Hullabaloo

This “It’s Saturday” is probably not a real nail bitter or even a thumb-sucking thing and surely not a dog-fight. It might be more like a “Hail Mary!” It might sound pretty scratchy to some of you.  But remember folks, you get what you pay for! Soooo don’t get lathered up if you don’t agree with any of this stuff. It’s really not that important. Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--If you are suddenly in danger, adrenaline courses through your body to increase your metabolism and prepare your muscles to exert themselves. Or in moments of pleasure, the hormone oxytocin and the neurotransmitter dopamine are released. In other words, the entire human body springs into action in various situations and circumstances. I overheard a conversation at breakfast the other day. One guy can’t hear very well soooo he was very loud.  He said—My granddaughter is a good kid but a little ornery, moody, and very liberal.  But she is a good granddaughter.  And then again it just might be a bunch of hullabaloo.

Donnie Donnie Donnie! Does he really want to be President or is he just having a good time? One thing is for certain, Donald is a good "foot shooter!" CrazyMarvin says--Tooooo many shots to the foot could kill a guy.  He makes me laugh! You have to admit, he's a good shot alright!

Don't ya just love this POLITICALapaloosa! RickyTheGoatHerder says--Absolutely boys and girls! No question about it, this political stuff is a bunch of hullabaloo!

TurboGary says--What a difference a few years makes! Obviously she has really improved.  It is always nice to see folks get better.

MissPerfect’s decisions aren’t always based on hard facts. The analyticals surely do prove that. Politicians (i.e. both Democrats and Republicans) just make me laugh. We are such suckers. DuaneTheWorm (i.e. who worships himself and is full of hubris) will say and do most anything to make himself appear to be king of the hill of the picking order.  The truth is he is just blowing smoke. Most folks see right through him. But there are always a few suckers. But as Abraham Lincoln said--You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

WorldClassLarry says--When folks start thinking they are important, usually a correction is in order and it usually does happen! Ouchy ouchy! It's just reality folks. I have read the book Descending into Greatness by Bill Hybels (i.e. a friend gave it back to me—I really don’t remember reading it but I read it or re-read it—very invigorating to me—it affected me—maybe it might not be to you—but give it a read). One chapter is about the pecking order. He said you can put 10 chickens in a pen together and within a short time the pecking order will be established. This procedure is done in business, social circles, church, sports etc. AverageJoe says—erv, it ain’t nutten new! BobbySnort says--That is just the opposite of Jesus’ teaching.  ANYWAY Arlene and I went to an I-Cub game the other night. There were some important folks behind us working on their pecking order (i.e. food chain). They sounded very important and influential (i.e. and probably are but didn’t impress me much)—sounded like a lot of hullabaloo to me—LuckieEddie says, I actually can be very comfortable being the #10 chicken—just being “simply me). What took the cake was when one was telling how he and his wife went to a lecture of the early history of Des Moines. One of folks asked him if it was good—It was good but the guy talked tooooo much about himself! Da! SusieQ say—Usually a little bit about oneself goes a long way!

Sooooo this little paragraph might go a long way folks!  Jimmer says—Grandpa, your ice cream is the best! It's much like politics, you give them what they want and they like you!  How can ya go wrong with that? You can’t. Rookie says--Grandpa, that was good! Now this might be a lot of hullabaloo about really nutten folks. But it was sure fun! Such is life.

I was sitting in our sun porch on morning after a nice rain shower. Maybe 6 robins were have a worm-fest (i.e. worm eating was good and easy). I never knew this but my golf buddies told me that birds listen for worms. What?  These guys (i.e. I'm not taking about the worms folks) are smart let me tell you.  I also re-learned this week while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—One verse of my favorite Bible scripture is, Those who wait on the LORD...shall walk and not be faint. The word walk in the Bible is used to describe a person’s character. Saturday question—What is your walk? ANYWAY here is the rest of the story:  Those worms were being eaten by the robins (i.e. part of the food chain). All of a sudden, I think it was a hawk, dove down from the house roof and grabbed a robin and was off (i.e. it was in a flash folks). The other robins tried to attach the hawk in the air but the hawk had captured his breakfast.  It happened soooo fast and soooo unexpected. Another chain in the food pecking order. Bingo.

Here is a quandary folks. The world version of the food chain is--Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running. The quandary is---is this the right way to live a person's life? And Jesus' version is...!

And pop goes the weasel! I think Bernie is butt wielding! This pretty company gal is teaching those two guys how to "wield butts" as she called it. The real name is butt fusion.  Bernie already knows how to butt wield; he could have shown them a thing or two! They are connecting the 10" water pipes soooo they can pull it under the ground for our new water line to our new water tower. Very interesting to me. 

