pretend

Some of you folks might think I’m just shouting from the cheap seats!  I understand that.  And, you know what, I might be!  Just remember, you get what you pay for! SusieQ says—erv, your ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. And erv, most of your ideas all smell like guano!

I know lots of people, who it appears, like to pretend (i.e. DuaneTheWorm is the grand champion a.k.a. the purple ribbon winner). Little kids like to play dress up and wear Superman/Superwoman stuff and adults pretend in soooooo many ways (i.e. many times they do it for approval of others).  Some folks pretend soooo long that they don’t know who they really are anymore (i.e. have worn a mask for a long time). BUT reality is, most know the truth and most get tired of the deception BUT for the most part, most folks keep doing it. I read in the paper soooo it must be right that social media is a great avenue for folks to be fakers. MissPerfect says—I never post a picture of myself five minutes after I get up—now that is the real me.  Yikes!

In “Richards III,” William Shakespeare wrote, “An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.”  A friend and me had a discussion over breakfast a while ago.  We both think that being real is soooo important; not many if any folks like folks who aren’t.  He told me that years ago a salesman came to his place in hopes of selling him something.  He said—This guy was soooo full of wind; I saw right through him almost right away; half of what he said was lies and the other half wasn’t true.  This friend was going to preach/talk at his church the next Sunday.  We had a long discussion about how important for all folks to be sincere and straight forward.  You believe that? JoeBlow says—I don’t know about that; I think there are a lot of folks who would rather hear the “glossed over version” or the version that “fits them the best.” Ouchy ouchy!

If this paragraph sounds sorta kinda preachy; it is!  It is by Pastor Rick Warren.  In Christian fellowship, people should experience authenticity. Authentic fellowship is not superficial, surface-level chit-chat. It’s genuine, heart-to-heart, sometimes gut-level sharing. It happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives. They share their hurts, reveal their feelings, confess their failures, disclose their doubts, admit their fears, acknowledge their weaknesses, and ask for help and prayer. Authenticity is the exact opposite of what you find in many churches. Instead of an atmosphere of honesty and humility, there is pretending, role-playing, politicking and superficial politeness, and shallow conversation. People wear masks, keep their guards up, and act as if everything is rosy in their lives. These attitudes are the death of real friendship. Of course, being authentic requires both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again.

JoeStumbleThroughIt (i.e. a real sledgehammer) says—I can see right through folks; they can’t fool me. You might be surprised JoeStumbleThroughIt; you might be surprised.  JoePsychologist says--As long as we respond predictably to what feels good and what feels bad, it is easy for others to exploit our preferences for their own ends.  Ouchy ouchy!  Surely I wouldn’t do that! Ya right erv, you might be the champion; you might be just pretending again! 

I might have made a discovery that I didn’t understand before.  I don’t know for sure but I sorta kinda think soooo.  I am thinking that our culture is changing/has changed soooo drastically, that it cannot and will not ever return (i.e. a point of no return—it’s an impossibility).  This thought was solidified by a friend on the golf course.  He didn’t realize he impacted me by what he said.  He said something to the effect that the seniors of today want to life an active life style and many have the affluence to do it.  They don’t want the old way and don’t want to return to it regardless even if others want them toooo. CadillacJack says--If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.

I was thinking how Sunday afternoons have changed.  Several of our older clients of years past would have their living rooms lined with many many chairs. The reason was that they had large families and Sunday afternoon all the kids, their spouses, and grandkids came to visit.  It was the culture.  They had to have chairs for everyone to sit.  I shared this with a senior friend recently.  She said—I remember going to my late husband’s parents every Sunday afternoon and all the chairs were filled with their adult kids and spouses.  We would serve afternoon tea to all of them.  And they all would take cream and sugar; his dad would drink his tea out of the saucer.  We laughed. 

I heard this analogy about pretending.  If you see someone swimming in the ocean, how do you know if they have a swimming suit on?  Well, you don’t until the tide rolls out; then you know!  Coach said—You don’t know if all other folks’ stuff is real or make belief until the tide rolls out; then they are exposed (i.e. it is what it is).  Abraham Lincoln said—You can foul some of the people all of the time, and all the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all of the time. 

Sometimes I pretend that I/we are ok but I/we really aren’t (i.e. I can stuff my feelings away but they just pop out somewhere else).Soooooo I took a respite to CO last week.  This is how I feel about respites.  It’s much like our flocks that are now in the shade of trees that have grown up in our back yard compared to flocks that are in the direct sunlight.  I needed a break and besides, I soooo much wanted to see our kids and grandkids.

