BTW (i.e. by the way)

SusieQ (i.e. who considers “in style" to be the cloths she has in her closet) says—erv, sometimes I have no idea what you are trying to say in your “It’s Saturdays.”  SusieQ, that is understandable as sometimes I don’t even understand myself. Soooo don’t get sooo excited about it. You may interpret it the way you want (i.e. there will be no test).  No problem.  I don’t feel bad as on the front page of the Sunday paper, there is a story about this gal who is 105.  They asked her how come she lived to 105?  She said—I have no idea!

I tried to read the book A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.  I quit as I had no idea what he was saying!  I asked MIengineerJim if he has read it.  He said he has tried several times but Hawking talks over his head (i.e. I guess he was saying he too had no idea what he was saying).  BTW, it’s hard to get over MIengineerJim’s head according to his wife ha ha.  After Hawking’s first edition in 1996, it was touted as the best-selling book of science ever.  But, it was also touted as the best-selling book of science ever--never read!!!!  I guess others couldn’t understand it like me.  ha ha

AmyTheWriter says—"As a woman, I’ve observed firsthand how the things I say can unintentionally puzzle the men in my life.” I wonder why that is?  Sooooo folks, BTW, seeeee, others puzzle others tooooo. I wonder why that is? But according to AmyTheWriter, she and I are both normal (i.e. that might be questionable)!  Crazy!  Normal in that we can drive others crazy because they don’t understand us. I bet we don’t understand them either.  FantasticBetty says—All brains don’t think alike! When I have communication with folks who’s thinking about stuff is just way different than my thinking, I try to be very careful how I communicate with “these type of folks.”  They don’t get me and I don’t get them.  Flip the pancake—There are folks who “think very much alike” with you and maybe even me.  In our office, we had a gal who thought very much like me.  I didn’t have to explain much to her as she knew what I was thinking.  It was almost scary.  I don’t know if she was cursed or blessed!  ha ha Such is life.

FreeankenstineLyle says--We have to be soooo careful what we say as many don’t understand us and we could easily get into trouble soooo I become very generic with my communication.  It appears that it might take a lot of fun out of life (i.e.my opinion). It is just too bad.  GeorgeTheCrook says—We need to laugh at ourselves more; don’t take ourselves soooooo serious.  We aren’t that important folks.  Laugh at stuff!  Life is a lot more fun when we can do that (i.e. my opinion).  KnowitallKate says—I talk to myself, because there are times I need expert advice. Jackpot!!!!

I got a book with a note from a cousin.  The note said—"Dear erv, A huge hug for Arlene.  I think you’ll enjoy the book especially the first part.  I didn’t always agree with his feelings and belief later in his life.”  BTW, did you see that she didn’t agree with the author?  See it happens all the time.  MyCouz is a good person with a good heart, my kind of person but obviously she thinks for herself and has her opinions! ha ha Her poor husband!   ha ha    I enjoyed the book, A Soul from Minnesota.  The author, Allen Nohre, talked about his life growing up in Elbow Lake, MN and now living in Carefree, AZ. He says he was called by God, as he sat in a farm truck as a kid, to be a pastor in the Lutheran denomination.  He changed from a Lutheran pastor to the Jungian psychology later in life (i.e. I think from more conservative to more liberal). I find that quite interesting.  I wonder why. I’m going to contact him and see if he will tell me, if he really knows. He might have no idea!  I thought about anther cousin who was raised in a very conservative church denomination but now appears to be more liberal.  I asked him why he changed.  He said—I never did buy into some of the thinking I was raised with.  Saturday question—Do folks who are more liberal ever become more conservative?  What do you think? That is what I thought. 

BTW, I was having breakfast with a friend (i.e. a happy barn rat) the other day and he said to me—You and I do things the way we do because we are who we are.  We are not very easily going to change.  He was telling me about a friend of his who once his wife was diagnosed with dementia, he divorced her.  The guy just moved on and found a new model.  My friend’s wife has Alzheimer’s.  He is and will be very loyal to her.  Why?  Very simple folks, he is who he is. 

I read this in the paper sooooo it must be right that nearly half of seniors die owning less than $10,000 in financial assets and that percentage is growing rapidly. I can hardly understand that when I look around with all the seemingly wealth.  It also said that debt among older Americans is soaring. It is not unusual for seniors to die in debt.  What!  BTW, most often, children are not responsible for the debt of their parents it said.  Here is what I don’t understand, other than from ethical and moral points of view, why not have some fun and die with a huge massive unsecured debt?   JoeBlow says—I wonder sometimes if our government is taking that approach (i.e. Treasury Bills and Notes are worthless when the government dies soooo they are just borrowing more money—enjoy today, die tomorrow! 

The paper also said that in the next 20 years huge massive amounts of money will change hands to the young guns (i.e. timing was good for making money for the Baby Boomers). SusieQ says—A couple of easiest ways to acquire a huge massive amount of money is to marry it or inherit it.  LuckieEddie says—When my parents die, I will go from debt to being a millionaire; soooo, why do I want to work soooo hard now?  BUT folks, those are best-laid plans of mice and men (e.g. LuckieEddie, wonder if you die first).  LuckieEddie says—That would be tooooo bad; that wouldn’t be fair; I have been making plans for years to spend that million!

BTW, Arlene and I are long time friends with a couple.  He is conservative, and she is liberal.  He watches FOX news and she watches Public Television news.  I have a friend who told me that his wife is super liberal, and he is conservative.  She told him that if he watches FOX news, she won’t sleep with him.  Both of these couples have been married for a lot of years and seem to get along ok and love each other.  Are you kidding me!  I think that is funny.  Such is life.

