entrepreneurs are unique folks

Hey you, crazy erv!  MarvelousMary says-- erv, you are always singin' about something!  What are you singing about in this "It's Saturday"? MarvelousMary, my singing might be ad neuseam to you but did you know that you can't sneeze without closing your eyes?  We went and had a bagel at Kolobelli Bagel Cafe this week. You order and then give them your name and they deliver it to your table.  I asked bracketbusterheavilytattooedShellywiththestudinherupperlip (i.e. she seemed very nice) what are the two most popular names.  She said--Hey you and Crazy.  Seeee, I'm not the only Hey You or Crazy.

HighlyTalentedMyFriendTheEngineer, with 3 pencils and pens plus his note book in his shirt pocket, was telling me the other day that he wants to buy a new golf bag.  He has been working on this project for a year now (i.e. he's an engineer folks).  Hey guy, it's only a golf bag!  This guy is very smart!  I hope he doesn't screw up in buying the wrong bag.  ANYWAY he said to me--I like my old one 'cause I know where all the pockets are and were everything goes.  Getting a new bag would be like getting a new wife and learning everything all over again (i.e. he wouldn't want to end up with a bag that didn't work--didn't know where all the pockets are).  He's a makeshift entrepreneur I think.  But not maybe a real emotional buyer and maybe not toooo spontaneous in his decisions!  Such is life.  

Happenstance, na, I don't think soooooo folks!  I played golf with my buddy John (i.e. anybody can be a John).  He won a free round and gave it to me (i.e. nice guy huh!).  ANYWAY the other 2 guys in our foursome were a father and son.  The father is the Chaplin of Harvard University.  I picked his mind.  He did tell me that he thought he was pretty smart before he came to Boston (i.e. the Harvard students are very challenging).  This guy is smart, very smart. I think he told me that he has a couple of Masters Degrees and a couple of Doctorate Degrees (i.e. a ***** recruit). But smartness and degrees do not necessarily help ya to shoot par golf but it does really help you to become the Chaplin of Harvard.  Oh ya!  He is going to give me some advice on a project I'm working on (i.e. I think free advice from one smart guy).  Such is life.   

Don't want to offend you!  A pickleball buddy sat next to me during a break.  I found out that he isn't married but divorced twice.  I asked him what his other hobbies are--I like to dance--wow, you get to meet all those widows and divorces that are looking for a man; are they aggressive--some--actually erv, the pickings really ain't that good for what I'm looking for!  I bet if he lowered his expectations the pickings would be better (i.e. broaden the spectrum). He mentioned a certain criteria.  He's right, that narrows the playing field.  I can't tell you what that criteria is as some of you will be offended.  I don't want to offend any of you if I can help it.  I might offend enough of you without even trying the way it is!  Such is life. 

Interesting! I bought a new pair of pickleball shorts at Sports Authority the other night (i.e. I bought my three others at Sunshine Acres 5 years ago for $2 a pair). When I was checking out, the little gal who was the clerk, had on a black arm warmer on her arm. It covered her whole arm from her hand to her upper arm area. I asked her if she was cold! No no she said, it was to cover a tattoo. So is your tattoo offensive? No I don't think so. The company requires us to cover our tattoos. Okay, folks, why would Sports Authority require their little pretty clerk to cover her tattoo? Well, it would appear that they do not want to offend anybody with the tattoo or maybe give a certain image (i. e. maybe). If you offend people, then maybe they might not come back and do business with you. That means you lose money. Does that make any sense to any of you? I just found that quite interesting. I watch a lot of the NCAA basketball tournament.  I have not seen one cheerleader with a tattoo!  Huh, interesting. I asked our little, pretty waitress at TX Road House what the company's policy is on tattoos--we have to cover them!  

An interesting entrepreneur! I have driven past this guy working in his fenced in backyard in his blacksmith shop for several years, many many many times! So the other day I stopped. His name is Richard. He is 84 years old. He started as a musician, then horse trainer, then to entrepreneur. He patented the first portable horse stall and then sold the company. Then he designed other things and sold them off. He also has a patent on a motor that has no moving parts. They want to buy it off of him but he wants a royalty and not a flat fee cash. Most interesting guy. Says he has lived the live of 20 men as far as excitement and adventure goes.  He told me part of his life story (i.e. unbelievable and very interesting).  He introduced me to his wife, Evi, a very sweet lady.  They have compiled three massive huge binders of his stories and pictures that they showed me.  Incredible!  Richard said to me--I usually don't tell folks about my life--Richard, how come you are telling me--you have an interest in me; you seem to care.  Richard is an amazing person.  Evi, told me that she does volunteer work and ask folks about their lives--they all have a story and all of them are interesting and very important to them.  Bingo!  Saturday suggestion--Be an entrepreneur (i.e. full of resourcefulness) and ask folks about their lives.  Oh ya, Richard told me that he does not want to die in bed but he wants to die out in his backyard working in his shop!

Dreamers and wishers! SusieQ noticed the first star of the evening in the sky. She whispered to herself, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” She squeezed her eyes shut and begged that star for a thousand Barbie dolls. When we got home, she dashed to the basement where her Barbies were kept—but alas, no new dolls awaited her.  What in the world happened!  She wished and wished and wished!  But no thousand Barbie dolls.  Entrepreneurs are sorta dreamers and wisher I would say.  A lot of folks say to entrepreneurs--You're crazy, that will never work.  And then it does (i.e. sometimes).  To be a true entrepreneur ya gotta be able to take defeats and get up and try something new again.  Joesixpack says--Most folks are not willing to do that 'cause failure hurts toooooo much (i.e. don't ever want to have that feeling again).   

WhyNewShoesAllThetime?  National Sporting Goods Association expected runners and joggers to spend about $3.3 billion on shoes in 2014.  Wow!  Those entrepreneurs know that as well.  They need to develop a product that we just got to have (i.e. can't get along without).  It's all about the money folks.  The major shoe companies hire the smartest and most imaginative minds to create products that folks just have to have.  

MoreMoreMore! A question asked a lot--How do we sell more stuff more often to more people for more money? Business always wants to sell more.  Make more money.  Be more aggressive.  Be at the cutting edge.  EntrepreneurWilma says--Moremoremore is the name of the game; always more! Stay the lead dog. If you are always following the lead dog, all you see is the lead dog's butt (i.e. and the lead dog's butt ain't that pretty)!  Ya gotta have more so you can be the lead dog.  GeorgeTheCrook says--Some things in life are ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous! We had the annual patio sale in our community last Saturday.  I asked a guy--how is it going--sold most everything--you must be a good salesman--no no our prices are just good!  Bingo. I actually donated more money than I spent.  A pretty university gal was selling her string art to fund her aunt's air fare to AZ.  She just had a heart transplant and said if she lived through it she would really like to see AZ.  Soooo I had to give her some money.  Leo and Tamaith were selling some stuff on their patio to raise money for a new adopted sister.  They were 10 and 12.  I asked them if they were adopted--yes, from Rwanda.  I had to give them some money.  It felt good and I hope it made them feel good tooooo. Such is life.

