drama

Well, the Lord is willing, and the creek didn’t rise, soooooooo I’m here again with another “It’s Saturday.” ha ha

There are some smart folks who are trying to take the clunk out of some folks’ lives.  I was putting on my shoes at pickleball and I introduced myself to the guy next to me.  He asked me about my life and I did the same.  He was a retired instructor of psychology.  I said—You must know a lot about the human mind—not really; it seems that no one really does—soooo what is the newest trend in psychology—flourishing—what is that—in the past we have spend most of our efforts on folks who were 10s, meaning the worst. We have been trying to get them to a 7 where they can be functional in life; now we are spending more time on the 7s to get them to a 5 or 4 sooooo they can find happiness in their lives—sooooo what is the best antidote—education.  It was his turn to play soooo I didn’t get to ask him about the type of education.  What do you think he meant by education?

When my sisters and brother-in-laws were here we were talking

about reading.  Our home had very little reading while we were growing up and our brother-in-laws read a lot as kids. A sister and brother-in-law are both retired elementary teachers. I was telling them that a friend just told me that she comprehends much better when she reads out loud.  They confirmed that is true.  They gave me this idea that you might what to give to your grand kids.  I call them “Listen To Me.”  Kids can whisper and still hear themselves read.  Sooooo I made some for our grandkids.  I don’t know if they will use them or appreciate them.  But, one of my brother-in-laws has taught me—If you have a good time doing it erv, it doesn’t really matter!  Such is life.

ConservativeHaley says--The average Thanksgiving dinner for 10 was $49.12.  It would have been lower except for our friend SuperCookDeb who skewed that figure. Her dinner cost more (i.e. way more); God only know how much more!  But I bet it was really good.  Way to go SperCookDeb, you are a good cook and you are also good for our economy!  ha ha I bet you had a good time Deb; good for you! Besides, it’s only money!

A friend was telling us that he doesn’t have much interest in sports; he said he use to.  But he still watches his Pittsburgh Steelers.  He said he tapes the games and watches them if they win; if they lose he doesn’t watch it.  He can watch a game in 20 minutes as he only watches the good parts.  I told him that he is a real piece of art!

Clunk, it’s done! TerminatorAlice says—You can only live 3 minutes without oxygen—then clunk you are dead.  You can only life 3 days without water—then cluck you are dead. You can only live 3 weeks without food—then clunk you are dead.  Soooooo folks, we don’t have to eat all the time.  But if we do, we’ll clunk clunk along!  ha ha

Many of you folks are really smart folks (i.e. at least some of you think you are ha ha).  What is the most important thing you know?  Is it to make money? To farm? To do a business deal? To parent? To be part of the social elite? To be good in some athletic event? I have thought about what the most important thing I know.  That is a good question for me.  I really don’t know (i.e. I’m not that smart).  While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, I read what Ricky said—"You might know string theory. You might know chaos theory. You might know quantum physics. But if you don’t know God, you’ve missed the purpose of your life.” CLUNK!

TrumpetJan says--It’s time to think about Christmas presents.  TurboCarylon says--Your presence is the best present. The second-best present is making someone laugh. I was talking to a friend who has some serious health concerns.  I told him he makes me laugh.  His response was—I think my purpose in life is maybe to make just one person laugh—I don’t know if I’m that one person, but you make me laugh.  Saturday question—What is the purpose in your life do you think?  Really? One smart person told me this—Ego says--When everything falls into place, I will find peace.  Spirt says—When I find peace, everything else will fall into place.  SusieQ says—I seem to just clunk along, confused as ever!  Such is life.

A friend has as her slogan—B HAP P! That will sorta kinda take the clunk out of a person’s life.  ItchieBitchie says--The old question is “why me” when something does not go our way.  But today I said—Why me when everything went my way.  I have no idea why I changed my thought process!  I have no idea why you changed ItchieBitchie but…Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal ran an article entitled “One Habit to Make You Happier Today.” The writer said, “Repeating a positive phrase, or mantra, to yourself creates new pathways between neurons in your brain, conditioning you to feel calmer and healthier. Research shows that thinking of a word or phrase that affirms our values—and repeating it over and over—produces powerful physiological changes…. Mantras can create and strengthen new neural pathways that are positive and not toxic. And that can make our brain much calmer and happier.” ItchieBitchie, that might change yourself from a clunker to gladiator!

