regroup and start over

I sometimes send out “It’s Saturday” early.  It is because of what Micky Rooney once said—Always get married early in the morning. That way, if it doesn’t work out, you haven’t wasted a whole day!

Robert McNamara, a former Secretary of Defense, said—“Brains are like hearts, they go where they are appreciated.  Now he could be right.  A few of us, who have lost spouses to dementia have had some discussion.  Our lives are taking a new direction and we aren’t sure where that will go.  We guess that there are many factors that will direct our paths.  Probably to some degree, how some folks encourage us will be a factor.  What do you think?  That is what I thought. It appears we will need to regroup and, in some cases, start over. 

I told some of you that I lost my interest in reading since Arlene passed on.  I did until I got a copy the book, grieving with hope (i.e. a Christian based book) from one of my investment companies and my broker.  It intrigued me sooooo I read it.  Parts of it was excellent for me and my situation but it might not be excellent for you.  We are all different now aren’t we? SusieQ said--Especially for you, DifferentSophie!!!!  I didn’t say that DifferentSophie, SusieQ said that!  Sooooo if you don’t agree with SusieQ, you take that up with her; don’t contact me (i.e. this is nonreplyemail)!!!!  I am going to share just a couple of things.  We all grief differently and are unique and that is for many reasons (e.g. if you never liked the person who passed on, you have no grief; you are happy they are died and can’t wait to open up the piggy bank) compared to losing a great friend who you loved for years.  I really liked the chapter entitled, How Your Thinking Shapes Your Grief.  You can interpret that any way you want (i.e. you folks are smart). I really liked this reference and have memorized it. It’s a Bible verse that is full of heavenly wisdom and is also full of earthly wisdom for those of you who are not a believer.  Philippians 4:8: Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” A friend sent me a note recently (i.e. very uplifting and encouraging).  She sent some great quotes.  Here is one—“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.—Abe Lincoln (i.e. your favorite).

I was touched by a very good college friend of Arlene in what she wrote me recently.  It seemed like I could understand her emotions partly, maybe and maybe I was out in right field (i.e. she went through a divorce and also lost a son).  She said this—"Seems impossible I have only waved as I drove to the beach to sit in my car with a book.  At least the sun feels good on walks.  But, have to admit I miss personal friendships where we give a hug, have a glass of wine, or go out for dinner.” Now you can read into that statement anything you feel.  Yes, anything you feel based on your emotions of your current environment and past environment.  A friend and I had a conversation recently (i.e. I have had a lot of conversations with many of you folks—I soooo much enjoy them).  He knows me quite well (i.e. whatever that means).  He told me that some of what I write in “It’s Saturday” he has no idea what I’m saying and parts of what I write he understands right on.  I told him that the fun part in that you can interpret it the way you want, and your interpretation will be way different, maybe, than the next person and maybe way different than what I’m trying to communicate and your interpretation is right to each of you.  You folks might think I’m in right field and you are in left field and the next time vice versa.  I don’t even have to try to do that, it comes naturally!  haha  As I told Arlene’s good college friend in my reply—That is what Arlene had to put up with! On the first page of the book on grieving, it says that we are all different and unique!  Seeee!

We all interpret information differently based on many reasons for sure.  LenaFromFargo (i.e. she might have been in the movie Fargo) was sitting in the airport reading the Fargo/Moorhead Forum. The headline blared, "12 Brazilian Soldiers Killed." She shook her head at the sad news, then turned to the stranger sitting next to her and asked, "How many is a Brazilian?"

A friend told me recently that they leave something out to remind them that they have to do something (e.g. leave their checkbook on the counter). That reminds me what has to be done but yet I always don’t get after it very fast! I do that, yes I do.  Sometimes I leave it there for quite some time before I do it.  I have tooooo laugh at myself many times.  Then one day I feel like doing it and I do it or I have toooo for some reason.  The screwdriver has been on the washing machine for several days to remind me to put a screw in the door.  The door keeps working sooooo I haven’t done it yet!!!  Sooooo do you think that maybe this virus reminds folks that they are going to die (i.e. sometime), and they are scared tooooo die?  JoeDeath says—Everyone is scared of death.  You think that is true?  Maybe that is why many folks buy toilet paper!  A friend was waiting in line to pay for his pizza at Casey’s (i.e. 6 feet apart).  A gal about 25 who was ahead of him and says to him empathically—we are all going to die!  My friend told her that it wasn’t that bad; you might be over-reacting a little bit.  If you are soooo worried about dying, why are you buying that pack of cigarettes?  She told him she has been smoking since 7^th grade and can’t quit.  Huh, interesting!

WorldClassLarry says--It depends how you look at it. Coach says that context is more important that content.  This is how he explains that.  If we can change our thinking from what we got a.k.a. content to our attitude a.k.a. context, life will be much better.  He says that stuff constantly changes but our rock-solid positive attitude doesn’t. Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going!  What Coach  just said is perfectly clear to some of you and maybe not at all tooooo others!  haha You can interpret it how it fits your ego; it’s up to you. Here is something else to think about; I believe this verse— For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  How do you believe that, or do you believe that at all?  You can interpret it the way you want based on your many experiences.  Coach says—Much of what we get is what we expect and anticipate.  If we expect and anticipate that we are going to get bad stuff, we will and if we anticipate and expect we are going to get good stuff, we will.  All folks get good stuff and bad stuff in their life, without exception.  What we get is based on our attitude of anticipation and expectation.  Willie Nelson said—Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.

