done, it's over, it's the past

Sit down with your favorite beverage and let’s have a discussion.  WorldClassLarry says—Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; argument is the exchange of ignorance.  What do you think of that?  That is what I thought.

ItchieBitchie says—Many folks focus on “bite-sized” problems that are timely and tractable. The risk is then to lose sight of the big picture. JoeBlow says—Yabut ItchieBitchie, when you are in the middle of the battle it is very hard to do.  I agree with both of those statements; that is why we need to be around good folks who see the big picture and reinforce us.  Don’t be around folks who whine with you.  SusieQ says—You want cheese with your wine! A friend told me that one of his sub-contractors is stupid; he’s soooo stupid that he doesn’t even know he’s stupid; now that’s stupid!

Years ago Arlene and I were involved with a non-denominational group called Walk to Emmaus.  One of the things they suggested was to have small support groups.  An acquaintance told me this story.  He was in such a group when a member told the group that his marriage was circling the drain.  He asked them for advice.  The group told him that he was a jerk and if they were his wife, they would divorce him toooo.  Ouchy ouchy!  I guess he listened to them and made some changes and saved his marriage.  He had no idea he was such a jerk. LuckieEddie asks—Can a person really not know they are a jerk?

Yoga Berra said--I don’t know (if they were men or women fans running naked across the field). They had bags over their heads.  MissPerfect says we need to coax our minds to forget the crap of our past; that stuff is done, it’s over, it’s the past.  We need to look at the right stuff (i.e. whatever that is).  When we see the whole picture, life looks different.  Have you ever tried to teach someone something, but they thought they knew everything?  How did it go?  That is what I thought.  They are closed minded; they are not receptive to listening to anything new or any suggestions.  They will not even think that they might be wrong or could learn something to make their life better.  I asked a friend at breakfast the other morning—Why did Europe turn soooo cold to God?  He didn’t know but was going to do some research on that.  It seems America is heading down the same road (i.e. a friend told me that we are 15 years behind).  What do you think? I have a hard time understanding this. Help me here. I must not be seeing the big picture or looking at the wrong stuff. Or am I?

Where are the dinosaurs?  They are all in Rookie's room! The scientific theory as to why the dinosaurs disappeared is that the environment changed, and they couldn’t adapt.  They were done!  Extinct!  Toast! Never to be seen again.  Our grandkids like to study about dinosaurs; they know more in their young life than I will ever know.  They pretty much gave me the same explanation.  Some folks adapt to change a lot better than others.  Yes they do.  My iPhone turned into a brick a.k.a. paper weight; Boohoo!  It was nothing that money couldn’t fix!  ha ha  But I had to learn some new stuff again.  I find it soooo interesting that many folks won’t change and say they can’t change unless they can make more money, or it makes their life easier for them or they totally have no choice; then they can do it.  That is soooo funny to me.  A friend told me at breakfast recently that he listens to the radio when he goes to bed (i.e. it helps him fall to sleep).  ANYWAY, the guy talking said that many churches have not changed to keep up with our culture and environment (i.e. still do it like it’s 1956—it’s done, it’s over, it’s the past).  What do you think of that?  That is what I thought. CrazyMarvin says--Often we change when we feel the heat, not when we see the light. Oh! that heat can get results; oh ya!

You ever have a “Damascene experience?”  I do occasionally.  I had one the other day.  The phrase “Damascene experience” is used in modern contexts to describe a sudden awakening, a moment of insight leading to a reversal of priorities and values, or a shock to one’s worldview. Its basis, of course, is in the apostle Paul’s encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus where he intended to persecute the followers of Jesus but had a complete reversal in his life and became promoter of Jesus.  Crazy, right?  My “Damascene experience” is not like that but more a shock to my attitude or thinking or something.  It is hard to explain.  I’m just different; I feel different; I can’t explain it really but it sorta kinda gives me a puzzling fuzzy feeling of peace and happiness and being comfortable.  My life that day wasn’t anything special or different; for sure no mountain top experience.  Crazy, right? It’s a feeling I want to put in a bottle and keep but it goes away as soon as it came.  It might last several hours or more but soon it’s done, it’s over, it’s the past before I know it.  Crazy, right.  Do any of you have those “Damascene experiences?”   If soooo, I would like to hear how you explain them.

If you didn’t know what a “Damascene experience” is, I bet you don’t know what “Deepfakes” are.  I didn’t either until I read about it in the paper (i.e. soooo it must be right).  It is deceptive powers of artificial intelligence software being able to alter videos generally to make folks look bad.  It said any high school person with a rather good computer can do it.  Yikes! Some think It will be a pretty big problem in upcoming elections.  There is very little to combat it. Really, I’m not a bit surprised.  Photographers have been altering pictures for years.  They can make anyone look beautiful or handsome.  Don’t’ kid yourself, that’s how they make a living—making folks look good.  JoeBlow says—I have no idea what or who is real anymore.  Ouchy ouchy!

The other day I had a nice visit with a friend who is lonely.  Loneliness is a major problem in our culture.  You wouldn’t think soooo with all the social media etc. that we have but it is (i.e. you want to have friends, but no one wants to be friends with you).  It appears that loneliness is really hard on folks.  A friend down the street suggested I read this book (i.e. she said it was a good one).  I asked the librarians if it was good—a very popular read).  Soooo I checked it out and then Goggled it and read it.  I liked it; BUT soooo what does that mean! One of the story lines is about loneliness (i.e. my opinion).  Try it, you might like it; if you don’t just bring it back to the library; no one will never know or care! Sometimes the past is hard to forget (i.e. it haunts us) even though it’s done, it’s over, it’s the past.  Such is life.

 It’s done, it’s over, it’s the past for this sucker.  He didn’t get across the road fast enough and became road kill!  Ouchy ouchy.  Have you ever been to an internment of a body?  A friend told me the other day that when they bury the ashes from cremation, they call it inurnment.  ANYWAY, usually if there is a religious leader doing the service, they say something like—From dust to dust or they came into the world with nothing and exit the world with nothing.  Well, that is except LuckieEddie’s sister, LadyLuck, who put all her assets into her Master Card account; she heard that you can use Master Card all over hell! Soooo I was riding my Trek 1000 on my usually route north of town on Butler County T25 to the Kesley Corner and back (i.e. about 11 miles) when I see this raccoon that is pretty decayed on the side of the road.  I stopped to take a closer look.  You say yucky!  Well, all of us will look the same someday if we have our bodies buried (i.e. even if we buy the $10,000 casket and the $5,000 vault). Ya gotta remember that 60% of our body is water. I went back later and picked up some of the teeth and skeleton parts for our grandkids.  I wonder how they will like this gift? 

