a cat chasing it's tail

What is going on in your head anyway!

Disclaimer--This might be hard to understand!  It ain't Star Wars folks! A "It's Saturday" reader gave me some stuff for this writing but asked not to be identified (i.e. I usually don't do it anyway unless with permission).  I think he didn't want his name associated with "It's Saturday!" ha ha Hey folks, I really don't have very much muscle to affect anything, soooo I don't know why that reader is soooo worried. I heard during a NFL game that one player has biceps that measures 37 inches.  I measured mine--12 inches.  Soooo I measured my thighs--18 inches.  His arms are more than twice the size of my thighs.  I'm a wimp!

Joesixpack says--Have you ever tried to introduce your old girl friend to your new girlfriend?  Howard Monkey introduced his new girl friend Nancy Fart to his old girl friend Karen Nice. It didn't work very well. What was Howard Monkey thinking anyway! Crazy! Have you ever done something stupid that isn't good for anyone?  If soooo, why did you do it?  Crazy! It does no good (i.e. like a cat chasing it's tail).

This is not a cat chasing it's tail.  Encouragement comes in many different ways and yet soooo very important.  Here is my favorite Christmas encouragement story. Heather, James and their kiddos went to The Rock's Christmas program in Littleton.  The Rock does this every year with skits and music (i.e. very very good).  6 programs in one weekend.  ANYWAY at the end they have a candle lighting where folks pass on the light.  There was a senior lady behind them who appeared to have a physical problem as she had a hard time standing and shuck a lot. She insisted that our little Erin light her candle; no one else but Erin.  It made Erin feel special.  This gal had to have a good heart and was an encouragement.  Here I am talking about it.  She will never know now will she.  A friend sent me an encouragement and ended it with this... As an old Marine I salute you with a great big Semper Fi. I asked our son-in-law, who was also a Marine, what that meant.  He said--It is an abbreviation of semper fidelis, which is Latin for always faithful. Also known as the Marine Corps motto.  I learn soooo much; it's incredible.  

Hot tamales! This week I went to the "Arizona Storytellers Project" at the AZ Baltimore (i.e. nice place).  They had a sell out of 630 at $13 a pop.  8 folks told a true story mainly about something of Christmas that was entertaining and illuminating (i.e. using humor, family traditions, joys and sadness).  They were uplifting but also very real. I bought my ticket on line and they sent me a digital ticket.  The day before the event they send me an email telling my about parking etc. They also said that I don't have to show my ticket--we're happy to report that people are honest about these things.  AverageJoe says--This is called the "Pygmalion Effect" (i.e. expecting the best of folks).  It's a great leadership method as a parent, employer, teacher etc.  Try it, you might like it! There is no cost to it.  Bingo!  But I tell you what folks, after a few beers, some of my golf buddies can tell some incredible, colorful stories toooo!!

 MissPerfect says--I sure enjoyed Christmas but I ate way toooo much.  My jeans are way toooo tight but before I went to bed I sat on the couch and ate a pint of rocky road ice cream anyway!  Ouchy ouchy! Yabut it was way soooo good even though it all went to my hips! I will just buy a bigger size of jeans. I buy the cheapest at Wal Mart.  I don't wear them out but out grow them! That will work! Some friends' retirement job was doing bus trips for folks (i.e. mainly white haired folks they said).  They were just amazed how much food these folks could put away; if it was free they could tank another 50%.  Huh, interesting. This week I saw a road runner while running up 'er in 'em mts.  I don't see many.  Saturday question--Why do roadrunners always seem to be in good shape?  Beep beep!

GeorgeTheCrook says—We are all part of a grand data base if we realize it or not.  Every time you go to a web site, you are put in a data base.  Internet marketers want to get their product in front of as many customers as possible.  It’s big business with the Internet marketers.  It’s called data mining. I'm planning to volunteer at a local elementary school.  This school has a high population of Hispanic kids.  I think it might be interesting.  I had to be finger printed, not just my thumb print but every finger. They do it digitally. I don't think I was ever finger printed before.  They will check into my life using the massive huge data base.  Huh, interesting.

You want to make God laugh?  Tell him your plans (i.e. your strategic planning)!  ItchieBtchie says—Many folks think they know a lot (i.e. and maybe they do) but folks know very little, not even close, compared to God and his divine providence.  We have an earthly mind folks, just an earthly mind and we only use 10% of it--that is what it says in the paper (i.e. so it must be right).  WorldClassLarry says--Maybe we need to put up our divine antenna and see what reception we get.  You think soooo.  Of course if you think there is no God and you are going to die like a pig, you probably don’t think you need to.  We all get to make decisions and decisions have consequences.  I hope I have good acumen about this and I hope you do tooooo.  Such is life.

This is not very complicated (i.e. not hard to understand)—it will not make your brain hurt.  I promise! This is simple but I didn’t know it!  When playing tic-tac-toe, why do they call a tie “cat?”  While, maybe tic-tac-toe a.k.a. “the cats game” – is a fairly pointless endeavor which most likely to end in a tie.  In other words, like a cat chasing it’s tail.  Soooo I guess that is why they call a tie in tic-tac-toe “cat!”  Make sense to me.  Soooo do you ever act like a cat chasing it’s tail, a pointless endeavor?  Really!

Here is something else I didn’t know.  I went to a Christmas pageant where they had live camels in the show (i.e. quite impressive).  I told an “onesmartguy” (i.e. a guy with a good heart--a real person) about this and this is what he told me--I would have enjoyed the performance you explained, especially the live camels. Camel dung has ancient medicinal properties, it neutralizes brown spots when rubbed on ones hands, with only minor side effects. I read that camel waste, due to their unique digestive system, is odorless and tasteless and therefore used as a base of many Nomadic menu items. Wow, it might be in my oatmeal and I don’t even know it!  Could be! Talking about real folks, we had Sunday breakfast and our favorite waitress helped us.  Good to see you again she said--you tooo; got some new stylish glasses since last year--ya, someone left them on their table; they are just cheaters!