ThePersonFromNorthOfTown (i.e. who thinks different than most folks) says--To stop defeating yourself, you must stop deceiving yourself. You need to take an honest look at your life, face the truth, and deal with the issues a.k.a. reality. What in your life are you pretending isn’t a problem or you’re addicted to? What are you saying “It’s no big deal” about?  Maybe it’s time to regroup and start over! It appears that many business models will have to change.  Many businesses, family budgets, education methods, churches, etc. will not make it by using the same old models.  No matter how much folks don’t like to change; it’s probably a time when organizations might have to change or be burnt toast!  Maybe it’s a good time to reevaluate current models and maybe make adjustments, even regroup and maybe start over especially if the old model wasn’t working that good during good times.  Da!  LuckieEddie says—There is a time you got to quit kicking a dead horse and this might be the time!  JoeMessup says—We all mess up, but what we do after we mess up is what makes the difference.  Do we just wallow in the mess up or do we bounce back?  Such is life.

I read this one morning while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--“Napoleon Bonaparte was the emperor of France and a feared military leader. One day, Napoleon’s beloved horse got loose and ran away from the army camp. One of the soldiers, a private, immediately took off and chased after it. The soldier eventually caught up to the horse, guided it back to the camp, bathed it, and then returned it to Napoleon. Engrossed in other matters, Napoleon didn’t even bother to acknowledge the soldier. However, at some point, he looked up and said three simple words: “Thank you, Colonel.” The soldier then left, packed up his bags, and moved into the officers’ quarters. There was no need for paperwork or an announcement. If Napoleon said he was a colonel, that’s all that was necessary.”  When you say to someone in a conversation, my friend, it means a lot (i.e. that is if you do it sincerely and not manipulatively—you and they know your intention if you are real or a phony (i.e. even a small kid can figure that out).  It doesn’t have to be a huge massive production but maybe even be doing it casually might have more of an impact (i.e. they will hear it and it will affect them).  Do you like it when someone calls you their friend?  I do. You can interpret the feeling of being called a friend all differently. Such is life.

As the song says—After you’ve been having steak for a long time, beans beans taste fine!  I think many folks are going to have to regroup and start over.  I hope many folks like beans.  Our economy and personal spending has been fat for some time.  Many folks probably will now have a very skinny income.  It probably will affect many lifestyles.  No question.  TomSmart asks—Soooo does that mean that folks will actually become physically skinny?  I don’t know but during the Great Depression, the pictures I have seen, I didn’t see fat folks.  Some friends led me by example—I just gave to the local Food Bank.  I’m not bragging about this but want you to think about giving as well (i.e. I can’t suggest it if I don’t do it—talk is cheap but it takes money to buy food—or you can pray; pray that someone else will give their money haha).  I understand that there is a huge massive need.  They need to buy beans and rice.  I say that as a large percentage of the world population lives on just that—beans and rice (i.e. like 50%).  Why?  Because it’s nutritional and cheap.  Americans seem to like burgers and fries more!  They live fatter and are fatter.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out; just look around. That’s just reality! JoeFruitcake says—But I don’t like beans and rice; I like burgers and fries!

JoeBlow asks--Why do “anonymous” always think they are sooooo smart and know all the answers?  I don’t know JoeBlow but we probably judge folks more by what they do and act than what they say.  It’s easy to say something but harder to live up to what we say.  It’s easy to preach to others how to live their life than actually live our life like we tell others tooooo. LuckieEddie says—I know folks who wear big cowboy hats but own no cattle!  Saturday question—How can some folks know sooooo much about my grieving but are not me and maybe never lost a spouse (i.e. maybe they are super-natural or think they are)? WorldClassLarry says--There is no education like personal experience and that isn’t even all accurate because we are all different and have different circumstances, maybe!  A friend, who lost his wife, told me this recently—"Time goes both fast and also slow. Simply the truth for this guy.” You folks may interpret that statement based on your experiences, but you are not him. Yes, he might be regrouping and starting over, maybe.  

None of these writings are considered revelations and they surely cannot be deemed as authoritative. They might have even added to your (mis)information overload. Soooo move on with your day; it's early yet!  MissPerfect, do you want crackers and cheese with your whine? Was just wondering.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—For mending someone’s broken heart, the best glue is compassion.

you know--no, I don't know

Disclaimer:  This “It’s Saturday” is not designed to push you or for you to learn how to push someone else.  No no!  BUT we live in a culture that many folks are pushed or are pushy.  CrazyMarvin says--This pressure is designed to put pressure on the opponents to try to force errors; in our culture, it has become de rigueur.  This “It’s Saturday” will not create a world pandemic; that’s for sure. Soooo sit back, drink your coffee and even scratch your head maybe! Quite often I not only don’t know what I’m doing; I don’t know what I’m saying. Of course, that is based on your thinking!  You know—no, I don’t know if I’m right or you are right or if either one of us is right now do we! Much of what we think is what we called in the appraisal business a WAG appraisal—wild ass guess!

