he just doesn't get it

Disclaimer--This "It's Saturday" might be an "epistle of straw".  Which means it is not worth much.  That is what Luther called the book of James.  But according to an expert/friend, many xns however disagree with Luther pointing out that if one is truly a xn, then the actions called for by James are right on target.   CadillacJack says--Even xns disagree (i.e. have their own opinions).  Sooooo maybe some of you might not think thatt this "It's Saturday" is an "epistle of straw"!  Just maybe.  This epistle is just a "post turkey rush" folks! 

We are heading out from CO to AZ today (i.e. adventure ahead).  IA is our home but when winter comes, AZ is where we roam!  If  you have never spent an extended time in the South during the winter, you really don't get it.  It's a life style (i.e. different than a vacation).  There is a difference.  We get in a routine.  It's sorta kinda like Moody said--We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.  ~  Dwight L. Moody  ~  I don't think Moody was talking about IA to AZ though.  What do you think?

Dense!  I know folks who appear to be dense. They just don't get it!  They are surface folks.  They don't capture the mood of folks or of the situation.  They don't catch on.  They say something stupid at the wrong time or try to be funny when the timing is way wrong.  They just don't get it.  Can't capture the feelings of folks.  Much like not catching on to humor or understanding a profound statement  (i.e. something that you have to add 2 + 2 to capture the situation).  Some folks don't have that innate ability.  They just don't.  They just don't get it.  Can't feel the emotions of a scene.  Probably never will.  Such is life.

Maybe there are times when we don't appreciate what others are thinking, feeling or expressing.  We just don't get it.  Spending Thanksgiving with our family, I wonder if sometimes I don't get it (i.e. how they feel nor understand what they are expressing with their words and with their actions).  I wonder.  I don't want to read tooooo much into it nor do I want to have it just "blow over my head" by being a poor observer or listener either.  A friend tells me that I'm just a wimp--not very tough--I worry tooooo much about stuff that isn't important or has no bearing (i.e. tooooo sensitive).  Now that could be.  I know for sure that I'm a wimp!  It's cold in IA! 

It's sooooo much fun to be around children and their innocence.  They just don't know what things mean.  And they don't care what things mean.  They just live life.  What does that mean?  SusieQ needs an explanation alright; she is always a step behind (i.e. in the dark).  Then BINGO she gets it but it's toooooo late.  She's had!  Adult innocence is not always pretty folks! 

I don't understand a lot.  Like why goodness isn't honored and corruption is.  Why folks can't see right from wrong.  Why some folks have to handle such bad stuff.  Why some have an easy life and other have a tough life.  I can go on and on.  I just don't understand.  Never will.  His understanding I cannot fathom.  God is God.  And that's just the way it is. 

Our grand girls say--Adults confuse us sometimes!  Are you ever confused (i.e. don't understand)?  Some folks have common sense and some don't it seems!  "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt."  ~  Abraham Lincoln  ~  SeemsToGetItDoug just has good common sense.  He can feel the attitude of a group, boss, meeting, team, extended family, wife, kids, friends etc.  He senses it immediately and acts appropriate.  He knows how to react.  What to say, what not to say and when to say nutten.  It's a great gift.  Some folks do not have this gift.  They just don't catch on.  I read this in the Book while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.  Do you ever think we try to say tooooo much when it would be better if we would just keep our mouth shut?  I think that about myself some times.  Such is life.

ItchieBitchie is just plain bad at flattery!  And two wrongs don't make a right soooo after you screw up the first time, keep your mouth shut (i.e. it won't get any better).  Sooo quit trying ItchieBitchie; you are just digging a deeper hole.  Sue Wong marries Lee Wong.  The next year, the Wongs have a new baby.  The nurse brings out a lovely, healthy, bouncy, but definitely a Caucasian, WHITE baby boy. 'Congratulations,' says the nurse to the new parents.  'Well Mr. Wong, what are you and Mrs. Wong going to name the baby?'  The puzzled father looks at his new baby boy and says, 'Well, two Wongs don't make a white, so I think we will name him...Sum Ting Wong!

Life manager! Joesixpack is a great life manager!  And I tell you what folks, he's got a lot to manage.  I can tell you that much.  But folks, he gets it.  He's in the upper echelon of life managers let me tell ya.  When I gave blood recently, the gal who did my total blood giving told me that she has three kids and her husband has two--both divorced--ya--how old are your kids--34 to 21.  My youngest finally caught on about life this last year; it seems like it takes soooo many years before it happens (i.e. live manager).  He even is starting to call me some.  I really like that when they call me.  She then said--It took me some time to figure it out tooooo.  I bet my parents wondered if I would ever get it.  I was just "not a very nice person" growing up. 

LuckieEddie says--You can say what you what about AZ, but no one retires there and moves up north for the winter!  Huh, interesting.  No one wants to go back and experience some "Nordic outbreaks". 

