strikeout

Some of you might think this “It’s Saturday” is just—drip drip drip a.k.a. just annoying noise!  And it could be but it might not be tooo! And some of you won’t ever know ‘cause you have no idea what your sub-conscious is thinking!  GeorgeTheCrook says—It also could be a swing and a miss for a strike 3 strikeout a.k.a. a punchout. Such is life.

Here are a few lines that I read in a fiction book that are interesting--Many folks fail as they are a little toooo sure of themselves. --Not many people are concerned about others as they are concerned about themselves, their jobs, their families. Rarely do they concern themselves about the motivations of others unless somehow it affects their own lives. --Man needs sooo little but wants soooo much. --Foolish? Of course, but so many things worth doing may seem foolish to others, may seem impossible. --Soooo much running around, soooo much wasted time. No one really cares to accomplish anything; it’s better to not accomplish anything soooo the task can run forever.  That’s the trouble. --There are good people everywhere.  But there are some connivers and tricksters tooooo!  DoubleBarrelDallas says—That stuff came out of a fiction book soooo they maybe are just that, fiction! Yabut DoubleBarrelDallas 1, 2. 3 strikes you’re out at the old ball game! Such is life. 

It’s summer folks, for some a time of baseball, hot dogs and beer.  The Cubs are in the race; soooo are the Twins; like myfriendGeno says—It’s fun to be in the hunt.  They are the two clubs I sorta kinda follow. I haven’t been to a game for years.  It’s not something I have on my “want to do list.”  But I could enjoy it; I like baseball.  I remember some college buddies came to see me during the summer a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  We were 100 miles west of the Cities and went to see a Twins game (i.e. during the Hammerin’ Harmon Killebrew ere).  One of my buddies bought a newspaper and got bored soooo he put the paper over his head and fell asleep. What a hoot!

RuthTheBabe said--Major League Baseball, the simple ball-and-bat game (i.e. that seems boring to many) is still our national pastime. Sure, football does better on TV and, believe it or not, stock car racing draws the most fans. But baseball remains our national game.

Have you ever struck out standing there watching (i.e. left the bat on your shoulder taking strike 3; froze at the plate; couldn’t pull the trigger—didn’t take a cut at life).  That in baseball is a backward K on the scorecard.  Ya gotta keep your eyes open and figure out what a strike is and what a ball is.  And you got to make that decision real fast; if it’s a strike you got to take a cut at it.  If not, it’s a backward K! LuckieEddie says--Some folks can even sleep with one eye open, as half of their brain is alert while the other is asleep. This is called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep (USWS) and it allows the sleeping bird to spring into action quickly from rest if a threat approaches while still being able to satisfactorily rest if no threat arises. Ducks and waterfowl are particularly good at this, though connivers and tricksters are also. 

It’s called “slippage.” in industry: Grain falls off trucks, manufactured parts don’t measure up, machines don’t run at peak efficiency, oil leaks out of car engines, and so on. In other words, there are no perfectly efficient systems on earth. A friend told me recently that she frets more as she gets older.  Ouchy ouchy!  She also doesn’t sleep as well especially if she has to get up early in the morning.  It’s not a strikeout folks but it’s slippage.

The progress of his life—GeniusBen went from poverty to humble service to knowledge to leadership; it’s a lesson for us. Everyone wants to be a leader in some form or fashion; but serving comes first. Serving others, in fact, is the very essence of leadership. If we don't, well folks it's strike 3, you are out!!!  Take the bench!!! Saturday question--Who was/is the greatest example of humility?

 A guys whose name is Os, is an "Enrolled Agent - Master Tax Advisor". He says—It has given me a pretty good understanding of American's financial situations. By talking with people and getting a view of their levels of happiness and contentment, and then looking at their finances through taxes, I have made some interesting observations. As you might expect, there is a disconnect between income and net worth. Some people with only modest income, have accumulated a lot of wealth, and many high-income people have spent it all and then some. A colleague and I were reviewing a tax return recently when I commented that this proves, "You can't out-earn stupid." Foolish people almost always spend more than they earn. Many people think if they made a little more money they would be happier. Probably not. If there is any correlation between income and happiness, it would be a bell curve, with the happiest people located in the middle. The lowest income and the highest income people, on both ends of the curve, are the least happy. In case you are wondering, surveys report that the highest percentage of people claiming happiness peaks at about $75,000 per year income. Earning more does not make people happier. AverageJoe says—We make a lot more than $75,000 but we want more—we want more!!!!  LuckieEddie says—At some point, it’s only money!  If you have a terminal illness, listen folks, it’s only money! MoneyBagsWalley says—Yabut, I’m putting my money in Master Card; They say a person can spend it all over hell! 

Folks I realize that they say money can’t buy happiness BUT I’m sure happy we have enough money to have our house cleaned.  It sure makes me happy.  Our gal does an great job that even makes me happier.  I’m just one happy guy. 

HomeRunTrotEvan says--I bookmarked this--“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves,” I hope maybe some of my life is somewhat related to that statement.  Some of the public decries Tim Tebow for trying to be that way.  And some of the public applauds and exalts him for his attitude.  Saturday question—Do you like to be around folks who think they are better than everyone else?  That is what I thought. Maybe our lives are a lot like the folks we are around.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--RickyWisdom says--When you’re learning how to be humble, you have to be willing to listen, learn, and grow and be open to suggestions and corrections from other people. You don’t know it all, and you can’t act like you know it all, either! RickyRick, that makes perfect sense to me!