It’s done, it’s over, it’s the past but…!  Playing pickleball the other morning. I introduced myself to my partner who I haven’t met before.  He was Dan; I said PickleballDanTheManFromWestFourthStreet.  A friend across the net said to me—I was once married to a DanFromWestFourthStreet; He was pukie!  Why do you think he was pukie?  No sex, self-centered, psychologically abusive, arrogant, I think gay!  Oh!  Soooo why did you marry him in the first place.  I didn’t realize he was that way when we got married; I got fooled!  Ouchy ouchy!  Now it’s done, it’s over, it’s the past!

The other day I had breakfast with a very successful businessman/friend.  He told me that he had a partner who at times would do shady things.  He addressed him about it.  He said—My kids go to camp toooo (i.e. no harm no foul)!  Meaning he needs to make money for himself toooo.  My friend says that he always came first.  I asked my friend—Could you really trust him—I did; he never took advantage of me as far as I know.  Yes my friend—as far as you know!  Saturday question—Do you think you have been taken advantage of but never knew it?  I’m sure I have; no question. But it’s done, it’s over, it’s the past and I never knew it. I have an acquaintance who I found out later that he took advantage of me a couple of times.  I have no time for him.  NONE! I would guess if he did it to me, he has done it to others. He is about one person— NUMERO UNO, a complete hoax!

Yabut Billy Graham said--Sooner or later, our sins always catch up with us — always. Sometimes they catch up with us quickly and forcefully; sometimes it happens only gradually or over a long period of time. But eventually we will pay the price when we rebel against God, either now or in eternity. The Bible warns, “You will be sinning against the Lord; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). You believe that? JoeSlick says—I don’t know about that, I have covered my tracks pretty darn good! I think sooner or later (i.e. when the bonger bongs) we will find out if that is true.  JoeSlick, I suggest, to be on the safe side, you should ask for forgiveness; Jesus promises he will forgive us if we only genuinely and sincerely ask; pretty simple; also pretty inexpensive; Jesus has already paid the price. You believe that? That is what I thought.

At our Wednesday golf outing a guy (i.e. who has a swing as smooth as silk) said he has no idea where I come up with all the stuff I write about.  I told those guys to tell me some good crap (i.e. not just your crap but the cream of your crap) soooo I have some material!  On the third tee box I was giving a guy a hard time about his mindset as he is a retired engineer.  I told him about a friend who is the same and he still has three pens in his shirt pocket in that little plastic pocket case but when we played golf, the score card was a masterpiece (i.e. soooo neat).  Another guy in our group who is a retired bean counter, said—That was how I looked for years!  Ya, we all have distinctive features because of our occupations, past environments and our education.  Even though they are done, over and the past, they still show their heads a.k.a. pop ups.  We are who we are. Such is life.

A friend called and asked if she could bring a pot roast over to us for our evening meal—of course; we like pot roast.  She came with it including carrots and potatoes.  She said—It’s burnt; you’ll need to trim it. Kiddingly I said to her—how come—I’m just a terrible cook, that’s why.  It was just fine and very delicious (i.e. she way over exaggerated it).  Again, most women always say something negative about the meals they bring.  You gals all make me laugh!  We have not had a bad meal yet! 

Secretariat and our daughter, Heather, tell me I need to do sprints to run my 2.5 miles faster.  They are both marathon runners who run around 8-minute miles for the 26.2 miles.  Ok, so I ran 5 100-yard dashes on the football field. I thought I was flying. My times were all between 28 and 30 seconds. That’s 11-minute miles. My calculator must be wrong! My fastest time in high school was 10.2. It is hard to accept that those days are done, it’s over, it’s the past.  I still think my calculator must be wrong!!! Surely I couldn’t slow down that much in 56 years! No way! Maybe it’s the shoes!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—It’s easier to keep up than to catch up.

that's just the way it goes

When I did some speaking, I would use this intro at different times—People ask me isn’t it hard to speak, no, not really.  If there are 100 folks here today, statistics show that 50% won’t hear a word I say.  Of the other 50 folks, 49 will hear bits and pieces (i.e. are toooo busy with their other thoughts) and by the time they get their coffee and a cookie, they won’t remember anything I say.  Soooo that leaves one person left. It’s like having a talk with one person, a one-on-one.  Soooo if you’re that one person, let’s get started.  That is just the way it goes!

In our world of 2019, it seems that many times folks are toooo busy to read or listen to what we say.  ItchieBitchie says—Now that is a fact!  It’s crazy!  There is soooo much to read and soooo much to listen tooooo in our world of 2019. But ItchieBitchie, there are a lot of folks that read “It’s Saturday” according to Goggle, but I don’t know if they listen. I think sometimes they do; there even might be maybe more folks than I think. We all might be surprised that folks listen to us more than we think even when we don’t think they do.  And then again, maybe not! That’s just the way it goes! 

CrazyMarvin (i.e. who can be soooo tender hearted at times but also can be a real doozy at times) says—It is soooo hard to accept the good and the bad in our lives (i.e. it seems like it is soooo hard to understand).  I think many folks would agree with you CrazyMarvin (i.e. that’s my opinion). I played 9 holes of golf with some guys the other day (i.e. a friend from church stayed with Arlene; wasn’t that nice).  I didn’t really play very well according to my thinking (i.e. it didn’t feel very good anyway). But what was interesting to me was I didn’t complain or say a negative thing.  What was crazy, my score wasn’t much different than what I normally shoot.  That’ s just the way it goes.  I don’t think I have the same enthusiasm for golf maybe because of my age, maybe because of I’m not as strong physically anymore, or maybe I just don’t know.  That is maybe why most of my buddies who are my age don’t play anymore. That is just the way it goes folks. I love the wrestle in my life except for when I don’t!  BUT golf is a great opportunity for Arlene and me to enjoy the outside together.  It’s a great fit.  Oh ya! It’s a ride in the park for Arlene. I appreciate the opportunity and realize that there will be a day that it will be no more (i.e. that time is getting closer for Arlene); time seems to just march on. I tell myself to do it while the getting’ is good!

One of our grandsons, Rookie, told us last Sunday when I asked him if he can ride his bike—I can but I can’t start by myself or turn—how come you can’t do those things—well, I want to but my brain doesn’t want tooooo--you need to tell your brain to do it—I do but it argues with me; soooo far my brain has won! That’s just the way it goes folks.  Such is life. The last time I gave the grand kids flowers and none of the grandkids were very impressed.  Well, I gave them gifts Sunday and they were more excited.  That’s just the way it goes. Although Rookie did say that it wasn’t fair; he thought Charlie got better gifts.  Soooo funny but such real life (i.e. he just vocalized it).