OldclassmateJim (i.e. anybody can be a Jim) of 63 of Danube, MN sent me this--Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.' The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.' They kissed and the daughter left. The father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?' 'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?' 'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said. 'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means? He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory. I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye. He then began to cry and walked away.

35 act score and a 160 iq says you are mega smart!  Many entrepreneurs are very smart.  Very!  But they still don't know the answers to everything just like a little kid doesn't know all the answers sooooo maybe they aren't as smart as they think.  Could be.  Huh, interesting.  A child asks Einstein the question--How old is God.  Einstein said--"The answer is something like-  as Christians we believe in a self-existent Being who is outside of time – a Cause Agent. But since we can’t even understand that with our finite minds, how could a kid."  Now that is pretty deep folks.  Einstein had an iq of 160 and he couldn't even answer the question. ItchieBitchie says--Most folks think they are smarter than what they are and think they know all the answers.  But they don't.  They just think they do!  Really? Really! SmartAssKaren says--At some point in life we just get kicked to the curb if we think we know all the answers! LuckieEddie says--A person becomes very smart when they realize they don't know all the answers.  Such is life.

Suggestion from BobTheLeader--Don't let folks feel like they are just a grunt.  Empower them.  Challenge them! Let them make the decisions and let them have success and let them have failures (i.e. children).  Let them figure it out on their own--don't micromanage them.  Good leaders are resourceful--they figure it out and get it done--they think through things. Hip hip hooray!  SusieQ says--I don't like to think for myself, I like folks to think for me.  And I don't like risk.  And I like everyone to like me! Baaaa!  Quit foisting me into something I don't want to do!  I like to flounder!

Unbroken.  I went to the movie this week (i.e. Tuesday is dollar night at Superstition Picture Show).  I liked the book better but did enjoy the movie.  Louie Zamperini was truly an entrepreneur, he had tooooo be (i.e. both physically and mentally) to stay alive.  Louie had an ordinary look but an extraordinary ability which he used through out his life (i.e. not just his military life).  Extraordinary ability folks.  How come he found it and others don't.  Is it luck, fate, or what?  I don't know.  Some folks seem to find it and others don't seem to find it.  Louie rode his life way past where his luck should have allowed him toooo.  He lived to be 97 and used a lot of his being a Christan inspirational speaker with the help of Billy Graham with forgiveness being his recurring theme.  Huh, interesting.

Jim'sCreamofthe...Joke--At one point during a game, the coach called one of his 9-year-old baseball players aside and asked, "Do you understand what co-operation is? What a team is?" "Yes, coach", replied the little boy. " Do you understand that what matters is whether we win or lose together as a team?" The little boy nodded in the affirmative. "So," the coach continued, "I'm sure you know, when an out is called, you shouldn't argue, curse, attack the umpire, or call him a pecker-head, dickhead or asshole. Do you understand all that?" Again, the little boy nodded in the affirmative. The coach continued, "And when I take you out of the game so that another boy gets a chance to play, it's not good sportsmanship to call your coach a dumb ass or shithead is it?" "No,coach." "Good", said the coach. "Now go over there and explain all that to your grandmother.

Book Readers!  Maybe 4 years ago I was looking for a book of historical fiction of early west in AZ.  A librarian at Red Rock Mesa Library suggested Blood Brothers.  It was about Cochise and Tom Jeffers and the Butterfield Stagecoach trail and station. After reading the book Arlen, I, Larry and Doris went to southern AZ and hiked those trails and visited the ruins of the station   A couple of years later I went back and hiked Chochise's Stronghold. I really enjoyed this. The other day I was at the library and this same librarian helped me.  I thanked her for suggesting that book and told her of what I did.  Of course she didn't remember me but was excited that she helped me.  When I left she once again said--thank you for thanking me. People like to be remembered and thanked (i.e. my opinion).

Enrepreneurish book thing maybe!  Our friend Blondie gave me the book East Side of the Mountains by David Guterson and said do with the book whatever you want when done reading it.  I really liked it and would suggest you give it a read.  ANYWAY this is what I put into the cover of the book.  I have no idea what will happen.  We will see friends!  Crazy huh!   

Entrepreneur? I don't think sooo but still very interesting.  I was riding my bike back from pickleball the other day and saw this soooo I went and talked to Raymond.  Is this yours--ya--wow, that's quite a machine; how much do you want for her--$24,000; she sold new in 2006 for $125,000--you're shitting me--no no that's the truth--how come you are selling her--the FBI is after me--for what--murder--who do they claim you murdered--my wife about 10 years ago but they can't prove it; I buried her in the desert--you're shitting me--ya I am--but I have been married 4 times--are you married now--no, haven't since 1985--so why didn't your marriages work out--the women always wanted to be in charge; the only thing women should be in charge of is cooking and cleaning--that's probably why you have no wife I would guess--ya, probably--nice machine!!--ya, I like her but she's toooo expensive to have around just like the other 4 were.  Such is life.

Sometimes you just have be a Bruce!  And act like you know what you are doing!  Bingo!  I did a Bruce! There was a story in the Arizona Republic Sunday paper about Power's War screening at Superstition Springs theater. It's a documentary film about Arizona's deadest shootout on February 10, 1918. It was very controversial. The last old west shoot out.  www.powerswar.com  It said that it was sold out. So I go to the theater Monday night and said to the ticket guy, I'm Bruce and I want to see the documentary. He said go inside and talk to customer relations. So I went inside and I said I'm Bruce, I want to see the documentary Power's War (i.e. all I did was ask). He says go on in. Theater 14. I sat next to the sheriff's grandson that was killed in the shootout. We had a very nice visit. I asked him how much his tickets cost. He said all tickets are $15. I said I'm Bruce, I got in free! He didn't know what to say. Jeff Power, who was the father, was a old west entrepreneur (i.e. maybe one of the last).  In the old west, if you were not an entrepreneur, you didn't live very long.  Such is life.

Is being an entrepreneur an attitude?  I went for an early morning run one day this week.  Esther from Worthington, MN stopped me and asked if I was from MN (i.e. I had my purple Vikings cap on).  Esther had a digital device on her arm monitoring her walk (i.e. she's at the cutting edge).  ANYWAY she told me that she has been wintering in AZ for 30 years but her husband Jiggs died after 8 years of pancreatic cancer.  Soooo you have been doing this by yourself for 22 years?--ya, I have--you must be one tough, old buzzard? (i.e. I could tell she was gritty by her body language and her talk)--ya got to be if you want to live by yourself--how old are you anyway--91--if you keep up your attitude you will be coming for another 30 years--I figure on 5 more!!!  Bingo.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Take a minute to give your imagination a work out.

what do "youyouyou" think

Disclaimer:  You might think this "It's Saturday" might be just puerile gibberish (i.e. it could be) and others of you might think it's circular logic (i.e. could be) and still others of you might think it's beguiling crap (i.e. could be).  Please take all those considerations into accord when you read this "It's Saturday" but remember, you get what  you pay for!  Such is life.