I heard someone say the following about a young person and his family recently—They are incredibly down to earth and seem like normal people; his parents are grounded, respectful people; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I know folks like that; yes I do (i.e. many of you guys).  Good folks with good hearts; my kind of folks.  I had a friend tell me about some of his problems.  He told me it’s not all soooo easy to have accumulated a lot of wealth—I told him I think probably 99.9% of the folks would trade with you.  We laughed!

In baseball, a strikeout is a strikeout; that’s from youth baseball to major league (i.e. no one likes to strike out).  A father said to Harvey Penick (i.e. in Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book: Lessons and Teaching From a Lifetime in Golf)—My son just told me he played a par round of golf (i.e. he was all excited)—who did he play with—his buddies—when your son plays a par round with folks he doesn’t know, on a course other than his home course, and in completion (i.e. playing by U.S.G.A rules), come tell me and I will congratulate him.  The father left with his balloon popped.  A golf score means really nutten if you make up your own rules.  I’m ok with making up your own rules to shoot whatever score you want.  BUT don’t brag about it.  In fact, you can write the score you want on your scorecard before you start if you want tooooo (i.e. ha ha).  That’s fine with me.  Really! The only score I’m really concerned about is mine (i.e. how I competed against myself). 

It's in the gap!  That means in baseball that a ball is hit between the outfielders (i.e. a gapper) and probably to the wall.  It’s a double or a triple.  It’s a good hit of course.  MyrtTheGiftGiver recently send me this; it’s a special memory of when we traveled Europe with both my sisters and their husbands.  In London, the under-ground rail always announced when entering or exiting the stations: Mind the gap.  It always made me laugh.  It’s the gap between the train and the platform.  Sooooo folks, mind the gap of life!!! Let me tell you folks, if you hit it in the gap, it’s no strikeout!   Soooooo hit it in the gap folks. Bingo! It makes you front page news!

This might sound a bit direct to some of you but it’s real  life—You got to produce; if you can’t produce, you might be fortunate if someone will give you another strike or two.  BUT if you strike out, most often you are out; you are a strikeout.  Folks, it’s reality.  Ouchy ouchy!  But it is life folks.  That's all she wrote! AverageJoe says--It's easy to be average; but hard to be excellent and very easy to be below average.  Oh ya!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Before you flare up at anyone’s faults—take time to count ten of your own.

P.S. If we command our wealth, we shall be rich and free. If our wealth commands us, we are poor indeed.

BonusBabyFred says—The easiest way to make a lot of money is to inherit it or marry it.  

what's your problem

This “It’s Saturday” might be covefefe!  What is covefefe anyway?  I have no idea sooo I asked a few smartfolks.  Here are a couple of definitions I received.  Covefefe = either a typo, or a misheard and misunderstood word. Fake vocabulary! Covefefe: (1) A septuagenarian that gets all of his/her information and self-worth from reality television shows; and (2) the typo of a twitter troll.

MissPerfect, who thinks she’s a tardigrade, says—I really don’t care what others think!!! I think I know and that’s all that matters.  I have friends and acquaintances who are very liberal and very conservative (i.e. very radical).  It is hard to have a conversation with them about certain issues as they don’t hear a word another person says.  They think they are always right (i.e. sorta kinda like the differences of the Civil War).  I guess that is why there are wars to fight it out and see who wins; whoever is left alive wins!  It seems like these folks have a problem (i.e. but I might be wrong)!  What do you think?

MySmartNeighbor and I think we would maybe not hire folks who are radical (i.e. tooo high risk to have around—cause toooo many potential problems—cause headaches).  I said I heard that NFL teams profile draft picks—wouldn’t you if you are going to spend millions on a player and he is a radical.  He heard on Pan Patrick’s sports show that Kaepernick can’t find a job as franchises aren’t going to gamble millions on a radical (i.e. tooo big of risk). Soooo I had breakfast with a friend this week and he told me that he and I are considered radicals by many folks because we are Christians.  Soooo we decided that maybe some companies or individuals would not hire us because we are radicals. I never ever thought of that before.  Yabut maybe others would think of this as an asset and would want to hire us.  Such is life. 

GoodHeartedDoris, a self-proclaimed apple tree, says--Sometimes an antidote helps the situation but it might have side effects.  With some medical treatments, I have been told, that the side effects of medication or treatment are as bad as the disease itself. You might not want to read on; there might be side effects.  But if you know everything, it won’t bother you in any little way.  But remember folks, not all life experiences end like a Hallmark movie!  I’m not trying to wind you folks up. I’m really not. But some of you folks get wound up pretty easy.  Some folks seem to have a problem with getting opinionated real fast (i.e. hot under the collar if someone disagrees with them).

WorldClassLarry says—Subtle changes in our environment impact us dramatically; even if you don’t see it or understand it; they just do.  Unconsciously, we change and are affected in our life “ever after.” I read this in the book, Keeping Love Alive as Memories Fade—“Many times, what makes a person pull away from friendship is something counselors call transference.  Even though the Alzheimer’s is happening to someone else, they think, ‘What if this happens to me?’ and the pain of that thought pushes them away from the person with the disease.”