A friend in our foursome said to me—erv, can you imagine selling houses that you sold for $50,000 to $100,000 are now selling for double or triple in 10 years since you have been out of the business.  I think he was just making a point to me and not rubbing it in ha ha! What is interesting is my social security check doesn’t go up that much nor my investments.  My mentor would always say to me—erv, it’s never as good as it looks and it’s never as bad as it looks.  YaBut, selling houses looks pretty good right now.  A friend and I had breakfast recently.  He is a financial advisor and also sells health/life insurance.  He told me that there is a lot of folks changing jobs right now.  Why I asked.  There are opportunities to make more money as employment opportunities are more prevalent.  Now that makes sense.  Those changes give him more opportunities.  That’s just the way it goes. Such is life.

I was surprised by this.  I was in my drive and a kid about 10 to 12 comes across our yard from the back. He says—Hey mister, do you have $2 soooo I can go swimming—you don’t have $2—no I don’t—how are you going swimming if you don’t have $2—that is why I need $2.  I gave the kid $2.  I asked him if he’s a good kid—yes I am; I’m a Christian.  Do you think he is or was it just a ploy? Now that was an interesting experience to say the least.  Do you think he will be back? Do you think I will give him another $2?

The#1MrRe-PoGuy says—I had a client who I had 100%completetrustin toooo always being the same; he never wavered—If his lips were moving, he was lying!  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--The test of integrity is that your public life and your private life match—what’s in your heart and what’s in your life are the same thing. You ask yourself, “Would I want everyone to know about this decision that I’m making?” The truth is, when it comes to integrity, even if you can fool everyone else, you can’t fool yourself. And if you violate your own conscience, you have to pay for that. Yikes, but that’s just the way it goes. When confused, sometimes we give it some distance or some time.  GeorgeTheCrook says--That confusion can produce a lot of head shaking. John Wayne said—Life is tough but it is much tougher when your stupid.

WorldClassLarry (i.e. has a lot of git in his tank) says--Effective people figure out what’s essential in life and what’s trivial, and they spend more time doing the essential things and less time doing the trivial things. You can’t eliminate all the trivia in your life, but you can reduce it. Our world of 2019 is way different than our grand parents’ world.  I can only imagine.  And I can only imagine how the world will change in the future and it will change if we like it or not; don’t kid yourself.  That’s just the way it goes. Orville Wright said, “No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris…(because) no known motor can run at the requisite speed for four days without stopping.”

I can hardly believe that we already have had our longest day of sunlight.  This story happened about around the longest day of the year about 61 years ago.  I don’t remember my Daddy, Chester, ever telling me that he loved me.  He did show concern about me at times but never real obvious.  Our neighbor, Elden Williams, who was maybe 16 and I who was maybe 12 went riding our horses at the county line ditch which was an old ditch with massive huge old trees.  It was a fun place to ride our horses.  It started to get dark soooo we started our 2-mile trek back to our farmsteads.  The time I got home there was very little pink on the western horizon (i.e. like it was really dark).  My Daddy was sitting on our front steps.  He was concerned, I think.  He said to me something like—erv, it’s pretty dark to be riding horse; you better put Queen away and come in the house. 

Most folks are confused about something at sometime in their life.  I seem confused a lot about a lot of stuff.  I think that is normal if we care at all about anything.  It just can’t be any different (i.e. my opinion).  LuckieEddie says--Most followers of Jesus go through seasons of doubt and darkness.  LuckieEddie asks—Why is that?  I have no idea; that’s just the way it goes! A friend told me this story about an acquaintance—When his wife died, he remarried a gal who lost her mate as well; they moved to another state.  She got Alzheimer’s soooo he drove her back to IA to her daughter’s place and just dropped her off with a few clothes (i.e. unannounced)!  He had enough I guess.  That’s just the way it goes for some. AnOl’Pickleball buddy ended his email to me with these words--Wishing you the best in your daily struggle.  I hate that disease. Well PinkPete—we pickle on! That’s just the way it goes.

A couple of friends’ family business in little Aplington is celebrating their 80^th year of existence.  Wow, that is amazing for a family owned business to be in business that long.  Something must have gone (i.e. is going) right! That just doesn’t happen very often.  First of all, they must have and are making money; you can’t operate a business if it doesn’t make money.  There must not have been any major family problems; major family problems are very hard on businesses (i.e. usually death to a business).  My hat goes off to them.  I have known/know three generations of the family and they are good folks; that could be another reason. I think it is more than just being lucky but luck never hurts (e.g. timing).  Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes and sometimes the corollary of that is true.

Chester and Anna didn’t teach me to spell very well.  Why they didn’t, now that’s just the way it goes; I have no idea.  Maybe they thought I was beyond hope. Now that could be.  ANYWAY, they did teach me some stuff.  Anna taught me about HYPOCRISY. If I told you once, I've told you a million times, don't exaggerate!  She taught me about ANTICIPATION. Just wait until we get home. Chester taught me HUMOR. When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me. He taught me WISDOM. When you get to be my age, you'll understand. I had breakfast with a friend recently and we talked about how our parents put very little to no pressure on us to succeed (i.e. in fact they let us fail it seems).  It was like they didn’t care.  We both agreed that it is amazing that we made it this far in life.  Where did we get our mindset to be what we are? You tell me; I don’t know!

Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes! Early Sunday morning I was sitting in our sun porch (i.e. beautiful morning), drinking coffee and meditating.  Our back yard is the school ground which has a soccer field and a ball field.  A pickup pulls up on the road and a guy and his young boy gets out along with two dogs.  The wife or live in (i.e. who knows in our culture) stays in the pu.  The dogs start running; the guy starts hollering; the dogs keep running; the guy hollers louder; the dogs run faster.  There is an acreage just behind the school ground that raises dogs and also deer.  Those dogs didn’t stop running no matter how loud the guy hollered.  He ran after them.  The lady took off in the pu.  I just laughed.  After some time, the pu came back; end of exercising the dogs.  I think I read their lips--%#?! What a hoot!

I recently was with a group of guys. We had a shared interest.  But being around them, I felt not a part of the group (i.e. they had their own little click).  They were nice guys but I didn’t fit or something.  They were of their group and it seemed like I was an outsider.  It felt awkward.  What was really interesting is that I was ok with that.  It didn’t bother me.  They probably felt awkward with me as well. I think this happens in some churches as well.  Generally, I think, when this happens, the person who feels they are not really on the same page as the others in the group, well, they just disappear completely or find a different group or a different church.  I don’t think folks are necessarily unhappy, but they could be but more often they feel that they don’t fit in this group and just move on.  What do you think? That is what I thought.  

