just one more thing

CrazyMarvin a.k.a. a regular hound dog who never caught a rabbit says—There are times that I have no idea what you are talking about erv.  I realize that CrazyMarvin.  Soooo folks, please take that in consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”  Not everyone can be as smart as some of you guys.  That is why I like to hang out with you guys a.k.a. the best.  I’m a leach!  Such is life. One more thing—I might sound like I talk big but really I ain’t that big (i.e. a small potato).  Most of you know that.  Sooooo there you go! 

Geez louise! I surely don’t know what will happen with the brewhaha that our country is in (i.e. some think it’s idiocy).  Everyone has an opinion and everyone thinks they are right.  There are very strong opinions expressed with loud voices (i.e. like 2-year olds who don’t get their way).  History shows that usually money and power wins along with extreme passion—but there has even been revolutions in the past when folks don’t get their way.  It truly will be interesting to follow the events in the next 20 years (i.e. I might not see it play out in the next 20 years; I’m already 71).  I pray that it will turn out good.  But, if you guys don’t believe in prayer, you may pray anyway.  It’s ok.  We have a lot at stake here folks.  No matter how smart you are or think you are, you are not going to control the future (i.e. at least I don’t think you are that smart). Such is life.

"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks." - Sir Winston Churchill

The Pareto principle is often called the 80-20 rule and refers to the idea that 80% of the results come from just 20% of the work. It’s an idea that has been pushed into a lot of different areas. Businesses often get their 80% of sales from 20% of their customers. 20% of the people earn 80% of the income, cite income inequality researchers. It’s been shown to be true empirically in a variety of areas. 20% of the people a.k.a. rain makers produce 80% of the results. You get it.  BUT society does have a responsibility to the 80%. Don't they? And if sooooo, how much?  Here lies the dilemma. And there is a huge massive difference of how folks think about this (i.e.particularly if they have to give up some of their $$$$$--talks is cheap folks). This is crazy. SusieQ says--It's always easier it you can get others pay for something you want (i.e. and think you need)!  How smart are you SusieQ! Da!

During a run this week, I saw this laying in the curb on the near east side.  I have no idea what it means.  Maybe one of you smart guys who know everything can help me here. 

A pickleball buddy who is a licensed counselor was telling me that when folks have a hard time adjusting to something new in their life (e.g. care giving, death, birth of a child, divorce, loss of job, learning how to listen to a podcast etc.), it is called an “Adjustment Disorder.”  Have you ever had an adjustment disorder?  She said--Counseling for adjustment disorder is covered by insurance, most of the time.  Sooooo there you go folks.

One more thing.  A pickleball buddy is a financial planner. I asked him if he has any good ideas to invest some money that is quite liquid and secure and has a good return.  He said he would get back to me. During my run the next day, I saw two snowmobiles for sale by owner.  I texted him and said—I hope your ideas are not to buy a snowmobile or a boat or a camper or a horse.  ha ha. 

The Pew research says that for the first time in 130 years, more young adults (ages 18-34) are living in their parents’ home than in any other setting. LuckieEddie says--It has the effect of blurring the line between childhood and adulthood. I read in the paper sooooo it must be right, that there use to be a philosophy in rural IA where “everyone is the working class”—if not in reality, in spirit (e.g. a farmer would buy a new pickup but would drive the old one to town as he didn’t want everyone to know that he is rich or to have the folks think he is rich).  Actually, I think, there is still some of that philosophy in rural America.  BUT in our culture today, you can’t tell who has money and who doesn’t because of easy credit (i.e. it appears that it is easy to live large).  And you know what, in the metro, maybe no one cares or knows.  BUT I’m really amazed how some folks stay rooted in their upbringing of humility (i.e. I have friends that can live in any house they want but are content to live in the house they have—or friends who can drive any kind of car they want but drive modest vehicles). BUT I know folks who struggle financially but drive vehicles way expensive (i.e. my opinion). Such is life.

TopsyTurvyEd suggests--Parents must prepare their children for leaving the nest. Parenting is teaching children the slow process of transferring trust and dependency from parents to God—learning to walk by faith and not by sight. Wherever your children or grandchildren are in their life journey, make sure you are transitioning from holding them tightly as children to holding them lightly as young adults. The surest way to make life hard for your children is to make it soft for them. 