Many times, counselors say--What we have for experiences as a kid affect us throughout our entire life (i.e. programmed).  It’s a phenomenon by unconscious redirection of feelings and desires and especially of those retained from childhood toward a new situation or object. It also is defined “the inappropriate repetition in the present of a relationship that was important in a person’s childhood.” Example might be—You don’t like your neighbor because she reminds you of your mother. LuckyEddie says—Some folks can recognize them and deal with them and others can’t (i.e. can become demons). AverageJoe says--If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.

Arlene and I went for a little road trip and went by The Little Brown Church in the Vale sooooo we stopped.  It has some childhood memories to me.  You see, I was a member of the Roseland Rosebuds 4-H club.  I think we met every month.  We started our meetings singing some songs.  One song that we sang a lot was The Little Brown Church in the Vale.  Crazy.  Something else that I remember is, I did a demonstration at one of those meetings; I demonstrated how to put a male end on an electrical cord. Crazy.  I do think our experiences as a youth affect use for the rest of our lives.  What do you think? Oh ya, my big sister (i.e. only in age) a.k.a MyrtTheGiftGiver took her demonstration to the MN State Fair; it was how to make chicken chow mein.  We ate a lot of chicken chow mein that summer!!!! Chicken chow mein has affected my for the rest of my life!!!! 

Professor Bruce

What is your problem erv?  My problem is I think I smell like a big chicken barn! Good thing I was in the barn on Friday as the next day was “bathday” Saturday!   Our friend Bruce showed Ron and I his son-in-law’s chicken operation. I'm share this with his permission. 2 buildings 49,000 in each building as chicks, 42 days to 5.5 pounds, each chick cost 50 cents, 5% death loss, chicks come in all less than 24 hours old to a building that is 90 degrees, 12 workers work all night; load all by hand on 8 trucks, chicks will not go out of a 15-foot radius in their life, are none antibiotic, cost about $6.29 a pound on the counter.

Have you ever said—This is not good; they got me!  I buy nuts at Walgreens when they are on sale.  Soooo the other day I bought some and was paying for them.  I had a coupon for 5X reward points—the clerk said it was expired soooo I gave him another for 10% off—he said that doesn’t apply to sale items.  I just laughed and said—you got me.  The clerk laughed toooo.  I don’t have an Amazon Prime account soooo of course I didn’t buy anything on Prime Day.  I read that is a huge selling technique for Amazon and hard on other retailers.  Is it a gimmick or is it a really good thing?  When things are on sale a lot of folks buy stuff they don’t need or want; then they throw in free shipping, how can a person go wrong!  SusieQ says—erv, don’t kid yourself, Amazon knows what they are doing; they got a lot of my money; money that I don’t have! SusieQ, now that is a problem.  

Dearest Dad, I am coming home to get married soon, so get your check book out.  I'm in love with a boy who is far away from me. As you know, I am in Australia ... and he lives in Scotland. We met on a dating website, became friends on Facebook , had long chats on Whatsapp.  He proposed to me on Skype, and now we've had two months of a relationship through Viber. My beloved and favorite Dad, I need your blessing, good wishes, and a really big wedding. Lots of love and thanks. Your favorite daughter, Lilly THE RESPONSE My Dear Lilly, Like Wow! Really? Cool!

I played pickleball for the first time since I tore my hamstring. It has been 9 weeks.  I’m about 90%.  I find it interesting that my abdominal muscles and a muscle in my lower back area feel sorry for my hamstring and have shown kindness to my injured hamstring (i.e. were sympathetic). They actually hurt some.  That is crazy!  A pickle ball buddy told me that when he tore his hamstring, he had the same experience.  ANYWAY, Saturday question—Are you a kind person?  When I was eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it, I read what RickyRick said--Kindness always begins with the eyes — the way you observe the world and are sensitive to the needs of other people. You’ve got to become more observant of the needs around you. Hurry is the death of kindness. If you’re going to learn to be a kinder person, you’ve got to slow down! When you’re always distracted with other things, you don’t have time to be kind.

TomTerrific says—The number of smokers seems to be way down; it seems folks realize that it’s not good for them and expensive.  ItchieBitchie says—It appears society shamed some folks into quitting smoking.  Do you think the numbers will change on obesity? Obesity is a problem folks; don’t kid yourself.  It is not good for any of us.  Face the issue.  Obesity is a huge massive disadvantage for everyone (i.e. health reasons, social reasons, business reasons, activity reasons, and the rest of the reasons).  The warning signs are all over the place but Americans don't seem to react to them very well.  Why is that do you think?  My Yamaha XT 250 has a 2.17-gallon gas tank.  The low fuel warning light come on when there is .48 gallons left.  Now that warning is well in advance.  Especially since my respite bike gets about 70 miles to a gallon.  That sorta kinda makes me laugh.  Hey folks, I live a simple life.  Yabut if I don’t head the warning, what good is the warning light? Such is life.

CousinWarrenfromOmaha sent me this story—erv, I have a real life story for you; I was in a park the other day and noticed a small girl twirling one of those popular new "fidget gyro spinners".  After watching her for a bit, I was intrigued with the gadget, and asked her "Where can I buy one of those gadgets  ??"   She replied " I think they sell them in China".  