A newbiesnowbird is sometimes called a newbiesucker. Folks can get caught up in how fun, beautiful, exciting wintering in the sun is.  It's truly a Disney World atmosphere here in Sun Valley.  In fact many many folks act way different here than they do back home.  The reason why is 'cause it its sooooo much different down here.  Our emotions are way different in this setting.  But sometimes those crazy new emotions can get us way out of whack (i.e. we get seduced by glitter of our emotions).  Folks are newbiesnowbirds and some make poor decisions (i.e. become newbiesucers).  Folks over react with all the exciting stuff (i.e. become very emotional).  My Daddy, Chester, would say to me--erv,  keep your emotions out of your business deals.

They aren't newbies but...! In the five years from 2005 to 2009, the number of reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia among those 55 and older increased 43 percent, according to an Orlando Sentinel analysis of provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the Sunbelt where retires have formed large communities, the rise was even more dramatic. For instance, in Arizona's Maricopa and Pima counties — home to large retirement communities just outside Phoenix — the percent of reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia increased twice as fast as the national average from 2005 to 2009. Reported cases were up 87 percent among those 55 and older in those counties. In Central Florida, where The Villages and other retirement communities sprawl across several counties, reported cases of syphilis and chlamydia increased 71 percent among those 55 and older in that same period. And South Florida saw a 60 percent rise in those two sexually transmitted infections among the same age group, according to the Florida Department of Health.  What do you think is the cause of that?  LuckieEddie says--Probably bad sex education as a kid in school I bet!  

Wish wish wish--We all wish for...now don't we.  A pickleball buddy was telling me that this is probably his last year of softball--how come--I can't run very well and when I do it hurts; I can't throw anymore, I bend over to field a grounder and it goes right underneath my glove, I can't gauge fly balls any more, I have no power in  hitting.  There isn't much left.  It ain't always easy getting older (i.e. I think he's 69).  The mind says I can do it but the body says I can't.  MN-Denny (i.e. who just got fined $25 for going 16 in a 10 mph zone in another 55+ community going to play pickleball--he's a real hellion), you just need to buy more stuff like I do (i.e. also he needs to slow down).  I was going to play pickleball the other day and Arlene thought I looked like an OldIowanPickleballPlayer (i.e. that is what it says on the sign on my bike soooo it must be right)--2 knee supports, a glove for my calluses on my hand that cracks and bleeds, and my old hikin' hat for protection from the hot sun.  Ya gotta do what you gotta do!  Besides, most of the game is in the shoes and the shirt anyway! I'm not a talent evaluator or a brain surgeon MN-Denny, but I suggest you try new shoes and a new shirt first before deciding if you are going to quite!!!  If they don't work, try the slip screen. It seems to really work tooooo.  ItchieBitchie says--erv, I think you have a crazy noggin if you think they will work.  I know 'cause I have tried them all.  Oh my goodness!  

JrfromMN informed me that a mutual friend only lives a short distance from where we winter here in Mesa.  Soooo we have breakfast together.  He was Rolling Hills Country Club's club champ 7 times (i.e. tooted some real good music).  He was really good.  Then one day he gets the yeps, the jerks, the shanks, and God knows what else.  Quite golf and moved to AZ.  I think he should of got some new shoes and a new shirt before taking such drastic action!  But each their own!  Maybe he just ran out of gas.  The other night I went for a run about 9:00 on a warm AZ evening (i.e. must still have been about 80 degrees).  I ran on the streets of our 55+ community (i.e. Fountain of the Sun has maybe 2,500 units consisting of houses, condos and some double wide manufactured houses which houses a population of about 4,000 during the winter).  ANYWAY I was running along pretty good when I had a big gas build up being the result of Papa Murphy's Papas Favorite pizza.  At the time of the night most senior snowbirds are sitting in in their recliners with their pjs on eating popcorn getting ready for bed.  Sooooo I trumpeted a couple good musical cords!  Just then I hear the pitter patter of foot steps coming up behind me.  She was maybe 25,  shapely, wearing a pony tail and tight fitting running shorts and top and moving.  I bet this OldIowaPickleballer impressed her!  I tried to keep up with her but I ran out of gas!  Such is life.

Jim'sCreamofthe...Joke! I have a friend who is most interesting (i.e. one great guy).  ANYWAY  he is going to give me a "Jim'sCreamofthe..Joke" each week.  I sent him this email--Jim, probably about 30 years ago I was at a golf outing of one of our auto insurance companies. After the outing the president got up and gave his little speech. This company had actually two insurance companies. One company for standard drivers and one was for substandard drivers. He told us that we as agents were to send him not the shit of the substandard but the cream of the shit. So, just don't send me your jokes, I want the cream of the jokes! Ha ha  God only knows what I'll get.  But the price is right!  Bingo  Here is his first one--The Lawyer says to the wealthy art collector tycoon, "I have some good news and I have some bad news." The Tycoon replies, "I've had an awful day; let’s hear the good news first." The lawyer says, "Well, your wife invested $5,000 in two pictures this week that she feels are worth a minimum of $2-3 million dollars." The tycoon replies enthusiastically, "Wow! Well done! That's very good news indeed. You’ve made my day! Now, what’s the bad news?" The lawyer answers, "The pictures are of you with your secretary."

Newbie to managing money?  ItchieBitchie says--A good way to learn is to ask questions.  It's cheap toooo.  And most folks will give you their advice (i.e. good and bad).  You then have to decide what you are going to do.  Get around good, smart folks.  Ask them what they do and how they manage their money.  Get different opinions.  Just because your parents did it a certain way, or your brother-in-law does it a certain way, doesn't mean it's the best way (i.e. but it might be).  If married, talk about money, share information, ideas, and opinions.  Know what is going on (i.e. don't put your head in the sand).  Read, study etc.  In other words, learn.  MoneyBagsEd says--Be careful about the advice of folks who will be making money off you (i.e. some advice might be good and some might just be good for them).  Remember, if you follow their advice (i.e. their advice maybe might be to make them money only--the good ones will not have that approach). Oh mercy be!

Talk about money!  This last week I visited with an acquaintance I made here in AZ some 5 years ago through some mutual friends.  He is 80 and his name is John (i.e. anybody can be a JohnfromIowa).  He told me he should have kept 5% ownership in his business that he sold to his children.  I run short on cash flow sometimes. We build all our grandchildren a new house when they get to be about 21.  I sometimes run a little short on $$$$$ (i.e. they must manage their money quite well)!  These folks' story is a Cinderella story (i.e. rags to riches).  They were very fortunate but I think they worked very hard and where innovative and aggressive.  They are also very appreciative and thankful for being sooooo blessed.  They are also very generous.  They have good hearts (i.e. my kind of folks).  I kidded John--You are a multi-millionaire but you winter in a park model when you could afford any house you want. John said--We just love it here and our park model. I think they get value for their dollar folks.

