play on

I’m never probably going to be more than about 80 percent certain that what I write is perfect (i.e. actually far less than 80%--I understand that). Waiting for any greater certainty may cause me to miss an opportunity. I don’t think any amount of information may move me past a particular degree of certainty.  Sooooo I’m going to let her fly.  Here we go; play on.

The old adage—It’s better to create experiences instead of acquiring stuff seems hard for many folks to get (i.e. less than 80% chance haha) as the world seems to measure success by stuff and not by experiences.  Soooo I stayed with the grand kids in Waukee last Friday as the Jessica was on a business trip and the kids had no school and Chet thought maybe that the Live Wires for the grand kids would be canceled because of the snowstorm soooooo I got the opportunity to spend the day with them. Sooooo I said I would take Chet and the grand kids out for dinner Thursday night.  Well, I messed up in thinking we were going to meet at this restaurant, and they thought I was coming to their house and then going to the restaurant (i.e. my bad).  Then the restaurant really messed up our order and it was really a mess.  I told the grand kids to just eat what they serve you—it’s not a big deal, just laugh at it. It was a hoot! They did really well.  BUT here is the deal—It was an experience that they will probably never forget.  Besides, the restaurant gave it to us complimentary.  Play on.

I let the grand kids stay in their pjs all day (i.e. even let them go outside in the snow with their snow clothes over their pjs—why not) and let them get by with more than they normally do probably (i.e. I sorta kinda felt like a substitute teacher on a one-day stay—I think they took advantage of me--and I didn't care).  I guess that is what grandpas do, don’t they?  I found out later that they were not suppose toooo eat food by the computer or watch YouTube videos; they did both; how was I toooo know; the grand kids didn’t tell me! They had a good time alright! 12 year old LuckieCharlie and I were playing a card game she called Trash (i.e. she won all the games of course) and she asked me what my New Year’s resolution was—I said that I didn’t have one—what’s yours—I resolve to be better at using my manners and being more honest and caring to others (i.e. typed by Charlie herself).  Now that resolution is pretty impressive.  I hope she can, and I hope we all can do that.  Play on.

Listen folks, soooo much of this interaction will not make much difference 20 years from now or 100 years from now but some will.  I hope and pray I have the discretion to know what will and what won’t.  They might remember some things I say and do.  It appears we have a tendency to get all excited about some stuff that is not important and not get excited about stuff that is very important.  Why is that anyway?

Here is an idea for you grandparents—Our grand kids really enjoy being on my laptop and iPhone.  This is parent approved besides—let them do typing club; it’s great for them to learn to key board and develop a skill and it’s sorta kinda a game.  I’m amazed how they like it and also how fast they can type—practice practice and practice.  And it is very important in our culture.  BUT I think they would rather watch YouTube videos or play games!  haha

Some of you might think I’m goofy about what I’m going to share with you.  I think something really great is going to happen to me.  I do.  I have no idea what it is. It might not be considered great to you and it might not have a Hollywood finish either.  I even hope I can recognize it.  Some of you are wondering what I have been smoking!  Come on goofy erv, use you left side of your brain (i.e. reality) and not your right side of your brain (i.e. imagination).  Why wouldn’t I expect something great to happen to me? I just wrote this and got a text inviting me for dinner! That might have been it!  haha I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—Raja Chari, a Cedar Falls native, just graduated from NASA astronaut training program making him eligible to an active astronaut.  He and his 10 other astronauts were selected out of a pool of 18,000 applicants.  His remark was—I never thought I would be chosen. Charles de Gaulle said—We may go to the moon, but that’s not very far.  The greatest distance we have to cover still lies within us. Play on.

   ItchieBitchie says--It is easy to sit up and take notice: what is difficult is getting up and take action.  Ouchy ouchy! I have said this before—It is soooo easy to be average; it doesn’t take much effort to be average.  But to be above average it takes some effort and to be excellent, it takes a lot of effort.  A medical doctor told me that he sees many patients that are not proactive with their health (i.e. actually that is pretty much average).  They just play on until their playing days are over. Ouchy ouchy! And then there are others who are proactive; have great excitement in their life; are always happy, active and excited.  AverageJoe says—Why are folks sooooo different?

You might not agree with me about this and that is ok.  I understand and won’t be a bit offended.  Actually, I realize that you don’t agree with me about many things I write about. I’m not offended in the least.  We all have our opinions and even think we know what is right even though it might not be.  That’s just the way it is (e.g. how could anyone vote for that person—haha).  ANYWAY, I think a leader of a church is as much a motivator as an expert in the scripture.  Does that sound crazy to you?  That is what I thought.  I really believe that Jesus, when on earth as a person, was a motivator and made folks feel good and gave them Hope.  See, some of you folks think I went off the deep end.  SusieQ says—All those Xs and Os are fine, but I need to be motivated; I need to be set on fire!  I need to get excited to go and kick some butt! Do you think the players on the 49ners and Chief teams were not motivated by their leaders? Da! Play on!