One more thing.  Steve Kerr was stopped by a court side reporter (i.e. why are they usually pretty gals) at the end of the first half during a Golden State basketball  game.  She asked Coach Kern why the team did soooo well the first half?  Coach Kerr said—We have a lot of good players! Hey folks, it’s always good to be around good, talented folks.  No question. Ya got to have talent to win folks. Don’t kid yourself. One more thing!  I read in the sports section of the paper, soooo it must be right—A college football coach said when he went to raise money in town for the football program, he brought along his assistant coach’s wife.  She was blond and blue eyed and had a charming personality.  He said--We raised all kinds of money!  Soooooo there you go folks, the magic of pretty girls! Such is life.

One more thing—GeorgeTheCrook says--Keep it simple and have some fun. JoeBlow says-- It’s easy when everything is going your way.  SusieQ says—When someone gets right up in your grill, how do you react? Many folks over react.  They get goofy; make an a…. of themselves; can’t handle the pressure.  Saturday question—How do you handle confrontation?  It appears that folks handle it way different.  Some folks wither up like a dried up grape and others just take it as a part of life.  AverageJoe says--Much is lost if you can’t handle negotiating a tough situation. 

GeorgeTheCrook says--Successful people avoid excesses, wild emotional swings, addictions, obsessions, binging, starvation, extravagances and fanatical behavior. They keep their thoughts and emotions on a short leash. This last week I was around some folks who are really different. One person is always positive—always seems to be even keel (i.e. seems to be able to evaluate the situation and make good decisions).  Another person is like a yo-yo with her emotions; when things are good she is high as a kite and when things are not soooo good, well she in a deep hole a.k.a. crashes,   Another  person I was around is always negative; always just miserable.  Why is that folks?

WorldClassLarry says--In order to be stable, you have to figure out how to maintain your enthusiasm over the long haul. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm.”  AverageJoe says--I believe that with all of my heart. I have found it to be true in my life. You’ve got to have passion, you’ve got to have enthusiasm, or you’re never going to make it to the finish line.

I was just told (i.e. reminded again by a certain person) that they think I’m way off base.  Huh, interesting.  That probably means that I probably don’t understand that person either.  I probably look at this person and wonder how they get their shoes tied and they wonder how I have made it this far in life.  Huh, interesting.  We are both alive sooooo both of our thinking must work. ha ha  LuckieEddie says—Now that is a head scratchier!  I think folks can be very narrow minded (i.e. me included at times).  They won’t even listen to another person’s opinion or in some case, facts.  Maybe they are brainwashed by their past (i.e. consciously or sub-consciously).  Such is life.

Growing up by Roseland, I learned to say vet-run and not vet-er-an.  That is how I learned it growing up in Roseland folks.  James corrected me at Thanksgiving.  A gal at church and I were talking and I told her I heard she works for a cement company.  No, no, she said—It’s a concrete company; concrete uses cement to make the concrete. Oh!  In Roseland, we called it a cement company. I was wrong again.  I ran into a guy (i.e. about 80) at breakfast who had his name of his company on his sweatshirt he had on.  I asked him if he does cement work—he corrected me also.  Soooo is there a lot of money in concrete?  We make a living; the ones who really make a lot of money seem to take advantage of folks; we won’t do that. I asked a builder about this and he said—I always thought the mafia ran the concrete business.  My deceased neighbor Karl would say said to me—erv, there are two kinds of concrete/cement, concrete that is cracked and cement that is going to crack!!!! Also, my parents, Chester and Anna, called Brazilian nuts …toes or …heads.  Not nice but they didn’t know any better and they just taught me (i.e. I surely didn’t know any better).  Such is life.

One more thing!  An enjoyable part of a Christmas letter we received from friends was they telling us about their children having part time jobs and also volunteering at the local nursing home.  That is soooo good to hear.  I think that is good parenting (i.e. my opinion).  One more thing related to this topic—I woke up one morning thinking about a young man that I got to know maybe 7 years ago when he was in middle school (i.e. we developed  a relationship).  He is now in college.  I text him to see how he was doing.  He told me he is working his way through college.  And I think this guy will do it.  I do.  Maybe, just maybe, the reason why I like these two stories is they remind me of myself a zillion years ago (i.e. my past experiences are once again influencing me here folks).