I think I have recognized a need here for me and everything just worked out.  Onesmartperson says—Do what needs to be done when it needs to be done. I think that makes life soooo much better.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

Erin got an award at school and part of why she got it is because of her character.  I sent her this and told her what it meant when I was there.  Character is not pretending; it’s what we really are.  A golf buddy told me this story the last time we played.  They have a group from their church that plays on Saturday mornings.  A guy from their church always talks about his good scores but doesn’t play with their group.  The reason why is that he takes mulligans a.k.a. do-overs all the time when he hits a bad shot (i.e. cheats).  Everyone knows it; he’s a joke a.k.a. a pretender!  Is that funny or what.  BennyBen says--It’s human nature to minimize our limitations and take credit for our accomplishments.  BennyBen, it appears that some folks have more human nature in them than others.  ha ha

I’m not pretending; I had no idea what those words meant; in fact, I couldn’t even pronounce them. I had to goggle them.  I learned something again.  I like what the saying is trying to say to me.  Faith, family, and friends are gold. I’m not pretending when I have to ask for help (i.e. maybe I  would rather pretend to know it all).  ANYWAY, late last winter the electric starter failed on our snowblower.  I goggled it and it said the spring-loaded part of the starter probably got hung up and wouldn’t engage because of lack of oil or a little rust.  It showed how to fix it.  Sooooo the other day I took it off and took the starter motor apart.  Easy as pie; I got it fixed; easy as pie. BUT I couldn’t get the starter motor together again!  I had to go to my friend, Secretariat, for help (i.e. he knows everything and can do everything).  I was trying to put the brushes on top of the armature, and he showed me that I had to put them on the outside or the armature (i.e. that makes sense).  Bingo! Soooo it’s easy as pie if you know what you are doing.  Such is life.

CadillacJack says—It appears that some folks like to be seen and heard rather than do what is important.  C’mon, we all know those folks; they are dime a dozen.  Why is that do you think?  Here is an idea to try—be a true steward and a servant; the next time you do something for others, don’t tell anyone.  John Calvin said--The highest honor in the Church is not government but service.

When I look back at my life (i.e. flashing by), I realize that many good things just seemed like they just fell into my lap.  Ok, some seemingly bad stuff fell in my lap toooo.  This respite to CO was such a good thing that seemingly fell into my lap.  I didn’t really plan it, but it just happened.  It appears that tooooo many times we think toooo much of the bad stuff and not the good stuff.  I do!  Benjamin Disraeli, the British prime minister from1874 to 1880, said, “What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expected generally happens.”

Before I die, I want to ________________________________! (i.e. fill in the blank). Sooooo I would be very curious to know what you filled in your blank with.  Will you share it with me?  It’s being real.

I quite often give the grand kids a gift usually in an oatmeal box.  This time I gave them Gerbera Daisies.  When Rookie took his he said—Is that all; is there another present? I asked Jimmer what he thought of his daisy—he said—not very good! I asked Charlie if she pouts—not a lot; but Rookie pouts a lot—Rookie said—now that is true.  I asked Erin if she is a morning person—yes, I am most of the time; but Jimmer isn’t—Jimmer said—that is right! Charlie told me—Grandpa, you are funny even when you aren’t trying! Jimmer said he had a big fight with all his Army guys (i.e. 200+)—who won—no one lived! But Jimmer did really like the pen I gave him (i.e. a freebie from Marge’s CountryParlor). Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—A small town is a place where you don’t have to go anywhere to get away from it all.

your will

JoeBlow says--The will is never free – it is always attached to an object, a purpose.  It is simply the engine in the car – it can’t steer.

Talk is cheap folks.  We all have said things but didn’t live up to what we said.  We are complete phonies.  Our will changes; sometimes just within a few minutes.  That is why it is hard to always believe what folks say and do in the short run.  Now the long run gives us a little better idea and test pattern.  WorldClassLarry says—A person’s past history gives us an idea as how they will act in the future.  We gain more confidence in people as their history gets longer.  Oh ya!  And sometimes we have great trust in folks based on a long history and we really get burned.  I don’t know what the answer is!  What do you think it is?

I’m going to share some stuff that I learned from friends at breakfast.  A friend told me that one of their daughters is wound very tight—stronger than you—much—I regret one thing of my life—what’s that—making a big deal out of nothing.  He then told me this story of a business friend; he inherited a lot of money and is a very driven guy and made a ton of more money (i.e. that adds up to a massive huge amount of wealth). ANYWAY, he told me that his son did not have the drive that his father did for money; they didn’t get along; his son committed suicide last year.  ~  Another thing I learned from a friend—He said--There is always someone richer, always someone better in golf, always someone smarter, always someone who can run faster and in the early west, always someone faster with the gun!  ~  A friend told me that he farms for a hobby (i.e. he really enjoys farming a couple of hundred acres).  BUT he told me that during the spring season he gets pretty tight and can’t sleep past 4 and works till dark for several days; he said—It is supposed to really be fun, but I can’t slow down; I get soooo driven.  ~  I told another friend that he is a good guy. He said—some days!