Last Saturday morning, I went and had an early breakfast while reading the paper (i.e. I really enjoy doing this).  Then I rode on the Cedar Bike Trails.  Saturday mornings, the folks are differed than the week-day mornings (i.e. for a lot of reasons).  I followed a family for about 10 miles.  The parents were in their 30s and their two kids were maybe 12 and 10.  They rode 12-14 mph.  They stopped at a fork in the trail.  I stopped beside them and told them how great it was to see them riding together and teaching your children the value of being outside and exercise.  They thanked me.  I told the kids that they were really fortunate to have such parents; the kids didn’t look soooooo excited!!!! They looked at me like saying—What’s your problem?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Instead of pointing a finger, why not hold out your hand.

"Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." - George Bernard Shaw

symmetry

Our daughter asked me what I was going to do this weekend.  I told her some things and mentioned I was going to do a talk.  She said—I thought you said you weren’t going to do anymore talks.  Ya, I said that but I lied!!!!  Sooooo folks what I say in this “It’s Saturday” might be a lie tooooo!  And it could be.  You be the judge.  Ya got to remember that I’m a septuagenarian!  And make no mistake about it folks, septuagenarians do crazy things!  And just remember folks, you are not riding in first class! My Little Peanut went on to say—Well Dad, you either can’t say no or you are a sucker or you really enjoy it!  Such is life.

A lot of kicking and screaming! When folks’ free-bees a.k.a. subsidies are taken away or the threat of them being taken away, there seems to be a symmetry of how recipients act.  Iowa is rural and there are a lot of farmers.  I read in the paper that the government is thinking of reducing or taking away the subsidy on the multiperil crop insurance (i.e. currently the government pays 62% of the premium). They are talking about reducing it by $2.9 billion.  Of course, the splash back of that amongst the farmers and the IA Farm Bureau is a lot of whaling.  But Grassley (i.e. who lives maybe 14 miles from us) said in the paper—Don’t worry folks, it will never happen; they have been talking about that for years.  GeorgeTheCrook says—But to be on the safe side farmers, you need to complain, protest, decry and really make it sound bad (i.e. but make sure you drive your old pickup and not the new one while doing it).  hahaha

The farmers I know won’t destroy property or go and kill folks if they don’t get their way.  Sooooo it appears that we can pretty much figure out who the folks are going to be dangerous and what part of society that they come from.  I’m just a little old farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN and I think I can figure it out.  AverageJoe says—That is not the problem; the problem is what are we going to do with them.  It’s America and not North Korea (i.e. no symmetry).

It appears that this year could be a financial difficult year for some IA grain farmers. The corn price is low and there is a lot of corn left in the bins from last year.  Every farmer’s situation appears to be different.  Some have saved money when corn prices were really good, some have large debt, some own their ground, some rent from the mother-in-law, some manage their money differently, some have different life styles etc.  The only person who really knows is their banker!!!! LuckyEddie says—The average person on the street has no idea!  Such is life.

JoeBlow asks—Does complaining and protesting really work?  ItchieBitchie says—You got to complain and protest to get your fair share of all the goodies! I read in the paper sooooo it must be right that bureaucracies do not produce anything but bureaucracies are just “cash cows” for the bureaucrats (i.e. they create a lot of bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo).  IickieVickie says—And the beat goes on!  Bureaucracy frustrates a lot of folks unless you are involved in the bureaucracy; then you love it.  It’s a gravy train; a money tree for life (i.e. much like subsidies and entitlements).  I’m starting to think that bureaucracy is getting into business (e.g. medical field).  It’s an easy way to make big bucks (i.e. milk the system). They know that the government (i.e. Medicare and Medicaid) and/or private insurance will pay for it (i.e. free money).  Soooo they create stuff to make more money and no one really cares.  I wonder if we had a $100 co-pay on every office visit and $500 co-pay on every test if folks would be more concerned.  I just wonder.  What do you think?

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it—John (i.e. anybody can be a John) said--“You are known by the company you keep.” I discovered that it comes from a moral in one of Aesop’s Fables called “The Donkey and His Purchaser.” It tells about a man who wished to purchase a donkey but decided to give the animal a test before purchasing it. So he took the donkey home and put him in the field with his other donkeys. The new donkey strayed from the others to join the one that was the laziest and biggest eater of them all. Seeing this, the man led him back to his owner. When the owner asked how he could have tested the donkey in such a short time, the man answered, “I didn’t even have to see how he worked. I knew he would be just like the one he chose to be his friend.” Proverbs 13:20 concurs: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.” Is this symmetry folks?

We had a little symmetry; maybe not a lot but a little.  I stopped in a little town as I heard they had off-road trails.  There was an ATV sitting in front of the local bar where three folks were sitting on the patio having a cold one.  I approached them and told them I just bought this Yamaha XT 250 and was wondering about the trials I heard about (i.e. they sorta kinda laughed at me).  They told me about their bikes and their stories.  We laughed and had a hoot.  They said—sit down and have a beer; can’t Arlene is in the car. All three of these folks were heavily tattooed. The pretty, petite gal had her whole body covered with all kinds of tattoos of all different colors.  They asked me how old I was; they sorta kinda laughed some more. ANYWAY I accepted them and they accepted me.  They didn’t know anything about the trails but said I should go and see the guy out in the country; he has a personal motor cross track and he lets folks use it (i.e. I think they thought this crazy old coot just might try it).  He is a pretty laid back, a neat guy. We had such a good time.

