infect

I read that modern references to “Ponzi schemes” refer to the fraudulent investment plan started by Charles Ponzi in the 1920s. He promised unrealistic rates of return—and succeeded for over a year—by paying initial investors with money from new investors instead of from actual profits from investments. In all such swindles, the victims have absolute faith that the conman will be true to his promises. None of what is written in this “It’s Saturday” is a Ponzi scheme as far as I can tell but some might be.  I can’t control the opinions of my imaginary friends especially ItchieBitchie; she can get way out of control with what she says.  Soooo take that all into consideration when reading this week’s version.

JumpStartJim, who is gutsy, says--I didn’t realize I was like COVD-19… an infectious disease! Sooooo are you and I infectious? A friend told me that when he was coming out of anesthesia, he was not a nice person.  His thoughts were bad and his talk was bad.  He wondered if he was alive or dead as he didn’t know what was going on.  He questioned himself if he was this way his whole life and didn’t realize it.  I talked to him maybe 6 weeks after this experience and he was still confused and questioning himself.  I asked him what his relationship with the Lord is.  Some of you might say—erv, you were either brave or crazy.  I might not want to be around you as you might ask me that. Could be but my friend sure didn’t seem very peaceful.  Harold Macmillian, who was the British prime minster for nearly seven years, said, “I am MackWonder one moment and MacBlunder the next.”  ANYWAY, I think that is a very legitimate question.  What is soooo hard about it?  It’s like you asking a friend what their relationship is with their dad.  They will tell you, usually (i.e. they know for sure).  Soooo what’s sooo difficult about answering that question. It is like asking—Do you like the MN Vikings? But folks don’t ask each other that question even in churches that they have been attending for 30 years.  Sooooo there must be something scary about it or something.

One person or one event can infect everything sometimes (i.e. either for the good or for the bad).  One rotten apple in the barrel seems to stink up the whole barrel. ItchieBitchie, who can be a swashbuckler at times, says—Yabut, a little bathroom spray can make everything smell good (i.e. but sometimes it takes more than other times--haha). Soooo do you think it is easier to attack or defend?  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that—A person’s abilities are tested best when defending rather than attacking.  I don’t know if that is right but maybe it is.  I don’t know.  What do you think? That is what I thought.  I tried to put myself on both sides.  I still don’t know what I think. CadallicJack says--If you don't accept responsibility for your own actions, then you are forever chained to a position of defense. Sooo erv, what does this have to do with the price of tea in China?

I played pickleball with the locals at an area church Tuesday night.  A friend said—erv, I had to grow up this year—what do you mean—I have to make the turkey this year—how old are you anyway—60—it’s about time (i.e. she had to put on her big girl pants--haha)!  I had this gal as a student a zillion years ago; I nicknamed her Squirt!  I still occasionally call her Squirt ‘cause she still is a squirt to me (i.e. and a good pickleball player I might add)!  I really like this gal; she is a real person, a good person with a good heart; my kind of person.

Here is something that can infect folks in a very positive way.  RickyRick, who might be the brother of RichyRich, says—"It is called the ministry of presence. When you’re ministering to someone in pain, you must remember this: The deeper the pain, the fewer words you use. If somebody’s having a bad hair day, then you can talk about it for 30 minutes. But if that person has a major crisis, talking about it for a long time is probably not going to help. Just show up and shut up. You can’t talk people out of their pain. Some pain is beyond words. When it’s the right time, your hurting friend will say something. When it’s the right time, then you’ll be able to say something too.” GeorgeTheCrook, who seems to keep his head, asks—Why do we think we always need to talk?  Wouldn’t it be better if we would just listened? Most of the time, others don’t want our advice or opinion.  If they do, they will ask. They usually don’t. It seems like I have a hard time just being still!  I’m really going to try to be better at that.  We will see.  No promises! For sure. 

Giving directions is such a tricky area.  An eight-year old kid gives grandma instructions on how to use her iPad (i.e. they say to grandma--everyone knows that grandma).  Grandma is giving her eight-year old grandson (i.e. or her 25-year old grandson) instructions about something about common sense (i.e. they say to the kid—everyone knows that grandson).  Have you ever expected the other person to understand the instructions you are giving them, and they don’t and then latter on it causes a problem that you have toooo fix?  Have anyone gave you a lingo about instructions about something that they are very much an expert in, but you are not and then they ask, any questions? Directions are tricky alright.  Maybe that is why the military goes over a procedure time and time again (i.e. practice practice practice).  They try to make sure everyone understands the directions.

It appears that a little over 50% of Americans who have voted indicated that they want the United States (i.e. which we are surely not united in our opinions) to go in a different direction.  Is this a good decision do you think (i.e. probably depends what camp you are in I would guess)? Our country is about 254 years old (i.e. really not very old).  I wonder if the Revolutionary War would have been won by the other side if things would have been different.  I wonder about the same with the Civil War, 1^st WW and the 2^nd WW, Dessert Storm War or any of our other country’s wars.  Surely those outcomes would have made a massive huge difference to the U.S., the world and each of our lives even though it appears that the results are largely forgotten.  History will prove once again what results this decision will produce.  Soooo how do we know what good is and how this decision will affect us?  Good, it appears to me—my opinion, is something I have in my brain, heart, mind and soul.  Soooo good might be something different to different folks for sure.  I read in the paper soooo it must be right—It is disquieting to see language being manipulated to imply the opposite of what people think they are expressing. Time will tell folks!  I probably won’t see the big result in my lifetime. Oh, those emotions can misdirect us sometimes.  Haven’t we seen this in world history? And some you don’t agree about that either!!  haha We have freedoms in America. America is a democracy. Voting is one freedom we have to express our beliefs and/or emotions. I had a friend from another country express to me that he does not like to see Americans soooo split in their views.  Maybe he is just a nice guy or maybe he thinks this could have a major impact in the world. Huh interesting.

