might change my tune

JoeHistory, who is a head shaker, says--The king was scared to death. When people are panicking, they get emotional. They start making illogical requests. Maybe it’s best that we try to understand why they are panicking before moving ahead.  Psychologically, it seems to be better if we know why the person(s) is thinking the way they are thinking (i.e. why they are programmed by their genetics and/or their environment both past and present) if we want to do a better job in motivating them to something better. 

It seems I have read a lot recently in many different sources of how people are stressed about life in their current situation about the pandemic.  Most stress seems to be about their safety, their health, and their finances it seems (i.e. great sources of anxiety).  Are you stressed? I have learned that there is a huge massive demand for bikes, boats, campers, swimming pools, flowers, etc.  I tried to buy some new biking shorts the other day and basically they are all sold out unless you wear XXL. Sooooo if you want to sell your stuff a.k.a. junk, this is a good time to do soooo. The housing market is booming as well. I have no idea what this all means. Maybe I am missing the boat and LittleJimmer is right.  He told me last week—Grandpa, you need to buy a new car as your seat belts are tooooo hard tooooo buckle!

Infection isn’t always bad.  Some folks infect us with a positive, uplifting feelings.  Of course, there are some who infect us with a negative, demeaning feelings.  They are both infectious folks.  One of Churchill’s leadership qualities was to tell the folks the situation but always end his speeches with something positive that wanted the people to charge forward.  I like that.  The people he was leading did tooooo.  I enjoy being around folks who are sincerely encouraging (i.e. not over the top encouraging—faky).  Many of you are great encouragers.  I hope you and I encourage others.  I think it’s very important for us to uplift folks.  We all need encouragement and need to encourage (i.e. my opinion).

PastorJack (i.e. anybody can be a Jack) spook at our church Sunday.  I thought he did an excellent job and I told him that (i.e. my opinion). He spook about the responsibility of parents and particularly dads in the teaching of their children.  He did say that it is a bit awkward, tricky, and difficult to teach adult children, their spouses, grandkids and great grandkids.  I agreed with that tooooo.  ANYWAY, that afternoon, our son, wife and grandkids facetimed with me.  Had a great conversation about many things.  One thing we talked about was their friends’ electric car.  This friend appears to be a great success—they became friends in college.  He is from Africa, stayed in U.S., worked in technology, started his own company, married and has a family.  I asked our son how his company is going due to the virus situation.  He didn’t know.  I suggested he ask him.  He might want to have someone to share his situation with, whether it’s either good or bad.  I think many times we talk about cars and stuff but not about sharing our life’s situation with others or giving someone an opportunity to express themselves.  Was that good parenting or did I put my nose somewhere where it didn’t belong? Maybe that is one of my stupid times when I should have said nuttin! I don’t know.  Sooooo the next day I read about a person who gave an opportunity to a friend who was never vocal about his faith and who is now struggling with their health.  They asked him if he would like to share his faith in God with them. The person took advantage of the opportunity to share and seemed to welcome the opportunity.  Probably never really had the opportunity to do it before.  Idea for each of us.  Maybe.  JoeBlow says—It’s easier to be a chicken! Bok blok bagok blok bok! LuckieEddie says--It's better to be a chicken than than the possibility of being roadkill! That my friends is called risk and reward!

Do we ever think about the “stupid” things we’ve done in life? Occasionally a moment, a word, a person, or a circumstance will remind us of a mistake we’ve made, and we say to ourselves, “I should have known better.” In those thoughts, I am embarrassed with myself and regret how I may have hurt someone maybe. I don’t like it when I have messed up (i.e. I beat myself up).  WorldClassLarry says--The person with wisdom knows (i.e. through his own experiences, I’m sure) what happens when we put wisdom aside and rely on our feelings and interpretations.  Wisdom might change a person’s tune alright.  Paul (i.e. anybody can be a Paul) says--Every professor who ridiculed you because of your faith and every friend who tried to convince you to abandon your faith will one day praise Jesus. Every entertainer who made a mockery of God’s name and every politician who opposed his ways will praise him. Everyone (i.e. that's a big number folks) will one day bow before Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11). CrazyMarvin (i.e. who thinks differently) says—Wow! That will be one humbling experience for all of us exposing what we have said, done and thought in our lives.  Yikes! That might change my tune!

Theguyfromnorthoftown says--It’s always easier to pull people down than pull them up. That’s why we must make sure the people we hang out with the most are moving us in the right direction. They should be building us up rather than tearing us down. I have sorta kinda been wondering about a friend if he and I are going the same direction.  I am going to see what happens.  He seems to have changed.  Saturday question--Where do you want to be in 10 years? What kind of person do you want to be? LuckieEddie says--If you tell me two things about you—the people you spend your time with and what you’re reading—then I can tell you where you’ll end up, without even knowing you. Those two factors will determine your future (i.e. now that is a pretty powerful statement). 

Soooooo I called a super senior friend and her senior daughter answered the phone using her telemarketing language.  I let her go one for a while as it was quite entertaining and then said it was me.   Oh oh, she changed her tune.  It was rather funny.  The next time she saw me she apologized profusely.  What a hoot!