I goggled the net worth of the Clintons and Donald.  Goggle says Clintons’ net worth is $111 million and Donald’s is $4.5 billion.  How did they make all that money anyway? Donald calls Hillary crocked Hillary and Hillary calls Donald a faker who uses people. I always say that the two easiest ways to make money is to marry it or inherit it. Maybe there is a third way—under the table good old boy method.  Some of you suckers might say—erv, you are way out in left field or over the top a little and are over cooking the situation or it’s just maybe might be a bunch of hullabaloo. That could be folks; Chester and Anna programed me some probably growing up a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  Maybe they influenced my current thinking a little even though I don’t know it.  Have your parents programmed you at all?  Maybe you don’t even realize it.  Chester and Anna were Democrats and I’m a registered Republican but more of an independent but I lean to the conservative side (e.g. I'm for helping some folks but don't like liberal abortion).  It appears that many of the younger generation are much more liberal than being conservative (i.e. Bernie’s fans) even though their parents might be more conservative. Why is that do you think.  And maybe it’s my imagination.  Now that could be tooooo. A company man said to me maybe 40 years ago—When you are young and not liberal, you have no heart. When you get older and aren’t conservative, you have no brain. But that could be a lot of hullabaloo tooooo! Such is life.

But it sells tickets folks. It's all about the money folks. Don't kid yourself! There is a lot of hullabaloo in the Des Moines Register about IA football.  Usually the hype is better than the team.  CrazyMarvin says—We have been there in the past. Ya but the hullabaloo also sells papers and tickets. The proof is in the pudding folks and not in the Des Moines paper. Talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey!  Such is life.

CadillacJack says—Hold you horses erv, I think what you wrote is just a bunch of hullabaloo; you are just fanatical! You need to go and jump in the lake!  You know CadillacJack, that might feel pretty good as it’s pretty hot out today.  Thanks for the advice. It’s as good as what I paid for it! Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--What ever you are, be a good one. ~ Abraham Lincoln

we'll see

We’ll see if this jibber jabber makes any sense to you today. Some of you might think it's an infield pop-up and maybe some might think it's a home run.  You be the judge. AlwaysNearTheTillSenatorBill might look at things different than SweetHumbleBettyLou who is making $12 an hour at Casey’s!

Well scubbe dobe do! MissPerfect says—Mean people are not happier, or necessarily more successful…Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person…Plant seeds of kindness. Do something nice every day. Kindness pays most when you don’t do it for payback.  Does this make any sense to any of you? We’ll see what you decide to do with your life. GeorgeTheCrook says—Most folks think most about themselves and how it affects their wallet!  Ouchy ouchy! I don’t know GeorgeTheCrook, I know some pretty good folks who are very kind and have servant attitudes.  Very good folks with good hearts; my kind of folks. Crazy huh!

ItchieBitchie says--A person has to have a strong resolve to stay at a certain level of achievement.  In golf, it doesn’t matter how you played yesterday but how you play today.  Many players play well but the next day they can’t play at the level they have.  Some folks are soooo strong (i.e. can even be cocky) and then all of a sudden, they seem to get in their own way (i.e. their minds end up in the gorse at Royal Troon).  Is that called pride before the fall?  A friend asked me at breakfast recently how my golf game was—I said I have played well this summer. That same afternoon I went and played 9 (i.e. Arlene rode along—beautiful summer day). I didn’t play as well. Arlene said—That wasn’t very good!!!!  I hate that when Arlene is soooo truthful to me. Ouchy ouchy! We’ll see where my game goes from here. Such is life.

A friend told me this story about his golf buddy—MyBuddy loved to golf and was a good player. Occasionally he would play with his wife…they were members at a nice country club. One round they were playing together and MyBuddy birdied the first hole…his wife didn’t say anything about it but just normal conversation or paying attention to her own game. Then he birdied number 2. Same thing. Not a word. He proceeds to finish the front nine at -3…his personal best to that date. Still nothing!! He couldn’t figure it out. They get to the back nine and he’s not playing quite as well but keeping it together and has it -2 with just a couple of holes left in the round. FINALLY, he can’t take it anymore and he turns to his wife and says….geez don’t you realize how well I’m playing. She deadpans and turns to him… “Honey, no one needs to tell you how good you’re playing. You’ve got that one figured out all by yourself.” With the implication being of course I know how well you’re playing but why do you need my affirmation and approval…or quit acting like a little kid! Put him in his place pretty quick!