Have you ever tried to force something on someone that they didn’t want?  How did it go? That is what I thought.  JoeBlow says--YaBut, I think it’s right and it’s what they should have; it is the right thing!  Soooo what usually happens JoeBlow?  Well, they usually go their way where they can get the product presented to them in the way they want it with or without me.  I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, this-- In years past, church attendance was popular, almost mandatory for people that wanted to succeed in business. That is no longer the case. Today we have what we might term a “new normal,” a social environment that places diminishing value of genuine relationships. Ouchy ouchy!  You think that is true?  That is what I thought.

This friend is a good guy with a good heart (i.e. my kind of person) and is using his talent (i.e. he’s a good example).  He sent me this email--By the way in one of your recent "Saturdays" you mentioned an episode of Arlene and music. I have some experiences that have led me to believe that music occupies a special place in our brain that is more "durable" than other memory phenomena. My mom suffered from dementia in her last years. She was a singer/guitar player who taught me to sing and play guitar...........and she taught me many, many old country songs which I still remember. In her final years, when she couldn't remember the names of her grandkids or much of anything,...............we would go to her care center regularly and she would join us ( my brother,daughter,and grandkids) in singing these songs for the rest of the folks. It was a highlight of her day,..........and she still knew those old songs.  I currently go to a dementia "day care center" in our local senior center every other week with my guitar and conduct an hour long "singalong" with the folks there, singing old time songs,....and many of those folks join in singing and they all enjoy it..............almost as much as I do.

TommyTom (i.e. he’s got game) who is a brother to TommyJohn  says—There is a difference in folks, yes there is. Folks aren't all the same. Why do you think that is TommyTom?  I have no idea! That’s just the way it goes!  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—If you haven’t asked the Lord to help study, then don’t ask him to help you pass the test.

oopsy daisy

Disclaimer:  If I hurt your feelings in any way in this “It’s Saturday” it is not intended.  It’s completely an “oopsy daisy.” Don’t take me toooo serious.  I really have no idea what I am talking about.  If I have hurt your feelings in the past, I apologize and if I do it in the future, I apologize in advance. Holy shirt, I didn’t mean to do that!

One potato, Two potato, Three potato, four, Five potato, six potato, Seven potato, more. You are it! This time, I am it.  Yes I am.  I think I hurt someone’s feelings and they have retaliated in their certain way.  The worse part is that I didn’t mean to do it.  I was trying to be nice and I think I got misunderstood.  Oopsy daisy! My plan now is toooo give it some time and then apologize. 

AverageJoe (i.e. who can be outta kilter at times) says—Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.  SusieQ says--AverageJoe, that seems old-fashioned.  Besides, you didn’t say anything about snacks; that’s my favorite part about eating.  That is why they have convenient stores all over the place; to be convenient for me toooooo snack.  Let me tell you, I’m good at it.  Oopsy daisy! Arlene and I gave a ride to a lady to Dollar General as she said she needed got get something to wrap her knee that was bothering her.  She said—It just happened to start hurting out of blue; of course, I have gained a lot of weight from snacking all the time.

A friend told me at breakfast recently that his car stopped on him; it acted real crazy.  He called the dealer and they said it would have to be towed in.  It was out of gas! He said—Now that is humbling.  He said the gas gauge misfunctioned—ya right! Oopsy daisy!  I was with a group of guys the other morning at 6 a.m.  Basically we talked about humility.  Ouchy ouchy!  We were studying James (i.e. a book in the Bible) chapter 4 which says—God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  You believe that? StormanNorman says--I agree and I disagree! That is what I thought.  ANYWAY, we talked what we can do to be humble.  It was quite interesting to me.  Maybe this doesn’t sound very humble, but I pray for opportunities, I pray that I can recognize them and I pray that I have the courage to act on them.  I have tooooo admit that I’m double minded; I want to be humble, but I also don’t want to be (i.e. talk one way but do another).  Crazy!  The same friend who ran out of gas told me that he told his son that spring sports are just for fun soooo enjoy yourself.  BUT his son became rather lackadaisical in his approach to his spring sport he chose.  He sorta kinda got on him.  His son said—Dad, I thought you said spring sports are just for fun; enjoy yourself.  Oopsy daisy!

Oopsy daisy!  I wonder if we might expect folks to know how to do something but in reality, they don’t, and we need to show them.  We just take it for granite that they know but they don’t.  I asked a friend how he knows how to do that—my dad taught me.  That is why many times understudies or trainees are used (i.e. they watch how someone who is really accomplished, do it—learn from them).  I wonder, just am wondering, if churches need to teach folks how to be nice, friendly, be relational, etc.  Maybe we assume folks know how to do it but really, they don’t (e.g. how to be friendly and start a conversation).  We need to tell them and then take them by the hand and show them.  To them, no one ever taught them, and they don’t have a clue.  We can preach and preach but maybe someone needs to show them.  And maybe they don’t want to know. Now that could really be the situation (i.e. we might be up a creek without a paddle)! Oopsy daisy! ItchieBitchie says—Maybe we need to get beyond text messages and Facebook… and go out and mingle with folks and tell them the glories of our journey.  I really wonder if folks really what to know about the glories of our journey; maybe they are more interested in Star Wars or Games of Throne which seems to be more interesting to most, maybe. 

Sometimes the smallest things or the strangest things can really affect our life. It’s just the way it is, Oopsy daisy! I read this recently that got my attention to that fact—"In the 1937 All-Star game, baseball sensation Jerome “Dizzy” Dean was pitching for the National League. The batter, Earl Averill, crushed a line drive that fractured Dean’s big toe. Consequently, Dean had to change his pitching motion, which eventually caused arm and shoulder problems, forcing early retirement. Dean’s great career was ended prematurely by something as small as an injured toe.” Dizzy Dean became a very great, popular baseball announcer.  He was really funny (i.e. my opinion).  Saturday question—What small thing has affected your life?

Oopsy daisy! I have had several small issues in my life that have really affected my life.  Some were rather bad storms that seemingly ended up being good storms a.k.a. positive.  I surely didn’t think soooo at the time they happened.  Those storms actually cleared a path for me life; they were for my benefit and a blessing to me even though at the time they were hard to understand (i.e. and occasionally when I flash back, they still are). Ouchy ouchy!  