Soooo another night Arlene and I stopped by this guy’s place.  Yes, it was like those folks said—everything (i.e. $10 to ride any time).  This guy was probably about 40 and has had this mc track for 17 years; a few years he closed it down.  I asked why—folks didn’t appreciate it; it’s not a money maker by any means; on Sundays, 25 to 50 folks, along with friends and family, will come and race and just have a good time (i.e. bikers ages range from 5 to 72). Soooo why do you do this?  I do it because I had a bike since I was 5 years old and this is a very good, safe place for young people to come and not get into trouble; that is why I do it.  You must have a good heart.  I try to—I have had my demons in the past and have overcome them.  This is one interesting guy and he’s very intriguing to me. We had just a great time talking.

IickieVickie asks—erv, do you think there is symmetry between folks’ intelligence and those that watch reality television shows? I have no idea.  What do you folks think?  I read this in the paper (i.e. sooooo it must be right)—Einstein’s different views made him a scientific innovator (i.e. “new” will always court criticism). The realty is “Genius” may serve as a good reminder we always live in interesting and disruptive social, religious and political times. Einstein is difficult and challenging…The TV series hints Einstein’s true genius may have been his ability to fully be himself.  Saturday question—Are you a genius? AverageJoe asks—What is the definition of a genius? I had a friend who was a genus.  Yes GenusBen was a genus.  No question.

DoubleBarelDallas says--If you start comparing, it’s always going to lead to one of two sins: pride or envy. When you compare yourself to others, you’re either going to think “I’m doing better than them,” and you get full of pride, or “They’re doing better than me,” and you get full of envy. Pride and envy are both sins. CrazyJane says—But erv, I’m better than some and not as good as others; I know that!  Ya right CrazyJane! Figure it out CrazyJane, figure it out!  Bingo!

This is as real as it gets folks.  I was envious this week (i.e. I don’t think I usually am but...).  Actually, I was quite envious (i.e. if I said I wasn’t, I would be lying).  I’m not proud of it.  You might think I acted like a 4-year-old.  I might of but I’m 71; how can that be!  I’m not prideful of my envy; no, I’m not.  Actually, I felt bad; really bad. I got over it in a short time (i.e. about 15 minutes) but it was ugly when I had it. I didn’t like the feeling; no I didn’t.  No way!  Maybe some of you have been envious at some time.  Maybe and maybe not!!  CadillacJack says—If you are very prideful, you probably have never been envious!  SusieQ says—erv, why would some folks ever feel envious; they have everything and everything goes their way (i.e. it appears that way anyway).  I don’t know that answer!  I do know that after I thought about my enviousness, I was happy for the folks who I was envious of.  They are good folks with good hearts.  Once I got my head adjusted, I was really happy for them (i.e. good for them).

MissPerfect says-- Good looks are an asset in a man’s march to success, but not so with a woman. What!  Men suspect they have no brains, and other women are jealous.  There is that envy again.  Personally, I like to be around pretty and smart gals.  Maybe I’m not a typical man.  Crazy.  Maybe some men get intimidated by pretty and smart gals.  Could be.  And it could be it’s more of a woman/woman problem than a man/woman problem.  Do you think women are more envious than guys? 

A friend told me that he is angry.  He said--My soybean stand isn’t as good as I want it.  The seed company said the seed was ok, the chemical company said it was not their fault, the county extension service says I just planted on the wrong day (i.e. bad luck). He said--Everyone passes the buck to me.  It can’t be me or bad luck.  His wife says—It will be ok.  I said—You have a good wife. He said—She is the best thing that ever happened to me.  His anger has some similarity to his father’s anger.  Is that environment, or genic or just bad luck?

Is there a symmetry between being highly strung and heart problems (i.e. I mean folks who are really wound up tight all the time)?  A friend told me about a mutual friend who had some heart issues.  She said to me—I’m surprised he has lived this long as tight as he is always wound and the pace he is going (i.e. a regular Speedy Gonzales).  I had breakfast after doing a very fun bike ride on the Cedar Valley bike trails the other morning.  As I was leaving, a gal was leaving toooo.  She was eating something on the way out (i.e. eating on the run).  I said—You better slow down lady.  She said—It will never happen.   Da!

 I did business with a fairly large company.  I redid our retaining wall (i.e. no whaling at this wall but it could happen); I restacked the limestone slabs that have been there for 40+ years.  They really needed it.  ANYWAY, I called the company were I originally got the slabs from way back when.  I told them I needed about 30 feet of limestone slabs—they would help me—tell us when you want to pick them up and we will have a man at the quarry.  Soooo I called a day in advance and they would arrange it.  They called back soooo a friend and I took his pickup (i.e. that’s why he’s my friend—he has a pickup hahaha).  Jeff at the quarry helped us (i.e. we had a lot of fun).  Got 1,220 pounds (i.e. I guessed 600 pounds and Jim guessed 800 I think). I worked with three company folks and they treated me like I was their best customer; I was really only a very small fish to them.  The limestone slabs that I use are called shot slabs (i.e. when they blast, these are the parts that fly out with the dirt etc.—have no value to them—they are just pushed on a pile).  Soooo I get the bill of $4.27!   What!  I am guessing that there is some symmetry with how great these folks are.  What do you think? Obviously, there was more to this for them than the money.  They could have charged me any amount they wanted (i.e. gouged me but decided not toooooo—probably didn’t even cross their mind I bet).  I think this speaks big of this company and these folks.  That’s my opinion.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Keep your temper, nobody wants it.

