a lot of questions

Question—Can a person be toooo nice? We were checking out at Hy-Vee when the lady ahead of us asked Christie, the checkout girl, if she would rather be somewhere else—no, I’m happy working—well, you don’t smile and don’t talk and don’t seem very nice—many folks don’t like it when you are nice to them; they would rather just be left along and will tell me that.  I read in the paper so it must be right--There is an elusive balance between toooo much and tooooo little. Saturday question—How much is tooooo little and tooooo much? Can you be tooo nice?

After I thought through it, I might have been tooo nice.  I went for an early morning bike ride on one of my favorite trails and routes.  I was making a sharp, uphill S turn when a walker was coming down.  I said—good morning.  He said, … you.  Like I said, I think I was being overly nice to this guy.  If I ever meet him again I will temper my greeting to him by maybe saying--“.… you, good morning!”  Such is life.

A buddy keeps this tongue depressor in a strategic location to remind him to...! Last November, I was facilitating a discussion group and gave a friend a hard time about her new, fashionable, new outfit she was wearing.  I was actually complimenting her but I don’t know for sure if she took it that way (i.e. should have talked to my friend, Hank, before saying it). ANYWAY last Sunday at church she greeted me—Nice to see you stranger; haven’t worn this outfight since you gave me a hard time and now you see me in it again.  Humor can get a person in trouble.  Soooo I called her and apologized.  What else could I do?  She said I didn’t offend her but she didn’t’ wear them ‘cause they were long (i.e. that is what she said). I’m still not soooo convinced.  She is a nice gal and maybe didn’t’ tell me that I offended her.  Maybe I put tooooo much mustard on it.  Could be. Girls are more sensitive than guys are it seems.  When will I learn to keep my mouth shut.  Probably, never. ChickenManJoey says--The reason we must relearn lessons is that we forget them.  Ouchy ouchy! .Such is life.

Soooo folks, if I put tooooo much mustard on this “It’s Saturday”, I apologize; if I don’t put enough seasoning on this “It’s Saturday”, I apologize.  For those of you who think it’s just the right amount of mustard and seasoning, I’m happy, you are happy, we are all happy!  Such is life.

Because of different folks and different situations, I have a lot of questions.  Some folks and some situations have made me question myself as to what is important.  I’m sure I want to be like some folks and am sure I don’t want to be like others. Does that make any sense to you?  I must admit, it is soooo hard to decide who I really want to be. When I see certain folks and their actions get glory, it’s a tough decision on my part not to compete in that arena even though I know I don’t want to be that way.  Crazy huh! BUT it is sorta kinda fun to watch folks act the way they do.                 

LuckieEddie from Proxima b, says--That is soooooo them!  Some folks are all about themselves. Some folks have a lot of money and a lot of ability and a lot of talent but use it all for themselves (e.g. DuaneTheWorm who thinks he is the Sun King, the absolute and divine ruler of everything).  Ouchy ouchy!  Why are they that way? Do you know any folks like that?  LuckieEddie, hold your horses, maybe you and I are toooo judgmental?  Ok, maybe not you, maybe just me.  Now that could be.  ANYWAY I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it—We must constantly beware of anything that causes us to think of ourselves as superior people. GeorgeTheCrook says--We need to tread lightly on being judgmental (i.e. not to be sooo crass).  Manyofflolks might act superior if given money and power, including us.  Now that could be. We might be super galactic snobs if given the opportunity.  Such is life.

I substituted for a friend on their 2-man golf league team recently. My opponent was a local young man who will be a sophomore at Wartburg College.  I remember him in high school but never met him.  I introduced myself to him—He told me who he was and then said—I don’t know you but have heard about you!  I have no idea what he meant by that!  What a hoot. It made me smile. We are probably 50 years different in age.  Crazy! In our foursome match Friday, I hit an shot and bitched by saying--That didn't go very far. A younger guy in our foursome said--erv, what do you expect, you are old! And he's my friend. Such is life.

