it's a game

I was running up’erin’em mountains early Sunday morning and met a couple who had two dogs.  The dogs seemed crazy. I asked them if your dogs listen to you—not a chance—they pay no attention to what we say what’s so ever.  Sooooo I ran along and met another couple with two dogs who seemed under control. I asked them the same question—they sure do.  Soooo why do some dogs listen and others don’t? Mabye it was ‘cause those folks acted like 600-pound gorillas or maybe there were other reasons.  What do you think?

GeorgeTheCrook says--Folks game the system to their benefit.  No kidding folks!  Sometimes even scam others. It appears that the gaming situation is all over the place.  It is soooo hard to know who to believe.  Everything seems to be a game; someone seems to be always trying to take advantage of you (i.e. like if you don’t ask for the senor discount, you don’t get it ha ha). It seems like folks are constantly trying to take advantage of someone else (i.e. some folks are easier suckers than others). This just goes on and on and on.  What a game!

Our identity seems to being compromised everywhere (i.e. one big game)—our phones, our computers, our TVs and now even Jr’s teddy bear (i.e. I read it in the paper soooo it must be right).  MissPerfect says--They know more about us than we know about ourselves!  That’s scary!  And who are “they?’  Now that is scary tooo.  And another thing, what they find out about us are the facts; the truth! Now that is scary toooo!

Do you know what an e-leash is?  I like that term. It is a modern day term of reality in our culture today.  The "e-leash," tethering workers to the office while they are supposed to be resting is becoming increasingly common. Cell phones, e-mail and remote-access voice mail make it easier to keep working. ItckieVickie says—It’s just one big game. 

OurneighborJackhereintheValleyoftheSun told me that he was/is a MN beet farmer.  He had a stroke that paralyzed his right side and he lost his speech.  It was a miracle but he has no effects anymore.  He is very thankful to God (i.e. very open about it). He told me this story about his brother.  His brother milked 60 cows by himself.  After his stroke, he went to him and told him there is more to life than milking cows.  His brother said that milking cows is the only think he knew.  A few months later his brother had a severe heart attack.  The doctors thought he was going to die but by another miracle, he lived.  He sold the cows and the farm while still in the hospital.  They bought a 5th wheel and went to TX, connected with a Christian Organization and now does carpentry work.  MyNeighborJack said—My brother has never been happier; he was always a bitter man; now has a constant smile on his face.  Bingo!

OneSmart39yearoldfriend (i.e. I am a big fan of him) said to me recently--I don’t have time to mess with $10.  If  I have to make a call, spend 10 minutes hassling with someone and then maybe finally get my $10, I just will lose the $10. I told him, I do it.  I have time and it’s the principle!  I sorta kinda enjoy it most of the time.  Businesses knows what they are doing; don’t kid yourself; it’s part of the scheme.  It works with many folks. WorldClassLarry says—Time is valuable; time is money!  Yikes!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--The root of all of our problems is relational. We are dishonest with each other. We play games with each other. We wear masks all the time. We fake it. We pretend to have it all together when everybody knows we don’t have it all together. We’re all broken. There are only two kinds of people in the world: people who are broken and sinful and know it and people who are broken and sinful and won’t admit it. When we refuse to be real with each other, it creates all kinds of fears in our lives and isolates us from each other. It is a roadblock to intimacy, and it creates insecurity. ItchieBitchie says—erv, don’t reprint that stuff, I have just convinced myself that I was perfect and now you get in my head.  Now, I’m confused again.  Don’t do that. Quite playing games with me!  

Sooooo we watched a little of the Suns’ game the other night.  The ad said if the Suns score over 90 points, pizza will be half price at Papa John’s tomorrow.  The Suns scored 90+ points sooooo I thought we would try it.  I ordered the pizza and they gave me the price.  It was not half price. I told the guy what the ad was on during the Suns’ game.  He said, oh!  Oh ya, it’s half price.  I would not have gotten the half price if I didn’t ask.  It’s a game folks.  They know what they are doing.  Don’t kid yourself. My opinion, the pizza tasted like half price; it looks much better on TV; it's a game folks.