A magical Christmas it was.  SusieQ says--I really tried to impress my boyfriend, HandsomeBilly, with a little black dress that was just a little too little, and I couldn’t wait to get home and take off the Spanx. I have no idea if I impressed him or not but I think I did! But I tell you what, I'm not going to do that again.  It wasn't worth it! He better like me like I am!  Such is life.

MissPerfect says--Life is full of disappointments. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--When life doesn't add up, it leaves the heart sick. When we have done all we know to do and the formula has not worked, it leaves us questioning. These are times that try the very souls of men. There is no human sense to be made of it (i.e. like a cat chasing it's tale). We are left with a choice: to cling or not to cling. 

The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not obtained by sudden flight;

But they, while their companions slept,

Were toiling upward in the night.

Standing on what too long we bore,

With shoulders bent and downcast eyes,

We may discern-unseen before-

A path to higher destinies!

~Longfellow

I am amazed that the AZ Republic Newspaper has a prayer in it

ever day—Lord, help us to accept with grace the limitations that added years can bring to our lives.  Thank you for offering kindness. Amen. SusieQ says--I think prayer is like a cat chasing it's tail.  Could be SusieQ, could be. JoeTheHike and I were having breakfast and a female realtor (i.e. in her 30s) talked with us.  She didn't remember my name but said--I went through chemotherapy and lost some memory.  Also my hair turned color.  How are you doing--fine--it was a tough time.  I have no idea how folks get through that with out faith in God.  

Friends invited me to go with them to a Christmas concert.  Probably not one kid in Aplington (i.e. the town we life in) can play the strings. We went to a Christmas orchestra performance of Highland High School. 5 orchestras with a total of 300 kids. There might be more to life than football! I was amazed of the talent and also that they played so much religious music.  The Hallelujah chorus was my favorite.  Our friends taught me why we stand up during the chorus.  I thought it was to honor the Lord, which is true but...legend has it that in 1743, the British monarch King George II was so moved by Handel’s Hallelujah chorus that he stood out of respect for the “Lord of Lords,” the only authority above his own. When the king stands, everybody stands. And since then everyone has followed suit. I would guess that maybe 95% of the folks stood.  Maybe not all believed that Jesus was "Lord of Lords." This is a public school and probably folks have different religions or no religion. That could be. The lady ahead of us asked us why is everyone standing up? She didn't have a clue. But she did stand up.  Our friends goggled it and showed her. Huh, interesting.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Take a lesson from the clock; it passes the time by keeping its hands busy.

P.S. There are truly some really nice folks in this world and we had breakfast with some recently.

Christmas 2015

Special Offer!

Add to cart.
The Force has arrived!

A baby changes lives. They are game changers alright!  If you have ever been around a baby you know what I mean.  Merry Christmas from Arlene and I.  The babes in the picture surely are game changers for us.  No question! And besides, they are a HO-lotta fun! Oh ya, that older babe is a game changer tooooo.  My honeybunch!

Jesus is a special baby, particularly to Christians (i.e. baby Jesus
can really ramp up Christmas as they believe that He is their Savior). ItchieBitchie says--He's the #1 All Time Heisman Trophy winner!  If you don’t think that but rather think when you die, you die just like a pig, then Jesus isn’t much of a special baby (i.e. just another baby).  For those who believe Jesus is their Savior, then that little babe is a life changer.  Isn’t baby Jesus why we celebrate Christmas?  Maybe not to all I guess. Such is life.

Some folks aren’t much impressed with Christmas in general and some aren’t much impressed in celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Soooo what are you guys impressed with?  Who impresses you? Some folks are impressed with certain stuff and others are not.  Some folks are impressed with some folks and some aren’t.  Why is that do you think.  Could it be our environment, our genetics, and our past experiences?  Could be.  Different stokes for different folks I guess.

I tell you what folks, that DOG can hunt (i.e. my opinion)!  I’m being vulnerable and exposing here folks.  Some of you aren’t impressed with me that I believe Jesus is my Saviour (i.e. some of you think I’m crazy--hey, some of you guys believe in Superman who flies around in his underwear and a cape). You guys might have toooo much of a persnickety attitude! No muss, no fuss, it's just my belief. But you might be impressed with Hillary or Donald or Obama or Tom Brady or whoever and I might not be.  We surely aren’t impressed with the same folks or the same stuff (e.g. technology impresses me and maybe not you). A big house might impress some and not others, great athletic ability might impress some and not others, having a lot of money might impress some and not others, humility might impress some and not others, great character might impress some and not others, etc. You understand, we are not all the same and don’t think alike.  As our little granddaughter used the expression—In my mind, the real world is my mind! Quoting a famous line from Hamlet: "There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so." 

Two thousand years ago, Epictetus built a philosophy on recognizing that we can't control every event in our lives.  In his long treatise that became know as the The Discourses, he explained that a key to living right is understanding that we have power only over ourselves and our own reactions. People are disturbed not by events but by the views which they take of them, he said. Yikes!

Egggggh! I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—Diversity is wonderful if people have the same foundational values; it is a recipe for disaster if they don’t….When a clash of values exists, there are only three ways it can be resolved. One side can capitulate, one or both sides can wage war against the other, or one side can try to convert the other. ItichieBitche says—Or we can pretend that there is not a diversity.  MissPerfect says—It appears that some folks are great pretenders at Christmas.  Ouchy ouchy! 

I believe--“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own.” “True love is found in helping a brother in need.” LuckieEddie says--Loving those who betray you is "graduate-level Christianity." It is the most difficult and most gut wrenching of all tests.