WorryWartJane always thinks everything is a big deal and GetItDoneDotta just does in and it’s done.  There is a big difference in those two.  Why is that do you think?  One makes a lot of noise and makes it a big deal and the other doesn’t make any noise and has it done in 2 minutes.   Some folks always have a lot of drama with everything and others seem to have no drama.  Some can see a problem and can figure out how to fix it and another can’t see the problem or can see it but can’t figure out how to fix it.  Maybe some like to worry and stew about it more than others.  I don’t know.  What do you think?  That is what I thought. I know friends who get more done by 8 in the morning than others do in a week (i.e. but they can talk and stew about it for days).  Joesixpack says—My wife can make the simplest thing to do soooo hard a.k.a. soooo complicated! I think that is soooo funny or crazy!  GeorgeTheCrook says—Maybe that is why some are better leaders than others. Could be. Could be!  SusieQ says—There are problem solvers and there are problem makers, for sure!  I don’t think she will change her tune on that!

We seem to all have phobias, prejudices, complexes, opinions, beliefs, paranoia, idiosyncrasies, behavioral disorders, bad habits, deficiencies, conditions, egotistical behaviors, limitations, and God only knows what else.  And that makes us who we are.  And we wonder why we always don’t get along very well.  I was sitting on the front porch of James and Heather’s house in CO.  A little girl, who lives across the street, told us that they have about 99 birds in their garage.  The lady across the street goes hysterical.  Another family is really big into car racing and has race cars.  And those are just the folks across the street.  AverageJoe says—Those folks don’t seem to be normal like me!  haha

GeorgeTheCrook says—What really is bad is when we don’t know we have these odd qualities and think we are perfect.  Or maybe even worse than that is being around someone who think they don’t have any of these qualities but do.  ItchieBitchie says—"There are two kinds of folks—those who come into a room and say, ‘Well, here I am!’ and those who come in and say, ‘Ah, there you are..’”  Had the oil changed in my car.  One of the mechanics at this automotive dealership is a friend and has been there for 38 years.  We were talking when a cute, attractive 35ish gal was my service representative.  I said to my friend, things have changed in those 38 years.  He said, they sure have.  You have to be careful now how you act and talk with working with females.  Oh, she a good person and great to work with. She is just part of the team; don’t let her looks fool you, she can trash talk with the best of us; she doesn’t get offended and doesn’t take things oddly! ItchieBitchie says—Some folks are the problem and some are problem solvers! CadillacJack says—What is really ugly is when a person is the problem and doesn’t know it (i.e. which might be all of us to some degree).

Talked to a friend who I haven’t seen for some time at the grocery store.  I asked him how his golf game is.  He said—I don’t get any better but I play a lot.  Then he told me that he doesn’t complain anymore though—I use to complain but one night at league I was complaining that my game didn’t get any better when my opponent asked me if I practice—no, I don’t—then quite your complaining.  I changed my tune and have not complained since.

She changed her tune; I mean completely changed her tune.  A friend told me that she has changed her vision of her future recently.  She made a complete change in the direction she was going.  I asked her why.  Well, I got tired of my situation and also the remarks of a couple of folks made to me.  She seemed really happy and excited.  I’m happy for her as I think it’s a good decision for her.  I think it’s good to change our old tune sometimes.  BUT she already has had a disappointment in going forward with her new tune.  We talked about that.  That can and probably will happen.  That is why many folks won’t change their tune.  I told her to look at it as an opportunity.  We laughed!

I said to a friend recently—I haven’t heard back from a friend of hers about a potential business opportunity; I don’t know if that’s good or bad; how do I know!  Now ain’t that the truth.  I have no idea.  I have had it times when something that I think is really good turns out bad and also the opposite when I think something bad is happening to me and I find out it’s really good.  And when I find out, I change my tune!  And sometimes, maybe, I never find out I bet (i.e. ‘cause it’s way beyond me, over my head).  BUT many times it takes me some time to figure this out.  I need to be more patient. 

Many of you think what you just read is “lunie tunie.”  BUT you never know, some ideas might cling to you like a barnacle (i.e. why is that).  There are a lot of folks who have a lot of “how-tooooos” and will tell you them all but don’t seem like they have applied them to their own life (i.e. hopefully that is not you).  WorldClassLarry says--It’s better that we don’t nudge them by telling them that!  They seem to think they know all the answers for sure! And that thinking could be all of us to some degree tooooo!

I am about 100% certain that this “It’s Saturday” didn’t change your tune one little iota. That’s my opinion for whatever it’s worth (i.e. and it ain’t worth nuttin—you can bet your last dollar on that).

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

erv                      

MyFriendJean says—Junk is stuff we throw out. Stuff is the junk we keep.

sick of it

The dying words of Crowfoot, a leader of the Siksika First Nation, were, “What is life?  It is a flash of a firefly in the night.  It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the shadow that runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”  I think that is soooo true, soooo true.  ANYWAY, the Woodworth family kept me really hopping in CO.  We didn’t waste any day light.  It’s tooooo valuable, for sure.  Early one week-end morning we all went paddle boarding (i.e. saw a lot of beach bodies)—I had a fun experience, then they made brunch, then we all rode a 10+ mile bike ride along the Cherry Creek.  I had soooo much fun and the grandkids were soooo tough and fun.  Then they grilled steaks.  LittleJimmer took a big piece of steak on his fork and was eating off it.  His parents got on him and his sister said to him—Jimmer, you can’t eat like a savage!  He said—We are all savages ‘cause we eat meat! Sooooo I wonder, do those folks have beach bodies ‘cause they paddle board or they paddle board ‘cause they have beach bodies?