SusieQ asks--Are the average folks tired of all the political crap going on? Maybe the average folks want politicians to quit playing grab ass and represent the folks of our country.  Don’t kid yourselves folks, it’s all about the money and power and getting re-elected.  AverageJoes have a lot of questions as to what is going on.  A lot of questions!

SusieQ says—Some of you might have some ambivalence about being meek. Rick Warren says--None of us really know what meekness is. In fact, we often confuse it with another term that sounds like it — “meek” sounds like “weak.” Nobody wants to be weak, so nobody wants to be meek. But the truth is meekness and weakness are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Meekness is in no way weakness. In fact, the Greek word for meekness literally means “strength under control.” To be meek is not to be weak. It’s used to describe a wild stallion that has been tamed. That stallion still has all the strength it had when it was wild, but now its strength is under control. It is strength bottled up for the master’s use. God doesn’t want you to be weak, but he does want you to be meek. The Bible teaches that it’s one of the keys to stress reduction in your life. Saturday question—Are you a meek person? 

Saturday question—What has been some fresh water words of encouragement that someone has said to you this last week? I asked a friend who went to a leadership conference what was the #1 thing he learned?  His response--That every day we should add value to others, intentionally. SusieQ says--Now that isn’t American!  I think America would be much better if we were all that way.  A friend and I were complimenting a mutual friend.  We both agreed that he is very generous; we both like him. He, in our opinions, adds value to others, intentionally. If my friend and I see that, I bet others do toooo.   What do you think?

ItchieBitchie says—It is like the difference between pop up yoga and acro yoga. I was riding bike the other morning and a pastor was walking to the mail box.  We had a very nice talk.  We talked about how the church and responsibility of most pastors have changed.  The older folks like to have many traditions the same but many of the younger do not.  He said that many young adults don’t want the pastor to call on them; they would rather say—We will come to church once in a while and say hi to you.  Soooo I stopped at the bank to deposit a check (i.e. I don’t take a picture of it with my smart phone and deposit it on line like many you folks do). A teller is retiring and there was some talk of not replacing her; the banking business is changing as many folks do everything on line and don’t even come into the bank. But many of the older folks still do.  These changes create a lot of questions with management! Such is life.

The headline in the paper said—Pokémon merchandise is flying of the shelves. There sure seems to be a lot of hullabaloo about this Pokémon craze.  I asked an employee at Hy-Vee if they have a wall charger for my I-Pod.  Let’s go and look.  We might not as we don’t carry much of that stuff anymore. It just flies off our shelves.  In one night most of the stuff is stolen. They just steal us blind soooo we don’t carry it anymore. Huh, interesting.

Vince Lombardi asks--How big are you?  Really how big are you? Not in pounds but in character? What fabric are you made of?

I went for a bike ride the other morning.  I seemed very strong! Was it my attitude (i.e. met early in morning with some guys in a discussion group). They inspire me and I learn soooo much (i.e. even some crazy stuff like--Jim Mudd, owner of Mudd Advertising in Cedar Falls, is a descendent of Dr. Mudd who housed John Wilkes Booth after assassinating Lincoln. Dr. Mudd was hanged.  That is how the saying got started--His name is mudd! OR was my feeling of being strong because getting a good nights sleep. I had a discussion with a couple of gals this week and one said she hasn't slept for 6 months (i.e. her mind keeps sparking continuously). What! Is that possible? MissPerfect says--I get cranky when I don't get my 8 hours each night; I would hate to be her husband!

BobbySnort says--Life produces a lot of questions that we each have to answer to ourselves. Only we can answer them.  I agree BobbySnort, I agree. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Ideas are like children—your own are wonderful.