Being a believer takes faith.  There are folks who think God and the Jesus stuff is just a big game.  It’s not a magic bullet; it’s a bunch of bull; the big wink; the fraud. It makes no sense to them (i.e. at least not today). There is no logic or absolutes. It doesn’t give any VIP treatment.  PhD-CannonBallRon says—Do you know how smart I am; I can’t believe in a God; it’s just spinning a story; it’s an old lie; it's just throwing time and money down a rat hole. EasyGoingJohn (i.e. anyone can be a John) says—We all get to decide on this Jesus stuff.  It’s our decision and decisions have consequences.  Such is life.

This is what a friend here in the Valley of the Sun says about her conversion to believing in Jesus (i.e. printed as she wrote it and with her permission) -- How I became a Christian:
     I was raised in the Presbyterian church as a child, attending Sunday school weekly and vacation Bible school in the summer. But it was just a Sunday thing. It did not carry over into the rest of the week. I couldn't wait to get home and change out of "Sunday clothes " and go out and play. 
     As happens to many, I drifted away from God like someone who grows to know that Santa Claus  and the "tooth fairy" are not real. I searched for the logical explanation to the things I saw around me. I don't think I became an Atheist,  rather an Agnostic. I believed there was something greater than myself, but not that He was actively participating in the world today, but a supreme being who set things in motion,  and then left the world to carry on unassisted. 
     In college, I loved learning in all of my classes (except maybe "Art Appreciation" with the boring slide shows), especially in my major, Biology. Cellular biology, genetics, microbiology, comparative anatomy,  all of them were fascinating to me. This was the logical explanation for which I was searching. Many of my friends were PhDs or graduate students and most were not Christians. The Christians I met seemed to be hypocrites,  not practicing what they preached. To me, the sciences were real, factual, provable and more appealing. 
    After college, I went to Alaska and married a college professor with a PhD in Botany. I taught high-school,  he taught college and we commercially fished for salmon in the summer. We embraced the Alaskan lifestyle and loved all of the varied experiences it offered.
    All of my life, everything I wanted to do, I accomplished if I set my mind to it.  There was a good friend at the school where I taught, who also had started a church and was a minister there. He was different than other Christians as I remembered them as he seemed to really believe the Bible was true and tried to live by what the Bible said. ( I didn't know what it said, but I thought I did.) I had great respect for him and we had many fun discussions  in the teacher's lounge over a 5 year period of time. Because of my respect for his integrity and intelligence, I was convinced that if he could learn some of what I knew about the  sciences, then he would realize how outdated the Bible was. I tried bringing him all kinds of books, made fun of him reading the same book over and over. I finally decided that he did not have the time or inclination to go back to college and get a science degree, so I  would read this book from which he kept quoting, the Bible, and then I would be able to refute him with terms he understood. During this period of time, he was also building a new addition to the church where he preached.  Not just supervising, but actually building. All of this as well as his preaching, he did for no money, no salary.  Anyway, I was also going through the soul searching and pain of a divorce.  Not an easy or quick process as anyone who has been through knows. I finally had something in my life I could not fix or overcome no matter how much I wanted. On one of my crying times, I drove to a bluff overlooking the ocean and a sunset. In anguish, I said "God help me". That's all. Not a long drawn out prayer, I was not a Christian,  but I had asked for help. Nothing obvious changed, no response from God or anything. Still working everyday teaching school, coaching in the afternoons, and opened a new business in our town; women's fitness and weight loss, plus gymnastic instruction and still commercial fishing for salmon in the summer.(When I used to get frustrated or not be able to fix something, I would just bury myself in work) Remember though, I was reading the Bible through in order to prove my friend wrong. The opposite happened. As I read, the words convinced me that I was the wrong one. I became more and more convinced as I read through the gospels and into the New Testament. By the time I reached the Book of Revelation, I was ready to be baptized. I have since read the Bible more than 30 times and continue to learn something new each time.

ItchieBitchie (i.e. is important but has no shoe contract) says--One of the great questions of life is, “Who are you going to trust?” The way you answer that question will determine whether you’re happy or miserable, whether you succeed or fail, whether you make something of your life or you waste your life. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—A merry heart does good like a medicine.

P.S. TomTerrific says—I have done the mind science measurements. Looking at those readings, I think that believing in Jesus is no slam dunk; it’s more like March Madness!

