signature moment

Joesixpack says--This "It's Saturday" will not be a signature moment in my life erv. I just wonder about all your questionable tales along with the murky details. Joesixpack, believe me, you are getting the straight poop!  Ha ha! Now, DuaneTheWorm is another story.  He can say things that aren't completely true but sounds plausible.  Remember, DuaneTheWorm's key is to make everything a little true but not toooooo true!  He is really good at it let me tell ya!  Such is life.

A lot of crazies! CrazyMarvin wonders about storing digital information in the cloud when we have so many cloudless days here in Arizona.  Ya must realize that CrazyMarvin is bat shit crazy! CrazyMarvin puzzles me, but being puzzled is an almost constant state of mind for me. Crazy, crazy crazy how cyberegomania has taken over. Just crazy (i.e. my opinion).  Many folks seem to really like it.  It's a big part of their life.  Saturday question--Why do some folks like it sooooo much better than others?  It sure seems like some do.  Why do you think? What is the common denominator?  Is there one do you think?  Oxymoron!  A senior lady at church told me that she just hates changes, just hates it.  Sooo do you email--ya, and I'm on face book tooo; I just had a birthday and it took me half a day to respond to all the birthday wishes I got on face book!  Huh, interesting.

Getty up cowboy!  Change can happen slowly and we don't even know it.  It's not a exact 'signature moment".  It's maybe the aging process.  Maybe it's how we feel or how we act or what's important to us.  Maybe it's money verses life.  Maybe it's a change how we value our family.  Maybe we realize that we aren't as quick anymore or can't remember quite as well or not as strong physically.  Maybe we realize we need more rest or we're not as aggressive or don't care about trivial, non important stuff anymore.  It's just a gradually change which we go through.  Does this make any sense to you.  It could be a person changing by having children, or paying their own way, or seeing their kids leave the house or becoming grandparents or wondering about having enough money for retirement or being affected by an illness or death of someone. Ding ding ding!  Like my mentor (i.e he had a lot of trickle effect) would say to me--erv, we are all programmed by our past experiences.

WorldClassLarry was eating breakfast with my 10-year-old granddaughter and asked her, What day is tomorrow?  Without skipping a beat she said, "It's Presidents Day!"  She's smart, so I asked her "what does Presidents Day mean?" I was waiting for something about Obama, Bush, or Clinton, etc.  She replied, "Presidents Day is when the President steps out of the White House, And if he sees his shadow, we have another year of bull shit!"

A nice person.  ItchieBitchie says--Folks seem to be much nicer when they get to where they want to be. Where they want to be might be different for different folks though.  Like the saying goes--I don't want to be like MoneyBagsFrank--He climbed each rung of the ladder to success and got to the top only to realize he had his ladder against the wrong wall!  Ouchy ouchy!  There are a lot of different fish in the sea than just the ones that the world tells us.  And you get to make the decision what success is.  And your decision has consequences.  A friend was a pilot for a business corporation's jet.  He once told me--The top management folks are really nice to get along with (i.e. they've made it to the top they think) but the middle management folks are a pain in the butt as they are trying to climb the corporate ladder.  Huh, interesting.

Maybe different moments!  I was invited (i.e. an opportunity) to play pickleball with some of the better players in the valley.  Some of these folks are tournament players and winners (i.e. some are really good). These folks play hard as they want to get better and have success in tournament play (i.e. hone their skills).  Not all but some of them.  Some are younger players as well.  It has been an interesting and enjoyable experience for me.  In general, they don't appear to have as much fun as the folks in the several 55+communities I play in and our inter community 55+ play (i.e. strong on the "appear").  I am finding out that some of them are much nicer than their game face. Maybe the two groups have different agendas.  Sooooooo do folks when they get more advanced, become different folks or are they always that way and that is why they are on the top (i.e.like the Patriots and Seahawks)?  FlyBoyDave (i.e. anybody can be a Dave) says--Maybe if you hang around the turkeys you start to gobble like them! AverageJoe says--But, there are great folks who are on the top and there are obnoxious folks who are on the top (i.e. in sports as well as in life).  When I was leaving the other day, I walked out with a guy who was fun to play with.  I told him that I enjoyed playing with him.  He had a nice game and was personable.  He was 73 and told me--At my age, we just have to have fun.  LuckieEddie says--Maybe when some folks get older, some folks might loose some of their ego (i.e. a signature moment)!  JoeBlow says--It doesn't take long to go from the  top to the bottom.  If you don't believe me, ask Tiger! Huh, interesting.

Maybe some folks think they are going to leave their mark.  Could be.  I think leaving your mark in pickleball is like me when I run up in 'em 'er mountains.  I run to a certain vista that I like.  I stop there and admire the beauty and "leave my mark" a.k.a. mark my territory.  Sooooo far, I don't know of any one who has been impressed with my mark!  Such is life.

A signature moment?  The weigh we are!  I read it in the paper soooooo it must be right--The difference between true hunger--when the body tells you that you need to fuel it so it can perform all of it's functions--and appetite--when you feel the urge to eat but you don't necessarily have the physical need to eat--can be difficult to distinguish.  Huh, interesting. GeorgeTheCrook says--It appears that some can distinguish it better than others.

A signature moment might be when you lay your head down at the end of the day and think of your day.  What did I do to make this day better for someone (i.e. maybe a random act of kindness).  MissPerfect says--That can sorta kinda bring out the NewCarShine in ya (i.e. champion you).  I say thank you every time I play pickleball, ride my bike, run, hike, be around folks, write, etc etc etc. I enjoy sooooo many of the simple things of life.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--May we never let the things we can't have, or don't have, or shouldn't have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have. Does that make any sense to ya?  The next day I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--If you have the world's peace--everything going your way--you don't see the Unfathomable Peace.  Accepting this Unfathomable Peace might be a signature moment for us.  What do you think?