LiberalFrank says--Your brain generates 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts every day. Amazing! But the bad news is all those brain generated thoughts are mostly the same ones we generated yesterday (i.e. boring boring clunk clunk). And the day before, as far back as you can remember. We don’t think new thoughts very often.  We don’t like change soooo we don’t want to think new thoughts (i.e. clunk clunk).  I think that is funny.  Some folks like the same ol’ same ol’. Now that is a life of having a life in neutral, never moving forward (i.e. clunk clunk). What do you think of that? That is what I thought! 

I hope your Thanksgiving celebration was not clunkie because you brought up politics, religion or money!  A friend told us that they have a daughter-in-law that is very opposite to the other family’s political position. He was told by his son to not bring politics up!  Another friend then said—one of their adult children is very liberal and the other is very conservative.  We know a couple of couples who are our friends, where one is very liberal and the other very conservative.  I hope all of us kept our mouth shut!  CadillacJack says--BUT it is very hard when you think they are wrong! I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—Heated political arguments have erupted in class. Teenagers report being shunned if their opinions don’t match their peers. And some say they’ve lost friendships over politics.  Holy smokes, I bet that can be happen to adults tooooo.  What do you think? That is what I thought. 

We spend a couple of days with our children, their spouses and our grand kids.  We really had a good time.  Everyone was sooooo sweet and kind to Arlene; unbelievable! A great experience for them and us. I am just amazed how sweet and kind our grand kids are to her.  Amazing.  Either they were born with good hearts or were taught it.  Which one is it do you think?

One of our little granddaughters and I agree on this.  She called me the other day and was soooooo excited as she was going to get her ears pierced.  I asked her why she is doing this—well, grandpa, I have saved my money and I don’t need anymore toys as I have soooooo many soooo I decided to get my ears pierced and buy a couple pair of ear rings. I don’t know if she and I  will agree on politics as her parents seem to be more liberal than I am, but she might agree with me on saving money—We have a recurring mantra in our house - we can buy anything we want - as long as we've saved for it first. My uncle George said to me many times as a kid—erv, it isn’t what you make, it’s what you save.  BigSpenderCasey says—I spend my money on booze, broads and boats and waste the rest! Ouchy ouchy!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Life is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset. 

drama

This “It’s Saturday” could be a “jump cut move” which could fake a person out of their pants.  Could be and maybe not.  You get to decide.  JoeBlow says—What is a “jump cut move?”

I recently had a conversation with a person that was very interesting.  He asked me questions and then I would “flipthepancake” and ask him questions.  It was like both of us wanted the other person to tell their story and didn’t want to talk about ourselves.  ItchieBitchie says—Usually when a person talks like 90% about themselves, you sorta kinda know what kind of person they are.  Sooooo our conversation was sorta kinda like a pin ball game with drama.  Quite interesting.  This guy is a good guy; a real person with a good heart; my kind of person.

GeorgeTheCrook says--Fakers can create a lot of drama; I have been faked out a few times by a few slimy swamp critters.  If you know folks to some degree and realize they are fakers, they are really funny (i.e. they just make me laugh a.k.a. cheap entertainment).  SassySass says—Some fakers have been faking for soooo long, they don’t even know they are faking it; it’s just part of their persona.  Flipthepancake—Real folks are just the opposite: they make me smile (i.e. cheap entertainment). I enjoy them both but in different ways.  LuckieEddie says emphatically--Remember folks, a fruit cake in July is still a fruitcake!

 I must admit that there are times when I don’t have my whole heart in it.  When that happens, I go at a slower speed (i.e. not 100%). At certain times I’m not as interested or decide not to put my best effort forward.  There are a lot reasons for that (e.g. if I don’t care if I win or lose).  I think at times it’s good to shut my mouth and sit in the back and just be there sometimes.  I think that is ok.  What do you think?    In fact, I find it quite enjoyable to not to try to be the best or compete at 100%.  It’s refreshing.  A lot less drama for sure.  It’s fun to watch others and listen to others (i.e. even when I think they are wrong).  Abraham Lincoln said—Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. WorldClassLarry says—You don’t learn much listening to yourself talk; you already heard that opinion!