I, erv, get infected by them folks (i.e. some of ‘em folks are you guys).  History seems to show us how folks get infected by leaders (i.e. both good and bad).  Sometimes we can’t tell who are the good leaders and who are the bad leaders.  Soooo is that fate?  Is that something divine? I don’t know that.  I do ponder that though.  In the world, we know that different CEOs, coaches, parents, bosses, friends, religious leaders, spouses, government leaders, etc. can really make a difference (i.e. infect us) in our lives and our success and beliefs.  Some folks make good decisions toooo what they buy into and others don’t.  Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  And some folks don’t have a choice who they are controlled by (i.e. seems like they have no choice).  And some are probably brainwashed. Some folks live miserable lives their whole life.  And some seem to elect that lifestyle! Ouchy ouchy!

I have read the book Endurance by Lansing.  It is a classic non-fiction about the ship Endurance and the crew who tried to cross the Antarctic overland in 1915. Well they got frozen in.  It was recommended to me by my friend JimTheMI-Engineer. I have really enjoyed it.  It might not be the most popular recent book. I got it from a local library and it was last checked out in 2015 (i.e. but it was checked out 19 times since 1999 to 2015—some folks liked it).  But it’s older but the story is the same!  Here is a part about being infected.    

The book has been read by many, I think, because it’s a true adventure. It parallels our lives.  And we know the outcomes of the book and many of our lives—HAPPY! It has hope, disappointment, miracles, tragedies, etc.  It shows how much our bodies and minds can endure if we have the right attitude.  Maybe, it is perfect timing for me as I am in a new adventure with a new chapter of my life. Could be.  I suggest you give it a read.

I had a friend call me that normally doesn’t call me.  He talked about how this year has been tough on a lot of folks, him included, because of all the political turmoil and the virus situation.  I surely agreed with him. He concluded our conversation in telling me—erv, love your kids and their families even if they don’t agree with you on some issues.  What great advice.  There are maybe families that don’t agree about issues and it has affected family harmony to a point of not loving each other anymore.  His call was really not a normal communication that I would expect from this friend (i.e. this guy is wise and a good friend, for sure). It really was good for me to hear this—not just about family members but about other friends and acquaintances (i.e. erv, be more tolerant even when they aren’t tolerant of me—now that is hard to do sometimes especially when they are surely obnoxiously wrong haha). Thanksamillion my friend; you have infected me.  Sushma Swaraj (i.e. I wonder if any of you know about her) said—"My best friend and most trustworthy friend is my husband. I trust him more than I trust myself.” I bet very few toooo none know who Sushma Swaraj is or really care!  She was pretty impressive in her own right but not here deep in Butler County especially with the guys who drink coffee in the shed! She was known and is known by many folks of the world. Put this in your brain—sooo if she is that important and you never heard of her, how important are you?

We are infected by our past.  LutherMyLittleCouzFromRoseland sent our family this in regards to MyKidSisterDoris’70thBirthday that made me emotional (i.e. some of you folks say you like that when I’m personal)—“I remember going with your mother and Doris (i.e. my kid sister) to watch Erv play basketball at NWC. Your mother drove all the there and back the same day. Erv showed me his dorm room, pretty cool. I remember him telling the guys in the room to keep it clean because I was his little cousin from Roseland. Than he laughed. Your mother was a special lady.” That was maybe 55 years ago and LittleCouzFromRoseland remembers it. Huh interesting.

Recently I had sorta kinda a dilemma.  I want to start playing pickleball inside with the club that I usually play with in the metro.  BUT the virus is on a rampage soooo I really wondered if I should do it.  I decided I was going to do it.  Then I got up the next morning and my hip hurt me.  It never hurts.  What is going on.  I probably couldn’t play and probably shouldn’t play.  Decision made for a few days.  Is this crazy or a blessing or happenstance or what?  You every have stuff like this happen to you. 

A classmate, Zinger, of good ol’ Danube High (i.e. class of 63 which makes us 75) usually keeps in touch but hasn’t for a while.  I get this email from him that is something--Sorry I haven’t stayed in touch. I haven’t got a good excuse so I’ll try to make one up. I have age related macular degeneration. So, I’m blind on my left eye but so far my right eye ain’t real bad. We inherit this from our mother. I knew Mom had this and I knew I might have it some day. But, I wasn’t worried cuss Mom was really old when she had it. Well, I did the math and guess what? She was about 75.  Other than that and being hearing impaired life is really good! 

The other day probably was my last round of golf for 2020.  It was a beautiful sixty-degree day with acceptable wind.  I scored well and enjoyed the company (i.e. a good combination).  ANYWAY, on the tee on #3, I said to my senor guys—My body really feels good today, better than it has for some time.  I think I might have been infected with the virus—why do you think that—I have been tired and felt lazy and my whole body hurt for a few days.  They all said—That is how they feel all the time!  Soooooo maybe I didn’t have the virus.  haha  On the 7^th tee box, DownTheMiddleRon, who I was riding with, said I better start hitting a few down the middle or you’ll change my name!  Soooo DownTheMiddleRon, when are you going to FL for the winter—a week from tomorrow—you have told me different dates about three times—I’m impetuous and indecisive—can you be both—I am—I know you more being impetuous--probably. MyFriendSometimesDownTheMiddle infects me! 