Didn't work out the way I had it planned.  SusieQ says--Something good happened but I didn't realize it at the time.  I tried to do something good but I really questioned if the result I got was what I deserved at the time but it ended up being a signature moment in my life.  Time proved that I did the right thing and I got what I deserved. But it took some time.  My, Mom, Anna, would say to me--erv, always do what is right, always.  I try but don't always.  I usually get what I deserve.  But not always.  Do you guys get what you deserve? Mysterious Dave Mather worked both sides of the law (i.e. it seems like a lot of gunslingers did in the old west) the Territorial News says. He was a cattle rustler, suspected murderer, robber, scam artist, horse thief, train robber, and then became a deputy marshal.  During his time of being a marshal he was accused of "promiscuous shootings".  Mather became the co-owner of the Opera House Saloon.  Because of its prominent downtown location, the city council objected to Mather's decision to turn it into a dance hall.  The council took no action against another dance hall owned by Thomas Nixon.  Nixon and Mather battled to put each other out of business.  When the city government replaced Mather with Nixon as the assistant marshal, the feud came to a head.  Nixon drew a gun and fired at Mather, but only sprayed him with a few splinters.  Three days later, Mather approached Nixon from behind and fired four bullets into his back, killing him instantly.  Mather was immediately placed under arrest and trial date was set.  On December 30, 1884, the jury retired for 27 minutes and returned with a not guilty verdict.  They felt Tom Nixon had got what he had coming to him. Now that was a signature moment for him!  Such is life.

I went to the movie American Sniper.  I don't think Chris Kyle got what he deserved.  Life is not always fair.  The only thing that's fair is the Butler County Fair and it's in June!

AverageJoe says--When I compare myself to others and see that the wicked (i.e. my opinion) get treated better than me (i.e. who I think is not wicked), I get a "splitting headache"!  It ain't fair! Ouchy ouchy!  Here is the solution AverageJoe--Don't think you are better than someone else and also don't compare.  Yabut I'm an envious person; I can't help it!

Dante  I like the story of the great medieval Italian poet, Dante. He was having a bad time at the court of his patron, Can Grande Della Scala. A conceited idiot at the court was being treated much better than Dante and one day this man asked the poet: “How is it that I, who am so ignorant, should be so rich and favored while you, who are so learned and wise, should be a beggar?” Quick as a flash Dante gave the fool the perfect reply: “The reason is that you have found a lord that resembles you and when I find one who resembles me I shall no doubt be as rich as you.”

Dirty toilet seat!  We went on a hike last week.  After we hiked, the gals wanted to go to the "little girls' room" before driving back.  We were in a rural park and the facilities weren't like at the Biltmore.  They came back shaking their hands and saying yuck-yuck!  They each had a signature moment (i.e. they had to make a decision)!  One said she put toilet paper on the seat and another said she straddled it.  The other one didn't say what she did sooooo only God knows.  Ouchy ouchy!

Create a moment!  ItchieBitichie says--You gotta create a moment, maybe a signature moment, that people will pay attention to ya. You gotta create a buzz. If something isn't special or not getting any attention, or is mundane, or boring, you gotta create some excitement. One way is to create controversy which causes headlines which causes attention which causes money to be made (i.e. celebrities do it all the time). You gotta deflate the balls, or have Lynch use a sordid crotch grabbing celebration after scoring or operate in the gray areas (i.e. maybe the NFL created these ideas to hype the Super Bowl--you think sooooo--haha). Is that marketing! It's all about the money folks. Don't kid yourself folks! Hypeitup! "Deflategate" seems to be good for business, a whodunit. Such is life.

I don't cheat but you probably do.  I read in the paper so it must be right--While I don't cheat you probably do! If the Patriots did, in fact, cheat by deflating footballs last week, it probably was not a surprise to most Americans according to USA Today poll. Their result was that 64% said they competed against someone that they thought had cheated to try to win. I'm not taking sides here but according to the paper, the Patriots and the Seahawks are not America's favorite teams. But, they win! So what does that mean? WildStallionJack says-- Nice try really doesn't count. And nice guys always don't win. You gotta win! When the game is on the line you gotta be able to do it (i.e. get it done at any cost). You gotta be a gamer! It's all about the money folks. As a past client once told me when I caught him red handed in a fraudulent insurance claim--erv, it's just good business; everyone does it!  Such is life.

But the ?? is? It appears that the general public (i.e. average normal folks) is happier for some people to win than others! Why is that?  I sure find myself rooting more for some folks, some businesses, some teams, some organisations, some families more than others.  A couple of Iowa flatlander friends invited me to go with them to the Super Bowl party down town Phoenix.  I really enjoyed their company (i.e. good folks with good hearts--I root for them--my kind of folks). I think I'm pretty average (i.e. my opinion) sooooo if others think like me, there must be a reason why we find it easier to root for some folks than others.  Maybe there are a lot of reasons.  Manymanymanymany! Manymanymany crazy reasons folks! But the question is--Am I normal, I mean am I pretty average or am I abnormal?  If I am not pretty average, than what I said is not valid. Soooo first of all, you will have to decide if I'm pretty average and then decide if you are pretty average?  MissPerfect asks--What measuring stick are you going to use to compare us toooooo when deciding who is normal and who is bat shit crazy?

No oohs and aahs!  I realize that this "It's Saturday" isn't a Mona Lisa.  It probably wasn't a signature moment in your life.  Just remember, you get what you pay for folks (i.e. you deserve what you deserve)!  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Life is like a ladder.  Every step we take is either up or down.

a chunk or a clunk

Joesixpack says--I read stuff into what I want to hear.  I'm real good at it.  Sooooo folks, I have no idea what you will read into this "It's Saturday"--no idea!  I did read in the paper so it must be right that oatmeal is 15% better for you. For what, I can't remember.  You can fill in the blank.  Maybe it was for lowering your cholesterol, erectile dis-function, improving your attitude during menopause, lowering your blood sugar, increasing your intelligence, doubling your net worth, improving your looks or your general health.  You pick what fits you the best, your pick!

That's more than 15%?  OneSmartGuy told me that all the schools in the Big Ten got about $20 million this year from the Big Ten TV Network.  By adding Rutgers and Maryland to the conference (i.e. increasing the viewing audience substantially) next year each of the school's take will be about $50 million. Bingo.  It's all about the money folks. Now that is a chunk of change folks; they didn't clunk it!

A vaqueros said--Don' let 'em pack your head in whiskey!  Have you ever chunked something that ended up being a great big clunk?  Have you ever made a few clunks and chunks that you know aren't good and you are heading down the wrong road (i.e. it's time to crawl out the window).  You say--I got to change this pattern or I'm going to loose my head.  In 1853, California state ranger scouting party led by Capt. Joaquin Murroeta caught the outlaw Joquin Martina and shot him dead. They cut off his head and packed it in whiskey for the long ride to Sacramento so Love could claim the thousand dollar reward the reward was paid, and Love bought a ranch. ItchieBitchie says--Tooooo many chunks and and clunks will do that folks.  Such is life. Joaquin never chunked again!

Deep brain work!  I read this in the paper soooooo it must be right--Understanding the way firing neurons in the brain affect depression or phychosis--how they are influenced by genetics and the environment--remains a black hole...when physical and mental issues are treated in collaboration, there are better outcomes.  We are still just clunking along it appears with no great knowledge.  The brain is soooooo hard to understand.  CadillacJack says--That is why we chunk things sometimes (i.e. like the Packers did).  They surely weren't thinking they were already in the Super Bowl, do you think?  Chunk chunk and now a clunk!

Does the apple fall far from the tree?  A chunk or a clunk!  Do you think you are a lot like your parents?  Think about that.  I mean do you eat like them, think like them, and act like them.  It's hard for parents to see their kids not thinking or acting like them.  Parents, I guess, think they are always right and their kids should be like them.  But maybe, the kids are doing it right and the parents are not.  That is hard to tell sometimes. SusieQ says--You see bad parents with good kids and good parents with bad kids and good parents with good kids and bad parents with bad kids.  Da! A pickle buddy was telling some us how his son married a gal who was a huge massive spender.  He gave them $20,000 to bail them out of their debt.  The next week they traveled to London for vacation.  Ouchy ouchy!  Saturday question--Do you act more like your parents or your dog?

New generation of influencers!  Oh yes, every generation is a new generation of influnencers!  I had the opportunity to get some 80+yearold"Free"advice from Little York, IL this week.  Jim and Gladys are our daughter-in-law's grandparents who are snowbirds here in Mesa (i.e. their last names are Free).  I asked Jim and Gladys if they gave their four boys a lot of "Free" advice.  They said--We did but don't know if they listened to most of it! Jim told me when I asked him if he still farms--Farmers farm until they die or can't get in the tractor any more!  Such is life.

Think through this a little!  I was running up in 'em 'er mountains recently when I stopped to talk to a couple who had two dogs.  I asked them if they walk their dogs every day--we sure try; it's good for the dogs.  I suppose you buy the best dog food for them toooo--we sure do.  Sooooooo I run some more and met a family.  The parents were maybe 30 with 2 cute girls of maybe 7 and 6.  They were maybe 3/4 of a mile from the trail head.  I stopped and talked to them.  Very nice family.  Soooo you guys hike some.  We try.  We want to get our girls to think about exercising and being outside. ItchieBitchie says--Many times children learn their habits from their parents and many times they don't. Clunk! Huh, interesting.  

I was clunkin' along (i.e. running up 'er in 'em mountains) when I heard this noise coming up behind me.  It was a gal running.  Running about twice as fast as me.  She was in shape (i.e. her shape looked nice as she flew by).  I thought--maybe I should run faster.  Remember erv, my mind said--She is probably 50 years younger than  you.  ANYWAY I thought of something my kid  sister said maybe 5 years ago to me.  Soooo I changed my stride.  It seems I can run 25% faster (i.e. my ego says that--reality is maybe 10% if that) with the same amount of energy and fatigue.  Could it be.  Maybe I won't clunk anymore!  Maybe! Question--Why do I want to run faster anyway?

Muhammad Ali once said--If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can surely make something out of you. I always wonder how my life would have been different if I would have been more intelligent.  It would for sure have been different.  Don't know if it would have been better or worse.  I will never know.  I just wonder.  WorldClassLarry says--Why would you want to be smarter, erv, you are already toooo smart for your britches! LuckieEddie says--There is a reason for everything.  A basketball coach asks one of his players who just missed an important shot at a critical time of the game--why did you shoot that shot?  Player--I was open.  Coach--There is a reason why you were open?  Ouchy ouchy!

I felt like a chunk and was just clunking along!  I have a nasty, lousy cold. I usually just shake them in a couple of days but this one was a huge, massive one.  It affected me physically and it drained my enthusiasm.  I'm getting better, thank goodness but still not back to myself.  I got up the other morning and was sitting on the couch and said to myself, I gotta go for a long hard run a.k.a. rev up the engine.  I got out side in the beautiful, warm, sunny weather and did. I felt way better both physically and mentally.  Bingo! But I still have to blow my nose.  Such is life.

Phil Mickelson said--2014 was the worst year of his career.  It was a completely forgettable 365-day chunk in one of the all-time great professional golf careers.  Talk about potential clunks or chunks--Do you think Allenby, Belichick and Woods are telling the truth?  They seem to know the drill?  Chunk or clunk or...!  Belichick kept saying over and over in his press conference--I don't have an explanation!  Now that clears things right up folks! 

It's funny what we will do for our kids!  I was waiting in line at our little post office in our 55+ community.  The guy behind me had two packages of fruit he was sending to his kids in MI.  He said--It would be cheaper for them to just buy it there but they like me to pick it off the tree in our back yard.  They probably think it's special 'cause it's from you.  Could be sooooo I just send it.  I have the time and the money soooo what the heck!  It's funny what we will do for our kids!  Such is life.  

A positive clunk!  Several years ago I wrote about my terrible experience giving blood with the Red Cross down here in the Valley (i.e. was treated like a slap of raw meat).  I contacted the head person and told them that if they continue treating folks this way, there will no givers and no blood and no jobs.  He was very receptive to me.  Well, I gave blood last Sunday and was treated very well.  100% change.  BUT I wondered at first (i.e. I didn't jump to a conclusion but I was sceptical--I tried to be open minded).  The phlebotomist/technician was a short and very thick man of about 28.  He had his hair slicked back over his head and had tattoos solid on both arms.  His pants was 4 sizes to large hanging on his hips and about 6 inches toooo long.  He was very professional with a very pleasant personality and fun.  All of the staff treated me great and all thanked me for donating a couple of time. I did call Red Cross and tell them about my positive experience.  Everyone likes to hear compliments.

Well, zip-a-dee-doo-dah.  Life is wonderful, ain't it!

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

erv

MyFreindJean says--An open mind leaves a chance for someone to drop a worthwhile thought in it.

watch your top knot

A friend from WY closed his Happy New Year greeting to me with -- Watch your top knot! I never heard of it before or I can't remember it.  Have you? It means--take care, be careful, wish you the best etc.  Knot refers to a bun in your hair, a pony tail or a knot, or a large head of hair.  Top of course means on top.  Soooo watch your top knot (i.e. your head of hair).  It was used in the American western frontier as a salutation or good-bye greeting.  Like don't get scalped.  Watch your top knot. I really like that.

When doing our night hike, I couldn't find the Big Dipper.  Even the Magi with me couldn't find it so I don't think it was to be seen.  They thought it was still below the horizon.  Could be!  Maybe it ran out of gas (i.e. died).  Probably not.  Did you know that if the North Star ran out of gas and stopped glowing, nobody would know--at least not for another 430 years.  The star would continue to shine, but it would be dead, shinning solely by the light of the past.  I hope I'm not a burned out star.  I wonder if some churches aren't burned out stars. You ever study the faces of people you meet every day. You ever steal a quick glance at your own face as you pass a mirror or reflective window. How stressed and grim do we look! Are we a burned out star? Have we lost our top knot but just are going through the motions? Oh ya, I told the group that we were going on a moonlight hike.  When we got to the trail head, Jan (i.e. anybody can be a Jan) said--The moon doesn't come up until 10:10.  I lost some of my validity!  It was my mea culpa! Such is life.

Lost his top knot maybe! I was watching the Phoenix Suns play the other night (i.e. I'm a fan of the Suns).  Maurice Morris thought he got a bad call, complained to the official, got a technical and then got in a rhubarb with his coach, Jeff Horeneck.  He seemed to loose it (i.e. showed his anger--a lot of roottin' and tootin'). He thought he lost his top knot! He was just mad and wanted to vindicate himself. Became a temporary knothead! Fact--You can't win after the fact.  You can holler, complain, stomp your feet but you can't win after the fact (i.e. probably makes it worse).  GeorgeTheCrook says--It's probably about the same in life.  I was around a guy recently who told us that he got real mad at a situation and at a person. It might have caused him to loose his top knot!  It probably did him no good--None! I think it just put a monkey on his back!  Ouchy ouchy! A friend told me recently that he was snorkeling in Hawaii and the current took him out and he didn't realize it.  He couldn't swim against the current soooo he went on an angle.  He kept telling him self, stay cool.  It probably saved his top knot!  

Just plain tough they are! There are some folks who seem to be just tougher than others (i.e. physically and/or emotionally).  Why is that?  Do they have a better internal motor fueled by some believe, desire or want? I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--When Joe Louis fought Max Schmeling in 1938, in their second fight, Schmeling took a terrible beating. After the fight, reporters asked Louis what he would have done if that last haymaker hadn’t floored Schmeling. “I would have run around behind him,” said Louis, “to see what was holding him up.” There are people getting pounded with tribulation, one blow after another. Yet they’re still on their feet, still standing continuing to stand and fight. Sometimes you wonder what is holding them up. What do you think?  My opinion--Their juggernaut force is something special. I know what that special juggernaut force is for some.  

At our Alzheimer's caregiver support group, they gave me this poem.  The group really likes it and so do I.  I want to share it with you.  ACCEPT ME Do not ask me to remember. Don't try to make me understand. Let me rest, and know you're with me. Kiss my cheek and hold my hand. I'm confused beyond your concept. I am sad and sick and lost. All I know is that I need you to be with me at any cost. Do not lose your  patience with me. Do not scold or curse or cry. I can't help the way I'm acting, can't be different though I try. Just remember that I need you, That the best of me is gone. Please don't fail to stand beside me; Love me 'tell my life is done.

When in friendly competition, when does the mercy rule come into play? Winning is much more important for some folks than others.  Maybe they win but loose their top knot in doing so!  You think soooo? Some times I'm more excited about something than other times--sometimes I have more of a strong purpose than other times--some times my purpose is all different.  Some folks can turn it on and turn it off.  Others seem like they can't. I applaud the folks who have the wisdom to figure situations out.  LuckieEddie says--In pickleball doubles, if winning is very important to you and you want to win more, get a better partner or play lessor competition!  But remember, the King and the pawn all go back in the same box!  The fastest guy in the west wins until he doesn't win any more!  Ouchy ouchy.  Most of them end up the same--face down in the dirt!  CadillacJack says--Remember that maybe some of your success is more of a gift than an accomplishment.  Sooooo don't get tooooo puffed up! Also remember, your success will only last sooooo long!  LuckieEddie says--We should act the same when winning and when loosing (i.e. the good ones all do it). Such is life.

The folks who traveled and lived in the American frontier had to be tough (i.e. we still have toooooo).  If they did not have good senses, did not sleep with their ears open, did not sleep with an eye open, and did not have good instincts, they probably would die in a short time. They had to become street savvy quick to not loose their top knot (i.e. there was no government to take care of them). AverageJoe says--There were gamers and and there were dead folks. There were many natural enemies and many human enemies and self-imposed enemies. It's just like the desert, certain plants survive and certain plants cannot (i.e. adapt or loose your top knot). MountainManBlaine (i.e. anybody can be a Blaine) says--After you spend some time in the wilderness and mountains, you sorta kinda develop a 6th sense.  Ya better or you're dead!  You loose your top knot. As Father Time marches on, we generally learn some things--strong on the generally!  I do think though that all of us need to have a "mental health win" once in a while.  We all need some small accomplishment that drives us forward.  To encourage us.  I pray for some success but not tooooo much that it makes me arrogant and obnoxious.  There lies a fine line.  I have to have some success to "get me out of Dodge"!  I have to be seasoned with some success. ItchieBitche says--After a period of time without any success, I vomit or pee in my pants. That's not good ItchieBitchie!

Talk about Father Time marching on.  I got this email along with the the pic from our daughter.  They spent the week-end with friends in Breckenridge and stayed with friends in a house by Quandary Mt. (i.e. a CO 14ner)  "Not the best lighting but in real life, it is quite pretty. I told Erin you and mom hiked that mountain and she said well they are kinda old to do that, but whatever."  I was walking out of church Sunday with friends.  He was holding the arm of his wife.  He said--A while back I was doing the same.  When we got almost out, the lady turned to me and said--excuse me.  It wasn't his wife!

Hold the fort!  During America’s Civil War, the small Union garrison in Altoona, Georgia, was under siege by Confederate forces. Union General William Tecumseh Sherman came to the rescue. While still a long way off, the besieged garrison received a message: “Sherman is coming. Hold out.” Oh the power of hope!  The hope of the unseen. Some folks can just instill confidence in other (i.e. empower them).  Others can not!  Huh, interesting.  

6th sense!  Talk about the 6th sense. I think folks who can see things unseen have a huge massive advantage.  Some folks seem to have that sense and others don't.  They are unique and better for it. Some just see the future better than others.  Some folks seem to feel the unseen and it's a tremendous source of strength.  They might not be able to put it in words but they have it.  It gives them peace and security and a good feeling to go forward.  Have you ever been touched by that Force? Many times (i.e. my opinion) it helps folks save their top knot!  Jack (i.e. anybody can be a Jack) gave me the daily devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  There has been 9 million copies sold in 26 languages (i.e. many others must like it).  Jack told me that it saved his life.  I think it's very good.  It's about believing in the unseen, the unbelievable, and the unexplainable.  It gives folks hope (i.e. there is no medicine like hope, no incentive soooo great, no tonic soooo powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow).  It makes me "get on with the show".  I realize that some of you think that I'm just "simple".  Maybe I lost my top knot you think.  But, I'm very comfortable.  I have hope. I have confidence.  I feel empowered. 

Gottcha!  FrustratedEmma says--Cable companies, car sales folks, airlines, cell phone companies, telephone companies, gyms, weight loss gimmicks, better golf score gimmicks, etc might not lie but maybe just don't tell you all the truth.  Ya better watch your top knot when dealing with them.  They seem to take advantage of folks.  And then they make it sooooo frustrating to try to get anything straightened out.  They know what they are doing to make you disgusted and just give up.  They hire some of the smartest folks to manipulate us.  It's all about the money folks.  Don't kid yourself.  They have "tricks and treats" all planned out.  A snowbird at a meeting I was at told this story--His dentist here in the Valley told him that he needed work done on this caps.  It would cost $10,000.  He said--no way.  Went back to ND and had it done for $189.  Ouchy ouchy!  I hear of contractors here in the Valley giving bids on repair work and their will be more than 50% difference.  Ouchy oucy!  Watch your top knot folks! There are gougers and they have "tricks and treats" folks. GeorgeTheCrook says--We have seen this movie tooooo many times! 

Tricks and treats in advertising have been used for ever (e.g. using enticing sexy/seductive gals).  How dumb do they think us guys are--they know folks.  Oh ya!  They know how to get our top knot.  I read this in the paper sooooo it must be right--Clever ads were used years ago on Route 66 (i.e.in the 40s).  The ads really didn't advertise anything and that's precisely why those ads worked.  For the travelers puttering down Route 66, it was the unknown that snagged them.  A bold yellow signs with the silhouette of a jackrabbit, and curvy-cowgirl cutout with the words "For Men" emblazoned on it.  Those curious or suggestive messages, captured the attention of Arizona's tourist, prompting many of them to stop.  The Jack Rabbit Trading Post is still open for business in Joseph City, AZ.  Huh, interesting.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--When life gets hectic and it is hard to cope, repeat these words, Love and Hope

Funny

Disclaimer--I don't know if I'm right about this "funny stuff". Or maybe I'm just funny in the head. Maybe I'm half right. I don't know about you, but half right is about par for the course for me.  Sooooo relax and try to figure out which half is right!!!

FunnyFred (i.e. use to be FastFreddy) emailed me and suggested that I try to do better.  He said--Your writings are half baked thoughts with a few lame jokes and scurrilous slurs.  I might suggest FunnyFred (i.e. who now is just HandyFred) that you mind your own business!!!!! You get what you pay for!

MN-Mary (i.e. anybody can be a Mary) sent me this--Berzzy Berzzy in MN.  Minnesota has issued a travel advisory due to snowfall and bad road conditions.  They suggest that anyone travelling in icy conditions should make sure they have the following: Shovel, blankets or sleeping bad, extra clothing including hat and gloves, 24 hours worth of food, de-icer, rock salt, flashlight with spare batteries, road flares or reflective triangles, full gas tank/can, first aid kit, and booster cables.....I looked like an idiot on the bus this morning!! 

Some folks have funny footprints! MissPerfect says--Talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey! I was running on the Bear Creek Trail when in Colorado. Recently it snowed 14 inches. They clear this trail. You can tell a lot about a person's recent past life by their recent footprints in their life. Just like you can tell about how folks run by their footprints in the snow.  Some run with long strides, some with short strides, some with their toes straight ahead, some are pigeon toed, and some are duck toed, and others I just don't know about! Their recent footprints don't lie folks. BatmanRoy has a Masters in Disasters; follow his footprints and you'll probably know what you are going to get. And that ain't funny folks. Such is life.

Some folks are just funny! And some folks think they are funny but really are not. It's probably good to know that you are not funny when you think you are (i.e. those folks that don't know they aren't funny but think they are, are funny to me). Sometimes people laugh at something someone says to just be nice. But it isn't funny. It's not funny at all, really. They are just accommodating them (i.e. like a speaker who isn't funny but thinks he is) and folks laugh politely.  Other times you can't stop from laughing because the other person is so funny. Some folks can tell stories much better than other (i.e. much funnier). Such is life.

This was funny to me! Some things that happen in our lives just make us laugh--you just can't make them happen; they just happen (i.e. they just lift my spirits).  When traveling back from Denver to AZ last Sunday, I was standing at the baggage claim carousel waiting for our suitcase.  A maybe 19 year old pretty little gal charges up to my right and grabs her suitcase.  As she was pulling it off the carousel, the outside pocket of her suitcase opened and all her brightly colored bikini panties fell out.  Some fell to the floor and maybe 5 fell on the carousel which just kept going.  I ran along the carousel and picked them up and brought them back to her. There I was with 5 brightly colored bikini panties in my hand. I was laughing. She thanked me and told me that she was returning from CO Springs to Grand Canyon University.  I think she was telling me that they were clean, maybe.  It didn't bother her a bit. What a hoot!  

So who is the funniest person you know? Who is the person that just makes you laugh. They just lift your spirits. And they don't even know it! I am not talking about people who are goofy, but people are funny. I mean really funny! Goofy folks make me laugh toooooo.  Some folks are just naturally goofy.  They don't have to try.  But they make me laugh.  

CaptainChet was making faces at LittleJimmer.  Jimmer said--You're funny! Some people can laugh at themselves and some people cannot. Some people like to laugh and some people never laugh. And then there are some people who are just funny looking! It's funny how this all works out isn't it. Joesixpack says--That's funny! Life is funny--or at least, I think it should be. LuckieEddie says--If you can find humor in everyday things, it's a gift. Humor at very stressful times is sooooooo refreshing. Abraham Lincoln used humor to relieve stress.When Ohio Congressman James Ashey disapproved of a story Abraham Lincoln had just told, the President responded: “Ashley, I have great confidence in you and great respect for you, and I know how sincere you are. But if I couldn’t tell these stories, I would die.” On another occasion the President prefaced a discussion of the draft Emancipation Proclamation by reading aloud from a favorite humorist. In response to the disapproval of some members of his cabinet, Mr. Lincoln said: “Gentlemen, why don’t you laugh? With the fearful strain that is upon me night and day, if I did not laugh I should die, and you need this medicine as much as I do.” I asked Siri for a joke about Alzheimer's. She said she couldn't remember any!

3.5 pounds  Weight of the "Big Game Burger" to be served at Lambeau Field when the Packers host the Cowboys tomorrow.  The $20 sandwich has venison, beef, jalapeno bacon, crispy fried onions, pickles and tomatoes on a pretzel bun.  Now that is funny to me! Folks love their forks!

ItchieBitchie says--Laughter is internal jogging.  Folks who laugh, think better and feel better and have better health.  They are much more fun to be around tooooo (i.e. my opinion). MissPerfect says--That's funny that you say that ItchieBitchie, 'cause I just heard someone else say the same thing.  That's funny!

Pssst! I read in the paper soooooo it must be right--We can't cure children's diseases overnight.  But we can make this boy smile, and it has an immediate impact and outcome. Huh, interesting.  When in business, I tried to make everyone who left our office happier than when they came in.  Our support staff was very good at this as well (i.e. some very good gals).  Some times it was hard but we tried.  Some folks just weren't very happy for many different reasons.  The hardest folks to make smile were the terminally unhappy folks.  They were tough nuts to crack. A pickleball buddy Kathy (i.e. anybody can be a Kathy) says--Skies are always bluer when there is humor (i.e. happiness)!  She displays such an attitude (i.e. my kind of person).  Joesixpack says--Humor optimises life.

You might wonder if we are "funny in the head"!  No no, we are just tough nuts!  I guided these Sherpas on a night hike up 'er in 'em mountains last night.  What a good time.  A lot of laughing and joking.  Ya just don't do this in IA.  Why not?  I guess folks just don't for all  kinds of reasons.  It's fun to be different and do something different.  It's sooooo easy to sit on the couch and eat chips. Doing fun things with good folks with good hearts (i.e. my kind of folks) lifts a person's spirits.  Good stuff! No mountain lions or rattle snakes--All Sherpas returned save!!! Just another day at the office--what a hoot!  

WorldClassLarry says--When we look back after some time about many things that seemed sooooo upsetting at the time, we laugh.  After some time much of the stuff is funny. Sooooooo why not say to yourself--Some day we are going to laugh about this--why wait, laugh now! 

Our grand kids each have their moments when they are funny in their own way (i.e. not any different than any of your grand kids).  They all have their moments.  Erin has soooo much energy and is sooooo active.  She is funny and she makes me laugh during those moments.  Charlie asks such interesting questions and says some funny stuff.  She is funny and makes me laugh during those moments.  LittleJimmer has the funniest expressions and actions.  He is funny and makes me laugh.  Rookie has funny facial expressions (i.e. much like his daddy when he was a little boy).  He also has a pat answer if you ask him a direct question--NO, no not, or I don't want to.  He is funny and makes me laugh.  BUT they all have their moments when they aren't sooooo funny and don't make me laugh. But, even during those "not soooo funny moments", they make me laugh 'cause I'm going home in a day or so.  Such is life.  

We have had a few cold night here in the desert.  A couple down the street in our 55+ community had a lot of potted plants. During that recent cold spell, the wife was bringing a lot of them indoors to protect them from a possible freeze. It turned out that a little green garden grass snake was hidden in one of the plants and when it had warmed up, it slithered out and the wife saw it go under the sofa. She let out a very loud scream! The husband (who was taking a shower) ran out into the living room naked to see what the problem was. She told him there was a snake under the sofa. He got down on the floor on his hands and knees to look for it. About that time the family dog came and cold-nosed him on the behind. He thought the snake had bitten him, so he screamed and fell over on the floor. His wife thought he had a heart attack, so she covered him up, told him to lie still and called an ambulance. The attendants rushed in, wouldn't listen to his protests and loaded him on the stretcher and started carrying him out. About that time the snake came out from under the sofa and the Emergency Medical Technician saw it and dropped his end of the stretcher. That's when the man broke his leg and why he is still in the hospital. The wife still had the problem of the snake in the house, so she called on a neighbor man. He volunteered to capture the snake. He armed himself with a rolled-up newspaper and began poking under the couch. Soon he decided it was gone and told the woman, who sat down on the sofa in relief. But while relaxing, her hand dangled in between the cushions, where she felt the snake wriggling around. She screamed and fainted, the snake rushed back under the sofa. The neighbor man, seeing her lying there passed out, tried to use CPR to revive her. The neighbor's wife, who had just returned from shopping at the grocery store, saw her husband's mouth on the woman's mouth and slammed her husband in the back of the head with a bag of canned goods, knocking him out and cutting his scalp to a point where it needed stitches. The noise woke the woman from her dead faint and she saw her neighbor lying on the floor with his wife bending over him, so she assumed that he had been bitten by the snake. She went to the kitchen and got a small bottle of whiskey, and began pouring it down the man's throat. By now the police had arrived. They saw the unconscious man, smelled the whiskey, and assumed that a drunken fight had occurred. They were about to arrest them all, when the women tried to explain how it all happened over a little green snake. The police called an ambulance, which took away the neighbor and his sobbing wife. The little snake again crawled out from under the sofa. One of the policemen drew his gun and fired at it. He missed the snake and hit the leg of the end table. The table fell over and the lamp on it shattered and as the bulb broke it started a fire in the drapes. The other policeman tried to beat out the flames, and fell through the window into the yard on top of the family dog who startled, jumped out and raced into the street, where an oncoming car swerved to avoid it and smashed into the parked police car. Meanwhile, the burning drapes were seen by the neighbors who called the fire department. The firemen had started raising the fire truck ladder when they were halfway down the street. The rising ladder tore out the overhead wires and put out the electricity and disconnected the telephones in a ten-square city block area (but they did get the house fire out). Time passed! Both men were discharged from the hospital, the house was repaired, the dog came home, the police acquired a new car, and all was right with their world. A while later they were watching TV and the weatherman announced a cold snap for that night. The wife asked her husband if he thought they should bring in their plants for the night.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Happiness was made to be shared.

proper perspective

At Christmas Eve candle light service, Pastor John had us, using one to ten fingers, hold up the number of fingers to answer some questions.  One question was--How excited are you about Christmas.  Another was--How prepared are you for Christmas.  And another was--How good were you as a person this last year?  He said--I noticed that there were some of you who held up all 10 fingers.  You know where liers go, they go to Boradway Christian Church!!!  Self evaluation or self judgement or proper perspective is hard folks.  My pickleball mentor says that probably many pickleballers maybe over rate their ability (i.e. think they are better than what they are--especially women).  Huh, interesting.  

ChiefofStaffBruce says--Heads of state, and many heads of large corporations or other organizations, have a “Chief of Staff.” Some families hire a "family office".  I have a friend who took such a job.  Regardless of best efforts, gaffes occur (i.e. shit happens). No human being can prevent 100 percent of missteps or misstatements in a large organization or in life. OldTimmerTed says--The older you get the more missteps and misstatements happen. You got to put that into proper perspective.  Such is life.

LuckieEddie says--BUT we can adjust our perspective.  Yes we can.  When around sunshine and warm weather and encouraging folks, a guy's perspective can change.  Yes it can.  When I went for my run on Christmas day up 'er in 'em mountains.  I briefly talked to a senior gal who was hiking.  I said--Merry Christmas--She said--It's hard for me to think it's Christmas day with being our here in the mountains hiking; it's sooooo nice!--Yes it is--Then she responded, the only thing I don't like about nice is the the cost! 

JimHockey says--I think as we 'age' it's smart to keep things in perspective and appreciate what we can do and not what we wish we could do...  I call Jim, JimHockey as he is from Canada and was a long time hockey player.  He has all his front teeth knocked out and has big braces on both knees.  He still plays golf and pickle ball but not as good as he use to he says.  He said--You learn to enjoy life the best you can;  Don't worry about the score soooo much but just enjoy the environment.  In fact, we don't keep score playing golf anymore and have more fun than I ever did. We aren't soooo serious.  We are running out of time to worry about the score all the time.  And who really cares anyway.  Ya, there seems to be a window of opportunity and the window is slowly closing.  Such is life.

A 89 year old guy told me--We have been coming down here to Sun Valley for 30 years.  I would have never lived this long if we didn't.  It's that therapeutic.  I met Bill (i.e. anybody can be a Bill).  He told me that he doesn't play pickleball or tennis anymore but can still play golf.  He lost his equilibrium because of some strokes.  Actually fall playing tennis and hurt himself pretty bad sooooo he doesn't want to do that again but can still play golf.  He told me that he is just amazed how folks with physical and mental conditions just do things and enjoy life.  Folks here are sooooo encouraging to each to other.  They just lift each other up.  He went on to tell me that he was in law enforcement before retiring.  He said he has been in many many homes of folks in their 50s who were just miserable, just waiting to die.  That was their life. Ouchy ouchy!  As a famed billboard on Boston's Southeast Expressway proclaimed in the early '70s about Boston Bruin premier center Pil Esposito: "Jesus Saves.  But Esposito scores on the rebound.

Arlene and I were sitting out our little patio which is near the street drinking our wine.  Folks on several occasions walk by and say--Awshucks, another tough day in Sun Valley. January in IA is a good time to hibernate.  Get the chips out and sit on the couch.  I was riding my bike to another 55+ community to play pickle ball the other day.  I was stopped at a red light when this car pulls up besides me--going to play a little pickleball?--ya, you have a lot of cattle, I asked the guy as he had on a big cowboy hat--no no, I'm from Flint, MI, I just heard on the radio that my home town has had 78 straight days of no sunshine.  This is the place to be, he said.  But in Sun Valley, you can't write you name in the  snow!!!  

My pickleballfriendofromWY a.k.a. TheCat said to me--If I were were home, I would be sitting on the couch eating chips.  In fact, my extended family back there are doing that right now.  I was talking to a child of other pickleball friends who was down her in Sun Valley for Christmas.  She told me that this life style is soooo good for her parents (i.e. age 69).  They are soooo active physically and socially.  If they were back home in IN, they would be just sitting in the house.  Huh, interesting. BigPete says he has this saying on his refrigerator--Enjoy yourself...it's later than you think. George Bernard Shaw prophetically observed, "Life is not a brief candle...It is a sort of splendid torch, which I've got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it to future generations."

What magnifies your personality (i.e. either good or bad)?  Money doesn't change who you are, it just magnifies it. YaBut if you were Jim Harbuag's wife, his new contract of $7 million a year might magnify your personality. Cadillac Jack says--Life would be a lot different if, if, if.  Is that true or not?  Maybe or maybe not.  Maybe in some situations and in some situations probably not.  It seems that attitude does make a difference.  SusieQ says--Being around encouraging upbeat folks can and will affect an attitude; they can affect your attitude which will have an effect on your life.  Oh ya!  Here is an example of many situations of life in a 55+ community. I invited some picleball buddies to come and play at our community.  When I got to our court, theCanadiancouple who I invited were already there.  They were playing with a couple of elderly ladies who probably never played before.  They were sooooo nice to them.  Were treating them like queens.  You would think they knew each other for years. They made them gals feel, oh sooooo good!   