DramaQueenConnie says--Have you ever heard a wife micro managing her husband?  I mean, waaaay toooo much control.  MissPerfect says—No I haven’t but I’m seen husbands who micro manage their wives!  Of course, MissPerfect, I should have known!  ha ha!   In some cases that micro management of a spouse works ok and other times it produces drama.  And when both spouses micro manage, well, it can cause real drama.  I was getting some napkins from a local gift shop full of  trinkets (i.e. to a man they all look alike and smell alike).  When I walked in, a friend and I greeted each other.  I got the napkins and was walking out when she said—You are just like my husband, he goes in and buys what he wants and leaves.  He can’t understand how I can look at everything, touch everything and then leave and not buy anything!  Well, I think Harold and I both understand that we don’t understand women!  We both understand that!  AverageJoe says--That’s not completely true but that’s the feel.  I read recently—Seek to understand others first before trying to make others understand you.  Wooow, I think that is pretty good.  It appears that many folks want others to understand their opinions before trying to understand others’ opinions first.  CrazyMarivin says—erv, some of others’ opinions are really hard to understand; they just are really different!

My sisters and their husbands from MI visited us for couple of days.  We reminisced about life growing up on the farm a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN alright (i.e. nostalgic).  Growing up, there was a lot of drama for me being sandwiched in the middle of two sisters. ha ha!  We really did laugh a lot (i.e. with each other and at each other).  We heard a lot of opinions alright. My favorite was when we were discussing Paul.  One of my sisters said she believes the Bible but doesn’t believe Paul’s opinion about women! I don’t know if she watches Fox News or CNN!  ha ha   She said—What does he know; he was never married! I have no idea if my sister was serious or just pullin’ my chain (i.e. my sisters have manipulated me forever ha ha )! It appears that maybe most churches don’t believe everything what Paul wrote but they believe some of the stuff that they like. While eating white mystery chili and eating blueberry pie, I learned something that I didn’t know; it was about Nephilm. Do you know about them? What do you think of them? A brother-in-law said—It doesn’t matter to me about them Nephilm, you just got to believe; believe like a child. Like I said—There were a lot of opinions! It was like reading the Opinion section of the newspaper!  That’s not either good or bad; it is what it is.  BUT folks, nutten has really changed for me, I’m still sandwiched in the middle—still a lot of drama!  What a good time we had;; a hoot!

They call it the "great compromise!" When husbands and wives have drama in their relationship, they need to find a way to resolve it or it will be hard on their marriage.  Oh ya!  Our neighbors solved some drama in their relationship.  They were going to shingle their utility shed.  She wanted pewter gray shingles and he wanted mission brown shingles.  Soooo they have pewter gray on the west side and mission brown on the east side.  Bingo!  Everyone is happy. 

She’s a drama reducer alright.  Yes she is.  I went for a run late Sunday afternoon; it was just beautiful with the sun going down, 40 degrees and no wind.  ANYWAY, when I was coming home a neighbor lady was getting the paper from her mail box and we visited.  She is a super senior lady (i.e. super in age and super nice).  When I was leaving she said—Go and do something great erv!  Sooooo what do you do that is great—I go to the care facility and talk to the residents there; they like that—do you still do a Bible study with the residents—yes, but I have criteria—what is it—they must be over 90, can’t hear very well and can’t see very well.  Now folks, that is doing something great (i.e. my opinion). 

Saturday question—Do we create drama in our lives intentionally because we like it?  CadillacJack says—Probably not but after thinking about it, maybe we do.  Some folks really like drama. They are soooo use to it and that it is their default.  They really don’t want to correct it.  TomTerrific says—Really folks, much drama could be eliminated before it even starts; I think some folks like drama.  Now that could be TomTerrific; that could be.  I’m rereading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis (i.e. I would guess some of you have read it).  I think the first time I read it was about 40 years ago. Mr. Lewis says—But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be.  And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer.  If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. LuckieEddie says—Ya gotta to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em!  JuliaWise says—The question that changed my life:  What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?