CadillacJack says—The signs of ageing are different than the sings of maturing; they are not the same.  Somethings look soooo easy to an experienced eye but to an inexperience person, somethings are very haphazard no matter how old they are or how good they think they are.  What is soooo unique is that it is easy for one is not easy for another no matter what age they are and how good they think they are.  BobbySmart says—It was amazing how smart my parents became once I got older.  But some kids, it appears, never grow up in maturity, only in age.  OneSmartPerson says—That is something that I just don’t understand no matter how old I get!  Why don’t they? Thepersonnorthoftown says—I quit trying to teach one of our kids but the other one seems to get it.  The one is hopeless I think!  She is 56; time is running out! I am sick of it!

BUT I suggest we become careful that we don’t get the rockin’chair mentality when we get older and develop the sumo wrestler body physique.  I think it’s very important to keep some of the youthful excitement and adventure (i.e. my opinion).  I got up early one morning and went for a hike on my favorite trail on Mount Falcon.  It was a beautiful morning and as I was doing my accent when I heard some heavy breathing behind me.  It was an old lady, about my age, and she went around me like I was standing still.  I just laughed. She didn’t have a sumo body or a rockin’chair mentality!  haha

It appears that Microsoft continues to change things.  Maybe they do that to make things better or maybe they do that because folks get bored and lose their attention.  I think both.  We get bored and change gets our attention and refocuses us (i.e. many folks get sick of it the same all the time).  Maybe.  Same Old Same Old is just that.  But change takes a lot of effort and time (i.e. it’s a lot easier to just stay the same).  Of course I say that with tongue in cheek as I get bored quite easily.  And many folks don’t like change at all. 

Some things will change and somethings don’t seem to change.  Heather is a very active gal and seems to be a good manager of her time.  She has been a friend with another nurse for maybe 18 years.  They run together usually three times a week at 5:30 a.m.  Last Saturday I was on the patio reading the Denver Post when she got home and she said that they ran 8by8—8 miles by 8 o’clock.  They both work, have children, married, and just are very busy gals.  There is a difference what folks do with their lives now isn’t there.  WorldClassLarry says—Some folks get sick of their old life and change to a new life.  They just have had enough of something they don’t like; exercise seems to change a person’s attitude and a change in attitude usually makes a person much happier (i.e. change what feeds our souls).  Soooo throw those chips away, get your butts off the couch and become a new person. Maybe, just maybe, we need to try to do something more than just enough to get by!

RickyRick says--Since decisions matter so much, we must be wise in how we make them. The book of Proverbs says: “If you want better insight and discernment . . . learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting him . . . He shows how to distinguish right from wrong, how to find the right decision every time” (Proverbs 2:3-5, 9 TLB). AverageJoe says—I know more than God sooooo I don’t need to heed that advice.  Soooo you think AverageJoe, sooooo you think! You think you are very important and know almost everything. AverageJoe but maybe you are not and don’t know everything. AverageJoe says--Is this all there is to it?  I accomplished it and got 15 seconds of Ethiopia and it’s done  (i.e. over).  I wonder if I’m focusing on the wrong things. 

I read in the Denver Post the other morning sooooo it must be right —If you are sick of something, spend more time in gaining knowledge and less time in being entertained.  Saturday question—What have you learned lately that is just soooo exciting?  I have observed Erin and Jimmer for about a week and boy have I learned a lot.  Such fun.  A great education.  It’s amazing what ice cream can reveal! CoachB says—True learning doesn’t happen until something changes.  LittleJimmer is doing a learning series on his iPad and this was his learning station for part of his session.  I just had to laugh.  BUT, I did learn something; I learned that kids are really innovative and creative and seem to adapt to change in a fun way.  Sooooo when he was in another session, he fell asleep.  I asked him why he did that?  He said—I don’t know, I was reading and the next thing I knew, I was asleep. I didn’t plan it!

So this situation isn't as simple as it might seem on the surface obviously.  I was telling Erin and Jimmer that they are very nice.  You impress me how polite you are to others and treat each other soooo nice.  Erin said—Grandpa, we aren’t really that nice to each other as sometimes we get sick of each other.  Jimmer piped up and said—Now that is true.

This update also contains bug fixes and improvements. MissPerfect, who one day is unknown and the next is world known, says—Don’t believe everything you read in this Saturday.  I don’t and I’m much better off, believe me.  Sooooo I was sitting on the patio watching the grandkids playing in their inflatable swimming pool about 30 feet away.  Jimmer said to me—Grandpa you were napping—no I wasn’t; I just had my eyes closed but saw everything you were doing and heard everything as well—no you didn’t; I hollered loud at you two times and you didn’t move; you were napping—no, I was just fooling you—no grandpa, you were napping! 

A friend who he and I go a long way back, I mean a long way back.  He’s retired but told me this story that I don’t remember as we were having lunch after an old goats' golf outing—I was teaching (i.e. many many years ago, when he got kicked out of a high school class for his conduct and was in a study hall I was monitoring.  I told him if he wanted toooooo he could come and take a class I was teaching instead of having two study halls in a row.  He did.  In fact, he told me that this class helped him in his occupation later in life.  ANYWAY he told me that he and his wife each Sunday watch the church they attend on line and then go to a different state park.  They have really enjoyed themselves and really enjoyed the peace and being together.  It appeared that they liked the change, maybe they were sick of the old way! 