Marie Curie said during a lecture at Vassar College, “(Scientific work) must be done for itself, for the beauty of science, and then there is always the chance that a scientific discovery may become, like radium, a benefit for humanity.” I find that statement sooooo interesting and challenging.  It appears that sooooo much good stuff happens when we are trying to do something (i.e. anything good).  It appears that we have to experiment in trying new stuff, especially good stuff. Or as a coach once said--An ugly win is better than no win! Play on! A friend told me that he is very concerned about the church they attend as they are becoming an internal church (i.e. all about them—self-centered) and not an external church (i.e. about others). Saturday question—Which type of person or church is the most enjoyable to be around. Da!

It has been said many times, many ways that that we have to be tested by fire to find out who we really are.  GeorgeTheCrook says--If we have not been tested by fire, we do not know who we are and if we don’t know who we are we cannot be a leader in leading others in who they are.  You believe that?  That is what I thought.  Have any of you been tested by fire? MissPerfect says—When I have been tested by fire, I just don’t like it much; it hurts; it’s hard for me to understand that I’m learning much.  It seems like I’m just getting my butt burnt! Maybe MissPerfect, maybe you are learning by osmosis through your butt and you don’t even know it.  Play on! Arlene’s winter experiences--She would get our grand daughter, Erin, to stand with her with their backs to the fireplace and say, “we’re burning our buns.”  Now that is an experience that might be remembered.  Another thing she would say this time of year that we remember—Burzzy burzzy! But Erin also remembers us buying her ice cream; she loves ice cream.

SusieQ (i.e. who is a gem) says--It’s all relative, isn’t it? When you’re an active seven-year-old, a year seems like forever. When you’re an active seventy-four-year-old, the years rush past like a bullet train (i.e. can any of you relate tooooo that). A friend and I were talking about slowing the train down.  That is hard to do; that sucker just has a mind of its own.  It’s hard to put the brakes on.  Arlene’s Alzheimer’s has slowed my train down some; I had no choice, but my motor at times still runs pretty hot!  I think I have been wired that way.  Some of you folks are wired hotter than I am (i.e. my opinion).  It seems that I have a lot of friends who are wired pretty hot.  Why is that? I have no idea. Play on!

I read this which was written by JimGotItFinally while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"Relationships are integral to a meaningful, fulfilling life. As a young boy, my only relationships were with family members; as an only child for 10 years, I never experienced how strong, positive relationships could be formed. The concept of forming lasting relationships came to me later in life, after Jesus Christ came into my life as Savior and Lord. This took place after two divorces and many missed friendship opportunities. When we are self-absorbed, we put ourselves first, at the cost of relationships.” What do you think about that?  That is what I thought. Play on!

RickyRick says—"Today we’re going to look at two more times when you should move fast. First, move fast when you have the opportunity to do good. The Bible says it over and over: When you see a chance to do something good for someone else, do it immediately (i.e. when is the best time to do good NOW!). This year, God will put people in your life with needs. Their needs might be physical. Some could be emotional, like a need for kindness or encouragement. Proverbs 3:27 says, ‘Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them’ (NLT).” JoeSmooth says—Don’t always beat folks up but uplift them; make them smile and enjoy life a little more.  It doesn’t take me long to get away from the DebbieDowners.  And I’m not a Lone Ranger on that; look around folks; a person doesn’t have to be rocket scientist to figure that out. Bingo!

Here is some of my thoughts (i.e. they have no value toooo most folks maybe, but they are what they are—they might be old fashion to some of you).  I was talking to a friend recently who said that it’s soooo difficult to remain close friends with folks of the past.  We just don’t have the time. I think that’s a fare evaluation, even with family.  Folks, toooo some extent, just don’t care as much about others or they elect not to put in the time necessary, maybe (i.e. that’s a guesstiment). SusieQ says—It appears that in an individualistic culture like America, we tend to overlook the power of friendship, friendship with combined humility and dignity. Okay, here is more of the result of my thinking—the new culture doesn’t want to hear about the old values of friendship; they are living in the new culture and don’t want to go back or even think of the old ways.  It appears maybe that many many Facebook friends is what folks are after.  I think I might be getting older and not keeping up with the new culture as I don’t have much interest in that.  JoeBlow says—erv, there is a difference between “have to” or the “want to” category. Play on.

Oh, those experiences!  You probably won’t remember the experience of reading this “It’s Saturday.”  It’s really not that exciting of an experience, I agree, but some of you might.  BUT a sad thing about life is we don’t remember half of it.  We don’t even remember half of half of it. Not even a tiny percentage of it. And we are soooo cavalier about it.  Experiences give us memories which many times let us remember more of our life (i.e. stuff not soooo much—my opinion unless folks are very egotistical).  If we can’t remember much of our life, it’s like it never happened; it’s like we didn’t live the part that we don’t remember.  Sooooo folks, I suggest we make some experiences.  Play on!

I think I'll just put an "Out of Order" sticker on my forehead and call it a day.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Good teachers are able to challenge young minds with out losing their own.

the real me and you

Don ‘t take anything I write toooo serious; don’t get excited if you don’t agree with what I write about even if it touches a nerve and it gives you diarrhea (i.e. the intention of this “It’s Saturday” is not that)!  Soooo just relax.  Ok?   ItchieBitchie says—This “It’s Saturday” is a route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing.