RealExcitableEunice says--I’ve seen it all now! Folks look at reviews to determine if they buy a product or use a person for a service.  How much faith can we put in those reviews anyway?  Anonymous posts can be manipulated by someone bearing a grudge and glowing reports can be planted by the beholder themselves.  Soooo who do you believe.  Maybe it’s much like when you folks read those romantic novels, you just skip and hurry through the drama to get to the steamy parts; the parts you really read them for anyway.  ExcitableTeri says--Admit it folks!  You just want to read what you want to read.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Rare is the person who, like David, has a faithful friend like Jonathan. We often say to others, “If you need anything, let me know. Whatever you need.” We’re sincere, of course—we do want to be helpful to our friends. But words like anything and whatever are all inclusive. They may represent a level of commitment we aren’t ready to make.  ~  Boy, I have been guilty of saying that.  We have been on the receiving end of acts of friendship. It is interesting what folks say and do.  I know one thing for sure—true friendship is wonderful. A friend sent us a card and wrote this in it—"This is my prayer. May God give you whatever you need for each day—peace, encouragement, rest, patience, insight, wisdom, discernment to name a few.”  Now that could quiet the drama.  The sign in the pic was made and given to us by one of our brother-in-laws.  Pretty appropriate I think.  What do you think?

CoachBronner says--In the book Life Falls, it says Elbert Einstein was known widely all over the world (i.e. because of his brain and his hairdo).  Elbert said--It is a strange thing to be widely know all over the world and yet be lonely. CoachBronner said--That is many times because they don't have close friends.  He went on to say--A close friend is more valuable that a fortune; cherish close friends.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere with out moving anything but your heart.

P.S.  If you retired tomorrow, what would your new [business] card say? 

me tooooooo

I would like toooo give a shout-out toooo all of you who are my friends and acquaintances and other readers (i.e. you of all generations). You all have been part of my life and taught me stuff (i.e. things I will mimic and things I want no part of. ha ha).

A44yearoldonesmartguy told me this about the spiritual condition of much of his generation and society—"We have a lot of baggage (my generation).  Google is godlike  (technology is king), science/medicine is godlike, our basic needs and most of our wants are paid for by our jobs (which we attribute to our skills, education, etc.)  We get our satisfaction from our job performance rather than from enjoying relationship with God (or others, even).”  Is that wisdom?  WorldClassLarry says--I think sooo.  Me toooooo!  ‘

I was talking to a 41yearoldsmart guy this week and he was telling me about his kids seeing all those ads on TV that kids ask questions about (i.e. and there are a lot of them).  He told me when he watches golf, there are a lot of ads about erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer.  That tells him that many older guys watch golf and the companies are targeting a certain audience.  He said, the programs he watches, doesn’t soooo much have those type of ads.  It’s all about the money!!!!!!

JoeMillennial (i.e. who just waited in line for 2 hours to buy the new iPhone 8 for  a thousand dollars) says—If the internet has become some sort of Holy Scripture for us millennials, then Instagram and Pinterest are definitely our psalms and proverbs.  And like so many other religions, we have our favorite verses. 

Arlene and I were having dinner at a local restaurant.  Two older gentlemen (i.e. in their 80s and 90s) came and talked to us.  I said—It’s about cold enough to put on the long johns. Both said—I got them on!  I doubt if toooooo many 40ish folks have long underwear on.  Some are still wearing shorts!  GreatGrandPaMike says--It seems to me that age does change folks.  Me toooooooo!

A babyboomerfriend, says--The way the abortion laws are written most Americans believe it is “right” to kill a baby human in the womb just about any time the mother decides, and yet let someone accidentally kill a litter of kittens in the womb of a cat and it could make Cable news, maybe spark protests...Maybe what some think is right is wrong!

LuckieEddie’s son LuckieEddie Jr who is 43 says--You haven’t learned something until you’ve done it; there is a difference between knowing and learning. I can read about it or even watch it on YouTube but I really don’t know it until I do it.  AverageJoe says--In my case, many times I have to do it several times before I really know how to do it. And then I question if I really know how to do it.  MissPerfect says—The older generation says we have done it many times!  We know how to do it.  The younger generation says—We have read it in the book but we really don’t know how to do it. But we need to act like we do.  Such is life.

Reverend Billy Graham tells of a time early in his ministry where he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon.  Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was.  When the boy had told him, Dr. Graham thanked him and said, “If you’ll come to the Baptist Church this evening you can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven.”  “I don’t think I will be there,” the boy said. “You don’t even know your way to the post office.