P.S. “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives.” ~ Clarence The Angel, in It’s a Wonderful Live

systematic circumstances

This is my opinion sooooo you can take it or leave it folks.  For many folks, life is just a bunch of “systematic circumstances.” To get out of “systematic circumstances” isn’t always easy.  We are human and it isn’t as easy as it sounds as we all know. Many of us appear to be alright in general but are wound up tighter than a two-dollar watch! CadillacJack says—Maybe life can be a slippery slope if we are greedy and have ego problems (i.e. I’m sure that isn’t any of you folks).  LuckieEddie says—Yabut it’s American; the person with the most toys wins! 

My mentor use to say to me—erv, we are all programed by our past (i.e. environmentally and genetically).  GeorgeTheCrook says--We all have “systematic circumstances” that have/do affect our lives.  We all seem to struggle to overcome personal prejudices and preconceived ideas. We seem sometimes to run on angry more than on truth. It appears that some folks get it more than others and at a different pace.  Some maybe never get it. Ouchy ouchy! What do you think?

If some of our “systematic circumstances” are not good, maybe we need to break away from them and break the chain. We might want to get rid of some of our stinkn’ thinkin’.  Maybe if some of our “systematic circumstances” are good, we need to analyze them to make them even better (i.e. we can’t be perfect folks even though DuaneTheWorm thinks he is—he’s a great usurper). GerogeTheCrook says—Most folks like “systematic circumstances” and don’t want them to ever change (i.e. love the sameO sameO). I think that is very true but sometimes it’s “the writing on the wall” that says we have to change (i.e. we just need to read the writing).  Sometimes, the sooner the better. In business, the numbers sometimes tell the story (e.g. Nike getting out of the golf ball and equipment line—the decline of interest in golf sooooo they probably can’t make any money). MissPerfect says—It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Probably not, but many individuals and companies seem to have a hard time with that.  MissPerfect says—I think it’s really prevalent in non-profit organizations including churches. It’s soooo much easier for the leaders to just ride the wave heading to the beach (i.e. the end)!  They have no financial interest in it sooo it isn’t as important to them maybe.  I don’t know. What do you think.  It sure isn’t operated like a company which has stock holders. AverageJoe says--The army of analyticals will tell us, if it has not gone well the last 5 years, why do you expect it to get better; You are just kidding yourselves. Da! WorldClassLarry says--It usually doesn't change until money is involved.  Crazy!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it (i.e. footnotes of one of my favorite Books of the Bible)—Humanistic wisdom—wisdom without God—leads to grief and sorrow. ~ In Scripture the fool is not one who cannot learn, but one who refuses to learn. ~ Success is unpredictable, because man is not wise enough to know when misfortune may overtake him. ~ Live life to the fullest. ~ Fear God. Loving reverence is the foundation of wisdom. 

This was not a systematic circumstance.  We were invited to stay at some friends’ lake house. It was a perfect situation for us for sooooooooo many ways.  Our friends asked what I meant—It was a beautiful setting overlooking the lake, a bike trail a couple of blocks away, and a neat little breakfast place in historic downtown that we really enjoyed.  It was a very good time for me to mediate and think.  Arlene just loved to look over the lake. She really liked it.  She wanted to stay longer but I told her we had to get home to “milk the cows and feed the hogs.” It truly changed the speed of my mind (i.e. probably for a short time anyway).  Does that make any sense to you?  Thanksamillion friends.

My mind can race pretty fast sometimes!  A friend told me that he can get on the fast moving train and go and go and go.  He then realizes that he has to get off the train and walk.  The train is going way tooooooo fast and is heading for disaster.  Interesting thought.  He also told me that it is good to have some “margin” in life.  It’s a lot better for a person.  Margin is probably not a “world systematic circumstance.”  Think through that folks. 

I have been retired almost 7 years now.  Recently a guy asked me if I still go to the office every day.  LOL! I told him I skip a day once in a while!  To be fair to him, my old companies have retained my name in the companies’ names.  Usually folks think they know more than what is going one but this guy knows less!  He needs to spend more time at the coffee shop or at church!