Our daughter, Heather, had two imagery friends when she was a little girl.  They were Cindy and Beaner.  Imaginary friends can get by with almost anything.  They are soooo much fun.  You have any imaginary friends, or did you?  Here is a meaningful parable of an imaginary friend—There once was a mouse that lived in a tavern. One night the mouse found a leaky barrel of beer, and he drank all he could hold. When the mouse was finished, he sat up, twirled his whiskers, and looked around arrogantly. “Now then,” he said, “where’s that cat?”

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Alone we can do little, together we can do much.   Helen Keller

ugh

I texted a golf buddy/ friend and told him he gets all the breaks as corn went up 16 cents.  His response--What can I say...take pie when pie is passed...maybe that's why I'm carrying 15 extra pounds..was going to say 10 but I have to be honest once in awhile. Ugh!

Ambrose Blerce, in “The Devils’ Dictionary,” defined optimism as “the doctrine or belief that everything is beautiful, including what is ugly.”  That makes me smile.  A friend, at breakfast the other day, told me that the church he attends uses a determined doctrine for the pandemic: Their precautions for the virus are done half way (i.e. they do about half the suggested precautions and not the other half).  That makes me smile toooo.  Ugh! And what makes it easy is that folks can pick the half they like; it’s like a regular smorgasbord! Guess what, he and his wife got the virus!  Yikes!  But I don’t know if they got it from church.  Some folks have been very careful and others not soooo much (i.e. difference of opinions for sure).  I wonder if folks have different opinions about religious doctrines that have been established (i.e. pick the ones they like). Ugh!

ItchieBitchie, who lives across the tracks, says—We have to abandon the idea that schooling is something restricted to youth.  How can it be, in a world where half the things a man knows at 20 are no longer true at 40; and half the things he knows at 40 hadn’t been discovered when he was 20? Ugh! SusieQ, who at times has a hard time making up her mind but is soooo sweet, asks—Is that a joke or is that true, I can never tell erv if you are serious or kidding with me! SusieQ, your guess is as good as mine!

WorldClassLarry says--If you’re going to be good at anything, you’ve got to accept short-term pain for long-term gain. Why is this resolution important in our lives? Because most problems in life come from the inability to delay gratification. Society teaches us to say, “I want everything and I want it now and I want it free and I want it easy.” Life doesn’t work like that! Ugh! AverageJoe, who seems to always have his wheels up, says—We are going to experience pain in life. But if we choose to do the hard thing right now and put in the effort and discipline to learn, grow, become strong, and mature, then later in life we’ll get to benefit from all of that. AverageJoe, I don’t know if it always works that way on this earth.  It sounds good but I question if it always works that way. Life has obstacles that always don’t seem to allow us to enjoy the benefits (i.e. that is real life).  Just hard work always doesn’t cut the mustard.  BUT I agree that you will be a better person and have a much happier life if you work hard and do what is right (i.e. use your talent to the fullest and work hard to get to your best level of success that you are capable of—be an over achiever instead of an underachiever) but there is no guarantee. Do you honestly think that everything the politicians are saying they are going to do? Their common statement is after they are elected is—My hands are tied, I can’t get it done (i.e. scripted before they even get elected—Elected 101)  Ugh! It’s all about the money and power folks (i.e. my opinion). SlimySlick says—Flip the pancake, sometimes I hope what the politicians say they are going to do, I hope they don’t do!!!!! haha

MissPerfect, who is thrilling but not pretty, says—You can’t deal me the aces and think I wouldn’t play them! I recently was thinking about a friend who has a very opinionated spirt and expresses it in how she thinks and talks. My opinion is that it is to a point of she being a tad over bearing.  I think it might be a damaging mentality to her (i.e. very narrow).  Extremes usually cause problems for folks. Many conversations between folks that don’t know each other are quite interesting (i.e. my opinion).  What do folks talk about?  For retired folks the conversation might be different than working folks who are 60 or 45 or 25.  I think it is quite often.  Many folks define themselves by what they do for a living, their occupation.  Folks ask each other—Soooo what do you do?  And many will try to make their occupation sound as important as they can (i.e. even embellished) to make them appear important.  And then there are others who downplay their occupation or don’t talk much about it (i.e. it is not that important to them—that isn’t who they are).  I find this very interesting.  I think I can tell somewhat of what a person is all about by just listening to them. Sometimes I say to myself when listening to some folks talking about themselves—UGH! 

RickyRick, who might be the brother of RichyRich, says—"When you look for your identity in other people, you’re not going to find it. When you look for your identity in your job or your hobby or your accomplishments or your causes, you’re only going to be disappointed.” Soooo where do you think RickyRick thinks we can find our identity?   JoeBlow says—It has to be in money and toys! RickyRick says this--Most people have no idea what success really is. Some people think it means you make a lot of money. But you can make a ton of money and be an absolute failure. Some people think it means being famous. But you can be famous and totally miss the point of life. So what is real success? The Bible says real success is being who God made you to be. It means you’re not trying to be somebody else or what your parents wanted you to be. You’ll only find real success when you spend your life as the person God created you to be. SusieQ says—I wish God would have created me to be something else.  What was He thinking anyway? He must have been having a bad day! Ugh!