Saturday questions—Are you a strong-willed person?  Do you have children who are strong-willed? Do you know anyone who is strong-willed?  To have a strong will is that good or bad do you think? Many of you folks are strong willed folks or you would not have accomplished what you have (i.e. both good and maybe not soooo good). You have drive and fight and determination and desire.  BUT I guess some strong will can cause a lot of problems toooo (e.g. won’t listen to good advice, always fighting the system, always be belligerent, always uncooperative, etc.). PrettyRita says—It appears strong willed people end up being leaders; both good and bad leaders.  I asked onesmartperson if she is strong willed—I guess I am on certain things and other things I’m wishie washie!  Soooo do you think being strong willed is good—maybe good in moderation and in certain situations.  “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” ~ Confucius  Of course that is Confucius’ opinion; your opinion might be different.  Oh, I asked that onesmartperson if her 4-year old is strong willed—are you kidding me—all children are strong willed.  

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that research shows that learning and practicing loving kindness can profoundly affect your attitude and outlook and even your health.  Wow!  That being kind can change a person’s mind soooo folks can enjoy life more.  I personally am much happier and a better person when I am a kind person (i.e. make it my will).  I try not to do it for a reward or any kind of attention but do it because it just makes me feel good (i.e. it’s exhilarating and uplifting).  When I just think about myself and not others (i.e. like self-centered and fakie DuaneTheWorm), well, my life is not near as pleasurable.  BUT I really have to work at it as the world tells me to be self-centered (e.g. even some churches can be self-centered—all about me and our church).  I know many of you are very kind and know exactly what I’m talking about.  And then there is maybe one of you that doesn’t have a clue what I’m talking about (i.e. you know who you are).  Such is life.

Do folks ever do things against your will? I have had it happen many times; folks do stuff against my consent or agreement; they don’t agree with me and do it their way.  I have no power to control folks; I’m not in charge even though at times I think I am in charge of the universe.  Soooo how do I react when folks do things against my will.  It all depends what it is.  How do you react? We have options; yes, we do.  Saturday tip of the day which came from a friend’s wife from MN—Only ask your kids one question per text.  If you ask more than one, you will get only one answered anyway.

Playing pickleball the other day, I overheard four players in a big discussion (i.e. ya don’t see that very often with pb) about who’s serve it was.  It went on for some time and seemed quite animated.  Then they played a little while and continued the discussion for some time again.  I was putting on my street shoes and I said to the guy next to me—Do you know those folks very well—sorta kinda; they are all very competitive and have strong wills.  Huh, interesting. My response was—it’s only a social pb game!

Does the Lord’s prayer say Your will be done or is it Thy will be done? LuckieEddie says--I think it depends who is reading it (i.e. depends on what version you like). ANYWAY, I was looking for a picture of Arlene when we were at good ol’ Northwestern College (i.e. a pic when she was May Day Queen). I went through her history of her life that I found in a tote in the basement. There was a packet of soooo much stuff that she got when her Mother died of about her younger years.  It was very touching as it was her life growing up.  I have known Arlene for 50+ years after those pictures of her early history.  I almost cried.  She has always been soooo sweet, humble, caring, and kind (i.e. that is why I was attracted to her besides being soooo darn pretty).  ANYWAY, I think she deserved a better life than she has had; I’m not saying she had a terrible life, but I just think she deserved a better life.  I think our life together has been great, but she still deserved better.  I would guess many folks could and would say that about themselves or their spouse.  But for me, I think I have a better life than what I deserve; way better. Way beyond my expectations.  And maybe if Arlene didn’t have Alzheimer’s, she would say the same thing about her life, but I still think she deserved a better life. As of yet, I still didn’t find the picture that I was looking for (i.e. I’m a terrible looker).

grand nieces

Wilson, in a letter, wrote, “Power consists in one’s capacity to link his will with the purpose of others, to lead by reason and a gift of cooperation.  I asked a couple of gals who I call “my glue gals” what they thought of that.  They both said—DEEP! I lol! Have you ever sorta kinda felt excluded from a group.  Caregivers of dementia folks and the person who has dementia do sometimes.  Jon, my big sister’s (i.e. only by age) son-in-law’s uncle in law (i.e. she has connections folks) wrote this in the Words of Hope that I found interesting—"The second church I served as a pastor was in a small town in Iowa populated by many people of Dutch ancestry. My German last name sometimes raised eyebrows. ‘Opgenorth.’ Hmmm.  That’s not Dutch, is it? I never felt unwelcome, but comments like that let me know I was different.  Ethnicity, gender, economics, disability, or any number of markers can make us feel like we don’t quite fit in.” Now that can be a huge massive challenge to over come for churches; to accept folks for who they are (i.e. the ones who don’t fit into their little perfect holy huddle).  I hope I’m not that way, but I could be and don’t even know it.  That is sorta kinda how I responded to our daughter’s question during our weekly Saturday morning call when she asked me what I was going to do today.  I said—I have some things I can do, I have some things I should do, I have some things I might do but I might not do any of them!

