ain't that the truth

 This “It’s Saturday” isn’t going to light the candle folks!  Now that’s for sure!  And one more thing, I don’t repeat gossip, sooooo listen carefully! And another thing, I tend to overstate grievances! All of this is caused by global warming.  And another thing, look around folks, there are a lot of outraged folks who are hitting, ripping and slamming others! Soooo there you go!  It’s the sign of the times!  Ain’t that the truth!

I got my first jigsaw puzzle from the library the other day.  The librarians both do jigsaw puzzles.  I told them it was my first.  I got a 300-piece puzzle and one of the librarians said—my grandkids can put that together in about 3 hours.  The other librarian said her Dad, John, who was a friend of mine, use to do 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles.  Now that is putting pressure on me.  Soooo I goggled it. Goggle says--The deceleration of cognitive decline – The mental stimulation a jigsaw puzzle activates the brain and slows the memory loss process. An increase of dopamine – Working and completing a puzzle produces dopamine, which in turn improves motor skills and increases concentration, optimism, confidence, and recollection. They checked it out to me for a month; I wonder what that means!!!!  haha Then one of the librarians said to me—erv, you are uninformed!  What does that mean!!!! I just went to the library to check out a jigsaw puzzle.                                                                                                                                                                          

Wilie Shoemaker, the four-time Kentucky Derby and fire-time Belmont Stakes winning jockey, said, “Desire is the most important factor in the success of any athlete.”  Sooo if you want to be successful (i.e. whatever that means), think about that will ya.  While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, I read—The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the nonobvious. My smart friend calls it ppp proper prior planning. GeorgeTheCrook says—From my experience ppm will result in failure—piss poor management.  LuckieEddie says—It appears that some folks continue to do something that ain’t going to work but they can’t see it that way (e.g. 80% of all business startups end up in failure).  Yikes.  I actually talked to a friend at pickleball recently who is starting a new business and we talked about this.  He understands that his business might fail but it might also do very well.  He doesn’t know nor do I. A grandfather helped his grandson get started in a business—it failed.  He said—His grandson didn’t want to work hard; he was rather tepid about work! CrazyMarvin says—As hard as it is for many to understand in this entitlement culture we live in, most who succeed, work very hard. Yes, ok, if you call having a lot of money being successful, then ok, some do acquire a lot of money by inheritance or by marrying it, but it doesn’t seem like getting it from the government seems to work.  Maybe it does for some; I don’t know. What do you think?  That is what I thought. Here is an interesting thought I have—Do you think our economy will ever be better than it is right now?  Really do you think soooooo?  We are sooooo affluent from top to bottom it appears.  I realize that some of you won’t agree with me.  But just think about that. Like my mentor use to say to me—erv, when things are good, folks think they will be good forever and when things are bad, folks think they will be bad forever. In either case, they won’t stay that way.  JoeQuestion asks—Are folks really that naïve?

I watched the documentary DVD, Free Solo, as it intrigued me.  These cliff climbers go up rocks that are 1,000 feet or more straight up with no ropes.  One slip and they are dead.  They have a saying—Good enough isn’t! Good enough is a C grade.  Like in business starts, 80% is a B.  Ya gotta be great to succeed.  ItchieBitchie says—I wonder why many of my relationships don’t last but I’m sorta kinda a C guy and my life proves it. ItchieBitchie, you need to get after it more. You probably have the ability but are lazy or ignorant or egotistical and self-centered or had bad luck or it was just not to be.  BUT we all fail; yes we do.  It appears that the ones who succeed are the ones who can get up and try again.  For sure if we don’t try, we won’t succeed. Now that is a 100% certainty. A friend of 40 years or more sent me this quote—"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."  -Martin Luther King Jr.  She is sooooo sweet!

Are you ever a “solo” performer?  I mean you won’t listen or ask others for an evaluation.  You will only listen to yourself.  You don’t want to discuss it with wise folks.  You are always right, and others are always wrong.  It appears maybe that that attitude gets a lot of folks in a lot of hot water (i.e. the water starts to get hotter and hotter and hotter and pretty soon it’s boiling and they are dead in the water—look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Ain’t that the truth!

I was reading Isaiah 40:28-31 from my Bible (i.e. my favorite verses).  I had written in the margin that this is a very comforting to a friend who was in a small group with me in l972. Soooo I took a picture of it and sent it to her.  Her response—"These verses go through my head all the time.  I'm not that great at memorizing except when things are made into song.  (That's how I learned the books of the Bible and to this day when I am given a verse to look up, I sing to myself the "Books of the Bible" really quick to find it). These Isaiah verses are a song also.  He gives strength to the weary - who wouldn't need or want that?” Ain’t that the truth!

CockyJoe (i.e.who is a BombCyclone) says—Folks with a positive self-image typically have a better posture and head position and walk with a more positive gait. Flip the pancake, folks who have their heads down and have no confidence struggle with their self-image.  I think this is an interesting analysis.  We know all those kinds of folks and we are them or somewhere in the middle I would guess.  Extreme self-centered, cocky, obnoxious, over-confident folks can be very successful in whatever their mission is even if they are not much fun to be around. Maybe the opposite type of person is more fun to be around but aren’t very strong in their drive and not as successful because they lack confidence.  I don’t know; I just wonder. I know many of you folks quite well; it appears the best ones are the ones who are very confident (i.e. hold their heads high) but have a humble heart.  It can be done; many of you do it; my kind of folks. MissPerfect says—It appears in different geographical parts of the country and of the world, folks seem to be different in how they express their confidence.  It appears they were raised that way, maybe; and they don’t know any different, almost part of their DNA.  What do you think of that?  That is what I thought. 