Probably not a “systemic circumstance” folks. No no!  Folks, it is soooo hard on a person when you feel sorry for someone you love 24/7/365 of which you can’t do anything to make things great (i.e. can’t fix it). And you know it’s is going to get worse (i.e. 100% certain). Ouchy ouchy! Some of you understand this but most of you don’t (i.e. that is a “systematic circumstance”). If you are such a person whom are a caregiver/or have been to someone you love, I suggest you just “carry on" a.k.a. press on! That’s all a person can do (i.e. my opinion). Carry on (i.e. try not to make the apple cart wobble). Really these situations are nutten a little Skippy peanut butter can't get a person through!  So there you go folks. Now you know. WildWillie says--Sometimes we are humbled by circumstances!  Such is life.

Happenstance, na, I don't think sooooo! Last Sunday night I went for a walk and had my phone in my pocket. When I got home, our daughter, Heather, called me and said I left 2-3 minute phone messages for her that were silent.  She said--You must have been walking dad.  What!  Crazy! We talked for some time. I told her it has been hard on me recently to see mom this way.  We had a very nice talk. I felt much better.  Very uplifting for me. Crazy huh!

A friend says to me--I like it when you are personal. Well folks, this made me cry.  Is that personal? Chet, our son, and Jessica and kids, Charlie and Rookie, are going on a Alzheimer's walk in Des Moines to raise money for the the cure of Alzheimer's (i.e. they have developed a Mellema team).  If any of you want to give a few bucks or join in the walk, go to their site.   http://act.alz.org/site/TR?team_id=358302&fr_id=8946&pg=team      Arlene and I plan to walk with them.   Don't feel obliged in any way.  But it is an opportunity!  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—There are many ways to say “thank you”, but sometimes a smile says it best.

P.S. A friend sent me this in reaction to the last "It's Saturday"-- I had a class with Mark Woodhouse college prof, he said there is National survey  that says “we remember 100% memorize – 35% study – 15% see – 5% hear”  --- Isn’t that amazing --- only 5 % ----   we are not good listeners ~ Its stacked against you erv in trying to make change....nobody listens ..... ~ Pres. FDR hated White House Receptions lines – nobody listened – experimented,  with a big smile told the people as they went through the line “ I murdered my mother-in-law last night” – people answered -  that’s nice – how lovely – keep up the good work! – finally a foreign diplomat leaned down and whispered in his ear “ I’m sure she had it coming.”

slight edge

I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;

I'll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I shan't be gone long. -- You come too.

I'm going out to fetch the little calf
That's standing by the mother. It's so young,
It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I shan't be gone long. -- You come too. 

“The Pasture” was one of Frost’s first poems, published in 1915 in the introduction of his first American collection. Afterward when Frost gave public readings, he often opened with “The Pasture,” inviting his audience to come along on his journey. I’m inviting you to come along on this journey! 

I asked OneSmartGuy what he thought of self-help books.  He said--Every study shows that almost all the people that read self-help books don't follow any of the advice or do not actually implement any of the strategies. In other words, such books are a waste of time and don't crest change. That comes elsewhere. 

MY OPINION is that to have a successful life, folks need to have an equally balanced life. I like to use the equilateral triangle to show this.  I think we need to be balanced physically (i.e. have exercise regularly), mentally (i.e. read and listen to good stuff—be around good folks) and spiritually (i.e. you have to mediate with God).  It appears to me that many successful folks (i.e. what I think success is) do this.  Look around.  It works for the long haul folks. It’s just a suggestion—I’m not preaching but I could be!!!! Besides if you guys won’t listen to any of the advice of the self-help books, you surely won’t listen to anything I tell ya (i.e. you didn’t even pay for this)!  Sooooo my expectations are very low of you guys.  But you might want to get some chips and sit on the couch and read the rest of “It’s Saturday” anyway. But don’t get your electronic devices greasy from the chips!!! There I go again, preaching!!!!! 