I have a friend who I have know since he was maybe 12 or soooo and is now maybe 23. We played golf together and got to know each other.  He had a bad attitude in thinking his luck was always bad.  He would say—My Luck!  Meaning that in a negative way.  Soooo my friend read this. 

A long time friend who I first met when I was coaching high school basketball.  The Dike Bobcats, the team he played on, beat our team in 5 overtimes.  He was the star.  We just couldn’t stop him.  What a game.  Then their daughter and our son was in the same class and we worked together on the prom and we became friends.  ANYWAY, he sent me this story--  You’ve probably read the story but this comes from a market letter I get. -- A Losing "Coin Toss" Proves to be a Big Winner! It was on this day back in 1973 that a chestnut colt named "Secretariat" and nicknamed "Big Red" won the hearts of Americans by becoming one of the greatest horses in racing history winning the "Triple Crown" and breaking the record for the fastest time ever at Belmont. Interestingly, Secretariat was won in a coin toss between Ogden Phipps and Penny Chenery, who had taken over the running of the family stable when her father became ill back in 1968... Below is the story of the "coin toss". I always find it interesting how the choice was reasoned out and what ultimately happened. (Source: Wiki)----Bold Ruler was the leading sire in North America from 1963 to 1969 and again in 1973. Owned by the Phipps family, Bold Ruler possessed both speed and stamina, having won the Preakness Stakes and Horse of the Year honors in 1957, and American Champion Sprint Horse honors in 1958. Bold Ruler was retired to stud at Claiborne Farm, but the Phipps owned most of the mares to which Bold Ruler was bred, and few of his offspring were sold at public auction.----To bring new blood into their breeding program, the Phipps sometimes negotiated a foal-sharing agreement with other mare owners: Instead of charging a stud fee for Bold Ruler, they would arrange for multiple matings with Bold Ruler, either with two mares in one year or one mare over a two-year period. Assuming two foals were produced, the Phipps family would keep one and the mare's owner would keep the other, with a coin toss determining who received first pick.----Under such an arrangement, Chenery sent two mares to be bred to Bold Ruler in 1968, Hasty Matelda and Somethingroyal. Penny Chenery, who then took over for her ill father, sent Cicada and Somethingroyal in 1969. The foal-sharing agreement stated that the winner of the coin toss would get first foal pick of the foals produced in 1969, while the loser of the toss would get first pick of the foals due in 1970.----In the spring of 1969, a colt and filly were produced. In the 1969 breeding season, Cicada did not conceive, leaving only one foal due in the spring of 1970. Thus, the winner of the coin toss would get only one foal (the first pick from 1969), and the loser would get two (the second pick from 1969 and the only foal from 1970).----It so happened that Ogden Phipps won the toss and took the 1969 weanling filly out of Somethingroyal. Chenery received the Hasty Matelda colt in 1969 and the as-yet-unborn 1970 foal of Somethingroyal, which turned out to be Secretariat.----The filly was named The Bride and never won a race, though she did later become a stakes producer.----After winning the "Triple Crown" and siring hundreds of winners, at the age of 19, Secretariat was buried at Claiborne Farm, under a tree in a pasture he loved to roam.----At the time of Secretariat's death, the veterinarian who performed the necropsy, Dr. Thomas Swerczek, head pathologist at the University of Kentucky, stated, "We just stood there in stunned silence. We couldn't believe it. The heart was perfect. There were no problems with it all. It was just this huge massive engine."

Suggestion.  If you are in the Denver area and want a fun half day excursion, I suggest you think about going to see St. Mary’s Glacier.  It far exceeded my expectation.  It’s about 1.5 mile round trip hike to the glacier and lake.  8-old Jimmer and 74-year old erv did it (i.e. very family friendly).  $5 parking and no other cost.  We took our lunch along. It was a very fun experience.  Some Denver University graduates carried their skis to the top of the glacier and skied down in their caps and gown.  Neat! The clock is ticking folks; the snow continues to melt!

This trip to CO was way different without thinking about Arlene’s Alzheimer’s disease.  No question.  It felt like I had freedom of that terrible disease (i.e. like a weight off my shoulders—like a new life).  Yes, I thought some about Arlene but all in a positive way.  C.S. Lewis said—All human relationships end in loss. I try to find something all the time to make me smile (i.e. something positive).  We had a very good life together).  BUT now I need to go forward.  I am excited about that as well.  I expect something really good to happen to me. I just have no idea what that is going to be or when.  I will try to be patient and also pray that I see clearly.  BUT there are lot of factors—known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Habit is like a soft bed--easy to get in but hard to get out. 

you ain't seen nuttin yet

I seem to go out on a limb a lot.  It’s dangerous I have found out many times.  Many folks won’t take any risk and just stay close to home; they like it that way.  And others go out on the limb more.  This “It’s Saturday” is going out on a limb.  Soooo don’t take me tooooo serious.  It’s just fun.  Relax a little!  If your feelings get hurt, change your attitude.  Don’t over react.  You know what folks, you ain’t seen nuttin yet as to what is going to happen!  Yikes!

