disappointment

We live in a culture where we get "information overload."  We get sooo much information that it's overwhelming.  Sooooo when reading this "It's Saturday" take that into consideration.  Many of you don't want any more information.  You can't remember or understand the information you already have (i.e. it doesn't stick with you like the dried up oatmeal does to my breakfast bowl). And besides, we don't know what is true and what isn't (i.e. no matter what folks say)!.

When things don’t go the way we want them to (i.e. a certain time in the movie) we have to decide what we are going to do and how you are going to react to the situation.  Folks do react differently.  Most folks are pretty predicable based on past performance.  Oh ya!

Yes, I have/had some temporary disappointments in life.  But looking at my life from 10,000 feet, I wonder if I do/have, so called, disappointments. Maybe those situations are really nuttin more that speed pumps of life (i.e. just part of living or maybe even opportunities).  And the truth is, I maybe have very few and I don’t really know if I have any disappointments.  Yes, it appears that Arlene having Alzheimer’s is a disappointment but even that, I can understand it and accept it (i.e. we aren’t anything more special than anyone else). Yes, it is a challenge and it has affected her life and my life, no question.   But a disappointment, I don’t know about that.  Well, second thought, maybe I am disappointed.  Could Be!

Disappointments—I think it’s a disappointment to me why bad wins over good.  Why does God allow that? Why do soooooo many folks have to die in wars.  That I just don’t understand.  Why soooo much sorrow; I just don’t like that and am disappointment why God allows that (i.e. but I am human and God is God).  Death, yes it’s a temporary disappointment but not a long term disappointment to me.  It’s going to happen to all of us.  Soooo I can’t say that death is a disappointment.  Not having more money isn’t a disappointment to me, to be better in golf or pickleball, no, that is not a disappointment. Children making bad decisions—no, they are temporary disappointments maybe but not long-term disappointments to me.  They are part of life.  When I asked a friend (i.e. who has been a friend for years) how she is doing, she always says—Better than some and not as good as others.

I think that when I’m over tired I don’t perform as well. That applies to my golf game, my thinking, my performance, my attitude and maybe much more.  I absolutely think I don’t perform as well when I’m tired (e.g. when I over exercise, my golf game isn’t as good).  Maybe age magnifies this.  I think it does.  I can’t do as much physical activity with the same results as I use to.  I really do think that is true.  It never use to affect me but it seems to now.  It’s sorta kinda a disappointment but maybe more reality.  I asked the Big Kahuna what he thought--he agreed soooo it must be right.  Such is life.

I said to KenSenior the other day—How ya doing—I’m still upright!  I then asked his live-in how she was doing—Good; then she said, not really!  I was in a restaurant the other day and three old guys were in the next booth.  One old dude got up to leave and said to the other two old coats—I will see you tomorrow if I’m still alive!  The other two old farts didn’t even acknowledge him.  He acted disappointed!  

A friend (i.e. who appears is open minded about some things and appears soooo closed minded about others) tells me that he doesn’t believe anything he hears and half of what he see!  He doesn’t want to be disappointed in finding out latter that it was not true!  This next story might be true, and it might not—probably not but several folks did tell me the same story!  ha ha  Folks in CA are leaving the state to take up residence in other states to avoid high taxes. They sell their houses for a huge amount and then move to other states and buy a bigger and better house for a fraction of the cost and have less real estate tax and some of these states have no income tax (i.e. it’s all about the money).  Some think they can’t afford to live in CA and some don’t like the culture in CA.  Hey, if you want the fiddler to play, you got to pay ‘em.  CA seems to have a lot of freebies for anyone and everyone; someone has to pay for them.  It’s all about the money.  Money usually decides the results.  Soooooo tell me folks, is that story true?  That is what I thought.  Such is life. But flip the pancake.  I talked to a guy who was raised in Aplington but lived most of his live in CA but now has moved back to our little town.  I asked him about the liberalism of CA.  He said, I really enjoyed the liberalism and will miss it.  Sooooo there you go folks. 