NO GAME ALERT!  I had a friend tell me that he doesn't listen to my podcasts as he thinks all his money will go from his savings account to mine (i.e. good idea). Not soooo, it's like listening to a tape recording of a conversation.  If you are still fearful, ask your grand kids about it.  ha ha YaBut I might find out where your house is from your clicking on it and will stop by and pick up your John Deere lawn mover! Old timer, I'm tellin' you flat out, I'm kidding!  I hope you try the podcast. This podcast is a conversation with Jim, a friend, who is a retired engineer who had is head in the stars and still does.

time

Disclaimer: You know, I don’t really know much (i.e. most of you know that)! BUT I do know that this is not a subreddit! It’s more like a casual meetup discussing the different ways to skin a cat.  There is no intended shaming you of any kind (i.e. but subconsciously there could be).  Like really folks, $8 for a beer! That is not being a one-upmanship as I’m not a big beer drinker. I have zero interest in comparing my habits with yours.  Sooooo don’t get excited if you don’t agree with something or everything that I write in this “It’s Saturday.” Just remember folks, you get what you pay for!  This ain't no "tax refund event!" And don’t you forget it!!!! 

Arlene and I went to a restaurant recently.  The sign said—Hostess will seat you.  There were two parties/ladies waiting ahead of us.  The first lady was mad as she had to wait.  She said to us—I don’t have time to wait in line like this.  She was excited and agitated.  I said to the other lady ahead of us—Are you a patient person—usually I am unless I have to go to the bathroom really bad!  She made me laugh. 

SusieQ says—Time is coming folks when_______________. When what? That is the question.  You fill in the blank.  There is not an incorrect answer; you all will pass the test with flying colors.  I’m sometimes joking and sometimes I’m not!  You will have to decide now won’t you.  I have “zero” idea how you will fill in the blank. Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--Have any of you noticed that your philosophy, hobbies, jobs, relationships, interests etc. have changed over time?  Why have they/you changed?  Maybe many reasons—money, obsessions, age, health, family dynamics, death, where we live, who we hang out with, our egos, etc. One of my pickleball buddies said--This year my age has caught up with me!! Saturday question—Because of our changes, are we now better folks or worse folks?  Sometimes world successes can change folks’ personalities for better or for worse (i.e. I have noticed that alright). Sometimes success makes folks arrogant (i.e. not good--most folks don't like arrogant folks). PacoPete says--Arrogance is a huuuge massive enchilada! My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, the great folks are the ones who are great but don’t know it; the ones who aren’t much fun to be around are the ones who think they are great but aren’t.  That is what he said.  MissPerfect says—Many times we talk and act soooo big and then the roaster crows three times.  Ouchy ouchy!

I stopped at McDonald’s after running up’erin’emmountains the other morning for a sausage egg biscuit (i.e. I like those suckers).  ANYWAY, there were a lot of seniors there socializing over a senior coffee for 80 cents.  The booth next to me had 4 senior guys sitting there talking about anything and everything (i.e. quite entertaining).  Then another guy came and he started talking about his type A wife (i.e. that was entertaining toooo).  One guy said to him—I guess that’s why you are here this morning (i.e. he didn’t respond)!  He said--I have learned to get along with her; we have been married for 49 years; but, I always get in the last word—yes dear!  What a hoot. 

Times change folks (i.e. we have good times and bad times).  A pickleball friend who was very instrumental with my connections to play pickleball here in the valley doesn’t play anymore.  He has blood clots in his lungs and in his legs.  Times change folks.  He has had to make some adjustments in his life style.  That is normal folks.  I told him that my agenda here in the Valley of the Sun is to take care of Arlene.  Everything after that is a bonus.  I have some opportunities to play pb and golf and other stuff.  I will probably do some of those things; I will pick my times. But times are different folks.  Pickleball and golf and stuff really aren’t that important compared to my Arlene.  You understand that? I will try to do whatever it takes to make her life the best.  That is my challenging objective.  The change in times has probably changed/will change my life style.  And that is ok.  Really it is. I hope I succeed with things that matter to me and not with things that don't (i.e. that is hard to put in proper perspective sometimes). Ya gotta remember that I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  