Our waiter, who has waited on us several times, impresses us.  He is a 17 years old junior in high school.  He has a great demeanor and has developed his people skills.  He told us he started de-tasseling corn at 14 and then started waiting at 15.  He saves half his money for college.  I asked him what he learned in school today—Calcium Nitrate balancing and writing the formulas using SIN COS and TAN to find missing angles and side.  You smart guys probably know what he’s talking about; I have no idea.  I really think this young man will do well in life. 

Our daughter, Heather, and I usually talk via phone each Saturday morning. She was using her iPhone via the Bluetooth in their 4-wheel drive SUV while taking Erin to dance class and then gymnastics and Jimmer to jujutsu class while she goes to the gym to work out.  Then to Whole Foods grocery store: then there is a birthday party: then Erin has a friend coming over for a sleep over.  They are living the suburban family American dream. They have arrived.  They are there.  It’s what all families strive for.  What more is there?

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

erv

MyFriendJeanSays—, Knowing is not enough, we must apply.  Willing is not enough, we must do.

P.S. OneSmartMNGuy shared a groaner with me—How to you get Holy water? Boil the hell out of it!

testimony

I’m not going to snip off your fingers to get your attention like the mafia does but I bet that would really work.  Why do you even read what I write? I’m not a high-profile person but just a little old boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.

A friend asked me recently—Do you think a certain group of folks think they are a little uppity up?  I responded—Maybe.  Soooo, if you maybe think they act that way and I think maybe they act that way—just maybe others maybe might think that way toooo.  Just maybe.  BUT just maybe those uppity folks struggle with their image tooo. Just maybe.  And maybe not! And maybe they are just uppity up folks or just think they are. ItchieBitchie says—And maybe those uppity up folks won’t pay much attention to others who aren’t in their elite uppity up group (i.e. they like it that way—it’s part of their culture). I would guess maybe that could be a possibility. SusieQ says—If you are a Christian, that maybe might be an internal conflict and maybe not. 

I gave blood this week with the Red Cross (i.e. I’m a big believer in giving blood (i.e. it really makes me feel good).  ANYWAY, the gal who processed me and drew my blood was 28 and an immigrant from Croatia (i.e. a very nice gal—I told her that). She came to America with her parents at the age of 18, sponsored by Catholic Charities (i.e. couldn’t speak a word of English).  Her city was pretty much destroyed.  I asked her if she was scared for her life—yes I was; it was very scary for 4 years of war—how did you get food to eat—we ate packaged food from charitable organizations like the Red Cross; we lived on very little; when I came to the United States, I never seen obese folks before; it was shocking; Americans don’t appreciate their freedom; I see the bad guys come from other countries to the United Sates and cause terrorism; It scares me; I say—God, don’t let me go through this again—Are you bitter—no, not anymore; it took me about 4 years go get over it—You seem to be a positive person—I am and very happy.  Soooo there you go folks.  Try to digest that! Most of us have no idea. Really! We are pretty cocky maybe.  Such is life. 

Arlene recently wanted to go with me to a hs basketball game and to church. She hasn’t done this in maybe 4 years.  Why the change? I have no idea.  Crazy!  ANYWAY, it was sooooo interesting how folks responded to her/us.  Some folks are sooo outwardly compassionate and other don’t seem to be.  Probably many don’t know how to react sooooo they ignore us all to gather (i.e. they cast their own color of sunshine).  That is equally crazy.  SUGGESTION for what it is worth--Just hold someone’s hand or hug them and tell them you care about them (i.e. or just say hi). That is all you need to do.  Pretty simple but very touching to the  person who has a problem or is in a tough situation.  Crazy but it means a lot to the person.  I’m just being very real here folks.  TomTerrific says--Show some largeheartedness to someone; don’t be uppity up! 

Saturday question--Would you put more faith in the sales pitch of a pillow salesperson from MN or in the testimony of a satisfied customer?  It use to be folks would say—Show me a picture and I will believe.  Well folks, pictures are sooo easy to alter (i.e. anybody can do it with a simple app).  You can make anyone look good.  Soooooo you never know what is real and what isn’t (i.e. fake pictures).  Sooo even a picture isn’t a true testimony anymore.  Such is life.