Running the other day!  I decided that the mind rules the body.  Think about that folks.  Sooooo folks, do you want your kids to be normal?  The new normal that is?  ItchieBitchie says--Listen folks, the new normal ain't workin'!  I read that there might be 4 F's you children should be abnormal in:  1.  Their faith. 2.  Their choice of friends  3.  Their finances.  4.  Their commitment to the future.  Folks, at some point, ya just got to decide what you are going to do and do it.  Make the right decision.  And remember, decisions have consequences.  Before we left IA, I was multi tasking in front of a nice fire in the fireplace (i.e. I really enjoy an old wood burning fire).  I forgot to put some wood in and the fire was just a smoldering glow.  I put some more wood in and once it got to a certain temperature, poof, it just burst into flame.  It had to get that hot before it flamed up.  Well, sometimes we have to get to a certain temperature before we become a flame.  Saturday question--At what temperature are you?

Folks in big city or big churches won't get this.  Heather called me about what friendJudy said in last week's It's Saturday.  She reminded me what friendJudy put in the Christmas Eve bulletin years ago when she was the church secretary.  She put an announcement in it that everyone was invited to our house for a pancake breakfast Christmas morning.  What!!!   She made special bulletins just for our family.  What a hoot.  Good memories folks, good memories of good folks..

Oneeyedhousechecker!  Old and young!  I was with an employer and he was telling me that they have trouble with young employees who just want to get paid but don't want to work.  We can't depend on them.  They might show up and might not.  Drives him crazy.  They just don't get it!  Old folks don't seem to be that way.  They seem to get it.  Why is that do you thing?  Our 83 old neighbor Lila watches the temperature of our house while we are in AZ.  Ya, we can depend on her.  We put a thermometer in our window and give her our binoculars.  Every morning with her one good eye, she checks the temperature in our house.  We can depend on her.  She is a sweetheart.  She likes snowmen.  She just bought enough plates with snowmen on it for all three tables for Christmas.  She was as happy as some little 6 year old at Christmas.  Such is life.

 

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

 

erv

 

MyFriendJean says--Success is simple--do what is right the right way at the right time.

it's a real doozy

Some folks are just not a nuisance but are game changers (i.e. a real doozzys).  Sometimes those game changers come incognito.  When it happens, it can sometimes be unconscionable.  A lady from MN was picking through the frozen turkeys at the grocery store, but couldn't find one big enough for her family. She asked the stock boy, 'Do these turkeys get any bigger?' The stock boy answered, 'No ma'am, they're dead.'

It's a doozy of an idea!  More and more retail companies are going to be open on Thanksgiving day (i.e. and some very early).  How come--It's all about the money folks.  They are trumping Thanksgiving Day.  It's like spreading gravy on the potatoes!  They all want more of the $602,000,000 that is being expected spent on Christmas.  They think they want to get their share! 

Extremists! Extremists are doozys folks.  My mentor and I agreed that Thanksgiving seems sometimes more fun than Christmas.  Christmas has too much baggage connected tooooo the real thread.  It takes us out of our routine (i.e. tooo much disruption that disturbs us).  It is overwhelming for many folks that produces anxiety, tempers flare ups etc (i.e. moderation Murphy moderation).  Then you add alcohol, parties, gifts, traveling, money concerns and you really have a mess (i.e. moderation Murphy moderation).  Then the husband makes some wise remark and his wife goes off the cliff  ~  Police are called to an apartment and find a woman holding a bloody 3-iron standing over a lifeless man.  The detective asks, "Ma'am, is that your husband?" "Yes" says the woman. "Did you hit him with that golf club?" "Yes, yes, I did." The woman begins to sob, drops the club, and puts her hands on her face. "How many times did you hit him?" "I don't know -- put me down for a five."

A thankful heart!  I was working in the yard recently and wore my "yellow farm gloves" as I call them.  My Daddy, Chester, always wore them on the farm.  Good memories.  Growing up on a farm a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN, I grew accustomed to seasons and the routine of different farm jobs done during certain times of the year.  Two of my Daddy's, Chester's, favorite times of the year were the planing season in the spring and the harvest in the fall.  Planting is a time of hope and harvest is a time of celebration and thankfulness.  Chester and Anna were just common folks who lived very modest and humble lives, worked hard, but had good hearts and were thankful.  My Mom, Anna, would help my Daddy with the harvest.  I remember him giving my mom some jewelery one time and said "thank you for helping me with the harvest".  I still remember that.  It was a necklace.  That was at least 45 years ago.  Huh, interesting. 

I was just sitting in our sun porch the other day watching the leaves blowing across the lawn.  It became another of life's little things that I was thankful for.  We have so many things that we take for granted.  I have sooooo many things that have just fell in my lap.  My cup runnth over!  Does that Cubby bobble head look familiar to anyone.  It was a gift to me from a friend many years ago.  Do you remember?  I do!

LuckieEddie says--Thou who hast given so much to me, give one more thing: a grateful heart. A friend called me the other night.  She said, erv are you looking at the sunset.  I said I was.  It was just beautiful.  We both really like sunsets.  We think that it's a form of adoration and thankfulness.  What do you think?

It's a  doozy alright, the choice we make in our minds a.k.a. attitude.  "Gratitude as a discipline involves a conscious choice....It is amazing how many occasions present themselves in which I can choose gratitude instead of a complaint."  ~  Henry Nouwen  ~  DuaneTheWorm (i.e. a real doozy) would not understand that statement I would guess.  He's one crafty, manipulative guy a.k.a. a self-centered, a cleaver schemer!  Well, ok, he might be grateful that he's soooo goooood (i.e. at least he thinks he is).  Huh, interesting.