 I jogged on the golf course early last Saturday.  The Ground Superintendents were working hard.  I noticed they had two hole locations on the greens soooo I asked them what was going on—we are having a “heaven and hell tournament” today—what’s that—the first 9 holes we have the tee boxes way up front and they use the hole locations on the green that are the easiest; the second 9 holes they use the tee boxes that are way back and the hole locations on the greens that are very difficult; that is why we call it heaven and hell.  MissPerfect says--That sorta kinda sounds like my days on this earth!  ha ha

I must admit that I am not very good at many things; in fact, I don’t know if I’m very good at really anything (i.e. it’s all relevant and it depends who is doing the evaluation).  I remember once I was doing a talk at a women’s group.  One lady asked me in the open question time—What I was really good at.  I said—I’m a good sleeper!  I think I lost the little credibility I had with those ladies. Oopsy daisy!  ANYWAY, I do know certain things that I’m not good at and I need to take extra effort and time with them.  It really helps me to realize these areas and to work at them.  Yes it does.  I have improved.  Work does help, I think. BUT, I’m still not great at them. Such is life.

WorldClassLarry says—Expecting the world to treat you great ‘cause you think you are a good person is a bunch of bull!  It just ain’t goin’ happen folks!  No way! First of all, who says you are a good person and secondly, why do you deserve to be treated great anyway.  Maybe, just maybe, that’s your ego talking.  If it is, maybe no one other than you is listening.  Saturday question—Sooooo why do you want to do good?  You need to ask someone who is a lot smarter than me for that answer—I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south or Roseland, MN.  I think some of you folks are good folks but it seems like you are not treated great (i.e. not even fair).  I also think some of you folks are not good folks and are treated pretty great (i.e. some folks might think it’s unfair).  Ouchy ouchy!  BUT my thinking might not be right.  I’m wrong a lot!  I’m about 50-50 on a good day. Such is life.

At the Belmont Stakes, the jockey of War of Will said the horse was full of himself—finished ninth! Are you prideful?  I am and I don’t like it.  But I don’t always recognize it.  That is even worse.  Or is pride good?  Is pride related to confidence?  This is a tough area for many.  RickyRick says—"Pride destroys relationships. It shows up in a lot of different ways, like criticism, competition, stubbornness, and superficiality. The problem with pride is it’s self-deceiving. Everybody else can see it in us but us. When you have a problem with pride, you don’t see it in your life. Proverbs 16:18 says, ‘Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV). I love this verse in the Message paraphrase: ‘First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.’” Oopsy daisy!  Yoga Berra said--It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.

The other day I stopped to read the Des Moines Register at the library.  There was a pic of bikes on the front page.  I asked the two librarians if they ride bike.  One said she did until she crashed into the curb and tore open her knee (i.e. an oopsy daisy—here’s the scar to prove it that she showed me).  The other gal said she did but not anymore; her brother pushed her when she was young, and she skinned up her knee (i.e. oopsey daisy)—she showed me her scar to prove it.  They both showed me their matching scars).  What a hoot!

My mentor would say to me—erv, sometimes things aren’t as they appear.   The town put up a radar with a digital board showing how fast you are going.  My Yamaha XT250 said I was going 35 but the radar said I was going 31.  Hey, one of them must be wrong.  I downloaded a speedometer app on my phone and checked.  When the bike said I was going 55, I actually was going 50.  I asked my motorcycle guru about that (i.e. he owns two Harleys).  He said motorcycles are known to go slower than their speedometers.  Harleys run 3 to 4 mph slower; it’s just a known fact.  Why I asked.  He didn’t know.  Such is life.

Here is something else I don’t know; I can’t explain.  I really like this pic but I have no idea why.  There is something about it that I don’t know what it does to me but it does.  How does that pic affect you?  I have to admit that this pic affects me more than the pic of Mona Lisa!  Don’t they say that art is in the eye of the beholder or something like that (i.e. but I almost flunked Art Appreciation at good ol’ Northwestern)? Soooo who determines it’s great anyway? Who determines you are great?  Really! You really think soooo?

Our daughter said her friend has strength, courage, determination and motivation.  I don’t know her but if Heather said she does, she does.  I read (i.e. actually heard it as I am listening to a book) that many folks do not like folks who are successful (i.e. it makes them feel bad; they would rather be around unsuccessful folks a.k.a bottom feeders; that makes them feel better).  Isn’t that toooo bad.  BUT I think that is true.  DownTheStreetBob says--It takes a big person tooooo be happy for other folks who have success; little folks put them down some way in trying to make themselves more important.  Oopsy daisy!  Sorry to say but that is how our culture seems to be.  Booooom! The author of the book said that successful folks need to be humble in their approach (i.e. the great ones all do it).

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Laugh the loudest when the joke is on you.

just a little bit maybe

Avast Matey! This It's Saturday includes bug fixes for your neighbor's life. Well, maybe just a little bit maybe or maybe not at all.  Who really knows!  I could be wrong. Such is life.

Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back. ~ Heraclitus  A friend recently told me that one of his hobbies is poker; he goes to Casinos and plays on their poker nights (i.e. he says he’s pretty good).  He says there are good poker players and there are poor poker players. The poor poker players are just there to give their money to the good poker players (i.e. the good poker players all know who they are). ANYWAY, this friend gave me some reasons why some players are good.  Here is what I learned-- getting to know the philosophy of the other players, know the odds and play them, not letting other players know your philosophy, don’t be predictable, be patient (i.e. this is very hard he says), remember cards and don’t show your hand. This friend is smart and poker seems to just fit him (i.e. my opinion). He is a retired cooperate management guy who was a trouble shooter for the company.  He used the soft-sell to correct problems (i.e. told the managers what the problem(s) were and gave them a practical true application/solution how it could be corrected but gave them a soft sell a.k.a. told the truth. Usually the managers would object and stomp their feet but as time went along (i.e. had time to think about it), they did what he suggested (i.e. let them feel it was their idea).  Then when other problems arose, the managers would contact him to have him solve their problems. In other words, he got in their heads just a little bit and they didn’t even know it at first, but they eventually figured it out.  Bingo! A win win! Oh ya, his wife said at his retirement party—The guy just doesn’t know how to lie!

I talked to an old client the other day.  He is a retired farmer from north of town.  This guy seems to see the big picture and tells it in a funny way.  He just makes me laugh.  ANYWAY, he told me that he just had spine work done; went through the front of his throat; you don’t want to watch the movie of it;  went home the same day; had and Indian doctor but could talk perfect English; these foreign guys go to school to learn compared to American students who go to school to learn how to throw the ball!  What a hoot!