LandlordClarence said to the tenant of his farm—I feel sorry for the rabbits—why is that the tenant asked—you plant corn sooo thick that if a rabbit wants to change rows, he has to go to the end of the field. I had a beer with one of my golf buddies after our match last Friday.  He reminded me that after a guy plays fairly well for some time, you try to do even better and that’s when the game becomes a struggle.  Ya got to start over and built it back up again (i.e. it happens a lot). It’s a humbling experience alright. Soooo don’t be surprised when it happens. MyGolfBuddy told me that he use to get mad but has pretty much controlled it know. Huh, interesting. I was running the other morning and a guy was trimming his hedge.  I stopped and talked a little—Your trim job looks good—ya, it’s work that I don’t like to do but I like the hedge; ya got to take the good with the bad! Bingo!

Bernie Bernie Bernie! A few weeks ago Hillary was HillaryTheEvil to Bernie but now Bernie crawls in bed with her and Hillary is now QueenHillary! And Donald, I wonder if the Republicans and the Democrats alike are worried he might screw up the “good old boy group.” He is scary folks (i.e. he makes a lot of folks feel like they have to go to the bathroom). C’on, how can Senators end up with many millions of net worth on their salary.  Something smells fishy to me. What do you think? It appears to me that just maybe Bernie is right—it’s fixed (i.e. maybe he’s just mad ‘cause they haven’t helped him make millions).  I wonder if they care about the JoeAverages of the world.  Maybe, just maybe, it has nutten to do with what is best for America. Maybe just maybe politics have nutten to do with the masses but just about how the elite can make money.  I don’t know, what do you think? We’ll see! Many times it’s about the money folks. Some things seem like they never change, just maybe.

I was curious how much it cost to paint the water tower.  Soooo I went to city hall and asked.  The price is part of the total bid and then subbed out.  Sooooo I go up to the water tower and talked to one of the owners.  He talked my leg off.  He told me that they did it for $80,000.  They do 12 a year in the upper Midwest.  They have a reputation soooo they can pick and choose (i.e. usually about location and who the general contractor is).  They also do some work for the mines in northern MI where they all live.  Work 8 months except for occasions in the winter for the mines.  He said—The guys like some time off to hunt deer, snowmobile and ice fish.  You are gone from home a lot when working—ya, my wife tells folks that we have been married for 34 years but it's really only 17! 

It seems to me that Donald and Hillary can downplay the bad stuff that each other say about them and upplay their good stuff that they say about themselves.  Now that is an art folks. They don’t ever seem to get humbled or think they are ever wrong (i.e. must have huge massive egos—I think they do). They amaze me! They don’t seem to ever eat humble pie.  We’ll see how this all works out. I really wonder about these two. They’re not like my hero Old Abe.  I wonder if the masses are tired of all this crap.  I wonder. It might end up being the mases against the elite huddle.  I think I read about this before folks. CadillacJack says—If you don’t take care of the masses, they will revolt.  We have seen it before (i.e. it’s history folks). Maybe we are in the process.  This could get ugly.  What do you think?

NiftyNel says--It’s brown but tastes yellow! ItchieBitchie says—Things aren’t always as they look folks.  I stopped for a sausage-egg mcmuffin and a senior coffee after riding bike the other Saturday morning.  I read the Des Moines Register and did Sudoku (i.e. I really enjoy this).  There was a group of seniors sitting at a table about 10 feet from me. During my stay, there must have been 15 different folks join and leave this group.  They had a grand time. If you would listen to them you might think they didn’t like each other as they were gruff, direct, poked fun of each other etc.  They truly liked each other and very supportive of each other (i.e. it was very obvious when someone left the group).  They had a blast.  I think this comradery is sooooo good for folks.  I did hear one lady who was always negative about everything. I wondered why she was this way.  One lady asked Fred if he eats an apple pie ever day with nothing to drink—yes I do—don’t you get sick of it—no no, I like it. They made me smile and feel good. There are sooooo many good folks out there and they aren’t always the fancy folks—they are good average folks with good hearts. I was reminded once again that many of you folks are such good folks. Keep it up! And don’t try to act soooo important and act like you are better than others.  Be humble and do good stuff. That is my suggestion to you.  If you don’t agree, I understand. It’s is soooo hard to be humble. Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Paul (i.e. anyone can be a Paul) says—Quit praying about yourself and spend your life for the sake of others as the bondservant of Jesus.  That is the true meaning of being broken bread and poured-out wine in real life. The Paul who said this was the Paul that was beheaded by Nero’s soldiers. Ouchy ouchy!