Are kids more accepting than adults.  I sorta kinda think soooo.  Why is that do you think? Maybe past environments have impacted the older folks differently. But I really don’t know.  

Our will pops up at crazy times sometimes.  A friend was telling our little group that when her husband died, the funeral home or the printer made a mistake and printed her husband’s name wrong.  She said it was amazing that at the visitation and at the funeral, the first thing some folks would say was not something like “I’m sorry about the death of your husband” but was—Your husband’s name is spelled wrong! MissPerfect says--Surely, I wouldn’t do anything like those other folks!   Can’t we do some dumb things sometimes; or maybe it’s just me. I’m working on the “art of shutting up.”  I said I was working on it! Will I accomplish it in getting it done?  God only knows! Probably not! Such is life. 

The other day someone tapped on my car window at Kwik Star.  It was a friend.  We chit chatted and I told her—I see your son is doing well in high school golf this spring—he can do better but doesn’t have the drive; he’s much like me and not like his dad; but we get a lot of compliments as tooooo how nice he is—soooo would you rather have him be a nice person or shoot better? She just smiled. A friend who is a mother said this to me—I don’t care if our kids are star athletes and I don’t care if our kids are star academics but I hope they aren’t star a……….!

Your will!  David Rockefeller, who was chairman and chief executive of Chase Manhattan Corporation, said, “Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were.”  SusieQ says—It’s a lot easier to inherit it or marry it; believe me! 

I stopped for a short time at my 90-year old friend on my jog the other day.  She told me that her knees were just killing her today.  I suggested she call her son, who lives in CA, and have him get you some marijuana.  After a joint, your knees probably won’t hurt anymore, and you will be dancing around the house in your underwear.  She didn’t think soooo. I have no idea but that day while jogging my body felt the best I remember for a long time.  And toooo top it off, my mind was extremely happy.  I think I could have jogged around the world!  ha ha I have no idea why I felt soooo good.  Sometimes that just happens.  And it feels sooooooo good when that happens (i.e. for me it just doesn’t happen that often).  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Hope for the best, expect the worst, and enjoy the in-between.

contradiction

Do you ever say one thing but do another; a complete contradiction?  I do some sometimes; sometimes when I even don’t want toooooo (i.e. I’m a split decision). ItchieBitchie says—When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbably, must be the truth. WoldClassLarry says—It’s crazy how humans process information; just crazy!  Such is life.

I have a leader in my life who says—I need to learn to just accept folks when they contradict with my thinking, even when I think they are wrong).  I need to just say to myself—That is up to them if they want to be wrong and move on.  If they don’t want to do it the right way or to learn the right way, soooo be it.  I can’t fix them.  Just accept them and live with it.  What do you think of that?  That is what I thought.  LuckieEddie says—erv, you know what, you might be wrong and they might be right!  Ouchy ouchy!  Can’t be!

Here is a normal contradiction--We are told to love people, no matter what choices they make, but we are to hate the value system (e.g., prejudice, racism, injustice, sexism, war). The problem is, we often get it reversed. We love the value system and hate the people. RickieRick says—Even some Christians do this. Instead of being different, we can be just as materialistic, just as hedonistic, and just as enmeshed in the culture. That’s backwards. JoeBlow says--For the rest of your life, you’ll face great pressures to conform to the culture (i.e. a constant battle with our contradictions). RickieRick goes on to say--One reason you may not know what God wants us to do in life is because we may be too acculturated with this culture. Often this happens without us realizing it. But you can’t think like the world and think like God thinks (i.e. a contradiction). You have to make a choice. WafflingSally (i.e. the champion Waffler) says—Guess who gets to make that choice?  Bingo!

Coach B says—When your last no turns into a yes, your whole life will change in a very positive way.  CadillacJack says—We are pretty much “no” people; our first response usually is “no” and we say it over and over.  But once we say “yes” many different opportunities will happen (i.e. change our lives—our whole world will change).  You believe that? That is what I thought. MissPerfect says—erv, are you trying to get in my head?  I have always been a “no” person and I enjoy it; yes I do.  I am going to live my whole live being a “no” person and die that way (i.e. just don’t like change).  Folks, do you think that is inherited or learned?

A friend told me at breakfast that he has an acquaintance or friend who he has coffee with almost every morning at a local grain elevator. He always takes a negative attitude about everything.  He says--that way when something good happens, it’s sorta kinda a bonus; he says he doesn’t expect anything good to happen.  That has to be a terrible way to live (i.e. my opinion).  I guess he’s never disappointed. ha ha I wonder where he learned that attitude!