WorldClassLarry says--We are what we are. We show who we are by how we treat other folks—how we love the unlovely, care for the needy, encourage the lonely, and interact with the troublesome.  Don’t kid yourself,  folks can detect something of our love for Him.  My Mom, Anna, would say—erv, character is how you act when no one is looking.  I had breakfast with a friend before leaving for AZ.  He mentioned something commentary about someone.  I said that I thought the same about that person as well.  I asked him if we both think that, do you think others do toooo?  If they walk like a duck, quack like a duck, they must be a duck.  We both think sooooo.  Abraham Lincoln once said-- You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

The globe beneath us is a marvel of God’s creative genius. As scientists learn more about the interior of our planet, they can’t mask their amazement. In recent years, they’ve speculated that temperatures at the core of the earth are hotter than on the surface of the sun. They’ve also found a vast underground reservoir 400 miles beneath the surface, and it contains enough water to fill the earth’s oceans three times over. His understanding I cannot fathom!  He is God and that is just the way it is.  

A true gift has no strings attached (e.g. all one must do is to ask for it--that doesn't sound American).  That is a reason why the gift of Jesus is soooo hard for many to accept (i.e. you don’t have do anything for it other than ask).  In our world, we need to think we need to earn it or buy it (i.e. the more we pay for it the better the quality).  A true gift is hard to accept for many.  Christianity is the only religion, I think, that you don’t have a check list (i.e. like works).  It’s a gift of grace.  That is hard to accept for many.  It’s hard for many to comprehend.  Even some Christians struggle with this thought. Such is life. 

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Crazy erv believes that! I think Jesus is a nettle mover!  If you are one who thinks you are going to die like a pig, you might want to reconsider.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--The first sign that one needs salvation is thinking, “That’s for others, not me.” Maybe, just maybe, believing in Jesus is like reading the word "ambulance" through your rear view mirror (i.e. on the ambulance it says ecnalubma), the Christian life makes more sense when you look at it backwards.  It’s called Lateral Inversion or Refraction of an image.

LuckieEddie says--This Jesus can really put on a show!  Talking about shows; Arlene and I went to the $2 show and saw Woodlawn.  It's a movie based on a true story about football and how Jesus changed a high school and the city Birmingham, AL during the integration height.  Another movie based on a true story that we enjoyed for $2 was My All American.  Goggle them, you might like them.  And maybe not. They are not Star Wars folks.

Chester and Anna did not encourage me to read soooo I did not read a lot as a kid (i.e. I got to blame somebody!). Yes, I did have to read to get my degrees and yes, I did have to read in my business but I was not what folks would call a reader.  Then one day at a continuing education class, a guy next to me asked me if I was a reader—no not really--you should be; you are missing out a lot on life—what book should I read—stop at the library on the way home and check out the classic Pilgrim’s Progress—I did and have been a reader since. John Bunyan’s story is the story of the Gospel. It is the story of Christ taking upon Himself the burden of the Law so we do not have to carry that burden any longer. Religious leaders in Jesus’ day loved to increase the burden of broken laws upon the people without showing them how to be free. But Jesus came and said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Crazy huh! If you have never read Pilgrim’s Progress, give it a read; it's part fact and part fiction with some interesting characters.

I went to Trump's political rally this week at the Mesa Getaway Airport (i.e. I like experiences and have never attended such an event).  It was a hoot!  He says what he thinks alright (i.e. no hem-haw).  Sorta kinda what I just did about Jesus.  It's Donald's opinion and erv's opinion I guess. He called the media con artists (i.e. don't tell the truth but spin it the way they want tooooo) but he says he tells the truth.  He said--That is why my lead is sooooo large.  I do think (i.e. my opinion) that more folks might support him with their vote than they publicly say.  Our children asked me if I will vote for him--Don't know! How about you? The conclusion of the matter is--Either Trump and I are both wrong, both are right or one is right and one is wrong.  How are you betting?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Cheerfulness oils the machinery of life.

P.S. If this Jesus talk bothers you, just delete it or think about it; I will never know.  It's like getting a "junk" gift for Christmas, you can throw it away, sell it on a garage sale or give it to a street person.  The giver will never know.  I hope it didn't scare the bejesus out of you!

Going forward with Christmas

Some of you folks might thing I’m bastardizing the English language in this “It’s Saturday.”  Hey, I’m doing the best I can.  I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN. 

MissPerfect says--If the leaders are good, folks will follow !  With certain quality folks leading a charge (e.g. Santa Claus), other high quality folks will join the block party.  Joesixpack says—Folks are more likely to buy into something when the leader is respected, qualified, and talented.  Soooo how important is it to have a good leader to go forward?  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that when there is not coalescing chemistry, odds are not good to have success.  LuckieEddie says—That makes sense. InChargeNorman says--A good attitude reflects a much different team and mind-set.  OhByTheWay, I heard on ESPN that Santa is a free agent after this season!

TopShopperTodd (i.e. anybody can be a Todd) says--There are different ways to look at things!  Politicians seem to say the politically correct things (e.g. we will prevail, we are great--That's like kissing your sister).  Talk talk talk is very common and no great actions.  It's all about the vote and money. The Washington Redskins finally drops offensive name! Dan Snyder, owner of the NFL Redskins, has announced that the team is dropping "Washington" from the team name, and it will henceforth be simply known as "The Redskins." It was reported that he finds the word 'Washington' imparts a negative image of poor leadership, mismanagement, corruption, cheating, lying, and graft, and is not a fitting role-model for the young fans of football.

In Division I coaching it seems that after 8 to 10 years, coaches change (i.e. go forward).  They become stale or something and the fan base wants new ideas, new blood, new hope (i.e. they become old jalopies).  It is very hard to maintain a successful program for many years (i.e. to win and make money) but some do (i.e. those that do usually adjust and reinvigorate the programs).  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that it goes with the job.  It seems that CEOs are about the same.  How about pastors, college presidents, etc.  It appears they get bored or the folks get bored with them (i.e. lose their effectiveness). 