I read in the paper soooo it must be right—Corrupt government will create a corrupt people, and a corrupt people will perpetuate a corrupt government.  We’ll see! SusieQ says—It seems like a lot of folks have drunk/are drinking the Kool-Aid.  It’s called good old “corrupt magic.” Bernie Sanders’ supporters are maybe right when they loudly proclaim that the system is rigged (i.e. by the ruling elite). 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up.

whatever whatever

This is not a lure of Pokemone Go! But it could be!

MissPerfect says—This “It’s Saturday” is for righties and lefties! I swear by it and I’m a good swearer! Just ask anyone!

ItchieBitchie says--In the world of physics, it is asserted that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Likewise—though less able to be proven—the mind cannot focus on two thoughts at the same time. We can change our thoughts so rapidly that we have the impression of being able to have multiple thoughts simultaneously. But we also have the freedom to choose which thoughts we stay focused on. ItchieBitchie says—What you think is what you’ll be! Saturday question—What do you think about?

Crazy! Just crazy!  Arlene and I were having brunch at Todd’s Neighborhood Grill recently when a guy came over to our booth and said—Hi erv and started a conversation.  I have been around him some at the golf course years ago but have not ever really talked to him. He was a good player when I was just learning the game. He carried on a conversation like he was my best friend. Crazy!  He is 86. Why and why now? I have no idea.  Crazy!  He did lift me up though! 

Arlene’s Dad was Art.  He loved the Cubs.  He would have liked this year (i.e. so far anyway—up in their division by 6.5games at the all-star break but slumping--seriously slumping). I remember Art sitting in their porch smoking his cigar and listening to the Cubs on a Sunday afternoon.  That is what he enjoyed.  Arlene and I took him and Cora to a game one time (i.e. I think the only game he ever went tooooo).  Art was a man of few words.  But he did say to me—erv, you sure paid a lot for parking!  A fun memory.  If the Cubs win the world series, Art will roll over in his grave!  Hay hay!

I talked to a guy at church recently.  He is a unique guy.  Aren’t we all unique—some appear to more unique than others depending what normal is.  And who decides what normal is.  It’s like we are all mentally ill but to different degrees depending what the normal is.  Who is normal? Ok soooo this guy is different than me!  I like to talk to folks who think different than me sometimes; it stimulates me.  ANYWAY he seems to be a smart guy but very opinionated.  I said to him—you seem very smart—I’m smart but also dumb!  Sooooo there you have it folks; all in a nut shell!

My golf buddies were telling my about some unhappiness of hs softball and baseball.  I guess some players are unhappy, some parents are unhappy and some coaches are unhappy.  Isn’t this supposed to be fun folks or am I missing something here.  I was told that a couple of parents got into it to a point there was blood and the police had to be called (i.e. parents of the players of the same team).  What!  I also heard that the coach of another team just quite; had enough.  I heard a lot about how some parents think there is a lot of politics involved as far as who gets to play.  At least some parents feel that way.  Crazy huh!  Such is life.

AverageJoe says—Any one is 100%! I had breakfast with a couple of friends recently.  What a hoot!  One friend a.k.a. a brander started telling us that his uncle died; he was a nut. Come on, was he really a nut?  Ask anyone in our family and they will say the same; he was a nut.  Then he said his sister is “way out there.”  What does that mean? Ask anyone in our family and they will tell you the same; she’s ”way out there.” He said that his son’s in-laws call him “unfiltered.” Soooo what does unfiltered mean—he just tells it like it is. Oh! He asked us—Soooo when so and so talks I put my mind in neutral; how about you guys? He said, I think others do to; just ask anyone. Then he called another guy an ignoramus a.k.a. a regular sheepherder.  Are you sure he’s an idiot?  Ask anyone and you will get the same answer.  And so and so is arrogant? Are you sure?  Ask anyone and you will get the same answer. He told me—erv, not everyone has a mind like you—what! I was scared to ask him what he meant about that as he probably would say—ask anyone!!!!! Then we saw another guy who we all know, that seems to struggle with life.  My other buddy said—We probably need to accept him as he is as he will probably never change.  He’s probably right.  Soooooo the conclusion of the matter is, maybe—if we think a certain way maybe others do tooooo or just because they think different than us, we think they are wrong but the reality might be we might be the goofy one. CrazyMarvin says—You really think sooo? CrazyMarvin, just ask anyone! Whatever folks. But folks, this friend is sooooo honest that I just have to love him! He might have a touch of hypochondriac in in him. I don't know for sure though. Whatever!