This is a doozzzzy of a story folks.  These parents are friends of friends who told me the story.  These folks have three children.  One son is a qb at a college, another son is the starting qb on a D1 school, and their daughter is a volleyball star and track start at a D3 school.  That's not the story!  The story is--When their daughter was in high school she told her parents about this girl who lived in a car (i.e. homeless).  Her mom was a druggie. They pursued it and took her in.  Then another boy needed a home 'cause he was being abused by his "whacked out on drugs" mom.  Soooo they took him in tooooo. The girl played bb at a D1 school and the boy is a D1 football player.  That's not all the story.  The boy had a younger brother (i.e. high school age now) who was severely abused by his drug additive mother.  Recently he defended himself with a bat but caused no physical damage on his mom.  His mom had him arrested and jailed.  When they went to court, these parents showed up and told the judge the story.  They left with custody of him toooo!  These folks enabled both of these kids to get "full ride scholarships" and are working on the third.  There are soooome gooood folks out there.  Maybe these kids lives might have beeeen way different without these folks. Sooooooo I would guess those children have a lot to be thankful for.  Soooooo have you thanked your parents for what they have done for you?  Do you think these kids caught a break?

Not a good season to be a turkey.  Here is an interesting Turkey story--I really had a laugh. I watched very little of the Turkish Airlines Open (i.e. professional golf tournament) a couple of weeks ago. You know how everyone has to be quit when those guys hit or it might screw up their head which could screw up their shot. Well, the few minutes I watched, there was a loud speaker whaling an Islamic chant (i.e. 99% of Turkey is Islamic). The players didn't complain nor did the announcers say anything. In America when one spectator says anything, the players get all over them. Maybe those players are just a bunch of turkeys!  Huh, interesting.

Their kids and grand kids maybe might think they're turkeys (i.e. big dooozzzzys).  Arlene and I had the opportunity to have breakfast with a couple of senior grandmas from our church recently (i.e. it was a hoot).  These gals are very good hearted, real gals; my kind of folks.  ANYWAY they were telling us that at Thanksgiving, they are going to tell their kids and grand kids that they have to silence their cell phones and put 'em in their pockets or give them toooooo them.  There will be no use of cell phones during our family get-to-gather.  They need to talk with me!  I asked them if they will do that.  They didn't know.  I said you could threaten them with no Christmas cash!  One more thing I learned from these senior grandmas--What they would like more than anything else from their grand kids and kids is--a call or a visit.  That is what they would like the most.  Just a call or a visit.  Huh, interesting.  They said they don't need anything and have plenty of junk!!!!

Being grateful!  We all (i.e. hopefully) have our "pet" places that we like to give (i.e. our $$$$, our time and our talents).  We give many of our special $$$$ gifts at this time of the year.  It just seems right to us.  ANYWAY we got a letter from most of them thanking us for our support.  One letter said this--Thank you for believing in us...thank you!  We are grateful!  They personalized it with a short hand written note on the bottom and underlining some of it.  I think that is class.  We have a tendency to like to give to them more.  If folks don't show their appreciation, we wonder if they really care.  Are they just using us for $$$$$!  A piece of wisdom I have learned from some smart folks--One of the best forms of advertising is a sincere, "Looking 'em right in the eye--Thank you for your business"!

Thanksgiving is a fun time to reminisce with family and friends of days gone by.  It's a good time to be grateful for family and friends.  Arlene got this fun email from friendJudy of days gone by.  --  Arlene, you are still my favorite golf partner. Never laughed so hard in my life as when we golfed at Parkersburg one year and you told me it was about my turn to contribute! (I think you were joking but I'm not for sure!) You said, "I think you need to just put it in the hole right now!" So I blasted a shot from about 100 yards out and into the hole it went! We both were shocked and the two older ladies we were golfing with were stunned as well. They asked you, "does she always do what you tell her?" And you said "pretty much"! Those were the good ole days for sure.

Winston Churchill said, "The glory of light cannot exist without shadows."  Ok folks, it's not always easy to be thankful when we are sad.  It's hard.  God has a plan and His will will be done but I wonder if He knows what He is doing sometimes.  Maybe I'm tooooo tender for others and their situations.  Maybe.  Could be.  But, His understating I cannot fathom.  But He's always there.  Always!  ItchieBitchie says--Everyone has misery in their life; maybe it's just our turn now!  Christine Sutton in her book Stop and Smell the Garbage:  A Caregiver's Story of Survival says--If you are in the dark, if you're at the bottom, please believe that hope will dawn again.  And remember folks--There is no medicine like hope, no incentive sooo great, no tonic sooo powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.  God is our Hope.

Give without remembering and receive without forgetting.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving day folks. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The secret of happiness is freedom.  The secret of freedom is courage. 

You're good

Ya, he's good!  There are folks  who can see around corners (i.e. they are almost not human).  Now that is a great innate ability.  CadillacJack says--Those folks are uncommon.  And there are other folks who can't see something when it's in broad view.  Why is that?  I don't think you can teach that (i.e. like you can't teach speed). What do you think?  These folks who can see around corners can be great leaders.  LuckieEddie is such a guy--He could lead if he would get the lead out!  If he would throw those chips away and get his butt off the couch!