An average person talks 15,000 to 25,000 words a day (i.e. that is about a book).  That sure seems like a lot.  CadillacJack says—What counts is what are we saying with all those words.  I know folks who talk a lot but really don’t say much and other who don’t say much but say a lot (i.e. that is my opinion).  I have thought about this past experience sooooo many times.  Why?  I have no idea; I really don’t but it always makes me laugh when I think of it.  When I was being quizzed during my oral exam for my masters, one of the panel of professors asked me why I didn’t expound on some certain topic in my written exam.  I said in a nice way (i.e. I think)—It was not asked sooooo I didn’t see a need tooooo.  He was satisfied with my answer.  Good thing as I didn’t know the answer!  Sometimes it’s better I just keep my mouth shut especially when I don’t know what I’m talking about. haha

“Because we don’t need more people just like me! We need people who can do what I can’t. Our natural tendency is to surround ourselves with people like us. But if you want to grow yourself and your organization, you can’t surround yourself with a bunch of yes men and yes women. You need people who think differently and lead differently.” — Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Too Small by Mark Batterson   One of my opportunities was to be part of a board of a company with some really smart business folks who came from different backgrounds and experiences and were just plain smart.  I learned a lot and also experienced that we all didn’t think alike.  The combination of our experiences, education and business backgrounds made for good discussion and hopefully good decisions.  There are many folks that can’t discuss anything openly and listen to someone who disagrees with them. Many husbands and wives are that way tooooo.  But there are some marriages that one of the them is the alpha dog and the other has no say (i.e. little puppy dog).  I guess that works tooooo. haha  MissPerfect says—Unless the little puppy dog grows up some day and starts barking, growling and biting!  JoeBlow says—Then we had to spit the assets and I had to buy back half the farm which I couldn’t afford soooo we had to sell the farm and go out of business.  JoeBlow said—Yabut, I was right, and I won the battle!  And there lies the problem JoeBlow.  Ain’t that the truth!

I find the story of marginalized Hagar interesting.  She was the maid servant to Abram and Sarah if you remember the story.  They didn’t have children sooo the ancient custom was that Abram would sleep with Hagar.  Did you get it, an ancient custom which we don’t do anymore that I know of.  How come we don’t continue that custom, it’s in the Bible.  They had a child who was called Ishmael who lived like a wild donkey in the wilderness. Why you ask. Well the footnote in my Bible says—The hostility between Abram and Sarah was passed on to their descendants.  Ouchy ouchy! Many of you folks are very smart. I’m not; I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.  ANYWAY, what is the cutoff date that we no longer believe and follow ancient customs of the Bible or don’t we ever.  I really don’t know. Please help me here folks. 

If the king or queen wants it, he or she will ram it through!   Have you ever felt you were a peon?  I mean, folks ask for your advice or suggestions, but the kings and queens are the trump cards and they just pee on you.  They really don’t care about anyone’s opinion; it is only a formality.  And many times, the trumps aren’t any different than the peon folks.  Soooo how does that make you feel. I have learned from some of you and also by reading and by actually experience, toooo treat everyone’s opinion with value.  I found out that I don’t know any more than others (i.e. most of time less).  The folks who think they are God themselves usually have a problem (i.e. my opinion).  Great leaders are humble from my experience.  And who cares about my experiences, I’m just a peon!  Ain’t that the truth!

Here is a piece of advice given to me that I think is very good.  Ask everyone and anyone for their advice and listen intently.  I’m amazed how much I learn.  You folks are soooo darn smart!!!!  Ain’t that the truth!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Oaks spring from acorns. But not overnight.

rendered non-compliant

Fee-fi-fo-fum is a nonsense phrase and it has no meaning or relevance besides the fact that it makes a neat couplet designed to strike terror into some little kid’s heart. As a child hearing this story, I always imagined the giant stomping his feet to the beat of fee-fi-fo-fum and making the ground shake and poor Jack's knees tremble.  This “It’s Saturday” is like fee-fi-fo-fum as it has no meaning and is nonsense, but it surely isn’t written to put terror into your heart.  It’s not scary at all.  It takes more than this to scare you guys.  That is for sure.

My friend who had the heart attach sent me an update of his condition.  He ended his update with this--Still have trouble eating always feel full! First time that’s happened in 74 years! He made me laugh.  I told him that now I don’t have to feed him anymore (i.e. basketball term). His body was rendered non-compliant. My mentor would tell me that he was never hunger.  He asked me if I was hungry a lot.  Are you kidding me, I’m always hungry! BUT I have to admit that I’m not as hungry as I use to be and can’t eat as much as I use tooooo.  As a friend told me—I’m a cheap date!  LuckieEddie says--I have noticed that bigger folks usually eat more.  You think that is true? Could be. 

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that an autopsy at a state preferred lab that is in compliance in IA, costs about $1,900 plus transportation of about $1,400.  Part of the reason for the cost is that IA lost 2 autopsy labs as they were rendered non-compliant. Competition seems to drive the price (e.g. supply and demand).  I was told when in FL, that car prices are less in FL than in IA.  Why I asked—Competition was the answer.  I also think sales tax is a factor in some states (i.e. some states have 10% sales tax). I also have been told that state tax on gas is higher in different states and that is why some prices are different.  Oh those taxes.  Goggle says the average price of gas in CA is $4.18 while the national average price is $2.65.  In the middle of the corn field here in Butler Co, the price is $2.28 but autopsies seem high!  Maybe that’s the tradeoff.  Soooo, in IA we buy gas but don’t get autopsies!

I‘m not a guy that’s for it or against it, to be honest with you. I don’t care what the bluest of the blue bloods say.  That is how I feel about many things.  I really don’t have an opinion.  Of course, there are some things that I do, no question.  I have enjoyed the political activity.  It is actually fun to follow although I’m not consumed by it and don’t lose any sleep over it.  There sure are some differences of opinions in the direction our country should go.  I do think some folks’ thinkings are crazy, way crazy but other folks don’t seem tooooo think sooooo.  I find it interesting that the younger folks are more liberal and excitable than the older folks (i.e. I think, at least more vocal maybe).  Many younger voters seem to want change and like to rebel (i.e. a friend who is very politically active says that if a certain candidate gets elected, we will have a revolution—She is very smart sooooo she might be right). Younger folks seem to like to make a lot of noise and show their displeasure. Look at history in the U.S. Look at the news in the world. Why is that do you think? Why do folks think sooooo much different?  Maybe it has always been that way.  It seems that humans have a hard time getting along, doesn’t it?  Could be. Saturday question—Why did the pilgrims come to America?

BobbyBob says—There are three ways others might think of you.  You need tooooo exercise. Do you exercise? What exercises do you do? I have a friend who is my age and for the last maybe 40 years he has exercised almost every day.  If he doesn’t exercise, he says he feels guilty.  He told me recently that he wonders when he dies, if folks will say—see exercise didn’t do him any good.  I said—Ya but my friend, maybe that exercise extended your life 10 years with quality life. Besides, exercise benefits a person physiologically as well (i.e. exercise is a great up lift for me).  Those who don’t exercise are rendered non-compliant.  The new treatment for Parkinson’s is exercise.  Why?  I don’t know for sure, but they encourage folks with the disease toooooo exercise.  I have a friend who gets up at 5:30 every morning and walks.  My hat goes off to her. 