Her testimony to me was funny.  I was putting on my street shoes to leave pickleball and a gal was doing the same.  She told me she is taking some heart medication to control her heart rhythm but it makes her tired. She said—it’s caused by stress—what stress do you have—I worry about everything; always have; it’s genic—settle down lady; can you sleep at night—now I can; doctor just gave me a low dosage of Prozac; it took care of my hot flashes and my worrying; I use to be a very anal person with the cleaning of my house; now I don’t give a damn! She just made me lol (i.e. soooo real).

Talk about sleeping.  A golf buddy/friend (i.e. a very real person) told me that he has a hard time sleeping.  He can go to bed and fall asleep real fast but wakes up maybe at 3 or 4 and can’t go back to sleep.  He said his wife bought him a vibrator for Christmas.  Now he said—I sleep like a baby; I wake up every two hours and cry!

I made an acquaintance recently (i.e. sorta kinda just fell in my lap).  ANYWAY, I like this guy. He really intrigues me. He is a genus (i.e. my opinion).  He amazes me.  He is unique.  He told me he sleeps about 2 hours a night if he sleeps at all.  His mother told him that he didn’t hardly sleep as a baby.  She had to make an adjustment in her life—she learned not to sleep very much either.  He can go days without sleeping.  One time he went 19 days without sleeping.  I guess a guy can get a lot done in a day if you don’t sleep.  Yabut, I like to sleep.  Yes I do. I was speaking to a senior women’s group years ago and they asked me what I like to do—I said I like to sleep (i.e. I said it sorta kinda jokingly).  They didn’t understand me.  They all looked like they were deer in the headlights.  Crazy.  They did make me smile.  

Why is it when a movie star shows some skin or a football player scores a couple of touchdowns or a person becomes RichieRich a.k.a. game changer type of money, that they seem to know everything about everything (i.e. at least in appears many folks buy into them).  That just blows my mind.  Deb/Kate recommended I read the book A Man Called Ove (i.e. when they talk, I listen).  Soooo I read it.  I liked it.  A good read.  You probably don’t take much credence in what I say.  I understand.  BUT it is the international best seller and also on the NY Best Sellers List and also they made a movie from the book. Now that testimony you pay more attention toooooo, don’tja (i.e. it carries more weight).  Such is life.

AverageJoe says—Folks are their greatest testimony; folks are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.  There are a lot of fraudsters; when they take their makeup off and they aren’t very pretty.  Ouchy ouchy! AverageJoe, I like real folks with good hearts (i.e. not the DuaneTheWorms who are real show boats a.k.a. phonies, real self-glorifiers).  Saturday question—Can you admit when you are wrong?  It takes a real person to do that (i.e. many cannot).  MissPerfect only admitted she was wrong once in her life.  It was when she agreed with her husband, ScrewyLouie, about something that later turned out to be incorrect. She only said it was a lie, a damned lie.  She admitted that he was wrong, not that she was! 

When WorldClassLarry talks, folks all pay attention (i.e. folks believe him and he is taken serious).  BUT when NoFaithnTheGuy talks, no one pays any attention (i.e. inept—mucks everything up). Does it have anything to do with past experiences with both those guys? Folks, there are reasons. Just like there are reasons why the Big Ten record was 3-6 in the bowls (i.e. and Iowa lost their last 5 bowels they were in). Ouchy ouchy!  The 3-6 is a factional testimony folks.  GeorgeTheCrook says—It is almost impossible to turn around the mentality folks have about NoFaithInTheGuy; at least with the current folks he is around (i.e. maybe needs a new start with a new bunch of folks).  What do you think? Here is what I think—They will keep inviting teams from the Big Ten to the bowl games (i.e. including IA)—they like the money of the fans—It’s all about the money folks—don’t kid yourself!  

Tap tap tap!  LuckieEddie says--Have you ever seemed like you have been tapped on the shoulder by the supernatural (i.e. maybe like Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader or…?  Maybe it would be good to share that experience and what the message was with someone else. Maybe just maybe they have experienced the same encouragement.  Now wouldn’t that be an experience.  If not, it would be a great conversation starter.  JoeBlow says—If you want to have meaningful relationships, you got to share a little or a lot of yourself (i.e. take a little risk).  GeorgeTheCrook says—Yabut ya got to be a little open minded; don’t always think you are right; probably none of you think you are always right, right? And maybe not. LuckieEddie says—You have to have a very trusting/understanding friend to share your inners!