Moviemakers use music to set the mode for a scene, and we respond accordingly!  No one hearing tense, “Jaws” – style music is expecting Julie Andres to bust through a door singing some happy tune.  I am not trying to influence you in any way.  Besides I can’t. You folks are who you are and hard to change in any way (i.e. you folks are tooooo hard and ingrained in your beliefs from your past environment and your current environment for sure).  Some of you I wish I could change but my odds are probably slim to none.  Soooo let’s accept each other and go forward (i.e. or not).  The older I get, the more I realize that a person has to be tough and gritty as life is not easy and if you aren’t, well, as my friend says—getting older isn’t for sissies and it just ain’t easy (i.e. you gotta be a tough old bird).  BUT there is certain thinking of others that I just don’t understand and never will—how can anyone believe in abortion and how can anyone not believe in God.  I just don’t understand those things.  But, many do they say.  I say to that—Ouchy ouchy!  BUT folks must think I’m crazy how I think.  I say this toooo many folks’ thinking---DA! (e.g. space is big; you just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-mindbogglingly big it is. It is incomprehensible!). DA!

KnowItAllJoe says--Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window.  Much of our future seems like it is unpredictable.  Much of my life’s future is unpredictable probably like much of yours.  Some of the future is predictable (e.g. things are going to change and is not going as predicted both good and bad—that is a certainty).  I think that is exciting and also can be scary.   My opinion is “we ain’t seen nuttin yet” as what our future will be.  God only knows! Many folks will be really surprised.  For sure! 

Warren Buffet says—In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield. My Daddy, Chester, taught me to be diversified in investing; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.  ExperiencedJoe says--What looks good today might not be soooo good tomorrow; what doesn’t look soooo good today might look pretty good tomorrow.  My mentor would say to me—erv, when it’s good, folks think it will always be good and when it is bad, folks think it will always be bad; life doesn’t seem to work that way. I guess we just experienced that once again with this COVID-19.  Will we ever learn?  We don’t seem toooo learn that very easily. It appears that there are things that humans just can’t control (i.e. the sure thing isn’t always the sure thing or is it).  According to the Bible, we ain’t seen nuttin yet! Saturday question—How long is eternity?

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it—Dr.J said—"We should guard against the desire to quit. Sometimes we grow weary, but we should never become weary of the work the Lord gives us to do. Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Hebrews 12:3 warns against becoming “weary and discouraged in [our] souls.” God has done so much for us. We should never become weary in doing good for Him. Make up your mind to stay enthused, determined, and active in whatever task God gives you today. Never grow weary in doing good. It’s always too soon to quit.” Sooooo let’s throw those chips away and get our butts off the couch and do something—suck it up cupcake and let’s get going. I pray for opportunities, and for the wisdom to recognize them and for the courage to act on them.   WorldClassLarry says—There are three kinds of folks, folks who are ignorant, those who sit up and notice, and those who do something about it.  A PersonFromTheMetro says—It doesn’t do much good to sit up and take notice if you aren’t going to do something about it (i.e. talk talk talk gets nuttin done).  The other morning I stepped out the door to go on an early morning jog when the robins were angry and making a lot of noise.  A hawk just swooped down and picked up a juvenile robin of theirs.  Those juveniles are stupid and vulnerable.  The hawk just caught it's breakfast.  I’m in CO supervising our grand kids as their day camps aren’t open.  Well, I don’t know if I am supervising them or they are supervision me.  It appears that some older folks get stupid and vulnerable with they get older as well.  They are old enough to take care of themselves sorta kinda soooo they basically take advantage of me (i.e. and I don’t mind it a bit).  Their idea is—If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts!  And I don’t know what the facts are anyway soooo…! Sooooo last week, I played pickleball and then rushed back to play golf (i.e. I walked). It was in the middle of 90s and humid.  Man was I tired and hot when I got done!  Soooo when I got done, I got a text from friends to stop for a ice tea on their patio soooo I did.  MyFriendBecky said—Your voice is strained.  It was, no doubt.  Even my ears were echoing.  I think I was over heated and dehydrated.  I drank the ice tea and a bottle of water and felt better.  Not real smart for an old guy!   Soooo the next day I get a call from an ol’ college friend from MN (i.e. old in more than one way and hot in more than one way tooooo haha).  He told me that yesterday he ran his skidster all day doing work at one of his apartment buildings in the same sun and heat.  He had a crew of day laborers and didn’t want to take a break as then they would as well (i.e. the day laborers really worked hard and never complained).  When he quit for the day, he was soooo hot and dehydrated that he lost his balance and could hardly walk.  Not real smart for another old guy for sure.  This is an experience of my old friend, Deano from Danube, MN.  He and I grew up together at Roseland, MN (i.e. he’s an old friend a couple of ways for sure). His story--I was in the McDonald’s drive-through this morning and the young lady behind me (i.e. about 35ish wiho had her hair in a pony tail sticking out her Yankees baseball cap and driving her $76,000 all chromed out 4-wheel drive pu) leaned on her horn because I was taking too long to place my order for my hot fudge sundae. “Take the high road,” I thought to myself. So when I got to the first window I paid for her order along with my own. The cashier must have told her what I'd done, because as we moved up she leaned out her window and waved to me and mouthed "Thank you.", obviously embarrassed that I had repaid her rudeness with a kindness. When I got to the second window I showed them both receipts and took her food too. Now she has to go back to the end of the line start all over. Don't honk your horn at old people.   When drinking coffee at the shed deep in Butler County in the middle of a huge massive corn field, a friend brought up an individual that had their picture in the paper tooting him as a star.  He asked me something and I said—He’s not a star in my eyes.  I don’t totally dislike this person but surely they aren’t a star in my eyes (i.e. this person has taken advantage of me tooooo many times and I can’t seem to forget it).  Many of you folks are stars in my eyes and maybe never will get your picture in the paper or want it in the paper (i.e. you are my kind of folks—folks with good hearts and don’t toot your own horn and don’t really want your horn tooted).  I admire you folks—keep it up—don’t get discouraged when “stars in the paper” get glorified who maybe aren’t stars (i.e. in your/my opinion). TommyClick says—I can use words/pictures to make anyone a star even if they are not considered a star by most.  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool some of the people all the time, all of the people some of the time but you can’t fool all the people all the time.  GeorgeTheCrook (i.e. who some think is a lump of mud) says--Let’s face it folks—people are really easy to fool.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out (e.g. there can be up to 8,000 folks at a protest/demonstration/riot but other requirements are enforced like only one person in a golf cart (i.e. what is good for the goose is good for the gander).  That is funny to me (i.e. funnier that the comics in the paper to me) but I admit, I’m easily fooled for sure. Is this a joke or are they serious? I need help here.  I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a quarter south of Roseland, MN.  And they are governors!! It doesn’t take much to be a star to the grandkids—hiking, fishing, biking, and ice cream is all it takes. I have not seen them for several months and I admit I am really enjoying them.  And have they grown a lot since I saw them, both mentally and physically.  This seems to be a very good experience for me and them.  I hope all of you can have a similar experience with your family.   Sooooo I stopped at Casey’s the other night.  The pizza gal was outside smoking.  I asked her if she liked her job—I hate it—why—it’s tooooo stressful!  Soooo I made my purchase and asked the clerk if she is stressed toooo—no, not really; only stressed about not having any money; my husband divorced me at Christmas time and with the virus situation, it has been really hard for me.  I transferred from Spencer to here to be with my boy and family who live here.  I like that and it has been much better for me, but I still don’t have any money.  A friend who is a long-time businessperson called me when I got home and told me that the low income folks have really been hurt maybe the worse.  Many have lost their jobs sometimes or have decreased hours because of the virus situation and or riots.  You tell me how this is all going to play out will ya! I don’t have a clue.