I had breakfast with a friend who is 73 and has been a developer and house builder for many years.  He told me that folks of a certain occupation a.k.a. brand are the hardest to work with; no question; they are all the same but some more difficult than others.  They act nice but all have a certain demeanor that comes from their occupation (i.e. a contradiction).  One lady of this occupation, who probably was the worst of the worst, was really something.  Finally he had to tell her straight out using not soooo nice words that the problem was her; I can’t even get my sub-contractors to work on your house as you are impossible.  One day the painter, Eddie, who was a little Mexican guy, hide in the closet when he saw her coming; she said, where are you Eddie, I know you are here. After the rather harsh conversation, she called all the subs and apologized to them and told them that they should suggest to my friend to get psychiatric help! What a hoot!

It appears if we start young to learn the right things a person is at a great advantage (i.e. no matter what it is).  I think the Nazis took the kids early and brainwashed them. Maybe the problem is, we have to decide what are the right things. Is it possible as a country to decide what is right or what is wrong? Many times, it appears, that the kids are like their parents and the parents are like their parents (i.e. but not always); look around; it’s no rocket science.  It appears like once certain teaching is learned, it is very hard to change (i.e. it’s ingrained into them).  Sooooo who does the ingraining?

Mother o’ Mine    by Rudyard Kipling   1865 – 1936    If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! I know whose love would follow me still, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! If I were drowned in the deepest sea, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! I know whose tears would come down to me, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! If I were damned of body and soul, I know whose prayers would make me whole, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Dr.David wrote this--In mathematics two of the basic kinds of numbers are integers and fractions: 2, 100, and 56 are integers, while ½, ¼, and 2.5 are fractions (i.e. I don’t remember ever learning this in Roseland Elementary). Integers, from a Latin root meaning “whole” or “entire.” The word integrity comes from the same root; a person with integrity cannot be divided in beliefs or morality based on varying circumstances. Saturday question—erv, are you a whole person or a fractioned person today? Now that could be a contradiction! Ouchy ouchy!

AverageJoe says--I can’t fix a problem if I don’t have accurate information (i.e. proper evaluation). Telling the truth about ourselves can be hard, especially when we think it will disappoint someone. Sometimes we tell lies to ourselves and to others, thinking that we are protecting ourselves (i.e. a contradiction). AverageJoe says--erv, there is all kinds of data about you and how to figure you out but to interpret all that data is the problem.  It seems that the information is contradictory.  Ouchy ouchy!

ItchieBitchie says—Percentage margins don’t matter. What matters always are dollar margins; the actual dollar amount. That is ItchieBitchie’s opinion. Can the love of money be a contradiction?  One minute we say we don’t care about money and the next it’s our idol.  It could be.  I know it’s for me.  A couple gals from church came to visit Arlene.  One had on some neat shoes and I gave her a hard time about them.  She said she bought them at a second-hand store.  I told her she is amazing; you can buy any shoes you want at any store you want yet you elect to do this.  We laughed but it is right (i.e. she didn’t have to admit that; that’s a big person; a real person).  CadillacJack says—There are lot of folks who could live differently if they wanted to but decide not toooooo BUT there are also some folks who live in a world that they can’t afford but they decide tooooo.  Such is life.

I’m somewhat a contradiction! Yes, I think I am.  I want something and am told to be patient. But if I don’t put in some initiative, it might not ever happen. If I just sit on the couch eating chips and complaining and hoping (i.e. being patient) many times it just ain’t going to happen.  But I am told to be patient. See my point.  I need to be patient but I also need to take some initiative (i.e. proactive).  Our grand daughter, Erin, would like a puppy.  She wrote that note to her parents (i.e. took some initiative). Erin, here is some more good practical initiative to push the issue that is part of all negotiating.  

Sometimes folks don’t tell the truth because folks don’t want to hear the truth (i.e. it’s tooooo real soooo we candy coat it).  Alzheimer’s is not pretty folks; it’s just plain ugly.  Arlene has always been sooo sweet and fortunately has pretty much continued to be this way.  She hardly ever has gotten mad at me during our 50 years of marriage.  But recently she has a couple of times; it is soooo hard to accept it but that’s how the disease works and it’s not Arlene (i.e. it hurts).  ANYWAY, it seems (i.e. she can't verbalize her thoughts so I don't know for sure) what really frustrates her is when she knows that she can't do anything.  She wants to be the same; she wants me to fix her; I can’t and she gets mad at me.  The other night we had another such episode.  It took her some time to get settled down.  I finally got her to go to bed (i.e. left her clothes on—didn’t need any more confrontation; you can’t reason with Mr. Alzheimer’s).  Then about 3 hours later, she makes some noises (i.e. I hear every noise and pretty much know what each noise means) and go to her bed side.  She mumbled and cried; I think she was telling me that she was sorry she acted that way (i.e. that is amazing to me).  I’m Mr. Wonderful again. Such is life.

Amazon says--We haven’t done anything different on our side of the fence, but folks always need someone to blame.  MissPerfect says--It’s easy to buy nice things with another person’s money even if it’s a make-believe person (i.e. my other person when I drink)! I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that “drunken shopping is a multibillion-dollar industry.” Wow! It said when folks are inebriated, they buy a lot and even crazy stuff (i.e. clothes and shoes are the most popular).  The average person is 36 and has an income of $92,000 with men and women about the same. Amazon reaps most of the benefit getting a whopping 85% of the drinkers’ purchases.  A pickleball friend, a semi-retired money raiser, was telling me that there are programs out there that will give money raisers an idea of information about folks as to how much money they make, their net worth, their interests, etc. (i.e. it increases the odds of raising money).  Soooo maybe there is a program out there who tells Amazon who the drinkers and buyers are (i.e. they listen to you folks); could be! LuckieEddie says--Why do casinos give free alcohol to gamblers? Da!  SusieQ says—Maybe churches should give free drinks to folks!

Hey folks, sometimes things always don’t go the way you intend (i.e. sorta kinda a contradiction).  I read in the paper that for good health a person should exercise 30 to 60 minutes for 4 to 6 days a week (i.e. watching golf on TV does not count).  A friend was competing in his 9^th Iron Man Competition when he crashed on his bike and broke the ball in his pelvis and really smashed his collar bone (i.e. plates and screws bad).  It will demand a long recovery time.  My friend, by his own admission, says he is hyper-active (i.e. he gets a lot done in a day folks).  This will be a challenge for him.  But you know what, he will do it.  Yes he will.

JoeAnonymous says--If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you. For many folks that statement just doesn’t make sense a.k.a. a contradiction to them.  But just think about it folks, great leaders help others obtain what they want; they serve them and help them.  That is why folks follow them.  Da, that ain’t hard to understand is it.  Maybe that is why Will Rogers said—If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there. My high school basketball coach at good ol’ Danube High, Coach Black, always signs off his emails with this--I finally found myself --  when I lost Myself -- in the service of others. A friend says this is a saying she enjoys--Sharing is caring, Caring is sharing, The more you care, the better you fare. She is one smart coolie let me tell ya!

The preacher said to me--You can’t say you love Jesus and then go live like the devil. You can’t say you’re a Christian and then keep on living a self-centered life. Yikes, now that sounds like a contradiction, but that is what I do many times.  The only thing I can say is—I keep trying; I’m a sinner saved by grace.  Now that is a hard contradiction to understand isn’t it.  Especially by non-believers and yes, even believers.  Folks say one thing and do another.  Some call it being a hypocrite (i.e. which includes Christians no matter how great they think they are).  My contradiction is very humbling to me. Our minister talked last Sunday about submissiveness.  I think he said that our culture does not like authority and is not very submissive (i.e. many folks’ authority is themselves).  I think I agree with him.  GerogeTheCrook says--Being submissive to God is contradictory to our culture and I like the culture I live in here in America; that submissiveness is old fashion like grandpa and grandma old fashion. BUT PreacherMan, our culture could change for some crazy reason.  Yes it could.  65-1 long shot Country House won the Kentucky Derby as Maximum Security became the first winner to be DQ’d! That’s horse racing! BobbySnort says--Sometimes events make no sense but change our lives forever both for the good and for the bad!

I asked a friend at church to give me an update of their family.  It was soooo good to get caught up.  They are having some good things happening to their family which was fun to hear.  She did tell me that they have made an old fashion change; they have become managers of their money; they never did that before.  Soooooo why the change?  We got soooo tired of never having any money and just spending spending.  How does it feel.  Great; way less stressful.  I know your parents a little. I bet they are good money managers.  They sure are.  Maybe you have grown up! ha ha  Could be, maybe!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Humor is to life what shock absorbers are to cars.

ervzzona

I did some business with a company recently.  Katy helped me.  She gave me her business card but didn’t look at it till later. She made me laugh. 

AverageJoe (i.e. who is on the fringe of not being a normal human being) says--ervzzona is an experience when a person has their hands full with life.  Crazy! Or is it an estimate of life without any true data? Maybe it’s just a hoax!  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  Or is an ervzzona a thinking like John Betjeman, a former poet laureate in England, who said—Many people in the modern world view poetry as a luxury not a necessity like petrol.  But to me it’s the oil of life.  I have to admit that poetry does not oil me much! Ya gotta remember that I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. Chester and Anna weren’t much into poetry.

Have you ever been spanked (i.e. physically or mentally)? A friend told me a while back that our church got spanked (i.e. we need to change).  I don’t know if we will or not; change is hard for many (i.e. I like change; I get bored easily).  I recently had a change of attitude; yes I did or maybe a reminder to refocus my attitude.  To be honest, it really felt good.  I am concerned about others and will try to help them if they want but I can’t change them; they have to do that themselves.  The only person I can change is me; now that is what I’m going to really work on.  Now that’s an ervzzona! Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going! I haven’t got all day! Hurry up! Chop chop! erv erv, you must realize that some folks will not tolerate with which they disagree; they are not going to change; you are wasting your time unless you have power to cow them into submission.  ha ha  BigMuscledJoe says—In the world we live in, it seems that the folks with the biggest guns win!

Here are a few friends’-zzonas—Several friends brought us meals.  One said—If you don’t like it, just throw it away; another said—it probably isn’t much good, very little of it is home-made!  Another friend just left a note—broccoli/chicken casserole in frig! Another friend told me that they are getting a huge massive tax return; later he told me he forgot one major 1099 (i.e. some of their return just disappeared)! Friend/my text thread went like this—erv, are you ok; we are worried about you--I need someone to worry about me; maybe crazy question; why do you worry about me; I have had some other friends say that to me as well--we worry sometimes in general because you have a lot to cope with and we love you!  Now that is pretty nice.  I appreciate many of your concerns.  I really do.  It is what it is.  Hey, I worry about you folks tooooo. Yes I do. We are just a bunch of worry warts now aren’t we!

My 4^th removed cousin Rob says—Bazooka! There are a lot of smart folks; intelligently smart, street smart, smart aleck smart, common sense smart, and know it all smart.  It doesn’t take rocket scientist smart to figure out that empires don’t last forever.  Maybe America will crumble like other great empires; we are only a little over a couple hundred of years old.  Why would we be immune!  Many think that the direction we are going, it might be sooner than later.  I read this that I found interesting written by a smart person, Dr.J--Besides his scientific expertise, Sir Isaac Newton (d. 1727) was a historian. He wrote a lengthy book—The Chronology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended (i.e. you smart folks might what to read it; I am not)—that outlined the chronology (rise and fall) of six ancient kingdoms: Greek, Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonians and Medes, Israelite, and Persian). All such human kingdoms have been temporary. Their failure should serve as a reminder that a permanent, eternal Kingdom is coming. I realize that some of you folks think this thinking is just an ervzoona!

 In the business and professional world, we are always looking for a competitive advantage. Fresh ideas!  Here is an eye catching, fresh idea to get folks’ attention; it was in the paper.  It got my attention; I LOL!  Holy smackeroo!  I was having breakfast with a friend and he and his wife each gave us a jar of soup.  He said he made one jar—really—I didn’t know you were a cook—I’m not really; just once in a while—I got third prize in a chili cook off in the men’s group of our church—wow—it really wasn’t that hard; I just gave the judges (i.e. all men) what they wanted; a lot of big chunks of hamburger and added some brown sugar; you just got to know what the judges want!  AverageJoe says--That is sorta kinda like who wins the beauty pageants; it depends if the judges are male or female!  ha ha It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  SusieQ says--Men are more visual while women are more about feelings). 

Another ervzzona!  A friend sent me a text about if we wanted a meal in the evening—You bet; you will need to bring it a little early as I friend is coming over to be with Arlene and I’m going to play pb.  She didn’t bring the meal and then sent me a text and was wondering if everything was ok.  Oooops, I entered the text but forgot to send the message. Laser-focused—NOT!  If that is a shock to any of you, then that’s on you! Our home care provider said that she forgot her FitBit razor watch the other day (i.e. she seemed like she was lost without it).  She said—I told myself—don’t forget don’t forget don’t forget it and I forgot it.  Ooooops!

Another ervzzona!  I use to seem to think that devils were of only of the male gender.  But with the changes in our culture, I’m starting to think that there are devils of both genders.  I never use to think of female devils.  But like I said, with the women movement, we have to have equality!  Maybe female devils are just dressed up pretty with nice make up and pretty hair dos.  Some sure seem that way maybe. Maybe calling them devils is toooo strong of a definition; maybe witches is a better description.   I still don’t like to think of ladies being either one but it appears that some want to have it that way (i.e. my opinion). I don’t much care for it.  It appears that being ladies and gentlemen is on the way out. It’s toast. I must be old-fashion! I don’t like it!  Such is life.

Another ervzzona!  I had a consultation with our family doctor recently.  When we got done, he asked about Arlene.  We discussed her current condition, but I said--we are ok.  I said to him—You see all kinds of folks with many different medical conditions, mentally and physical—I do; many; what really amazes me is how different folks handle their conditions; I see folks who have fairly difficult situations and are pretty positive and I see folks who have very minor health issues who have an attitude of “woe is me.”  He said it is very interesting.

Another ervzzona!  I just had a pop-up reminder of how I have changed (i.e. ok, not maybe completely but somewhat).  There are constant readings of how a person can get better at something like a skill (e.g. pickleball).  They all have merit if that is what your goal is.  I am trying to learn how to enjoy pb more instead of getting better at the game (i.e. but I don’t mind getting better ha ha).  I guess you could say—maybe my motive has changed.  When I play with folks my age the game is a lot different than when I play with players who are way younger.  It is a great pop-up reminder that I’m not near as mobile, agile, or hostile as when I was younger! Younger peoples’ world is way different than folks who are getting social security and media-care; in soooooo many ways!

I read Educated, a memoir) which is highly acclaimed and a very popular read.  To me the overview is about how her environment (i.e. raised by a highly religious father who might have been mentally ill) affected his family to maybe become dysfunctional.  BUT because of a motivation to learn (i.e. also having the ability) the author got herself out of her situation.  That’s my take on it.  I think many readers probably see themselves at some point in their life to be in a somewhat similar situation maybe. 

Another ervzzona! A friend brought us our meal the other night (i.e. she is very kind and generous).  You know it was good as Arlene said—Good oh boy!  She says their pastor challenged them to memorizing a verse and she suggested I do it tooooo.  Soooo here is an opportunity for you tooooo do the same.  The verse their pastor suggested is:  Hebrews 12:1-2a Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of faith.  Some of you say—I can’t do it; I can’t memorize it.  Yes you can; just try a different approach like Jimmer did.  We gave Erin and Jimmer a ripstick.  Jimmer had a hard time getting it.  Our daughter, Heather, said--Easton just couldn’t get the ripstick until we had him switch his stance and put his right foot forward- then he could. This is backwards for most people- except lefties (i.e. in snowboarding it’s called goofy foot). Funny.  Soooo folks, try to change your stance.  God only knows what might happen to you!  Crazy! God might be laughing at you already.  You have to admit we are pretty funny (i.e. especially to God—He probably LOL at us about how stubborn and stiff necked we are)!

Another ervzzona!  A group of us were talking at church Easter morning.  It was fun.  I said to a young lady—Soooo do you have a boyfriend?  She said—No, I will announce it when I do.  I got the impression she has been asked that question a time or two.  I should have kept my mouth shut; it would have been a lot better.  I really like this young lady and didn’t mean it in a negative way; I was just interested in her.  Sooooo I said to a friend later who was in the conversation—Slap me in the face soooo I won’t do that again!  A famous conductor was talking to a woman at a reception after a sold-out concert.  She looked so familiar, and it was annoying him that he could not remember her name. In an attempt to find out, he asked, “How’s your husband doing?” “He’s fine. He’s still king.”

Sooooo I bought new sheets for Arlene’s bed at Kohl’s during their big sale (i.e. they always have a sale).  I asked a floor person which sheets I should buy?  He said that he would buy the middle priced sheets; they are the best value for the dollar.  Sooooo I did.  I washed them and put them on.  I didn’t like them as the fitted sheet was not snug and it bunched up (i.e. but I saved $28.75).  I called customer service and told the gal.  She said—You should have bought the most expensive sheets; that is what I always do.  Sooooo I really got a bargain alright! I’m **** out of luck with those babies! I have been had again!  I’m no virgin! Such is life.

ervzzona—My relation of some kind sent me this--Question for you.  Are you my 2nd cousin, or are you my first cousin once-removed ???   I recently drove to the twin cities to attend a funeral of a friend's daughter, who passed away "on the airplane" returning from a vacation in Florida.   Very unusual.  anyway - at the funeral I met a distant cousin, whose father was my first cousin, so I always assumed she was my "second cousin", but she corrected my and said "No, Warren, I am your first cousin once-removed".   ????  Not sure I guess,  Can you enlighten me ?????    Have a good day.  Other Warren in Omaha  ~  Sooo I emailed the horse (i.e. another cousin of our Dad, Robert from MN) and got the skinny directly from the horse’s mouth--She is right!  erv, you are a first cousin "once-removed" to both Warren and me, since your Dad is our first cousin.   Sorry that sounds belittling, but it is what it is! ~ I checked with my sister’s daughter’s son who is an expert in genealogy and also a top of his class college student (i.e. it’s always good to get a second opinion). He said—ue (i.e. uncle erv, actually gue I think,could be,maybe)--How many times removed is how far you have to move up your part of the family tree to get to a cousin pairing (ex. you had to move one generation to get to the cousin pairing). The number of cousins is how far you have to go down the other person's family tree from that cousin pairing (ex. you didn't have to go down at all because Warren and your father are cousins, but Warren's children would be your second cousins once removed because you had to go down a generation). Hopefully that makes a little more sense. If not, I can draw you a picture. Isn’t he nice to offer to draw his gue a picture!!! He knows that I’m removed alright; he just doesn’t know how far! Now that is from onesmartperson!

For years, my favorite meat cutter says to me when I ask her “how is it going”—Better than some but not as good as others.  She makes me laugh every time.  She just did again the other day. What a hoot!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are right.