Maybe some folks might think your experience is absurd.  Why would they even listen to you about your experience?  They might think you ate some bad baloney!  But your personal experience cannot be argued (i.e. your testimony).  It is your experience. A lot of folks don’t want to share such things as they think folks will think they are whacko (i.e. from Mars). And some maybe are!  A golf buddy once told me that his wife divorced him because God told her to do it.  I think she had toooo much hot sauce on her taco! Our tour guide, when we were in Israel, told us that every year one or more guys claim they are Jesus a.k.a. fake thinking. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.

P.S. While FaceTiming with our grandkids recently—Jimmer (i.e. age 5) came running into the picture and said—grandpa, I just found this car; I haven’t seen it in 65 years! He made me laugh. 

I stopped at my old office the other day.  I talked to the two gals that were our support staff (i.e. still are).  They are the nicest gals with very good hearts (i.e. my kind of gals).  And they are smart!  Now that is a good combination folks.  Oh ya.  I always told them they could make me look like a king or a shit—they always made me look like a king (i.e. but it was a challenge)!  ANYWAY they told me to “embrace the day.” Yes, they are special gals.  

theoretically or hypothetically

Driver7ironwedgesandwedgeputtputtputtputtDick says—erv, what you write has a chummy atmosphere of robust lies, fake information and sure-fire opinions (i.e. that is your opinion bad golfer Dickie).  MissPerfect says--It appears that it might be impossible to astonish anyone with our opinions living in the world we live in today; everyone thinks they are smart and think they know all the answers. Such is life.

Did you watch any bowl games?  It might be my theoretical or hypothetical thinking but it sure seems to me when football teams go into “prevent defense” (i.e. soft and sagging give away defense; it’s just plain give away folks, just plain give away) they don’t seem to function very well (i.e. it seems like it never works).  Iowa is the worst (i.e. my opinion); they just drive me crazy!  OnesmartfriendfromMN says—Prevent defense is really a prevent from winning. I noticed Clemson nor Alabama didn’t play any prevent defense.  Huh, interesting. CadillacJack says—erv, is there a correlation between prevent defense and how we live our lives?   Why do you ask me CadillacJack; what do I know; I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.

We used the service provided by our natural gas company to have our house checked as to how we can save on our heating cost.  I learned a few things that could help (i.e. they will pay up to 75% up to $1,000 if I elect to do them). Huh, interesting. A cooling cost tip he gave me—Clean out the vents in your soffit. BUT what I really learned from him that was much more important was this—He told me that his 31 year old son does not work hard and feels like he just deserves everything—sooooo how does that make you feel—TERRIBLE; I can’t believe he is our son; that we raised a son like that; but I need to be careful that I keep my mouth shut or he won’t want to be around us; I tell him he doesn’t have to agree but just listen to me and others, just listen.  I’m hoping someday he will wake up some morning and get it (i.e. there are probably a few other parents that feel the same way). JoeBlow says—Folks, ya got to remember that is a dad’s opinion (i.e. what his theoretical and hypothetical proper focus is) and his son has a different opinion.  CrazyMarvin says--Maybe the son is right and maybe the dad is right. LuckieEddie says—It’s hard to talk about politics, religion and money; especially with family! 

A friend and I had breakfast recently and our waitress (i.e. maybe about 20ish+ and about 6 months pregnant) had a horse shoe in her nose and also a ring in one nostril.  My friend asked her if that hurt having it done.  We then asked her why she did it—rebellion against my mom when I was 17—sooooo how did that goooo—not good; she kept preaching sooo I went and got married against her wishes to rebel even more; but we are the best of friends now!  Crazy. AbRipperCharlie says—Folks don’t seem to react very well to preaching but if it’s their idea, it seems to work better (i.e. sooooo it seems). Interesting.  My friend asked her what kind of parent she is going to be—don’t know; don’t think anyone knows until they are a parent.  Huh, interesting. One of the Pope’s suggestions for 2017 is—Befriend someone who disagrees with you. 