D.L. Moody once said—I have more trouble with D.L. Moody than any other person I know.  I think I can relate to Mr. Moody.  Recently, I have been rejected once again (i.e. I’m no virgin folks), but I think it might have been a blessing, maybe (i.e. but I don’t know if it was intentional or just an accident).  I have a friend who says that I’m toooo sensitive and they might be right.  Maybe this rejection might just toughen me up and I will become more independent, maybe. I might go in a different direction because of this rejection which might be good for me or might be bad for me.  Soooo there you go!  I have a friend who, I think, is very independent but very confident and also a very nice person (i.e. seems very happy).  I don’t know why they are this way, but I would guess there are reasons.  Do you think I’m talking about you?  I could be, maybe! You ain’t seen nuttit yet!  Here are some fun questions for you to think about.  I surely don’t know the answers but as smart as some of you are, you will, maybe!  haha  I like the Sunday School answers (i.e. they make sense to me).  How many times does a person have to hear something for them to believe it?  Does science fix everything which makes it the god of many folks?  Is news manufactured for a purpose? Are intelligent folks usually the first to believe things that aren’t true ‘cause the other folks aren’t smart folks? Do those not-smart folks out there give a hang about the “proper” beliefs? Hating is reserved for media figures, professionals, and older angry women—all know without a shadow of a doubt, they are smarter than those who disagree with them.  If we heard facts without someone else telling us how to interpret them, what independent conclusions would we draw?

Folks, sometimes I feel like Harold Macmilian, who was the British prime minister for nearly seven years who said—I am MacWonder one moment and MacBlunder the next!

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

erv

MyFreindJean says--Family is soooo important; enjoy them as much as possible.  On my way to CO I spent the night in Waukee with our other grandkids.  At breakfast we were talking about their day camp they attend.  Charlie brought up that a boy at the camp isn't very nice.  We talked about maybe it is because of his genetics or his environment.  Charlie said that she has met his mother and she seems to be nice.  Jessica said to her that maybe her mom is a lot nicer to him in public than she is to him at home.  Rookie then says--Mom, you are nice to us at home but even nicer in public!!!!  What a hoot!

it is but it isn't

ItchieBitchie says—This “It’s Saturday” is an equivocation.  erv, did you do that on purpose or by accident?  I’m being ambiguous and vague with my answer.  Soooo you decide and whichever way you decide, it’s ok with me.  Einstein’s long-time friend died, and he was consoling his widow.  He told her—“We physicists know that past, present and future are only an illusion no matter how persistent.”  Some think that statement might be Einstein’s deepest statement he ever made.  I don’t understand it and most likely most of you probably don’t either (i.e. BUT you can understand it any way you want).   It is hard to understand each other, let’s face it (i.e. everyone seems to have a different opinion); now that is for sure.  Sooooo read your own meaning into this stuff in this “It’s Saturday.”  If the shoe fits, wear it.  Such is life.