I gave a friend a big thank you.  He reminded me that I was not going to get involved in a situation and I did.  If a situation can’t be fixed (i.e. he sorta kinda told me it can’t), then we have to accept it or eliminate the situation from our thoughts and life.  We have options (e.g. if golf is toooo frustrating, tooo expensive, or tooooo time consuming, a person can just quit which many golfers have done or if the leadership of the golf club a person is a member of is not in tune with their philosophy, a person can join another club which folks do—folks have options). I don’t need or want the frustration which this situation is causing me.  Make any sense to you? Thank you my friend for pointing this out. Whatever!

LuckieEddie says—I read recently that 9 out of 10 dog owners take more pictures of their dog(s) than their partners.  Some of you might think that is crazy—looks like only about 10% of dog owners might think it’s crazy! Talk about crazy, Jay the bag boy at HyVee the other night asked me if I had plans for the rest of the evening—oh I think I will go for a run and then read while watching the end of the Cubs game; how about you—my buddy and I will probably play video games—you like video games—oh ya, the other night we started at 12 and played to 8 the next morning—how old are you—17! Whatever!

ItchieBitchie says—Think about your thinking!  Researchers says—80% of our thoughts are negative and that needs to change to get past life’s obstacles.  Imagine having 80% positive thoughts! Whatever! It will improve your position to get past disappointments.  And we all (i.e. everyone) has disappointments. LuckieEddie says—Maybe folks who think positive get past disappointments better and as a result are more successful (i.e. whatever success is).  Could be. Just maybe.

A friend (i.e. age 88) told me that a friend from childhood came and saw her.  They haven’t seen each other for about a year.  My friend said—I talked my head off! That’s right folks, she talked her head off! I have another friend who says he gets up at 3:30 every morning.  What in the world do you do at 3:30—hour and half of exercises, help get my wife up and make her breakfast, go for my 4 mile walk, study, read and then it’s already 9 o’clock.  Oh!  This guy is 83!

I went for an idyllic bike ride Saturday morning on the Cedar Valley Trails.  Saturday mornings have a way different culture and feeling than during the week. Different type of folks and different attitude (i.e. it’s Saturday). I really like it; soooo much fun. I rode along the river down town Waterloo. On the patio of the Wateloo Community Playhouse (i.e. right next to the Cedar River) there was a group of folks doing exercises.  I stopped to watch and a guy came over to me and explained that each Saturday morning they do this for about 45 minutes. He asked if I wanted to join—so I did for a while. Then I rode through Exchange Park.  There was a lot of folks playing disk golf soooo I stopped and asked a guy if there was a tournament? Yep, Iowa Team Championship (i.e. 12 teams of 8 players).  They were having a good time (i.e. it’s Saturday). I rode farther and there was a guy and gal who were fixing a flat (i.e. they had very expensive bikes and dress—about 25 years old). I stopped and asked if they needed help—no no, they were fine.  We talked a while and she told me that she was going to compete in a triathlon Sunday. Very fun conversation (i.e. very uplifting). See what I mean!

Some of you folks know Jesus only as a part of someone’s cussing and swearing and taking the Lord’s name in vain (e.g. like Jesus Christ Son of a…). Some know Jesus the same as Godzilla. Some know him as a good man. Some of you know him as your Savior.  Some of you might be surprised, but we talk about a lot of different stuff on the golf course (i.e. some of us do, some are obsessive score guys). This is what one of my golf buddies told me--Jim Elliot wrote many things but one that sits on our kitchen window sill. “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” You know who Jim Ellliot is?  Quite a story, goggle him if you have time. My Mom, Anna’s, favorite scripture was—For me to live is Christ and die is gain. She was quite a lady folks. Living in a society where “upward mobility” is the highest goal, it might be hard for many of us folks to understand this maybe (i.e. in our society most folks have a hard time being second fiddle). Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Burning the candle at both ends is the worst way to make ends meet.

P.S. Saturday question--What would you do as ruler of the universe?

that's a lot to think about

SlimeBucketPat says—For the most part, folks aren’t very impressed with how great you are if you are not humble. A "I'm better than you attitude" does not seem to impress most folks.  Soooo what do you think impresses folks?

I just learned a huge massive lesson from Arlene. A friend asked if she could come and see Arlene. I said she could but Arlene has a hard time talking. She said, I'm not a talker myself.  Well, she came and spent some time with Arlene. Arlene truly enjoyed her. Arlene was very comfortable around her. Our friend didn't try to impress her and tell Arlene how great she was (i.e. she was the cherry on top of the sundae). I learned once again, the most important thing we can do for others is show up and show them that we care. That's all we need to do.  That's a lot to think about folks and is very humbling. Such is life.