Uff Da! A pickleball buddy (i.e. a brainiac) sat down on the bench next to me and told me that one of their sons and family are here for the week.  That sounds like fun.  It’s not (i.e. he spilled his guys to me).  His wife and kids get up at noon every day.  His wife is very opinionated and over thinks everything and over reacts; besides she does everything very slow; just drives me crazy. She has been hard on our family; has driven a wedge between our other children and their children.  I really can’t stand tooooo much of her (i.e. a little of her goes a long ways).  Ouchy ouchy!  I heard some disappointment in his voice (i.e. sounded like he just got hit in the head had a TKO called on him).  WorldClassLarry says--If your happiness is dependent upon your ability to get someone to meet your level of expectations, then you are destined to a life of unhappiness.  WorldClassLarry, that is soooo true but when it is your family, it hurts and is hard.  That pill is hard to swallow! AverageJoe says--That is why many families put miles between themselves! Hey buddy, at least they didn't bring along a couple of dogs, a pet pig and a pet snake!

I read this in the paper soooo it must be right--Every economy, including here in America, has wealth makers and wealth takers. You have wealth producers and wealth users, wealth contributors and wealth consumers. The economy gets turned upside down when there are more consumers than there are contributors. That’s what’s happening right now in America. That, of course, is one person’s opinion.  World history tells us when it gets way out of whack (i.e. either side), there are revolutions.  I’m not making that up folks. Moderation folks, moderation!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--“Let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest” (Galatians 6:9 GNT). SusieQ says—Do good; always do good and good will for sure happen to you soooo do good; you will not be disappointed. GeorgeTheCrook says—I’m straddling the fence on that idea! Our culture seems to have more folks who think doing good is not that important and seem to do alright.  In fact, many who don’t do what is right seem to do better (i.e. as far as making more money)!  And money is very important to many folks; more important than doing good.  JoeBlow says—I think that’s right on the money! Leo Durocher, the legendary major league baseball manager, once remarked while referring to a rival team that “nice guys finish last.”

Can you adapt? It appears to me that great folks can adapt. They don’t sit and complain but adapt and move forward.  I play golf with guys who adapt; they have tooooo.  One has a bad back and had to adapt his swing accordingly (i.e. hits the ball well). Another has a bad shoulder and also had to adapt his swing (i.e. hits the ball well).  Another guy wears compression hose that compresses his leg muscles but somehow affects his brain—he hits the ball well.  They all adapt and do well.  They don’t complain.  Not tooooo much anyway! ha ha  I used  a friend’s putter and I seemed to putt better (i.e. or was I just luckier that day).  I now am going to adapt my putter to be like his.  I’m going add 3 inches to its length and put a big grip on it.  I always wanted to be like him (i.e. soooo I’m making the adaption)!  ha ha I hope I’m not disappointed! Maybe it was just some of his magic still on the club!  ANYWAY I got seduced!

I hope you listen to the podcast below with Claas Kampman. I think you might like it. It’s sorta kinda about what I just wrote about but much better.

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

erv

MyFreindJean says—Some people make the world more special first by being in it.

https://soundcloud.com/itssaturday/erv-mellema-with-claas-kampman-16-7-26-18

guess what

If any of you think after reading this “It’s Saturday” you are going to be in total nirvana, I am telling you, you will not be (i.e. you are barking up the wrong tree). Guess what, it will take a lot more than these little tidbits to even dent your brain.  In fact, if I would give you 2 cents for your thoughts, I wouldn’t get my money’s worth!  That is for some of you; some of you, your thoughts would be worth the 2 cents.  And some of you are as wise as an owl!  I couldn’t pay you enough for your wisdom! Yes siree!

Maybe one of the wisest man who ever lived a.k.a. King Solomon said—Meaningless meaningless!  Just chasing after the wind.   At the end it says--the conclusion of matter is…!