Proper perspective!  Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street...with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy. Joe (i.e. anybody can be a Joe) played pickle ball with us.  He told us he is a very active guy.  He was 69. BUT he has shingles and it has really zapped him.  He would rather just sit on the couch or even sleep.  Everything seems to be hard for him.  It takes a lot of energy to do anything it seems.  I asked him--soooo it really has affected you both physically and psychologically?  Very much.  He said that when he plays pickle ball he forgets about it and it's great.  But, when he sits down it affects him.  He forces himself to do things.  Soooo folks, get the shot!!!! Many things in life seem to make it easier to just sit on the couch, eat chips and feel sorry for yourself.

ItchieBitchie says--Sometimes or at some time we need to get disentangled to find our proper perspective.  When we disentangle, it results in purity of spirit.  IthchieBitche, that sounds deep thinkin' to me.  Albertus Magnus, St. Albert the Great, as he is know from the 13h century is considered by some among the world's greatest intellects said once--The goods of the intellect are knowledge and talents...we must learn to ignore vain glory...placing ourselves at the service of God, detaching ourselves from our own light.  Now that might be a bit dense for Joesixpack, but the rest of you will get it.  Bingo!

Getting old isn't for sissies.  SusieQ says--Sometimes I fear that I'm alone, nobody cares, and the innings are starting to fade.  SusieQ, that sounds sad and serious.  You are one tough cookie. I know you and you will manage.  Yes you will. Cadillac Jack says--It is fully human to deny what we find unpleasant or chilling, but when the drive-by precludes one from the facts, from facing real-life implications, then it's wholly unproductive, a dead end.  Such observations are akin to saying to one who cannot hear:  "But you don't look like you're deaf."  Does this make any sense to any of you?

Just what I wanted! I bet none of you got a gift from your family like the one I did (i.e. I requested it).  I got something that I wanted but really didn't need it.  Now that is affluence folks. I really don't have any wants or needs.  This gift is really over the top but I will use it.  This gift is purely pleasure.  It  will make me smile and will think of them every time I use it.  But, something that I really didn't need.  I'm lazy, that is why I wanted it.  It's unique.  I wanted and got tear-away warm up pants. Yep!  They have snaps on them (i.e. like the basketball players use) sooo I can just tear them off.  That way when I wear them in the early morning to ride my bike to another park to play pickle ball, I don't have to take my shoes off to get my pants off; just tear 'em off!  I told you it was a non-necessary thing. Such is life.

If you don't have thick skin, don't read this part! FrustratedEdniaFromTX says--My husband, BadAttitudeFrank, is always negative.  I mean always.  He drives me crazy.  He's always sour and unhappy!  He's in love with his makebelief misery! He's not fun to be around. I would like to kick his butt! Ouchy ouchy!  Do any of you folks have spouses, friends, acquaintances, parents, kids, and neighbors who are this way?  If it's your spouse, it's the worse 'cause you are around them all the time.  I guess that is why folks get divorced (i.e. just one of the many reasons folks).  Sooooo can a person like this change?  GeorgeTheCrook says--No one will change unless they want toooooo!  Soooo if any of you are always negative, I suggest you do a self-judgement or have someone else evaluate you.  You probably aren't as good as you think!  Maybe, just maybe, you need to see a medical doctor. Your life is miserable and you make life for the folks around you miserable tooooo.

Sunshine and warm weather seems to help a guy's attitude maybe.  The paper says (i.e. soooo it must be right) that the Sun Valley has most consistent sunshine in the land.  I guess that is another reason who the Super Bowl is here in the Valley.  Of course, BigBuckFolks come which helps the economy.  The paper said that a ticket in the South end-zone bleachers is $7,000--parking fees not included.  Personally, I don't get that--why would anyone pay that to see the Super Bowl.  But, it's supply and demand folks and folks are willing to pay it.  It seems like something is wrong here folks (i.e. my opinion).  CrazyMarvin says--We need to tax this more, what's another $500 on that ticket.  

TheEliteHudle.  My opinion--Folks who think they are in TheEliteHudle (i.e. marvel-us) are in for a shock. Something will happen to them to adjust their ego, arrogance, obnoxious thinking (i.e. a health problem, financial problem, death, or the aging process).  If folks think they are really something, they aren't good folks (i.e. my opinion).  Folks who are confident humblerookies are the best.  Not the DuaneTheWorms (i.e. marvel-us-me) of the world.  

Recently I was asked to sub for a friend in a latter pickleball league she plays in.  As I was waiting my turn, a guy sitting next to me started a conversation.  He eventually told me that all of a sudden one day he lost sight in one eye from glaucoma.  Then he had a small procedure done at the hospital and got a serious infection.  He said, he will never be the same.  It all happened in a short time.  Wow, I said.  How old are you?--69.  That is my age! He then said--I still thank God every day that I can still do what I can.  I have had a very good life and appreciate every day.  My response to him--I think being thankful is a good prayer. What do you think?

MissPerfect says--Understanding is the path to empathy.  Empathy is the key to human connection. JaneTheYackWoman says--Alzheimer's is death in slow motion. I joined a Alzheimer's caregiver support group at Broadway Christian.  I met many nice folks with the same sad stories.  One of my new acquaintances and I went out for breakfast recently (i.e. he's 85 and a Christian).  We had a very nice talk (i.e. a great story is a great story, and when it's a true great story, it a great story for sure!). Everyone has their story.  I asked him how he is really doing.  He said--It's amazing, I'm very content.  I'm not restless. I'm at peace with the situation.  Sooooo, is that an attitude or what?  Oh that attitude!  The consensus is that he has the proper perspective (i.e. when it fits, you feel it!).  

Throughout this year, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians warned his team that every football season is long, arduous and full of twists that could exhilarate one week, exasperate the next.  In other words, try to be the cool guy on the rollercoaster, the one who isn't screaming.  Hey, that sounds like life. Life can be just "crazy"!  

Perhaps Robert Frost said it best:  "In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--You have reached a bad age when all you exercise is caution.