BTW, do you think marches impact and change the government (i.e. the government is the people)?  I mean like the March for Our Lives.  It would appear to me that they might and sometimes do. They will for sure if they affect the majority of the voters (i.e. legislators like to keep their offices; it’s all about the money folks).  Through the years endless lists of groups have protested, marched, rallied, cried and pleaded for changes. The question is if whether these young people who call themselves “the mass-shooting generation” will fade into the background or continue.  Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, an activist, spoke at Iowa State this last week, and said— “In order to justify our time on this planet, we have to do good things. It doesn’t pay well, but you got to take that sacrifice.”  He also said when asked what parents could tell their politically active kids about the potential backlash they could receive for speaking out--“You have to accept it: you can’t become an activist without accepting the backlash.” AverageJoe asks--Where do all those kids get all that money to travel and protest?  There might have to be another protest to get money for the protests. SlimySlick says—Wouldn’t it be cheaper and easier to just pray for them? Saturday question—What kind of person likes to protest?  Another question—Do you think Stormy Daniels is telling the truth?  CadillacJack says—There is three sides to every story, my side, their side and the truth! Everyone has an opinion. CrazyMarvin says--Usually there is more to the story than what meets the eye!

I think (i.e. my opinion) that the coaches who are successful in today’s culture are the ones who have adapted to the new game and to the new 20-year olds.  Those who haven’t adapted or won’t adapt, aren’t in the tournament finals.  Now you don’t have to change and adapt, but you can’t compete in the new culture.  I think that applies to business, church, family, etc.  A friend (i.e. maybe 50) and I talked about how he had to adjust and change his business in order to compete in the world today.  He said he had tooooo; If you don’t, you will not be in business very long.  BTW, adapting can be “nerve racking!” RealityBob says--Boring boring, just doesn’t work in the new culture. AverageJoe says—All these changes drive me cuckoo! I don’t want any changes unless it makes me more money; then I can and will be happy to change!!!!

BTW do you think some folks are more injury prone than others (i.e. maybe more klutzy than others)? A friend told me about a mutual friend who fell.  He said that some folks seem more injury prone.  Her fall was a plunge, not a crash and surely not a flash crash, just a poor performance.  I think she got away with it a little (i.e. it could have been worse). I was reading the paper at the library the other day and a gal comes in.  I thought it was soandso, but I didn’t know for sure.  She really gained a lot of weight since I saw her a couple of years ago.  I heard her talk to the librarians and it had to be her.  When I left, I asked the librarians if that was soandso.  Yes, it was.  I said, I didn’t recognize her; she has really changed since I saw her a few years ago.  One of the librarians said—We all change.  Now ain’t that the truth (i.e. mentally and physically). 

People tell me I have changed.  What!  I don’t think I have (i.e. I don’t think they know what they are talking about).  My morals, values and believes have not changed (i.e. not tooooo much anyway).  I asked them how I have changed. You aren’t as outgoing or as engaging as you use to be (i.e. I think I’m the same).  Yes, I have had to make some adjustments in my life style being a 24/7 caregiver for a lot of years (i.e. Arlene has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s almost 9 years ago).  Yes, that probably has changed me a little and certainly my life style some (i.e. how can it not). It’s maybe a gradual process that I don’t notice that I have changed, if I have changed.  ItchieBitchie says—BTW, aren't we killing ourselves -- our health, our relationships, our sense of joy and wonder -- for our jobs?  We are sacrificing our lives for money, but it's happening so slowly that we barely notice.

BTW, “mymucholderCouz” as she calls herself, says--I just know in my heart, there are days in your life when you wonder where God is, He is there Erv, holding you at all the bad times.  Alzheimer’s is an ugly horrible disease and when I say that in a group it’s easy to see the ones who have never experienced it, they either glaze over or have a non-look. I just keep praying for you and Arlene. I love you little Erv

BTW, last weekend we had 11 inches of snow according to the paper soooo it must be right.  Our neighbors (i.e. good folks with good hearts, my kind of folks) helped me clean our drive.  They said to me—Don’t you wish you were in AZ? I got an email from CousenWarrenFromOmaha who is in AZ.  He said—We had a good time in AZ and are heading on home. It will feel good to get home and get in our normal routine again.  Huh, interesting.  I think he is saying that home is a good place.  It is for us; we like home (i.e. Arlene especially). But I must admit, the winter was long for me! And it continues! Will it ever end!!!!! I missed AZ.  But it's not to be! And that is ok with me. Such is life.

BTW, Easter is very important for Christians.  We believe that God sent his only Son to die on the cross and then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.  God did this to pay the price for our sins.  He tells us, “whoever confesses their sins and believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savor will have eternal life.”  That seems soooo easy now doesn’t it (i.e. it’s that easy folks).  JellyBeanBob says—erv, do you know my IQ and how many degrees I have?  I don’t believe that; it can’t be proven; it’s just a “fake” believe; I’m not that gullible (i.e.  pass the ham).  Well, JellyBeanBob, I believe that (i.e. don’t totally understand the details) and when I die and go to heaven—what a day of rejoicing that will be.  I believe that.  Like the song says—I can only imagine.  JellyBeanBob, I hope you ponder that and are touched.  Bingo!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookies of life.

I can't

The NCAA Long Range 3pt Sniper says—erv, you get all fired up about stuff that I could care less about.  Folks, remember that when reading this “It’s Saturday.” Ok NCAA Long Range 3pt Sniper, you might not agree with me about some stuff but my experience is--Folks with good attitudes have a much better life (i.e. maybe  I‘m in the minority of the population, maybe). Here is some slam dunk stuff—AverageJoe says--Attitude is more important than intelligence or ability, or talent.