When I was a little ol' farm boy a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN, Anna, my Mom would say—erv, eat over the table (i.e. I heard it a lot; I must have been a sloppy eater).  It was not a suggestion but a mandate (i.e. Anna was not treading a verbal needle).  She knew I spilled and would make a mess and mess up my clothes that she would have to clean up.  And there was never any blowback from me.  I knew she was right as I respected her.  Soooo when you are told to eat over the table do you listen?  Do you give some blowback? SpoiledWalt says—I hate that when folks tell me to eat over the table (i.e. in other words, boss me around).  Ugh!  I rebel and give them some blowback.  SpoiledWalt thinks he’s smarter than the average dog. Ugh!  Do you know any SpoiledWalts?  Do mothers still say to their Juniors—Eat over the table Junior!

MissPerfect, who seems to be a prophetess, says--Whatever moves the heart wags the tongue.  Ugh!  Now we have to find out what moves her heart soooo we understand why her tongue says what it does.  Isn’t the mind really something?  Now that is pretty complicated.  My Daddy, Chester, liked to play checkers.  We played some but I never could beat him and he never let me.  He could think one, two, or three steps in advance, I couldn’t. Not good in checkers was I.  I lost interest real quick.  I wasn’t any good at it! Just like when we played couples’ bridge, I would rather eat the snacks and talk.  Of course that didn’t work for the more serious players.  Probably that is why I wasn’t much good at that either but I didn’t really care.  Could be!  Ugh!

 “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world” C. S. Lewis.  AverageJoe says-- I’ve noticed something as I have aged and my hearing has degraded. When you don’t quite catch a comment, you get tired of saying, “Huh? What did you say?” or, “Could you repeat that?” Soooo you just ignore what was said and hope it wasn’t too important. Seniors Beefeater, Baits, Hagen, and Digger played a round of golf and stopped at the club house when done for a beverage and talk.  They sat 6 feet apart as suggested.  None of them can hear very well sooo when they got started talking about politics, they didn’t hear half what was said and the other half they didn’t hear as they didn’t agree a.k.a. selective hearing.  I wonder what they told their wives when they got home (i.e. if they could remember any of it; maybe they just made it up).

Mark Twain says—The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lighting and a lighting bug. I struggle many times if I should do something or not.  One minute/day I think it’s a good idea and then next I don’t think it is (i.e. maybe I think it is the right thing to do but others might think I’m goofy).  My history is I tell myself to just do it.  I usually do (e.g. should I send a note or not). SusieQ says—Doesn’t everyone like attention and appreciation?  Don’t you? BigHeartMary says--The safe life is a life protected from loss and disappointment, a passionless life that is afraid to love and live. Sooooo do it even if some might think you are goofy (i.e. way out in left field).  Ugh!  PsychologistJoe says—When you think of others it is soooo good for yourself as well as others.  You believe that?  That is what I thought. erv says—The difference between doing something good and doing something good that is maybe thought by some as goofy is like the difference between a $100 bill and two $50 bills!  WorldClassLarry says—If you do it there is between 0% to 100% chance that you might knock the socks off someone and if you don’t do it there is between 0% to 0% change that you will (i.e. those are guaranteed percentages folks, for sure—you can take that to the bank)!

Are you a practical person?  CoachB says—Be realistic and practical folks.  84% of the folks dream about having success but 75% of those folks think about their success will be in sports, arts and entertainment. Reality is that only about 2% of folks find success in those areas.  Da! I find it soooo interesting that college education has majors that are fun but have very few jobs.  The old saying is—Some college education will get you a job where you will say—with or without fries! Those jobs don’t buy too many $75,000 pickups or half million-dollar houses if that is what your dream is.  Ugh!  But if that is not what your goal is, then don’t complain when others have them.

If we ask a little boy about kissing, he probably will say ugh!  Soooo who started this kissing thing anyway?  Why is kissing an expression of affection?  Maybe 30 years ago a group of guys went on a fly-in fishing trip in Canada.  We fished two guys to a boat and changed fishing partners each day.  One of my fishing partners/friend told me that his wife liked to kiss a lot more before they were married than afterwards!  He made me laugh (i.e. that is what I remember most about the trip).  I kiss our grandkids on their checks or on their heads but never on their lips.  I don’t remember them ever kissing me.  I kiss my daughter and daughter-in-law on their checks.  They kiss me on the checks and occasionally kiss me on the lips.  I have through the years kissed our son on the check.  I have kissed some of Arlene’s and my female friends on the checks who were soooo nice to us during her illness (i.e. and some of you have kissed me on the check—no guys though but have hugged many of you). Some families and individuals are more on kissing that others, for sure.  Are you a kisser? Some of you have kissed a lot of people through your years and others of you maybe only have kissed your spouse (i.e. and some of you don’t even like doing that).  This kissing is interesting to me. On TV and in the movies, male and female look at each other in the eyes and kiss passionately and then God only knows what happens!  Of course, that is TV and the movies!!! PuckerUpMitsi, who claims she is very good at kissing, says—This kissing has been going on for a long time and I’m good at it and I like it!

Recently I was having breakfast with a friend.  I had Greek yogurt with seeds, nuts and granola on the top with some fruit on the bottom.  I said I didn’t know if it is really as good as they advertise.  My friend said that Greek yogurt contains probiotics, which support a healthy bacterial balance in the gut; she uses it all the time and really helps her.  A gal a table over (i.e. with proper social distance) kibitzed to us and said—I’m not listening to your conversation but couldn’t help to hear about probiotics. I use them and they have really helped my stomach.  Soooo there you go; I heard it from a table over. Later my friend was telling me that there aren’t as many stores that sell women clothes as there use to be.  And also that many of the clothes aren’t as good as they use to be.  Some lose their shape and also their looks after a few washings.  I told her I didn’t know about that but when I was taking care of Arlene, I noticed that her bras weren’t very good soooo Jessica bought a couple new ones.  Boy was I surprised how expensive they were!  Then the home health care gals all gave me their instructions of how I was to wash bras and dry them (i.e. different opinions for sure but I listened intently). What a hoot!  The gal a table over did not comment! 