Soooo I say to HouseCheckLeonard—When I sit on the stool In the bath off our master bedroom, which is next to the wall and a window, it always seems cold.  Soooo we go in there and he puts his hand next to the window and says—ya, it’s cold; it feels like there is no insulation around the window.  Soooo I took the trim off and sure enough, there was no insulation.  What!  I checked the other windows but they seem to be ok.  We built our house 43 years ago—can you imagine how much money I would have saved if I would have asked some questions earlier (i.e. and how much warmer I would have been sitting on the pot)! I think HouseCheckLeonard thought I had half a bean by not thinking of that myself.  He probably got in his truck, shuck his head and had a good laugh!  He probably wonders how I get my oatmeal with a half a banana ready in the morning. Such is life.

Have you ever talked to someone who is just generic?  HouseCheckLeonard was real to me, very real.  MurkyMud says—Murky folks are just murky; I delight in listening to an unedited self; but it takes a good friend to talk unedited to or someone who don’t know you at all.  Yes it does.  A pickleball buddy sat next to me as I was putting on my shoes.  She said I haven’t played very well this morning.  How come?  I think I drank tooooo much beer last night.  She just made me laugh.  ItchieBitchie says—Many times folks reveal only what they want and usually that’s not much!  Does that make any sense to you? And of course there are always those who keep themselves removed; unknowable.  SusieQ says—And of course a few toooo many beers might change that!  Crazy but true! 

Have you ever had the $hit kicked out of you?  Maybe all of us had some of it kicked out of us (i.e. made a bad decision or just bad luck). My mentor would say—erv, you got to make more good decisions than you make bad ones.  I recently had a friend say something to me that hurt me; he didn’t mean tooooo I don’t think, but I’m not sure. If he did mean toooo, that is ok; this person is a good friend; I can accept it; I really can.  No question. I wonder how many times I have said things and have hurt others and I didn’t mean toooooo.  I have a friend who says I don’t have very think skin.  He might be right. I am going to forget that situation; it is my responsible to do that.  I will.  It isn’t that important.  I realize that. He wasn’t hurt by what he said; I will get over it and forget it. I can and I will. I don’t have a problem with it; it’s the right thing to do.  Such is life.

Is it theoretically and hypothetically to think it’s a possibility our grand kids will never drive a car?  Can you believe that!  About 20,000 truck drivers will lose their jobs.  ItchieBitchie says—Pretty soon we won’t need humans any more.  Everything will be done by artificial intelligence.  Maybe no one will work but the government (i.e. one big computer run by droid k-2s0) will send us a check each month.  GeorgeTheCrook says—Come on erv, the world will come to the end before that happens.  Now that could be GeorgeTheCrook, now that could be. Every good business and business person has an exit plan. 

FastFreddie says--There is artificial intelligence and there is emotional intelligence a.k.a. EI or emotional quotient a.k.a. EQ. Emotional intelligence is a great ability to have in being a leader and in one’s personal life.  It appears to me that it is a gift almost like IQ intelligence.  I wonder if it might be even more important than IQ intelligence for the happiness in a person’s life.  What do you think? It is obvious that folks who don’t have it have a hard time in relationships. BUT with social media and artificial intelligence, maybe it’s not very important (i.e. different methodology).  Research it and see what you think.  It is a fun area to study and think about.  SusieQ says—The good ones all have it!

I asked a onesmartfriend if emotional intelligence is genetic or learned.  His response--I don't think I have enough basic intelligence to answer this. These questions make my brain hurt....my brain would rather just tread water....and float.  Oh well, I will go out on a limb n say "both", since u can be born with some n u can learn it also.....unless u r just to d_mn stupid!

JoeBlow says--The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act. If you want to change the way you act, you start by changing the way you think. In addition, if you want to change the way you feel, you must start with changing the way you think. Let me sum it up this way: You are not what you think you are. Rather, what you think, you are. Jimmer says--Shalom.  This is what “onesmartguy” says--For change to happen in any area of your life, whether it’s financial, vocational, educational, mental, or relational, you have to begin with the physical. Why? Because your body affects your behavior. Your muscles affect your moods and your motivation. Your physiology can actually affect your psychology.

When at Chet and Jessica’s place on Christmas day, our 7-year old granddaughter, Charlie, was soooooo nice to Arlene.  She would play with her, hug her a lot, hold her hand, and help her (i.e. great empathy).  She was coached by her parents about Arlene’s situation).  I told them that this might have a longing impact on her life—they said—maybe soooooo!