Baaaa! Are you pretty much like everyone else do you think?  Recently I read a brief account about a sheep in Istanbul, Turkey that jumped off a cliff. What made the story especially tragic was nearly 1,500 other sheep followed, about one-third of those dying as a result. Most of the others suffered injuries, and all must have sheepishly wondered, "What was I thinking?"  Saturday question--Do you think for yourself?  Are you a crowd pleaser?  WolfManBill says--The wolf doesn't really care what the sheep think?  Ouchy ouchy!

Obama said (i.e. sooooo it must be right)--"There are a lot of very fine financial advisers out there, but there are also financial advisers who receive backdoor payments or hidden fees for steering people into bad retirement investments that have high fees and low returns."  It's all about the money folks once again. Soooo who can you trust anyway?  I was told this story years ago--A financial advisor was soliciting the business of a client.  He took him to the harbor and showed him all the yachts to impress him.  This yacht is our top sales person, this yacht is our CEO's and that yacht is mine.  Sooooo the potential investor asked, where are your clients' yachts?  AverageJoe says--Some things are very important to me but not to you.

What do you think?  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Albert Schweitzer with multiple doctorate degrees enjoyed the honors and comforts of European life. Then early one spring morning he determined to leave it all. He went off to Lambarene, Africa, where, in service to God, he practiced medicine among the needy. You say, why would he do that?  Why do you think?  Was he crazy as a pet coon? Maybe if we coondog it we might figure out his motive.  But for some, it might take a coon's age to figure it out and for others of you, you have it already figured out.  Bingo!  Such is life.  

I want it my way!  Yes I do!  What is the royal pain in your butt?  What is really bothering you?  How can I fix it?  Well, the most common "fix it" is to throw some money at it (i.e. money it right--buy them out--get rid of the problem--Trump does that).  What do you think?  Yabut, I don't have that kind of money!  Well, you can exclude the royal pain (i.e. get away from the problem--delete the problem--David tried that).  Tell them "up yours" and move one. That might work!  What do you think of those ideas?  Saturday question--Do you think folks with a lot of money handle problems differently than folks who have little or no money?  Why do you think about that?  Do folks with more money rely more on fixing their problems on their own (i.e. not using God) compared to folks who have lessor money?  I wonder.  When we are very ill, have a financial collapse, have a tragedy (e.g. 911), or looking death in the face, things seem different maybe. What do you think?

The Pythagorean theorem a² + b² = c² seems to be accurate all the time. It's as good as gold! You can hang your hat on it! You can take it to the bank! I sat next to a pickle ball buddy the other day. She told me that she prefers to be around men much more than women. I asked her why. She said--You can't always believe what other women say. Some are catty! What! Girls are catty! MissPerfect says--I don't know if that statement is as valid as the Pythagorean theorem but maybe it has some validity to it! But, I think if I were you erv, I would sweep her opinion into the closet below the stairs and forget about it. Hey folks, don't get all excited, I'm only telling ya what she said and she is a woman and only

one woman. I have no idea if her evaluation is as accurate as the Pythagorean theorem. What do you think?  SusieQ says--erv, a cautionary reminder, there is a difference between a cat fight and a dog fight!  I am not an expert about cat fighting soooo I asked around.  BridgeChampSally says--In cat flights there's the inevitable front-runner (i.e. based on past fights and reputation).  That inevitable front-runner is inevitable right up until she is no longer inevitable! When that happens, there is a new lead, dominant mare.  What do you think of that? Such is life.

I was playing pickleball with 3 other gals recently until I hit one of the girls in the nose (i.e. I didn't mean too--It's different when it's a nice, pretty gal or just some guy).  Game over!  I didn't mean toooo!  Really.  We sat down and another nice gal of our group sat next to me.  She said she had to leave.  I thought she said she had to put the cloths in the dryer.  When she got back, I asked her if she got the cloths in the dryer.  That wasn't it at all.  She didn't feel well.  We checked her pulse which was quite normal (i.e. a couple of days earlier she said she had a high pulse rate and couldn't get it down--it was hot).  I told her she shouldn't play any more.  ANYWAY she said they have been having a lot of company and more are coming.  It is stressful for her.  Bingo!  I checked on her by email later in the day. She said--Hi Erv.  Yes I'm fine, just too busy right now .  Paul says I have to learn how to say no.  It's a huge learning curve for me.  Things settle down for a week then we have family here for our last week in Arizona.  Saturday question--What do you think about the stress of entertaining?  

Does it matter what you think?  Really!  How about 100 years from now, will it matter what you think today?  For those of you who don't believe in God, go and get a beer and just laugh at me (i.e. or maybe read this as you might find this entertaining). You already have everything figured out.  You have a immortal mind.  You might be Godly smart.  I'm not very smart (i.e. I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN); maybe that is why I believe in God.  Could be.  ANYWAY This is what I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.  Dr. Dave (i.e. anyone can be a Dave) says--Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds. Philippians 4:6-7 -- What’s the most popular verse in the Bible? Last fall, the retailer Amazon released a list of the most popular passages from its most popular books, and the most commonly highlighted portion of the Bible was Philippians 4:6-7. Readers of e-Bibles underlined that passage more often than any other in Scripture. When we look around at our anxious world and our fretful lives, we can understand why people are drawn to the promises of Philippians 4. But notice the context of the passage. The Lord tells us here to rejoice in Him (verse 4); to be gentle in our dealings with others (verse 5a); to remember how near He is to us (verse 5b); to pray earnestly about our concerns (verse 6a); to count our blessings with thankfulness (verse 6b); and to focus our minds on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy (verse 8). NON BELIEVERS IN GOD That advice might be be good for your life even if you don't believe in God; it might just even make you some money as well (i.e. for some, it's all about the money).  I don't know.  What do you think? 

I hear the question from some of you--Are you talking about me?  It seems like you are.  It seems like you know exactly what's going on in my head.  Am I ItchieBitchie or LuckieEddie or Crazy Marvin etc?  No no no you aren't.  I use those names just randomly and they are not you.  Really!  GeorgeTheCrook says--You better not be talking about me.  Don't give me any crap or I will send my hound dogs on you.  I suggest you just jettison your crazy thinking as I have the firm of Dowe, Screwem, and How on retainer.  Soooo be careful what you say to me.  BigManFred says--The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not make me the way I am, but reveal the way I am. What do you think of that comment of BigManFred?  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.