If you know this, you will know it but if you don’t know it you won’t know it.  I had an acquaintance ask me this week if I know any one they can help who is struggling financial or for other reasons because of this coronavirus crises.  I said, I didn’t but if I hear of anyone, I will let you know.  I toooo would like to help someone. I think there will be folks who will really be hurt and you and I need to step up. Yes we do—my opinion.  JoeBlow (i.e. who is a pillar of the community) says—erv, talk is cheap; it’s easier to just say we will pray for them.  BigTalkWillie says—Soooo if I ask someone if I can help them and they say yes, then I have tooooo.  Maybe I don’t want to help them in the way they want help.  Then what do I do?  Do I apply strings or just disappear or just don’t ask?

WildWilly (i.e. who seems to understand things once in a while) says--Confessing our inadequacy can be hard. Humbling our self is rarely easy or fun.  AverageJoe says--Pride is a killer.  It takes a big person to say that we don’t know or we are wrong or someone else is better (i.e. oh that ego).  A friend and I were having breakfast, yes he had me over and made me breakfast.  We had a great time philosophizing (i.e. most of it was probably not that important as we don’t know what we are talking about most of the time).  But I asked him for some help.  I got an email/text from someone who used messaging by U.S. Cellular.  It had no signature and just a number and I didn’t know the number.  I had no idea who it was from.  It was a nice message, but I thought it was from a person who would sometimes make things very generic (i.e. not very personal).  My friend suggested that I send a message back thanking them and asking who this is from instead of jumping to a bad conclusion.  I did and it was from a golf buddy who I was happy to hear from sharing his concern for me about Arlene’s death, not the person who I sorta kinda thought negative thoughts about.  Oh man!  Good advice.  AverageJoe says—erv, find out the facts before jumping to a conclusion.  BUT I thought for sure it was this other person!  Da! I thought I knew for sure but no, I didn’t know!

I called U.S. Cellar, my phone company which also supplies me with my data package witch includes my wi-fi as my bill went up a little.  I asked Jenny this question and she informed me that I lost a 24-month discount. She said—let’s see what I can do for you.  Long story short, we changed my account to a hot spot on my phone for my other devices which gave me a way better product and saved me $25 a month.  As she was doing this, we had a very nice visit. She was working from home and has two children with the oldest being in first grade; her husband has been out of the country for 2 months.  I told her wow you have your hands full—yabut we go forward with a good attitude; it is working out—you are a good person—I believe all folks have good in them; it’s just that we all have a choice and I elect to try to do good—you are my kind of person!  By the way, the new plan I have is called “even better.” Now that made me laugh. Flip the pancake—I bought a grill from Home Depot that was assembled.  I was putting it on the patio and the lid was up-side down in the fire box.  I tried to put in on but the pins for the hinges weren’t there.  I looked inside the firebox and the manual was there and written on it was that there were no pins.  I laughed.  Sooooo I called Home Depot and said—You guys made me laugh, I told them the story.  I can’t believe you sold me a grill with not all the parts and you even knew it (i.e. they must endorse the saying--caveat emptor).  He didn’t know what to say.  l laughed again; I thought that was funny!  I guess we all make choices.  Such is life.

A friend tells me that when folks say to him, you know, he says to them, no I don’t know, will you tell me?  Folks always think you know but most of the time they don’t know, particularly like when you think they should know.  Hey, folks have been educated differently by their past environment and their current environment soooo don’t assume anything. They probably don’t think like you.  I was at some friends’ place for dinner the other night—fried chicken and mashed potatoes and gravy.  I haven’t had that for years.  Oh was it good; I thought I was in cholesterol heaven.  My friend was seasoning the gravy he was making with salt.  He took it out of a container on the counter that I never saw anything like before.  I asked him what that was.  He called it a salt pig.  He said cooks use that.  He acted like I should know what it was, I didn’t know, never saw one before.  It made me laugh.  My Mom, Anna, never used that back on the farm growing up. 

I jog on the golf course and was on the back side adjoining a field road the other morning. There was a guy out with his three big dogs. We introduced ourselves.  He asked where I lived, and I told him a couple blocks east of the golf course and then he told me that he lives in the newer house on the golf course.  He said he had a girlfriend for several years who lived with him but she has moved out soooo he’s all alone with his 3 dogs but another girlfriend might move in with him soon.  Soooo you drive that truck by your house.  He says—I do but I don’t, you know.  I said—no I don’t know.  Well, I’m the owner and operator of that truck but I haven’t driven it for 4 or 5 weeks and I don’t plan to drive it until this virus thing is safe; it could be a long time.  I don’t want to die and besides the rates are low right now soooo I can’t make much money anyway.  The problem is that I have bills toooo pay and no income; those folks are just going to have to wait; that’s all what’s toooo it!  Soooo should I help this guy?  Will he get help from the government?  Do I want to feed his three dogs, his girlfriend and make his camper payment?  You know, I just don’t know!