My opinion a.k.a. a guess is that accurate self-evaluation is something that wise folks can do and do well.  Sooooo I communicated with a friend and the conversation went like this—I’m in the middle of “Option B” right now written by the COO of Facebook, Sheryl Sandberg. I’m only halfway through it but has some good thoughts.  I’ll send it your way if you have any interest.  Might be a while before I finish.  Been busy lately.  ~ Aren’t you always busy!!!! ha ha ~  Just the excuse I use all the time!  :)

A wise deceased friend once said—When enough folks die, things change!  ItchieBitchie says—Many times it takes only one person to die and things really change (e.g. a mom or a dad or one church leader). Think about that folks.  WorldClassLarry says—Then a whole generation dies, and we seem to have more changes.  Here is some more wise stuff that someone said--But folks, when it comes to your life, a hole in the boat is a hole in the boat, and eventually it’s going to sink you if you don’t fix it. Ouchy ouchy!  Saturday question—Why are you soooo talented?  Why you? CrazyMarvin (i.e. who over thinks about everything) says—erv, quite being such a smart aleck! BobbyKnowItAll says--erv, you don't know near as much as you think you do and you don't know a whole lot! Sooooo there!

AFriendJim (i.e. who always makes it look easy) wanted me to read this book soooo I did (i.e. he and I enjoy similar stuff most of the time—he is a retired engineer soooo…).  He asked me what I thought of it—Interesting—he responded--Interesting.... and thought provoking. My kind of book! BrainManJoe says—We seem to enjoy different types of reads. Certain folks are stimulated differently alright and some are more the same.  Some just like those dirty romantic novels (a ton of them are sold).  It stimulates some folks.  Did you hear that at the World Cup, that some accuse the media of sexism? Yep, they think they show tooooo many pretty girls in the audience on TV. Guess what; I for one sorta kinda enjoy that!  Soooo what does that say about me?

Here are a few sayings from the book, Living Life Backwards by David Gibson about wisdom. Maybe you might resonate with them, and maybe not.  Such is life.

• ·         Wise people simply accept that they are going to die.
• ·         Part of being wise in this world is learning to accept that we have only very limited access to the big picture.
• ·         Wise is grasping the big message of life in this world eludes our control. The wisest thing you can do is to realize that not even being wise will tell you everything you want to know.
• ·         It is God who rules the universe. And so, although you can live well, and die well, and know some things truly, you cannot know all things completely.
• ·         I cannot know, and so I don’t have to know. Trying to know, or pretending to know, is foolishness, not wisdom.
• ·         Here is wisdom: take the best of what you have and the best of what you have and the best of what you are and give them away.
• ·         So, fearing the Lord and remembering our Creator makes us wise, because it teaches us to live on our knees: it humbles us as the creature and exalts God as the Creator who knows what is best.·          

I really guess soooo!  I was trimming some limbs west of our house using my electric chain saw on a pole.  It works really well.  ANYWAY, the last limb was the highest.  I had to stand on my step ladder and extend the pole to the limit.  It just was long enough. Well I got my saw wedged in the tree and could not get it out.  I went and got my NeighorBrian’s extension ladder.  His Dad (i.e. Duane) bought it for him years ago.  If you knew Duane, you know it is heavy duty a.k.a. the best.  I was tired and the ladder weighs about 85 pounds (i.e. felt like 380) and was awkward to handle.  I transported it using my golf cart.  It’s a big sucker that extends to heaven if you extend it to the max.  Soooooo I get it up on the tree, but it took all the muscles I had (i.e. not very many).  It worked great and with just a little cut, I got my saw loose.  No problem!  The problem was I had to get that sucker down.  It was a struggle. Now I had to get it back on the wall of Brian’s garage.  I tell you what, I had to try several times to get that sucker up.  I was shot! I guess I’m not as strong as I use to be or as I thought I was!!

Guess what!  Not everyone isn’t soooo thrilled. The Golden State Warriors (i.e. 2-time NBA Champions) just signed DeMarcus Cousins (i.e. an All-Star) to a one-year contract. It appears that they might just as well give them the trophy now instead of playing the season.  The other teams aren’t soooo thrilled.  Years ago, when I was learning to play golf, I played with Hank and the boys.  Hank was probably mid 70s (i.e. I thought a real old guy).  ANYWAY, we played for quarters and he had a hard time competing with us as he was a good golfer, but age was getting to him.  He loved to compete and have a game.  He would say after getting beat another time—It’s just give away, just plain give away.  Sometimes it appears that the deck is just stacked against a guy.  That is the time not to bet and not play soooo competitive anymore.  I miss old Hank (i.e. nickname Smokey)!