 

Have you ever noticed that we aren’t interested or not as interested until it pertains to us?  Then many times, something can happen to us and then it becomes quite important (e.g. wife has Alzheimer’s).  I read something that got my attention recently—I didn’t care about those folks who live across the river until my daughter moved there.  That mentality can be about situations or folks everywhere, even across the street where you live or at the church you might attend or even in our families.  Folks can be “faceless folks”, until they become part of our life.  Then the situation changes. Or let’s make it real personal—the other person has cancer but now I do.  

Have you read Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl?  If not, I suggest you give it a read.  A great attitude book (i.e. a classic).  It’s about “I can’t” meaning a person can do way more than we think we can but it depends on our attitude.  Here a couple of his quotes from the book: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” I have read it several times and it is good (i.e. my opinion)!

ItchieBitchie, who is one vote shy of being kicked out of the car pool, says--I respect the “I can’t” folks more than the “maybe” folks.  The “maybe” folks can drive a guy crazy.   I maybe can have lunch with you, I maybe can help you, I maybe can play golf with you. That is like having no commitment; if nothing better comes up I will accommodate you, but I will see.  MissPerfect says--“I maybe” folks are just that, “maybe folks.” SusieQ says—I really like the “I can folks!” says—Ya got to realize and appreciate that some days will be good and some will not as good.  Such is life.

And his coach said to him—Son, there is a reason why they don’t guard you when you are at the 3-pt line; quite shooting! 

I can’t believe it!  Recently a friend told me that a common friend was screwed up by his dad.  Another friend told me recently that another common friend’s wife screwed up another common friend.  In both cases, I think my friends could be right (i.e. my opinion).  CrazyMarivin says--The mind is delicate and can be affected. I recently had a friend tell me about a common friend’s childhood (i.e. that I never knew before).  I was quite surprised, and it shows maybe why this friend is as he is (i.e. good or bad do you think?  In this case it was good).  Is all this fair? I really wonder.

Folks, sit on this. I heard a player who just made the winning bucket to win a game in the NCAA tournament say in his post-game interview—I give all the Glory to God.  Maybe soooo!  Soooo the player who missed the next shot to lose the game, I wonder if he gave God all the Glory.  I’m confused here folks.  Does God not like Arlene so He let her have Alzheimer’s or a person who dies of cancer while another person lives?  I believe God is in control and lets things happen, but it is hard to understand for me with my earthly mind; baffling (i.e. my opinion).  It is hard for me to give God the Glory as I wipe Arlene’s butt (i.e. that is reality folks—don’t try to bs me with "fake" verbiage)!  I can’t understand God (i.e. His understanding I cannot fathom). Life is not fair! The only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in June. Let’s face it, it is confusing.  Folks who have everything going their way a.k.a. the earthly winners, have no idea, not a clue.  I don’t want stuff to happen to them, but they really don’t understand.  Many of you folks know exactly what I’m talking about (i.e. it isn’t nutten new—it’s very real to you if you are there or have been there or will be there). Such is life.

Yogi Berri said--It's getting late early. I can’t believe those numbers; and those are through June it says!!!!  Do you get excited about living?  Are you thankful about being alive?  We are not in charge of our birth although some folks believe in and do abortions.  I just can’t understand how some of society can get all in such a rage when some dog is mistreated but some of society don’t care if we kill unborn children.  I just can’t understand that (i.e. many folks disagree with me). There seems to be something terribly wrong with that (i.e. my opinion).  Ok, we sometimes aren’t in control of our death; we just die.  Although we generally will spend millions to prolong life for a few days it appears.  A friend and I were talking about the “laying on of hands” by pastors and elders for healing.  We both agreed that it might be a form of healing.  I asked a onesmartpastor what his take is on this.  He said, if I understood him correctly, he believes that it can be effective but maybe not by its self (e.g. if an obese person wants to lose weight and has the “laying on of hands” done and doesn’t diet and exercise, I can’t understand how it can be very effective).  An obese person can’t sit on the couch and eat chips and expect to lose weight, can they? SusieQ says—Ya that would be stretching the wish for a miracle pretty far but maybe it’s possible (i.e. maybe that person would lose their appetite or get a stomach problem or something even more bizarre like having diarrhea for two years—the loss of food consumption and exercising by going to the bathroom a lot!   “I never have any difficulty believing in miracles, since I experienced the miracle of a change in my own heart.” Augustine

An announcer broadcasting a NCAA basketball tournament game said once again (i.e. they say it all the time)—They don’t need a turnover now!  Da!  And the color commentator says—They’re down by one with 10 seconds left in the game; they need a bucket! Da!

GeorgeTheCrook says—It appears our society doesn’t call a spade a spade (i.e. it has to be politically correct—no profiling).  It seems to be a real problem; we want to profile folks to prevent murders, but we can’t profile folks.  Even if we profile them, what are we going to do with them.  And who is going to decide if they are a certain way on the profile chart? I read recently that the only folks who will listen to complainers are their mommies and other losers.  Think about that.  JoeBlow says—It’s easy to complain (i.e. anybody can do that—riot and make a lot of noise) but it appears that it is hard to come up with a solution (i.e. those that can are the good ones).  Most of this is my opinion—I might be in the minority with my thinking; very possibly—more than likely (i.e. I’m profiling myself).  The profile chart probably would be—erv is a loser and is just complaining!!!!!!

SusieQ says—Theories, change, and over time paradigms, methods and popular fads float past us like translucent ghosts.  Each, for a period of time, becomes real and solid and even the “truth” before it fades off into history.

I read this in the paper soooo it must be right that some NFL teams are letting some major name players goooo to clear salary cap space to make their teams better.  I also read that Loew’s is ending J.J.’s sponsorship on the NASCAR circuit.  In both cases they said—It’s simply business.  It appears that “It’s simply business” never happens with anything that is funded by tax dollars—I can’t understand that.  I had breakfast with a friend who now lives on the West Coast (i.e. an ex farm boy from Butler Co, IA).  He was in management of a large American company.  He told me this story--A fellow management person was a real rude, obnoxious, arrogant guy who everyone disliked (i.e. even his boss).  Soooo I asked him how come the company put up with him?  Because he drove his folks hard and production was very good in his different sites that he managed--basically they put up with him because he made the company money.  