He's good folks!  A golfer teed up his ball on the first tee, took a mighty swing and hit his ball into a clump of trees. He found his ball and saw an opening between 2 trees he thought he could hit through.  Taking out his 3-wood, he took a mighty swing. The ball hit a tree, bounced back, hit him in the forehead and killed him. As he approached the gates of Heaven, St. Peter asked, "Are you a good golfer?" The man replied: "Got here in two, didn't I?

Calm down and stay within yourself Joesixpack!  Stay poised!  Don't get soooo excited that you aren't yourself.  Don't try to become something you are not.  Be real.  If you are good, you are good.  You don't need to add anything (i.e. don't try to exaggerate).  My Daddy, Chester, would say to me--erv, folks who are good don't have to tell folks they are good; folks know that.  DuaneTheWorm (i.e. great at gaming the system) is always trying to tell folks how good he is.  He's funny!  Such is life. 

I learned a new word this week.  It's alchemy--a power or process of transforming something common into something special.  There is hope for AverageJoe alright.  Hope that he might become SpeicalJoe.  Being special is not necessarily becoming financially rich or obtain a certain position of power or  get to the top of the food chain.  It might be but then it might be something way different!  Why do folks change (i.e. mentally or physically).  That always interests me.  Fascinates me!  I know a number of folks who have changed from AverageJoes to SpecialJoes.  Yes I have.  It's very apparent.  Some of those folks are you guys. 

Changing from proud to humble might be part of the process of becoming someone special.  What do you think?  WildWillie says--For believers (i.e. are you a believer?), the fear of God is the astonished reverence we feel as we gaze upon His majesty, contemplate His immensity, and recognize His infinite power. I wonder if that ingredient a.k.a adoration is sometimes missing in us.  I'm just wondering folks, I don't know.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Oh God, it's sooooo hard to be humble; Thank you God that I'm soooo humble.  Such is life.

I ran into an real estate client/friend from years past the other day.  She was telling me about her husband and how she is his caregiver.  I said--That has to be tough for you--no no I'm tough and I'm stubburn; I will not let it get to me.  She is a tough old bird let me tell ya.  Her husband should be soooo happy that she is in his camp.  She is very good to him (i.e. someone special).  My hat goes off to her.  Yes it does. 

Pet count!  I read in the paper (i.e. soooo it must be right) that a town in IA is considering a pet limit proposal -- Households would be restricted to a total of 4 dogs and cats combined.  Huh, interesting! Soooo if you have 4 or less, you are good to go!  Now that will create a new job.  That town will have to have a pet census taker.  The pet census taker will have to go around and ask folks how many pets they have and then verify it on their tax return or something.  Sorta kinda like when folks are asked how many people they have in their household (i.e.. U.S. citizens of course and related some way such as step kids, half bothers, kids of what father, grand kids of which daughter and what their income is in order to get a free or discounted rate for Obama care).  I'm sure all those folks will be honest as to how many pets they have  Da!  Really folks, do you think a 4 pet household limit is going to work?  Really!  Read between the lines folks.  ItchieBitchie says--I think if you get free Obama care or reduced rates for Obama care, you should not be allowed to have any pets!  Now that would create more jobs (i.e. it would have to be policed)!  SusieQ says--What?  That's not fair is it!  That has to be unconstitutional or something!  You can't get reelected with that attitude!

Tip of the day--(i.e. I read it in the paper soooo it must be right). Most CEOs come from the financial side (i.e. bean counters). MissPerfect says--Sooooo why is that?  I don't get it. TyphoonBillie says--Real numbers never lie!  Phantom numbers lie!  That is why crooks have two set of books or make up numbers to fit the situation.  Some folks are really good at fabricating the numbers (e.g. I have seen some farmers who had great yields to establish their yields and have low yields to work their MPCI claims).  They are good.  And it is very hard to monitor.  For some, the attitude is--It's only the government sooooo who really cares!  It greases my pocket sooooo...!  Money is green no matter how I get it.  MissPerfect says--There are folks in this world who are scoundrels.  Oh ya!  MissPerfect asks--Do you really think some day we will be made accountable for our actions?  StickyfingersRalph says--I'm an universalist!  Good plan huh!!!

RogerDodger is good!  He says toooo himself--I'm good at cheating.  Yes I am.  Cheating is hard to cover and requires meticulous planning.  I'm very good and successful at doing this.  Very good.  Doesn't that cheating bother you RogerDodger?  No, ethics are determined by what they catch you doing.  If you don't get caught, you haven't violated any ethics.  I have it planned that I'm going to cheat the government and insurance companies (i.e. no one cares about them; they are only the government and insurance companies--I'm not really hurting anyone--seems like everyone does it).  I'm going to do it for ten years.  I talked to the local pastor where my wife goes to church and he assured me that all sins are the same (i.e. no big ones or little ones).  That is good to hear.  He also told me that if I ask for forgiveness, all the sins will be forgiven (i.e. slate washed clean, white as snow).  I like to hear that tooooo.  Soooo after ten years I will go to church, confess my sins, ask for forgiveness, give them $10,000 and everybody is happy (i.e. my insurance policy covering my back side).  I'm good to go!  The pastor asked RogerDodger--Wonder if you die first?  He has a good point.  Soooo I changed my plan a little.  I will go to church every Easter and Christmas to confess my sins, ask for forgiveness and give $500.  If I really do well with my cheating, I might bump up my giving (i.e. if I do well, the church will do well, sorta kinda a win win situation, everybody is a happy camper)!  I'm good, huh! 