My mentor use to quote Shakespeare to me.  One quote he recited to me was—False face must hide what the false heart doth know. That is pretty impressive that he could remember that.  Also, the quote is quite impressive.  JoeBlow (i.e. a world class actor in his own right) says—There are 2 plays in town, Romeo and Juliet and who we really are.

Heather’s friend Raye says to her when they run early in the morning when it’s cold—Bundle up buttercup!  That soooo inviting and fun, my opinion.  I seem to always come across like I’m broadcasting bull riding at a rodeo!  I think I need to learn to live with it or learn to change!  A friend in our conversation this week said--Any time we mention change in our company, YesterdayBob rolls up his nose and says "AGAIN!" Such is life.

Many times what I think is soooo smart and great one day, the next day I don’t think that way sooooo much!  Yikes! My mentor also quoted Will Rogers.  Here is a quote that he told me many times—Good judgment comes from experiences and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. I had most of “It’s Saturday” written when I had what some would call an “erv error” but I called it a supernatural synchronicity.  I accidentally deleted my draft.  I laughed.  After some thought, I think it was a God sent a.k.a. happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo.  Maybe what I had written was toooo real a.k.a. toooo direct and would have hurt some of you (i.e. I didn’t know what I was doing—maybe I was cocky).  Why would I want to do that? You are my friends.  Sooooo, maybe, it was just a good deal.  It was way beyond me. You ever have this “way beyond me” happen to you? I say to myself sometimes—Is this really real? Have you ever said—I have learned my lesson, I will never do that again and then what do I do, I do it again. Da!

I had breakfast with an old friend I made at good old Northwestern College years and years ago.  He told me about a business friend who he described as “he owned the city.”  He had soooo much charisma that everyone liked him, especially the woman.  But he told my friend that he was a fake and hated himself to a point that he would throw up.  Well, he was found out and everything fell apart.  He went to the south and started over and the same result happened.  He is dead broke today.  My friend didn’t tell me if he likes himself.  Probably not I would guess.

CadillacJack (i.e. who seems uneasy over nothing and everything) says--Speech is the mirror of the mind.  MissPerfect says--Holy smokes, if that is true, my mind is really something else.  Bob Dylan once wrote the lyrics, “And if my thoughts-dreams could be seen they’d probably put my head in a guillotine.” Would you like to have folks know what you think about sometimes; I don’t think soooooo.  Saturday question—Do you think asymmetrical tolerance is a form of oppression? So far are you with me?  I didn’t make that up but read it and researched it as I had no idea what it meant.  Some of you are pretty darn smart soooooo you probably didn’t have to research it. 

Talk about being darn smart! When my sisters and brother-in-laws were here I learned a lot and didn’t even have to pay for it.  I learned what top shelf meant (i.e. they are).  The smoke detector went off when making toast and one of my brother-in-laws went to it and waved some paper under it and it stopped; he said it just needed some fresh air (i.e. think through that).  I learned that squirrels use their tails to keep warm. I even learned a new joke—How do you cook toilet paper? You brown it on one side and throw in in the pot!  These folks are top cats!  No question.

My kid sister and her husband are now in FL volunteering with Wycliffe Associates. They are around folks from all over the world and some from third world countries.  They all do their testimonies.  Most folks from the third world countries are poor. In their testimonies, they say that their faith (i.e. “trust or complete confidence in something or someone”) is very real. For them to convert to Christianity, they might lose their life or could be tortured and ostracized by their family and social network.  They think most Americans’ faith is in their money and in being in control.  Yikes!

Sooooo the other day I washed the curtains in our garage in our automatic waster and dried them in our electric dryer.  Pretty easy.  Then I had to put them back on the curtain rods.  I used a knife like I remember my Mom, Anna, did it.  It went ok at best.  I got it done and then discovered I had the ruffles on the wrong side.  I just laughed.  Now this is a first world problem.  Washing curtains for our garage which houses our car, golf cart, motorcycle, lawn mower, snow blower, chain saw and firewood for our fireplace.  And my problem was getting the ruffles on the right side of the garage curtains.  Da!

4 smart gals and erv!  Soooo I bought a couple of new twin beds for one of our bedrooms.  Actually, Heather bought them for me ‘cause they have prime.  The bed frames were easy to put together and “poof” the memory foam mattresses just exploded when I cut the bindings.  Soooo I had to buy bedding.  I was looking at sheets at a store.  I didn’t have a clue what I was doing.  There were a couple of gals dressed in business casual about 45 in the aisle.  I asked them if they knew anything about sheets—of course they did—I asked a few dumb questions and we all laughed—they got all the sheets out and explained everything to me.  Then a clerk came and of course she had to give us her advice and then another clerk came and I heard all their stories about their sheets, beds, husbands and life in general (i.e. these gals were sooooo real and fun).  I asked a couple more dumb questions and then they had to touch all the sheets of course.  And finally, they all decided what sheets I should buy.  Then I asked another dumb question—Do I need comforters which started the whole process over again.  What a hoot!  We laughed sooooo hard.  Then one of those gals asked—Who is going to sleep in these beds—my sister and brother-in-law—well, this stuff is surely good enough for who’s it for.  We all laughed again.  