A friend who is a retired banker said that in the banking industry there is a saying—Half of their customers are 2-pay checks away from bankruptcy.  There could be a lot of foreclosures of houses and repos of recreational toys.  Doesn’t look good to me.  BUT the banks will probably complain to the government and the government will probably bail them out.  And who is the government?  It looks like we have a plan in effect. Let her roll!  BUT maybe there will be a better plan; You know—no, I don’t know. And maybe many of the folks won’t have it soooo bad.  Could be. I don’t know.  Saturday question--Will folks still pay exorbitant prices to go to sporting events?  ItchieBitchie says—Of course, that’s essential! Besides, maybe for half the folks, this crisis probably will not affect their lifestyle at all or very little. You think sooooo? That is what I thought.

I saw an elderly friend at Casey’s the other day.  I asked him how is doing (i.e. he lost his wife recently).  He said the standard answer—ok.  BUT I can’t sleep—is it because of your wife’s death—I don’t know; I don’t think sooooo but I don’t know for sure; I’m soooo tired that my legs can hardly hold me up but when I go to bed, I can’t sleep.  I just wonder, I don’t know for sure, if isolation is a cause of many dysfunctional behavioral issues.  Loneness etc. is not good.  I’m sorta kinda getting bored.  I can only work in the yard about soooo long.  I am way happier when I talk and am around folks.  Exercise helps me a lot BUT some days I have to force myself to exercise.  I just don’t always feel like doing it.  BUT I feel oh sooooo much better when I get done.  Such is life.

There is a whole lot of stuff I don’t know. For sure!  I know that; you do tooooo! Coach says—Beginning of wisdom is often understanding stuff we don’t know.  Does that make sense to you?  That is what I thought.  That understanding keeps us grounded and doesn’t let us get the big head in thinking we know everything (i.e. some folks think they do, and they are annoying to most folks—very pushy). I think a desire to learn is a good quality.  BUT you might think differently.  Especially if you think you know everything already! Sooooo I was doing some changes on how I wanted some communication sent to me about some investments (i.e. go paperless).  I wanted to modify my preference but found it difficult to do on their web site (i.e. I thought their web site to be not very friendly).  I called their tech guy Billy.  BillyTech said—I will just do it for you—no no, I want to learn—it is way easier for me to just do it for you, believe me! I really don’t know what he meant by that!  haha  Maybe some of you grand kids understand what he is saying; he’s maybe has talked to your grandparents.

I was listening to a pastor/friend during the beginning of his Sunday morning sermon.  He said this week he asked other pastors how they like doing their sermons live.  They said it is humbling.  Humbling in that it feels like they are being compared to other pastors a.k.a. exposed.  You know—no I don’t know!  Well, folks compare them to other pastors they listen tooooo and their methods, styles of presentation, beliefs, authenticity, viewability, attractiveness, effectiveness, content related to the current world etc.  They can listen to anyone they want.  Some friends tell me they listen to three sermons each Sunday (i.e. I assume they probably eventually watch the ones they think are the better ones).  It’s sorta kinda like a dog show!  I think the pastors were saying they don’t like to be compared!  I can understand that (i.e. everyone wants a trophy).  SusieQ (i.e. who is not a church goer) asks—There isn’t competition between churches or pastors is there? JoeChurchGoer says—Well, ya gotta have folks to pay the bills. A golf buddy/friend told me golfing the other day that a member of their church board told him that the new stimulus program is good for churches tooooo.  And the board member said—It’s “free real money” toooo yet! Soooo there you go!

Opportunity!  A friend was telling me last week that this isolation has been good for some younger mothers.  It has given them a chance to do things with their children that they don’t do very often.  Soooo on Good Friday, a couple of girls rang my door bell and had a homemade Easter card, bars and a cookie for me.  Their grandma was driving the car sooooo I assume she was the leader behind the project.  Another opportunity for her and her grandgirls.  It touched me and bet grandma and the grandgirls as well (i.e. the grandgirls had big smiles on their faces). My experiences teach me that stuff is forgotten much more than experiences.  Our CO family tells me that Denver and surrounding metro has started tradition of a nightly howl at 8:00 to show support of essential workers and say “hi” to neighbors, now includes fireworks in some neighborhoods. Neat! Fun opportunity for sure (i.e. my opinion)!

MyNeighborDownTheStreet asks—Where is all this money coming from for all these stimulus packages?  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Divine coincidence is an economic theory referring “to the property of New Keynesian models that there is no trade-off between the stabilization of inflation and of the welfare-relevant output gap … for central banks.” Don’t worry if you don’t understand that; economists don’t either! You know—no, I don’t know! I wonder what is going on here!  This might make you scratch your head—Maybe these stimulus packages might cost us the proverbial “an arm and a leg!”  Ouchy ouchy! BUT it’s only money!