Was invited to a small little wine bottling party this last week of friends.  We had some chili and parfait and then bottled wine.  Of course we had to constantly test the wine to make sure it tasted ok and we also wanted to make sure we drink enough to kill any possible virus germs soooo we made sure we drank enough!  As the evening went along, all smiles got bigger and bigger!  It was a hooch!  I mean, it was a hoot!

Here is an ol’ Mellema family jingle that came from the NW Iowa Mellema branch of the Mellema tree which they learned growing up (i.e. very old jingle that might have even came from Holland) sent to me by the other Warren from Omaha------------Oh I wish I had ears like a donkey and the neck like an old kangaroo and the face like an old English bulldog and --- I'd look just exactly like you.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Sometimes we have to replace “what ifs” with some good old-fashioned “so whats.”

robot

Louis Shalako, in his poem “Mr. Robot,” included the verse. “I, robot/Don’t have the capacity/To dream about tomorrow/But I never spell a word wrong.” I find that funny and also thought provoking. 

MechanicalRobot says—I, robot/never mess up (i.e. never spell a word wrong)/but can’t love/in fact I can’t show any emotions/but am always accurate based on how I was programed. Recently, a golf buddy said to me—“That guy” is rude and obnoxious to me all the time.  He basically hangs around with his buddy who is the same way; they’re pretty much robots.  Soooo how does he treat you”—I have known him for years and he treats me about the same way (i.e. I basically ignore both of them).  Sooooo if my golf buddy and I think that, then probably others do tooooo.  We ain’t that smart.  I hope their kids are more like their mothers!!!!

I had a very interesting conversation with a freshman in college recently.  I asked this person what college they are attending and why.  Their response was pretty exciting to me.  They said (i.e. if I have it correct) it was because this highly selective, elite liberal arts college does things differently.  They produce the facts and let the students make their own decisions.  Wow!  That was interesting to me.  I goggled the college and they said this about themselves—We are a highly selective private liberal-arts college that produces critical thinkers using a core set of tenets-to be decisive, useful, curious and unafraid to take risk (i.e. not scripted robots of the philosophy of the university or the professors like some higher education schools seem to produce—my opinion). Here students are encouraged to be actively engaged with the wider world and challenged to think differently and act boldly.  That sounds interesting to me. 

Scheme it up! I was told this story by friends. It’s a story of their son of how you need to answer the questions like a robot to get the good grade (i.e. maybe to get world success—my opinion).  Their son, a law student, was found out by a law professor that he was a conservative.  The law professor picked on him like he had a target on his back all the time as the professor was very liberal.  He disliked this student big time.  He took the test which his grade would be determined for the class.  Test papers are identified by a number, not by name.  The professor gave two As. He went to the professor who looked up his grade and shuck his head—there must be a mistake, there must be a mistake, no way!  He got one of the As. What he did was write his test the way the professor wanted to hear it and not what he believed (i.e. manipulated him—beat the system).  Sooooo what does that tell you? GeorgeTheCrook says—It tells me that you got to play the game if you want to get the gold.  And gold rules. That’s the golden rule as far as the world is concerned.

Have any of you ever wondered if you have been indoctrinated (i.e. defined as:  teach (a person or group) to accept a set of beliefs uncritically)? I might have but I didn’t even know it.  Could be.  Soooo who could do that to ervie or you?  I don’t know but maybe parents, media, teachers, religious leaders, bosses, spouses, friends, golf buddies, military leaders, mentors, card girls, social pressure ladies, movie stars, political parties, etc.  LuckieEddie, who seems to give folks good vibes, says--We have to believe and copy someone, don’t we?

Take it easy big fella! I am really impressed with folks who are poised.  They really intrigue me.  Patrick Mahomes has been described as being comfortable in chaotic situations a.k.a. poised.  It is said that this quality helps make him to be the successful qb that he is.  Some of you are very poised and some of you not soooo much.  Why is that.  My opinion is that poised folks have such an advantage (i.e. they don’t overreact or get all bent out of shape—they are calm, cool and collective—seem to see the big picture—have class and finesse and do things with confidence—not worried all the time—don’t seem to try to impress others all the time).  A robot doesn’t know any better, it does just what it is programed to do (i.e. can handle tremendous pressure; doesn’t even know what pressure is) without any emotions.  Saturday question—Can a human become more poised or are we who we are and cannot change? I asked a golf buddy/friend recently what book is he reading now?  I was surprised as he was reading a thriller.  He usually reads more heady stuff.  ANYWAY, he gave me the book, Back Lash, to read.  The main character is a past Special Forces SEAL.  Man, to be one of those, a person would really have to be poised and then be trained even more to be disciplined.  I have two friends and a son-in-law who could have been one; I think they could still do it today.  I can’t believe how tough those special force folks are and how much they need to know (i.e. that is why they are called special forces). And I had a hard time figuring out how to put the shade back up on the bathroom window! But I was poised in not getting excited.  I actually laughed at myself.

A person gave me some advice that I think is really good about being poised.  They suggested that when trying to change a person’s mind, ask them why they feel that way, listen and then change the subject (i.e. talk about something they have an interest in).  Wait for another time to continue that discussion. Maybe even another time after that; be patient.  And another time and then again maybe another time. If you don’t have a relationship with that person, you can’t have discussion. If battle sides are made and folks dig in, there will never be a discussion.  Sooooo be patient.  Be poised.