The other day we had a foursome of friends who played 18; it was really fun.  One guy in the foursome played, according to him, really well.  He said—I usually play to the caliber of play I’m playing with.  ANYWAY, in pickleball there is always the conflict of ability grouping.  Many times, the better players don’t enjoy playing all the time with the poorer players which can cause conflicts (i.e. nuttin new).  Socially it is done some, but the better players usually don’t play their game but play off, work on a weak shot, don’t play hard and are just nice but can be somewhat disinterested.  Actually, my partner the other day, said to me after a guy hit a hard shot at her—he did that on purpose!  This guy is very competitive and didn’t get the memo that you are supposed to play down to their level and be nice. Da!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Ouchy ouchy!  "No wealth can ever make a bad man at peace with himself." - Plato  Do you believe that?  That is what I thought! 

A friend/widow (i.e. who is always nice) sent me this text recently--Really miss having a soulmate/friend to share ideas and thoughts. Did some heavy thinking that I would like to share, but afraid I will lose it before we get to talk. One of those things where the ideal time passes, and the thoughts seem to fade into the background, replaced by the next ideas (i.e. pretty deep and wise I think). My response was--That is soooo true. It happens to me all the time. I write a lot of notes, but my emotions change and then my thoughts aren't the same (i.e. not near as deep and wise). I guess there are a lot of folks with thoughts, emotions, frustrations, loneliness etc. I guess most folks like to have someone they can share stuff with.  Not everyone has that person.  I admit being a caregiver of Arlene, I can’t do that with Arlene; I miss that.  Ouchy ouchy!

For the most part! Guess what, birds of a feather stick together. Positive folks usually are around positive folks and negative folks are usually around negative folks for the most part.  Complainers are around other complainers and doers are around other doers for the most part.  Crooks are around other crooks for the most part. Good hearted folks are around other good-hearted folks for the most part. 

Not surprising at all to me.  It appears that many things are sold in a hysterical way (i.e. folks love to see folks protesting and crying—at least the media things soooooo).  I mean this way of thinking is sold in crazy wild ways and in ways out of proportion compared to the what the situation really is.  And you know what, it must work.  Sensationalism seems to work (e.g. news shows a park flooded by the Wapsipinicon River soooo the whole county or the whole stare of Iowa must be flooded—this park floods usually 3 times a year).  Leaders seem to create divisions to affect folks’ egos soooo they will think the way they want them to think.  Some leaders are great at spreading lies to rouse the crowd and there are other leaders who hire scandal-mongers to create diversions or to make themselves look better.  Some leaders use labeling as a method of creating an advantage. This has been going on forever folks.  It’s no surprise.  It must work sucker. They keep hollering wolf! I put up a water gauge (i.e. never had one before).  Can’t believe anyone’s amount of rain they say they got soooo I had to have my own. ha ha  

I have an acquaintance/maybe a friend who says that he is spiritually conservative but socially liberal.  I asked him if that is really possible.  Isn’t that a conflict?  He said no.  Soooo I guess he will go with that. MessyandconfusedHazel says--What a strange mixture of good and bad we human beings are. With compassion we serve meals to the poor and at the same time we abort unborn babies. I don’t understand many things (i.e. not that wise).  ANYWAY, A friend told me this soooo it might be true--supposedly 70% of Americans want safe boarders but we hear most on the news from the 30% of others (i.e. I assume many of the 30% don’t want save borders). Hey folks, I betcha a dollar that some of it might be true.

SleazyBallRussell (i.e. who is always on vacation) asks—Empathy and apathy, is there a difference?  Of course, there is!  I know folks who have very little empathy and a lot of apathy.  Yes, I do.  Are those two qualities genetic or are they taught or both?  Guess what? I am just amazed when I get to know some folks who have one and not the other.  Some of those folks just amaze me.  Even in certain occupations, I find it interesting how one person can have one and not the other and another person is just the opposite.  Why is that.  Or kids of the same family have one and not the other.  Saturday question—Do you have empathy? Do you have apathy?  I have a hard time understanding some folks; they talk one way but act another pertaining to these words.  The mind is an interesting folks.  AverageJoe says—No one really understands it.