Hey listen folks, I’m just going to talk about our grand kids and my golf game in this "It's Saturday!" Billy Billy Billy! Now that is a lot to think about folks no matter who you are. And the game of "double standards" continues.  Such is life.

Mr.Almost says--Things can happen that are devastating (i.e. like when life throws you a sucker punch). That can happen in a New York minute. And the only way we can deal with them many times is day by day.  There is soooo much to think about that a person can’t seem to get their brain around it. Ya just need to accept things the best you can even though the devastating situation gives you the heebie jeebies! That’s a lot to think about!  Such is life.

I read in the paper soooo it must be right—Study:  Christians most persecuted religious group.  Why is that? Is the world scared of the power of Jesus?  Why doesn’t the world just pay no attention to Christians if they don’t believe in Jesus? There is something quite interesting here I think.  Maybe just maybe the world gets real nervous when Christians proselytize to them.  Maybe just maybe the world knows in their hearts that there is some truth to this Jesus stuff and they don’t want to deal with it.  Now that is a lot to think about folks.  Maybe the world is wondering if they are on a dog-leg left heading right!  Ouchy ouchy! The world seems to get pretty hot under the collar about this. According to Mark 15:10, the Jewish leaders handed Jesus over to Pilate because of envy and jealousy.

LuckieEddie says—It appears that pride is the nemeses a.k.a. bugaboo for many. If someone receives a higher grade, makes a larger salary, wins a race achieves a victory, or experiences more prosperity in some way, are we jealous? Ya, we’re all tempted to feel jealous because the tree of envy grows from the soil of pride. Most of us have a life fit for a king and yet we want more and better etc. Yaaaaasssssummm! That is a lot to think about! Such is life.

My mentor use to say to me—erv, things are never as good as they look or as bad as they look.  I was waiting in line at a funeral visitation and visiting with a friend who was waiting as well.  We talked about how families get together at a funeral and that there is a lot of family dynamics (i.e. some we can see and some we can’t).  She said—Probably all families have some dysfunctional parts. It comes about as there are unique family members, money issues, different life styles, divorces and multiple marriages, money issues, son-in-laws daughter-in-laws brother-in-laws, mother-in-laws etc., mental and physical health issues, bad decisions, money issues, religious issues, addictions, money issues and God only knows what else.  Sometimes it isn’t as pretty as it looks or as portrayed (i.e. folks don’t like to show the bad side of their families).  A friend tells me that we need to accept folks for who they are.  He seems to be pretty good at it. Now that is a lot to think about at a funeral visitation folks. I hope you didn’t have 

any skunks at your 4th of July outing.  Just one skunk can sure stink up the party. 

Who was there with their smart phone videoing the conversation between the devil and God?  I got up early the July 4th morning and re-read the Book of Job.  Is this a true story I asked myself.  I asked a group of friends (i.e. maybe all Christians) that question. The responses were from absolutely, does it matter to it’s a parable a.k.a. a teaching story.  And some were very political—they didn’t respond. Only 2 asked me what my opinion was.  But you got to remember, I don’t know much, I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roselend, MN.  I don’t remember much of my OT class at good old Northwestern College other that the OT is old!  My opinion is--I think it is true. I think it was a story passed on through several generations (i.e. orally) and then written out when the Bible was written maybe by multiple authors. Written in a different culture of different traditions maybe. Inspired by God. Embellished, I don't know. Probably not.

Sooo I asked my friend Robert Schnucker--who is an ordained presbyterian clergy for 61 years; phd from the university of iowa school of religion; professor for 48 years at truman state and uni; founder of the 16th century journal; founder and director of truman state university press; former president of the chief administrative officers of the american council of learned societies; student of the scripture and some understanding of non-xn religions and more. He said--How did the book come to be? no one is really sure since there are parallel similar types of literature found in the ancient near east. scholars do know with the attack of the assyrians on the northern portion of what once was Israel, that northern portion was obliterated from history but some of the OT manuscripts survived. later when the babylonians defeated judah in 586, the babylonians carried off the elite of judah. later when cyrus the great defeated the babylonians, he allowed many of the people of judah to return home to palestine. the scholars of judah realized that something had to be done to rescue their sacred literature. so began an effort to bring the northern and southern manuscripts into harmony. in the process many of the writings were only mentioned in the final product. this is easily seen in kings and chronicles where it is stated that so and so is recorded in such and such.,,now to Job. in a sense it is a play with a prologue and an epilogue with four people trying to figure out why disaster has come upon Job. Job by the way was not a member of the jewish faith,, he was an edomite. the main theme is described as a theodicy (from greek theos - god and dike - justice} in which the question is raised, how can one explain the justice of God  in an evil world?  the four people who come to Job tend to see religion as a bargain - follow this way of God and be rewarded. thus Job's suffering is the result of his own failure to live up to the bargain. Job's defies their accusations...the insight of the book of Job is that all are involved in a relationship with God based on the fact of our trust and faith in the grace of God. In the end the mystery of sufferings has no rational explanation and in fact nowhere in scripture is a rational answer provided. remember in the epilogue after Job has vented his dismay, God does not answer him but asks him a series of questions which make it clear that God is God and does not operate on the basis of human reasoning. Now that's a lot to think about folks.