The Honorable Chuck Grassley, who is currently serving as the president pro tempore of the United States Senate and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (i.e. I think third in line to the Presidency, lives here deep in Butler Co. just down the road a bit in their moderate farm house.  It appears he has to be a poised person to put up with all the crap he hears (i.e. or toooo old toooo care haha).  For being an average guy from Butler Co., he seems to do pretty good. When I see him at the grocery store, he seems the same as you or I.  He used to know me by name as I did business with him but doesn’t anymore probably.  He must know thousands of important folks which I would not be one of.  Why would he remember me anymore? I don’t even think some of my neighbors know me by name!

Mr. Robot really doesn’t care if you are liberal or conservative, pretty of ugly, rich or poor, black or white, smart or not soooo smart, a believer in God or not, etc. as Mr. Robot has no emotions and doesn’t really care (i.e. just has artificial intelligence that has been programed—surely doesn’t know my name).  I saw an advertisement by Coors lite which said—The beer for folks who really don’t care if it’s football. I think sometimes I might hurt the feelings of my computer by not using its suggestion (i.e. I override it). Now ain’t that dumb.  I know that my computer is mechanical and has no feelings, but I still have that feeling (i.e. like I think of it as a human).  I’m toooooo tender as a friend says.  Just maybe.  I just laugh at myself. Crazy for sure.

I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—To stay positive (i.e. like nutrients for the body) we should listen to stuff that feeds our minds. Stay away from folks with low energy, don’t listen to the news and don’t read social media.  They are like junk food.  Do you think folks with low energy like to be around folks with high energy?  I think not.  They make them feel bad, discouraged and rotten, maybe.  Sooooo maybe neither group really wants to be around each other.  A friend said to me recently—If I want to learn how to make money, I don’t want to talk to a person who is broke!  This all sounds rather harsh doesn’t it.  I do think that a lot of good folks really do what to help others to gain in whatever they have a desire.  I see it.  BUT not all have a desire to accept suggestions to gain.  It’s a lot of work to gain.  It’s easier to just be the same, maybe (i.e. programed like a robot and don’t change the program).

I grew up in the Roseland Reformed Church and said the Apostles’ Creed many many times and have all my life (i.e. I personally like this creed).  I never did understand what the phrase meant—He descended into hell.  I don’t think I still do.  I have never heard a pastor preach on that.  Why not if we say it all the time in one the lasting creeds used by many Christian churches and denominations which was written about 230 AD? Maybe I have been on auto pilot, just a routine, robotic, or just babbling! I read this while eating my oatmeal written by David Bast—"The Eastern Orthodox Church commemorates the moment when Christ triumphed over the powers of hell as the anastasis, which literally means “resurrection.” The idea is that sometime during the period between his death on Good Friday and his resurrection on Easter Sunday, Jesus went to hell—or at least to Hades, the realm of the dead—to release the souls of the Old Testament saints who had been imprisoned there. This is why we still say, “he descended into hell” in the Apostles’ Creed.”  The same day a friend told me that it is good to learn something new every day.  It’s about time I learn what this means.  You smart folks, please help me here. Or should I just keep saying it like a robot.  Maybe you have been doing the same, RobotJohn (i.e. anybody can be a John), and don’t want to admit it. haha Saturday question—Soooo don’t folks go to heaven right after death?

CadillacJack, who makes folks blink, said--I went to my golf buddy’s funeral last week and the pastor said JoeDead is in heaven with Jesus.  I thought he was talking about a different JoeDead than who I know (i.e. the pastor probably never did business with him).  Maybe that is a universal robotic statement they say to make everyone feel good (i.e. warm and fuzzy).  I always thought that God made that decision!  Don’t ask me CadillacJack, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and south of Roseland, MN.  You better ask that pastor; he said it.  In the Apostles Creed it says, He will come to judge the quick and the dead.  Your golf buddy is dead but was he quick? haha  I think quick means living in Arabic or it could mean a quick linebacker in new modern American!

Billionaire Bill Gates told the Wall Street Journal, “Technology is a boom-or-bust business, but it’s mostly busts. I’ve always assumed that 10% of my technology investments will succeed—and succeed wildly. The other 90% I expect to fail.

I talked to two teenage girls in church recently about how girls treat each other (i.e. girls can really be not soooo nice at times).  They told me stories.  ANYWAY, one told me that she just gets away from those type of girls and finds others.  She found it fun to go and be around kids in her class who don’t have friends.  One such person befriended her and calls her his rock.  She told him that she prays for him.  Later, he told her that he appreciates her friendship but asked her if she would quite praying for him as it makes him feel funny inside.  Teenagers are not robots folks!!!!

Coach Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers says—The barking gets a lot more attention than the patting on the back!  TheMI-Engingeer says—One thing about a robot, you don’t have to bark at them or pat them on the back; they always perform the same.  But if it makes you feel better you can call them every name in the book. It won’t bother them (i.e. they won’t get angry or cry or sue).  But I think TheMI-Engineer would just tinker with them (i.e. tighten up their screws) and make them perform better.  Engineers have a tenancy to do that.  haha  SusieQ, who is a special sauce, says—I would like to tighten up the screws in a few folks!

I saw this on the rear window the the car I parked next to while playing pickleball at the FIT Friday morning.  It made me smile. ANYWAY, Isaac Asimov’s first law of robotics is: “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”  Isaac, I don’t know if everyone follows your first law.  It appears that the future of robotics is huge and massive, a part of the artificial intelligence future.  It is really going be interesting to see what happens.  It’s moving pretty fast, for sure.  Many folks might not like the new ways (i.e. part of the new ways anyway), but they are here and changing our world very fast.  If we like it or not! It appears that the virus had sped up the process. Yes, it appears some folks will get hurt but it will also provide opportunities for others (i.e. it has always been that way, it ain’t nuttin new).