And the conclusion of the matter is…!  Or as a wise person once said--Do you not yet perceive or understand? . . . Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? 

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

erv

MyFreindJean says—If you judge people, you have not time to love them ~ Mother Teresa

surprise surprise surprise

l am not sure of the year exactly and I don’t know who everyone is, but I am about 99% sure that you are in the back row on the right.

I found this gem in the weeds a.k.a. crap a.k.a. cabbage (i.e. golf terminology).  Usually you don’t find gems or high-quality balls in the weeds a.k.a. crap.  Why you ask?  Well, poor golfers usually are the ones who hit a higher percentage of the time in the crap soooo they use cheaper balls. The better players will use better balls (i.e. more expensive) to match their game and they don’t hit in the weeds as much (i.e. unless they have bigger egos than their game).  Makes sense to you (i.e. unless daddy is buying junior’s golf balls)? It probably is a gal’s golf ball as I found it about 20 yards to the side and in front of the women’s tee as I was running one morning.  Most guys don’t use green balls (i.e. at least not the ones I’m around but you aughta see the guys I play with ha ha). She is probably a poor golfer and got the ball as a Mother’s Day present would be my guess.  Sooooooo you might find a gem in the weeds a.k.a. crap in this “It’s Saturday.” Or you might find stuff in this “It’s Saturday” just as the ball says! 

“Every time you overhear something hurtful, I want you to do something kind for someone else.” - Suze Orman ~   Surprise folks and do something out of character (e.g. be especially nice to someone who you usually are not nice tooooo).  AverageJoe (i.e. who is a real can of corn) says-- It’s never too late to do the right thing. If you do that, you might surprise someone soooo much that they will wet their pants (i.e. thinking there is something wrong with you).  They might call the minister and have the minister pray for you as they think something is seriously wrong with you!  The minister might wet their pants tooooo!  ha ha

I think he surprised his dad.  We have a couple of neighbor boys, ages maybe 6 and 4, who are all boy.  They are really fun to watch and be around.  The other day I asked them what their middle names were.  The older one said James and the younger on said devil.  His dad said—devil isn’t your middle name.  You always call me “little devil!!”

Surprise surprise surprise!  Or is it a surprise? Things are changing and always will.  BUT women in politics (i.e. they are no longer footnotes) have and are changing things pretty fast (i,e, laying stuff on the table in the open). Women are definitely changing the environment.  They are altering the way campaigns operate.  It will never be the same.  It’s hard for men to argue certain points with a woman, if they use gender and other type of stuff.  A guy can only get in trouble and gain nuttin (i.e. have to be very politically correct or men are done--stick a fork in them). Maybe it’s better to say nuttin! WorldClassLarry says--You are what you do, not what you say you’ll do (i.e. performance is louder than words--except in politics).

Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (NIV). LuckieEddie says—When I am quiet, everything is soooo much easier to understand.  Both of those statements have no “small print” folks. It is what it is to me!   I really believe it works and it is no surprise to me that it does. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--When life seems to be falling apart, your most “spiritual” decision may be a surprise: Get alone with God, and wait. The Bible says in Lamentations 3:28, “When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The ‘worst’ is never the worst” (MSG). Most of us don’t know how to “enter the silence.” We’re always anxious. We don’t like to wait on God because it stresses us out. We like to be in control. If we want to listen to God and experience the hope he has for us, we have to get alone with him (i.e. my opinion). We must “enter the silence” and be ready to hear him. This seems to really work for me; maybe not for you: maybe a 12-pack of Bud-Light might work better for you.  Such is life. 