ItchieBitchie says—Deception (i.e. a form of being phony) is a great trick. Oh ya!  It is used all the time (e.g. the huge massive bloated bureaucratic enterprise does it all the time). If you watch any of the playoff football games, deception is a great tool (i.e. now ain’t that the truth). Why? Because it works.  Don’t kid yourself.  Few really care about doing anything about it.  Most just try to be a better deceiver than the next person (i.e. be a better story spinner).  Or do they?  I know a lot of very good, real folks with good huge massive hearts, my kind of folks.  Many of those folks are you guys.  No deception in you guys.  You are the real deal (i.e. drop dead real).  Oh ya!  Except for one of you and you know who you are (i.e. you never turn off the switch)!  On the surface you look sooo real but…! You play a lot of “me ball!”  haha  Saturday question—Do you think girls ever use deceptive flirting to get an advantage?

We had several inches of snow sooooo I had the opportunity to blow some snow (i.e. the snow is really pretty this morning).  It was fun.  I got to wear my fancy boots.  I always wanted a pair and finally bought some a couple of years ago as they looked soooo nice and I thought for sure they would be the cat’s meow.  Well, they are half the cat’s meow.  Why, well the “real me” has skinny long feet and skinny ankles and skinny chins which allows my socks tooooo keep sliding down.  I think I need some of those sock holder uppers like the old timers use to wear.  I think they were called garter belts. Did any of you wear garter belts? But those boots really look good on me but none of my neighbors even noticed but I did!!!!  I had a good laugh. Such is life. 

Those who detest the old establishment a.k.a. orthodoxy is now the new establishment a.k.a. now the new orthodoxy. So far sooooo good until someone or group comes up with a new orthodoxy and then again we have a new establishment.  Much knowledge is said to be obsolete after about 10 years or sooner; knowledge changes that fast especially in the technology world (i.e. throw those old books and equipment away).  My sister’s friend’s ex’s cousin on his mother’s side brother’s girlfriend’s brother just took a position with a streaming company in CA and he will be writing algorithms to analyze what people Google and which hits are important to his company. Soooo there you go; “they” know a lot about us already.  Can you imagine what “they” will know about us in a couple of more years?  I can’t imagine.  I could have used some of that advanced technology the other day.  I was standing in front of the urinal but was having a problem.  I then discovered that I had my underwear on inside out and the door was on the other side.  If only my iPhone would have told me that I had my underwear on inside out.  Where was that technology when I needed it.  haha

Do you know any super radicals.  Why are they super radicals? There must be a reason.  My kid sister suggested I read the book, Omens: The Coming Fight for Faith by Travis Thrasher. It’s a novel about how technology might affect our future.  It is sorta kinda like George Orwell’s book, nineteen-eighty four!  ANYWAY it portrays the future where "they" (i.e. who every you want they to be) will know everything about us and it will be done by robots with artificial intelligence who are programed by “they” (i.e. we are getting closer). We will lose our privacy and freedoms.  The book is about how “they—super radicals” want to kill all Christians or it could be another group of folks.  HistorianAlice says—It’s really ain’t nuttin new; groups have been killing other groups from the beginning of time and it’s going on right now. An interesting read—my opinion. Joesixpack says—I’m not a believer soooo “they” can kill all the Christians; I don’t care.  “They” can kill all the Green Bay Packer fans tooooo!  I only care about what I like, like my paycheck, my big screen TV and my Bud lite! LuckieEddie says—I think I know that guy! Hey, Joesixpack is a good guy, really; even if it doesn’t appear that way at times. Sometimes the Bud Light talks tooooo much.

I read an article in the paper of a guy and a gal who are riding their bikes from Alaska to Argentina.  Wow was my response.  I read the article.  They were quoted as saying—The real adventure is when things go wrong (i.e. now that is a certain frame of mind)! The most interesting part of the article to me was when one of their mothers questioned them if this was a good idea.  Then she said—They are educated and introspective individuals. Introspective really got my attention. I wonder if I really know who I am or just think I am who I think I am.  It would appear to me that if we are humble enough to know who we are, we are a lot better person (i.e. being real).  I think quiet introspection can be very valuable, my opinion. What do you think of that? That is what I thought. 

My mentor would say to me—erv, if you don’t want the answers, don’t ask the questions.  I think he was saying—If you just want to continue to kick the can down the road, why ask questions how to change it.  SusieQ says—Don’t worry, it will all work out one way or the other in the end; it always does; it’s ok as long as the stock market keeps going up 30% each year haha! AverageJoe says—Now all of this noise could give a person tinnitus!  Yikes

Realisms!  If it walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. If I have not love, I am only a resounding gong, or a clanging cymbal!  Yikes!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Instead of putting others in their place, put yourself in their place.

you say what?

Albert Einstein said—I think and think for months, for years.  Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.

Disclaimer:  Communication is sooooo hard. We just don’t understand each other, sometimes no matter how hard we try.  As a senior female friend said to me recently—erv, what you write in “It’s Saturday” basically is a fart in a whirlwind!  Sooooo I think I just described this “It’s Saturday.”  I used a parable soooo you would understand what I was saying!  Keep it simple stupid!  haha  And some of you still won’t understand what I just said.  Such is life.