The world is a different place than it was just a little while ago. Everyone is living a new reality and many aspects are quite alarming. The changes and effects are far reaching and there is no way to estimate how long lasting and permanent these changes may be. Some of you may think you know but I don’t know for sure. But then again, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Money can buy time but not wisdom.

hypothetical

Whatever your feelings are, you cannot argue that Woddy Allen has written many amusing lines.  I like this one: “I’m not a fighter; I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys.”  Maybe your reflexes are faster than a tortoise, but how you react to this “It’s Saturday” will be very questionable.  For sure!  Let’s see what happens.  Such is life.

There was a shooting in our back yard. Not hypothetical. Oh no!  Gracie calls me and says the cop and Bobby chased a sick raccoon from their garage unto my front steps.  Sooooo I look out the window and yes, there they are with brooms getting this raccoon off my front steps.  They broom it around the house and tree it in my back yard. The cop pulls out his pistol and boom, plugs it! He was a regular died eye dick!  The headline in the local Butler County paper will read—Shooting in Erv Mellema’s back yard! A masked intruder was shot died by police while trying to escape by climbing a tree.  

A friend (i.e. an all-around-good-guy) invited me over for breakfast recently.  He made a German pancake.  It was really good.  This guy has talent let me tell ya!  ANYWAY he shared some wisdom with me.  He told me that he sent an email to his family about some family business.  He was trying to be funny (i.e. in his mind) but his sister took it personal (i.e. it wasn’t funny to her; he really hurt her feelings).  He had to eat crow and he apologize profusely (i.e. humbled himself to her and the experience was humbling to him).  He really felt bad. Soooo this week I was reading James and I had this written beside this verse --…you double minded…humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up—said by this friend in a men’s get-to-gather some time ago—it was my friend I had breakfast with).  Huh interesting.  Our daughter reminded me the other day to not take other people’s reactions personal (i.e. you just can’t figure others out sometimes).  More wisdom.  And folks, don’t take my attempted humor serious or thinking it’s directed at you personally; I’m not serious and it surely isn’t directed at you (i.e. ok, maybe just at one of you haha).  Such is life.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--“I knew the risk. The yellow fuel warning light was illuminated in my car. But I had driven many times before while the light was on and had never run out of gas. Because I had gotten away with it before, I believed I could do it again. A few miles down the road, my engine sputtered and I found myself stranded. I had become complacent, and it cost me. In our passage today, we see that the Israelites had also become complacent. In their renewed peace, power, and prosperity, a false sense of security had taken root. They used their resources to make themselves more comfortable and glorify themselves. They were slothful, gluttonous, self-centered, and arrogant. God sent Amos to warn the leaders of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel. Just as other great cities around them had been destroyed because of their pride and complacency, he warned them that they also would be destroyed. He showed them their sin was unacceptable to God and would not be ignored. There would be a price to pay.” Do you think this is a hypothetical story?  Do you think this could happen to America?  Or is that toooo a hypothetical scenario in your opinion?  I have said this before, and the story hasn’t changed (i.e. my opinion)—The snowball is going down the mountain at a very fast pace and getting bigger and bigger.  I don’t think it can be stopped without a major situation (i.e. it is beyond control).  BUT God is God and He can do anything he wants when he wants toooo (i.e. He is in control).  I believe that.  Come on folks, we are stubborn, cocky, stiff-necked, self-centered folks. Don’t kid yourself.  It’s all about the money!!!!

I get/gotten a lot of encouragement from many of you.  Thanksamillion! This is what I got from a friend I made at a State Basketball Tournament game probably about 10 years ago (i.e. we were sitting next to each other).  He lost his wife 7 years ago.  He said—erv, you will never get over it, but you will get through it.  Here is some advice I got from a golf buddy/friend I made in AZ--Pastor Rick Warren said it well when he wrote, "This life on earth is merely a temporary assignment". WorldClassLarry told me—You can’t get to heaven until you move to the next level.  BigPete emailed me—erv, big hug from over 6 feet away. Your faith will pull you through (i.e. he’s not a believer—or the last time I asked him he wasn’t).  He amazes me; he is a friend who accepts me as I am, and I accept him as he is.

There are nice folks out there; some of those nice folks are you guys, for sure.  You know who you are and you know if you aren’t!  GeorgeTheCrook says—I really don’t know where I’m on that one.  ANYWAY, last Sunday, Palm Sunday, our CO family went on a 10-mile bike ride.  That is pretty good ride for Jimmer (i.e. ya gotta get them started early).  So the kids found a plastic Easter egg by the trail—they opened it and it had some candy in it with a note that their next egg would be under the bridge—they were excited and rode hard to the next bridge but didn’t find an egg soo they reversed direction and found another bridge; yep there was the egg under the bridge with candy and a note saying that their last egg would be down the trail on the hill with a nice view to enjoy their last treat.  Soooo they rode hard again and climbed the hill and found a package of Hostess cupcakes.  Some person(s) gave a couple of kids a fun day.  I think those folks are pretty neat! Whoever they are.  They will never know now will they.  BUT...!