Missperfect is good!  She makes sure all the trains are running on time.  She supports the organization with no personal agenda.  Now that is one good wife folks.  WorldClassLarry says--90% of a guy's happiness is who he marries.  Such is life.

A heart jabber!  My friend is good, folks!  She can affect me alright.  She is 92 and calls me and says--erv, have I said something bad to you?  No, why do you think that?  You haven't come and seen for a while!  Ouchy ouchy!  A stab right in the heart folks!  Gottcha! 

He is good!  JimmyTheJanitor says--Young Charlie from back home (i.e. Alberta, Canada) was in a big lecture hall writin' his final math exam, Aaa.  The supervising professor was right grumpy.  He was pacing around yelling out how much time there was left.  Finally he yells, "Times up".  Well everyone passes in their papers except Charlie, Aaa!  He kept on writtin'.  The professor just sat there glarin' at Charlie and stacking the papers in a big pile, Aaa!  Finally one hour later charlie finishes and walks up to the desk.  The professor says, "Sorry, you are one hour late; you have failed this test."  Charlie says, "You know who I am?"  "No I don't."  "I didn't think so".  With that Charlie lifted the stack of papers half way, stuck his paper in, dropped the rest on top and walked out!  ~    James a.k.a. The Smoke that Thunders accomplished his goal.  He, after taking courses on line for 4 years continuously from CO State, has received his BS degree in Business Management.  He is 43, works full time and a father of two small kids.  Not an easy accomplishment.  James is our son-in-law.  We are proud of him.  I thought he got a B.A. but he said it was a B.S.  He said--Heather said--I am full of BS so perhaps I should pursue a Masters Degree next! 

Things aren't always black and white!  AfriendMargret did the childrens' message last Sunday.  She asked the kids is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes.  Difficult question!  AfriendGalene had this outfit on Sunday (i.e. make no mistake about it, I'm not saying she's a zebra).  It was just sorta kinda a good example of black and white (i.e. believe me, she lives her life as a good example--as does Margret--both good gals with good hearts--real folks--my kind of folks).  ~   I had a very good experience recently.  I got to know a guy who I really didn't know before.  I knew him but really didn't know him.  Through a unique experience I got to do some one-on-one with him and found out that I like him a lot more (i.e. he's good).  I got to know him deep inside. I felt soooo bad that I didn't get to know him before.  Everyone has some good in them; it's just that we don't know about it most of the time (i.e. haven't had the opportunity).  CadillacJack says--Sometimes we think we are tooo gooooood for some folks and then we find out we aren't sooooo goood ourselves.  Our images of folks change when we get to know them (i.e. rub shoulders with them).  Huh, interesting.

This is not good!  I read this in the paper soooo it must be right.  Hawkeye football player arrested on OWI charge.  He was charged at 1:06 a.m. with operating while intoxicated and driving with a suspended or revoked license when a vehicle he was driving bumped into a police car at an intersection.  Like I said--not a good thing but especially if you are under the influence. Influence of Jack Daniels.  Jack is a terrible influence. 

AfriendMarty, you're a good person Marty but your action was not sooooo good.  She was telling us that the other night she was soaking her feet in hot water while watching TV.  She had the remote in her hand and fell asleep.  She dropped the clicker in the water.  Not good folks.  Not good!

Everyone smells money (i.e. sharpening their knifes for a slice of the pie)!  This is not good.  I read it in the paper soooo it must be right.  Detroit filed for bankruptcy with debts of at least $18 billion.  Legal fees could total $60 million plus various expenses such as $250,000 to price and sell some assets.  A fee examiner has been hired to keep the expenses in line, but he charges $600 an hour.  Huh, interesting but not good folks.  Not good..

It's the rut season folks.  The bucks are in a rut to rut!  SusieQ says--The buck does funny things when the does are present!  Is that good or not good for the bucks?  That is a homograph I believe!  Saturday question--Do you know any crazy bucks?

Putting a different spin on it!  LuckieEddie says--If you're not good on defense than ya gotta be good on offense.  You gotta improve on your weaknesses and use your strengths as good as you can.  Sooooo be creative and innovative. 

ItchieBithcie has a heart of gold, his own gold! Not good!  Ouchy ouchy! 


She knows I'm a "little shot" but she does it anyway.  Oh ya, she reads papers for me and the marks the articles that she thinks I would like (i.e. big shots have that done for them). She's a neat gal alright (i.e. neighbor Lila).  ANYWAY here is what I learned from an article she marked for me to read--When a person said to a less fortunate street person who looked like they needed some money--Do you need any help?  The street person responded--Don't we all!  Think about that folks.  Don't we all! 