WorldClassLarry says--The highest form of love is focused attention. One of the ways you demonstrate acceptance to other people is to look at them and listen to them. When you look someone in the eye, you’re declaring that they matter to you. Flip the pancake—If you shun someone, it shows that you don’t care for them or you are showing your disappointment.  Some say that this is the biggest put down you can do to a person (i.e. just ignore them—treat them like they don’t exist).  I agree but there are folks who go overboard in spieling out their attention and there are folks who seem to have a personality that never is attentive to others.  It seems like it is in their DNA.  I don’t think they mean anything about it but are just not my normal and maybe they really don’t care. They are hard to figure out by the majority, maybe. I wonder if many times they don’t know they are that way. I wonder if they really care. I wonder. SusieQ says—I think you can teach folks to look others in the eye and show attention, can’tja?  I agree SusieQ but they still have tooo want to change.  Some, probably some don’t want toooo! Maybe some are copying their environment.  Could be.

I think they were trying to render him non-compliant!  Abraham Lincoln is one of my heroes and I enjoy learning about him.  I read this recently—In the Handbill Replying to Charges of Infidelity, dated July 31, 1846, Abraham Lincoln stated: “That I am not a member of any Christian Church, is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or any denomination of Christians in particular.”  Then in a conversation with Noah Brooks, he said, “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom and that of all about me seem insufficient for that day,” I sure would like to take Abraham out for breakfast and discuss this with him; I guess I will have to settle for doing that with some of you!  haha  I am a member of a church—Chester and Anna told me I had tooooo soooo I became a member of Roseland Reformed Church because that is where Chester and Anna were members! Sooooo was Abraham Lincoln a Christian and saved?  Soooooo does membership in a church save you? And some of you say you don’t believe in God.  I question that.  I wonder if you are confused, bitter, got hurt by a church, or have a huge massive ego.  If you are such a person, I feel sorry for you and hope and pray that you will change. But no other human can make you change. Oh no, that is your decision. BUT I pray for God to sic ‘em (i.e. you non-believers).

Iowans are considered non-compliant by some. I read this in the paper about the Iowa Democratic Caucuses (i.e. soooo it must be right)—The press said that the problem about the caucuses was not the fault of Iowa Democratic leadership. No, there was something wrong with Iowans. They are too white, toooo rural, toooo unlike the folks who have been appointed to rule the country. I think that is funny.  Do you think they said that to make me laugh or do they really believe it?  Is that real or Star War stuff? Or maybe just politics! And I don’t think us Iowans are really that bad, but others must or are made to believe that.  Like I say a lot—No one agrees on anything.  Folks typically believe in whatever makes them money and fits their lifestyle. U.S. is a democracy, the majority wins and rules. IA doesn’t’ have a large population compared to NY or CA. Yes, those folks might think differently than the Midwest folks and I think they do somewhat. Such is life.

To be in compliance is a big deal in business.  Non-compliance can be very costly and to be in compliance can be costly.  Many companies have employees who do only that, keep the company in compliance with the government regulations.  It is very important.  We don’t like the compliance regulations but yet we as consumers seem to demand it.  We want guidelines and want it policed.  It is very expensive, but we want it.  A pharmacist told me recently that he gets audited by the state and insurance companies at least six times a year (i.e. who do you think pays for that). And then there are non-compliant employees in the workplace. A non-compliant behavior in the workplace generally interferes with an employee's effectiveness in completing their job tasks and getting along with others. Employees who have a non-compliant behavior generally are a problem to management (i.e. a pain in the butt soon to be gone).  JoeBlow says—Many times a non-compliant person has no idea they are non-compliant; they just think they are smarter that the average dog.  Yikes!

A friend and one of their daughters wanted a dog.  His wife was against it completely.  The other daughter appeared to be neutral.  Soooo they discussed it for some time and his wife gave in only if the dog was a certain hybrid mix that didn’t shed and had a very calm disposition and had a very good pedigree to prove that.  Sooooo they spend big bucks to acquire that combination.  Of course, they also had to spend more bucks for all the paraphernalia to have a dog. Sooooo after about 6 months, Fighto, did not live up to their expectations (i.e. rendered non-compliant).  He shed and had a terrible disposition.  Besides the daughter who wanted the dog had lost all interest in the dog (i.e. I think changed her interest to boys).  Sooooo they gave the dog away.  BUT they are making plans to get another dog.  They will pay even bigger bucks to get a better one!  You get what you pay for!!!! They have another first-world problem! haha  BUT don’t feel sorry for them. Oh no!  They live in the zip code of IA that has the highest per family income of all zip codes.  haha

I can understand why seniors are rendered non-compliant by some folks.  Many seniors have financial means to be non-compliant and just want to do their own thing.  Money gives folks many options.  Don’t kid yourself. They don’t want to live the lifestyle of others; they want to live a different live style (i.e. they want to live “the life of Riley” while they can).  They are considered rather rebels by some by doing their own thing.  Some seniors are affluent.  Be realistic, that is the way it works. And they enjoy it! LuckyEddie says—And there are many seniors who prefer not to live that kind of lifestyle even though they can afford it.  We have choices now don’t we, mostly! I know many of you who are pretty conservative with your lifestyle but could live way different, but you choose not tooooo.  Why are we all soooo different?

A friend, who is in the head of a department of his company, told me this story recently. They did some hiring and hired a couple of folks.  The market is tight sooo they have to recruit the type of employees they want from their competition which is a very large company.  These new hirees are usually about 40ish and are excellent.  His company pays about 10% less that the company they are with.  Soooo why can they hire them?  They sell them on the fact that they will work on several aspects of a larger system and not just be a robot doing just one thing (i.e. people like that).  And they don’t have to work 50 hours a week soooo they can spend more time at home with their family.  For many, there is more to life than money.  For some not sooooo much; for some it’s all about the money.  

Sooooo I stopped at a retail store to buy some cotton balls.  I was looking for them and there was an employee talking to a friend and telling her how bad her job was and how demanding they were on her.  I finally found the cotton balls and as I walked by them on my way to the check out, she was still on her high horse.  Soooo the senor clerk at the checkout had gloves on and her nose was dripping (i.e. it was cold, and the checkout was by the door).  She told me that her hands get cold really easy and they turn white; even her whole body is cold.  Soooo she said she needs to wear gloves and a coat. Man, I hope it warms up for you—it supposed to tomorrow.  No complaining, she was happy.