There is an age-old discussion that faith should be a manufactured feeling and is learned, like a robotic feeling like artificial intelligence and some think it’s more of an emotional feeling.  I think maybe some of each (i.e. my opinion).  RickyRick says—"There is very little in the Bible about the technique of knowing God’s will. But there are thousands of verses that talk about developing a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. Why? Because God’s will is a relationship. The better you get to know him, the less confusion you’re going to have about what his will is. When you get to know God, everything else becomes secondary.” I was at a church service the Sunday before the lock out with a friend and the pastor used the lyrics from a song—God is good and the congregation responded, God is good all the time.  Then he said—God is good is good all the time and the congregation responded, God is good.  It was easy to tell that the folks thought it was uplifting and encouraging (i.e. my opinion). In this situation (i.e. the beginning of the coronavirus world), it appeared it was a perfect saying for our emotions directed by this pastor.  ItchieBitchie (i.e. a regular hyper dog) says--It can depend on the setting and also the realness of the person saying it (i.e. not if it is a manufactured, robotic saying).  Some of you might think the saying is hypothetical.  And some of you totally believe it.  Why the difference! 

Can you be comfortable regardless of the situation?  How much of a feeling is just in our head do you think?  AverageJoe says—erv, you don’t know what’s in my head; there is a lot of junk that you don’t have a clue about. Maybe our feelings are just hypothetical.  We had a few pieces of furniture at the memory unit in Arlene’s room.  When friends of the church hauled them back, they smelled to me. Was it an actual smell or was it in my head?  The next day the main piece was on the burn pile.  I didn’t like the smell.  I think my smelling was good!  I do. BUT it might have been in my head. I was telling our family that I can’t go out and buy new furniture; folks will say—look, as soon as Arlene dies, he buys new furniture.  Our kids said—Dad, no one will know and no one really cares.  Maybe it was just a hypothetical thought or feeling I had.  Could be. Or maybe not.

MissPerferfect says—When we get desperate, formality goes out the window. When we aren’t desperate, we imprison ourselves in customs and formalities a.k.a. rules and laws (i.e. sounds like the Pharisees). This is not hypothetical.  Oh no.  Things are changing and will always change.  I think that this virus thing will drastically change our future in many ways (i.e. my opinion). MyBigSister (i.e. only in age) told me recently that she had an examination of her eyes by Zoom. The doctor told her she had an infection and gave her a prescription.  Yes, things are changing.  The social distancing has really made folks inventive and creative in many ways (e.g. churches—doing things that they said they would never do—what?!—maybe this will change some things for ever—like working from home--GeorgeTheCrook says--I bet my money that there will be changes—it will never be the same).  You think sooooo?  That is what I thought. My cleaning lady just called and told me she would be working from home and will send me instructions on what to do. 

Soooo I called my doc and asked him if I could have a zoom exam of my head as I get confused some.  He said sure (i.e. a Master Card can get you most anything), just put your ear up to the camera and I will examine your head.  He muttered, oh! uh, yikes!  Pretty bad huh doc? I can’t find anything in there except a few cobwebs!  When I was a kid, I wanted to have a Daniel Boone raccoon cap, you know the kind with the tail; Chester and Anna never gave me my wish.  But I felt like the frontiersman Daniel Boone was; yes I did.  This is what Daniel said—He was once asked, “Have you ever gotten lost in the wilderness?” He said, “No, I’ve never been lost. I’ve been bewildered for weeks at a time, but I’ve never been lost.”

I read this in our Booster Group book that shows that others get confused too (i.e. even world-famous folks).  Sir Winston Churchill said—Neither the French nor the Americans baffled him. Not even the Nazi Germans left him bewildered. But the Russians unpredictable and illogical actions frequently throw him for a loop. After another Russian surprising decision he said—“It is a riddle, wrapped up in a mystery, inside an enigma.”

I understand that some “hand on employees” are complaining that their bosses/supervisors are working from home.  They want them to work at the office and not from home.  They say, it ain’t fair.  Well CharlieBrown, the world isn't always interested in justice and fairness. Well, some jobs you just can’t do at home (e.g. medical jobs, truck drivers, convenience store employees, grocery store employees, drug store folks, police folks, factory workers, etc.).  Ya, maybe it is not fair; I don’t know.  The only thing that is fair is The Butler County Fair and that is in June.  Maybe those that have to actually go to the job site think those that work from home are playing computer games and drinking beer.  I don’t know. There is a study that says--Folks who work from home are more productive. That study might have been done by an owner's two stay-at-home black labs!  I did ask a friend who is a business executive about how it’s going working from home.  He said, it’s not much different as I spend about 70% of my daily time on the phone but he would rather be in the office setting.  They, being the health officials, suggest that these types of job personnel should work from home.  Sooooo who is top management or boards going to listen to.  We know the answer now don’t we.  CadillacJack asks—I don’t know, who will they listen toooo?  MaryEater from Chattanooga, TN says—I don’t drink beer while working from home but each time I pass the frig, I take something to eat; if this continues toooo long I will need to get some bigger britches!  Oh, I bet you folks who think it’s unfair that some folks get to work from home really snort about the employees who get full pay for 3 or 4 months and don’t have tooooo work.  I figured that would put a burr under your saddle!  JoeMagic says—Now that is magic (i.e. not hypothetical)! GeorgeTheCrook says—Yabut flip the pancake, soooo just maybe the folks who are complaining that they have to work should be happy that they have a job and getting paid (i.e. there might be others who are envious of them).  I bet they never thought of that!  Such is life.