GeorgeTheCrook (i.e. who is a machine) says he wonders just a little bit how death will be; I mean when we ain’t no more on this earth?  Whatever your religious beliefs are or even if you have none, do we wonder?  Woody Allen once quipped, “I’m not afraid of death; I just don’t want to be there when it happens.” Our minister says that there are doubters, skeptics, agnostics, atheists and complete believers.  He said that pretty much all of us are somewhat doubters (i.e. soooo maybe all of us are a little bit of a doubter).  In fact, John The Baptist was a doubter.  SusieQ says—It’s easy to be a doubter.  WorldClassLarry says—Once we understand the soft-sell, we have a lot of hope as to our eternity.  Bingo! A win win!

I’m starting to think that many folks say one thing but do another or don’t say nuttin.  Or at least practically.  What many people say doesn’t really mean much anymore.  Our culture is all about me.  I was with a friend who said, and I think he does—says he says it like it is. He says folks don’t like him for it sometimes.  Most folks don’t say it like it is much anymore.  His HR once told him—Even whales don’t get harpooned when they don’t spout off! And most folks don’t want to hear the truth anymore (i.e. my opinion).  Saturday question—Do you ever lie to yourself about yourself? Ouchy ouchy! AverageJoe says—That’s about as low as you can get! Such is life.

Do you ever wonder if some folks are brainwashed more than others or some folks are more mentally ill than the average dog (i.e. we are all mentally ill but to different degrees)? It appears to me that family can influence us (i.e. sometimes screw us up). It also appears that education, friends, money, situations etc. can also influence us. Maybe just a little bit maybe! CadillacJack says—Everyone believes in something because of something.  I agree CadillacJack, but the something we believe in is very important.  LuckieEddie says—It appears to me that good is evil and evil is good more than ever in our current culture in America (i.e. my opinion). That doesn’t sound right but it appears that our culture loves it (i.e. a new normal). My Daddy, Chester, told me many times the best discipline is self-discipline.  I think he was saying that the correct mind set is very important.  At least a little bit maybe! 

A young lady who grew up in our church who is now a professional music therapist, along with her mother who is our friend, came and played and sang for and with Arlene Sunday afternoon (i.e. good stuff).  She played several Sound of Music songs and several old Christian hymns.  She is very talented, and Arlene really enjoyed it.  She is blessed to be a blessing.  Music is an uplift (i.e. universally) but especially to Arlene.  She made a little difference in Arlene’s life (i.e. a little bit maybe).  I hope you and I can do that (i.e. something not about the money)!  PsychoPete asks—Who or what is driving your bus?

I had breakfast with a friend and he told me about he and his wife’s (i.e. long-time friends) visit with Arlene in the care facility when I was gone on my respite (i.e. many of you went and saw her and gave me reports—accurate and true—Arlene and I both appreciated those visits—I say thanksamillion). ANYWAY, he told me that they laughed a lot with Arlene but didn’t understand much as what she was trying to say.  Then when they got in the car, his wife cried.  Now that is being real folks.  My friend shared some real touching stuff about his late father (i.e. I would guess he never shared that before).  This is what RickieRick wrote--“I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other” (Romans 1:12 NLT). We can’t live for ourselves if we want God to bless our lives. God will bless your life if you participate in fellowship. You need to be a part of a church family and develop relationships with other believers. In other words, Paul tells the Christians in Rome, “I’ll encourage you in your faith. You can encourage me in my faith. And we will bless each other in the process.” Most of the blessings God has in store for you in the coming months and years will happen through other people. If you never build those relationships, you will never get the blessings. You guys believe that?  That is what I thought.

Just a little bit of stuff from WayneTheGolferFriendFromNorthOfTheBorder--There are three things the human brain cannot resist noticing:  food, attractive people, and danger. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, SMILE.  It is the ultimate anti-depressant. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts, or things you cannot control.  Instead, invest your energy in the positive, present moment. Help the needy.  Be generous!   Be a 'Giver' not a 'Taker.'

I talked to a friend at church recently who told me he has a hole in his macula of his macular.  It can be fixed he said but I think he’s just a little bit scared and concerned (i.e. I would be toooo).  Maybe it is scaring the day lights out of him.  WildWilie says—Events like this can make a guy rethink his to-do list a.k.a. revamp plans; humbles a person, makes a person do more playin’ than complain’! A friend told me recently that we as a country of the United States of America are no longer humble (i.e. that is his opinion).  We can’t and won’t change until we become humble (i.e. it appears we don’t want to change; we like it the way it’s going).  Socrates taught Plato that a man must use reason to attain wisdom, and that the life of a lover of wisdom, a philosopher, was the pinnacle of achievement. ... For Plato, the image of the cave summed up man's destined path, emerging from the darkness of material existence to the light of a higher and more spiritual truth. Plato also did say—We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

There has been protests in France over economic inequality fueled by Notre Dame giving. Some billion+ of donations have already been given for Notre Dame renovations.  The poor want to treated the same. It seems to be a problem in many countries.  It appears that to fix this is not soooooo easy.  Our history shows that giving the poor money does not fix it.  Soooo how do we fix it?  I have feelings for the poor and underprivileged, but I don’t have the answer.  My opinion is that it has to be a mind set, I think.  My opinion is that I don’t think it appears that we are in that mind set right now. 

RudyRouge says--Where facts are few, experts are many. Maybe much of what we think is right might come about because we believe in the testimony of someone else who we think has a good understanding of it (i.e. even though it can‘t be proven).  JoeBlow says—Now that could be as there are a lot of things that can’t be seen but just felt internally or observed (e.g. feelings, attitudes, principles, wonderments, emotions, etc.). MissPerfect asks—How do I know they are true and real or fake and phony?  TerrificTom says—Figure it out sucker!

I was reminded once again how when our leader of our Wednesday afternoon golf group passed on, the chemistry of the Wednesday outing has changed.  We miss him; he was sorta kinda the glue.  This happens all the time in our lives.  It’s just not the same anymore.  It affects us just a little bit maybe.  A friend told me that their winter in the South was not the same; some folks died, some have illnesses, and for other reasons they weren’t there.  The feeling has changed. It ain’t like it was before.  Has any of you had that happen to your life?  But there are positives toooo; we have the opportunity to make new friends and make new memories.  Soooooo enjoy your friends today as much as you can; they always won’t be around or you won’t be around.  As it says on the Ketchup bottle—best by a certain date; it doesn’t say by an expiration date!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Let me give you two methods that help people grow. This applies in every area of life but especially family. Through example.  All children don’t want to hear a sermon, they want to see an example. Through conversations. If you’re not having critical conversations with your children about real issues, they’re not growing. Unfortunately, most conversations we have with children are about schedules, eating, or homework and not about the stuff that really matters in life.  Then they get older and we still don’t have meaningful conversation about important issues.  CrazyMarvin (i.e. who loves to be first) says—My problem is I don’t know what the important issues are and even when I think I do, I don’t know what is right!  CrazyMarvin, you have a problem; you need help!  Ouchy ouchy!