I have a friend who works with bad loans (i.e. some huge massive ones).  I call him Mr. Repo.  He was telling me about a debtor who was not being cooperative in supplying information.  It appeared that the secured assets were disappearing.  He wouldn’t provide the documentation as what was happening.  They went around and around but the relationship continued to go south.  Fraud, illegal action etc. is suspected when this happens.  The debtor was not happy with loan company when they wanting some answers even though he was delinquent on the loan.  Finally, the debtor said—Listen, if you don’t quite bothering me I will file bankruptcy. Mr. Repo said—how soon can you file; do you have the fee to file; if not we will help you with the money for the fee; once you file, we will have a plan; the court will require every document, every check cashed, who endorsed the checks, if the banks were negligent in cashing the checks, will want exact records where all the assets went etc.  The creditor got real quiet.  Now that is a lot to think about. 

You might not want to read this paragraph; it's depressing. Across the country there are more than 5 million people living with Alzheimer's (i.e. a club you don't want to be a member of). The cost of care is estimated to be $236 billion. Ofentimes, Iowas families and loved ones assist in the care of those with Alzheimer's at an unpaid cost of more than $1.8 billion plus a heavy cost to themselves. It is a vicious and costly cycle. Folks really don't like to talk about it or think about it; it's depressing. I understand. BUT some folks have toooo; they deal with it directly; they have no choice. As far as I know there is only one cure for Alzheimer's and that is death (i.e. right now there is no way around it). Ouchy ouchy!  That is a lot to think about folks.

Now this is a lot to think about folks!  I read this in the paper sooo it must be right—The discontent many people feel in America and apparently in the UK can be attributed to a number of factors.  They include an elite and corrupt leadership that has lost contact with the people they govern, lack of respect for the culture of the average person and the constant demand we deny the realty we see around us.  That is what I read folks.  ItchieBitchie says—It seems like in politics there is a lot pretending and positioning but not much about reality. Are we just constantly just pretending?  Maybe money is part of this pretending.  Maybe. What do you think? Ok maybe egos come into play tooooo!

Well, you have heard enough about our grand kids and my golf game.  It’s time to wrap this “It’s Saturday” up folks. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—The best way to keep good acts a memory is to refresh them with new.

P.S. Folks ask me a lot how I’m doing—Considering our situation--Everything is great, it can’t get no better. My opinion is that a guy has to try to control the controllable and understand that a guy can’t do nothing about the uncontrollable. Does that make any sense to ya? Now folks, that is a lot to think about!  That’s about the whole ball of wax or as WorldClassLarry says—That’s the meat and potatoes of it all. SusieQ says--That is a mean punch!

Let's go

ItchieBitchie says--erv, where are we going? Not certain folks where we are going but we are going! We are on our way folks!  One thing that I'm certain about is my uncertainty!  Now you know one thing for sure. Mr. Heineken with a cigar says--We know that life is a life of surprises (i.e. life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy).  Now that is exciting.  I love it.

A friend told me--The hardest part of any project is getting started. Some things have urgency in my life and some don't.  How about you? You know what I'm talking about? Some things I just put off.  I now have time to get after many things that I have put off.  I have time and actually I have enjoyed doing them.  Crazy ha! I think soooo!  BigTimeJoyce says--After events in my life, I understand what you are saying erv!  Such is life.

Really folks, I am really uncertain about myself.  I have a new Toshiba lap top.  It is a nice computer (i.e. recommended to me by a nephew-in-law who is a "onesmartguy--certifiedsmart."  ANYWAY one thing I didn't like about it was that when I used the keyboard, it would jump to a different line or sometimes just delete a sentence or a whole paragraph.  Soooo I called Toshiba's customer service.  In soooo many words they said--Idiot, you have your palm on the cursor pad (i.e. it is soooo touchy). That was it alright. Chet has told me many times--Dad, it isn't the computer that has a problem but it's an "err error!'  Such is life.