no photo shop touch up--they look this good

I am trying to use this month here in the Valley of the Sun as a month-long Sabbath. Yep, that is how I’m treating our time here.  It is hard to do, really.  BUT it is good for everyone and maybe especially for me.  And listen, we have been here in the Valley of the Sun for several years sooooo it ain’t a no new rodeo for us folks; we’re no newbies. In Alaska, Canada and SW U.S., they call veterans, sourdoughs.  They call rookies in Alaska and NW Canada cheechakos I was told.  ANYWAY--We have been there and done that a time or two. You probably understand what I’m talking about.  I talked to four friends recently. They all told me that they are ready to go home. They miss their home and their family.  We were invited to go to the Dutton’s (i.e. a Branson music production that performs here in the winter) with George and Jane (i.e. Arlene really likes their show). You home town folks will recognize them.  ANYWAY I asked them if they were going back to our home town this summer—Probably but don’t know when and how long; we really don’t have much to go back for (i.e. maybe their family is gone and most of their friends are dead or not the same).  Sooooo I wonder where they consider home.  

Hawthorne Bronne, the author of the book Choosing Happiness (i.e. I have not read it) says--I am a happy person. That is my best credential for writing this book. In the past year, I've asked dozens of people if they are happy. Guess how many quickly and with enthusiasm said they were. None! A few people said, "Yeah, I guess." Others extended their answers by telling me they could be happier "if only..." …Happiness is neither guaranteed nor automatic, but neither is it impossible. Even if you have never enjoyed this special sense of well-being and fulfillment, it is not a fantasy. Happiness is yours to claim ––if you don't get detoured! Many people have chosen different paths in search of happiness, but too few have found it. …The key question of this book is, "Are you happy?" If you are not, do not waste time with dead-end roads that lead to frustration instead of fulfillment. Make the choice to be happy, beginning today! DorthyMadhead says—That statement is completely from a different planet; it doesn’t work on this planet.  Believe me!  I ain’t happy and never have been.  I’m 100% bitchy and I love it! Hey DorthyMadhead, this is what Marcus Aurelius said-- "The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. "
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"The circumstances of life, the events of life, and the people around me in life, do not make me the way I am, but reveal the way I am" ~ Dr. Sam Peeples. I hope while being here in the Valley of the Sun that out of the clear blue sky (i.e. there are a lot of them here) I will learn to Rejoice in the Lord always; I will say it again: Rejoice! Yessiree! I need a lot of hand holding to constantly feel this way!!!!

RichieRich says--Darn.  Behavioural change is tough. For snowbirds here in the Valley of the Sun it can be especially painful because behaviours (good and bad) get ingrained over time.  We also lose our objectivity as we get older – our perceptions are our reality.  As a result, as we age we find more reasons to avoid change than embrace it. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--According to the journal Science Advances, researchers in Spain conducted a study of the personality types of 540 people and grouped them into four categories: optimistic, pessimistic, trusting, and envious. The first three groups represented sixty percent of the total, and another ten percent were impossible to define. The remainder, the largest single group, was made up of people whose personalities were dominated by envy, though they usually didn’t recognize it.

I watch the folks play golf as we sit on our patio.  They all seem to have on their nice golf outfits on, some ridding in their customized golf carts, and most playing with the best equipment.  They all seem sooooo happy and excited.  Many of them play with their spouses and friends (i.e. Arlene and I use to do that).  I get a little envious but then remember what my mentor use to say to me—erv, nothing is as good as it looks and nothing is as bad as it looks (i.e. probably not as rosy as it looks folks). I am pretty content; I really am.  My new saying that I try to apply to every day of my life is—I try to enjoy life’s process every day.  AvergeJoe says—That sounds sooooo simple.  Yes, it is; slow down erv and just enjoy the moment.  I’m really working on it.  Soooo far sooooo gooood.  BUT it isn’t really a normal way of life for me.  Time will tell how I hold up! 