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—A mistake means at least that somebody tried to do something.

apparently

Mark Twain said—Fiction is obligated to stick to possibilities. Truth isn’t.  The local Ministerial Association decided not to comment publicly if this “It’s Saturday” is fiction or non-fiction.  And the morning coffee drinkers at the local coffee spot were split.  Soooo apparently you are on your own.  Sooo whatever you think, apparently you are right.  You can’t beat that now can you. 

A friend and I went out for our monthly breakfast.  It was my turn to drive and pay.  Soooo I parked and my buddy says—Now there is something for your “It’s Saturday” pointing to a sticker on the car next to us.  We talked about who would put that on their car.  Apparently, a guy but who knows for sure.  At breakfast we talked about getting breaks (i.e. he gets all the breaks).  When leaving, a friend of ours (i.e. a good guy with a good heart) sitting with some of his friends at another table said he wanted to pay for our breakfast this morning.  Why, we don’t know for sure but...  My friend said—You get all the breaks erv, it was your turn to pay!!!

The guyfromnorthoftown says—If you don’t know where you are going, you will apparently end up somewhere else. Think about that! A friend (i.e. who is in her middle 70s) told me recently that she was “out of sorts” today.  She said it was sooo bad that she ate ice cream and chips in the middle of the day (i.e. that sounds serious for sure).  She just made me laugh.  I asked her what was soooo troubling?  She decided that the issue was that she hates to be in debt.  She, I think, decided, she will do some measures to get herself out of debt, like change her lifestyle to accomplish that. Soooo I asked her--Other than your debt issue, how is life going?  My knees hurt and my shoulder hurts and my whole body hurts but I keep going.  If I don’t, I think I will stiffen up and won’t be able to move.  Soooo I keep playing pickleball, swim and exercise every day (i.e. except a day once in a while when I let my body rest).  Apparently, that is a good plan. She just makes me laugh (i.e. she has a big, positive motor alright and soooo real). 

A friend and his wife own a lake home in northern MN.  He told me that his marine guy said he sold like 458 pontoons this summer (i.e. usually sells about 40).  Why? Folks used their $4,000 stimulus checks for a down payment and financed the rest.  I researched it and new pontoons sell for an average of about $50,000 and after three years they are worth half.  Yikes! CoachB says—"Rich folks buy stuff that appreciate, and poor folks buy stuff that depreciate.  And the banks want you to take a loan out to your max.  They want you to be strapped to your gills with a loan for ever; that is how they make money (i.e. at about 4.5% for recreational stuff).” Da! A friend was telling me at breakfast recently that his wife grew up in a home that lived from pay check to pay check and financed most everything.  He had to educate her or they would never have a good retirement if they did it that way.  It took her some time before she bought into that thinking but she did.  They have a very nice retirement now with many options. Or as they say it deep in Butler Co.—Yabut, they borrowed me the money sooo “its or is it it’s” good! It don’t matter, I got the pontoon sitting behind my house next to my camper! Now I need to build a shed to put them in. I will go and see my banker tomorrow for sure!  Momma better not lose her job.

I always find it amazing that in all kinds of books, the author sticks in some little line or phrase or saying that is probably who they are.  I like that.  Like it is personal.  Do we every have the opportunity to do that in our daily life (i.e. in our conversation with others)?   Here is one that I read in a fiction book recently.  

 “I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that,” quipped C. S. Lewis. “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity” WorldClassLarry says—"Many to all of us have issues, some very serious issues that are hard to bear (i.e. like wrestling with a bear).  Jesus never said that following him would lead to a trouble-free life. In fact, he said just the opposite. Soooo why would anyone want to be a follower of Jesus then?  You will have to decide that for yourself.  I can only explain that for myself.”  An apparently wise person told me recently that a person who is in the public does no longer tell folks she is a Christian but is a follower of Jesus.  She says folks are much more receptive of that and more inquisitive.  The term Christian, she thinks, has a bad connotation in our culture. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--RickyRick says—You need to think about what you think about! “Fools will believe anything, but the wise think about what they do.” Proverbs 14:15 (NCV)  Every behavior is based on a belief. If there is a behavior in your life you don’t like, go to the source and change the thought behind it. To grow in any area of life, examine what’s going on in your mind. Start thinking about what you’re thinking about so your thoughts can lead to healthy, purposeful action."  ~  Apparently, RickyRick thinks thinking is very important.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.  Just remember—What you think is what you’ll be! 

Robert J. Tamasy wrote--Resumes, or if you prefer, curriculum vitae, are interesting documents. They can represent education, work experience, professional skills, achievements and certifications. They help in evaluating a job candidate’s competence and credentials – their qualifications for performing specific work. But one key element is rarely, if ever, shown on a resume or curriculum vitae: Character. And yet, perhaps as much as any single quality, character can have a great impact in many ways: a person’s job performance; how the individual relates to and works with other members of the team, and also how they fit into a company’s or organization’s culture, both in terms of philosophy and values. Legendary college basketball coach John Wooden said—“If given a choice between having a good reputation and cultivating strong character, always choose the latter: Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” In a world in which outward appearances receive so much attention, inner character determines how we conduct ourselves, how we interact with others, what values we embrace, and the beliefs we hold dear. In an ethical dilemma, character enables someone to choose right over experience. 