David and Goliath

Whoosh, it's good!  Book readers--I met DaleFromND at the ASU/UCLA BB game.  We rode the light rail back together.  We found out that we both played some college basketball.  We also discovered we both like to read.  I asked Dale for a couple of books that he really likes.  He gave me a couple.  I just finished the first one Blind Your Ponies by Stanley Gordon West.  Dale told me that everyone seems to like this book.  I did tooooo. I think you guys might as well.  Just a suggestion.  It's sorta kinda about underdogs (i.e. underdog folks of real life like you and I (i.e. folks who have worm holes in their own peculiar history), an underdog basketball team, and an underdog little Montana town). MaterBookReaderCouzLois read it and she says--When I first started reading "Blind your Ponies" I thought, yeah, finally a school smaller than Priam (i.e. MN), the grade school I grew up in! However, that thought quickly left my mind. The book has so much more to offer. Humor, learning to stick together in a small town of underdogs, outrunning your demons and finding love, did I mention humor.  Delightful read, pick up a copy and cheer on the 6 man  basketball team as they win their first game in 98 tries...and of course, you will love the humor...  When CouzLois speaks, everyone listens!  

Don Quixote and his faithful spavined Rozinante!   LuckieEddie says--Both were underdogs the way it looks to me.  Everyone seems to like an underdog story, maybe 'cause maybe we are all underdogs at one point or another. Some folks stay underdogs all their lives.  Others seem like they don't (i.e. gain confidence of a man who has a cocked .357 under his tailored topcoat).  Why, I have no idea.  Success seems to change the landscape some.  But we can all relate to being an underdog at one time in our life I would guess.  I sure have been an underdog and still am many times and in many parts of my life.  I think I will always be an underdog. That's just the way it is with me.  Such is life.

Kentucky is the favorite!  You are on top (i.e. top seeded), expected to win (i.e. odds are in their favor). They seem to be a cut above the rest.   Everyone is taking their best shot at you (i.e. you are targeted) when you are the top seed.  ItchieBitchie says--It's hard to stay on the top.  Many times folks don't like someone who always wins, are always the the best (i.e. it's easier though if they are humble and have class).  Many times folks like to see the top dog get knocked down to size (i.e. knocked off their perch).  Some folks, teams etc are more fun to root for than others.  Some underdogs never get to be a "favorite"!  They are always the underdog.  Such is life.

Everyone seems to cheer for the underdog.  Who are you for CharlieBrown--I'm for so and so--how come--'cause they are the underdog!  I have feelings for the underdog!  BillyBall says--NCAA basketball tournament is starting next week and it's always fun to cheer for the underdogs.  Especially for some teams and against certain teams.  It just is.  Usually the underdog doesn't win but once in a while they do (i.e. become a giant killer).  

I met PattyTheTeacherFromIN while hikin'/runnin' up 'er in 'me 'er Superstition Mts.  I had my Hawkeye tee shirt on and she said something.  She's a basketball fan and we talked about the Big 10 Tournament and the NCAA tournament.  She talked about the underdogs gettin' in like Butler Winnin' the Big East Tourney (i.e. from Indiana).  She was a very nice gal.  As we said good by, I said something I usually don't say (i.e. why I said it, I have no idea)--God bless you.  She said--He does every day!  

Big person! I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--If we are honest, we might say it is easier to “weep with those who weep” than to “rejoice with those who rejoice.” Another person’s pain or hardship evokes empathy and compassion in us. We ourselves have suffered and we know what the other person is going through. Rejoicing in another’s success is more challenging. Perhaps we have experienced no equal successes or joys and find ourselves envious, even jealous, of another’s good fortune. Paul doesn’t place one need above the other; they are equally our responsibility. My mentor use to say--erv, half the folks don't like you and the other half are glad you failed (i.e. they are envious, even jealous).  I think he was joking!  ha ha Stinkin'Rudolph says--You know, I spent a fortune on deodorant before I realized that folks didn't like me anyway.  LuckieEddie says--Just grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to remember the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.  MissPerfect says--It takes a big person to really be happy for someone else's success.  Really? Really!  EvaluatorMaggie says--I know some little people and I know some big people!  Such is life.

Interesting experience I had.  I was playing pickleball in a competitive venue where I don't know these folks very well (i.e. they are just pickleball players--maybe know most by their first names only).  Many seem to have their game faces on and really aren't always very personable (i.e. maybe are nice folks but I just don't know them--maybe they are supporting an image).  ANYWAY I said to maybe 5 of them that I had to go.  A couple of them encouraged me to play some more.  I said I had to go as my wife has Alzheimer's.  They all (i.e. even the most stone face guy who never acknowledges me) all sighed or said, oh man and put their heads down.  I felt like they were all saying, I'm rooting for you "underdog"!  I think they all had feelings!  And it wasn't no longer winning a pickleball game either!  Such is life.

Make no mistake! There is a massive huge difference between the underdog and feeling inferior as a person.  You might not be able to play the guitar as well as someone else, or run as fast, or read as well or cook as well, or speak, or write, or drive or clean the house, or sleep, or organize, or teach or etc but that doesn't make you inferior (i.e. those are just minor parts of the big picture). I bet you can do things better than they can in a different arena. As Eleanor Roosevelt famously said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."  And sometimes we over react like Chicken Little did (i.e. the sky is falling).  Ya, there are times that I play with better pickleball players.  They usually beat me.  They are better than me, no question.  But I don't feel inferior to them (i.e. my game is inferior to theirs but I'm not).  SmoothSam says--erv, maybe you should feel inferior!  SmoothSam--Just wait tell next year and I will kick their butts (i.e. if my knees feel better and I get a whole lot better--my odds of those 2 things happening are less than hell freezing over).  That's the snapshot folks!  The Cubbies are saying--Next year has come!  We will see! We will see! MissPerfect says--And remember, those big dogs a.k.a. overdogs  have their problems tooooo!  What ever our ability is and in what ever arena we are in, we gotta dance before the orchestra goes home (i.e. use our individual, unique ability).  Such is life.

Ralphy says--"An individual has a healthy personality to the exact degree to which they have the propensity to look for the good in every situation." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~ Do you believe that?  Saturday question--Soooo how healthy is your personality today?  

Against all odds!  We have all heard the statement, "they won against all odds".  It might be in an

accident, a illness, a tragedy, a disaster etc.  It always amazes me that one person wins and another one loses (e.g. one person has a heart attach and lives and another dies).  Why that is I have no idea.  Just horse shit luck do you think?  Is that just a random event?  Why are some folks part of a family that is nasty and another is part of a really nice?  Again, I have no idea.  Folks walk by our house here in AZ all the time.  Some seem healthy and walk fast, some use canes, some walkers, some limp, some use wheel chairs and there are probably many that can't even walk.  Soooo why the difference?  I don't know but I don't know how a pulse oximeter doohickey works either.  Is it the luck of the draw? Is it that some get better breaks?  And some play pickleball better than others!!!  And a lot can't even play pickleball! 