There are many good folks; you folks are really good folks (i.e. at least part of the time; the other part of the time it is questionable at best. ha ha).  Our culture really tugs at us and it’s hard to be good folks at times (i.e. at least I find that in my life).  Life will go on regardless if we like it or not or whatever we decide to do with our lives. A onesmartperson who has traveled quite a bit internationally and in some impoverished countries told me that they see folks who are content and happy but have nothing compared to Americans who have a lot but don’t seem as happy.  That is a little bit hard to understand isn’t it (i.e. maybe if we can get just one more toy, we will be happier ha ha).  I had another friend tell me that Americans don’t need God, they got everything; they are their own god! What do you think of those comments?  That is what I thought. 

WARNING!  I repeat WARNING!  This is being very real folks; some of you won’t want to read it as it will make you feel unpleasant and uncomfortable.  Sooooo just skip it; it might be toooo much of real life.  Sooooooo, I put up this note on my bathroom mirror. I go back to Arlene and she just wet her pants.  Now that is testing my mind set!  That’s pretty humbling and right in my face! I said to myself—Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going.  It’s no big deal. You can handle it.  She can’t help it but I have a choice; I can handle it.  Yes I can. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Those who keep a neat desk never experience the thrill of discovery.

I don't know; tha't a good question

Some of you will think that this “It’s Saturday” is just a cock-an’-bull story!  And I can understand why you would think that. It is confusing even to me. Our minds are stimulated by all kinds of events and activity; some we can’t even control (e.g. some folks’ brains insist on counting the steps every time they walk up a flight of stairs; there is something about their mind that always wants to keep counting). Why can’t some folks get information (e.g. numbers) out of their mind?  I don’t know; that’s a good question. Soooo continue reading with caution--My kid sister told me this week that I'm an old fuddy-duddy! Take that into consideration.

In our hyper-competitive business and professional world, we would all like to be the one to discover the latest and greatest innovation, the idea we often see products in stores labeled “New and Improved.” Would it not be good to be able to say the same about ourselves and the work we do that no one has thought of before, that would put us on the fast track to success.  A basically conservative friend said to me recently--The liberals are smart folks tooooo; maybe they are right and I am wrong.  Or maybe the conservatives are right and the liberals are wrong.  The liberals and the conservatives are all smart folks (i.e. at least some of them).  How do we know?  I don’t know; that’s a good question my friend.

A friend told me recently that her father recently got a smart phone and now can text his grand kids.  He does it every day giving them advice.  The grand kids sorta kinda laugh about it but they always return his texts.  Do you think grand kids are basically interested in advice from grand dad?  I don’t know; that’s a good question.  Another grand dad told me that he text all his grand kids and told them that he is not going to give them any more money if you can’t say thank you.  He said he got thank yous from all of them right away.  Is the money talking or did they see the point?  I don’t know; that’s a good question.

A missionary/friend wrote this in his weekly article—"We are living in a world today where there are a lot of questions and a lot of different roads which people are choosing to walk down.  Different ideas are floating around and being declared and this is causing a lot of confusion at times.  Which way do I go?  What do I do?  Why is this happening to me right now?  Please help me because I don't understand." Well folks, I don’t know, those are good questions.  One thing I say to folks when they ask me how we are doing is—we are ok, we have options.  We have a lot of options it seems in the culture we live in but not everyone has the same options.  And as a decease friend, Paul, would say--Our decisions have consequences. And guess who gets to make those decisions.  Bingo!

Almost all advertising says—You deserve it!  Do it; you deserve it.  You don’t deserve it folks.  Settle down! Do you really know what you want (e.g. to be a billionaire).  Onesmartperson who works with a heart doctor told me that they see a lot of kids from very rich families that are all screwed up (i.e. they have no heart problems at all).  They are stressed and wacko!  The doctor tells them that they need to get off the couch, eat three meals a day, go to school and exercise—their response is:  I can’t do that! SenorJane says—I don’t need to take illegal drugs to fell crazy; all I have to do is stand up fast!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"Every time I fly over a large body of water, I imagine opening the window of the jet and pouring out my coffee into the immense body of water below. I imagine the time that I spend on this earth compared to eternity is no more than that cup of coffee. The incredible size of the ocean compared to one small cup of coffee is what our life is like compared to eternity. Why then do we invest so much in temporal pursuits when we know that our investment here can have so much impact on our eternity? It is the great paradox of human behavior, especially for Christians.” I don’t know, that’s a good question.  Maybe folks really don’t believe it or maybe just partly believe (i.e. don’t totally buy into it)!  Must be or wouldn’t we act differently?  JoeBlow says—I have always been a guy to do just enough to get by! “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” ― George Bernard Shaw

ItchieBitchie (i,e. a real pilot car) says--But there’s a catch! Are some truths toooo heavy to bare? I don’t know; that is a good question.  If you knew the truth behind the scenes, maybe we would say—Some truths are toooo heavy to bare.  Sooooo we are not told the truth.  LuckieEddie says—I don’t know about that erv!  I tell you what LuckieEddie, you don’t know the truth soooo you will never know what the truth is soooooo you don’t have to worry about it (i.e. maybe our culture doesn’t want you do know the truth—you are much easier to handle and manipulate when the culture just fools you).  Think about that! LuckieEddie, you are soooo easy to fool; the easiest of the easy! Boom, bang, done!

WorldClassLarry says—Ask questions; be engaged.  My Daddy, Chester, always told me to ask questions; it’s one of the best ways to learn; ask questions and then listen.  When in CO I noticed that our daughter had several little notebooks in which she wrote different things down.  I like to do that as well.  What was interesting to me, I noticed Erin, who just completed 5^th grade, also does that too.  Crazy. I wonder where she learned that.  Her Daddy, James, came home from a meeting and gave both of the kids a notebook and two pens.  Interesting. Here is an assignment that I did; it was actually harder than I thought.  I hope you try it.  It is a 38 second video about writing out "what's the best year of your life."   https://www.youtube.com/embed/L2KLfMtIzT4?rel=0

Heather asked me last Thursday when in CO what I wanted to eat that evening (i.e. that was a good question that I knew the answer).  She said--Dad, pick out something you haven’t had for a long time but you really enjoy.  Was that nice or what.  I picked salmon.  James grilled it perfectly.  We also had a greens salad and gourmet mushroom risotto (i.e. I didn’t pick that out; I never heard of that before—very good).  That along with some Earth Pinot Noir wine and some home-made rhubarb/strawberry cobbler alamode.  They really treat me like a king; way better than I deserve.  Although, they did give me a pretty hard time in saying I drank more than my share of wine! Such is life.