I can’t understand how we say one thing but do another (i.e. are we crazy or what).  We just don’t face reality (i.e. my opinion).  The destruction of the family and what we expose our children toooooo is not good folks.  C’mon, face reality!  There is no other way to think about it.  It’s all about the money folks if we like it or not.  Such is life.

I did something I never did before. Yes, I did!  I went to a 10:30 a.m.movie by myself while the home care provider was with Arlene. Now that was different.  I saw, I Can Only Imagine. Now there is a good movie (i.e. my opinion and other’s opinions as well) which is not about killing or sex but a true-life story about hope and good stuff and some bad stuff of life—some reality of life (i.e. facing reality). It came about from the song I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe.  I went on Tuesday and the theater had 9 shows that day; the10:30 a.m. time was about 70% full.  There must be a demand to see it and the theater was glad to accommodate the folks (i.e. it’s all about the money--when the grill is hot, it's time to grill the dogs). I read that this Christian inspirational movie is very well received by many folks (i.e. Believers and non believers alike) because of the song and the story. WorldClassLarry says--You can take the whole family but the10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning show was pretty much all seniors.  It was $5; maybe that was the reason!  ha ha A senor friend told me that one of the reasons he likes the song is that he actually can understand the words!!! Da!

3pt rocket launcher says--I don’t care what you say, my bracket is right, but the teams are wrong!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Advice is more acceptable if it doesn’t interfere with our plans.

P.S. When a man with experience meets a man with money, the man with money gets the experience, and the man with experience gets the money.

motivation

TalkingHeadJoe says—This “It’s Saturday” is nothing more than a rope-a-dope!  TalkingHeadJoe, you might be right.  Of course, that might be your opinion.  Everyone has an opinion and in America everyone has the right to voice their opinion (i.e. and they do).  AverageJoe says—Many opinions are no more than a lot of rattling with not much said.  Sooooo this “It’s Saturday” could be just that.  Sooooo take that into consideration when reading it. Suggestion—Don’t take me or yourself toooo serious!  You and I aren’t that important even though we think we are at times.  We aren’t; at least I’m not!

A friend told me this story about himself.  He owns a large number rental units.  One renter didn’t pay his rent for a couple of months.  He checked it out and found out he died.  He had no family or close friends.  He went into the unit and took out his cloths, his Bible, his bike and some tools and then the next day rented it another person as furnished.  He told the new renter--If you don’t like any of the stuff, the dumpster is out back.  That sorta kinda just hurts my heart as this guy “lived to day and gone tomorrow” and basically no one even cares.  Life just goes on!  Such is life.

I wanted to clean out the spices in our cabinets for maybe 5 years but never did it (i.e. our daughter and daughter-in-law said they were no good anymore and besides, I have done the cooking for the about the last 7 years and never used any of them).  Those are good reasons.  BUT I never cleaned them out until today.  Sooooo what motivated me to clean them out today?  I have no idea.  I remember a friend who told me maybe 20 years ago that his biggest motivating factor was failure (i.e. the world would say this guy is very successful and the public would never guess this).  Recently another friend told me that a huge massive shaping/motivating factor for him is—growing up with limited resources (i.e. the world would say this guy is very successful as well).  Saturday question—What motivates you?  Really!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--You need to set goals because they give you hope to keep moving and endure (i.e. motivates us). Job says, “What strength do I have left that I can go on hoping? What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life?” (Job 6:11 GW). You have to have a goal to keep you going. A goal doesn’t have to be big to motivate you. For instance, if you had to have surgery, your first goal in recovery could be to sit up in bed. Then you might work toward standing up and then later walking down the hallway. All of those are very small goals, but they’re all important, because getting from where you are to success isn’t one big leap. It’s many small steps. A goal doesn’t have to be big to be important — it just has to encourage you to carry on. It appears that RickyRick is saying we need to have goals in order to be motivated.  I suggest we write them down and then check them off when completed (e.g. clean spices out of cupboard, check ha ha).  

Click those heels Dorothy! I really had to laugh; lol!  I was watching A-P basketball at the state tournament (i.e. streaming it).  An announcer said after something disappointing happened--That drives a coach to quitting and to go and sell insurance.  That is just what I did; bought into an agency and sold insurance and real estate for 34 years.  Do you know that you don’t need any education to sell insurance and real estate?  You just need to pass a state test.  I think that is really interesting.  Sooooo a person’s education has no effect on how successful a person will be.  Is that crazy or what.  It might depend a great deal on how motivated a person is.  I have friends who have made a ton of money with a high school education and others have failed with a master’s degree (i.e. that is how free enterprise works).  But beware—Only about 16% succeed in the insurance business!  LuckieEddie says—It’s all luck, magic!

I enjoy being around folks who are amazing to me.  Many of you are very interesting, unique folks (i.e. many of you folks are really something a.k.a. amazing—my opinion). You are not the vanilla flavor of the generic version.  You are different and very interesting.  I often wonder why you folks are as you are (i.e. you intrigue me).  I have no idea but there has to be a reason.  I have told you many times that I get bored easily.  If I would talk to the same type of person all the time, it would be very boring.  Some folks just have a lot more interests and are much more open minded it seems.  I realize that many of you don’t care to be around this type of person.  Hey, listen, you don’t have tooooo; you can stay in your little huddle or club and that is fine.  We are all different.  And that is ok.  Arlene’s Alzheimer’s wants her to like a very simple routine (i.e. very comfortable).  That is how her diseased brain works.  It’s easier for her. 