CadillacJack says—We should not be deceived in our presumption of ourselves.  Wise people remain humble. Humility and reachability go together. Be humble or you’ll stumble. Humility says you can learn from anyone. You don’t know it all. No one does. That’s why we need to remain teachable, humble, lifelong learners. BlackandBlueFacedJanice says--I seem to stumble a lot.  Sooooo obviously I am not there yet. ~  I know several friends and acquaintances who have stumbled recently, and face planted (i.e. ouchy ouchy).  Cockiness can do that to a person.  Think they are in their 40s yet NOT! Me toooo! MyBuddyJr is one of those stumblers and said--It's the shits to get old, and can't lift your feet. One of my pickleball partners this week was a charming 60+ gal.  I made a lucky shot and she said--Nice shit; I mean nice shot!  Maybe she was thinking, nice shot shithead!  I will never know for sure. ha ha What a hoot!

43yearoldJonnyBlake says—Generational change is an unstoppable force! If you don’t believe me, ask your great grandpa or your grandma!  They will tell you the world is different than when they grew up (i.e. and many will say—And I don’t like it).  Saturday question—Soooo why is that soooooo hard for each generation to understand? BUT it seems that it is hard for each older generation to understand the younger generations (i.e. but Larry ain’t scared) That is why older folks (i.e. with a lot of money and time) go South for the winter and live in 55+ gated communities (i.e. senior Disney Worlds) where the younger generations aren’t allowed.  OldSnowbirdJudy says--Now that is a way for us to do it the way we want toooooo do it (i.e. get our way).

Maybe, just maybe, it's like the Beetles sang--They're rocking horse people eating marshmallow pies! I would guess folks from all generations have heard that lyric.  I read in the paper sooooooo it must be right—America needs to do what it preaches.  Ouchy ouchy!  I think maybe they are talking about our government, Americans as individuals, our churches, our companies, our schools etc.  What do you think?  Talk is cheap, but it takes money to buy whiskey!  Seriously folks, how can we stop the opioid problem.  There is big money in opioids!  Don’t kid yourself. ItchieBitchie says—Our culture doesn’t seem to want or allow us to do what we maybe know is right; it seems like it’s impossible.  We talk a lot but really don’t change much.  Maybe our society really doesn’t want to change; could be. Maybe the younger generations really likes those drugs.  Sooooo how are we going to change something if the folks really don’t want to change?  We seem to say the same things over and over and over (i.e. a lot of chatter) but nothing really changes.

Me tooooooo Ricky! Even if you don’t believe in God, this might be good stuff for your life.  Ricky says--To be all that God calls you to be, you need to learn from at least four different kinds of people.

1. Mentors – These are your coaches. I’ve had nine different mentors in my life. No one can teach you everything you need to know. One person will teach you in one area. Another person will teach you about something else.
2. Role models – These are people who are already doing or have already done what you want to do. Many of the skills you’ve learned in your life, you’ve learned by watching others.
3. Partners – You need co-workers and colleagues who are in your profession, people to support and challenge you on what God wants to do through your life.
4. Friends – Friends don’t necessarily help you with your goals. They’re just friends. They love you no matter what you do. You can mess up, and they still love you. A friend walks into your life when everyone else walks out. That’s when you know who your friends are. 

GeorgeTheCrook (i.e. he's the guy who wonders how he got here) says—Maybe just maybe some of us need a do-over a.k.a. re-make a.k.a. pull the old switcheroo.  ConfusedBill (i.e. age 27) says--I spend time “wandering” soooo to speak. Not soooo much time in the world but in my head. SweetJane (i.e. a baby boomerr) says—I think we spend a lot of our lives waiting for that day when we ride off into the sunset.  But we’re rarely prepared for when this sun comes up the next day. You can say to yourself all you want that, “Not all who wander are lost,” but let’s be honest, most of us who wander are definitely lost.  40ishTodd says—That is pathetic thinking; I’m the king of world (i.e. he’s the same guy who walks around the house in his whitie tightie underwear)! I wonder what my deceased friend, BenGenius (i.e. he was very progressive in his life), would think about what all the younger generations are up tooooo? I wonder!