I find it hard to try to help folks sometimes (i.e. at least what I think is help).  It appears that some don’t want my help, some think my help is too much work, and others would rather if I would just do it for them.  I wonder if some folks think “it’s just not worth my effort” to try to help some folks! I think that is true when there seems to be no results.  Some folks seem to render folks who try to help as non-compliant.  Jim Mathis wrote this that made me think lots about myself.  He said that he gradually had increased blood pressure, increased indebtedness, increased weight, and decreased spirituality.  Finally, he accepted reality and did something about them. “Over the years, I have seen this same pattern played out in many other people’s lives in a wide variety of subjects. For some, their ability to live in denial is higher than others; they never seem to get to the crisis stage where they recognize the need to take action. Others confront reality and take the necessary steps before a major crisis strikes. Are there areas of your life where you are in denial? Are you heading for a crisis or should you take action now?” How did you like Jim’s suggestions for us to have a better life?  That is what I thought.  ItchieBitchie says--The advantage of emotions is that they lead us astray.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Look at your work as something you get to do rather than something you have to do.

what counts

Mark Twin once said—"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.” I have no idea where this “It’s Saturday” is going; I really don’t.  BUT I do know that if you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. 

I gave my body a couple of days of rest when I got back from FL; it was tired!  Soooo I got up and went for a jog.  It was snowing but it was really pretty.  Sooooo I started out, but I got a lot of push back from my body; it wasn’t a bit excited about doing it.  Yikes!  I forced my body!  After a mile my body started feeling a lot more excited about jogging.  When I got done, my body was exulting the experience (i.e. that’s all that counts).  I have a crazy body!  Soooooo Heather called me the same day.  They had maybe a foot of snow and more in the mountains. Soooo much that I-70 was closed most of the day.  James was using the neighbors’ snow blower.  Their neighbor doesn’t have room in their garage to store it sooooo they have to store it in their back shed which isn’t convenient soooo they worked out a deal—he lets them store it in their garage if he can use it.  I called James a manipulator; he called it good business!  A win-win situation—that all that counts!  JoeBlow says—One of my earliest business ventures was when I was 9 years old.  I realized there was a shortage of pencils at school, so I started Rent-a-Pencil.  But I made a fundamental mistake. Everybody stole my pencils.

I wonder if a change of pace (e.g. vacation) is really good for a person?  I think it is for me.  It stimulates me I think.  It seems to make me like home even more. It gets me out of a rut, especially during winter. Maybe????? I don’t know.  When I get in a grinding mood, it seems to help to stop everything, it lets me take a deep breath, do something different and then I go back to my tasks of life with more vigor. It seems to give me a renewed perspective on life (i.e. it energizes and relaxes me).  ThePrettyLittleGirlFromWA emailed me this—"Your blog today sounded much more hopeful. I can tell you had a good trip. Arlene will always be in your heart, no matter what state you are in.” She is sooooo darn sweet and smart.  Arlene never leaves my heart.  Many of you understand that and maybe some of you don’t.  Love is hard to explain.  LuckieEddie says—Marriage is always made up of two people who are prepared to swear that only the other one snores.

This is the time of the year when as a kid we played King of the Hill on top of the snow piles at Roseland Elementary (i.e. never queen of the hill).  Generally, the strongest was always King and that was never me.  I really never had much experience being King of the hill in anything like many of you folks.  I played some sports and still like to watch sports.  It appears to me that it is hard to remain King of the hill for a season or for your career.  Tooooo many times, teams and individuals fall off the hill on their own, many times because of cockiness (i.e. it’s hard to have a proper mentality when everyone is telling you how great you are).  But some can do it.  Those are the great ones (i.e. it appears that very few can handle success).  I think this applies to many phases of life for all kinds of folks.  The good ones seem to be able to maintain control of their emotions and egos which seems to count. The ones that can’t think they are the world a.k.a. king of the hill. Now that isn’t good usually. GeorgeTheCrook says--These are the ones that are pretty much toast even if they don’t know it.  Such is life.

One of my good college friends, who I also played basketball with at Northwestern College, just had a severe heart attack.  He told me that he thinks he was 5 minutes from death.  Wow!  He said he had a great peace about himself (i.e. he’s a believer).  ANYWAY, when he told me all about it, I told him I was just humbled by his heart attack.  He said he was humbled as well.  Humbled, folks! It took the king of the hill out of me.  I just talked to him again this week to see how he is doing.  He said—Some days he doesn’t have as much oomph as he wants.  He, when in his prime, had a lot of oomph let me tell you; he could really put the ball in the hole.  And he is a nice guy toooooo!

We teach our children how to count early in life (i.e. everyone does) but do we teach them what counts? And then will they believe us? Why would they believe us? Then they get educated at the university and are told something else to believe which some do and others don’t. Then they get a job and their world changes again. Then they get married and add a spouse and their family into the equation with different beliefs and opinions.  Then some have families and things change again. Sooooo I guess at some point each person has toooooo figure out what they believe and be who they are.  It might not be necessarily what their parents taught them.  Folks, that is reality.  Reality is that none of us are clones of our parents—that can be good or can be bad—depends who is doing the evaluation based on what counts to them, I guess. Such is life.

There seems to be some confusion folks!  A friend told me that their son is a good kid, intelligent, educated, does what he enjoys doing and does it well.  Sounds good.  BUT he doesn’t get paid and they pay his way.  Ooops!  Now he is getting married.  How is that going to go I asked.  My friend didn’t know.  They have options—they can support her toooo or wean him off the bottle or have tough love.  What would you do? That is what counts. Change is hard folks.  When we get programmed by our genetics, past environment, and current environment some stuff is really ingrained into us.  Good or bad, it’s hard to change.  I asked a friend why she is such a loyal Democrat.  She explained herself and it made sense.  Some others around the dinner table of friends were loyal Republicans and a couple were independents.  I read in the paper (i.e. soooo it must be right), the JoeTheBiden camp taught me a new word. They said—They questioned the “veracity” of the eventual final count hours before there was a final count (i.e. the count that really counts).  Really, it seems that a lot of folks don’t trust anyone anymore, even the folks on the same team.  There seems to be some confusion in politics.