This is not theoretically or hypothetically but it’s were the rubber hits the road kind of stuff folks.  I asked a super senior caregiver who her “go to person” is.  She said—It’s our granddaughter’s ex-husband.  What?  He is sooo nice to us.  He calls us every week and asks what he can do for us.  Now that’s a wow!  It is; we always don’t have anything for him to do for us but if we do, he does it for us.  It’s also very nice to know that someone cares about us (i.e. he calls every week).  LuckieEddie says--What a good lesson for life. I read in the paper soooooo it must be right—You can talk all you want but your actions really do the talking!  Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it (i.e. it might be theoretical and hypothetical folks and for some of you, it’s fact).  ~  Service comes from self-esteem. Until you overcome your insecurity and feel good about yourself, you won’t feel like helping anyone else. Be secure in who you are so that you can effectively serve others.  A friend who winters in Mesa and is an Alzheimer’s caregiver for her husband text me this-- In recent years my prayer has been to be a servant. Now I am praying to be a "delighted" servant. Some days my attitude needs adjusting!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul. 

P.S. Saturday question--How do you keep in touch of “right now?”

giblets

Do you know what the Thematic Apperception Test is?  Some of you who are psychologists or who are very smart might.  I didn’t but I’m just a little old farm boy form a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  I found it quite interesting.  It deals with the deep caverns of your subconscious. Now that is way deep folks!  Such is life.

Quit beating around the bush WimpyJanet! Speak from your giblets. I ran into a long-ago business account in CF at breakfast recently after pb. His wife died of MS after a long battle (i.e. he was her caregiver for a long time). He told me to take care of myself. A lot of folks say that. BUT here is what he said to me that touched me--erv, remember Arlene as when you married her and not like she is now with her Alzheimer’s. He spoke from his giblets folks.  He is a good guy; always has been.

Take care of myself. Huh, interesting.  I had a lot of house time during a recent weekend because of the snow and cold.  It was ok. Really it was ok.  I took a nap, read some in front of the fireplace, sat in the quiet some, exercised some, visited some neighbors, tried to eat right (i.e. did some different cooking—made shepherd’s pie, my favorite), and tried to slow down.  Make any sense to you?  BUT probably the part of the equation that really helped me take care of my self was folks who uplifted me.  Yes, uplifted me.  There was several ways they did that.  I talked to a friend who called from MN the other Sunday morning (i.e. he has home run speed). It was -27 degrees.  Yesterday they got another 6 inches of snow and strong winds.  He blew out 16 driveways for mostly widows with his tractor.  I told him he uplifted them folks. Yes, they were appreciative of them blowing out their drive, but probably more than that, he showed them that someone cared about them.  Now that is an example of an uplift (i.e. my opinion). BUT probably my friend got uplifted by doing it.  I think soooo (i.e. my opinion). 

This could be way over the moon.  I recently read this--As a worldview, postmodernism is skeptical of historical, sweeping, or traditional truth. It says truth is defined by social and historical contexts. Therefore, what was true yesterday may no longer be true today. Do you believe that?  Obviously many seem to think that. That is very interesting to me.  That might have quite an impact on the future of mankind if true.   Saturday question—Sooooo is there anything that stays true forever (e.g.  like there will always be gibbets)?

SusieQ, how many fingers do you see?  Three, why do you ask?  Well some folks can’t see things when they are right in front of their nose.  SuseiQ says—I don’t get it!  Well SusieQ, we all see things differently.  That is because we all see things from different perspectives (i.e. my mentor would always say--we all have different genes and are programed differently by our past).  Saturday question—Do you think like your parents?  Do you wish you did? Do you wish you didn’t? How about do you act like them?  Do you wish you did?  Do you wish you didn’t?

As a kid, we use to eat the heart, gizzard and neck of the chicken but I don’t think the liver (i.e. catfish bait).  Did any of you? We didn’t throw much away back then sooooo maybe they were in the soup we ate but Mom, Anna, didn’t tell us.  Now that could be.  We ate beef liver soooo…! The giblets are sorta kinda gross. Arlene never liked to touch them.  Arlene never liked to touch any ducks or pheasants I shot either.  But she would touch chicken and turkey.  I told a friend the other day that my Mom, Anna, cleaned most all my pheasants and ducks that I shot as a kid.  Now that is a “mom” folks.   

Soooo the other day I was buying some ham loaf and some pickled herring at Fareway and saw this sign.  I asked the meat guy if folks really buy chicken liver--oh ya, we sell some--really; how much do chicken liver sell for--$1.29 a pound.  I didn't buy any!  