I was running the other morning.  It was about 8 I think and the temperature was lower 30s.  I ran past a house where a boy of about 10 was out side with his hoody over his head throwing a football.  I asked him if he's any good at football--I'm very good--good enough to make the NFL--Sure am!  He's good folks.  Maybe he has got hit in the head one to many times already!!!!  To make sure, we would have to subject the subject to a series of tests! 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Music washes away from the soul the dust of evryday life.

PS I hope you participate in this opportunity.  It will just take a second.  Send me your definition or example of what a turkey is--he's/she's a real turkey.  I will use them anonymously. I will use some of them in my pre-Thanksgiving "It's Saturday" next week.  I will pick the winners just like they do on Dancing With The Stars.  This could be fun. 

outward or inner appearance

A friend says--When the Gonger gongs, there is only one thing that matters! 

 AverageJoe says--Some folks have something about them that others don't have (i.e. some consider 'em sorta kinda off the beatin' path). 

I recently got this email from a friend.  I appreciated it very much.  You will see leadership qualities in him.  He took a risk (i.e. some of these situations don't end happy).  He also took a risk in sharing his experience with me.  You know you have to have a pretty good friend who you can trust in order to share something really good that you have done or something really bad you have done (i.e. someone who appreciates your actions).  Many folks think you are bragging about something good you are/were involved in and some can't keep their mouth shut about your misfortunes.  This person and I had a very nice telephone conversation about many of the feelings that aren't expressed in this story.  This person is a good person (i.e. my opinion).  He might be at iconic status!

I am sharing his story with his permission but changed the names.-----I'm trying to make a long story short. A little over 7 years ago a friend of mine who was in his late 70's came into my office and said to me. JoeBlow you know everything about me and you know where all my money is invested. Promise me that if anything ever happens to me you will take care of my wife. They had no children, his wife had two sisters but not close to her. He told me his wife's health was not very good and spent a lot of time in bed with depression. I told him not to worry I would make sure she was taken care of. Three weeks later he died. The first time I met his wife was when my client/friend was in Hospice and his wife called me to ask me to take her to see an attorney. Her words were "Mr JoeBlow this is  SusieQ, so and so’s wife; my husband said if I ever needed help to call you".  

That was 7 years ago, she died 4 weeks ago in a house fire. SusieQ was a small lady with big heart. She did not drive a car and very seldom would leave her house. I arranged for someone to do all her shopping, mow her lawn, clean her house, take care of the snow and handy man to do odd jobs. She would call me at least once a week with a question (she just needed someone to talk to). At times she would get very depressed but refused to see a doctor for anything. She did not go to church but would always send them money in her envelope. She would also send money to the church she was baptized in and where she was confirmed. She would send gift cards to people who needed help. Several times she would call me and ask me to bring a check to Hospice (Christmas day, Easter and Valentines day) it was usually $2,000.00 and she instructed me to tell them to buy special gifts for the people in Hospice.  

SusieQ had 2 special wishes: First that her house would go to her neighbor but they were not to know it until she was gone. They brought her mail to her house everyday, took care of her garbage, filled her bird feeder and walk around her house with the dog to make sure everything was ok. Second was that all of her personnel items would go to the shelter house. She also made me promise that I would clean the house before the neighbors came in to see it. SusieQ smoked 2 packs a day so you can image how the house and everything inside the house smelled. I did not say this to SusieQ but no one would want the stuff because of the smell. Over the last 18 months, SusieQ would call me more often and would always end the conversation with I just want my Lord to take me home.  

The fire that took SusieQ also did major damage to her house. Her 2 wishes came true. The neighbor got a house that was all fixed up and I can use the insurance money to buy brand new stuff for the shelter house. 

I hired a company to come in and take an inventory of all her personal items. I stopped there to see how things were going and one of the ladies took me into the garage to show me something. She pointed to the Bible and said she found it on the kitchen table.  SusieQ spent all her time at the table reading and watching TV. The lady looked at me and said "Mr. JoeBlow you are not going to believe this but everything in the kitchen was covered with ashes BUT the Bible it was perfectly clean. I said I believe you. SUSIEQ DID GO HOME  

I was asked to help SusieQ but she probably helped me more.

Joeblow 

P.S. she left Hospice $125,000, $25,000 to YMCA and $25,000 to her church 

ItchieBitchie says-- Faith is both blind and irrational.  Mark Twin joked that faith is "believing what you know ain't so."  H.L. Menchken, the American anti-supernaturalist critic of Christianity, once said, "Faith may be defined briefly as an illogical belief in the occurrence of the improbable."  Evolutionary biologist, professor, and familiar atheist Richard Dawkins said, "Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence.  Faith is believe in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence." 

Life after death?!  Dr. David Jereimah says--A well-known bumper sticker has been around for a few years that reads, "Life Is Hard. Then You Die." That bumper sticker might be found on a car driven by a nihilist ("there is no purpose"), a cynic ("life is a joke"), an existentialist ("life is absurd"), or a humanist ("it's every man for himself"). These worldviews agree: Death is unavoidable in the end, so what's the point?  Death is the great leveler -- it is appointed unto man once to die.  Without a solution for the problem of death, life can appear to be an exercise in futility. But that is the great message of the Christian Gospel! God has given us victory over our ultimate death through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ...But because of the Gospel, we can change the bumper sticker to read, "Life Is Hard. Then We Die and Live Forever!"