Developing more underdogs!  The Arizona Interscholastic Association legislative council voted down a tougher transfer policy.  Any athlete can transfer any time to any school.  Wow!  The main reason given is--Didn't want to deal with avalanche of appeals which will result in legal cost which undoubtedly would happen?  It's all about the money folks.  Coach Boeheim of Syracuse had his own method of developing more underdogs--He cheated on the drug testing, financial help to players, and academically eligibility so his team would be better.  Again, it's all about winning which is all about the money folks.  Such is life.

Oh La La!  TopDogBetsy says--Every Tom, Dick and Harry can go from a top dog to a underdog real fast.  Just look around.  Many folks, companies, churches, folks have.  And many underdogs have gone to be top dogs.  Just look around.  I know many top dogs who are great folks and I know many underdogs who are great folks.  And I know many top dogs and underdogs who are not nice folks (i.e. overXposed and underXposed).  Why, you ask.  I have not idea.  Maybe their heart has something to do with it but I don't know.  What do you think?  Very few folks can handle success (i.e. particularly financial success).  Just look around.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Give Tiger Woods a call and he will walk you through it!  Money many time causes a vicissitude in a person's life.  But it's the American dream to be a Tiger Woods.  We work hard to get to that situation.  Some folks will give up their families, even their health, to get in that situation.  Our lives may become de facto divided as to what is important to us. Huh, interesting.

Underdogs????  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--The proud scribes and Pharisees, with calloused hearts, turned their backs and walked away. The common people with hungry hearts (i.e. maybe underdogs) moved in closer. They heard Jesus’ stories gladly. They alone found “rest for their souls.” Such divisive judgments of God are what Luther called “the strange work of the gospel. Huh, interesting.

Greek or Hebraic?  ItchieBitichie says--In the third and fourth centuries followers of Socratic teaching and other Greek scholars began to influence the Church in ways that were different from the Hebraic roots of the early Church. The Greek influence appeals more to the intellect, whereas the early-Church Hebraic model appealed to the heart. The Greek influence resulted in more emphasis on oratory skills and cognitive knowledge of God. Over the many centuries, this influence has shown itself in a more programmatic approach to the gospel rather than a process of living out our faith. ItchieBitichie--So why is it important for us to understand this?  Is one group more an underdog than the other?  I don't know but it is thought provoking (i.e. stimulates a person's mind).  Which group of followers do the underdogs fall into do you think?  

What are the odds?  I read this in the paper sooooo it must be right--She becoming a Supreme Cowgirl! The Arizona cowgirl grew up on the Lazy B, a cattle ranch near Duncan.  Her father Harry Day, expected her to pull her own weight and earn the skills necessary to keep the ranch profitable, and that she did.  She attended Stanford Law School, became a judge and, in 1981, became the first female justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme court, where she served with distinction for 24 years.  Sandra Day O'Connor can be branded anything but a Lazy B.

Unerdogs do win sometimes. The Journal of Positive Psychology (i.e. soooo it must be right) released a survey last year showing that people looking for someone to date gravitated toward those displaying signs of humility. Arrogance and egos are turn-offs (i.e. a smart cousin said to me recently--ego vs Spirit)!  It’s funny how modern research keeps affirming the truths of the Bible. The Bible advocates a humble heart, saying, “Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud … he humble in spirit will retain honor”...“Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble."  Resolve to treat the next person you meet with humility. Listen to their conversation, open the door for them, compliment them, avoid self-centered comments, and seek to serve them in some way. You’ll find that the best way to go up is to go down. SusieQ says--Don't be a hammerhead shark who preys on lesser fish!  Ouchy ouchy!

ItchieBitchie says--It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere. 

SusieQ says--I think my biggest foe is me!  Could be.  Ya, SusieQ, it seems like we can get in our own way sometimes (i.e. mess things up).  Sometimes we don't really mean to but we do (i.e. overkill). CrazyMarvin says--Sometimes folks are the "king of the hill" but do something stupid and lose most everything.  Back to being an underdog again.  Some never regain there grander.  I would think we are all "our own foe sometimes".  AverageJoe asks--Why do we do such stupid things sometimes?  Well AverageJoe, it's usually 'cause of money, power, fame, ego, greed etc.  Bingo!

Pat Conroy has written 11 books soooo he must know what he is talking about.  He says this in the prologue in his book My Loosing Season--The lessons I learned while playing basketball for the Citadel Bulldogs have proven priceless to me...I have a sense of fair play and sportsmanship....My work ethic is credible and you can count on me in  the clutch...I believe with all my heart that athletics is one of the finest preparations for most of the intricacies and darknesses a human life can throw at you...Basketball forced me to deal head-on with my inadequacies and terrors with no room or tolerance for evasion.  

Win some and lose some!  OneSmartGuy told me that in life we lose a lot; we have to deal with it.  I wonder if  "how we deal with defeats" impact our lives more than "how we handle 'so called' successes".  I wonder!  Most folks who can handle failures with a positive attitude (i.e. we all have them) seem to do better (i.e. my opinion).  GeorgeTheCrook says--Ya gotta know that you are going to win some and lose some sooooo don't be surprised!  Such is life.

I asked a Onesmartfriend and he says--Almost everyone will spend their entire life constantly failing at things...that's why it's so important for kids to learn at a young age how to deal with failure and to move on. One of the great things about athletics...teaching how to lose well and use that loss/failure as an advantage going forward. No need to quote me as these are not new or original ideas. But Onesmartfriend, when it comes from you it means a lot to me!  When Onesmartfriend speaks, I listen. Oh ya!

The cheerful loser is the winner. ~Elbert Hubbard~ Do you believe that.  I must be a winner as I lose a lot and am usually cheerful.  Winning is not that important to me sometimes (i.e. especially as I get older--my opinion).  This week I played my first 9 holes of golf down here in the Valley this winter (i.e. what do you think I shot, 2 over, 9 over or 15 over par?  I thought I should hit a bucket of balls before going to the course (i.e. I don't think anyone really cares how I play but...I do).  When you get to be 69 and can still play, your game usually doesn't get much better. The guy (i.e. probably about 69) next to me at the practice range was hilarious.  When he hit a bad shot he called himself--you dumb shit Jimmie-- you idiot Jimmie--what are you doing Jimmie, get your head out of your...Jimmie!  He really seemed to take his golf serious. And this was on the range!  I didn't break the bad news to him that he probably ain't going get any better.  I guess he'll figure that out!!!  He will need to accept reality or take up pickleball! Bingo!