We enjoy our time in the Valley of the Sun with it’s 80+ degree blue bird days with very little wind.  It fits us just real well.  We are very laid back doing what we want to do when we want to do them (i.e. we pick our shots; we have options).  That is pretty much our course.  Arlene and I went to have a bagel the other morning.  I was waiting in line and Judy started talking to me (i.e. the opportunity just fell in my lap)—I just dropped my husband off at adult day care and am treating myself—what is your husband’s situation—he has Alzheimer’s—I’m splurging and I need some time alone; this care giving is very hard for me; very stressful; very tiring; very depleting; my husband’s personality has changed and he’s not very nice; he accuses me of have an affair with everyone; I can’t leave him alone; I don’t enjoy it a bit; he has had it for 8.5 years; I have gained 15 pounds because of stress in the last 3 weeks.  She said most of my family and friends do not understand.  We moved here to the Valley to be around his children; it hasn’t worked very well—how come—they all have their lives and are busy. We compared some notes. We both knew what the other was saying. Times change in our lives alright. Such is life.

I have talked to several folks down here in the Valley of the Sun that are injured.  It's maybe just happens but they all said that the reason why they are injured is over doing their activities.  Moderation my friends, moderation. Moderation in all things except in eating green beans, fish, having sex with your spouse, and loving others.  ANYWAY when our bodies get older, they can’t take the usage that they use to take.  They will respond (i.e. our bodies have their ways folks).  GeorgeTheLover (i.e. he is aging like fine wine) says—You got to listen to your body.  Ya, there is Vigra…but when you are 80, there are limits folks) 

As I said, I don’t know much but I learned what a “get” is (i.e. two definitions).  Ya, I read about it in the paper.  Do you know what a “get” is?  Ha ha, I might know something you don’t know. TheWY-Champ says--Aw wee grasshopper erv, I know that!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Out of clutter find simplicity.

P.S. Whenever you attempt a good work you will find other men doing the same kind of work, and probably doing it better. Envy them not.  ~  Henry Drummond

WorldClassLarry says--Stop buying stuff. Start buying time. An interesting phenomena is that many of the people most capable of buying free time, don’t... In other words, money affluence often leads to time poverty, which makes happiness elusive.

a likely possibility

Zippidy do day zippidy day oh what a beautiful day!  TheLagunaBurgerLee says—I just hate that when folks are positive and excited; I wish they would just go and jump in the lake.  BigImpressiveDena says—Guard against complacency folks; it can affect your life.  I read in the paper soooo it must be right—Analytical as always, Bill Belichick said when asked to give the reporter some advice—It’s the self-starter in each of us that is really important.  I don’t think you can count on somebody else to motivate you to do something. You have to want to do it personally, and you have to provide that energy.  And O’Brien says—That ain’t no shenanigans folks.

Our condo overlooks the #10 green.  It was 5:15 last Saturday night when this lone lady is playing.  I walk out to the green and talked to her.  She is an 82 year old Gert, widowed for 11 years who likes to play in the evening.  She told me she has no confidence. Why Gert? I have always been that way. She said she learned long ago that you just have to do it; no one is going to do it for you; I started playing golf at 71. She seemed to be the nicest lady you could imagine.  Seemed to have a very good attitude.  I asked her if she was a Christian—I try tooooo. I said to her—You are a good woman. She said—I wanta be.  Isn’t that fun folks.  What a hoot. Just plain real and fun.  What more can I say. Well Lugna Azul!  That is our street name here in the Valley of the Sun.  I have no idea what it means. Such is life.

DuaneTheWorm (i.e. a perfect storm) and his cat think the only reason the rest of us are on this earth is to serve them!  Like his name implies, he’s a worm!  DuaneTheWorm is a likely possibility why the team’s chemistry is soooo poor (i.e. one apple can affect the whole barrel they say).  He really needs a wake-up call. LuckieEddie says—When one’s mind occupies two worlds, it cannot see.  GeorgeTheCrook says—I have done somethings stupid before and wish I would not have done them; one of them is thinking I’m sooooo important. TomTerrific says—Humility is not sexy; acting important is perceived to be sexy by some folks and not by others! LuckieEddie says--It takes a big person to admit--I'm the problem.  Even a bigger person to realize that I'm the problem.  Ouchy ouchy!

It’s time to shine sweetheart!  Sweetheart says--I hear ya! I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--If you want your life to count, you have to focus it. You don’t have time for everything, and not everything is of equal value (i.e. that sounds like a likely possibility). While eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it I read what one important person said-- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second most important is similar: Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.  JoeBlow (i.e. who is worse than a dog, he’s a real roadkill) says—You got to be pretty nimble to stay fixed on that; you surely can’t be serious!  Don’t call me Shirley!!!