IthcieBitchie says—We all know all that stuff in those self-help books. We have heard that stuff a thousand times from other books and from other folks (e.g. to lose weight or control weight we need to control our calorie intake and exercise regularly) …we don’t do it.  We know all the information about all that stuff but we don’t do it (i.e. we just don’t do it).  We would rather die or live a miserable life than do it.  I understand ItchieBitchie.  I understand.  My Daddy, Chester would say to me—erv, there is no discipline better than self-discipline.  It’s really bad when money can’t even force a person to change.  Money seems to drive almost everything and everything. Such is life.

Hank (i.e. anybody can be a Hank) says--That probably the two biggest reasons folks change are life threatening experiences or having a relationship with God.  Those probably are a couple of good reasons.  But many folks have life threatening experiences and not everyone changes but it appears that all who have a relationship with God do (i.e. at least somewhat). My friends who go to AA say that folks aren’t successful in changing their habit if they don’t accept that there is a higher power. I asked several acquaintances why they changed their life habits. One said—I came to my senses. Another said—I finally matured. Another said—I just woke up one day and saw it.  Another one said—I have no idea. Micheal Phelps said--It was meant to be (i.e. google what changed his life folks if you don't know--unbelievable). SensationalPete says--I don't know about that, I think it's all in the cupping. They all sound good to me but why did they do that.  That is still the question I have.  Others didn’t, why did they?

AverageJoe says--I can tell you the answer right now: It will only happen if you choose to change, because it isn’t going to happen accidentally.

I read, skimmed, paged through the book The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.  It’s a self-help book.  You ask why would I read another self-help book?  Well it was recommended by Mountain Wings devotion that I get daily with this wording--People often ask, "What books should I read?" That is the question The100Books.com will answer. I will tell you now the first book that you should read. It is the Slight Edge. Most have never heard of the Slight Edge so why do I say the Slight Edge? Why not the Bible as the first book? Because with so many of us, it is not necessarily what book that is the issue, it is the fact that we do not have a regular reading habit at all. That is the issue. The Slight Edge is the first book that you should read or listen to because it helps you with developing a regular habit in many areas of life and that slight edge makes all the difference. It really does.

“Rome ne s’est pas faite en un jour. (Rome wasn’t built in a day.)” Here is part of the book The Slight Edge—I could tell you that if you would agree to read ten pages of one of these good books every single day, over time, you could not help but accumulate all the knowledge you’d ever need to be as successful as you could ever want to be…If you kept this up for a year, you would have read 3,650 pages—the equivalent of one of two dozen books of life-transforming material. Would your life have changed? Absolutely. No question.  That sounds good but very few do it (i.e. less than 5%).  I guess we just have to do it (i.e. anyway that is what Nike says). Sooooo that is the rest of the story.  It’s not like military training where they make you do it.  Most would rather watch some useless program on TV (i.e. probably the other 95%).

Saturday question--I still don't understand why some have an appetite to be better and other don't. What is it? 

In the book Slight Edge, the author says that folks will pretty much be like their 5 best friends.  I can buy into that (i.e. birds of a feather sorta kinda flock together).  Do you think you would want Donnie or Hillary to be one of your best 5 friends?  I would not. From what I read and hear, many other folks would not either. It appears that many do not think of them as nice folks…I can't believe what I'm seeing right in front of my eyes! Two cartoon characters vying for the Presidency. They both make me LOL! Sooo I need some help here folks. Which one is worst? I really think that any of my golf buddies or pickleball buddies would be better candidates than those two. I trust my buddies! Those two make me nervous! UnconventionalDonnie’s slogan is—I can fix everything but has no plan.  SameO sameO Hillary says—I will give everyone everything you want (i.e. we have heard that a time or two but that campaign slogan has worked in the past). They both seem to be a bit slimy—my opinion and you really don’t care about my opinion.  I really understand that.  I’m just a little old farm boy a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN (i.e. everyone is a kid from somewhere).  Why would you really care about my opinion when you can go to the coffee shop and hear some real important opinions! 