This “It’s Saturday” is as true as it can be “so help me God.”  I can’t communicate any better with my ability.  It’s just the way I was taught by Chester and Anna at a mile and a quarter south of Roseland, MN.  I have no idea how I got through the education I have and my life; I can’t spell worth a toot, I can pronounce words very well and many of you tell me you don’t understand some of what I write.  How I got this far is just amazing!  But I was in the top 6 in my class at Roseland Elementary. BUT there were only 6 in my class.  We had spelling contests with each team having a captain who picked their teams.  I was always the last to be picked and the first to sit down.  BUT I got picked for the basketball team higher up (i.e. I was better than 2 girls who had no athletic ability nor any interest).  Now that tells you something. 

A friend texted me in which she said—“I have a new to me concept.”  I read it as—“I’m a new me.” Close! haha We talked about it and we laughed as my brain did not communicate properly. I usually read to Arlene each time I visit her.  I have read the Christmas cards that you send us (i.e. we appreciated them). I even read the pictures to her! haha But here’s the deal, when I read out loud, it seems to have improved my reading quality and also my comprehension.  At first it felt awkward (i.e. like praying out loud) but once I did it more, it was really enjoyable.  I have really never done that before.  It might be a game changer; I better learn fast as the clock is ticking a.k.a. I'm burning daylight! I still wish I would have paid more attention at Roseland Elementary when they were trying to teach me phonics instead of picking my nose!  Such is life.

A friend told me that he has 3 siblings.  Of the four, two have a really hard time in life; he says it seems like they always will (i.e. they aren’t spring chickens anymore and they aren’t going to change).  Soooooo I asked him why 2 did good and why 2 didn’t.  He thought for a while and responded—Maybe the two who are struggling were papered by our folks and the other 2 were not.  They never had to work or be responsible for their actions; my folks babied them.  What do you think of that?  Have you seen any of this type of action in your families where your parents communicated to some kids differently than to others?  I have a friend when he went to school, his mother would set out 2 sets of clothes each day for him to pick from.  Wow!  If my Mom, Anna, did that, it would have been the same 2 sets of clothes every day (i.e. maybe some new hand me downs from some of my cousins once in a while).  ANYWAY, my friend’s mom did that because she loved him; he ended up very good.  But, maybe he was a little bit pampered and spoiled by his mom! haha Actually, I think I was papered by my Mom, Anna.  I think she liked me a lot! But I think she liked my sisters just as much or maybe even more (i.e. she had a very good, kind, loving heart). My sisters might think she spoiled me.  Could be.

A friend at breakfast yesterday told me this story--His grand kids and parents were looking through the lost and found box looking for something the younger kid, Bobby, lost.  His older sister said--Maybe we will find Bobby's ambition! 

WorldClassLarry says--Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (i.e. a form of communication). Have you ever heard someone say—I would like to be like that person, or I would like to have that certain quality that that person has?  Maybe we all have said that or thought that and maybe sometimes we have communicated that to a certain person as a compliment.  Some folks even copy others and try to be like them a.k.a. an example.  JoeBlow says—I suppose we all are an example to others in both good ways and bad ways.  LuckieEddie says--There are folks who I really admire and there are folks who I really don’t admire.  I hope I pick and have picked wisely!

I read this in the paper sooooo it must be right—We live in a culture which everybody wants to be heard, but many people have nothing to say but their mouth is still moving. I had communication with a friend about investing.  He gave me his opinion and then asked me if I thought he was right or full of bs.  My reply was—It’s all about the money.  He replied—You didn’t answer my question!!!!

Do you ever have communication from your brain to your body and vica versa when it just doesn’t flow very well because of poor cooperation between the two?  I do!  I really battle those communications (i.e. it’s a war). I always don’t know who is going to win.  I find that when I’m most vulnerable is when I’m mentally tired, physically tired or hungry.  JoeBlow says—A happy person performs much better; that is a fact or is it an opinion.  I sat next to a young lady in church recently that works with teens who have mental health issues.  She said the holiday season is an especially difficult time.  I have said many times that all of us are mentally ill but just tooooo different degrees; I don’t know if anyone is fully normal (i.e. how does anyone know).  I told her I feel sooooo sorry for all those teenagers and anyone who has a mental health issue.  She told me that I should pray for them. I know that some of you suffer from mental illnesses or have in your past.  I will pray for you tooooo.  And I would guess that some of you have issues that I don’t know about. I wish I could snap my fingers and fix all of you.  I really feel bad for you. I guess I never really thought of it, but Arlene’s Alzheimer’s would be considered a mental health issue; I know that is ugly.  Maybe that is why that young lady told me that she thinks of me often (i.e. she really has a good heart).  Could be.