P.S. "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." - Albert Einstein

if I'm not mistaken

If I’m not mistaken, this “It’s Saturday” is not “robocall spoofing!“ But it could be!  ItchieBitchie says—Sometimes we always don’t hear what is said correctly.  I went to the golf course to have coffee with some buddies 4^th of July morning. The next morning, I was uptown and an old guy told me that he heard that the “old, good gofer” is going to be dead in a year, you know the one out at the course; I think his name is CoonDog.  Sooooo who told you that anyway?  An old guy out at the course who has coffee with all those old farts every day.  I can’t remember his name but he is the one who mumbles a lot; he’s hard to understand. Well old timer, you heard it wrong—The guy who mumbles said-- he’s deaf in one ear!

Another deaf story—Sooooo I then went for a bike ride (i.e. my normal ride to Kesley Corner and back; 11.1 miles).  As I was coming back in town, I stopped and talked to MyFriendJohn (i.e. anybody can be a John).  Well, I tried to talk to him.  Both of his hearing aids were in the shop being tuned up.  I had to use sign language and get right in his face (i.e. I hope I didn’t have bad breath).  I told him he looked pretty spiffy in his summer outfit out mowing the lawn.  He’s 86.  He said—You got to stay active both physically and mentally; got to turn that TV off!  

JoeBlow says--I have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than attempting to satisfy them. AverageJoe asks--Have you ever met anyone who buys stuff they hate? How about folks who willingly go out of their ways to blow money just because they see someone else doing it? MissPerfect says--I haven't, yet we're always talking about these "Joneses" out there... Such is life.

CadillacJack says—If I’m not mistaken, a desire is a contract with ourselves to be unhappy until we get what we want. If we can limit our desires we can limit our unhappiness. Yabut CadillacJack, you sure like your Cadillac.  ha ha

BeretoWarren says—If I’m not mistaken--Money and possessions are the second most referenced topic in the Bible – money is mentioned more than 800 times – and the message is clear: Nowhere in Scripture is debt viewed in a positive way. Ouchy ouchy! 

Our neighbor boy (i.e. as I call him but he’s 24) drove up to his parents’ house this week.  He was working out East at a college.  He and his dad were unloading his car.  I said to him—Home for the summer—no no, maybe a month; going to Portland—what are you going to do in Portland—I have no idea; I have saved some money and want to go there.  His dad said—When you are 24, single, and all your life possessions go into a car, life is pretty simple!  I told them—As I get older, it seems like my possessions seem to decrease. I can’t get them all in a car but…!  Such is life. 

Our neighbor told me that he and their three girls (i.e. 4 if you count his wife) were going on vacation.  He told me that his responsibility is to say yes and open his wallet!  If I’m not mistaken, he knows how to make his girls happy!  Such is life.

TomTerrific says—If I’m not mistaken, it’s not just what you eat that destroys your health — it’s what eats us! You can have the best health plan around — eat fresh, healthy, organic, and in proper portions — but if you’re resentful against someone in your life or worry about tomorrow, your health will suffer. CrazyMarvin says—If I am not mistaken, the fact of the matter is, the Lord cannot help people who, in their own eyes, are righteous. Ouchy ouchy! Saturday question—Do you have a contrite heart?

my friend Caleb

WorldClassLarry says--If I’m not mistaken, giving generously is good for your health. Every time you’re generous, every time you give to others, whether you’re giving through finances, service, or your time, it improves your health. MissPerfect says--There are more promises in the Bible about giving than anything else, because God wants you to be like him. And God is a giver. I read this in the paper (i.e. sooooo it must be right)—There is no genuine success unless you are genuinely moral, kind, generous and fair. Saturday question--Do you believe that?

A golf buddy has all of Louie L’Amour’s 114 books (i.e. he really must like them).  I have read several and asked him two of his favorites.  I am reading one of them—Last of the Breed. Here is something of the book that relates to what I just wrote—He was what a Sioux had been bred to be, a warrior.  Of the four virtues expected of a warrior, he had two, bravery and fortitude.  Did he have generosity? And wisdom?

If I’m not mistaken, I think our kids think I’m a “cheap ass” at times.  I was raised by Chester and Anna to be frugal and tooooo be a saver (i.e. we didn’t have a lot of spendable income).  My mentor told me—erv, you are probably not going to change.  The real old timers who went through the depression, are “cheap asses” toooo; they didn’t have anything.  Another Roselandite/friend told me this—The Great Depression motto was—Use it up—wear it out, make it do or do without!!!!

Our children and their families have a lot more spendable income than we had at their age (i.e. and they spend a lot—their environment growing up was different than ours).  I would like to defend my position some—Yes, I like value for my dollar but we like nice things and spend money to enjoy life also.  Arlene and I like to give (i.e. we hope we are generous enough).  But even in our giving, we like value for our dollar.  Does that make any sense to you guys? My parents, Chester and Anna taught me to not borrow money on anything that depreciates (e.g. a car).  MillennialJoyce says—That is old school.  Such is life.

I was eating my oatmeal with peaches on it (i.e. that’s right folks, peaches—they were cheap at Hy-Vee, 99 cents a pound soooo the cheap ass bought some and they were really good)--GeorgeTheCrook says--The more complicated your life is, the more knobs you have to fiddle with, the more opportunities you have to make regrettable, emotion-based decisions.  Ouchy ouchy!  I remember my Mom, Anna, would buy crates of peaches and let them sit to ripen before canning.  I would get in them pretty good until she finally said I couldn't eat anymore.  Good Memories.