I had breakfast with another friend recently.  They just got back from, maybe a two-week trip.  I asked him what he enjoyed the most about the trip—being with… (i.e. his wife).  Wow! That is very neat.  Touching!  ~  I rode in the golf cart with one of my golf buddies/friends this week.  He said he was going to turn 76 this coming Saturday (i.e. today that is).  He said he will from now on be using the red tees.  Sounds good to me.  My friend, I don’t care what your other golf buddies say about your swingwiththebadhip, I don’t think you look a day over 80! haha Thanksamillion for your friendship.  

I might be naïve, I could be, but I think character is soooo important, soooo important.  Many of you folks have good character.  Don’t get discouraged when folks with bad character seem to win.  In the long run, they are losers.  They are.  Recently, I observed a gal (i.e. about 69) who looked at a young mother (i.e. who she never saw before) who was holding her small child and made eye contact with the mother. This gal smiled at her and the mother smiled back.  Now that is good character.  My opinion.  Those are good gals for sure. Just real emotions of such great quality (i.e. I think they shared something really important, my opinion).  Real folks with good hearts are my kind of folks. For sure.

Apparently, I don’t catch on very fast.  Now that I have a TV provider, I’m watching sports again.  I sorta kinda like it.  Saw some great games (i.e. good entertainment for me).  BUT I get bored easily soooo I was talking to a “top shelve executive” and he told me that he records the games and then presses the 30 second fast forward button between downs and the timing is perfect.  I was telling a friend about this and she said she has been doing this for years.  I can watch a football game of about 3 to 4 hours in about 30 minutes.  Apparently, there are other things that I don’t know! I have been sleeping on the gun for sure! Holy smokes. 

SlimySlick says--Sometimes my mind has a mind of its own. Sometimes my thoughts go off in directions that I don’t intend. Apparently, I don’t seem to have control of it much at times. Its apparently it is like a hunting dog that gets the scent and no matter how loud the owner hollers, it doesn’t make much difference; the scent it tooooo exciting.  I used to duck hunt with Larry, my friend (i.e. anybody can be a Larry), and there was a hunter in the Big Marsh that hollered at Molly as loud as he could and called Molly every name in the book (i.e. the words were colorful alright) but Molly never listened.  It happened time and time again.  It was a joke. I know a guy who didn’t train his dog but expected Alice to listen when they went pheasant hunting.  Alice didn’t. Soooo he borrowed a shock collar from a friend.  The first time Alice went on a scent and he hollered with no success soooo he shocked Alice.  He never saw Alice or the shock collar again! My favorite of favorite duck hunting stories was the time Harlan and I were hunting in the Big Marsh.  There was a lot of 
hunters and it just happened that a flock of Mallards came into our set up where we had our boat.  We stood up and emptied our guns but didn’t hit one.  We sat down embarrassed.  Then some smart butt in a boat over a ways hollers—You guys couldn’t hit a bull in the ass with a scope shovel! Now I don’t like to kill anything soooo much anymore and don’t hunt much anymore.  Crazy! Apparently, my mind has changed.

You probably have heard about Wonder Woman. She is portrayed as some woman that can do wonderful stuff.  Well, there are real life “wonder women” who just amaze me.  You know some as well (i.e. maybe you are one).  Maybe why they are soooo much a wonder woman apparently is that they have a sense to wonder in amazement about almost anything and everything.  They are soooo amazed and happy about almost everything.  Isn’t that a nice way to be.  And these wonder women are really fun to be around.  Sure beats being around complainers (i.e. complainers drive me crazy).   

According to Cedar Valley Hospice, grief can and does upsurge at times.  That is normal and these upsurges are cyclic. One such trigger apparently is a change of season.  I found that interesting.  They also suggest that grievers should remember to take care of themselves. Be gentle they suggest. Do what you can do --  no more and no less.  Huh, interesting.

I sent this to the grandkids this week--Rookie, Jimmer, Erin and Charlie—I was jogging on the golf course today and look what I found! It’s a good lesson to watch out for your predators who are going to pick on you if you don’t pay attention. They will decapitate you and eat you up. So the lesson is pay attention!  ~  Our world is still all about I I I and not about maybe we need to change.  I just don’t hear much about making a change in the way we think and act.  The world seems like that I I I is not the problem. Sooooo if we are going to continue to think that way, here is some more I I I stuff. JoeEgo says-All of these work off the philosophy that "I am better than you."

Erin, our 13-year old granddaughter, had her guinea pig die.  She is sad.  I was amazed how well she took care of Copper and how she enjoyed him.  She knew that he would only live soooo long when she rescued him from the Summit Co. Humane Society but another lesson about life.  Apparently, none of us are going to live forever (i.e. at least on this earth). 

This last week was a very nice week.  I was jogging on the golf course one morning and intersected with a couple of guys on hole three.  We chit chatted and they asked me if I was going south this winter—I plan to but it doesn’t seem the same with the virus and my situation not being the same—they really got on me and insisted that I had to go; it was good for me to hear that.  Sooooo at pickleball one of our opponents was frustrated and she said to me—erv, you have been living in my head free way toooo long!  She made me laugh (i.e. she is a very nice person--I like her).  Played golf several times.  On hole #5 a golf buddy hit a monstrous drive and had just a short iron into the green.  He hit a decent shot onto the fringe.  Then his chip was a chunk.  He said—What am I doing?  I said—It looks to me like you have your head up your butt!  Another buddy said—Yabut, it’s nice warm up there.  What fun.

LuckieEddie says—Here is something to think about:  How come you never see a headline like ‘Psychic Wins Lottery?’ Apparently, what we think we know we always don’t know, even psychics!  Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.