There are many family getting together this summer.  What a fun time it can be.  Cousin Luther sent me this (i.e. shared with his permission). My family enjoying a little time up north. My son in law asked if it was all inclusive. I told him for every one but me. Time with family priceless!

Saturday question--Are you an idealist, realist or a pragmatist? I asked LuckieEddie how he was doing.  He said--I could use a little more frosting!  In rural America, farmers like to go to the grain elevator to drink coffee and talk.  The stories might be true and they might not--God only knows! Some like to complain how bad they have it even when they have it good.  It's some farmers' attitude. I say some.  We just had a 2.5 inch soft rain--perfect. Our crops look terrific.  A retired farmer (i.e. golf buddy who is just a landlord now) was telling us that another retired farmer's (i.e. also a landlord) philosophy is--You have to pessimistic all the time and then if something good happens you can be happy. Crazy huh! I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Have you ever known someone who lived an outcome-based Christian experience? This means that their decisions are made based on the positive or negative outcome. If they get more frosting, they believe more. Crazy huh. Everyone seems to like frosting!  Such is life.

I love summer! I love the lazy hazy crazy days of summer; the days of soda pretzels and beer! ItchieBitchie says--Ya gotta take a break once in a while and summer is a good time to do just that.  I was watching the guys paint the new water tower which is about a block from our house.  I can watch from our sun porch.  It looks like its hard and dangerous work to me.  They work long days, 7 days a week and don't take a lunch break (i.e. Paul says they take their lunch along and eat where ever they happen to be). They are a owner operated brothers company and have a son and a friend who work for them--now that might might a difference.  They very seldom take breaks but I did catch them taking one.  They don't have a water cooler to go and talk around sooooo they just lean on a trailer.  That works tooooo. Such is life.

When I was a kid, I got a slinky for Christmas. I really liked that sucker as how it could go down the steps.  It fascinated me. At least until I sprung it and then it didn't work anymore. Life can, maybe at times, be like a slinky--ups and downs (i.e. just keeps going that way) until it gets sprung! SusieQ asks--Have you ever got knocked on your butt or get hit soooo hard that it knocks the crap out of you? Either that brings you back to reality or makes a person retreat; folks seem to react differently.  Why, I guess for many different reasons.  And decisions have consequences! AverageJoe says--I have made some decisions that I'm really proud about and some decisions that haunt me! My Daddy, Chester, would say--Everyone has problems it's just that people handle them differently!  Such is life

The female phlebotomist (i.e. age 25) who drew my blood this week at the Red Cross blood drive asked me why I don't do the double red cell--it takes another 20 minutes and I'm impatient--all men are impatient--sooo do you know a lot of men--I was engaged to one; we owned a house; I broke the engagement; we sold the house; I have no idea what my future is going to be; I might go back to school; I'm back living with my parents; they have always been sooooo nice to me; I love them soooo much; I'm back to square one; God will never give me more than I can handle--take your time and make some good decisions--that is exactly what I am trying to do.

Saturday question--Are you a balloon or a brick? I mean do you lift folks up or drag them down? I had a special opportunity to worship with a church in our community last Sunday.  I was walking to the church when Gracie (i.e. age 94) came out of her house and joined me on the sidewalk.  Gracie, you sure look pretty this morning (i.e. she had on white slacks and a pink top)--well thank you erv--you are going to church rather early this morning, aren't you--we have a special speaker and I want to get a good seat (i.e. she made me laugh)--should we walk to church together Gracie--sure--Arlene doesn't walk very well on uneven sidewalks; she likes me to hold her hand--I like someone to hold me hand toooo; will you hold my hand erv--sure.  Sooooo Gracie and erv walked the block to church holding hands.  What a hoot! Gracie is a balloon.

Early Tuesday morning I went on my favorite 13.5 bike ride on the Cedar Valley Bike Trails.  It was a gorgeous morning.  I came up on another senior riding his bike.  As I got closer, I said--on your left. I scared the crap out of him!  He said--I was daydreaming.  I said--It sure is a good morning to daydream. He said--Have a good day buddy.

SusieQ says--I can't believe it's happening. Oh it's happening sweetheart, it's happening. It might feel like gypsy magic SusieQ, but it's happening. It could be a while knuckle thrill ride but it's happening. Soooo grab ahold and hang on. Let's go.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A good teacher is a lot better than a barrelful of books.