I read it in the paper soooo it must be right--The study shows that false information on the social media network travels six times faster than the truth…”fake new” speeds through Twitter “farther, faster, deeper and more broadly than the truth”…No matter how you slice it, falsity wins out…while true news stories almost never got retweeted to 1,000 people, the top 1 percent of the false ones got to as many as 100,000 people.  Is that crazy or what (i.e. maybe it’s just “false news”)!  What motivates folks to like stuff, that many times they know isn’t true; how gullible are we anyway.  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but not all the people all the time.  BUT obviously if you want to get a point out there, make it a negative and false Tweet it; the juicer the better! 

Do you think we have mixed motives at times?  I mean part of our motives are good and part are evil?  I wonder as I wander. Jeff (i.e. anybody can be a Jeff) says—Qoheleth (i.e. a very unique person) says in Ecclesiastes that our motives are always mixed (i.e. maybe Qoheleth is noting paradox and ambiguity—concepts that disturb more than settle us). He’s saying there is a relativity to righteousness, that no one is good or wholly evil. To paraphrase a onesmartperson, the line between good and evil runs through the center of every human heart.  Soooo is Qoheleth saying there is some good and bad in all of us?  He probably has a motive for saying these things and making me think about it!

"Investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Abraham Lincoln    Reading and encouraging your children to read should be a great motivating factor.  Children who have encouraging parents about anything, have a huge massive advantage (i.e. my opinion).  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  

It appears to me that to be a good leader, a person must be a good motivator.  If a person can’t motivate, they can’t be a good leader (i.e. that is in business, sports, church, family, whatever). Maybe folks have different methods of leadership in motivating but the good ones all can motivate (i.e. the good ones all do it).  Just look around folks.  Some folks just can, and others just can’t.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Just look around folks.  Don’t kid yourself.  Don’t fool yourself.  C’mon folks, face reality.  Why do some coaches seem to always win?  Why do some CEOs always make money?  Why are some teachers better? Da!

I have had many things change my life that I would consider both good and bad at the time. I sometimes didn’t even recognize what was going on.  How about you? Have you had such experiences?  Many of those events were not by my design or wish (i.e. they just fell in my lap).  I read this what Dr. J wrote—"Martin Luther’s mentor, Johann von Staupitz, assigned him the books of Romans and Galatians. While studying, Luther’s eyes were opened to the true Gospel message—salvation by grace through faith. This discovery was a Damascus Road experience for him, and he devoted his life to advancing the cause of the Gospel. We’re often on the road to life as we design it when God intervenes with storms, lightning bolts, mentors, and the Gospel message. Every one of us needs a Damascus Road experience. It may not be as dramatic as Paul’s or Luther’s, but we need a moment in our life when we understand and receive the Gospel.”  There are some strange and crazy motivations alright; about as crazy as some of us. Just crazy! 

CadillacJack asks--Is worry a motivator?  Do you worry?  How effective is it?  Are you just a worrier or a champion worrier?  What do you mostly worry about? Does worrying keep you awake at night? Does worry affect your personality?  Soooooo answer it again to me, why do you worry?

Stephen Hawking passed this week.  Some feel he was the most intelligent man on earth.  He was a physicist and a genius. He said this on intellectualism—"People who boast about their IQ are losers.”  I think what is very interesting is that he was fairly well rounded (e.g. he was funny).  He maintained a great attitude while having ALS for years.  ANYWAY, some say he was an atheist.  Some say he believed in God. I heard on the radio, soooo it must be right, that he said—We all see God differently.  He said this on the reason the Universe exists--“If we find the answer to that, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason – for then we would know the mind of God” – A Brief History Of Time, published 1988.

I think of a friend often (i.e. I like him and probably will never see him again—I feel bad about that).  He says he doesn’t believe in God a.k.a. an atheist.  I don’t know for sure if he really doesn’t believe in God.  I really wonder.  I sense some feelings that part of him does.  He really makes me think.  Why do I really care?  I also know folks who are very indifferent to God (i.e. at least they act that way).  That makes me sad.  I can’t do anything about it (i.e. only God can).  I pray for these folks.  What will happen? I have no idea.  Billy Graham was asked, who are saved?  He said—Jesus Christ is the gate; no one comes to the Father except through me; but I am not the judge; only God can do the judging.  

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—In pleasure or pain, in sun or rain, in loss or gain, always be positive.

P.S. Those people whom we define as being wealthy get much more pleasure from owning substantial amounts of appreciable assets than from displaying a high-consumption lifestyle. That is what motivates them.  

odds are...

I realize that not all of you have been given full security clearance for highly classified information but I’m going to take a change with you guys in letting you read this “It’s Saturday.”  There is only one of you that I’m a bit concerned about!

ItchieBitchie says--Odds are if you think your friends, business associates, church folks, fellow employees, and folks you associate with are jerks, you are probably a jerk toooooo.  SusieQ says--ItchieBitchie, don’t make me think about such things; I don’t like to self-evaluate myself.  Flip the pancake, if you think your friends, business associates, church folks, fellow employees, and folks you associate with are great folks (i.e. high moral character, giving, honest, caring, loving and kind), you are probably the same.   GeorgeTheCrook says—Birds of a feather tend to flock together (i.e. what you think is what you’ll be).  Such is life.

I read this about a past client in his obituary—He served in the U.S. Army during WW II in the second wave of the invasion of Normandy and all throughout Europe, where he received many honors.  I didn’t know this about him and according to his obituary, his children didn’t either.  Odds are these experiences impacted his life.  Odds are that he was lucky to be alive (i.e. probably had been shot at many times).  Why do you think he didn’t want to share his experiences and thoughts?  What do you think?  That is what I thought. 