CrazyMarvin says--But in the nick of time I figured it out. It is a good thing, or it would not have been good folks. This is what Crazy Marvin figured out in the nick of time—Riches are a good handmade, but the worst mistress! CrazyMarvin, I’m going to cut you some slack. Yes, I am. I think that your situation is not as bad as you make it. Like every disaster, the situation is not as bad as the media portrays it.  JoeAdvertiser says--Bad news (i.e. bader the better—we-are-all-going-to-die news) and disasters are what folks like to hear and watch.  If more folks watch, we get more advertising dollars (i.e. more viewers—it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out).  A golf buddy who manages a grocery store said their sales have doubled.  He hopes this bad news continues! Saturday question—What do folks do with all that food? Remember what my mentor would say to me—erv, when things are good, folks think they will be good forever and when things are bad, they think they will be bad for ever! 

I believe that heaven will be indescribable, unbelievably great; way beyond expectations. The only reason I can believe that is because of what Jesus did on Easter morning. The resurrection gives us hope. Without the resurrection, we wouldn’t have a chance at heaven.

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

erv

MyFreindJean says—Forget what you have done for other people and remember what other people have done for you.

un momento!

Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity confuses almost everyone. However, he did try to explain it in layman terms thus: “When a man sits with a pretty girl for an hour, it seems like a minute.  But let him sit on a hot stove for a minute—and it’s longer than any hour. That’s relativity.”  Un momento folks, it’s realativity that I can confuse some of you but flip the pancake, it’s also realativity that some of you also can confuse me.  Yes sir baby and I don’t mean maybe!

I read this in a book—one person’s opinion.  BUT I think he is referring to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.  I think.  It’s all confusing to me.  Way over my head.

A friend really confused me the other morning at breakfast.  I don’t think he meant toooo but did.  BUT, I’m easily confused soooo it doesn’t take much.  We talked about our opinions of the coronavirus.  We both had our opinions, some the same and some different.  How many opinions do you think there are?  What I learned is how different folks think (i.e. there seems to be paranoid folks on both sides of the fence).  Probably tooooo some degree, it depends how it affects us personally.  Also, for sure, how we are programmed by our past environment and our current environment.  Some folks seem to be crazy from our perspective—folks who are from either side of the fence--their perspective.  Sooooo many different opinions.  Some pretty crazy (i.e. my opinion). Very confusing to me.  No question.  As a song says—The world is funny and people are strange!  GeorgeTheCrook says—Talking about the virus is almost as bad as talking about religion, money or politics.

TomSmart, who smiles through his gritted teeth, asks--May I interject something here?  I know a lot and want to tell you how you should act but I don’t act that way because I’m toooo important. MyKidSister says--"I would rather see a sermon any day, than hear one."  AverageJoe says—Un momento, actions speak louder than words; words really sometimes don't mean much; sometimes they just make the person feel good who is saying them (i.e. puffs their egos)—my opinion. 

I enjoy the Socratic method of teaching and conversation.  It is used a lot in education of lawyers I have been told.  Socrates seems to get the credit for starting this method but I think God should get the credit.  You remember the story of Job and particularly the conversation he had with God?  It goes like this sorta kinda told in erv’s language—Job questions God, like do you, God, know what you are doing.  God then questions Job like, un momento, where were you, Job, when I made this earth and everything in it.  Job was very humbled and then understood that he didn’t know much (i.e. felt very small). There are some folks who are pretty full of themselves (i.e. like all of us at times). I think we can be pretty cocky at times like we think we know all the answers.  LuckyEddie says--You know my brother-in-law Ned?  If you don’t, you are lucky; he’s the champion of thinking he knows everything! Oh ya let me tell ya! 

Recently I was on my way to meet a friend for breakfast and was following a gal in a $50,000 sports car.  She tried to pull into the drive-thru line of Starbucks.  The line was long and stretched into the street.  There was another gal in her $75,000 heavy-duty- all-chromed-out 4-wheel drive pickup also trying to get in line from the other direction.  There was some horn honking and then some nudging forward when all of a sudden the gal in the $75,000 heavy-duty-all chromed- out 4-wheel drive pickup squealed the tires and almost ran into the gal in her $50,000 sports car (i.e. a real babe-battle).  Un momento! This is just over one babe getting her $5 cup of coffee with 560 calories 3 minutes faster than the other babe!  This is a first world problem alright! What a hoot!  I had such a good laugh! Soooo do you think these gals had toooo much confidence or very little confidence? That is what I thought. 