Saturday question—Are you real or a fake.  UckyYuck (i.e. who proves that “fool” has no age limit) says—I look really good but I’m a total fake on the inside. LuckieEddie says—IrritatingBozella (i.e. who appears to think different that most folks) just rubs me wrong and I don’t think I’m any different than the average Joe sooooo she might rub a lot of folks wrong.  Some years ago, I knew two folks.  They were supposedly friends of each other.  One told me that they just can't stand the other and then later the other told me that they can’t stand the other.  They both told me why they couldn’t stand the other.  It was quite interesting.  I guess they rubbed each other wrong.  I have no idea what happened to their relationship. But they are both died. Soooo I guess it really doesn’t matter now does it!

Flip the pancake—Recently I had two friends (i.e. both of these friends are neat folks) tell me about a friend they had (i.e. happened to be each other).  The first one said such nice things about the other to me and then at a later time, the other said such nice things about the other to me.  And the both of them did it in such a humble way making no reference to themselves.  They both gave me the feeling that they both were comfortable with themselves (i.e. had confidence--had a great feeling of themselves but thought the others were even greater). RickyRick says--Humility doesn’t mean thinking of yourself less. It means thinking of others and God more.

Maybe I see something that I haven’t seen before. I think, maybe, I’m figuring out a little of my life out a little, maybe a glimpse. Or is it an imagination?  Maybe.  This is pretty deep.  Maybe it’s only a temporary feeling like eating ice cream! I don’t expect my life to make any sense to you ‘cause it just can’t be understood by you; it’s way toooooo complicated even for me most of the time and you don’t spend near as much time with me as I do.  Soooo there you go, now you understand me!  haha  And you know what, my evaluation and interpretation might not be accurate; it might be like a mirage of an oases in the dessert. And maybe it is and maybe it isn’t!

A pickleball friend (i.e. a good guy with a good heart) sent me this in an email.  He’s a devote Catholic.  The reason why I tell you that is because the story is about a couple of other Catholics.  In one of your blogs you said something about actions are better than words, and it reminded me of a story that I heard at a retreat.     This young nun was going around this church putting up large signs like "PRAISE THE LORD".   "GIVE ALMS TO THE POOR". and many others , when she noticed this older nun following her putting something on her new posters.  She looked closer at what the old nun was placing on her fine work. It was sticky notes that said.  " do it, damn it".  What you do is so much more important than words.

It is and it isn’t! If someone was to write a book or do a movie about our lives, what would it be like?  I’m thinking about a non-fiction book with no embellishments, exaggerations, adds to the story, fake stuff, not just based on a true story mentality which is made for a book or movie, but the real story of our lives.  All books and movies have a similar scheme as folks like that and they sell (i.e. it’s all about the money folks—you give folks what they want).  Many of our lives, we would think, would be pretty boring I would guess.  Many of our lives would seem pretty trivial, we would think, if we would take all the fluff out (i.e. no one would want to read or see it). What have we really accomplished that is important?  Hopefully we all have accomplished some great accomplishments; more than made some money or scored a touchdown in jr. high football bought a new car have a lot of clothes in the closet or have the best lawn mower on the block (i.e. material stuff).  What have we really accomplished?  Not what maybe others even know what we have accomplished (i.e. only each one of us knows these accomplishments that are soooo important to us).  We all know what we have accomplished and what we haven’t.  DuaneTheWorm says—I can fool others, but I have a hard time fooling myself.  CoachB says—What you are is much more important than where you are.  Think about that folks.  And zoooooom, life on this earth is over!

A friend was at my house and the door bell rang soooo I went to the door but no one was there.  Later the door bell rang again and I went to the door and no one was there again.  The third time the door bell rang and I went to the door and again no one was there.  Then they told me that it was their cell phone!  Now that is how easy it is to fool Suckererv!  Such is life.

I try more and more to stay away from folks who put me in difficult situations in my life and try to be around folks who help me in difficult times of my life.  I don’t need more conflict, but I like more happiness and contentment and peace.  Now I just have to decide and ascertain who those folks are.  I need more folks who will take me to the moon!!!!

I struggle with this thought some—Am I just passing time?  Should I be doing something more constructive or am I just wasting my time?  A friend told me that their son told her that her reading is not a hobby but she is just passing time!  I think reading is a good hobby and can be very constructive (i.e. at least I think it is).  I have a friend who reads informative stuff about investing. That is what he enjoys doing as a hobby or is he just passing time? It appears that we all pass our time differently.  Some friends just amaze me what they do in a day compare to me and others don’t seem like they do much compared to me.  Soooo what are folks passing their time to get toooo?  I mean, are we just passing our time until we die?  Is that it?  Then we just pass on! I hear folks say—It’s a good time filler or a good time killer! 

Worked on a little wood working project the other day (i.e. trying to be constructive) using a friend’s workshop. It went well until I broke the jigsaw blade. Sooo I was using the miter power saw to cut most of the excess wood off and then I thought I would sand the edges (i.e. ya got to be creative). That went well unto part of project chipped off. I glued it. I think it will look great when I get it done. Another day or two!! MAYBE!!!  You know a guy could get hurt doing this stuff.  But I passed some time!  It was probably a 15-minute project for my friend, but it will end up being a couple hour project for me.  And I will never forget this experience.  I will always laugh when I look at it. What a hoot! As a friend says—It’s good enough for who it’s for! And you know what folks, no one will ever notice or care other than me!

