A while ago when we were still having our Booster Group,
Judy told us that her Daddy would say—I’m going outside to get the stink blowed
off! A friend said that this quarantine/isolation
has changed our direction. Could be for
many! I have noticed a big increase in
folks walking, jogging and running. I
think they are getting the stink blowed off! Fascinating to me! AverageJoe
says—I think some still stink!
Keep it simple stupid!
This is a “spin off” of what a lady said in an Alzheimer’s support group
I was in in AZ a few years ago. She said—The best thing folks can do for me is
tell me that they care about me (i.e. that’s a “game changer” folks). Ok, here is the spin off—I read this in the
paper sooooo it must be right, to really help someone who is hurting (i.e.
especially in this time of isolation) give them a call and tell them you are
thinking of them. There is no need to have any other agenda beyond that. Ask
them if you may call again because you care about how they are doing. I
personally can attest to that (i.e. folks, I’m just being real —I think I’m a
normal Joe)—and a lot of you do just that.
That is a fascinating feeling. Bingo!
The old cliché is—Nice guys finish last. I say bologna to that. Nice guys are winners before the game even
starts. Many of you folks really fascinate me (i.e. you are winners). Yes you do.
You see the big picture. Some of
you expose your thinking to me and others either don’t see the big picture or
elect not to expose yourself or elect to be more generic (i.e. I understand all
of your positions with none being right or wrong—whatever works for you). I
really appreciate/appreciated your words to me through many many cards, phone
calls, emails, visits and texts. They
are heart-warming, prevalent, encouraging, emotional, loving etc. They are/were really good.
Thanksamillion. A friend called me and
sorta kinda stammered and stuttered and then said—This is soooo hard for me erv,
to call you and tell you how I feel; I just don’t know what to say (i.e. he was
sooooo honest but soooo real). It is sooo awkward for me. We had the nicest
conversation once we got past his feeling of scariness. He wanted in the worse way to talk to me but
yet didn’t want toooo (i.e. it happens to all of us). LuckieEddie says--Sometimes it feels soooo
good to step out of the boat and walk on water (i.e. after we do it anyway—haha).
I asked our children how they are doing (i.e. a normal
typical question). Their responses were
very much the same. It might sound harsh
or crusty or not correct from many folks’ thinking, but both said they are
relieved; relieved for Mom to have it over, relieved for them to have it over
and relieved for you, Dad, to have it over.
It has been a long battle for all of us (i.e. Alzheimer’s is a terrible
disease). Arlene and I are/were
believers in Jesus, and we believe that she is in heaven. This makes Arlene’s death much easier to
accept and lot less frustrating and even fascinating (i.e. my opinion).
Here is an uplifting and fun email I got from a guy I have
never met but he follows me on my blog and who got to know me because of that. He was given the link from a pickleball
friend in AZ (i.e. printed with his permission). Erv, Sorry to read that you'd
lost Arlene. I was lucky enough to get about 5 more years than that with
Joan. Think we'd both agree that we 'done good' in picking our spouses
those long years ago. As you say one has to be glad their suffering is
over. I found it hard to grieve after Joan passed because of that aspect.
I don't have any impressive advice to offer. Take some time to get your
own life normalized again. Just maybe some lady will come by and offer
you some well done BBQ ribs too. There are many things that are good
about her, but she just doesn't quite 'do it' for me as a wife #2 altho
she'd like that. Don't know why she's so anxious cause I'm not that great
of a catch; lungs are shot; cranky old grouch, etc. Wish you well establishing
a new normal. You appear to have a good relationship with God, that
should help. And, keep having coffee with the boys and girls at the
cafe/elevator/golf course/etc. Be Well,
Here is another message from a friend of ours who was very
special to Arlene during her last part of her life (i.e. sorta kinda a unique
situation they developed because of this gal’s kindness and talent). This is what she wrote—erv, I’m so sad to
hear about Arlene’s passing. A light has gone from the world. At the same time, I’m glad she is no longer
struggling and that you no longer have to watch her struggle. May the Lord bring you and your family peace,
strength, and support. I’m thinking of
you. Condolences,
I could share many many many more of fascinating words from
you guys. All touching in their own way
because of the relationship you had with Arlene. All uplifting and pertinent. I used these couple only in trying to express
that Arlene is rejoicing today for sure—"What a day of rejoicing that will
be” as it’s been a long battle for her and us.
As the song says—The battle is over, and Jesus is Lord. That takes some of the frustration away and is
quite fascinating to me.
Coach says—It’s your way and not your want that determines what you get.
He continues in saying that the way is our actions. Now that is fascinating to me! Yabut Coach, the paper says it’s the
government’s job is to give me what I want; you say not sooooo! Who do I believe anyway? Saturday question—Are you a pessimistic, a
realist, or an idealist? Really!