WildWilly says--Life starts with a bang and ends with a bang.  Who's the Banger? 

Robert Jastrow, director of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies says--Maybe, just maybe, some folks who have lived by their faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream.  They have scaled the mountains of ignorance; they are about to conquer the highest peak; as they pull themselves over the final rock, they are greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Nothing is a waste that makes a memory.

PS  Broke out the Christmas mugs this week.  Sooooo what does that mean folks.  I like the feeling, I really do.  It makes me warm inside.  Maybe my inner appearance is different than my outward appearance.  MAYBE!

 

 

cheap shot or classy

Disclaimer:  You might think what I write and what I think is "a full load of crap"!  I'm warning you, it might be! 

Sippin' the nector of life or ...!  Hector's wife says he spends toooo much time down at the pub, Aa!  Soooo Hector takes her along.  He says--What will you have girl?  Oh I don't know, the same as you I suppose.  Well, Hector orders up a couple of whiskeys and he drank his in one gulp, Aa!  His misses watched and took one little sip.  Yuck!  This is awful!  Well, there you go girl, and all this time you thought every night I was out enjoying myself!  Alittlebitofclass or alittlebitofcheapshot!

TheBear a.k.a. a classy guy said--Have been hosting "small group" at our house. Studying Jerry Sittser's book "The Will of God as a Way of Life". Know it? A good one. We got into the topic of forgiveness tonight. Jerry says "Forgiveness is a process, not an event. It is a decision of the will, not an emotion we feel." And further, that "bitterness can be...ruinous to the soul. The one who suffers the most from bitterness is the one who is bitter. The antibiotic used to treat the disease of bitterness is forgiveness."   ItchieBitchie says--If you are referring to my bitterness, I don't want to change.  I like to be bitter.  I enjoy it.  What!  I think you are just taking a cheap shot ItchieBitchie.  Be classy and get over it (i.e. even if you think that person who you are bitter at hits below the belt).  But it's your decision and decisions have consequences.

A sneer is the weapon of the weak (i.e. alittlebitofacheapshot).  A sneer is to smile or laugh at someone or something with an expression on your face that shows dislike and a lack of respect. : to express dislike and a lack of respect for something. The other day I went and got another cup of coffee from the kitchen.  Arlene was watching the Today Show.  They were interviewing Kate Upton who is on the cover of the 2013 Sports Illustrated swim suit edition.  It caught me eye sooooo I stopped and watched a few pictures.  Sooooo were those pictures classy or a cheap shots?  Joesixpack says--I don't know but they sure sell copies erv!  Soooo why did you stop and look erv?  Hamburgers, cars, medications, (i.e. ok almost everything) is advertised with some good looking gal or guy in good physical shape (i.e. many sexually slanted).  We must be very susceptible to that.  It must affect our subliminal mind or something (i.e. like cartoons do to kids).  They wouldn't do it if it didn't work (i.e. make money).  Sooooo are we easy to sell toooooo or what (i.e. we maybe like the cheap shot stuff instead of the classy stuff)!  Such is life.

I don't know if it's necessarily classy but it's very effective let me tell ya.  And cheap!  I trimmed our trees the other day.  I don't have a pickup or trailer sooooo I had to make dooooo!  I pulled the limbs behind my golf cart to the tree dumb site.  It took me I think 6 trips.  Such is life in small town Iowa. 

His talk reminds me of explosive diarrhea!  I was getting a Mc Donald's senior cup of coffee and doing sudoku in the Des Moines paper.  I was waiting for Arlene.  I usually ride bike but it was snowing out (i.e. yes snowing in October).  As I was sitting there, there were a table of  retired guys sitting half way across the room.  Seniors seem to talk loud as most of them can't hear, I think.  ANYWAY one guy said--He makes me madder than hell!  He's just a smart ass!  Then one guys said, I am going to be gone next week, if the Lord is willing. Now there is a contrast alright.  It made me laugh.  Age can cause us to degenerate.  In our adult growth group a gal was telling us that she gets shots in her eye as he has macular degeneration.  Out of the maybe 15 there, I think about 6 said they get those shots.  Ouchy ouchy!  That's why I just looked with one eye at those pictures of those gals in Sports Illustrated swimming addition that were on TV!!!!  Didn't want to take any chances!!!!

Maybe a littlebitofclass!  We usually stop at DQ after the IA football games.  It's tradition I guess.  Besides we all have to go to the bathroom usually.  There was a family there--dad, mom and four kids.  The dad on a tee shirt that said on the back--What we do in life echoes eternity.  Huh, interesting. 

The gal that does Arlene's hair just plain makes her feel good.  I have met her a couple of times but I don't really know here.  I only now her by what Arlene tells me.  Arlene says she's funny, crazy at times, expressive, open, exciting, personable, very nice, and fixes her hair!  Arlene really likes her and says something nice about her to me every time she goes.  Sooooo folks, what do you glean out of this conversation?  It's a classic example of enjoying your job and folks enjoying her I think.  I don't think she's a cheap shot artist!  She's a pretty real person I think.  Maybe she's not all real.  I don't know.  God only knows for sure!  Such is life.