Soooo do you have hobbies that really relieve you of stress?  I guess many of you do.  You just really enjoy them and forget about maybe things that are difficult in your life.  These hobbies are different for different folks for sure.  Some of your hobbies would not be stress relievers for me but just would give me more stress.  As I told a friend the other day—If that is what you enjoy, do it!  He said—That is what I’m doing.  BUT I suggest we all do something; don’t do nuttin!  Doing nuttin is stressful!  Here is something that I can do sometimes—compare myself with others.  Some folks do way more stuff than me and I question myself if I should be doing more.  Then I say to myself, na, I don’t think sooooo.  I get tired enough the way it is!  Or as a friend’s friend tells him—When you get an idea of doing soooo much, just call me and I’ll talk you back to your senses real quick (i.e. get that out of your head). Soooo it is and it isn’t! Besides, three o'clock is always toooooo late or toooo early for anything you wan to do.  Presumably it is toooo late to have a post-lunchtime nap and tooooo early for a cocktail!

A friend, Jim, (i.e. anybody can be a Jim) made me a “bogeybird.” That is sorta kinda one of his hobbies.  I like it. It makes me smile and also reminds me of him, a good guy with a good heart; my kind of person. But what I really need is a “birdybird!”  My big couz, only in age, sent me an email and here is part of it about her new hobby--I am also cleaning dresser drawers, I asked Ron to carry a large garbage bag down and toss it. He said “wow, you cleaned all the drawers today?” I said “ no , just two.”  I wondered who in the world would ever keep the stuff I did!! I love the one totally empty drawer.  Nuts, I know !!  Believe me folks, she is a star!  I love her!

Friends went to the Cities’ suburbs to celebrate one of their daughter’s 50^th birthday.  Their sons-in-law (i.e. both good golfers) took my friend (i.e. a good golfer for an ol’ guy) to play Chaska Town Course (i.e. a very nice course).  At the first tee, a gal, about 20, comes up and says she is suppose to play with them sooo they cordially receive her.  My friend says—We are going to play captain’s choice and greenies.  You want to play with us—sure—we play for quarters and the maximum you could lose is 75 cents a hole, can you afford that—I think soooo.  She tees offs with my friend from the middle tees.  After the round, she has 13 hickeys, my friend has 3, one son-in-law has one and the other none!!!!!  Now that is getting your clock cleaned! 

Yes, some you folks are going places alright.  BUT I don’t know and you don’t know where you are going!  God only knows.  I listened to Charles (i.e. there a lot of Charles) the other day and he said—The first part of the equation of having inner peace is to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and then we don’t have to worry about where we are going after our death (i.e. that takes a lot of pressure off).  Another suggestion he gave is to totally believe that God is sovereign.  Yes, he said, God does things, let things happen and doesn’t let things happen (i.e. all in His own time that is best for us) but He is totally in charge.  That also takes a lot of pressure off us.  JoeBlow says—That is easy to understand and at times it isn’t!

Very simple advice from a simple place for sure.  I think for some folks this isolation makes life a lot easier; they don’t have to be around certain folks.  GoodExcuseJo says—Sorry I can’t be around you to talk, it’s the COVID-19 thing (i.e. she didn’t want to talk to BigMouthGert for sure) soooo that is her excuse.  Or sorry, I have a business call on the other line soooo I have to go.  Or, I’m working from home and am busy right now. Or, you are in a highly dangerous health risk category soooooo I don’t want to put any risk on you.

Have you ever been in a group of folks in which you feel “it is and it isn’t?”   Something seems like something is just a little amiss.  It is not a bad feeling necessarily but it feels that things just don’t fit completely, maybe?  There could be many reasons for that feeling and some of those feelings might not even be correct but might be our imagination or how our mind has been programmed by our past environment or our current environment, maybe. We can actually get along well with the folks and enjoy their company but fell that the situation is a bit amiss. And I think that feeling of amiss might be a very good experience for me.  Maybe that is discernment, maybe (i.e. maybe it’s a blessing with wisdom).  Instead of being a negative, it might be a positive, maybe.

This “It’s Saturday” was not a prevarication.  I can assure you of that.  WorldClassLarry says--This equivocation thing works in the make-believe world and can be even fun BUT in the real world it causes many problems.  In “Hamlet,” William Shakespeare wrote, “How absolute the knave is! we must speak by the card, or equivocation will undo us.  CadillacJack say—Throughout all history propaganda has been a huge massive force that has been used (i.e. used very effectively—a great war tactic and also used in many other ways). WildWilie says—It is used constantly and every day!  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! A friend told me this story in the shed which is deep in Butler County in the middle of a huge massive corn field.  A friend of his, I think maybe, who is now died, told all the farmers that a farm that was for sale was a piece of junk and was way overpriced (i.e. really bad-mouthed it).  They asked him who ended up buying it--He and his son bought it!  Flip the pancake.  This friend who told me that story told me a story about himself—He went to a land action as he was just being nosy as toooo who was going to buy the farm.  He thought that the farm was crazily under priced so he put in a low ball bid and no one else bid and he bought the farm.  When he got home, his wife asked him who bought the farm—we did—don’t be funny, who bought the farm—we did—and she said—and how are we going to pay for that!  FYI that farm is worth about maybe 10xs more now as what they paid for it. Some folks get all the breaks!

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

erv

MyFreindJean says—Live simple, love generously, care deeply and speak kindly.