for the love of Pete

Saturday question--Do you guys listen to me? For the love of Pete!  Goggle tells me that 400+ folks read "It's Saturday" each week.  Wow!  That sure seems a lot to me.  Especially for a guy who can't spell or who doesn't have a good use of the English language (i.e. some of you guys remind me of that occasionally).  I realize that.  How I got a M.A. I have not idea; it was just luck maybe.  But when in Roseland, MN last week, I went by my old elementary school.  I was in the top 7 in my class in 4th grade but in fifth grade, I was in the top 6.  The reason I know that is Patrica funked 4th grade.  The picture is of 4th, 5th and 6th grades. Don't fell sorry for Patrica, I asked around about her and she married a beet farmer by Renville and is now mega rich.  Like I say--The easiest way to get rich is to marry it or inherit it.  For the love of Pete!

You guys ask me if you can use some of my stuff in "It's Saturday" or if you can forward the link.  Of course you can.  It's not that good anyway.  If you have friends, family or acquaintances who would like to be added to my "It's Saturday" emailing list, just let me know.  Remember to remind them that they get what they pay for!

When I was in Roseland, MN last week, I stopped at the farm where I was raised (i.e. a mile and fourth south of Roseland).  It's a mess, unoccupied and deserted.  I parked at the end of the lane and walked to the building site.  I remember the lane to be longer and a higher grade.  I remember the barn to be way bigger and the house a lot bigger (i.e. that old porch wasn't there when I was a kid).  That was 60 years ago folks.  I had a humble beginning (i.e. had great parents and never thought I was without--I had a great upbringing). It brought back many many memories. It's way different than what our kids were raised with or our grand kids (i.e. not better or worse, but just different--that is 60 years ago folks).  Such is life.

We were talking at picklel ball the other night about domestic violence.  A pickleballer asked me if I ever was disciplined with a switch.  I don't think I was but was wacked with my parents hands some and with a yard stick.  One time my mom, Anna, used a lath on me.  I don't know what I did but it was by the brooder house where we had baby chicks.  I ran away from her and she couldn't catch me.  The sly old fox acted like she forgot about it and when I got close she really gave me a good lickin'!  I don't think I was overly disciplined but my older sister told me my father was really tough on me (i.e. she actually felt sore for me sometimes as my dad had such high expectations for me).  I don't remember any of that.  But I do remember my Daddy, Chester, slapped my face one time when we were putting up the grain elevator.  He did it in front of our neighbor, Lawrence.  I never did know what I did wrong but my feelings were hurt pretty bad.  For the love of Pete.

One of our nieces had a kidney stone recently.  Her husband told her-- ‘It too, shall pass’…and it did! For the love of Pete.  I had a kidney stone maybe 20 years ago and never what another one.  Man those suckers hurt.  I told the nurse--My wallet is in my pants.  Take whatever you want.  I need some pain relief.  I sure wasn't very tough (i.e. a real wimp!).  I tried to look good but when that sucker started to move, man did that hurt.  I did finally pass it. SusieQ says--When you put constant pressure on the best QBs, they don't look sooooo gooood either!.  GeorgeTheCrook says--If you think kidney stones are tough on a guy's life, think about the song birds traveling on the aerial highways during the migration.  I read this in the paper soooo it must be right that fewer than 30% of the young songbirds survive their first year, and the hazards of migration are a major reason.  Such is life.


Dog For Sale!  Free to good home. Excellent guard dog.  Owner cannot afford to feed Jethro anymore, as there are no more drug pusher, thieves, murderers, or molesters left in the neighborhood for him to eat.  Most of them knew Jethro only by his Chinese street name--Ho Le Shitt! For the love of Pete.  A friend told me about a guy in Aplington (i.e. about 75) who he thought was the toughest guy he ever knew.  He said he would fight anyone and everyone and usually would win.  When he was young there was a lot of fighting in the bars etc.  Much more then than now I think.  Now they just seem to shoot each other.  Sooooo I ran into this guy down town recently and asked him if he was that tough?  Ya, he said, pretty much.  He said he was always a good fighter as a kid and liked it.  Soooo, when you drank, were you a better fighter?  No, I just thought I was.  Ya, that is what alcohol will do for a guy.  Soooo are you still a tough fighter?  No no!  I heard your daughter just died of cancer.  Yes, that is right; ya she was 57.  I'm not very tough at all.