I’m starting to think that some of U.S. citizens are getting a little tired of poor use of their tax dollars.  It appears that they are wondering and voicing their opinions about use of tax dollars that is not producing (i.e. not getting any or a small amount of bang for their buck).  AverageJoe says—I have been saying this for years, but no one pays any attention to me.  Well, when there is plenty of money to go around, folks really don’t care (i.e. especially in a government situation—not my personal money).  Odds are there will be some changes as the national debt continues to increase; but when?  MissPerfect says—It sure seems like we waste a huge massive amount of money for bad ideas or for poor products and poor services—poor accountability it seems—tooooo many folks taking advantage of the system!  Will it change?  I have no idea (i.e. history doesn’t show it will—it appears the government gets bigger).  What do you think?  It probably depends where you are in the food-chain system maybe; who likes to see their “cash cow” die! When you wean the calf from their mommy’s easy milk, they baler a lot! 

A synonym for “bang for your buck” is “value for your dollar.”  Kohl's had a huge massive bedding sale (i.e. plus an additional 30% discount which made it like they almost would give them to us).  ANYWAY, we needed new sheets soooo I was standing in front of all the sheets knowing nutten about sheets other than there are a lot of colors!  There was a lady there soooo I asked her if she knew anything about sheets.  She said—a little; she told me about thread count and softness.  About this time her husband came around the corner.  I know this guy from previous business dealings (i.e. he is a real guy with a good heart; my kind of person).  He introduced his wife to me and said—you’re getting good advice as she is a world class shopper.  Soooo I asked her which ones I should buy.  She suggested these in the picture as they are the “best value for the dollar.”  Sooooo I bought them.  Her husband is a nice guy but I think she is even nicer.  What a hoot! 

This opinion comes from a person who is an authority of being average a.k.a. just a common person, a real AverageJoe.  I know this person very well. His name is ervie!  Folks, I have never been a star, always average so I think I know what I’m talking about, but you might not agree with what I am saying (i.e. just remember, it comes from just an average person). Odds are not good that an average basketball player (i.e. or anyone else for that matter who is average) is not going to be a star. Average basketball players just don’t have the potential if they aren’t quick, have the appropriate physical shape, have the proper attitude, and the ability. It doesn’t matter what you say about them or what is written about them in the paper.  It’s reality folks (i.e. average players seem to end up playing in the church league).  If you can’t make rain, you can’t be a star.  The great ones can; if you can’t, you are just average (i.e. a dime a dozen); and it must be done against other good players and not poorer players (i.e. anybody can do that).  That is just the way it is.  I can’t make Arlene well; it’s not possible (i.e. the odds are not good like 0% for folks with Alzheimer’s to get better).  As soon as I realized that and act accordingly, it is a lot better for Arlene and me.  That is the way it is even though it’s not the way I would like it (i.e. the odds are just what they are folks).  But folks, I have read that Billy Graham started out very average and even struggled; the odds didn’t look good for him (i.e. of course that was a God thing).  Such is life. 

It's boys’ state basketball week here in IA.  I just can’t believe how fast life moves along.  Many years ago, when Arlene and I just got married and came to Aplington, I taught and coached basketball for a few years.  I remember several games more than others (i.e. both games we won and lost--a fun time for us).  One of the games I remember was when we lost in 5 overtimes to the Dike Bobcats.  There was this skinny sophomore kid who just killed us (i.e. we couldn’t stop him).  BUT that skinny sophomore kid became my friend years later and has been a friend ever since.  It would have been better if that skinny sophomore kid would have been sick that night!  It would have been a W instead of a L!  Or maybe better coaching might have won it toooooo! But I still think it was that skinny sophomore kid that won the game!  A very good, fun memory. By the way, that skinny sophomore kid isn’t skinny anymore; he’s a real man! Folks, it was some 45+ years ago; odds are skinny sophomore kids grow up!

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that “Every two years, American competitors look to monetize their Olympic success through appearances, books, television shows and sponsorships. Unlike professional athletics, they have quick fame but in about 4 weeks their fame fades away.”  Soooo they need to get after it to make some bucks!  The paper said--Snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim, 17, might be the Games’ breakout star to capitalize on her fame the article said (i.e. when the grill is hot, that is the time to gill the dogs).  The reasons are her age and her authenticity in her personality.  Authenticity!  That’s being real folks (i.e. like Billy Graham).  Think about that.  While I was reading this, there were a couple in the booth behind me talking about a family member who they think she is really trying to fool everyone, but she isn’t (i.e. happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo). ANYWAY, the lady said to her husband—Everybody sees right through her!  Odds are that this gal is only fooling herself.  The other Olympians who didn’t get success (i.e. didn’t turn out like they would have liked it), well, they go home and practice another 4 years!  Such is life.

Odds are that many of you might not understand how much fun this was.  I had to put up a grab bar for Arlene by our bath tub.  I used a friend’s knowledge to help me find the studs and had to use another friend to use his carbide drill bit to drill through the tile (i.e. both worked just like on TV).  It’s nice to have friends who are talented and have tools (i.e. saves a little of time and money).  I don’t have all the newer style tools sooo I had to screw the 2 1/2” screws in with a screw driver (i.e. even had to put a glove on my soft hand as it hurt).  Seriously, I really enjoyed the whole process (i.e. the best part was the interaction with my friends (i.e. both are real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks).  If I would have asked them to do it for me, they would have. Yes, they would have. Wait until next time!!!!!

Warren Buffet is a unique guy and folks will seem to listen to him.  Why?  Because he is a very rich man and it seems like he has his head screwed on right (i.e. folks seem to listen to those type of folks).  He is certainly unique.  I read in the paper that when Warren Buffet was at U of I talking to business students he said--You gotta love your work; you can’t replace the relationships you build and the way you treat people with business knowledge; the most important job he had in life was raising his children.  Soooo why does he think this way do you think?  That is what I thought.  Odds are that he is unique alright!