This might be a surprise surprise surprise to some of you.  I went and saw an acquaintance the other day.  He is a farmer and was filling up a small sprayer tank in the back of his JD Gator.  He told me that if you have a sprayer in the back, you don’t have to have lights nor be licensed (i.e. using it for farm use).  Basically, you can drive it anywhere.  I was told that farmers can write it off for tax purposes as a farm expense even though it basically is for the grand kids to drive around.  I think I’m going to mount a little sprayer on the back of my Yamaha XT250 a.k.a. my respite bike.  I bet that would be a surprise to the Highway Patrol person.  And maybe not; they probably have seen most everything.  I wonder if my tax person has seen that before. 

Surprise surprise surprise! Or no surprise.  I don’t know how you will react. From our sun porch, we can see Gray Street and 13^th Street.  It seems like a lot of folks walk and run on those streets.  I have seen many of them soooo often that by a glance, I can tell by their walk or run who it is (i.e. now that is small town).  One gal puzzles me. She is quite disciplined by walking almost every day.  BUT when I see her in public, it seems she has gained about 5 pounds each time.  She must be a big eater.  What do you think? That is what I thought. Hey, it’s a good way to get new clothes on a consistent basis!!!! I bet Goodwill really likes her! She might be nominated for the “5-star award for the most clothes given that were less than a year old.” Bingo—a forced giver—might get her picture in the paper with a nice article. I read in the paper that 75% of Americans are overweight.  Why is that do you think?  That is what I thought.

Surprise surprise surprise!  I was finishing my run the other morning and someone hollers at me.  It was MyFriendRandy fixing MyFriendJean’s garage door opener.  He told me this story of his father, Karl, a friend and old neighbor who also owned part of the lumber yard and also was the “garage door expert.”  One day a senor lady called and said her garage door opener didn’t work and was wondering if he could come and fix it—can’t right now; I’m busy; I will send a fix over the phone—ok, the lady said—go out to the garage and unplug it and then pug it back in; do it three times.  She did and called back saying it worked. What a hoot! If you knew Karl, it’s even funnier! ha ha

I was on a run early the other morning and a friend was on his drive.  I see your garden really looks good—it ‘cause of dad’s manure.  I didn’t ask him what he meant saying “his dad’s manure!” I read in the paper the other day that 66% of black children live in a fatherless home and 24% of whites.  Kids. It said, kids of fatherless homes are 10 times more likely to get on drugs. Are you surprised?  Soooo folks, dad’s manure seems to really affect children (i.e. produces results) and probably affects our future generations--dad’s manure is priceless.  Does that make any sense to you?  That is what I thought. 

Well last week I talked about my complaining about my golf game.  Soooo I went for an early morning run on the golf course (i.e. I thought I was the only person on the course).  I get to the back of the course approaching the 8^th tee box and see this walker getting ready to tee off (i.e. he toooo thinking he is the only person on the course).  I stopped to give him some space as he was preparing to hit (i.e. he teed his ball up, took a couple of practice swings, approached the ball, did a waggle, and took a mighty whack at the ball.  Then he said quite loudly--*^@#*)+*^&*%@    *&%$#)&@~in' slice!  Soooo I continued running on the path approaching him from behind and said—I assume you didn’t like your shot.  I hate that *%^$#*(%$     *^$#@!_*&^in' slice that went into the trees (i.e. you want cheese with your whine)! Well, enjoy your round of golf.  That doesn’t sound toooo relaxing now does it.  That is why folks have to accept their game or quite.  Statistics show that many are quitting and taking up book reading!  ha ha  BigMouthCaseywhocomplainsoneveryshot says--Maybe complaining is just part of the game of golf; like it’s synonymous with golf!  Could be.

Surprise surprise surprise!  Maybe!!!  WorldClassLarry says--There are things we know we know; we also know there are known unknowns; that is to say, we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know… it is the latter category that tend to be the difficult ones. Lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 Lord, You Know; there are no surprises with you Oh God.  That is hard for our human minds to understand.  BUT we are not God but are humans even though many folks think they are God.  Ouchy ouchy!