If I’m not mistaken, everyone faces challenges, some we see, some we don't. I walked into a business who I’m an acquaintance of the owner. She did not look herself (i.e. looked like she was rode hard and put away wet).  I asked her if she was alright.  She started to tell me that she is overwhelmed and started to cry.  Just then a customer came in and she immediately put on her business face.  I called a friend who recently became a widow to see how she was doing.  She told me she has everything under control.  There are a lot of nickel and dime things but nothing I found out that I can’t handle; nothing that was toooo large for me yet.  I ran into an acquaintance recently who is probably early 70s.  I asked him how everything was going—our son recently had a seizure and we found out he has an opioid/alcohol problem.  

I went out for breakfast the other day.  I then went to Peiffer Park where I like to start my bike ride on the Cedar Valley Bike Trails.  It was 7:15 and there were maybe 15 gals between the ages of maybe 14-17 who were congregating under the shelter.  They probably were cross-country runners from a metro school or maybe everyone was invited from all the schools in the metro.  ANYWAY, if I’m not mistaken, all of those gals were less than 115 pounds. They looked soooo cute in their different running gear.   Soooooo the question is—Are they thin because they run or run because they are thin?  While I was unloading my bike, I noticed that a couple of gals were dropped off by their moms. Their moms looked like they weighted about 160 pounds.  What happened!!!!  A high school kid down the street was telling me that he is going to run cross-country this fall.  I was surprised as he is going to be a junior and played a lot of varsity football as a sophomore.  I asked him about his height and weight—he’s 6’2” and weighs 220 pounds.  I said—You don’t see tooooo many runners your size—Yabut I like running—then you better run; running is something you can do and enjoy all our life and it’s a lot better for your brain (i.e. he is a smart kid).   

I was around a couple of friends recently.  I always learn soooo much from them (i.e. really important stuff hahaha).  I learned that we try to figure other folks out; we are usually wrong!  One was telling us that they bought a new vehicle.  His wife would not buy a certain one; they bought it!  Crazy! She had three reasons that were all flawed for not buying it (i.e. according to my friend).  He told us one reason was—‘cause someone else had this certain vehicle and she didn’t like them.  The other two he wouldn’t tell us as he said his wife would kill him!  What a hoot! If I’m not mistaken, he’s still alive!!!

Jack Roberts, who is a Supreme Court Chief Justice, just gave the speech at his son’s 9 h grade graduation from a prestigious school.  This is what he said (i.e. he is one smart guy for sure) --“From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly,” Roberts said, “so that you will come to learn the value of justice.” Betrayal “will teach you the importance of loyalty.” Loneliness will instruct people not to “take friends for granted.” Pain will cause someone “to learn compassion.” “I wish you bad luck — again, from time to time — so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life,” Roberts said. “And understand that your success is not completely deserved, and that the failure of others is not completely deserved, either.” A commencement speech is supposed to offer “grand advice,” Roberts said, so his first was to recognize the exalted perch from which they started — a school with a 4-to-1 student-teacher ratio, where students dine in jackets and ties, and tuition and board cost about $55,000. Through his son, Roberts had come to know many of the students, he said, and “I know you are good guys.” “But you are also privileged young men, and if you weren’t privileged when you came here, you’re privileged now because you have been here,” Roberts said. “My advice is: Don’t act like it.” He urged them, at their next school, to introduce themselves to the people “raking the leaves, shoveling the snow or emptying the trash.” Learn their names, smile and call them by name. “The worst thing that will happen is you will become known as the young man who smiles and says hello,” he said. Another thing: “You’ve been at a school with just boys. Most of you will be going to a school with girls,” Roberts said. Long pause. “I have no advice for you.”

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Success depends upon your backbone, not your wish bone.

P.S. OneSmartPerson once said--With so many circumstances of life outside our control, doesn’t it make sense we’d work hard to control the ones we can? That onesmartperson could be mistaken but I think he’s right on the money! Bingo!

bent out of shape

You might think this “It’s Saturday’ is campy.  And you might be right!  But I’m forcing it on you by brute strength! Don’t kid yourself, brute strength seems to work in many situations.  MuscleManClearence says—You do it my way or…! MissPerfect says—I use more the “controlling method.”  And that is, do it my way or…! Well scream your hearts out folks, both methods seem to work.  I have been a victim of both methods.  Ouchy ouchy!

My letter opener was found under my recliner.  That sucker really took a beatin’ (i.e. got bent out of shape).  Saturday question—Do you ever get bent out of shape?  Years ago, I remember that guys would get another guy going (i.e. in frenzy) by telling him crazy stuff that was untrue.  The guy bought into it and got all bent out of shape. It wasn’t very nice (i.e. my opinion) but those guys did it on purpose and for their fun.  The guy never did figure it out. 

When dealing with folks on insurance issues when Parkersburg was hit by the tornado (i.e. that is where our office was), there were many emotions by insureds.  Some folks really got bent out of shape.  When you are dealing with money and money and money, some folks react way different than they normally do. Some were just in a daze, some became crazy and others were pretty much their normal self.  Some folks really surprised me how they reacted.  I tried to assure them that it will work out but we need to work through the process.  Some said some not soooo nice of words (i.e. got way bent out of shape).  But when it was all said and done, they were treated very good.  I often wondered how they felt about how they acted.  But you have tooooo remember, when most folks don’t get what they want right now, they have a tendency to get bent out of shape.  