My Daddy said--erv, ask questions; it's the best and cheapest way to learn.  I always told our kids--Find good folks and mimic them (i.e. I don't know if they listened).  A story is told about F.B. Meyer, the great Bible teacher and pastor who lived a century ago. He was pastoring a church and began to notice that attendance was suffering. This continued until he finally asked some members of his congregation one Sunday morning why they thought attendance was down. A member volunteered, "It is because of this new church down the road. The young preacher has everyone talking and many are going to hear him speak." His name was Charles Spurgeon. Meyer, rather than seeking to discourage this, exhorted the entire congregation to join him and go participate in seeing this "move of God" as he described it to his congregation. "If this be happening, then God must be at work." Meyer, even though he was an accomplished preacher and teacher, recognized where God was at work and joined Him in it. 

ItchieBitchie says—Us folks are fickle alright.  Crazy is a better description.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Each day your actions affirm or convict you of your belief system. It reveals who the central focus of your life really is - you or God. It reveals who you place your ultimate trust in - you or God. It is one of the great paradoxes for believers. One day we can believe Him to move mountains. The next day we can question His very existence. We are fickle, crazy folks sometimes!  MissPerfect says--I think that is much like how we celebrate Christmas. Such is life.

To go forward, there needs to be folks willing to put up venture capital.  Here is an idea if you need money to go forward with a project or anything.  It’s called crowdfunding.  Let’s say you would like a $1,000 for Christmas presents but have no money.  Here is how you do it.  You set up an account with GoFundMe.com.  You tell folks why you want the money and see if any folks will give you money (i.e. beg for alms).  Giving has always been a social act. Now it’s a social media act. Hey, it’s Christmas time and folks usually are generous.  You touch 100 folks for $10 and you have your $1,000.  Bingo.  Of course they take a cut.  Of course.  Everyone wins!  Has crowdfunding replaced the hustle?  Or has it become the new hustle? LuckieEddie says—At Christmas time folks are more vulnerable to these pitches. 

CadillacJack says—Yes, many folks are generous and even become more generous at Christmas.  Soooo how are you going to be generous this Christmas?  It has been said many times many ways—A great gift is a gift of your time (i.e. a grande of an idea). Just see someone and listen to them.  Maybe another great gift is of encouragement a.k.a. affirmation (i.e. make someone feel bigger, better, even braver). Maybe even letting someone know that you are thinking about them.  What do you think? Or you can sit on the couch, eat chips and do nutten.  That will work too but your end products will be a bigger butt and “a feel sorry for me attitude.” Ouchy ouchy! You folks have good motors sooooo I bet you do great things for others all year and not just at Christmas. You guys are the toast of the town!  If there are any of you who aren’t much of a giver, oh well, you don’t know what you don’t know!  Such is life.

PastorJohn (i.e. anybody can be a John) said Sunday--Yes, some folks don't appreciate our generosity and some folks take advantage of our generosity but they can't take away our joy of giving!  Saturday question--Would you rather receive a gift or give a gift to someone who doesn't get "one" gift or very few gifts? According to Wall-Mart's TV advertisement--80% of children champion the idea of giving the gift rather than receive it.  You believe that? I asked a grand daughter about this--she said--depends what the gift is!

I went to Albertsons to get some seafood salad (i.e. my favorite through the years here in Valley of the Sun).  SuperSeniorBill, the seafood guy says to me—How ya doing—fine, how about you—great, but I lie a lot; you don’t want to talk to someone who complains do ya?—probably not—it doesn’t help anyway sooo I just make the most of it. I told Bill I wanted a pound of it.  It doesn’t look the same as last year Bill.  It’s not the same product.  What’s the deal?  They changed wholesalers and it’s a different product.  Is it as good? No, I don’t think sooo but you might like it better. We all have different tastes soooo you never know.  Maybe it's like giving gifts; you might think a gift is special but to the gift receiver, it's not what they like (i.e. a junk gift).  That is why we give money to our grand kids via their parents.  Our daughter used the money to purchase experiences for their children (e.g. going to Nutcracker). Our daughter-in-law thinks she will use the money for an experience that both their kids can enjoy.  Both kids have birthdays in December and along with Christmas presents, they will get plenty of stuff.  A true gift has no strings!  Such is life.

A friend called me and asked what kind of golf balls should she buy her son-in-law for Christmas.  Is he an avid golfer—yes he is—what kind of golf balls does he play—I have no idea—you might want to ask your daughter to find out; if she doesn’t know, have her ask one of his golf buddies; many serious golfers will only use certain type of ball; if you give them balls they don’t play, they will be nice to your face when they receive them but will give them away, sell them on a garage sale or put them in their shag bag; the balls will just be a junk gift (i.e. you have just wasted your money).  She understood I think.  She did say—I didn’t realize that golf balls were that expensive!  CadillacJack says—Give cash and they can buy exactly what they want (i.e. everybody is happy).  Besides, a true gift has no strings attached.  You are smart folks but you can’t always pick ”just the perfect gift.”  We are fickle and crazy folks!  I read in the paper sooooo it must be right—Teachers say they don’t want homemade stuff, trinkets or other junk gifts but want gift cards!  Huh, interesting.

As the song goes--Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer, you will go down in history! President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 sent his Second Annual Message to Congress, in which he called for the abolition of slavery and said, “We cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves.”  GeorgeTheCrook says—I wonder if over giving gifts (i.e. of the perfect gifts) at Christmas in trying to make sure that we will be remembered as nice folks going down in history.  Could be GeorgeTheCrook, could be.  I have a golf buddy that is very generous with “give me putts.”  He said to me one time—I like to have folks like me soooo I am very generous in giving putts!  Hey, that might work.  Such is life.