I think I get my information for “It’s Saturday” from a wide range of sources; I think it is an eclectic style.  I like to be in eclectic groups of folks; it makes life much more interesting.  We did a book discussion on the book The Man Named Ove here in the Valley of the Sun.  I invited some friends who I made from different avenues (i.e. some might call it a heterogeneous group).  It was pretty much an eclectic group but I don’t think they are eccentric but they could be!  I think it was more of an collectic group.  Very interesting and thoughtful thinking.  That’s my opinion.  Hey, we all don’t see things the same.  While running the other morning up’erin’emmountains, a hiker passed me.  Yep, I was running and she was walking.  I thought I was jogging right along but I got passed by a walker.  That gal was fast let me tell ya.  The only person I know who could hike faster is RonBehmAtwater (i.e. this guy is really fast folks; like “a streak of lightning" fast; faster than a blink of the eye).  He is the brother of JimBeamPriam; some of you might know him better!  ANYWAY this gal was a pretty, slim 25ish blond.  She had a long sleeve tee on and short shorts; I mean short.  She was fully tattooed from the top of her shoes to the bottom of her short shorts.  I wondered where those tattoos quite but I remembered what my friend Hank tells me—erv, it’s best to keep your mouth shut!  Soooo I ran some more and meet a couple pretty 25ish gals.  They both were 300#+ and huffing and puffing (i.e. no short shorts).  During the weekends, there are more folks on the trails and the crowd is somewhat different. Some of those folks are eccentric (i.e. my opinion).

Hey, when I wander up’erin’emmountains, I wonder a lot!  Oh ya.  I wonder about a lot of things; many.  It is soooo good for my head and my soul. Ya, it’s good for my body tooooooo, I think.  I heard on NBC news (i.e. soooooo it must be right) that folks who are taking cancer treatment get very fatigued.  One remedy for this fatigue is exercise.  Yes exercise relieves fatigue.  Now that sounds crazy.  I read this on back of a pickup parked next to my car at the trail head when I got back from my wandering/wondering Saturday morning.  Sooooo I guess there are different ways to interpret that statement.  That’s crazy tooooo. I wonder how you interpreted it.  Maybe those mountains give me a different point of view about things.  They do folks, yes they do. 

LoverBoyGeorge says—Sorry to inform you folks but life will grind on with or without you!  I learned some new wisdom that I didn’t know before from one smart friend--Don‘t run away from a job and don’t run to a job! You think folks do that?  It’s a likely possibility.  Our emotions are crazy at times.  We also don’t think very clear when we let our emotions make our decisions.  ItchieBitchie says—We sometimes make hump passes (i.e. passers that aren’t sharp; they have a hump in them; sorta kinda rainbows—soft with no authority—easy to pick off--turnovers). MissPerfect says--Take just toooo many of those hump passes and there is a likely possibility that you will find yourself on the bench.  Such is life.

Your mind might not like this.  I surely understand if it doesn’t folks.  I surely don’t understand your mind.  No way.  Your mind is really something else.  Ok, I realize that we are all politicalized, socialized, radicialized, educationalized, parentized, unionized, NBCized, spouseized, religionized, moneyized, or some other brainwashedized (i.e. RickTheGoatHerder calls it bullshitedized).  Yes we are.  I heard on the public radio going down I-80 at 80 mph a talk on immigrants coming into the U.S.  There are a lot of different opinions.  Facts about Europe’s change of culture (i.e. part of it being a post-Christian ere after WW 2) has really affect their landscape the talker said (i.e. but it’s not fact as I didn’t use the speaker’s name—it’s just fake news as Trump says if you don't use their name). The U.S. culture is in a flux alright.  Where it will go is hard to say.  Many folks won’t accept the future no matter what that will be.  Our culture is very receptive to demonstrations about anything and everything.  Democracy is talking folks (i.e. riots are not). There is the silent majority and the vocal minority.  JoeBlow says—Who is the hero and who is the villain? It appears that the media blows up the vocal minority; it sells advertising (i.e. it’s all about the money folks; don’t kid yourself).  Folks love the sensationalized stuff a.k.a. overkill.  It appears that the majority of folks fall for that stuff (i.e. suckers) or do they?