Ratcheting up his excitement.  A friend says—Problems are just opportunities!  Sometimes I think he’s crazy!  Listen folks, I have some problems that if you make me an offer, they are yours!!!! Just make me an offer! The price will be right! I’m willing to negotiate! You can have the opportunity. ha ha

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—19 year olds are just as sedentary as 60 year olds.  What!  Toooo much screen time it said.  PickleballBlaine says--Retirement is in many ways a chance to turn back the clock. To reclaim big aspects of that childhood that may have felt long behind us. Our life is a paradox of “growing up soooo we don’t grow up!” ItchieBitchie says—If you are sedentary all your life, when you get 65, well, you might have no choice but to sit on the couch and eat chips and watch TV (i.e. they can’t bend and are out of shape).  I thought about this when I ran/jogged my 3 miles this morning.  It’s not a problem folks, it’s an opportunity!  A friend told me he has this saying in his weight room--Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I will do what others can't. Such is life. 

 TomTerrific says--I have learned to not get sooo bent out of shape when problems arise.  We all have problems.  I agree TomTerrific. I can solve problems.  I have solved many problems with the help of friends, professionals, family and God’s divine guidance (i.e. that is my opinion for you non-believers).  I have toooo admit, I have no idea how you non-believers get through your tough situations (i.e. again, that’s my thinking).  I know some of you think this “God thing” is just a crutch for me (i.e. not strong enough to get through my life on my own); you are exactly correct; make no mistake about it; you have me pegged perfect.  God is God and I’m just erv!  Such is life.

Actually in my professional life, all I did was solve problems for folks.  Think about that.  Problems of others make many folks a living.  Almost all commerce is solving a  problem for someone else.  Some do it better than others and some use different methods.  That is why some make more money than others and some go out of business.  Entrepreneurs find a niche where there is a problem and solve it for folks.  They give folks what they want and they do it now.  LuckyEddie says—Don’t kid yourself, it’s all about the money!  Such is life.

Our deceased neighbor/friend (i.e. who had a story for everything) would say—If it has … or wheels, you are going to have problems.  Now don’t get all bent out of shape thinking I’m being against women; I’m not, I like women.  Just laugh; Karl always thought it was funny; he laughed every time he said it. It’s a joke folks! hahaha I have to admit, if you have a lot of toys that have wheels, you probably will have more problems.  We can eliminate a lot of problems by having a very simple life.  That is why many folks don’t want to learn anything new; it causes more problems (e.g. technology).

My Daddy, Chester, said—erv, everyone has problems, it’s just that people handle them differently. WorldClassLarry says—There is no way to get around problems and stress.  BUT we do have a choice how we handle problems and stress. I’m learning to think through a situation, study it and ask for opinions of others. It seems to me that problems are easier to solve when I do that (i.e. not near as hard to solve than I first thought).  When I over react, it seems to make the problem much harder to solve than it actually is.  Or maybe I’m lazy!!!!  ItchieBitchie says--But the truth is, problems will follow you the rest of your life. If you’re waiting for your life to be stress free, you’ll be waiting a long time!

We are all problem solvers if we like it or not.  Every day and no matter who we are.  We can work at becoming good problem solvers or just complain and pout about our problems.  Now that is a choice.

Yes, I got bent out of shape!  I had an appointment with a business.  I arrived at my appointment time and three of the employees were watching a video and didn’t acknowledge me   They were watching it for maybe 5 minutes.  I got up and left. I became impatient (i.e. I really didn’t need their service and it looked like they didn’t need me as their client). They tried to made me feel like an unimportant, old coot; they tried to make me feel like "pink slime"! I didn’t like the culture of this atmosphere.  There has to be some poor leadership here folks.  And if I felt this way, others have tooooo feel this way tooooo (i.e. I don’t have any special talent in figuring this out).  Maybe their business is sooooo fat that they don’t need my business.  Now that could be.  Or there is some very poor training being done or no training or the manager needs a refresher course on handling clients.  Or they really don’t care; it’s not their business and they get paid the same if they are nice or not.  Or maybe I’m just toooo impatient (i.e. now that could be)!  Such is life.

Maybe I sometimes get things out of whack.  I mean, I wonder if I over react to toooo somethings that aren’t important.  Maybe I get all bent out of shape because certain things really irate me.  Now that could be.  Somethings just touch a nerve of mine and I don’t like it (e.g. when evil prevails—when folks are taken advantage of—when folks aren’t treated right).  I need to pick my battles.  Some battles are not worth fighting.  No, they’re not.  It’s better for me to just leave that environment. I don’t need that stress in my life. 

A golf buddy/friend told us on the first tee Wednesday that a grandson was with him this week (i.e. age 9).  He said—Grandpa, if folks would look down at your shoes they would think you’re young!  Sooo what would they think if they looked up. You’re old!

This week I have learned that I’m not as important as I think I am.  I have learned this many times and have relearned it again.  It is soooo humbling to get my head shrunk back to size.  But it is ok (i.e. I am not bent out of shape).  It really is.  A great opportunity!!!!  Bingo.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Man's oldest fallout problem is baldness.

P.S. Memories and loneliness look backward. Fear looks around. But Faith always looks forward.

I hope you listen to my podcast with Rick about youth sports (i.e. kids to college).  He has some great advice that might help you; especially good advice to parents (i.e. my opinion).