Soooooo we went to our son, Chet and daughter-in-law Jessica’s place for the 4th for a few hours. Rookie came and sat on my lap and looked me right in the eye and said—Grandpa, did you bring any ice cream? (i.e. I did the last two times). I said no Rookie, but I brought some Mary’s brownies.  He said--”That will work Grandpa!”.  He and his sister Charlie are soooo sweet and kind to Arlene.  Soooooo loving. Just amazing. It is very touching to me. Saturday question—Is that reaction genetic or taught or both?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—It appears it is surely better to pardon too much than to condemn too much.

critical thinking

Some of you might think this “It’s Saturday” is toooo much sugar for a nickel. And it could be!  Remember folks, you get what you pay for! BUT this “It’s Saturday” could be an “uplift” or a “drag down.”  I guess it all depends on your mindset.  A golf buddy (i.e. who can hit ‘em deep) was telling me that he was on an uplifting fishing trip in Canada.  It was a beautiful day and he had a large walleye hooked and was playing it out; it got off.  He put his pole down to take a leak and the pole hit the side of the boat in such a way and it broke.  While getting ready to take a leak, his new iPhone fell out of it’s holder and the face hit a rivet perfect and shattered the face (i.e. $300 to replace). He didn’t tell me how his leak went!  From the sound of his luck, he probably dribbled on his pants! As a friend says—My luck!

I stopped and saw some super-senor friends (i.e. super nice and super age) from church last Saturday morning.  She told me that he is always soooo positive and I’m not.  Well, maybe it’s his job to lift her up.  I try to lift her up but I can't do it (i.e. I think he was insinuating that she weighs tooooo much)! He and I both laughed but I don’t know if she thought it was funny.  I think she thought it was funny but I don't know for sure.  After some “critical thinking’’, maybe it would have been better that I would not have laughed.  But I did.  I will never be homecoming queen that is for sure! Such is life.

ItchieBitchie (i.e. who says "uncle" a lot) says—There doesn’t seem to be much open mindedness anymore. There is more of the zealot mentality regarding your position on most everything. We seem to live in a closed-minded world; a world pretty much that is all about me (i.e. how everything affects me).  GeorgeTheCrook is soooo full of hypocrisy; it even seeps out of his ears (e.g. he places others before himself unless he wants what others have and that is all the time). JoeBlow says—That pretty much sums up the situation now doesn’t it.  Is it maybe that I have  “critical thinking” or is it that “my thinking is just being critical?” Or is all this talk just my imagination based on my one-sided thinking?  It could be, and I don’t even know it. It is good that that some of you are soooo open minded to figure it all out (i.e. at least let’s just let you think you are).  What would the world be without those folks who know all the answers!  I can only imagine! It would probably be a mess and all mixed up!

In Ecclesiastics it says this—Ask God for wisdom and He will give it to you.  I prayed for wisdom and I got some, but I didn’t like it.  Yep, that is right. I have been complaining that my golf game isn’t as good as the past.   I realize that I’m not as strong anymore.  I realize I’m not as mobile and agile as I use to be either.  BUT the wisdom I received this week is—I might have to accept it (i.e. I’m ok with it—maybe but I still complain)!  I think that is wisdom.  Now I need to apply that wisdom.  I quite don’t have the application figured out yet (i.e. need more wisdom). Saturday question—What do you think God is?  Some think He is a cosmic cop, some think He’s the celestial Santa Claus, some think He’s the grand old man, and some think He’s the force. What is your version of God?  I would guess all of our thinking is different.  My version is—God is God and that is just the way it is; His understanding I cannot fathom.

Question for you CrazyMarvin (i.e. who is a mixture of good and bad)—Are you a Democrat or Republican?  Is there a difference?  I think by listening to you I pretty much know! I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—About 99% of professors in the top 66 universities are Democrats except for two universities and they are U.S Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. You think that is true? A friend who was just shy of his PHD was in education.  He said—I was a die-hard democrat; even protested and marched in a picket line.  Then I become an entrepreneur and business person and became a Republican.  I didn’t ask him why he changed.  You have any idea why he would change? Runnin’noseFrida says—Do we have any Americans anymore or just Democrats and Republican?  SweetsweetMary says--You Can Disagree Without Being Disagreeable. GeorgeTheCrook asks—Who is the most disagreeable, a Democrat or a Republican or are they about the same?