About the wind. I do not like strong wind. I see that many others don’t either as there aren’t near as many folks outside when it is windy. But it is windy in IA, especially in the
spring. Wind can affect my attitude and
also what I do. Yes it can. I have these
two Buzza mottos on the bathroom wall off the bedroom (i.e. Arlene never really
liked them in her decoration scheme but was tolerant of me). I think they are soooo relevant to life in
general. The schooner on the ocean shows
me that in life we will be tossed and turned by the wind; it’s just the way it
is going to be sooooo don’t be surprised erv.
It’s life. 
I know folks who are very windy about
themselves (i.e. probably most of it they say is mostly true but I don’t know)! These folks can always “one up anyone” with
them being better than the person telling them something. They can also do it better and faster than
who ever is talking. They love to talk
about how great they are a.k.a. they are self-glorifying like DuaneTheWorm, the
purple ribbon winner—he will go down in history as the best and he will tell
you let me tell ya. SusieQ
says—Thosekindoffolks only get along with thosekindoffolks! No one else really wants to be around them.
Birds of a feather flock together. Don’t kid yourself. It doesn’t take a rocket
scientist to figure that out. Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool some of the people
all the time, you can fool all the people some of the time but you can’ fool
all the people all the time.
Folks ask me what my future is going to
be. I have no idea and am not worried
about it. It will be just fine, but I
don’t know what the fine is. It’s
actually pretty exciting; a new adventure for sure but of course
different. I’m totally convinced that
something good will happen. I just don’t
know what that good will be. Have you ever been sooooo fascinated that you
stand there with your mouth open and just wonder (i.e. I’m not talking about
when you are sleeping)? I have; it’s an
interesting experience. I hope you have
had the experience. I think of the
disciples after Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection. They stood there with their mouths open
looking like they were catching flies and probably saying maybe—Now what. They, of course, figured it out. They had to go forward; they had no choice. CadillacJack (i.e. who tries to climb Mount
Everest using dollar store equipment) asks—How many self-help books have you
read? Many! They do folks no good if they don’t act on
them and most folks don’t (i.e. no matter how much a person underlines or highlights)! The only folks they help are the authors who
get your money, suckers!
Maybe I’m toooo optimistic and not realistic
enough. Could be. MissPerfect (i.e. who can be pretty full of
wind sometimes) says--An idealist is one who, on noticing that a rose smells
better than a cabbage, concludes that it will also make better soup. Coach says--What is the first thing you think
about when you wake up generally sets the tone of our whole day. Soooo set your day with a thought of purpose,
and passion; your day will be much better.
It will; no question. Something
positive is much better. A friend called
me the other night to see how I was doing.
She told me she eats, watches tv, eats, does a puzzle, eats and eats
some more (i.e. I don’t think it’s that bad but she was poking fun of herself,
but it could be haha). She said she is
really getting lazy. I think she needs
to think about something else!
GeorgeTheCrook says—Thinking about negative news and thinking about food
is not a good combination! Ouchy ouchy!
What you think is what you’ll be! Now that is fascinating to me!
JoeBlow
asks—How do you determine if a person is a fool? Just because they disagree with us doesn’t
mean much as maybe we are the fool and they aren’t even though we think the
opposite. Have you ever had a discussion
with a person who you think is a fool?
How did it go? That is what I thought.
WildWillie says—Anyone who doesn’t agree with me is a fool ‘cause I’m
always right! Soooo he thinks! Some
friends who have moved back into Iowa registered as independents as their
political party. We had a very
interesting discussion and probably all agreed that maybe it’s time to have a
third political party that would encompass the moderates of both the current
political parties (i.e. exclude the radicals). SusieQ asks—Can you even have a
discussion with a radical extremist? Have you ever had a discussion with my
sister-in-law Betty (i.e. she really is fascinating to say the least)? Wow!
A
friend said to me—erv, how in the world did you ever get Arlene as a wife? She
sooo beautiful and sweet. How did you
pull that off? I agreed with my
friend. It’s fascinating; it had nothing
to do with money! haha! Let me tell you the story. The first time I saw her she was sitting on
the steps of Zwemer Hall at good ol’ Northwestern. She caught my eye and I stood there and just
watched her for some time. The line of
guys was 10 deep and I was #10. Some
reason, which I have no idea, eventually I worked up the line through time and
got my chance. Happenstance, na I don’t
think sooooo. Soooo the answer is, I
have no idea. It’s just fascinating. I
have had sooooo many good things that just fell into my lap (i.e. this was one
of the best). I have no idea why.
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:
erv
MyFriendJean says--Faith means holding on tight when the going gets windy.
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