't worship or express it, I wonder if they still believe.  DuaneTheWorm says--I am God!  Then there are those who claim to be atheists.  And then there are theists--monotheists, polytheists, pantheists, and deists.  Where do you fit.  We went to an inner city church downtown Grand Rapids after visiting ArtPrize.  The pastor there is a friend of our extended family, Bruce Kuiper.   http://www.gracelegacybuilders.org/Home.aspx  He works with men mainly.  He tries to encourage them to be leaders in their families, churches and communities.  If I understood him correctly he said--the church numbers are decreasing 'cause the younger men are leaving the church.  A change in our culture I thought he said.  I asked him for some statistics--First, the Swiss study, published in 2000 showed that “it is the religious practice of the father of the family that, above all, determines the future church attendance of the children.” Check out this amazing statistics:

Mother and Father attend church regularly:

33% of their children will end up attending church regularly

25% of their children will end up not attending at all

Mother attends church regularly. Father does not attend church at all:

2% of their children will end up attending church regularly

60% of their children will end up not attending at all

Father attends church regularly. Mother does not attend church at all:

44% of their children will end up attending church regularly

34% of their children will end up not attending at all

Saturday question--Are you a "Monday morning atheist"? Do you attend Sunday worship services, feeling inspired, but when the next day arrived, you report for your job and for the most part act as if God does not exist.

Is writing considered art?  It's not dancing or singing or painting or designing or speaking but it's a way of expression.  Sooooo if it is, that is why folks write about stuff; to express their views and expressions.  And that is why many times others aren't interested in what others write (i.e. Mr.Saltz says--95% is crap) .  I realize that maybe there are times you think I have my head up in the clouds like these guys.  Ya, but maybe that's better to have you think that instead of thinking I have my head up...! Everyone has a different "point of view!"  Such is life.

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

 

erv a.k.a. B.O.E

 

MyFriendJean says--Visionaries are people who see beyond their abilities.