I read in the paper sooooo it must be right--The major political parties have had their moments in the sun...but voters view Donnie and Clinton less favorably than any other major-party presidential candidates since pollsters first started asking the question in the late 1960s.  Ouchy ouchy! How can this be? What in the world is going on.  It's a joke folks and the joke is being played on us.  Crazy.  LuckieEddie says--You can flip a coin (i.e. heads I win and tells you lose) and it probably won't make much difference; it could be a disaster folks. And we might be the victims.  Crazy.

Sooo, the OneSmartGuy said—That comes elsewhere.  What do you think he meant? I have no idea! Help me here. He said it like I should know.  I guess I’m not as smart as he thinks I am.  His expectations of me are higher than they should be.  Such is life.

MY OPINION—Believing in Jesus is more than a slight edge; it’s a huge massive edge.  And why would you listen to me anyway? Now that is a good question.  Like I said earlier, my expectations are not high for any of you to change because of me (i.e. I question if some of you are very teachable--you are just old dogs).  Those self-help authors make a lot of money off you guys buying their books and you don’t change.  I do it free.  ManOman!  And here is something else to think about—Why would you suckers even think about anything I say when you have Tweeter, Facebook, Siri, and Goggle and you can also read the StarTribune and watch NBC Knightly News. Really folks, think through that. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.

P.S. "I took the one less traveled by And that has made all the difference." ~ Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken

comparing

At the beginning of every radio and TV program of the Lone Ranger, the narrator would say--A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a hearty "Hi-yo, Silver, away!" The Lone Ranger! I loved it.  I don’t know if what I write here in this “It’s Saturday” is the same as the Lone Ranger’s silver bullets but here we go. You will have to do the comparison.  Pull up a chair and let’s talk about it! If you don't agree with me, please don't get sooooo excited.  Ok? It's toooo hard on your health! Just relax a little bit. Ok?

Comparing is a great tool for capitalism.  Are you a good person? Compared to who? Is your flower garden pretty, are you a good golfer, are you honest, do you have a huge massive net worth, do you have a nice house, do you have a lot of stuff, are you a good singer, are you important, can you eat a lot, are you righteous, etc—everything is comparable. SusieQ says—If you are always comparing, life can be difficult. Ya but, it’s good for capitalism.  Such is life.

There is a lot of application by plane of insecticide and fungicide to crops in rural IA.  I asked a farmer if it helps? He said--I tried it and couldn’t notice the difference but at the grain elevator, a farmer said it makes 10-bushel difference. But, you got to remember, the first liar doesn’t have a chance.  And John (i.e. anyone can be a John) says—And we are all liars!  ItchieBitchie says—When we put folks in awkward positions, they say things that they don’t mean (i.e. lie).  GeorgeTheCrook says—The best of evil is within each of us; it’s being human. LuckieEddie says--Us folks will self-destruct at the drop of a dime, or at least a dollar or two! Such is life.

I was at a men’s Bible Study last week. During the study, several guys testified how their lives have changed after they accepted Jesus as their Savior. They said there is just no comparison how much better their lives are (i.e. great testimonies). Wow!

my cup runneth over

BobbySnort says--Some people simply have a predisposition toward pessimism, a "glass half-empty" way of looking at life. Other people take a totally different perspective, leaning decisively toward optimism, wearing the proverbial rose-colored eyeglasses to view containers that are half-full. Philosophers, very adept at being able to support whichever perspective you prefer, assert that whether you think things are getting better or are convinced they are getting worse, you are correct. We always find what we are looking for. Such is life.