The other Warren from Omaha sent me these sayings what the other Warren of Omaha said in the Omaha World-Herald:  You get more people to love you by being more loveable.  ~   Have a better life by finding three people you admire and doing three things they do; and find three people you don’t like an avoid three things that they do.  FYI, both of these Warrens are not 40! Probably more like 40 + 40!  Sooooo, I bet some of you who are 40ish think those old farts don’t know a thing what is going on (i.e. think all those old farts are antiquity).  If soooooo, I hope someday you’ll figure out that they “just might.”  Me tooooo.

My buddy JohnfromIL sent me this link to a video sung by Micah Tyler titled, You’ve Gotta Love Millennials.  It’s a hoot he thinks.  Me tooooo 4.2M others do toooo. I enjoyed it (i.e. it made me laugh) but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I did watching IA beat Ohio State. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLpE1Pa8vvI

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Youth is a gift of nature. Age is a work of art.

what is this

Some of you might ask, what is this? CrazyMarvin says--This “It’s Saturday” is just asinine!  IckieVickie says--erv, you are just a poached egg! Could be, now that could be.  But folks, this is the wildcat offense; maybe you haven’t seen it before! Now that could be!

What is this?  I told my buddy that I could not operate with a desk like his.  He said—I can’t either. But you are. Just barely! He made me laugh!  We have our house professionally cleaned.  Our gal does such a great job.  I was telling her after she cleaned the other day—It feels oh soooooo good to have a clean house.  Arlene was always quite particular and she even notices it when it’s clean.  I realize that for some of you it’s not a priority.  We are all different aren’t we.  But for me and our household…! MissPerfect says—Seeee, money can buy you a clean house but I’d rather spend that money parting! For each their own!

What is this?  Newspaper hype is always good for selling papers and selling tickets but it’s when the rubber hits the road that really counts.  I have been around the block a few times and heard all this before.  It usually is soooo hard to live up to the hype (i.e. stay humble)—some can do it (i.e. stay grounded but many cannot).  Soooooo Iowa basketball fans, don’t book your motel rooms for the final four (i.e. get the cart before the horse)!  Of course, you can always cancel!  Here is another clue—IA didn’t get any votes for “the top 25 ratings”; so what does that tell ya! There were 7 teams in the Big Ten Conference that did.  Soooo the poll pickers predict that IA will be in the bottom half of the conference.  Well, they shouldn’t have a big head!!!!

My personal offical prognosticator, Bugsy (i.e. who is right most of the time), said before the last Saturday game with MN—If IA doesn’t win this game today against MN, they won’t win any more games this year.  But he predicted that IA would win.  They did, soooo…..I assume he thinks we will win at least one more game.  IA State football won another big one!  They are fun to watch; ISU’s team/success is such a good story—Maybe the greatest story in  college football. 

What is this?  It’s a massive huge moon roof on a Nissan Rogue.  That is what it is.  My buddy, JoeTheHike and his wife Mary leased a new one.  I asked him why they decided on a Nissan Rogue—Mary fell in love with the massive huge moon roof.  That will do it—A happy wife is a happy life!

I was with a couple of smart farmers/friends (i.e. these guys are hot potatoes) who can fix anything and know almost everything (i.e. their wives might think that; they might just think they know everything).  Our garage opener light would work sometimes and not other times.  I asked them how come?  One suggested I pry the positive contact flipper in the socket out more. I told him I already did that.  The other farmer asked me if I’m using a rough service garage bulb.  I didn’t but just used a regular bulb. Why would that make a difference?  They said—You always start solving the problem with the easy things first and if they don’t work, you move to more complicated issues (i.e. I told you these guys are smart).  Sooooo I bought a rough service garage bulb—it worked.  What is this? I should have never question these two smart farmers (i.e. give them a pliers and some baling wire and they can fix anything)!  Such is life.

Why is this do you think?  In our little high school, our cross country teams had 44 runners.  That seems to me to be a pretty large number.  I was told this by a friend who was told to him by one of the coaches soooo it must be right (i.e third hand).  ANYWAY, I think only 6 runners can run in a meet soooo many runners don’t get to compete.  BUT, all 44 never miss practice; they seem to really enjoy it.  Some are not real athletic, but many have got a lot better at running during the year.  Why do they really like this soooo much?

Zenker, One of my Danube HS classmates/buddy, Zenker, emailed me that he flipped the ATV while helping his son moving some trucks on the farm.  Had to be air lifted to the hospital.  He said, it appears I will be ok but got beat up pretty bad.  I thought folks got smarter when they got older; maybe not! I think he still thinks he’s a senior at good old Danube high but he ain’t. 