Do you trust folks or not?  I heard this true story of trust (i.e. not a parable).  A father was sitting around the table with their adult children and spouses eating desert.  He asked them if he lost his wallet with $150 cash in it and someone found it would he get it back.  One child wanted to know where he lost it—Hy-Vee parking lot—another asked—which Hy-Vee parking lot—another asked—what time of the day did you lose it—another asked—what day did you lose it.  Soooo he went around and asked them all what percentage they thought he would get it back.  He said the percentages ranged from 20 percent to 80 percent.  Why do you think the big difference?  He said it was because of their past experiences. I guess our past experiences really count.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

Friends were telling me of how their church almost went down the toilet.  I asked them what saved their church—basically they thought it was when some leadership finally accepted and recognized that there was a major problem (i.e. they were blind for many reasons—my friends’ opinion).  They think their church has rebounded and seems to be doing good today.  Good for them for sure! My Mom, Anna, would say—erv, if it stinks a little on the top, when you get to the bottom of it, it will really stink.  CommonJoe says--It seems it usually takes a little time to get to the bottom of the barrel.  Friends also said that leadership finally paid attention when folks voted with their feet (i.e. mass exodus—something must not be going right).  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool some of the people all the time, all the people some of the time but not all the people all the time. JoeHistory says--BUT don’t kid yourself, money and power and ego are part of the equation.  You can count on that for sure!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"We live in an age of incredible scientific discovery. While quantum physics describes nature at the smallest scales of energy, and molecular biology pulls apart DNA, both sciences unraveling mysteries of light and life. Sometimes it feels like all the secrets of the universe are being revealed, and human progress is limitless. But in the midst of all this discovery, the darkness of the human heart persists. What humans have discovered doesn’t necessarily lead to human flourishing.” Joesixpack says--Now that is sorta kinda deep; it might take a six pack of Bud Lite to figure that out!

Dr.J says—"There’s no better new beginning than the new birth. When money, status, wealth, fame, and occupation all fail, try Jesus. He alone can satisfy the empty space in your heart.” Now that is what Dr.J says. BUT, my opinion, that it could be a genesis of happiness for anyone.  It is very subliminal; only you can feel it and appreciate it.  You got to admit it, that that is hard to argue against; no one can; faith in your heart is unarguable (i.e. rules, traditions, interpretations, and beliefs can be argued, but not faith—it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out).  Like the Three Amigos said--Oh great! Real bullets! That is why testimonies are soooo powerful. It is what it is, my opinion.  Just maybe—a change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. A new birth could change us from a yesterday person to a today person—could be. Or is it from a today person to a yesterday person or a tomorrow person? I don’t know but we will change!

You ever had a bad taste in your mouth.  Of course you have.  In fact, sometimes you might have terrible bad breath, and you don’t even know it until someone tells you.  Ok let’s think about how we can get rid of that bad taste in our mouth.  Mouth wash is probably the easiest—it removes the old taste with a new taste—it covers is up—it makes you breath kissing assessable even if you don’t even like to kiss.  SusieQ said—I liked to kiss a lot more when I was 18 than I do now at 60—I seem to have lost some interest in kissing; but at 18, I was a kissing fool; I even had hickeys.  Ok back to bad taste in your mouth.  You ever have a bad taste in your mouth because of some event in your life or a company or an organization or a certain person?  Of course you have!  How do you get rid of that taste?  What counts is that we do something to get rid of that taste.  If we don’t, well, it’s not good for anyone!  That is my opinion. 

I had breakfast with a long-time friend last Saturday.  He drove up in a new F-150 pickup.  I gave him a hard time.  He told me that he has wanted one for 10 years but always thought it wasn’t practicable and he couldn’t justify it and he didn’t want to stand out.  I told him—MyFriend, half the folks won’t know you got a new F-150 pickup and the other half really don’t care unless you flaunt it or make it your idol (i.e. some do).  We had a good laugh. That is much like winning a little golf tourney in Butler Co and you put it in your obituary (i.e. who really cares).  That always makes me laugh.  But if it’s important to you as one of your accomplishments, put it in there; you or your family can say whatever you want.  Most folks could care less but most folks will remember us not for something like that but for what we did for them (i.e. who really are you). That is my opinion as what counts in life. BUT what do I know, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN.  And you know what, my friend is such a neat person; the kind that cares; he could probably pay cash for 10 Ford F-150 pickups. His wife says he thinks toooooo much!!!!!

More about the guy sitting next to me on the plane on my return flight.  He told me that he and his two partners started a company which grew unbelievably fast and became a big player in the business.  He  said--They became good at making wedges and marketing.  Then one day a large conglomerate came along and made a huge massive offer to purchase their company.  They sold it for really big bucks.  They hired the three owners as consultants for the transition.  They didn’t listen to a word they said.  They drove the company into the dirt and eventually closed the business.  I asked how the large conglomerate reacted--they couldn’t care less; they treated it like a pimple; the management team was more interested in flying in the corporate jet and their image than the managing the company.  That is what they counted important to them.  Huh, interesting.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Thunder is impressive, but lightning does all the work.

pushing the envelope

OneSmartPerson says—"Life is full of mystery. How the brain becomes the mind is a mystery. Love is often a mystery. How human genes carry out their signaling to the body is a mystery. And in the spiritual realm, how does faith rise up in the human heart?” My opinion, we might be pushing the envelope just a little if we think we know the answers to those questions.  BUT I think I know folks who think they can, but I wonder if they really can!  Such is life.

I spend a week in The Villages with our good friends, Hank and Becky (i.e. they are sooooo nice and such good friends). One of the “magic Iowa group” told me this while eating lunch after golf.  In 2017 the earth's population was 7.53 billion people. In 2017 the population of the United States was 325.7 million. Divide 325.7 million by 7.53 billion and you get 4 %. That's how fortunate we are to be living in this country. Think about that folks. But The Villages is like a senor Disney World.  Sooooo of that 4%, about 120,000 currently live in The Villages.  Ok, of the 120,000 folks in the Villages, some like to play pickleball.  Each winter season, approximate 5,000+ attend an introductory meeting about pickleball.  They are told about pickleball and it is explained that they must have some physical condition to play (i.e. the reason they do that is that there was a very high rate of folks who got hurt who should not have attempted pickleball.  Of the 5,000, a thousand never go one to attend on-court pickleball 101 lessons.  Of the 5,000 maybe 2,000 will actually play on the 200 pickleball courts.  That’s pretty interesting. BUT the number of injuries has gone down significantly. Sooooo what does that tell you folks.  That is a no brainer. SusieQ, for you, that means that you should go and play dominoes and eat!  It’s as simple as that.