I play some pickleball at a church on Sunday afternoons.  I really enjoy it and really enjoy the people (i.e. very nice).  Recently I played at the Rec Center in Cedar Falls.  I got to know a guy who I only know by his first name.  A person from that church asked me if I was playing Sunday.  He asked me about what that was all about.  I told him and welcomed him (i.e. told him about the little devotion at the beginning etc).  He said--If I would show up in church, I think God would strike me dead.  Why do you say that? I lived tooooo long with the devil.  Hey buddy, you aren't any different than the rest of us.  God loves you; you are a good guy. He gave me a very puzzled look (i.e. acted like I was talking in code; I wasn’t). I think his giblets got nervous maybe.   

Someone sent me this sooooo it must be right--Prometheus was a minor Greek deity who decided to help the starving human race by bringing them fire. When the other gods found out, they chained Prometheus to a rock, where his liver was torn out and eaten by an eagle every day—for eternity. The ancients didn’t think much of compassion. They saw it not as a virtue but a weakness. Huh, interesting. I was just reminded recently how some folks are very compassionate and other are not. Folks just amaze me being both ways.  Folks, it really doesn't matter much what others think or say; what matters is what is in their giblets (i.e. my opinion). Such is life.

before the holidays

after the holdays

I'm going to go waaaaaay out on a limb and guess you got a Christmas gift (i.e. or five!) you just don’t like or will never use. Today I’m giving you FULL permission to unload it before it turns into clutter (i.e. re-gift, return, or throw it away)!  LuckieEddie says—These last couple of weeks are probably pretty good weeks to be a dumpster diver!  You know, folks get sooooo much stuff for Christmas that they maybe throw away their good old stuff or maybe even their new gifts (i.e. got tooooo much stuff and didn’t like the gifts anyway).  Or, can you believe all the good food being thrown away from all the Christmas and New Years Parties (i.e. folks have a tendency to eat way toooo much over the holidays)?   I would guess a lot folks; very good stuff tooooo.  More than just the gibbets this time of the year folks.  BUT it’s back to normal sooon soooooo Move ‘em on, head them up, Rawhide!

IchieVickie (i.e. who has been more places than Johnny Cash) says—Some things, it seems, are revolutionary and countercultural.  I really don’t know if I know what she meant by that.  My 89-year-old friend said to me—erv, things have really changed in my life time; I don’t know what is normal any more.  BUT, erv, 100 years from now it won’t make any difference to you and I now will it!  You got that right my friend!  Such is life.

I have friends/acquaintances who are like Swiss army knives.  I also have friends/acquaintances who are like academicians (i.e. very book smart in just a certain area).  ItchieBitchie says—Those two groups of folks are way different; way different but all have the same giblets. They both have a place on this earth.  LuckieEddie says—I’m not always compatible with all folk but that is ok.  SusieQ says—I have two dogs and they are different toooo but I like both of them, most of the time!  Zig Ziegler says in his book, See You at the Top—Attitude, not aptitude will determine your altitude. Decoded it means, what is in your giblets is what you really are.

This “It’s Saturday” is a thematic apperception test.  Oh yes!  It’s a self-perception of yourself (i.e. looking holistically at your psychological makeup).  AverageJoe says—That is tooooo deep for me erv! I don’t understand your code you are talking in. 

I talk to some folks and it's like talking to a fence post; they don't understand me. I have friends/business associates/church friends/family members/golf buddies who really understand me (i.e. we are not only in the same book but on the same page). And I also have some folks in the same categories who don’t understand me very well at all (i.e. we just don’t think the same it seems).  I find that very interesting.  Soooo don’t get tooooo excited if you don’t really understand what I’m saying in this “It’s Saturday.”  Many of you don’t think like me.  It doesn’t make me better than you; probably makes me less than you. We might have different motors, different educations, different parents, different abilities, different objectives in life etc. You get it. We are just different and think differently. That is soooo crazy but it is what it is! Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.

P.S. WorldClassLarry says—In 2017 seek out good folks to be around--folks who are wired right—folks who have the right heart, the right spirit, and the right attitude.  It makes life a lot easier and a lot more fun. The goal of every leader should be life transformation. Great outcomes are the result of great people. Be in the business of people.