 ItchieBitchie says—When you don’t have a dog in the fight, you look at things differently.  I read in the paper this headline—Pope takes on Catholics who lead ‘double life’. It must be right if it’s in the paper!  The article said—Pope Francis on Thursday criticized Catholics leading a “double life”—those who proudly boast they are “very Catholic” yet fail to pay their workers a fair wage (a.k.a  doing business like Babylon).  GeorgeTheCrook says--Give’emhellFrancis! PecosBill says--Don’t kid yourself folks; don’t be a fool; we are two-faced to some degree (i.e. like the bell curve)!  Accept it as it is and go forward even if it’s smells somewhat like all of us.  SusieQ says--Most of us probably stink to high heaven if we admit or not!  Ouchy ouchy!

JimmieNice is soooo nice that’s it’s ridiculous! He says--You got to treat folks right and they have to accept you as you are. If they don’t accept you and aren’t nice to you, you keep being class and treat them in the way you would want to be treated. --LuckieEddie says—That’s mind boggling for many folks to understand! NewspaperKathy says--I’m not buying into that; that is a bunch of crap; I’m more of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth type of person; I have been that way all my life; I like to get even!  I was told recently by Jan that I am a sucker; naive. You know what, I might be. It’s a likely possibility!!

  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials. 

P.S. "A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business." ​​​​​​​- Henry Ford

accept

Clickety Clack and here we go! Here we go down Corn Road in Butler County (i.e. most roads are corn roads in IA).  IA is the #1 state in corn production. Yabut IA is also the largest producer of hogs.  Currently there are 22,400,000 hogs in IA.  Sooooo some of the roads are Hog Roads tooooo. Hogs and corn go together folks.  Oh ya. 

Talk about going down the road! I mentioned last Saturday that we were on I-80 in NE when the road became unbelievably bad (i.e. ice, snow, strong winds, no visibility at times).  I was scared.  We got to York and the guy in the bathroom (i.e. using the urinal next to me told me how there was a 15 car/truck pile up.  He just missed it and a truck just narrowly missed him going at a toooo fast of speed.  He was still shaking; it really affected he.  It happened just behind us.Soooooo why does one person get hurt/killed and the next guy doesn’t.  I really don’t understand that.  Do you? I just accept it but still don’t understand that folks.  Really, I don’t. While in the motel, I started reading The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly. MyfriendTK gave it to me to read. One of the first lines in the book-- My client, Barnett Woodson, was riding two murder charges all the way to the steel-gray room in San Quentin where they serve you Jesus juice direct through the arm. That guy next to me in the bathroom maybe got some of that Jesus juice! 

I read in the paper sooooo it must be right, that we might be affected by where were we live (i.e. how we are shaped).  Now that is interesting.  If we live in New York City, Dallas, East Coast, West Coast, inner city Chicago, Detroit, Alaska, or on a pig or corn farm in IA, we might be programed differently.  Just maybe (e.g. I hear that the work ethic of Midwestern folks is different that the folks in the South (i.e. that is just what I heard folks; I have no idea if it is right).  AverageJoe says--The presidential election results sorta kinda solidifies how folks think in different parts of the country (i.e. soooo it appears). SusieQ says--Of course, you can interpret the facts many ways (i.e. in any way that makes you feel good)!

Do you know what ruminants are? If you live in IA, your changes are better knowing what  they are than if you live in Mesa, AZ, where we are now (i.e. thanks to our friends Evan and Linda a.k.a. bird dogs who found us a condo). ha ha! Probably the percentage is higher in the winter with all the Midwest snowbirds.  Many of the eastern sea board snowbirds from New York, New Jersey, etc. go to FL.  They probably wouldn’t know and really don’t care about cows' four stomachs.  Soooo there you go, it depends where you live!!!! Folks in the Midwest don’t know stuff that those North Easterners know (i.e. and maybe really don’s care either).  Such is life.

What are we doing in Mesa?  I read this in the paper soooo it must be right. Maybe those hogs and corn fields aren't.sooooo bad. Yabut winter in IA isn’t all soooo great because it just last way tooooo long. That is why folks go down south for a break.  The Valley of the Sun is a nice break. IA is fine but this is pretty neat tooooo.  My first cup at 8 o’clock on our first morning here. It’s not rural IA; there can at times be some road noise from the near-by Superstition and Santan FWYs and the occasional noise of a jet overhead taking off or landing from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (i.e. that is different). 