One morning Hank and I went played at the Truman pb courts.  I think the players were rated 4 or better the way it looked to me.  We there as well lined up and went in when it was our turn.  My partner in a game was a guy who had a running prosthesis with a shoe on the bottom.  We played against a couple of 4 rated seasoned tournament players.  He held his own very well.  And besides he was very fun to play with.  We actually won that game.  He was really amazing to me.  I think we all can push our envelope a little more than what we do.  What do you think? That is what I thought.

We went to an open house of a 1.2-million-dollar house (i.e. none of us really liked it).  I talked to the realtor and asked her what sells houses in The Villages—lifestyle and relationships.  She said approximately 30% of the folks buy a house on emotions the first time they are here. I think The Villages build about 200 new houses a month that range pretty much in a price range from $200,000 to $450,000 (i.e. that means that a lot of folks can’t afford this lifestyle).  Many folks from the Northeast sell their houses up there for big money and move here (i.e. they think it’s a bargain and they seem to enjoy the lifestyle).  Oh, did you see or hear how many folks are moving from CA to TX and FL to get away from the high taxes and other stuff?  Now how is that all going to work for CA? That is really interesting to me. BUT not tooooo many moving to Butler County IA in the middle of a corn field!  haha

WorldClassLarry says—"You can’t rip people off!   You really can’t fool folks if you are a nice person or a jerk, folks know. And surely you can’t fool God, can you?  God has said that he will meet your needs if you ask for his help (i.e. be humble) and maintain your integrity. You don’t have to be dishonest to get ahead. You don’t have to get ahead—period!” We were waiting in line for our turn to play pickleball early one morning.  We were talking to Tony when a ball was hit in the court near us and a player made a line call as to if it was in or out.  It was close and maybe a bad call.  Tony said—Most folks make honest calls but there are two that don’t (i.e. they make calls always in their favor and one is standing pretty close but I’m not saying who that person is— but everyone knows who they are).  That confirmed my theory somewhat—If I know it and you know it, others know it tooooo; we aren’t the only ones who see and feel that way (i.e. both good and bad). I was sitting at a musical show, Gary Puckett, with friends and a friend from Grundy County who made a “out of the blue” comment about an observation.  I had the same observation, but most folks don’t talk about this observation (i.e. not always popular).  Again, if he and I think that, there must be others you would think that tooooo but maybe never reveal their thoughts (i.e. not popular).   

I meet many many folks who are friends of Hank and Becky in FL.  Nice folks!  The itinerary that Hank and Becky had for me was full let me tell you (i.e. we didn’t waste any day light) but what a hoot.  We sure did a lot of laughing. Had such a great time.  Dr.J says—"Hopefully, you don’t have enemies. But everyone has neighbors in one form or another. And we are to love both—enemies and neighbors—as we love ourselves. Do we spend money on ourselves? Do we go out of the way for ourselves? Do we treat ourselves with kindness? That’s how we are to love others. Look around today. If you see a neighbor or `enemy,’ take the love-leap and do for them what you would do for yourself.” ItchieBitchie says—Are you kidding me; I get along with my neighbors but just not that well!  haha  We went to Live Oaks Community Church and met many of their friends/my friends from IA. ANYWAY this is what I learned—the pastor said (i.e. maybe just his opinion or maybe not) that we gotta serve others—desperate folks do desperate things—you can’t just think about yourself soooo much but think about others (i.e. he was probably directing that at me)—be humble!  It’s soooo easy for me tooooo push the envelope for the enjoyment of little ol’ ervie toooo much, maybe. Now that is enough toooo think about; at least it was for me; besides, I gotta go as I have a tee time and then play pickleball.  haha

I had the opportunity to go with Hank and Becky to their small group that meets in the leaders’ house each week.  There were maybe 16-20 folks there.  They call the groups Encore.  None of these folks knew each other, I don’t think, before they started but they have become friends.  They share their thoughts about the previous Sunday’s sermon.  What great folks who shared their faith and feelings and emotions.  It was a great uplift to be around them (i.e. real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks).  I think they have about 25 of such groups in the church. 

We went to some of Hank and Becky’s friends to look at a problem they had with their chandler.  They again were such nice folks.  Anyway 80-year-old IN-Guy told us this story that was sooo funny.  They live on a golf course and had a tree that grew wide that sorta kinda blocked some of their view of the course.  A friend of the IN-Guy said he would come over at about dark and they would trim that sucker. They really trimmed her good (i.e. they were not supposed toooo do that I guess—he was pushing the envelope).  The next morning a company representative came to their house and asked if he knew anything about that tree being trimmed—he put out his hands (i.e. like they could put the cuffs on him) and said I did it; haul me in.  He got a lecture but no jail time!  Sooooo the moral of the story is…! His wife, the IN-Gal is big into collecting verses and had a lot of memorabilia in their house.  She had this verse which was on a piece of their furniture.  I liked it.  We visited some IA friends and she had this by her kitchen.  I laughed at that.  I don’t think cookin’ is a priority in The Villages!  Their house is on a golf course also and there was a sand trap quite close to their property.  Larry said—A lot of folks get in there and have a hard time getting out—physically!! haha! One of our golf buddies from IA told us as we were paying our golf fees to play one morning—I pay all my golf fees in cash; that way my wife doesn’t know how much I spend on golf!  What a hoot! 

                             

I was at some friends’ place in IA recently being entertained with a meal along with a couple of other long- time couple friends. We were reminiscing about our past.  We had such a good time.  We poked fun of each other and even shared some funny stuff about ourselves.  It was a hoot!  Especially this time.  Why, I don’t know for sure.  Maybe it was the wine!  haha  Sooooo real and open everyone was; no one was trying to fool anyone else (i.e. not pushing the envelope).  We know each other for soooo long that we can’t fool each other even if we tried.  Really for me, life doesn’t get any better than this.  I was also at some long-time friends’ home recently who I haven’t been around for quite some time (i.e. friends who are the salt of the earth—good folks with good hearts; my kind of folks—married for 66 years they told me).  They were some of my first clients about 45 years ago.  ANYWAY, we had such a good time reminiscing some of the good times we had of the past.  I learned much from them but here is a couple of gems of our conversation—Don’t give up and keep praying--One of their granddaughters was estranged from her dad and from the family for quite a number of years; she has come back (i.e. what a day of rejoicing that was)—One of the siblings of her family who is 90something, got infection in his knee; it was a result of infection in his teeth.  It is just amazing what I learn.  My visit was just like old times, I drank their coffee and ate their cookies.  Such a good time as always. Such is life.

On my flight home I was tired and slept some (i.e. the week was busy plus we had to get up at 3 to get to Orlando for my flight).  ANYWAY, the senor gentleman next to me spoke with me.  He was coming back from taking his family to Disney World for a week and had up to 20 family members at times (i.e. he said it wasn’t really relaxing). He was a financially rich man result of selling his company for big bucks and seemed very humble and ordinary about himself. He asked where I was in FL.  He asked me if I could live there; he said he couldn’t; I love my life style in small town WI—Are you moving there--I don’t know what I’m going to do tomorrow and told him about Arlene having Alzheimer’s—He said--I’m sorry to hear that.

My flight from St. Louis to Des Moines I slept again; I was tired.  As we were deplaning the young man beside me got a garment bag from the overhead and I asked him if he’s getting married—no no, here in Des Moines for a job interview with an insurance company—as we were walking through the ramp to the terminal we talked more—he introduced himself to me and I did likewise--he told me about this interview and I said—I don’t know if you believe in prayer but I will pray for you that you may discern what is best for you and your family--he asked me where I was coming from and where I was going.  He too asked me if I was going to move to The Villages and I gave him the same response—he toooo said that he was sorry to hear that and would pray for me. We walked to the baggage claim area and continued our conversation—he told me that his father died when he was young from cancer and it really affected his life and now they are expecting their first child and that tooooo is really affecting his life.  This guy was class; he will really do well in life, my opinion.  There are soooooo many great folks in this world (i.e. and many of you are such folks). Thanksamillion for being my friends. Like the realtor told me—life is about relationships.  I believe solid relationships are very valuable (i.e. my opinion), not sooooo much about stuff but for some it might be!  BUT I do think that money gives folks a lot of options; some good and some not soooo good! Such is life.

We were playing some board games with friends after a dinner that my friends put on in in their house at The Villages.  I sorta kinda made a rather poor move and said—What am I doing other than picking my nose.  Sandy, our old neighbor/friend from A’Town  said—I hope you got it erv!  Sooo there you go.  I hope you got this “It’s Saturday!” 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Don’t discourage another person’s plan unless you have a better one.

sweet and sour

If folks think I’m nice, then that’s fine by me.  But I hate having to compete and promote myself.  I really don’t like promotion. Some folks do but not me!  That is what I say but sometimes I think I do it anyway.  I don’t like phonies but yet I think I am one sometimes.  I’m a regular sweet and sour guy maybe.  I know who I am but just forget it sometimes maybe.

A-BookWormErin says--The real purpose of books is to trap the mind in doing its own thinking.  Some folks won’t like this book. I just read the book, Chase the Lion: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Too Small by Mark Batterson. I personally liked it overall (i.e. the author was  somewhat braggy; most of these type of books are but that attitude must sell books); some of you won’t for sure like it (i.e. I think it’s tooooo aggressive for some of you; it will make you nervous haha). If you like it the “same O same O” a.k.a. the way we have always done it, you won’t like it for sure. Here are some quotes: I like Schweitzer’s approach to the third decade of life: learn as much as you can about as much as you can."; "premove—it’s the move before the move before the move."; "Don’t underestimate the power of one compliment. One word of encouragement has the potential to change a person’s perspective on life, a person’s plot line for all eternity. And don’t just compliment people to their faces. Brag about them behind their backs!”; “you get to go down the rabbit hole (i.e. I didn’t know what that meant)"; "Are you living your life in a way that is worth telling stories about?"; "When everything is said and done, God isn’t going to say, ‘Well said,’ ‘Well thought,’ or ‘Well planned.’ There is one measuring stick: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’”  Let’s get goin’ cupcake, we’re burning daylight.

I’m in FL and my friends are sooooo nice to me (i.e. but they don’t let me win on the pickle ball court or on the golf course—oh no!  They are nice but not that nice—there are limits).  These folks are “high-altitude folks with high attitudes.”  No question! Yessiree baby and I don’t mean maybe! I have an old long-sleeve tee that I bought in Breckenridge maybe 20 years ago.  I wear it once in a while as I like what it says—High Altitude Adventure.  Most commercial jets fly in a zone that’s between 28,000 and 35,000 feet above sea level. There was one famous exception—the Concorde, which was designed to fly as high as 60,000 feet in the air. The lowered wind resistance in the thinner air at the higher altitude resulted in a much quicker trip across the Atlantic. There is less wind turbulence at those heights. Military jets fly even higher. The current versions of the famous U-2 spy plane of the 1950s can cruise up to 70,000 feet, or about 13 miles above sea level. In essence, the higher the altitude, the quicker and smoother the ride. OldUncleBobbyFromYuma seems to choose to fly at a low altitude as he seems to enjoy always being in turbulence.  Why do you think that is? Some of you are saying—erv, you are crazier than a wet hen! Saturday question—Who likes change the most, old folks or young folks? Da!

I really wonder if spouses can be both sweet and sour.  I think sooooo.  Maybe because of a spouse, the other spouse has a great life and would not have had that great life if they weren’t married to that special person.  FlipThePancake, I also wonder if some folks would have had a much better life if they would not be married to their spouse or not have been married to that “not soooo special” spouse.  I really wonder about that.  ItchieBitchie says— I think in our marriage we enhance each other’s life, I think, for the most part.  ItchieBitchie, maybe your spouse might think differently!  MissPerfect says—In our marriage, we get along a lot better when we aren’t around each other! Seee, sweet and sour! I know for fact that some spouses have changed the other spouse financially, mentally, spiritually, ethically and even physically. Some in good ways and some in not soooo good ways.  Why do I know that for fact? You have told me. LuckieEddie says--In some cases, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! UncleJoeFromTopeka says—I fall in love with my wife in a light soooo dim I would not have chosen a lawn mover.

Joesixpack asks—Have you ever had a dilemma were there is sweet and sour in both alternatives?  How do we make the decision? Do we always do what we know is right? It appears that in our culture there are many situations where there is sweet and sour in the decision (e.g. if I fib a little I can make a lot of money, if I say this but do this, it makes life a lot easier, if I ride the fence I will not reveal all the facts, if I will work the system…, if I will manipulate but not let anyone know…).   But the sweet part is if we keep our eye on the target we are shooting at, great things happen. No question. When I was a kid we had an old single shot 22.  I shot it a lot (i.e. a box of 50 shorts would cost 50 cents at Amerman Hardware in down-town Old Roseland). I got sooooo I could hit the target more often than not.  But if I was a little off on my aim, the time the bullet got to the target 100 feet away, it was way off target.  Soooooo…!

I think I recently figured out why a friend did what they did.  I know some information that they told me that others might not know (i.e. that is a big factor I think).  Soooo many times we don’t know all the facts or emotions involved in a decision.  I’m happy for my friend.  And you know what—I would guess most folks really don’t care or even know about it.  Sooooo there.  JoeMoney says—erv, I care if they are getting an advantage over me that I don’t know about; I don’t want to miss a trick especially if I can make some money!  JoeMoney—I hate to tell you, but you have missed a lot of tricks and you have no idea.  CadillacJack says—Life is maybe a lot easier when you don’t know what is going on.

JoeBlow says--I find myself really interesting.  While most people are oblivious to a certain thing, I seem obsessed with it.  Why is that do you think? BUT I’m just not the only one that is that way (e.g. one person must have a perfectly clean car, and another person never washes their car). Maybe there is some sweet and sour in both of those thinkings.  Is it better to be just moderate, like a wet wash rag? Is an excessive compulsive attitude good?  Do you have any phobias?  Maybe we should do everything in moderation except eating green beans and loving other folks.  I happened to walk past a meeting the director of the extended living facility was having with the residents. She asked them what they wanted changed—I heard one resident say, we want less green beans! I LOL! I guess old folks and kids all think alike!

Recently a friend had a routine surgery when they discovered a malignant tumor.  It was removed and the cancer was contained.  A thorn and a rose!  She and I talked about it as it was a blessing that she needed that surgery.  She told me that we need to recognize miracles and not forget them.  ThePersonNorthOfTown says—That is not the way it went for me. 

LuckieEddie says—Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own. I have, when at the net playing pickleball, cultivated a backhand slam to the opponent in their left-hand court.  It is quite effective but not friendly.  I want to change it but it’s such a mind set that when the game is going fast it’s a natural reaction.  That shot is sweet and sour!  I particularly use it when playing better competition (e.g. like against Mike—he’s soooo darn good).  I don’t seem to do it against gals; they don’t like it at all.  Soooo there.  I am going to try to change my mind set.  But I found it is hard to do.  Sometimes my vision is blurred; I don’t see the real picture (i.e. like I have dirty mirror).  That happens.

You and I might not be major players, but you and I might be a vital players maybe.  For some folks that might be sweet and sour—they really don’t want help but need our help.  I read in the paper sooooo it must be right that boredom and stress cause a lot of problems.  I have observed lately that many folks “are just killing time.”  Killing time until it’s 5, or until the 6 o’clock news is on, until they can get to the all they can eat buffet at Pizza Ranch, or until they will die (i.e. my opinion). I think that is a dirty shame, a bad deal.  JoeCommon says—Maybe we all have some stress and boredom in our lives; maybe we need to learn how to handle those two things better (i.e. become proactive—get involved).  What do you think?  That is what I thought. 

I wonder if I do things in the name of money or the name of power or in the name of my ego.  I do wonder that.  I look around and see folks that don’t (i.e. many of you guys).  BUT I think I also see folks that do.  The old saying of a parent—I never hear from the kids unless they want money. From the beginning of time, money, power and ego are drivers that make life miserable for many folks.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. A friend told me by phone the other night that money, power and ego are reasons why all churches are having less attendance; folks are sick of conflict all the time.  He might be right. I don’t know.  What do you think? That is what I thought.

Sour and sweet!  I recently had the opportunity to really sting someone really good. This person seems to really disagree with me and also seems to be an antagonist of mine. I had some thoughts of doing it (i.e. sour part of me). I then, for some reason, remembered the story of Saul chasing David as he wanted to kill him as he really disliked him.  David stumbled across Saul sleeping in the cave of Adullam. He had the perfect situation to kill him in self-defense but passed.  His warriors were ferocious that he didn’t.  I really have always liked that story.  Sooooo I decided not to sting this person who seems to be my adversary (i.e. the sweet part me maybe if I have one).  I am happy with my decision anyway.

It's sweet and sour!  A widow/friend told me that she “is who she doesn’t want to be.”  She was referring to her having to be the man of the house in doing the snow removal (i.e. women usually don’t do the snow removal unless they really have too).  But there are women who are really happy to be the man of the house; they have never had much freedom before when their husband was alive.  I sometimes am who I don’t want to be and it makes me disgusted. I don’t want to be a certain type of person and then at times I act just like the way I don’t want toooo be.  Why do I do that?  CommonJoe says—erv, it’s better that you recognize that than not and continue to be a jerk.  I didn’t say I was a jerk; but you called me that. Huh, interesting.

I like the word intuitive!  I know friends who I think are intuitive.  And I know folks who think they are intuitive but aren’t, in my opinion.  I think it’s better for folks to be intuitive than to just think they are. TomSmart says--To test their intuitiveness, look at their history.  It appears to me that most folks who are intuitive are humble and those who just think they are intuitive are pretty egotistical.  A friend gave me some advice (i.e. I asked for it) which is very intuitive haha.  I took his advice and have used it.  It worked will.  TheGuyNorthOfTown says—All great folks are gifted with intuition. They know, without reasoning or analysis, what they need to know.  I agree GuyNorthOfTown but for folks to use it and in a timely matter is another story.  There lies the problem with many folks.  My opinion—Get around good folks and ask for their advice; it works for me. Of course, I have an advantage ‘cause I don’t know much.  Folks who think they know all the answers don’t need any advice.  My opinion—Those are not good folks to be around.

I really learned something the other day, but I really don’t know what I learned.  I’m still thinking through it, but it was something for sure.  Really it was.  Now ain’t that interesting.  I have no idea how it will affect my future or if it will.  It might though or it might not.  Partly but not fully what I learned is not to get into situations where things don’t work out the way I think they should.  But I didn’t get excited about learning this stuff but maybe I should of.  And I still might but probably not; it ain’t worth fighting a battle for; I have more important things to do even if others don’t.  Maybe it was a darn good lesson I learned.  Could be!  BUT I don’t know for sure what the lesson was. Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—When you invite trouble, it never refuses the invitation.

PS I got this response from my mentor's daughter--I enjoyed your story about your babysitting experience. When our kids stayed at my parents and didn't want to go home, your mentor would say, "Of course they like it here. Our job is not to train, we entertain."