I texted our children (i.e. about 40, not 40 kids but their ages are about 40) asking them what the 5 most memorable gifts we gave them through all the years. Here are their responses:  Our daughter--The Luggage (was that really my gift or for you-this may not count), Long leather coat, Cabbage patch doll, Dropping off our secret Santa gifts, Earrings from Tiffany. Our son--Tommy Armours; Nintendo; all the rest tied for 3^rd. I guess some of our gifts weren’t junk gifts after all!  Now we give them cash.  They can buy beer with it or whatever makes them happy.  Even the small amount of cash (i.e. a small amount of cash is a relevant number) is sorta kinda a junk gift as they seem to be doing real well (i.e. but it fits all and liked by all--very useful).  Soooo just maybe a small amount of cash is not very impressive.  What amount do you think it would take to make it impressive if we were to trying to impress them? I texted them back saying I thought going to CA for Christmas one year was fun.  Heather responded--We flew on Christmas Day from Kansas City and the flight attendant had a red bra on under white shirt-why do I remember that. Went to Coronado island that night to see fancy hotel but stayed at motel 6. New year eve we walked across Golden Gate Bridge. GratefulAmos says--I'm soooo glad for experiences I can remember and appreciate!  

Christmas question—What kind of person do you and I want to be? Not just at Christmas but all year or all our life?  I would guess that it's a “live possibility" that we all want to be good folks.  What do you think?  Listen folks, greedy Zaccheaus became generous Zaccheaus sooo we all can change.  It’s possible.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are.

P.S. And remember, it's only money! MasterCardVickie says--It's Christmas, you need to buy stuff!  

Tis the season folks

AverageJoe says—erv, I think you are just full of crap and I dismiss everything you write in “It’s Saturday.” A blind man can see that.  You have no idea what you are doing. SusieQ says--Attaboy AverageJoe, call it as you see it.  Whatever!  LudkieEddie says--You folks don't have to agree...simply understand the other's perspective. Ok folks, try to have an open mind. Be labile to change or at least look at it!

Folks start your engines.  It’s officially Christmas season. Tis the season to make your wish list!

Since it’s officially Christmas season, we watched The National Lapoon Christmas Vacation movie.  It is my favorite Christmas movie of all time.  It just makes me laugh.  I watch it every year. Maybe ‘cause it sooooo subconsciously true.  There are soooo many lines that are soooo funny to me (e.g. Clark’s mother-in-law, Frances, says to Clark’s cousin Eddie—Ruby Sue’s eyes aren’t crossed any more—Eddie says—I don’t know, she falls in a well and her eyes go cross, she gets kicked by mule and they go back, I don’t know!).

While golfing this summer, a golf buddy, DownTheMiddleRon, was telling us about a book he read.  It was about a football player who had a head injury and became an “acquired savant.”  Also there are “idot savants” who are born with it.  They are now more often called “autistic savants”. An “acquired savant” acquires prodigious capabilities or skills from a head injury or disturbance. They show exceptional skills or brilliance in specific areas such as rapid calculation, art, memory, or musical ability while having a low IQ. This instant recall is usually in art, math or music.  In the movie, Forest Gump was portrayed as an “idot savant.”  He had great mathematical calculation and recall with numbers.  His great line was—I’m not a smart man. 

It seems that I need to get hit in the head to understand things sometimes.  In fact, sometimes it appears I need to get my clock cleaned in order to figure things out.  I recently might have had that experience again!  I was reflecting on my life and thought about a situation that I didn’t like.  But in reality, it was probably one of the best things that has happen to me in my life (i.e. but at the time I didn’t think sooooo).  It has taken a long time for me to sorta kinda appreciate it.  Crazy huh!  I got hit in the head and got my clock cleaned! I wonder if it wasn’t a God thing.  Yes, I do and sorta kinda think it was.  But I don’t know for sure, I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  I’m not a smart man!

If you are a Ron or Mike of the world who detest Christmas, Blondie says--You need to just lump through it.  It’s Christmas folks, wake up!  Some folks have different excitement of Christmas than others.  No question about that.  Some really don’t care much about Christmas (i.e. a pain in the butt) and others are “superlovers” of Christmas.  And many in the middle. A friend reminded me that maybe many folks think I spend an awful lot of time on the golf course (i.e. unproductive and wasteful some would think) and there are those folks who spend a lot of time and money on Christmas that some might think it’s unproductive and wasteful.  Everyone has their enjoyments.  A friend says—You need to accept everyone for who they are.  Such is life.

Analytical metrics are used in the NBA to analyse players.  They give them a +/- rating to how they help the team when on the court.  It is not a perfect analyzing method—probobably not but an indication of how the player helps the team.  Maybe the other cast members might be a factor as to how the player performs plus maybe other intangibles.  It might appear that some folks in real life add a lot of + to everything and maybe other folks add a lot of –s to everything.  It appears that way to me.  What do you think? SquashedToadEdna  says--Ya can’t win with the “–s” but ya sure like the “+s” on your team!  Such is life.

SusieQ is a subspecialist of Christmas (i.e. a specialist of a subspecialty).  MaryChristmas wife of HollyChristmas says—Some folks overkill Christmas, over blow it up, and over fantasize. Rusty says to his dad, Clark,--these are sure a lot of Christmas lights).  Then it becomes fake, phony and artificial.  ItchieBitchie says--Know to quite when you are ahead,  Just stop—don’t overkill, over talk, over give, over party etc. What do you think?

Santa has great job security (i.e. he's a flat out winner).  Did you know that the average career length of a NFL player is 3.3 years.  I think I would rather be a Santa! Yabut every little boy wants to be an NFL player.  Do we have things screwed up a little or what!  What do you think.  ItchieBitchie says—As long as folks are willing and eager to spend big bucks to go the NFL games and watch it on TV, it will be dream of most every little boy.  3.3 years folks! That is what the thrill of glory will do.  And Santa goes on forever without head injuries. Such is life.