"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the shit kicked out of you." -  Woody Hayes / Ohio State  ~  How do we accept folks?  Not just do we notice them, but do we really see them? Do we comprehend them? Do we think one bit about their lives, their problems, and their realities? We all know that DuaneTheWorm only thinks about himself; it’s quite obvious. For gaining such insight, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel says the principle is “to know what we see rather than to see what we know” JoeBlow says—That  Rabbi guy must have spent toooo much time in the AZ sun; that is toooo deep for me to comprehend.  Now this also is hard to understand (i.e. get your arms around)—“No matter who you are, no matter what your situation, no matter how alone, lonely, misunderstood, isolated, outcast, or forgotten you feel, Jesus sees and knows you.” —Jeff Munroe  CrazyMarvin says—I think this Jeff guy could be a good bud with that Rabbi guy!  CrazyMarvin, I think I saw those two up in the Superstition Mountains while running the other day.  They were sitting together on a vista and maybe pondering something deep!  Or they might have just come from the Cubs spring training facility, Sloan Park, and were wondering if the Cubs will win the World Series again.  It’s hard to know what folks are thinking!  I just tried to accept them!  Such is life. 

ItchieBitchie is all dressed up; that is not himself folks.  Something is up.  It’s a possibility that he has been around FullofwisdomMabel who believes--Invest in People: because yes, they are always worth it. Invest in Projects: because work matters. Invest in Plans: because plans imply action." Sooooo folks, I hope you don’t get all dressed up but have no place to go. I hope you take time to invest in folks.  Sometimes we have to makes changes (i.e. be victors) over generational strongholds.  Some of you folks might think you are 100% self-made. CoolasiceJustin says--I don’t want to hurt your ego but you are not.  WorldClassLarry says—I’m 100% certain about that.  LuckieEddie says—Those folks who think that they have 100% self-made minds could be wrong (i.e. it’s reality; no mystery folks).  It’s a deception and a confusion. It’s like TerrySlick who is just fakes it; don’t kid yourself; I know him! It’s like when a male athlete get faked out of his jock.  I don’t know what you call it when a gal gets faked out!! Well jumping cholla! 

erv’s error AGAIN! Sooooo I was connecting my devices to the condo’s wi-fi.  My smart phone and iPad connected but my lap top wouldn't.  I rebooted it I thought.  Still it wouldn't connect.  I scanned the computer and also removed the cookies and browsing history. Still it wouldn't connect.  I texted Wizard for a suggestion.  Then it dawned on me; I just put the computer in the sleep mode and didn’t really turn it off to reboot.  Bingo!  I then texted Wizard and told him about what happened.  His response--75 to 80% of all computer problems can be resolved with a reboot. It probably works with people too :-) there's a free quote for It's Saturday (i.e. I probably gave his a good laughed tooooo). 

Do we meditate on life in the same way a cow chews her cud: by chewing on it and chewing on it and chewing on it. Then all of a sudden, it makes sense to a person.  But probably if you don’t meditate on it, your percentage might not be as good in figuring it out. My Daddy, Chester, would tell me—erv, most folks don’t spend enough time thinking.  

Some things are just hard to accept (i.e. at least for me sometimes).  An 80+ friend’s husband is in a care faculty.  She told me that their son just can’t handle the situation; just can’t accept it.  Last Sunday we went to church at The Rock in Littleton (i.e. grandpa bought donuts at Dunkin’ Donuts first; everyone likes donuts). Pastor Bruce said—Never doubt when you are in darkness what you learned while being in the light. And there will be darkness a.k.a crap in your life; it’s not if but when!  CadillacJack  says—Those times of darkness are hard to accept. CadillacJack, go and get another donut with sprinkles on top! Such is life.

Take everything said here in this "It's Saturday" with a grain of salt.  Yagotta remember I'm just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN who now lives in rural IA but this month is in Mesa.  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Everything in life that we really accept under goes a change.

P.S. If you are not content today, there is nothing you can buy this weekend to change that,