A pickleball buddy told me that a group of long-time friends gave her a surprise grandma shower (i.e. she is going to become a grandmother for the first time). She was elated it appeared (i.e. I think it made her feel really special).  Her daughter, who is having the baby, wondered if she will have friends that would do that when she is that age.  My friend told her that she needs to speed time with folks now to make friends that will be long-time friends; it takes time and you must see them in person.  Do you think social-media friends are the same as long-time friends?  I really wonder if we are having a change in our culture.  Odds are we are, maybe.   

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that—We know friends make us feel good, but friendship is truly heart healthy; being connected, joking, talking and laughing all reduce stress; and stress is not good for a person.  Soooo how do we make good long-lasting friends.  Well, it takes effort and time for sure.  I think getting involved in a church is really a good way (i.e. my opinion).  Odds are pretty good in that setting. Where did you make most of your long-lasting friends?  Do you have any?  How many do you have? If you have none, start with your family.  Warren Buffet said this—No matter what you do professionally, you’re really going to be bound with the people you surround yourself with (i.e. family and friends I think he is saying).

If you have a bad attitude now or more often, here is an easy and fun way to change it—Experts say walking outside can be very beneficial.  Even 10 minutes of getting outside and walking around completely changes your attitude (i.e. just think how great you would feel if you exercised outside for an hour).  Sooooo throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch and get outside and get your kids outside tooooo.  Increase your odds.  Do it, just don’t talk about it. 

I just finished reading Living Life Backwards by David Gibson (i.e. I enjoyed the book).  It was recommended to me by my big sister (i.e. big only in years).  It is about Ecclesiastes, probably my favorite book in the Bible.  I read Ecclesiastes often and try to study it.  I don’t always understand it.  I find it very optimistic, but many do not.  I really like the “conclusion of the matter” after all the words of wisdom of the book.  The book just stimulates me.  Here are some words of Gibson’s book that I really like—"When we are not grateful for the little things, it is only a very short step to no longer being grateful for anything.  When we do not enjoy and savor and love and laugh and delight in the little things, then we are heading toward losing our delight in anything.” My opinion is that it is very important in my life to be humbly grateful to God.  When I become cocky and ungrateful, well, I’m not near as happy.  But the world really doesn’t want me to be that way.  Here lies the rub! Crazy!

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

erv

MyFreindJean says--Correction does much, but encouragement does more.

I don't know

I just don’t know but I read recently that estimates say that 90 percent of the world’s data has been generated in the previous two years or less (i.e. that is a lot of “big air” folks). Others note that currently more than one billion people log on to Facebook daily, and every minute more than half a million comments are posted on the site. Add to that the content from all other forms of social media, a thousand television channels, thousands of new books every year, and on and on. This is the “age of information glut.” We are awash in a sea of words.  AverageJoe says—Everyone gets their perspective from somewhere!

I just don’t know.  I read the book, The Stories of Ernest Hemingway, and in one of his stories he wrote this through one of his characters (i.e. I don’t’ know if he is talking about himself or not)—"Remember, that he who ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city.”  How smart are you? What does that mean?  That could be very thought provoking for many.  Does that make you think at all?  Hemmingway is a great writer but I don’t know.   What do you think? How does that affect you?

Here are some more words from another short story of Hemingway that are interesting—"It isn’t fun anymore…She didn’t say anything. He went on. I feel as though everything has gone to hell inside of me.  I don’t know, Marge I don’t know what to say.”  Sooooo what do you think of that?  That is what I thought.

I don’t know but I think…! What I think is that what I write isn’t always what my feelings and thoughts are but sometimes they are (i.e. how do you really know)!  Sometimes you guys read a lot more into my writing than meant to be and sometimes you miss my point (i.e. I think you don’t get it).  You might misunderstand me all together.  I think that is really interesting.  Words without body language are interesting aren’t they.  Some of you and I are more compatible than others and that is why you understand me as you do.  Those who totally don’t understand me, don’t read my writings at all (i.e. they read something else or nothing at all but watch “wrestling mania” instead.  That will work!  Such is life.

I don’t know but do you ever wonder if your life would have been different if…? I mean better or worse! Think about the positive "ifs" toooo folks. What are the “ifs” that you are thinking about?  Really!  I probably can believe but not understand all of your “ifs.”  Really, I don’t know if I can.  What is your #1 “if?”  We probably all have different #1 “ifs” I would guess.  Maybe not. I don’t know.  I asked a OneSmartPerson this question and she said—I do not remember wondering about myself.  I guess I just figured it was my job to make the best of wherever I was.  But I have wondered about some others. How their lives would be if they were raised in different circumstances.

I don’t know but I think I made a decision.  It was a tough decision for me (i.e. had a lot of emotions with it). I talked to somesmartfolks (i.e. some of you guys) to discuss the pros and cons from a more non-emotional thinking).  I admitted that I was sorta kinda messed up with all my emotions (i.e. I thought I wasn’t, but I was— ya can’t make a good decision when listening tooooo much to your emotions).  ANYWAY, I listened and think I have made a good decision (i.e. there seems to be more good than bad with this decision I think).  I meditated about it and prayed about it; I feel comfortable with it.  But I really don’t know for sure if it is the right decision.  I think I talked to the right folks but I don’t know!  ha ha   Maybe I just talked to the folks who I knew would give me the advice I wanted to really hear.  Such is life.

I went for my first bicycle ride this week.  It was colder and winder than I thought it was going to be.  It felt much better to turn around and have the wind at my back and going down hill (i.e. just like life). I talked by phone with a friend from MN who I met in AZ in an Alzheimer’s support group.  She has been a 24/7 caregiver for several years to her husband; she is a Believer (i.e. Believer in that she believes in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior--do you think that makes a difference--I think it makes a huge massive difference in my life).  Sooooo how is it going—my husband is sliding (i.e. some ugly events)—how are you doing—my friends think I have changed; I don’t think soooo but they say I have—sooooo how are you doing—I have grown and I groan; some folks say I’m soooo non emotional; it might seem that way on the outside but on the inside, it’s a waydifferentsituation.  She is a great gal with a good heart; my kind of person. 

ItchieBitchie asks—Can you objectively evaluate your situation and adjust accordingly?  Can you make adjustments to alter your situation? Can you keep your emotions out of your evaluation?  What does it take to change ”whatever needs to be changed” to put you on the right trail? I don’t know the answers to any of those questions for you.  I need to answer them myself.  ItchieBitchie says—Self-evaluation is soooooo hard (i.e. many times maybe inaccurate).

MissPerfect asks--Can a person with a dour attitude change?  My opinion is I think soooo but it is very hard and quite unlikely: when that attitude is deeply ingrained into one’s brain, it is hard to change (i.e. it seems most die with that attitude—it might even get worse with age maybe).  But at their funeral, it won’t be said that so-and-so had a dour attitude but probably everyone knows it.  Don’t worry if you think you have a dour attitude, they will say something nice at your funeral.  Oh yes, they will.  They always do (i.e. even if it's a fake report). 

My college basketball coach at good old Northwestern College, Coach Myskens, said he wanted us to be hostile, mobile and agile.  Well, I’m not very hostile anymore a.k.a. competitive, I’m not as mobile anymore, and I’m not as agile anymore.  I guess what I’m saying is that I’m not as good as I use to be.  I know it and it shows.  A pickleball/golf buddy told me that every year his drives are 7 yards shorter.  I don’t know if that process will ever stop.  What do you think?  That is what I thought. I was playing catch with our granddaughter, Charlie, in their house when I was there (i.e. grandpa can get by with that).  It seemed that my reactions weren't as fast as they use to be—I can’t understand that.  What!!!  I mentioned that to a friend and she said--Hard to say...eyesight, cataracts? Or hands not reacting as fast? Or, probably this one, memory not accurate. Stress is a HUGE elephant in the room....affects lots of things. GeorgeTheCrook says—There are a lot reasons for lot of stuff like--"I made my money the old-fashioned way. I was very nice to a wealthy relative right before he died." - Malcolm Forbes

MissPerfect says--There are really only two things you need to do in order to simplify your life – the first is to take a little time and decide what it is that’s important to you and the second is to try and get rid of as much of the other stuff and the things that get in the way of what’s important to you as you possibly can. Is that reality or fantasy?

The skinny of it is I have lost confidence in a person.  Yes, I have.  Are you a dependable person?  Consumers want a dependable car and if it isn’t dependable, they get a new one; they just don’t like an undependable car.  Employers like dependable employees.  Friends like dependable friends.  Sooooo I was going to use our DVD player, but our smart TV said it was an “invalid format.”  What, it always worked before.  Sooooo I googled it and there was talk about not having the proper resolution—I didn’t change any resolution.  Soooooo I just unplugged the TV and the receiver for 5 minutes and bingo, it worked (i.e. keep it simple stupid).  BUT, can I now depend on it to work (i.e. I don’t know)?  It will take me some time for me to once again have complete confidence in it.  Then when and if I do, I will forget about it.  Interesting to me.  CrazyMarvin says—That is how it works with folks as well! If we lose confidence in someone, it takes a long time to get it back. If they let you down again, we lose all confidence again and we might not ever have confidence in them again (i.e. it’s like dried up oatmeal on my breakfast bowl).  I don’t know! I wish I could unplug this person for a reboot (i.e. I don’t know for sure but my guess is that it’s not going to happen).  Maybe it’s time for me to move on! I don't know!  Such is life.

I don’t know folks but it appears that if you are in the main stream or any stream at all,  there sure are a lot of “differences of opinions.”  Some of you folks won’t agree with me about that either (i.e. difference of opinion)!!!  It appears that for many, what folks use to think is not “the in thing” anymore (i.e. like halfpipe at the Olympics didn’t use to be part of the games).  Many folks think way different than the previous generations.  Maybe and probably it has always been that way.  Many folks decide not to be part of the differences that they don’t agree with (e.g. move to an over 55 gated community where life might be a lot simpler and more enjoyable being around folks that agree with them more).  What do you think?  Years ago, in the United Sates, folks just moved farther west to get away from those folks they didn’t want to be around or who disagreed with them. Really, disagreement is not a new thing.  There were 620,000 deaths from the Civil War (i.e. 400,000 from disease).  Sooooo I’m probably wrong that differences of opinions are stronger now (i.e. maybe it just seems that way).  Such is life.

Some more from the “glut of information.”  A brother-in-law sent this to me by email soooooo it must be right (i.e. some person from PyeongChang forwarded it to him)!  Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day.  Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years unless you give them your email address.  ~   In the 60's, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it normal. 

Talk about differences of opinions, a friend gave me the DVD series of “The West" which is a PBS production.  I really enjoyed the DVDs.  The settling of the West was a lot about differences of opinions.  One group would come and kill the folks who lived there and then another group would come in and kill them and then another group who was stronger and had more passionate would kill those folks.  It just went on for a long time.  Much of the conflict was about freedom, beliefs, and about money (i.e. minerals and bounty of the land).  Eventually many were displaced, and The United State became in control and passed laws even though many groups disagreed.  It appears that usually the most powerful and the ones who have the most money and have the strongest passion, win (i.e. usually the majority). 

An old adage is—There is more wisdom in silence than noise!  Sooooo, I better make some silence for you!  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—The best antiques are old friends.

P. S. For all the hype about 'going for the gold,' we're so weary at the end of the day that going for the sofa is as good as it gets.