Recently a friend and I had the opportunity to go a Drake basketball practice.  The head coach is Darian DeVries, a local guy and friend.  It was a fun, entertaining experience.  We were treated special by Coach DeVries, managers, weight conditioner, medical trainer, and the players.  Quite impressive it was.  We didn’t hear any bad language (i.e. maybe ‘cause we were there haha).  I tried to communicate this experience to our grandkids—when practice was over, all the players came over and shuck our hands and looked us right in the eye (e.g. class).  Now toooo me this was great communication (i.e. impressive).  I found this very interesting when Hank quizzed Coach DeVries about recruiting—There are a lot of very talented basketball players; we try to recruit young men who fit into our philosophy and school; we pass on some as they don’t; it is better that we do; they will be nothing but problems for us.  The female medical athletic trainer said to us—We are one big family here at Drake and don’t have arrogant folks.

God only knows that you you you need it! I’m thinking of forming a new business called “KickYouInTheButt.”  All of us need a kick in the butt occasionally (i.e. a great form of communication that most understand—very effective, it touches most folks’ brains haha).  For a large fee (i.e. paid in advance), I will come over, have you bend over and I will kick you in the butt!  For a small additional fee, I can do it over the phone! I won’t take credit cards unless you pay the 3% charge!!!  I’m Dutch!!!  I can’t help it, Chester and Anna were both Dutch! A friend was asked what is your hobby—He told me that he told them—I save money!  And he’s not Dutch I don’t think!

JamesFromWayWestOfTown, says most teaching is done by parables a.k.a. stories.  Here is a parable.  MissPerfect, what is the real version of your truth?  My mentor loved to tell me this story—A person asked another person to perform an illegal act—what do you think I am—how about if I pay you $100—what do you think I am—How about $500—what do you think I am—how about $1,000—I’ll think about it—How about $2,000—ok, it’s a deal—now that we know what you are we just need to negotiate a price (i.e. it’s all about the money)!    Sooooo folks, what are we?  I think that is really something we need to think about in 2020 (i.e. my opinion).  I really have tooooo laugh at myself sometimes; laugh at my actions and my thoughts.  Crazy!

AverageJoe says--Be aware that a halo has to fall only a few inches to be a noose. Rob Gronkowski was a star on the New England Patriots football team from 2010-2018. He played in 115 games played, had 521 receptions, had 7,861 yards of receptions and 79 TDs. He was really good!  He has retired and is putting puzzles together in trying to get his brain to function properly the paper said.  He said he has had 20+ concussions.  Yikes, I wonder if that was a good decision.  Maybe it was for him. Money and fame can do a lot of stuff to us; no question.  ItchieBitchie asks--If I would offer you a chalice full of money and fame, would you drink it?  Now wonder if I told you that the chalice of money and fame would be poison, would you still drink it?

Elijah says—Never let the worse in others get the best of you. Ok this is what he is saying if you don’t understand his communication.  The worst in others can get us “all off-kilter” and takes away our peace—their worst takes our joy, happiness, and joy.  Don’t let that happen; get away from those folks.  A friend told me recently that another friend was sorta kinda excluded from their golf group because he always seemed to show his “worst.” He constantly drags others down (i.e. negative and a leach). That is what he constantly communicated to the golf group.  A friend told me about a statement that Olaf said at Walk to Emmaus some 20 years ago that he believes and uses—You have to love everyone, but you don’t have to like them. I would extend that statement tooooo—and you don’t have to be around them (i.e. they suck the fun out of our lives).  Saturday question—Does this type of person know they are that way, and can they change?  A friend and I agree that their odds are low (i.e. a long shot), but their odds are way better if they accept Jesus in their life.  Otherwise, probably not sooooo great. They are what they are. They are programed that way by their genetics, past environment and their current environment that will stay with them until their earthly death (i.e. my opinion).  “There is a right time and a right way to do everything, but we know so little” (Ecclesiastes 8:6 GNT).

My sisters and their husbands came from MI to see Arlene and visit with me for a couple of days. It was special. We laughed a lot, reminisced a lot and even didn’t agree on certain things. Da! We just don’t understand stuff the same (i.e. probably because of genetics, past environment and current environment).  That is no surprise; probably most families don't agree on everything.  BUT that can make communication sensitive at times. Arlene's communication was very simple;  she mumbled, hugged them, cried and said thank you. Sooooo sad! But they understood what she meant I think.

One of my brother-in-laws thinks me and my sisters might suffer from auditory processing disorder/deficiency--a disorder affecting the ability to understand speech—difficulty distinguishing between similar sounds—it impacts the brains ability to filter and interpret sounds—can hear, but fall short at listening—can’t process what we hear in a normal way because our ears and brain don’t fully coordinate—gets worse with age especially with background noise.  Sooooo if my brother-in-law is right, there is my problem (i.e. soooo maybe it wasn’t Roseland Elementary’s problem).  And there is not enough research to know if it’s genetic soooo we can't blame Chester and Anna.  It appears that we have something that sounds like auditory processing disorder; we seem to struggle in pronouncing words and have poor phonics.  Or it could be that we copied Chester and Anna or it was something in the water we drank on the farm growing up! ANYWAY it seems it might have modified our communication.  Our children make fun of us.  They joke about it.  It is sorta kinda funny!  Such is life.