A friend at breakfast recently educated me (i.e. his opinion) about several things.  Here is one. He told me that folks who use Facebook are folks from all different backgrounds.  The backgrounds we mainly talked about was their financial and educational and social backgrounds.  He thinks that folks from all backgrounds use Facebook but some folks from certain backgrounds seem to use it more than others.  I found that interesting.  He is a big Facebook person (i.e. has a huge massive number of friends).  He accepts almost anyone’s request as he doesn’t want to hurt any one’s feelings and besides, it’s good for his business.  Sooo what is your thinking as to the profile of the major users of Facebook?

I talked to a friend who manages a sorta kinda a truck stop, car stop with all the trinkets and a fast food restaurant also (i.e. a pretty nice place).  They do the works.  ANYWAY, I asked him if it is hard to get good employees—not really—I have had very good success with high school age kids and college age kids; probably some of my better employees.  He asks them if they have any friends who would like to work here (i.e. birds of a feather flock together).  Also, they help him screen other folks their age (i.e. they don’t enjoy working with poor employees either).  He also thinks that some managers are better in handling employees than others.  He said that younger folks are more positive as they know that this is just a temporary job while middle aged folks might feel maybe bitter as they feel that they are stuck.  Now that could be.  I don’t know but it could be.

I have a friend who can’t get his breath to do anything physical.  The doctors say he has blockage.  Has had it 2010, 2014 and now again plus 2 heart attacks.  He said he can still drive and can eat like a horse but can’t feed his horses. Sooooo we did breakfast a while back (i.e. he ate like a horse).  ANYWAY, he’s a developer and house builder who closed on a house Friday.  He did a walk through and discovered that a faucet was missing.  Soooo he hired a plumber to put in a facet he had purchased at Menards (i.e. plumbers like to install their own products).  The plumber said that there was water in the faucet and it probably won’t work.  My friend said—Put it in as he thought he was playing games with him (i.e. didn’t believe him).  Soooo they did the final walk thought with the new buyers and the faucet didn’t work.  He took it off himself and took it to Menards to exchange—out of stock—drove 1.5 hours to the nearest Menards which had one in stock—was checking out and it was over 90 days soooo they wouldn’t exchange it!  I laughed really hard.  I told him it takes a good guy to tell that story about himself.  Soooooo I told him that I am concerned about him and I really care about him.  I asked him if he is scared about dying—no, I’m not; I will be alright if I don’t do anything stupid and I won’t.  Un momento! What my friend, you just told me the stupidest thing you did to save $10.  We laughed really hard. He expressed how important our friendship is—when we talked about serious stuff other than faucets, the feelings and emotions really changed. Maybe all of us should count time by heart-throbs.    One of their daughters is a medical doctor who is an expert in palliative care (i.e. speaks all over the world).  My friend told me that she says—Death is a natural part of the process of life. Oh, my friend said—If I decide to have a funeral, I will have it in my will that it will be invite only! He didn’t tell me if I’m on his list!

Coach says—"People say all the time—It runs in my family.  Yes, some diseases do run through our genetics. No question but most things run with the family.  Many things don’t run in the family ‘cause the family doesn’t run.  That can go with habits, lifestyles, diet, attitude, work ethic, kindness, faith, negativity, etc.  And exercise is the #1 activity we have to control our health.”  You get it. Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  My friend with the heart issue told me that he could really help himself if he would lose some weight—you going to do it—probably not.  Huh, interesting. I have an acquaintance who I really like.  She is maybe about 20 with a pleasant, kind, caring personality it appears.  She has told me some stuff about herself and her family.  The other day I saw her again and we conversed.  I asked her if she is still living with her boyfriend—yes, but some days I get soooo mad at him that I would like to punch him in the face—being bold, I said to her, maybe you should consider ending your relationship as it will not get better but only worse. Un momento, it is really hard to change someone. She didn’t say anything to me (i.e. I think she already had that thought).  I would really not want her to start her life with something ugly (i.e. like being a single parent mom). A friend and I have talked many times that for a person to change, they have to have to really want tooooo and usually they have to have a faith in God experience; otherwise, it doesn’t happen very easily (i.e. our opinions).  It is what it is.

I read this in a book that really made me laugh! Wife hunting

 Un momento!  I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—"One of the common issues discussed among smart folks is what’s known as impostor syndrome. Folks who have attained the highest level in their fields nevertheless find themselves feeling inadequate, doubting their abilities, fearing that the world will one day realize that they are a fraud. Instead of resting in their hard-earned success, many live with a restlessness that won’t allow them peace.”  Soooo I assume that means that some folks think they are frauds and are faking it.  Myneighbordownthestreet says—What you think is what you’ll be!  ItchieBitchie, who uses zany mental gymnastics, says--Soooo probably if you think you are a fraud, you probably are a fraud even if others don’t know it (i.e. some probably do).  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of time, some of the people all the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time. Such is life.

Dr.J says--God’s worthiness grows with the realization of His impact in our life. Praise Him today for what He has done for you.

Un momento!  Don’t get on me toooo bad about this “It’s Saturday.”  JoeBlow says—What erv doesn’t know would make a library anybody would be proud of!  Now that sorta kinda sums it up.  Such is life.

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

erv

MyFreindJean says--Find little ways to make part of your day like a day off.