I’m not SmutMutting Christmas but there sure seems to be a lot of money wasted at Christmas.  Soooo much junk stuff.  ChristmasHotshotGunslingerWill says—Folks, junk stuff and over abundance of junk stuff does not develop love or respect or glory or power or prestige or happiness.  It might develop a little glitter for about 2 minutes.  GeorgeTheCrook says—It says on TV it does sooooo I do it.  I do it every year.  Besides, love makes a person illogical and Christmas is like a kid in a candy store.  It’s a time you can make her eyes sparkle!  A time you can act like you live on Pluto! Bingo! AverageJoe says—Usuallly junk stuff implodes Christmas.  What do you think? NutCrackerJill says—Oh the litmus test of Christmas. BillTheReindeer was asked what he is going to give his wife TopStarRuth this year--He said I use to give her jewelry but now I'm giving her new carpet.  Such is life.

Christmas is not a good time to have a jealous mistress (e.g. your personal passion such as work or your money) nor is it a good time to have an over bearing wife that really goes overboard on Christmas spending (i.e. crazy).  WorldClassLarry says--It's not a good time to be a cat among the pigeons! You will be called a bahumbug! It is not politically correct sooooo if you feel some animosity toward the commercial Christmas, you need to fake it.  That’s right, fake it.  Suck it up cupcake. Getitoverwith!  CreditDebtEunice says—Those folks who don’t go overboard at Christmas make me sick as a dog!  Such is life.

Tis the season to campaign for the Presidency.  Onesmartguy told me--Trump does not want to be president. It is all about ego and giggles and attention.  Why would he he want to be president.  And if he did, why would he say the things he says.  It's just a game folks.  He is just having a lot of fun and enjoying it immensely (i.e. a jolly of a time).  

Have you been a good little girl or boy during the year, Santa asks.  Kids and us are sometimes in a delusion as to how good we are. Kids like super heroes (i.e. like superman or superwoman or Santa Claus) which in reality are figures of an imagination. I’m floored how all folks like imaginary stuff that is not reality (i.e. yabut it sells stuff).  Folks like to pretend.  JingleBellMaggy says--What is that to you erv? SusieQ says--At Christmas, GeorgeTheCrook is everything I want him to be in my mind and even more, even though he is the biggest jerk during the year.  Ouchy ouchy!  

Clark: Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny … Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.

Cha-ching! Writing checks willy-nilly can give a guy a head ache latter about in January. WonderfulWonderfulWonderousBetty doesn't have a clue.  But if you are married to BonusBabyFred with a huge check book balance, it doesn't matter.  How much to spend at Christmas can be a conundrum for some folks.  TomTerrific (i.e. has a little gunslinger in him) says--The reality is folks, even if you are loaded, does it make good common sense to act foolishly at Christmas.  Quite dancing around the issue and shoot real bullets which makes life much more enjoyable.  ChunkyChuck says--That is some real "Ahhhhhh"!
                

MouthBreatherSam says--Prioritize your life—Where you spend your time, money and energy sorta kinda says who you are (i.e. some folks just win our hearts over now don't they). They are just super great folks.  Ya just got to applaud them. They are just fun to be around (i.e. I'm talking about you folks).

I hope this Christmas brings you more jolly from less jingle. And remember folks, a gift is in the giving and not in the credit. WhoaJack!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A life without love is like a year without summer.

in transition

Some of you might think I’m just prattling in this “It’s Saturday.”  And you could be right.  Remember folks, you get what you pay for! 

We are in CO with all our family on our way to AZ (i.e. a lot of nose and activity).  We are in transition! Yes, we ate the turkey.  Why do turkeys gobble? Because they have never learned table manners.  What happened when a turkey got into a fight? He got the stuffing knocked out of him.

OneSweetLadyJudy says--Offering thanks is a positive experience for all...We are also blessed when a person accepts our “thank you,” because it blesses them...Many people, especially people living in poverty, are not often affirmed and encouraged.

When we look back at our lives, there are soooo many things that have happened to us that we thought early in life that were unimaginable unfathomable unobtainable unachievable unreachable implausible and yet they happened.  When we look forward in our life, I assume we might have that same thought and probably there will be unimaginable unfathomable unobtainable unachievable unreachable implausible things will happen.  We are in transition folks, a constant transition.

WorldClassLarry says—Everyone needs a break once in a while.  Some call it vacation, a Sabbath, time away, a change, a break, a resperate, a get away, a different spin, an uplift, etc.  You get it.  I personally get bored easily; I need change and something different.  Sooooo all the above are the reasons why we are going to AZ for the winter.  Much of our simple life will not change but some things will.  It’s a change, especially for me.  Transition isn’t always easy but the result might be good.  Does any of this make any sense?

Our grandkids are in transition—Like a smartyoungman says—they all do it.  If we like it or not, it happens. Kids and some adults learn soooo much in each and every day.  If you haven’t seen your grand kids for any amount of time, it is just amazing how they change both mentally and physically.  They probably say the same about grandparents but we don’t think sooooo!  SusieQ says--I married him and he had a thick head of hair and a thin belly.  Now he has a thin head of hair and a thick belly. 

Transition for Arlene from home to AZ will be/is challenging.  Transition for someone with Alzheimer’s is difficult.  Anything different and out of their routine is difficult.  I try to be very patient and foresee areas that will be extremely challenging for her and make them easy for her (i.e. just do things and make decisions for her).  We both think once we get to AZ, it will be more” life about the same” as we are renting the same house as we had last year.  Not a piece of cake but it surely will be easier for her.  It won’t be super either place but winter in AZ will give us more options we think.  AverageJoe says—Transition is hard on me tooooo and I don’t think I’m impaired!

My Daddy, Chester, would say to me erv—It isn’t the tractor you are driving but the machine behind it.  Meaning, the machine will go where you pull it with the tractor.  Sooooo maybe much of transition is about our attitude; how we adapt.  It’s maybe how we pull our situation along.  It will follow the tractor.  My Daddy also said—Everyone has problems, it’s just that some folks handle them differently.  Many many parts of the equation produces the end result.  Some parts of the equation we have no control over.  We just need to buck up and adapt and make the most of it.  And yes, the transition ain’t always easy. Such is life.

I must admit that when I was maybe 12 or sooooo, I was draggin’ using or neighbor, Lawrence Van Den Einde’s B John Deere pulling our 4 section drag when I turned tooooo sharp at the end of the field and got the cable from the draw bar to the end of the drag up on the tire.  Had to get my Daddy, Chester, to come and help me.  He was rather nice about it.  I was fearful after his advice he always gave me about driving the machine and not the tractor.  That B John Deere had a flywheel which you had to spin to start the tractor to make it go putt putt (i.e. that is the noise of 2 cylinder John Deere makes).  Any of you folks remember flywheels? How about opening the petcocks?

I read while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it—Humility, which acts as a fly wheel turning over the engine of a great person. LuckieEddie says—You either get that or you don’t—If you don’t get that, you are just a “splasher!” GerogeTheCrook says--Ah fudge nuggets!  ItchieBitchie says--Maybe we  need to open our petcocks tooooo!

Before we left for AZ, I signed up for a slot on a prayer vigil.  My time I signed up for was 4:45 a.m. When I got there, 4 or 5 folks were in the sanctuary praying in different positions.  As I was there, I think one more person might have come and one left.  ANYWAY about half way through my prayer time, one of the folks started to pray out loud. It was very annoying to me.  I plugged my ears and went on.  He did it the rest of the time I was there.  Why do you think he did that?  Maybe he thought he was a better prayer than the rest of us (i.e. and he might be), to impress us (i.e. if so, he didn't impress me), to get attention (i.e. he did that in a negative way) or maybe he was opening his petcocks.  I have no idea.  What do you think?

Our niece, Jen, put this on face book. She made me laugh. Not trying to brag but our Nick (i.e. their son) scored half of the points. Unfortunately we are the guests.

One of our little grand daughters walked with Arlene and I to the Corner Store to get a $2 Denver Post.  She told us she had a dollar and some change and wanted to buy something.  She bought Tic Tacs and put her money on the counter.  The clerk went to the back room and came back with her wallet and was getting some money out; I didn't realize that she didn't have enough money and she was going to pay the difference.  The next day I got another paper and the same gal was working.  I told her how nice she was to our little grand daughter yesterday.  She said--I like to help folks; it makes them happy and makes me happy--You are one nice gal--sooo are you (i.e. she doesn't know me very well!). Yesterday I told one of our little grand sons--You are a nice boy.  He said back to me--Sometimes! Such is life.

I read in the paper sooooo it must be right--Data shows that people who report feeling gratitude in their daily lives feel more loving, forgiving and enthusiastic.  Gratitude also is linked strongly to well-being and metal and physical health with such benefits as lowered blood pressure and improved immune function.  It is not a magic bullet but does round out the edges of difficult times.  Soooo what do you think?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Grateful people are more fun to be around than ungrateful people.

snake bitten

A friend says--The best stories are of life. You can't make this stuff up folks.

This It’s Saturday is not a “microaggression.” A “microagression” is a phrase used to refer to a variety of verbal and nonverbal forms of communication that said to show disrespect for a particular group of people, especially those who have encountered historical decimation, and may now include any group that some establishments have classified as victims (i.e. who think they might have gotten a raw deal a.k.a. snake bitten).

Joesixpack says--It’s a big pill to swallow!  Everyone’s “big pill” might be different!  Generally, it’s not if but when!  When I was a kid my parents thought I should take a vitamin pill as I was a runt.  I overheard my Daddy, Chester, tell our neighbor about my small stature one day--erv, didn't get enough tit (i.e. that is an old farm expression used when the runt of  hog litter had no tit to suck--sometimes farmers would just kill the runt)! I really think my Daddy, Chester, wanted me to be a bigger kid soooo I would have a better chance of competing in athletics (i.e. that has been my thought through the years—maybe I have been wrong all these years).  I would not take it.  We fought and fought about it.  My Daddy would hold me and pry my mouth open and my Mom, Anna, would put the pill in while I was hollering and screaming.  I didn’t want to take the pill. Many folks don’t want to take the pill—it’s in many cases a “big pill” to swallow. 

ItchieBitchie says--The teacher graded on the curve—the bell curve.  CrazyMarvin says—I think life is sorta kinda a bell curve.  Some of you are on the uptick side of the curve, some on the top side of the curve and others on the down side of the curve and still going down.  The ageing process is way different than the other parts of life (i.e. for some it appears they have a lot of pig pills to swallow and for some it appears they are on a diet of cream puffs). Life isn't always fair.  The only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in June. Such is life.

It sure appears that some folks are more snake bitten that others.  I was with a super-senior friend recently that made a statement like—Some folks just amaze me how they get out of a snake bitten environment—very few do (i.e. might be at any part of the bell curve of life). And those few are just amazing.  Why do some and not others? Good question.  I think in some situations, it’s just a God thing; that’s the only way I see it.  My friend went on to say—I thank the Big Guy in the sky every day for my life.  GeorgeTheCrook says—We sent Jr to school; they didn’t learn him nutten; he learned more on the bus! Has Jr been snake-bitten?

Winston Churhill once said--Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. 

LuckieEddie says—I really feel sorry for many folks that have no control over their situation.  It is harder for me to feel sorry for others who do have control over their situation but do nutten.  Saturday question—Which one are you? The runt became a grown man at 202 pounds (i.e. as Helen Shirley said--He was a huge, beastly, bulging man)!  It must of been tooo much of Arlene's cooking!  Now the runt weighs 178 and does take a vitiamin pill! Such is life.

It says in the paper soooo it must be right—Among those struggling with psychological issues in modern America are the rich “one-percenters” (especially the mega-rich “one-percent of one-percenters”), according to counselors specializing in assuaging guilt and moderating class hatred.  Sample worries: isolation (so few rich-rich); stress, caused by political hubbub over “inequality”; and insecurity (is my “friend” really just a friend of my money?). Joesixpack says—Soooo it seems to me that a guy could be snake bitten it you don’t have money or if you have toooo much money.  Huh, interesting. According to IRS, the top 1% in America make $380,354 (i.e. that is some of you folks).  Top 5% make 159,619, top 10% make 113,799. 

WorldClassLarry says—There are times in our lives when we are stagnant (i.e. our life is not exciting or don’t seem productive).  We are in these times maybe by choice or maybe we have no choice.  It’s a very unsettling time—eerie time—a time of unpleasantness—can be a boring time—a time which feels negative, unproductive—an isolation chamber time—time of no opportunities—time of stillness—time of life modification—time of inactivity—etc.  It appears like our lives have changed and we can’t do much about it.  It might be a time of quietness—time of a different life--time of inactivity—time of waiting-—etc.  I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—Be still and know that I am God! That can be a big pill to swallow especially if you are a type A personality.  SusieQ says—It appears that some handle it better than others for maybe many different reasons.  What do you think?

When I was a lad my Daddy, Chester, would occasionally take me along to the Willmar Livestock Sales barn for their weekly sale.  We would sometimes stop at the DQ and have a malt.  He would always ask me if I would like another.  He wanted me to get bigger was always my reasoning.  I always said no even though I could have eaten another one.  The reason I always said no was that I knew we didn’t have much money and I didn’t want to spend more money.  I think a malt cost 35 cents.  Ya must remember that our income was about $3,500 at this time.  I know when I was a senior in 1963 our income was $4,600 as my Daddy shared a lot of information with me. 35 cents was .0001 of our family income.  Sooooo, .0001 of a family income of $60,000 today would like paying $6 for a malt.  My mentality was snake-bitten. Crazy huh! What might seem even crazier is that Roseland Reformed Church in Roseland, MN (i.e. the church we attended) built a new building in 1956.  Our parents gave $1,000.  We didn’t have indoor bathroom yet! Crazy!

I recently called some long time clients and asked if I could stop over.  He has Parkinson’s and his wife is his caregiver.  She asked her husband and he said it was ok (i.e. some days he would rather not see folks as his disease gets him all goofed up).  Our conversation started normally but very soon he got right to the point—This is a terrible disease and I don’t like it a bit.  He shared his emotions, frustrations and feelings very openly. But erv, some have it worse than me.  Being an old German farmer, it was surprising to me that he would share his heart as most don’t (i.e. but we have a long, good relationship). Maybe the time was just right. Then his wife shared her emotions, frustrations and feelings.  Wow!  They know that Arlene’s and my life is somewhat similar and know that I understand. We visited for about 20 minutes and cleared the air I think.  We were frank, honest, and to the point.  Their “oomph” was being tested alright. Saturday question—Has your “oomph” ever been tested?

Kids, what time is it?  It’s Howdy Doody time!  One thing we are in control of and that is our attitude.  MissPerfect says—We all have feelings, pleasant and unpleasant; but it depends how we react to those feelings!  Soooo the reality of taking the “big pill” is how we react to it.  Sooooo we need to work on our attitude.  Adjust to our situations and modify our lives accordingly.   That is my opinion.  And it might not be easy but it does make life a lot better.  I’m certain about that. 

While running (i.e. or trotting as Ed calls my running) I went past a house where an elderly gentleman just died.  He was a farmer who owned a nice number of acres.  I thought--his kids just became millionaires.  ItchieBitchie says—I feel like I have been snake bitten by not being of a different family.  A friend (i.e. who might be smarter than the average guy) said to me—erv, when death occurs, money is of no importance.  Soooo true good friend but while on earth, money does give many options (i.e. good and bad options). Saturday question--Do you have a strong love of money?

Some folks appear they are snake bitten! Being a volunteer at Wheaten Franciscan Health Care, I was invited to their continuing education class called, Behavioral Health Diversity: Interacting with Emotional Instability.  I enjoyed the class as I have an interest in this topic.  I learned that addictions interact with many forms of mental disorders. Also I learned that these problems usually stem from three areas: Chemical imbalances, Genetics, and Environmental (i.e. these are the hallmarks and sometimes they interact).  ItchieBitchie says—You can’t fight fire with fire because it causes explosive results.  I also learned that being supportive is really important for folks who have these challenges (i.e. affirmation).  For most of us that is all we can do. There is not a quick fix.  It did not happen overnight and will not be fixed overnight. They also said--The best thing a caregiver can do for the emotionally unstable is to take care of yourself.  But sometimes that is a big pill to swallow.  

LuckieEddie says--The twinkling of an eye or a blink of an eye is to be 5.19 milliseconds, or 5.19 thousandths of a second. In the time that you look up and blink your eyes—it’s over. The experience, accident, event etc. is over. I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Soooo I guess in a blink of an eye; it will all make sense.  Of course if folks think they will die like a pig, it doesn’t make any difference.  Soooo there you go.

Mark Bullock on the subject of thanksgiving: “When you ask God in the morning / For His guidance through the day, / Thank Him for the many blessings / He in love has sent your way. / When you’re asking aid from Heaven, / Mingle with your morning prayer / A word of praise and gratitude / For all His kindly care.”

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--We are given enough compassion, to use in service each day.