I had breakfast with a friend I made at good old Northwestern College years and years ago.  He communicated to me some interesting statements.  Maybe you will understand a few of them and maybe not.  The biggest regret I have in life is when I overreacted to stuff that was not important.  When I am a fake (i.e. I know when I am), I am not happy with my self. When I’m egotistical and think I am better than others, I’m not a good person. And his champion statement—I’m most unhappy when I’m an.... Saturday question—Do any of those statements register with you? You say what?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—One good turn gets most of the blanket.

it is what it is

ItchieBitchie says—I have never found the perfect quote. At best I have been able to find a string of quotations which merely circle the ineffable idea I seek to express.  ItchieBitchie, it is what it is!  Such is life.

I have said to a friend recently—You are one smart person; you see the big picture.  Smart folks see the big picture and just not the minimized picture a.k.a. the itsy bitsy short-term picture—my opinion.  TomSmart says--There are folks who are big picture folks and there are folks who can’t see past their nose.  We hear “it is what it is” a lot from caregivers (i.e. it might take them a little while to figure it out, but they do—it is called reality).  Why?  Because it is what it is.  We can’t do a thing about the diseases our spouses and family members have.  It is what it is. Now that is seeing the big picture.

LuckieEddie says--I knocked on wood for good luck in 2020…and I got a splinter instead! CadillacJack gives you this tip for 2020—Write down everything you want to remember. That way, instead of spending a lot of time trying to remember what it is you wrote down, you can spend the time looking for the paper you wrote it down on.

OneSmartPerson says—I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are going.  Saturday question—How do we know we are going in the right direction (i.e. got the ladder up against the right wall)?  Good question, good question.  It appears to me that if we are doing something good for others we might be going in the right direction (i.e. it’s more than preaching, it’s doing).  GeorgeTheCrook says—Talk is cheap, but it takes money to buy whiskey.  A cousin (i.e. a semi-retired financial advisor) who is a real person with a good heart—my kind of person) sent me this text--Got a new job. $10.00 an hour and mileage. I will be working for compassionate care. If someone needs help shopping or going to the Dr. or whatever they call me. Can’t wait to start.  Coach says—Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.  LuckieEddie says--That makes sense to me!

2020 is going to be what it is.  Sometimes we can’t do anything about it.  The only thing we are in charge of is our attitude.  For some, 2020 will be a super time, some it will be an ok time and others it will be not sooooo great.  That’s just the way it is.  There are many many factors that come into play.  Each of our factors are different.  That’s just the way it is.  Here is a suggestion—If you are going to have a great 2020, maybe try to share a little of your great 2020 with someone whose 2020 might not be sooooo great.  It will even make your great 2020 even greater (i.e. also a great teaching opportunity if you have children or grandchildren).  Another suggestion—If your 2020 is going to be ok or less than great, do something to make someone’s 2020 which probably is ok or less than great better; then you will both have a better 2020.  Just an idea.  BigHeartBetty does more than brings someone some food, she brings someone some food and sits down and eats with them (i.e. now that is a big difference).

AverageJoe says--Two of most powerful things in the U.S. are the government and the media.  It is what it is. We, as average citizens, probably have no idea how powerful the government and the media are.  They are sooooo good at it that we don’t even know how they affect us. LuckieEddie says—I think there is a third powerful thing, especially at Christmas and New Years.  That is advertising.  Well LuckieEddie, it’s sorta kinda part of media.  Advertising media is sooooo powerful.  For business, it’s a must to make money and for the public, it’s a curse.  It sorta kinda reminds me of a medication Arlene takes; the nurse tells me there is a trade off with the medication—some good effects and some not soooo good; erv, you need to understand that. It’s sorta kinda how a friend describes his sister—She is a bit of a mess and an amazing person all at the same time. I guess maybe we see some of those qualities in our family members and friends.  CrazyMarvin says—What do you mean other family members, that is the way I am!  Ouchy ouchy! It is what it is.  Such is life.

I complimented a friend/pickleball buddy on a good shot.  He said—It happens once in a while; it is what it is! Yes, once in a while it happens.  Sooooo I would like to have you think of the best family Christmas parties that you can remember.  They do happen once in a while and for some of you a lot.  Now I want you to think of the worst family Christmas parties you remember.  They happen once in a while toooo.  I remember many fun Christmas parties with family and friends.  I do remember a couple that weren’t as much fun.  Now I want you to think why some parties were sooooo much fun and why some weren’t as much fun.  Why is there such a difference?  Ok, if you will recognize why some weren’t sooooo much fun, then remember those things.  Why do you want to have a unfun party?  Put them in your brain for next year. Ok, maybe somethings you can’t do anything about (e.g. like you father-in-law’s new girlfriend—wow, she is something else).  BUT once in a while you can.  Here is a fun Christmas tradition; watching Elf and then eating spaghetti with syrup on it!  It is what it is!

Jimmer was soooo proud of his robot he made from cereal boxes.  I thought it was quite innovative.  I told him I was proud of his effort instead of just doing Xbox.  I believe it’s a great gift when parents encourage their children to use their minds and less screen time (i.e. my opinion).  After skiing on Copper Mt., we stopped at the Animal Rescue Shelter in Frisco.  Erin decided to use $20 of her Christmas money as a donation toooo adopt a Guinea Pig named Copper.  FYI guinea pigs are not native to Guinea, nor are they biologically related to pigs (i.e. and you think I'm confusing).  I don’t think I ever saw Erin sooooo excited.  I think this is a great experience for her.  Probably a Christmas she will never forget.  