Bernie might be right, it’s all rigged!  Maybe those two are in cahoots! It appears they are both connivers!  BlindNoseFred says--They both are nuts to me but they both seem to have a flotilla. Donnie acts and talks like he really doesn’t want to be President (i.e. it’s just a game). He seems to have one fauz pas after another. Same-O Same-O Hillary does want to be President sooooo they cut a a deal maybe (i.e. they wouldn’t do that would they).  Donnie will throw the election for a return of something like he gets $1,000,000,000 by some way from Hillary (i.e. maybe laundered through China).  You got to remember that Hillary calls Donald a faker who takes advantage of folks and Donald call Hillary crocked Hillary.  Sooooo they both end up happy.  Us suckers will never know unless Russia hacks Hillary's email account. They both say—We duked those suckers again (i.e. just some more good politics)! We’ll get those sucker to believe in Sana Claus economics (i.e. free college, free college debt forgiveness, free Obama care, free paying Donnie off). Da folks; free stuff is not free.  Donnie and Hillary say--Yabut those suckers will never know.  ItchieBitchie says—Now ain’t that a kick in the head! That’s the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! Saturday questions—Do you ever feel like we are out on a dead limb? Does a day ever come when the bill is due? SusieQ says—There sure seems to be a lot of red flags. I wonder if both Hillary and Donnie worship themselves; victims of their own propaganda. I just wonder. Maybe, just maybe, I'm just tooooo persnickety. Now that could be folks.  

I sent a copy of the pic to a fellow classmate/teammate of mine at good old Danube High wanting him to reminisce with me the times of us being Danube Hawks (i.e. notice my tee shirt). Steve sent me this email back--Did the HAWKS win????  Remember erv when our BB Coach Rod Black would have us say the Lord's prayer prior to a game and some of the players weren't attending any church and we say we have made great progress......  Now folks that is quite a comparison!

You guys are all pretty smart, but compared to what and who? According to National Geographic, the most mind-boggling thing we can do is gaze into the starry night. On a clear night we might see 3,000 stars with the naked eye, but no one knows how many stars exist. Our universe probably contains more than 100 billion galaxies, and each galaxy may have more than 100 billion stars. What is 100 billion times 100 billion? We don’t really have a word for a number that large. We simply say ten billion trillion. I tell  you what folks, when I look up and see all those stars and then read this—I don’t feel very smart.  But remember folks, I’m just a little old farm boy form a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  Such is life.

A friend was sitting on a bench in Breckenridge waiting for his wife.  He had a interesting conversation with a guy.  He thought his statement was very profound and sent it to me.  "Please please, I don't need the cheese. Just let me out of the trap." I text him back for his interpretation.  It was good and maybe somewhat from his perspective.  Maybe we all might have a slightly different interpretation if we compared them. What do you think? What is your interpretation?

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me," said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me." He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. "Come here quick," said the boy, "you won't believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls." The man said, "Beat it kid, can't you see it's hard for me to walk." When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, "One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me..." The old man whispered, "Boy, you've been tellin' the truth. Let's see if we can see the Lord." Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, "One for you, one for me. That's all. Now let's go get those nuts by the fence and we'll be done." They say the old man made it back to town a full 5 minutes ahead of the boy on the bike.

This is shared with permission. A friend who is a care giver for her husband who has dementia and who is also part of our support group shared with us recently.  I haven’t really talked with her since we left for the winter in November.  Her attitude/demeanor seemed to have changed as I heard her talk.  I asked her about it and she said she decided not to try to fix it but adapt the best she could.  I sent her a text later—It seems like you are much happier compared too last year-- I don't know if I am happier but have ask God to take my burdens and he has given me some peace.

Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage says—These are some habits that he thinks might make folks happy or happier:  1. Each morning, write down three things you’re grateful for. 2. Meditate daily. 3. Do a random act of kindness over the course of each day. 4. Exercise for fifteen minutes daily.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Life is all about making a difference in people’s lives.

P.S. I read in the Faribault Underground Paper (i.e. way underground) that all the politicians are throwing $1,000,000 into Donnie's "throw the election slush fund."  They say a million is sorta kinda a small amount in order to save the "good old-boy under the table system." Besides, they had conversation with the IRS (i.e. they have an in with them tooooo) and the IRS said they could write off the million dollars as an "expense of doing business."  Bernie still claims that it's all rigged! He is starting to look smarter all the time.  Donnie even things it might be rigged. OneSmartFriend has said that for years (i.e. it's rigged by the elite huddle).