For the love of Pete! Arlene and I were having breakfast at one of the local restaurants.  The owner brought us our food.  We said thank you.  Arlene said to the owner--You are a good guy!  He said thank you.  I said--Everyone tries to be a good guy but...!  He said--I wouldn't say everyone tries.  Ouchy ouchy!

Attitude folks, attitude! Whether we are young, middle-aged, or older, we should be prepared for trouble. We are born for it, Job (i.e. not everyone can be a Job) said, "as sure as the sparks fly upward". Joesixpack says--Soooo don't be sooooo surprised when everything doesn't go your way.  Trouble isn't really a surprise.  It's part of life.  Like my Daddy, Chester, would say--Everyone has troubles, it's just that some folks handle them differently.  POWs met at Camp Dodge in Des Moines and told stories of their captivity it said in the paper sooooo it must be right.  This is what one of the POWs said--Spencer spent 7 years in North Vietnamese captivity before he was released in 1973.  He said his experiences gave him an understanding of what is important in life that he probably wouldn't have had otherwise.  His attitude is that some days are better than others and there is always somebody who has it worse than you, so get on with it.  "Life is good. You enjoy what is good because nobody knows what is coming tomorrow," he said.  Such is life.

Half and half! Half of what CrazyMarvin says I don't believe and the other half isn't true!  Sooooo there you go folks. But everyone must believe Apple what they say about their new iPhone 6 as everyone wants them (i.e. sold 10,000,000 the first week).  That's crazy folks.  But the folks don't seem to believe the NFL what they say about domestic abuse.  NFL says it's not their mea culpa. Hey folks, it's all about the money.  Hey I don't care what they say--Iowa football soft pass defense leaves something to be desired. They just frustrate me.  Arlene says I over react!  I don't think sooooo folks.  But you might not believe me! If  you don't, watch the Hawks for yourself and decide!  Saturday question--What movie did that statement in the pic come from? We went to it last Saturday night with friends.

Yes you did!  Last week I played with these golf buddies.  When we were done, one of them told us that he just turned 50 and had his first colonoscopy.  He told his wife when he was putting his cloths back on after being put under--Either I'm dreaming it or I said to the nurses--Did you find any...up my...?  His wife said--Oh ya, you said it as the nurses said they found no...in him!!!  Soooo folks, guess which one of my buddies said that? I'll help you a little.  One of my buddies is 69 and the other two are 50.  

Are you listening?  This could be a little deep sooooo sit down and put on your thinking cap! MissPerfect says--The things you REALLY need in life...are not things. MissPerfect that is a hard sell.  Maybe some folks will buy into that but most won't.  They just won't hear you; tooooo most you might be wasting your time trying to teach that. We live in a world where that trillion-dollar industries are dedicating some of their brightest minds and untold resources to come up with newer and better ways to capitalize on the mismatch between our neurological response to new information and our current information-rich environment (i.e. direct and subliminal). We are at the mercy of tremendously powerful and well-designed systems crafted with the express purpose of interrupting us and capturing our attention (i.e. it's all about the money folks).  It's warfare folks!  AverageJoe says--They program us sooooo we don't break away from the script.  Oh, for the love of Pete!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--In our time we’re prone to mistake accumulated knowledge for wisdom. Education elasticizes the mind, but only when we have the Spirit of God can we truly know the things that can be ours. “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’". The world smiles at a higher Source of wisdom but we rejoice in the knowledge that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”.  

Maybe you youngins won't recognize this term (i.e. but you can goggle it).  When stuff and things come together and we understand, Weee Doggy!  Jed Clampett from Bug Tussle said that. You can look for Bug Tussle on Map Quest but I doubt if they have a Wal-Mart or a McDonald's or an Apple store!  For the love of Pete!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A minute of thought is work more than a hour of talk.

goin' ever which a way

Well, snookums, I'm going  to speak my mind as I have nutten to lose.  You guys can talk about that between yourselves but leave me out of it!  Let's chew the fat!  

ItchieBitchie says to his friend Joesixpack--I think I understand you to some extent. The fact that you take the time to sit down and reflect on God’s Word says a great deal about you. Now your wife, CrazyWilma, that's another story! Such is life.  

Strong head wind! WildWillie says--I can go ever which a way but something I'm really consistently good at is "misunderstanding"!  Aaaaaahhhhhh!  WildWillie, you act and think like you're the biggest banana in the bunch but...you look bemused most of the time!  Are you that way or do you just look that way?  Just hang in there WildWillie, life is a long row to hoe! Life can go ever which a way.  I remember a few years ago we went canoeing with friends on the Cedar River.  We had a strong head wind.  Our friends had a hard time keeping their canoe straight (i.e. were going ever which a way).  I think they had words.  Arlene and I just laughed and still laugh with them/at them.  Good memories!

MissPerfect knows how to 'weird LuckieEddie up'!  Makes him go ever which a way! Sometimes a guy has to accept and adjust.  There is no other choice. A friend told me he turned 80 recently.  He said--I have no idea where all those years went.  Bingo, they're gone.  They've gone ever which a way!  Joesixpack says--Folks just fade into the sunset. It just happens.  Happens to everyone. I read somewhere--Life is like a vapor, a mist--here today and gone tomorrow.  I think we all need to appreciate today (i.e. maximize our time to the fullest)!  Sooooo throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch folks! What do you think?

Zig zag!  Have you ever been amazed?  I mean "fall off the stool" amazed?  I have that experience sometimes (e.g. some folks just do that to me--both in good ways and bad ways).  Has God ever dazzled you?  Have you ever done something for someone that just dazzled them (i.e. made them giddy, overwhelmed)?  I had just that experience by doing a small act of kindness to someone.  It wasn't that spectacular but to them it was.  And listen folks, I don't amaze many folks!  Happenstance, na, I don't think sooooo!  Cadillac Jack says--One small act of kindness might be one huge massive good feeling for another!

Visualize it!  Joesixpack says--Ya got to visualize things and then act that way.  If you second guess yourself, well, it just ain't going to work (i.e. can't go ever which a way).  Ya gotta have 100% commitment to what you are doing.  That makes you much more "mentally strong".  LuckieEddie says--What you think is what you'll be.  Ya gotta be positive.  Even when things are not going your way, there is always something positive in it.  Suck it up cupcake and let's get going!  Saturday question--Do you think about more positive stuff or negative stuff?

Ya gotta go ever which a way to be politically correct folks! I golfed with a buddy recently.  He reminded me about our conversation about a year ago when I suggested he loose some weight.  He has lost 22 pounds and really looks great.  He said he was telling a female friend about me suggesting he loose some weight.  She thought I was a real jerk; who would every suggest that is not a nice guy!  Soooo he asked her--do females ever suggest to each other that they would look better if they lost some weight?  She said--Are you kidding me!  Women would never say that to one another (i.e. at least not to their face).  If a woman would do that, we would consider that woman a real.... GerogeTheCrook says--erv, you have to learn how to talk to woman (e.g. be politically right).  You never call a spade a spade.  I can tell you aren't very good with women erv!  

Her emotions still go ever which a way.  I attended the funeral of my cousin's wife in Roseland, MN this last week (i.e. I was raised on a farm a mile and a fourth south of Roseland).  I met for the first time, sorta kinda some relation (i.e. my cousin's daughter-in-law).  I was standing in the lunch line and she was there sooooo I introduced myself.  After some chit chat, I asked her how long it has been since her husband passed away--9 and a half years (i.e. she is 55 now and is very attractive mentally and physically)--soooo I bet you have a lot of guys hitting on you--I have talked to many guys and dated some but have not met Mr. Perfect yet; it's frustrating; I pray and try to make it happen but it just doesn't--it will; it will just fall in your lap; I will pray for you.  She told me that folks don't know how hard it is to be a widow; they say they do but they really don't; my emotions are still crazy at time (i.e. go ever which a way).

When we got done visiting, Warren (i.e. anybody can be a Warren) came up to me and told me that they still think of me; I want to show you something.  He took me to a case in the entrance way and showed me this picture.  Folks, this was 50 years ago when our church won the softball league in Willlmar.  It really made me laugh.  Roseland Reformed Church, the church I was raised in, is doing well partially 'cause our Uncle Walt gave the church a million dollars maybe 15 years ago--BINGO! It is a nice facility.  Sherrie (i.e. anybody can be a Sherrie) told me that their new pastor has been there a year and a half and has done 11 funerals.  So what does that tell ya folks (i.e. maybe the water is bad--Ron, the mayor of Roseland and water checker, will you check on that!).  One more thing, my cousin's daughter-in-law said--I live an active life style but most of the guys don't (i.e. have spent tooooo much time on the couch eating chips--I don't think she finds them very attractive).  Such is life.  

In life we can go ever which a way but...!  DrDavid (i.e. everyone listens to ya if you are a doctor)--If we don't take inventory every once in a while and give thanks to God for the great things He has done for us, we get totally out of perspective. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Consider how you feel when you're in a relationship with a person -- spouse, friend, coworker, boss -- who has never been untrue in word or deed. The longer that person goes without betraying your trust, the higher your confidence soars. But should something untrue be said or done, your confidence crashes. It can take a long time to restore trust. We serve a God who has never been untrue in word or deed. In fact, Jesus called Himself  "the truth".  There is no goin' ever which a way there folks.  

Can I trust you ItchieBitchie?  I think soooooo! What do you mean, I think soooooo ItchieBitchie!  I don't want a "I think soooooo", I want a yes or no!  ItchieBitchie goes ever which a way.  Okay then, you gotta be creative to sell cars.  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that 24.9% of all new car loans are 73 to 84 months.  Wow that is a long time.  I would guess that means that most folks will ever get their cars paid for.  85% of new cars are financed with 22.2%  of the the loans are subprime.  Ouchy ouchy!  Ya gotta sell cars soooo ya gotta do whatever the industry has toooooo (i.e. industry saver).  I have several friends and acquaintances that have a lot of money but usually don't buy new cars and drive theirs forever it seems.  One friend has 325,000 miles on Highlander.  Maybe that is why this guy is rich.  A friend in the financial business told me--The naked truth is that you always can't tell rich folks by their cars, many aren't paid for.  My daddy, Chester, taught me to never borrow money for a car, never.  Save your money and then buy a car.  Sooooooo I have never borrowed money on a car.  He would be proud of me--maybe!!!!  I had a friend tell me recently that once he gets financially comfortable, his live will be much more enjoyable.   Does that make sense to you? 

In Advanced Improvement Group last Sunday we talked about pride.  Randy (i.e. anybody can be a Randy), our facilitator, started out wanting us to tell the group of something we are proud of.  It reminded me of an experience with Bill (i.e. Bill is a makeup name to protect the real person).  Maybe 10 years ago I asked Bill to tell me something about him that he is proud about that no one else knows about (i.e. you have to have a good friend who you can trust to tell something like that tooo as some think you are bragging).  He told me he has never told this to anyone, not even his wife, as he didn't want them to think he was bragging (i.e. seeee!). This guy is a good man folks!  ANYWAY here is what he told me: Bill was in a fox hole in battle during WW II.  One half of his group would retreat behind gunfire to eat and then the other half would go when they were done.  His group was the last group and he was the last GI.  They came upon sniper fire and were pinned down.  They were taught to run, fall, roll, get up, and run again (i.e. goin' ever which a way).  Another GI fall and froze.  Bill fell by him and talked to him that he had to get up or they were both going to get killed.  He convinced him and they made it.  He saved the guy's life probably.  

JoeBlow says--I hear many voices and they all want something.  How do I discern which one I should listen toooooo?  Lord, help me to sift through the many voices that I hear; so that I will hear your voice unmistakably clear (i.e. soooooo I don't go ever which a way). Amen. JoeBlow, wouldn't it be nice if a talking donkey or a talking burning bush would make everything clear to us?  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Itching for what you want doesn't do much good.  You've got to scratch for it.

TipOfTheDay--In church last Sunday, I sat behind a young couple who are expecting their first child.  I asked them if they wanted to know the sex of their baby.  He looked at his wife and said, we do, she is such a planner.  He said that she has lists all over the place.  She asked me if I do lists.  I sure do.  Her husband asked me--erv, do you put on your lists things that you already have done?  No!  She does.  Why do you do that?  It makes me feel good!  That will do it folks.  Try it!  A friend told me that Abraham Lincoln once said--It's not a plain unless you write it down.  Such is life.

funk

Disclaimer--I'm not sure I know what I'm talking about but maybe I can blather on long enough to make it sound like I know what I'm talking about. Soooo take that into account when reading this "It's Saturday".  Remember, you get what you pay for!  Soooo don't take any of this tooooo serious.  This "It's Saturday" might be like something you might read in the paper (i.e. sooooo it must be right).  A Harley biker is riding by the zoo in Washington , DC when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents. The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain, the lion jumps back, letting go of the girl, and the biker brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly. A reporter has watched the whole event. Addressing the Harley rider, he says, "Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I've seen a man do in my whole life." The Harley rider replies, "Why, it was nothing really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger and acted as I felt right." The reporter says, "Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do you have?" The biker replies, "I'm a U.S. Marine and a Republican." The journalist leaves. The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page: " U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH!" ...and that pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.

I sorta kinda had a funk in my golf game (i.e. numbers don't lie folks). My game was out of sync. I heard a golf announcer say--Sometimes those funks are physical, some times they are physiological,  and sometimes they are both.  I think I think that my expectations are greater than my ability (i.e. I think that might be the real reason folks).

1971 trip to CA it was

But, I just read in the paper so it must be right, that there is a old myth that if you pilfer any petrified rocks from a national park you will have bad luck.  I went to my junk cabinet down stairs and looked.  Sure enough, it was still there.  I took a little piece from a national park some 40+ years ago. Arlene was soooo worried about it that she put it in her pantie as we exited the park (i.e. Arlene would never do anything wrong).  I tell you what folks, I'm sending that sucker back to the national park.  That could be the reason why I had the funk in my golf game.  Could be!  I am taking no chances!!!  Such is life.

Last Saturday I was playing with some golf buddies and was complaining about my play and that my game is sorta kinda is in a funk (i.e. actually none of us played very well).  The Big Kahuna said to me--You weren't very good in the first place!  Ya gotta look for the obvious answers first! Soooo there you go folks. And this guy is my friend.  Such is life.

Do you ever wonder how you can get in a funk and how you can get out of one?  Some folks go into a funk 'cause they are depressed.  Maybe it's 'cause of a streak of bad luck or something is really dragging them down.  Many different things can affect us folks.  My mentor would say--When things are good we think they will be good forever and when things are bad we think they will be bad forever. I always thought that I needed just enough success to make me continue but not tooooo much that it ruins my life.  Does that make any sense to ya?

Caleb a.k.a. Funk Reliever  Caleb sells his mother's caramel and cinnamon rolls on the street each Friday as part of the Farmers Market.  Caleb and I are friends.  He always makes me smile when I see him.  He always says to me--Love those 3 pointers!  That goes way back to some UNI basketball tickets I gave him many years ago.  He lifts my spirits.  The rolls are a $1 and all his tips (i.e. he gets a lot) go to a mission project, Feed Our Starving Children.  He has a good heart. Caleb stimulates me!

Confidence  I heard one guy ask another guy what he thought the key was to success.  His response was "confidence".  If  you don't have confidence you are pretty much in a funk all the time.  If you have confidence and loose it, it's funk time.  But if you can gain some confidence, you can fix your funk it seems.  Sooooo then, how do you get confidence and how do you loose it?  Does success come first or does confidence come first? Those are million dollar questions!.

Can I dance?  Arlene says I can't but I can.  Really!  Of course. I always knew that I could dance.  It was others who had the question, especially after they saw me dance. Do I dance like everyone else? Well... no. Am I a good dancer according to the standard of good dancing? Well... maybe not. There was always the one or two fellows who got "oohs and aahs" as they danced. I got more of "look at that!" Why do YOU dance? Different people have different reasons. When you honestly answer that question, it will help you to see life clearer. It may help you to dance or at least realize that you could dance all along, even when people said you couldn't. "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears the beat of a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." ~ Thoreau ~ Can I dance? You'd better believe it! No matter what people say. ItchieBitchie says--If you are always comparing yourself to others, you will always be in a funk.  Uncommon folks seem to enjoy life as they want life to be.  Huh, interesting. Yabut, actually I took Arlene out for dinner and then  to a dance at the Scout House in Orange City on our first date when at good old Northwestern College (i.e. dancing was not allowed on campus).  And the rest is history as they say.   

A scarecrow in a strawberry patch!  Maybe when we are in a funk we are like a scarecrow in a strawberry patch.  After a while the birds aren't scared anymore.  We get weathered and drab and have no excitement.  We have lost our purpose.  Could be.  Maybe we need to refocus; redirect, rejuvenate, perk up, make a change.  Could be! Maybe we need to get around positive folks.  Could be.

Burn out!  Sometimes it appears that when we get in a funk, we are totally burned out.  Just plain had enough for awhile.  Need a break for awhile.  As the old song goes, after you been having steak for a long time, beans beans taste fine.  Many times we need to get away from something for awhile to appreciate our situation.  Need to get excited about it again.  What do you think?  And another thing, I can get bored sometimes that might cause me to get in a funk.  I need something new and exciting.  Boring boring!  

Are you determined like a weed?  Maybe we finally figure it out that certain things just don't matter much.  When we don't care as much anymore, we might get out of our funk. Could be!  Maybe we realize that some things aren't as important to us as they were before.  Could be!  Maybe we aren't as competitive as we use to be.  Could be!  And maybe it just happens (i.e can't be explained).  Could be!  Maybe it just happens and we just can't figure it out.  Could be! I have no idea sometimes what the funk changer is.  It just does.  It could be 'cause we have an internal motor that makes us determined like a weed (i.e. those suckers are determined).  Such is life.

How about some success!  That can get a guy out of a funk.  In golf, ya just got to shoot a good round and things look way different.  Or maybe some little thing happens to us and bingo our funk is over. Why and how that can work I have no idea but it seems like it does.  How about encouragement from someone or someone saying something positive to us.  I was talking to a friend this week. He told me that when he was about 25 he decided he liked himself (i.e. was happy with who he was and content with himself).  I asked him what caused him to come to this conclusion.  He didn't know.  It just happened.  Huh, interesting.

Funky dream!  Maybe, just maybe, the only reoccurring dream I have might have something to do with the funk in my golf game.  Could be!  I have this reoccurring dream where I can't find a place to tee off.  There is a wall or tree or something right in front of me and a building or something on my back side soooo I have no back swing.  My golf buddies are going down the fairway leaving me.  I can't find a place to tee my ball.  The group behind me are standing there wondering if I'm ever going to hit.  I have a couple of buddies who have this same dream that also reoccurs to them.  Soooooo last night in my dream I ended up going into the pro shop and opened the door and teed up on the carpet. Crazy!  Just iconically crazy!  Such is life.

The cure! Manitou Springs, CO is known for it's famous magical mineral spring water (i.e. probably why the town is called Manitou Springs) .  Many of the rich in years past would travel there to drink the water.  It was considered something special that would cure many things, even funks!  I drank some of the mineral water.  Sooooo I'm good (i.e. hope I drank enough).  When we were walking the streets of Manitou Springs, CO, a guy gave me this $1,000,000 bill with the million dollar question on the back.  Maybe what it says on the track might get a guy out of a funk.  What do you think? Does it make any sense to you?  You will have to click on it to increase the size if you want to read it.

or

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--If you don't scale the mountain, you can't see the view.

Listen! Really listen!

MissPerfect says--As long as I can remember I've been pretty much the nicest gal I know. Ask anybody who knows me and they'll tell you that's true, unless of course they're big, fat dummies.  Listen MissPerfect, you have figured yourself out perfectly.  Just perfectly.  I agree with your evaluation.  

I was at a friend's funeral and talked to another friend.  She told me about the sayings of a friend of hers from church.  One of the sayings was--Will it make any difference 10 years from now? This gal is my superseniorneighborM.  Soooooo I went over to here place and we talked about those sayings.  She was giddy with excitement that we talked about her sayings.  She said she learned them from her parents.  She said--Our parents didn't preach to us but just used these little sayings and just lived their lives.  I guess my brother and I just listened to the little saying that mom and dad said and formed our lives around them.  When I left, she said I made her day and still was just chattering away.  It would never happened if my friend would not have said something to me at the funeral.  Huh, interesting!

ItchieBitchie says--Let me tell you what I would do it I were you! Listen! Listen! Listen carefully! Shut off all of the noise around you so that you can hear what is being spoken to you. We have spent three days in CO with good friends Hank and Becky.  We stayed with James, Heather, Erin and little Jimmer (i.e. our daughter and family).  CO provides opportunities that are fun for us. A special environment for me to listen.  I did some listening.  I hope I heard right.  

Saturday I biked from Frisco to top of Vail pass with Secretariat and and SuperWoman.  What am I thinking?  It's just not a small daily happening folks, it's 1,550 feet of gain in elevation (i.e. total ride of 28 miles).  But going down, I felt pretty good! But I did a lot of listenin' and it was good!  But my body doesn't always agree (i.e. it says to me--what are you doing to me).  

 
The next day we hiked a CO 14ner, Torreys Peak 14, 267 feet (i.e. got up at 4:15 started hiking at 6.  What am I doing?  For Secretariat and SuperDude it's a piece of cake but for me it's a piece of grizzle (i.e. these guys are animals folks)!  It rained and snowed and was windy.  I turned around before the summit (i.e. will it make a difference 10 years from now).  Secretariat and Super Dude went to the summit in a snow storm.  They said only maybe 5 folks made it out of the approximate 200  hikers on the trail.  Listen folks, listen, I am very happy I can do these things.  Very happy.  I really enjoyed doing them.  It was a hoot.  Of all the hikers, I only saw maybe 3 other guys my age.  Most were under 30.  What am I doing!!  I had a neat environment to listen. and that is what I did.  

This picture says it all folks.  James says I'm a Poster Child of some Iowan ill prepared for the change in weather (i.e. disaster).  He gave me his wool socks for my hands and his cap for my head.  I wish he would have brought along more stuff for me!  And he said--All the good stuff I was wearing they gave to me!  He asked me where those good gloves they gave me where--I told him they are at home in the garage!  He just shock his head. It was just starting to snow as you can see.  Hey, isn't your son-in-law suppose to help ya!  Such is life.

I was walking home from my sunset walk the other night and noticed through my neighbor's window that she was watching baseball.  I mentioned it to one of her grandsons at the golf course.  He told me that she really likes baseball.  He also told me that she still makes bread each week.  Soooo I went and saw my superneighborH.  She made me a loaf of bread.  He's  92!

When a Dr. says something you listen folks!  Oh ya!  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Dr.David says--Robert Burns was plowing a field one day when he inadvertently destroyed a mouse's nest. Seeing the destruction at his feet, the poet realized his plowing had upended all the plans the mouse had made for winter. It was late in the season, and now the mouse, which had carefully prepared for the coming snows, was in a fight for survival. That’s what led Burns to write "To a Mouse," which includes one of the most famous lines in poetry: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley [go often awry]." 

 Joesixpack says--Listen folks, it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular!  


Listen folks, will it make any difference 10 years from now?  I mean, will it make any difference if it takes another half hour or hour to do our bike trip or hike to the peak?  Really?  Will we remember how fast we did it our will we remember the memories and how it we made each other feel?  What do you think?  LuckieEddie says--Folks don't always remember what you did for them or what you said, but they do remember how you made them feel.  I was walking home from my walk on the golf course at sun set the other night and a friend and I had a very delightful, enlightening conversation (i.e. real).  She told me that we need to tell folks that we care for them (i.e. I think that is wisdom folks).  What do you think?  WildWillie says--Get around good folks and listen to what they have to say.  Really listen!

Pikes Peak or Bust!  They thought I did it on purpose; listen folks, I didn't.  I told them that our departure time on the Cog at Pikes Peak was at 9:40.  I checked in the morning and it was 10:40.  Everyone was ready ON TIME!.  When we got down off Pikes Peak, we  had a picnic in Manitou Springs (i.e. let the kids run around).  There were some homeless folks there hangin' out.  A gal, maybe 20, and her brother maybe a couple of years older came to the park with a grocery cart full of brown bags which contained food.  They passed them out to the homeless, talked briefly, and petted their dogs etc.  They didn't preach to them and didn't make a big deal out of it.  I went over to them and talked.  I asked them what their agenda was.  She said--Our mom, my bother and I do this when we have extra money; we think it's the right thing to do.  I wonder folks, what they are listening toooooo (i.e. will it make a difference 10 years from now).

SusieQ says--It's hard to know when to shut up!  LuckieEddie says--In today’s society, it appears that everyone is trying to prove how much they know to impress people they don’t know.  I wonder if we are really sharing knowledge… JoeBlow says--Silence can not be quoted!

Saturday question--Listen folks, will what you and I do and say and think today make any difference 10 years from now?  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Learn to pause--or nothing worth while can catch up to you.

PS Four Ways To Listen #1. An Unrelated Response: Example: "I lost $l,000 at the racetrack last night!" 

Your Response: "I went to see "The Expendables III" It was great. I went to see it because MovieFoot.com recommended it... -BLAH1 BLAH1 BLAH" Reaction: When do I get to talk about my $1,000 and why aren't you wanting to listen to my telling you about it? That's why I started telling you about it! #2. A Tangential Response Same Example: "I lost a $1,000 at the racetrack last night!" Your Response: "You did? I lost $3,000 there a couple of weeks ago and you know what happened, I.... -BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!"
Reaction: "Same as the reaction above, only now, "Why are you taking the football out of my hand and running for your own touchdown?" #3. A Furthering Response Same Example: "I lost $1,000 at the racetrack last night!" Your Response: "You did? How did you do that?" Reaction: Now I get to talk further about what I first introduced to you because you want to listen further to what I want to say! Good! #4. A Feeling Response Same Example: "I lost $1,000 at the racetrack last night!" Your Response: "Oh! That's a chunk of change! I bet that really hurt, huh?" Reaction: Now you are asking me how I felt about it, rather than what happened. I am free to tell you how I feel about losing and how much it meant to me. Wow!
NOTE: A poll discovered that ones and twos were used 80% of the time! Listen Wisely! ~Author Unknown~  Dr.Ben (i.e. every one listens to a doctor) says--To ignore the facts does not change the facts! Dr.George (i.e. everyone listens to a doctor) says--Money can't buy class!