Got this email from an AZ wintering friend------I think of you guys often...........and manage to keep up with your sometimes rambling thoughts on your blog. I hope that you are coping well, and that Arlene is beginning to experience God's mercy in a manner that none of us can understand. Give her my love!  Regards..........Jim PS: Attached are a couple of photos from 2012 and 13. Happier days! His statement about Arlene is just amazing; that is why I enjoyed his company sooooo much during our winters in AZ.  You have to be an engineer with a lot of pens and pencils in your pocket to have that wisdom. It is what it is!

My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, test it against the worst possibility and if it passes that, then it’s a good deal. It is what it is. 

You might not agree with this and I’m not certain even if I know what I’m talking about but it’s me.   Soooo there.  I believe and feel that all of us need encouragement (i.e. except those who know everything and have no heart and are sooooo much into themselves a.k.a. self-centered like DuaneTheWorm).  We especially need encouragement to do the right things in life (i.e. whatever the right things are or whatever you decide the right things are).  Maybe coaches of some form are very important to help us; I believe they are.  Coaches can be many different folks (e.g. friends, family, religious leaders, business associates, mentors, the person down the street, the person north of town, etc.).  Negative motivation doesn’t work very well for me and it appears that it doesn’t for many others.  Folks back away from this approach if it’s the total approach (i.e. we gravitate to something more positive and uplifting).  It is what it is.  Think through that folks. Recently a gal talked to me about how she left her old job as the management was sooooo negative and discouraging and took this new job that the management was just the opposite even though she took a pay cut.  It is what it is. AverageJoe says—Folks get tired of eating dirt!

It was 1974, the year I quite teaching and coaching to start my business carrier.  It was New Year’s Eve and I was invited to a businessmen’s New Year’s Eve party at John Hippen’s car dealership at 5. I was a 29 year old rookie businessman starting a pretty big risk in going into a business opportunity.  I was the youngest person there.  Why they invited me I have no idea. I remember Ivan and Karl Harken, Gerrit Vandenberg, Jonny Cuvelier, Dave Longnecker, Irv and Wayne Diekman, Eddie Lindaman, Gerdes, John Bakker, Henry Groenveld, Les Frey, Dale Voss, Ted Stubbe, and maybe more that I don’t remember.  We had a few drinks, ate some chips and laughed a lot.  Most of these guys became my friends who I really liked and enjoyed.  They are all died; I’m the only one alive.  ANYWAY, this New Year's Eve morning I was up early cleaning the drive of snow as my friend, The Professor, was picking me up for breakfast. I thought about this party and more sooooo the conversation I had with Johnny Cuvelier; why, I have no idea.  He told me that he was in, I think the battle of the Bulge (i.e. been fighting for 4 years), and saw soooo much blood shed and death that one morning when he was shaving with his mirrow on a tree, he prayed that he would get killed this day as he could not take any more death and bloodshed.  Then some troops came by and one of the troops was from Aplington and they talked briefly, and he ended their conversation with—I will see you back in Aplington.  Then John’s pray changed to—God, please let me get back home.  He did of course.  I told this story to my friend, The Professor, who I had breakfast with.  His Dad was one of the guys who was at that business party and also was in WW II.  Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo.  Sooooo that afternoon I was getting groceries in Cedar Falls and decided to walk in the mall.  I ran into Tom, who was John’s son-in-law.  I told him this story about his father-in-law that I remembered this morning while cleaning the drive.  He said John never told his family anything about his experiences in the war.  He said he would tell his children about this.  He asked me why he told me this—I had no idea.  I have no idea why I remembered it and why I remembered it this day some 45 years later.  Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo.  Is this crazy or what!

“Get a life!” MissPerfect says--It’s what we say to people who are obsessed over trivial matters, like chronic nitpickers. I read what DrJ said while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"The myth of overnight success has ruined a lot of people who expected fame and fortune without work and exertion. It takes time to develop a quality life. And for that matter, fame and fortune are myths too. That is, they don’t bring the peace and joy we crave. What we need is godliness with contentment. That doesn’t come overnight either. It’s something that develops within us as we walk with God over time, seeking His face, doing His will, learning His Word, serving His people, and singing His praises.” Soooooo I think DrJ is saying—Get a life! 

Coach said--Many times we may make some rather insignificant decisions that are defining moments. These decisions can change our life.  And they are not major decisions but attribute to major change in our life (e.g. decide to get up at 5 every morning to mediate and pray).  erv, you said Coach said insignificant, that would be a major change in my life. Ok, how about doing 10 minutes of exercise each day when you get up and mediating and praying? Can you handle that?  Ten minutes! MyLateFriendPaul said to me—Decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions.  Another thing I remember Paul telling me when I went and visited him when he wasn’t in very good shape--I told him I was happy to see him with such a good attitude—he said--if you don’t have a good attitude, no one will come and visit you! Folks, it is what it is!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations.