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."