BisonDale said after pickle ball the other day--I think pickleball is more fun that golf.  When you hit a bad shot in pb, you forget about it and play the next.  In golf it seems to hang on and ruins your day (i.e. like you're a Jimmie dumb ass pulling a plow).  Besides, there seems to be much more laughing and horsing around and it's really a good time.  It's a lot cheaper toooooo.  And takes a lot less time.  And it's good exercise.  I think that is what he said.  My opinion, most folks don't seem to take pb near as serious as golf.  Way less stressful!  And it's a lot easier to learn.  Actually anyone can play it at their level and have a good time.  Maybe that is why it's the fastest growing sport of seniors!  That all  makes sense to me folks!  Bingo!

But golf is one activity that a lot of senior folks enjoy down here in Sun Valley.  Some seniors really take their golf serious as you can tell from the above story.  SeniorHarry was single and met SingleSeniorMary at a dance.  He liked her and asked her out.  SeniorHarry was convinced that SeniorMary was indeed the woman for him.  While having a drink, he said to her--I'd like a little serious talk before our relationship rises to the next level.  It's only fair to warn you, that I'm a total golf nut.  I play golf, I read about golf, I watch golf on TV.  In short, I eat, sleep and breath golf.  If that's going to be a problem for us you better say so. Mary took a deep breath and responded, Harry, that certainly won't be a problem.  I love you as you are and I love golf too but, since we're being totally honest with each other, you need to know that for the last five years I've been a hooker. Harry said--I bet it's because you're not keeping your wrists straight when you hit the ball!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm, will go farther, than a great ides, that inspires no one!

How about we what?

Disclaimer:  ItchieBitchie says--Most folks keep their cards close to their chest. It's a lot safer (i.e. a lot less risk).  Some of you might think that part of what I'm going to talk about today is risky.  Could be.  It might make you uncomfortable.  If you have a problem with that, you might want to skip that part.  Go get a beer instead and sit on the couch and watch TV during that part of this "It's Saturday".  I have no problem with that.  You don't have to be bothered or be challenged.  Ya got it?  I will let you know where that part is.  Ok, lets get going.  We are burning day light.

WorldClassLarry's word is the word.  He is not wishy-washy.  And he's very positive.  He knows what to say, when to say it, when to back off.  DuaneTheWorm is just the opposite; he's wishy-washy.  He almost always talks about himself and just plain drives me crazy (i.e. a fake).  Saturday question--Who would you rather want to be around?  Da!  CrazyMarvin asks--"How about we do what" to those two guys?  What would be the appropriate medicine for each?  What do you think?

Riddle  I don't expect any of you guys to get this riddle.  I don't.  You guys are smart but...!  Maybe my expectations of you aren't as high as they should be.  Let me know if you can get it?  It's from WarrenFromOmaha (i.e. not everyone can be a WarrenFromOmaha).  These 7 words all have something in common.  See if you can figure out what it is!  1. Banana 2. Dresser 3. Grammar 4. Potato 5. Revive 6. Uneven 7. Assess.  Ok, here is the answer if you can't figure it out (i.e. I didn't think you could)--No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters...Try again (i.e. how about we what--you heard me, try again)! Answer is--In all the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.  Really, be honest, did any of you guys get it?  I have no idea what WarrenFromOmaha expects from you folks.  Really! His expectations are higher than mine.  Hope you can prove me wrong!

You are doing what?  A senior friend told me that they sold part of their land holdings at the advice of their children.  They sold those land holdings, I am sure, for big bucks.  She told me that now she doesn't have to buy the cheapest cheese in the story any more (i.e. she had been doing that for many years, more than the years Methuselah lived). She also said--We can now live more affluent (i.e. how about we what?).   Soooo I said to her--You are doing what?  After living a conservative life style for all those years (i.e. programmed), I doubt if they will change much.  But ya never know now do ya. They might "stick up there nose" to us the next time they see us. Could be!  It happens. But, I hope they ratchet up their life style some if that is what they want to do (i.e. they deserve it).  They ain't spring chickens any more.  Such is life.

This is the time you might want to get your beer!

Popeye The Sailor Man!  Do you remember Popeye and Bluto, Olive Oyl, and Swee'pea?  I watched Popeye when I was a kid and really liked him. Do you remember his famous saying--I yam what I yam and tha's all what I yam! Well blow me down! That's all I can stands, cus I can't stands n'more!  Saturday question--What can't you stand anymore in your life or in our environment?  How about we what?  Really!  Joesixpack, are you ever going to take some action or just sit on the couch and eat chips all your life?  Are you going to make a difference in some one's life?  LuckieEddie says--What we share today, we have forever and what we put off, we've lost.  Such is life.

Happenstance, na I don't think soooo folks!  I have a huge massive interest in improving folks' lives who are depressed (i.e. that's maybe 1 out of every 10 folks, a huge massive #).  Depression is way over my head, I realize that (i.e. I'm in a bit of a pickle). I don't exactly have the answers (i.e. have no hocus-pocus!).  But, somehow, someway maybe I can make a little difference in maybe one person's life. I would like to placate one person or many (i.e. get them out of the stinkin' toilet). Sooooo I asked a pickleball buddy what he did in his real life--He was an executive for a large company and he was a safety and wellness person.  He would travel to the different plants and help employees who were depressed (i.e. mentally ill).  Large sums of money are lost each year in business because of mental illness.  He told me he would go into a break rooms where there would be maybe 40 employees and introduce himself and his mission.  He would ask them to raise their hand if any of them were affected directly or indirectly by someone they knew who had cancer.  They all looked at him and raised their hands.  Then he would ask them to raise their hands if any of them were affected directly or indirectly by someone they knew who had mental illness.  They would look at the floor and did not raise their hands.  He told them that reality is, the numbers are the same.  Ouchy ouchy!

This is what he emailed me--The whole issue of depression is very complex and unfortunately there are no easy fixes.  BUT there are lots of things that can help those suffering and their families.  Just being there is a big help, listening and reassuring.  There is a huge stigma around depression but thankfully more and more people are talking about it.  The proper medication helps and people on prescriptions must take them for the prescribed time, often people stop taking them when they feel better and don't complete the full regiment.  Too many people 'blame' themselves for their condition (others too!) and people don't understand/accept that it is a real illness that must be treated.  Again no easy remedy but the biggest step is recognition and support and let those suffering know that they are not alone.  There are lots of good people out there wanting and willing to help.  The more people openly talk about depression the sooner there will be more support (financially and otherwise) to battle this terrible disease. ----- How about we what?!