IckieVickie (i.e. who is a big splasher) says—I like to stay in anonymity when voicing my opinion. I like to be a mug-rumper (i.e. have my rump on one side of the fence and my mug on the other side of the fence). I don’t like repercussions.  I like to lay in the weeds; stay in the shadows; I like to waffle, I like to speak out both sides of my mouth.   I like to have everyone like me; I am hoping someday to be a homecoming queen.

GeorgeTheCrook says--Soooo when you communicate with someone and they don’t respond, why is that?  I have no idea but maybe they don’t think your communication merits a response, they are obnoxious, they don’t want to communicate with you, maybe they have something not going right in their life or don’t want to talk to anyone right now, maybe they missed it, maybe they forgot, maybe they are just not in the mood, maybe they are in their little world, maybe they are the same folks who park in front of the mailboxes, or maybe we have no idea.   SusieQ asks—Should we continue to communicate with them or just give up on them?  I have no idea!  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  

I saw a gal that I haven’t seen for a long time.  She used to be quite pretty.  I don’t know what happened, but she looks like “a horse rode hard and put away wet.” It looks like she has had a hard life.   Flip the pancake! I talked to a gal who grew up down the street that I haven’t seen for 25+ years.  She is now in her 40s and really looks great.  She was a very common gal growing up in our community.  She now seems classy, poised, and attractive.  What happened? I have no idea.  Maybe her environment changed, or education, or married the right guy.  I really don’t know but maybe she has an easy life. And maybe I have both of those gals all wrong.  BUT that is the impression they give me.  Saturday question—What impression do you give folks?  And you know what folks, maybe the impression we have of our self might be way different than the impression others have of us.  Could be! AverageJoe says—When my wife puts on her face, she looks way different (i.e. shine ‘em up and show ‘em off)!  Way different!

LuckieEddie (i.e. who is the brother of LuckieRustie who by his own admission says he was born lucky) says—Maybe you view each situations differently than someone else but it doesn’t change the fact that in every circumstance principles are laid to waste to glorify one side and to vilify the other.  LuckieEddie, is that critical thinking? It’s like, should I buy the large chocolate malt or not! SusieQ says—I can justify anything!  Oh ya!

All spring I don’t think my golf game has been as sharp as I think it should be.  I don’t have as much power as I think I should (i.e. I seem weaker like I said and I complain a lot ). My Doc said—erv, you are not 25 anymore.  ANYWAY I complain all the time about my shots; seems like every shot (i.e. I have a good reason; my shots are bad). My scores are not much different but I have to play a way different game (i.e. don’t hit the ball crisp and my game is ugly).  Sooooo one of the guys we play with said to me last week—erv, you sure do complain a lot; like on every shot.  Sooooo I decided I was not going to complain anymore.  I didn’t complain until I hit my first bad shot!  ha ha  BUT, I really didn’t complain as much.  I told my buddies that I wasn’t going to complain anymore.  Well I shot a good first nine (i.e. even hit the ball better--all because of a tip from a golf buddy/friend).  They all gave me a hard time as to how successful I was when not complaining.  The back nine I had a super great score (i.e. ended up shooting my age for the 18--how lucky can a guy get). I heard more crap.  Soooooo, the moral of the story is—don’t complain. I rode with a buddy in his golf cart.  He is a good golfer but is in a funk with his 3-metal.  He can’t hit it right now.  He hits a short low snap hook (i.e. real ugly).  He complains all the time every time.  Soooo we get to the last hole (i.e. par 5). His second shot called for 3-metal.  I say to him—you going to hit it?  He said—I’m going to hit it until I can hit it.  He hit it and it was another short low snap hook (i.e. just as ugly as all the times before).  I said to him—One thing for sure is that you are very consistent.  He complained!

Then I get this text from a golf buddy/friend who hits the ball a mile and always has a good score--Hi erv. Congratulations again on your good golf. Here's a thought: if a shot isn't quite what we want, it's not complaining to say something about it. You are merely diagnosing the dynamics of the shot. That sounds more positive,  Folks, what do you think--Is that wisdom, “critical thinking” or golf bullshit crap!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.