What is this?  Have you ever asked yourself that question when you have an ache or some illness or disease? Sooooo are those things genetic or come from our environment or just bad luck?  LuckieEddie says—I think they could be from all three or a combination of all three.  A golf buddy/friend has a heart situation and his doctor told him it is because of his parents genetics that were passed onto him (i.e. bad luck).  In rural IA, farmers are harvesting and always checking which hybrid yields the best.  The seed companies constantly breed different stock varieties to get a top producing hybrid (i.e. pass the good genes on).  I remember years ago a client was telling me that his child was suffering from depression.  He said, we shouldn’t be surprised, my mom and my wife’s mom suffer from depression tooooo.

 I have a couz who I really like (i.e. she is a good person with a good heart).  She has some health concerns which limits her.  I recently asked her how she is doing.  She said—I’m a tough Dutchman with God on my side.  That about says it all.  No question, she described herself very accurately. 

What is all this stuff?  In 2016, Americans spent nearly $33 billion on self-storage. So far in 2017, construction on new self-storage units has topped $240 million per month. We have more stuff than we know what to do with. That has to mean that we are very affluent, doesn’t it?  Folks use to have single garages, then double garages, and now triple garages with a storage shed in the back.  What is this?  SusieQ says—We are living the American Dream to its fullest!  Bingo!

I said to a golf buddy that I think he has really improved through the years.  He told me he started in 2000 (i.e. he wasn’t exactly a spring chicken in 2000).  He plays quite well.  He told me that he can play pretty good at times but isn’t consistent. Well buddy, we are all sharper some days than others (i.e. some days we all say to ourselves—what is this) but if we can become rather consistent within a range (i.e. not huge valleys) we feel better and probably are a better player.  JoeBlow says—That appears to apply to our emotions, decision making, how we interact with others, etc.  Folks who are pretty consistent, well, you can count on them (i.e. you know pretty much what you are going to get). DandyDan says--The only sustainable and guaranteed path to self-fulfillment and happiness is to see yourself getting better every day.

I went for a run/jog/walk around Pine Lake on a beautiful fall day.  I met a kid who was maybe 11 with a fishing pole in his hand.  I said—what kind of fish do you catch—bass—what’s your best bait—artificial minnows and frogs—you like the outdoors—ya, I just shot my first buck this week with a bow; a double lung shot—how far did he run before dying—50 yards.  Then his granddad came.  Sooo did you teach him how to fish—no no, he taught me more than I taught him; he watches all those videos; he out fishes me most of the time (i.e. his grandson said—he rarely ever catches more fish than me).  I never had time to do this when working as a line man; I really enjoy this; it’s soooo much fun. This kid taught me that I think I’m going to watch more videos about everything!!!  

What is this?  I read what Ricky said while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--As a pastor for more than 40 years, I can tell you that more people have been ruined by success than by suffering. Suffering tends to push people toward God. But when people are successful, they often forget about God. For every person who can handle pain, you’ll find very few who can handle fame. The praise goes to their head, and it destroys them. It’s why I tell people who’ve seen some success in life that they need to go home and change some diapers, mow their own lawns, and wash their own dishes. When you have some success, make sure you keep in touch with your roots so you don’t miss the warning signs of a fall.

What is this?  A friend is a very active person and an accomplished pickleball player.  For the last year or so she had such pain in her arm/shoulder/neck that she couldn’t play and do much else.  She doctored but they really didn’t get it taken care of.  Recently, a local doctor suggested she take a certain pain pill.  She said she doesn’t do pain pills—just try this one; she said she just got a good night sleep out of it—doctor said try two—she went and played pickleball and hurt her arm bad; tore a muscle (i.e. got way discolored) but it fixed the nerve problem: she says she now has a Popeye bicep muscle but has no pain and can play pickleball and do anything and everything. She said she had to hurt herself to get better.  Crazy!  Folks, it seems like I have heard about this experience many times (i.e, getting hurt to fix the problem). 

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

grizzlyoldfarterv

MyFriendJean says--Opportunity often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune or temporary
defeat.

P.S. "A calm and modest life brings more happiness than the pursuit of success combined with constant restlessness." - Albert Einstein