I have had sooooo many good things happen to me that's it almost embarrassing.  They just fall into my lap.  It doesn't make any stinkin' sense but...! My interest in helping folks who are depressed is another opportunity (i.e. my opinion). I have learned that when I try to force things, they don't happen.  It's when I just let them happen is when they happen (i.e. why is that do you think?).  Does that make any sense to ya?  I have told you before that I pray for opportunities, pray that I can recognize them (i.e. sooo they don't just fly over my head) and pray for the courage to act on them.  My wish would be to vet these situations and help in small doses, if at all, and at the right time (i.e. an excessive amount of something usually doesn't work very well).  Advice to depressed folks is surely an area that excessive amount of advice would apply.  Oh ya!  Especially when I don't know what I'm doing.  I have never been severely depressed sooooo I'm surely not an expert.  But sever depression surely doesn't look much fun.  Sooooo, how about we what? I had breakfast with a friend recently.  He's a recovering alcholic.  He has been sober for many years (i.e. I really admire this guy).  He owes his sobriety to AA where he says--first you have to admit you have a problem (i.e. usually have to get to rock bottom for that to happen) and also believe that there is a Higher Power who will help you.  Bingo! But for some/maybemany, it ain't easy.  I'm sure much like recovering from depression.  DepressedNate says--Every turn I make, it's like I'm turning into a double black diamond!

GoodHeartedMary says--How about we encourage others!  How about we what?  A friend is starting "an encouragement project".  I sent her this encouraging email--Hey, a bit of encouragement for the encourager from another encourager! Don't get discouraged by the discouraged as the discouraged will not respond the way you the encourager thinks the discouraged should or will. You must remember the discouraged are discouraged so they're thinking is rather discouraged compared to you the encourager. Soooooo, stay encouraged when the discouraged discourage you. How about we what?  OldNeighborTom says--Example  has more followers than reason!

You can join us again you beer drinkers! 

How many shades of gray do you have in your mind?  Really!  I was told by an expert (i.e. soooo it must be right) that 95% of us is "unconscious". Where did all that "unconscious" come from folks. Really! I also was told by the same expert that--You are what you think.   Really!  That expert also said--We have choices as to what we think!  Really!  Also she said--You can change; you have the power and the ability. Really! Warning--Usually folks quite when into a change after 3 to 4 days.  It ain't going to work; They will quite and will just go back to the old way. It takes 21 days to have a chance with a change.  Maybe your past proves that.  Could be!  Such is life.

Maybe our archenemies! The teaching of the Talmudic sage, Rabbi Elazar Hakapar (i.e. folks to seem to listen more to a Rabbi than erv the insurance salesman/real estate salesman): "Envy, lust and honor-seeking seem to drive a person from the world."  Yabut 50 Shades of Grey sold a lot of copies Rabbi.  It's all about the money--it must be what folks want. I bet the movie makes a lot of money toooo!  Soooo what does that mean anyway?  Rabbi Elazar Hakapar tells us that these three character traits are not only morally wrong, but also physically harmful, as they harm the person who engages in them. A person who has envy, lust and a desire for honor will be a very unhappy person.  These traits drive people to jeopardize their health, which in turn, "drive a person from the world". Ne'erdowellFran says--Hooey phooey! That movie ramped me up.  I really liked it and I suggest you all see it (i.e. how about we what?).  Wow!  It aroused me!  Ne'verdonewellFran, it appears from your past track record, you have been aroused a lot! Soooo folks, who do you believe in this world anyway, the Rabbi, ervtheinsurancesalesman/realestatesalesman or ne'verdowellFran? Joesixpack says--There sure is a lot of stimuli a guy can listen tooooo out there alright.  Ne'verdowellFran maybe has made a lot of good decisions but maybe that one wasn't one of them.  But it seemed to stimulate her (i.e. she seems to be lathered up folks)!  Bingo! She sure seems excited!  Such is life.

FlipThePancake  I read in the paper, sooooo it must be right, that thoughts of appreciation and gratitude almost instantly lowers stress levels, blood pressure and heart rates to their healthiest and calmest rhythms.  Gratitude  is not only an emotional and spiritual practice, it's actually a physical and scientific phenomenon.  And it if you are a Dutchman you really appreciate it as it cost ya nutten--what a deal!  ItchieBitchie says--Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance (i.e. how about we do what?).  Do you guys really believe that?  Saturday question--Do you think more about the good in your life or the bad in your life (i.e. what you think is what you'll be).  Huh, interesting.

Country Club Approach  Does'tgotochurchanymoreBill says--I really wonder if churches spend more time on traditional and religious stuff than on what is really important to the health of individuals (i.e. maybe blind as a bat).  GeorgeTheCrook says--I wonder if maybe some churches shoot their wounded (i.e. knock the pickle juice out of 'em)!  SusieQ (i.e. she looks very smart--like one smart cookie) says--It seems like the important stuff, toooo many times, get sent to a committee (i.e. sure death) as the leaders don't want to deal with it (i.e. kick the can approach).  They would rather spend their time debating who are the holy elite of the holy huddle (i.e. where there is no answer and no one really cares--you can't go wrong on that--that sounds religious). Oink oink! LeaderSusieQ says--I make a motion that we take a collection (i.e. how about we do what?)! ChurchLadyWanda says--I will make cookies! That will make us feel good!  Holy smokes, here we go again!  Some business companies help the depressed.  You know why?  You are right.  It's all about the money (i.e. a half trillion is lost in the U.S. economy due to mental illness)!  Such is life.

Experts  I asked for advice from a church grue and the business grue of what our church can do to help the depressed.  The church grue gave me "the rodeo clown advice{distraction}" (i.e. watch this YouTube).  The businessman gave me this workable, direct bullet points.

• I think a good way to start this conversation with your group is to start slowly by saying that there is an illness that affects many people.  And our group likely has likely some members who may be suffering and as a group that is a 'carry/supportive' group we can offer some support.  
• I would get some general information on depression and distribute or at least have available as a handout.  I'd get some info out and then set up an informal meeting to see if there is interest to set up a support group.  See how much feed back you get and what the level of interest there is, you may be pleasantly surprised that you have some internal resources.  If you can get some good reading/online material out and get people thinking/talking about the problem it would be a good start.  
• Addressing the stigma of depression needs to be addressed and let people know that they are not alone and there are resources out there.  I think if you can firstly just get people talking and then gauge the level of interest...start from there and develop a plan with your own group.  Pretty much every family will deal with this issue sometime and now more and more people are prepared to talk about it and deal with it.

Holy smokes! The business grue said--It was a win win situation, I had the opportunity to help folks and their families and also make the company some money.  Now that is a good deal (i.e. a good deal is when it's good for you and good for me!  

Pope Francis has proclaimed (i.e. sooooo it must be right) that fasting must never be superficial. No act of virtue can be great if is not followed by advantage for others. So, no matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor, eat ashes and sign continuously, if you do no good to others, you do nothing good.   ---   How about we what?

Just a figure of speech! After hours of testing and therapy, a guy sits in a room waiting for the psychiatrist's evaluation.  The psychiatrist comes in and sits behind his large desk.  "Well, ItchieBitchie, I have good news for you.  You're not paranoid."  "Whew," ItchieBitchie says, wiping his brow.  "I'm sure glad to hear that."  "Yes, well, the tests defiantly show that the world is out to get you!"

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

erv

MyFreindJean says--Discussion is an exchange of knowledge, argument is an exchange of ignorance..