When in CO, I gave Erin the opportunity to frame this picture of Arlene when she was teaching many years ago.  I put it on my desk as a reminder of how Arlene was and not as she is now. It was given to us recently by a former student that they found in his sister’s belongings.  Arlene wrote her a note, way back then, encouraging her.  She kept it all those years.  The picture was also in her possession.  It’s also good for Erin to see her grandma in a different way (i.e. a little bit, maybe; my opinion). 

When I was at the Woodworths in CO, I felt just a little bit, maybe, paranoid that they were looking and listening to me. Alexa was listening to my phone conversations and they have a door bell that takes videos of me coming and going.  I didn’t see any hidden cameras and didn’t find any bugs but who knows.  Oh, that modern technology.  I couldn’t get by with nuttin.  Sooooo what is your philosophical truth? What is your virtual reality? Philosophical truth goes back many years, to Socrates and Plato.  They even didn’t agree.  Virtual reality is a more modern term spurred on by technology.  I find both quite interesting to think about. 

Returning home, I am back to my reality, not my virtual reality. Maybe my respite in CO was more a virtual reality.  It is what it is folks.  AverageJoe says—Some folks live in a constant virtual reality but not in a real reality.  That could be AverageJoe.  ANYWAY, I read an article in the Denver Post about reality of San Francisco.  The reality is that it has/is really changing basically all because of wealth of the people who can afford to live there in a city that has been transformed by innovation.  Here are some facts according to the paper—a median single family home is $1.6 million—it’s home to more billionaires per capita than anywhere on Earth, one out of every 11,500—7,500 homeless—lowest per cent of children under 18 of 13.4% of any major city—just about as many dogs as children—it’s urban blight by excess; an elitist city.  Hey folks, money changes things; don’t kid yourself.  Technology changes things; don’t kid yourself. The article said that many think it’s capitalism out of control a.k.a. run amuck. Ouchy ouchy! But others think it’s just good capitalism (i.e. it has always been this way) and some think the article is written by some liberal who promotes socialism. Maybe it depends which side of the fence a person is on.  Now that could be. I don’t know, that’s a good question. I had breakfast with friends who grew up in Butler Co but now live in a suburb of San Francisco (i.e. 38 miles from San Francisco). I asked them to read the article which they did.  I asked them if it is accurate—pretty much but embellished.  erv, you got to remember that this is going on all over the United States and all over the world; it’s not nothing new.  They are probably right; I agree.

I found out that I was the nut.  Some CA trivia about the almond nut that my CA friends told me.  I sorta kinda questioned them soooo I goggled it.  I should not have questioned them, these are some smart folks (i.e. good folks with good hearts; real folks), but it sounded tooooo crazy.  Each almond nut takes 1.1 gallons of water to produce.  The almond nut in CA (i.e. CA raises 82% of the globe’s almonds—70% sold over-seas) is controversial with the water shortage (i.e. very popular because they are sooo good for you).  Sooooo folks, I like almonds and when I buy a two-pound package of almonds, according to goggle, it takes 3,800 gallons of water to produce.  Some time back I researched how almonds are harvested.  I watched a YouTube. Very interesting.  Actually sorta kinda crazy.  Actually sorta kinda funny.  I laughed anyway. But you got to remember, I’m the nut! Such is life.

Ya gotta be from somewhere! And ya going to end up somewhere! Luther, my couz, who grew up in Roseland, goes to the little Roseland Reformed Church cemetery just east of the church each Memorial Day morning; has done it for years.  He always sends me a pic of our parents’ gravestone. His parents, John and Sadie Dykema, our parents and our Dykema grandparents are all buried there along with 7 of the other 11 siblings.  Yep, Gert and Nick had 13 kids; yes, I have a lot of Dykema cousins.  CouzLuther is a good person with a good heart; a real person.  He has done well with his life.  Our grandchildren seem to have a good start in life; but yagottafinish! Our parents who died at age 56 and 57 never got to see their grandchildren or see how their kids did in life. Some of you get to see many of your great grand children grow up.  Is that fair? I don’t know; that’s a good question. The only thing that’s fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in June. Such is life.

MN-EngineerKenThePung, an old golf buddy/friend from MN by way of AZ told me about how his summer is going—No polka practice yet; No practice until a week from monday. Hi from mary. Golf with 4 other guys who all worked at cedar creek golf course here in albertville.once a week is enough. Had both shoulders shot with cordisone when we got back from az. Working well, but hasn't helped my score. Still bohgie golf with a few pars thrown in. And life goes on with whatever life bring even if we like it or not MN-EngineerKenThePung! I asked him what his favorite polka song was--In heaven there is no beer or wooden heart. I am not made of wood and i dont have a wooden heart. IA Hawkeye band plays, In heaven there anin’t no beer that’s why we drink it here, after every home football win.  It’s tradition.  Fun!

My CA friends told me that they live close to the Central Valley (i.e. a valley about 400 miles by 50 miles) which produces most of the agriculture products. I believe all of it is irrigated.  They said the high majority of all the physical work is done by Mexicans (i.e. legal and illegal migrant workers). They have no problem with that; they work hard (i.e. Americans won’t do this work) and are very loyal to their families.  And on Sunday, most go to church and worship God; they have a blind faith; not like most Americans. Huh, interesting.

I went to Le Peep in Littleton for breakfast one morning when in CO. I ate my oatmeal while reading the Denver Post (i.e. I enjoy this).  There were a couple of guys probably about my age at the next table.  They were talking about all their aches and pains and diseases.  Also, they talked about how they can’t do very much anymore and when they do, they need a long recovery time.  It made me want to go home and take a nap, but I went back to the house and changed my clothes and hiked on Mt. Falcon (i.e. one of my favorite hikes) in the cold and wet. Maybe they were in their reality and maybe I was in my virtual reality.  What do you think? I don’t know; that’s a good question. RickieRick says--Use it or lose it.

I’m ending this “It’s Saturday” the same way a friend ended his email to me explaining his opinion on a situation that both of us have an interest.  Ready?  I reserve the right to correct and deny all above statements.....😐just kidding!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--He who teaches his child to live on small means has left him a fortune,