MissPerfect says--I'm not afraid of heights. I'm afraid of widths. Ouchy ouchy! Women now days can affect their beauty but it ain't cheap folks. Some gals have their toe nails done, finger nails done. lips done, double chins removed, eye brows done, hair done, nose jobs, eye lashes fixed, things reduced, things enlarged, facial hair removed, warts removed, veins fixed and I don't know what else. I heard this true story about a dairyman the other day. He just bought some new cows--are they good cows--ya, they are registered with good pedigrees, average 82 pounds at 4% fat with the help of BST. But, one of them has only one good eye--why in the world did you you buy a cow with a bad eye anyway--well, it's like about the same as when I look at women, I look at their________ and their _________ and then their eyes; I just plain missed it! Oh!!! Do you think that is a classic statement or is it a cheap shot. SusieQ says--I think you know what I think!

He's legit!  This guy is unique, classy and successful (i.e. my opinion)!  I have known him for many years.  He has helped folks out and I'm sure many many more than I know.  He intrigues me.  Soooo I went and talked to him the other day.  Sooooo why do you help folks--I like to help (i.e. give opportunities) to down and outers!  What do you look for in them--Sincerity, integrity, and honesty.  I need to find out if they are hard workers and good managers (i.e. if they are married it really helps if the the spouse have those same qualities).  I do a lot of research on their situation; I learn about them and their business; I learn exactly their financial situation.  I ask a lot of crazy questions to find out who they really are (i.e. their character).  I know their business.  Many of those folks just got bad advice at some point.  They just need an opportunity.  A lot of folks don't want to put in the time to find out all this information.  Soooo is it rewarding--VERY!  Most folks have no idea how he helps folks. They just don't and probably never will!  He does it sooooo nonchalantly it seems.  I'm just fortunate to know it and know him.  One other thing, don't take a cheap shot at him--The relationship will be OVER! The relationship will be toast!

Maybe a littlebitofcheapshot! Arlene and I went for a ride in an housing area along the river where the landscape is rolling and there are many many trees.  We remember it as such a pretty place in the fall.  It was just as pretty as we remembered it with all the color and all the other natural beauty of fall.  BUT we haven't been there for maybe 20 years and the houses (i.e. we forgot) are also 20 years older.  Most of the houses are maybe 40 to 50 years old now.  They aren't nearly as classy as we remembered them.  Soooo we built our house 39 years ago.  Soooooo, probably folks say the same about our house even though I don't think that.  Huh, interesting.  BUT I really like our house.  It fits me perfect.  I'm very very content.  I think guys seem to be more content than women anyway (i.e. my opinion).  Seems to me that women compare more than men which makes them to quack more on the inside.  Quack Quack and then they Yack Yack!  ItchieBitchie says--That quackin' on the inside eventually becomes yackin' on the outside.  Now that can become a cheap shot!  AverageJoe says--Competition, envy, and greed are great for the economy folks, just great stimuli for spending. 

Corrosive effect!  Like the ad says--You like drama?  Then put your Social Security # on the Internet!  Obama Health Care also is producing a lot of drama (i.e. a lot of finger poinin' let me tell ya)!.  How is it going to work out?  The over-all goal seems good (i.e. I would like to see everyone have good healh care but I wish there wouldn't be wars toooooo).  There seems to be some concern if it will work. Is it going to be a cheap shot or classy?  Time will tell now won't it.  It is very interesting to me.  Will it be a success or a failure?  I don't know.  But I do think I know that ya gotta look at it from a business point and not from a Democrat or Republican point of view (i.e. open minded).  My Daddy, Chester use to say--erv, keep your emotions out of your business decisions. If  we think we want everyone to have affordable health care, then someone has to pay the piper (i.e. that might make it not affordable for some).  It ain't free folks.  WildWillie says--At some point, money makes the decisions.  I repeat--At some point! Come on folks, it's not that hard to figure out.  Well, someone has to pay for the free ones (i.e. low income folks) and the ones with poor health!  That's just the way it is.  Ya either got to cut expenses (i.e. which 'free enterprise' does not want to do) or you got to increase the income (i.e. which 'the increase in premiums folks' don't want) or subsidise it by the government (i.e. which 'many are for') but that means an increase in taxes (i.e. which 'the folks who pay the taxes' don't want).  Now we have a quandary alright. What do you think?  Hey listen folks, I'm just posing questions that encourage development of critical thinking instead of imparting knowledge!  Such is life.

Got to clean the bugs off the windshield!  Need to press the refresh button!  Need to press the reset button!  CadillacJack says--Sometimes we need to do some fresh thinking as to what is alittlebitofclass and what is alittlebitofcheapshot!  We need to be careful that we don't get full of ourselves with all our rings on our fingers and forget what is important.  Saturday question--What is really important to you?  Really?  Do you act like "that" is the really an important issue to you?  Really!  Do others think that you act like "that" is really the most important thing to you?  Really!  Hopefully we aren't blowing smoke like DuaneTheWorm!  Really!

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

erv

MyFriendJeans says--We are either leaving our mark on the world or the world is leaving its mark on us.

PS  Is this a cheapshot or classy?  This is from a 1992 bootleg concert, John Denver singing a parody of "16 Tons" called "18 Holes." It has never been released.  It might make you laugh!  It did me.  Such is life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fbTGhDDL2g&feature=youtube_gdata_player