the best

I saw our Waukee grandkids Saturday.  It’s the best!  Here is some of their best!  Sooooo our son asked 8-year-old Henry, who I call Rookie, what is going on in your head anyway. Henry responded, Dad, it is not that difficult to figure out; there are only three things going on in my head. They are Pokémon, potty jokes and ways I can irritate Charlotte, his sister who I call Charlie. Soooo we are driving to the Noodle Place to pick up our Saturday lunch and Charlie is riding shotgun. I said to her—Charlie, who is 11 years old--Three more years you’ll be driving the car. She says—Grandpa, no I am not going to learn how to drive when I’m 14 but I am going to wait till I’m 15 because I won’t be responsible enough to drive a car and drive Henry around at 14. Oh! We picked up their mac and cheese!

JoeSixPack says—The best deception has an element of truth and an element of lie (e.g. a wolf in sheep’s clothing).  Now that is a great doozy of a deception (i.e. it seems to work). It’s like a good magician needs a distraction to create an illusion. Now you get to discern what you think is the truth and what you think is a lie in this “It’s Saturday!” The lie or the truth might be in the eye of the beholder! I guess it will be different for different folks.  For sure! BUT folks, I’m not trying to deceive you, really! You guys are really something else. haha I couldn’t fool you folks even if I tried; you all are way toooo smart for me!!! I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN. 

A friend of a friend’s granddaughter competed in a show (i.e. a performance).  She didn’t win.  She was crushed (i.e. she is just a young kid). MyWiseFriend tried to teach her about winning and losing.  I tell ya what little girl, you are probably not always going to win or be the best all the time, in fact, you are probably going to lose more that you win in the real world.  I’m a great believer in encouraging children or anyone to do their best and don’t put tooooo much emphases on winning (i.e. but I like to win; doesn’t everyone); I think encouragement to do your best is better (i.e. even let them lose is good).  SusieQ says—And for you and me, we need to apply that principle as well. Then at the end of our life we can say—I tried to do the best in everything I did.  I gave it my best shot; it might not be the best compared to others (i.e. I didn’t win the trophy), but it was my best; I feel good about myself. 

You guys are the best!  One quality that many of you have is that you are sooooo real which makes you pretty humble, most of the time haha (e.g. a friend sent me this email this last week--went to my arthritis dr this week after weighing in we went to the room and she checked my hip and shoulder...then asked questions..1st was do I have problems getting my food to my mouth....I said "we just came from the scale...what do you think" she just laughed!).

A friend was telling me recently that he thinks they have a clinical narcissist in their family.  I researched it a little and it’s also called a “narcissistic personality disorder.”  What I read, it can come from a combination of genetics and environment.  It can be adjusted sometimes by therapy but basically incurable. It appears it is a form of mental illness.  I would guess we think we all know folks who have a form of this illness (i.e. some worse than others).  GeorgeTheCrook says—It appears that my wife has it in her family!  Most all of them seem to be that way. Anyway, after 50 years of marriage and trying to fix her, I can’t fix her; she is as arrogant as she ever was.  BUT she doesn’t even know it! Ouchy ouchy! She gets all the breaks!

And Carol said and which I read what she said while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"When Esther “wins” we’re not sure whether to laugh or cry (i.e. celebrate or be concerned).” Winning can change folks and winning puts life in a different perspective for many folks (i.e. like inheriting a lot of money for many folks—it can change them). We all think winning is the cat’s meow.  Maybe it’s a false illusion and can really mess us up. I have said it many times, success can really change folks and very few folks can really handle success (i.e. it gets in their heads and screws them up).  Sometimes success makes folks think they know everything, and many times folks don’t have time for their old friends but now they think they are God almighty themselves (i.e. hang around with a way different crowd and think they are Queen Sheba).  I wonder if I need some “agony of defeat to put life in perspective after I have had the thrill of victory (i.e. that was the saying Jim McKay use to say when opening up the broadcast of The Wide World of Sports—The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat).  Listen folks, probably many of us have had the agony of defeat.  JoeBlow, who does his best when he is not thinking, says—I have a friend that needs some annoy of defeat, their head is pretty darn big right now (i.e. pretty cocky) but I also have a friend who needs some thrill of victory right now as well as they have been beat up pretty bad! 

Wonder if you are the best pickleball player in Butler county (i.e. or even just think you are but maybe you aren’t). You might feel like HighAndMightyBillyBob until you complete against the best in the state or the best in the United States or the best in the world.  Even if you get number one ranking in the world, it usually only lasts a short time as there is always someone better.  ItchieBitchie says—What is even worse is the person who thinks they are HighAndMightyBillyBob but really aren’t that good; they are the only ones who think they are that good.  Ouchy ouchy!

Buggy, our granddaughter called the other night and she was making GrandmaArlene’s chocolate chip cookies (i.e. the best she thinks—all grandkids should think that).  Grandma’s cookies or bars or cakes or whatever are always the best to each grandkid.  They are the best to you and me and that is all that counts. I have said this many times—I had great parents, but they just didn’t live long enough.  Chester and Anna were the best but they died at 56 and 57.  They would have been great grandparents but never experienced the grandkids or the grandkids never experienced them.  Some of you have great grandparents and some of you have no grandparents and some of you had bad experiences with your parents and grandparents.  Life isn’t fair; the only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in June.

A wise friend passed this wisdom unto me--“As we discussed, if we can’t challenge the ones we love who will we challenge to seek their own salvation. We can shine the light—the best we can.” CrazyMarvin asked me—erv, what did your friend mean when she said “seek their own salvation?”  I don’t understand that.  Salvation from what; like a hangover? Could be CrazyMarvin, could be! That could be pretty deep for some and maybe you CrazyMarvin.  We all surely don’t understand stuff the same and never will.  That is a certainty. But my friend, it seems like it is a lot easier to challenge the guy on the street in San Francisco instead of anyone we are close to.  We are a whole lot braver as no one knows us and we will probably never see that person again (i.e. sorta kinda like talking to your neighbor’s dog that barks all the time). And yet the folks we are close to are much more important than the folks we don’t know.  BUT, ANYWAY, raise you support money soooo you can go to San Francisco.  haha

And my wise friend said--How we deliver the bread is important toooo. Anyone can deliver the bread, but some deliver it and present it in a much better way than others who deliver it all smashed up in a crunched-up pile (i.e. not very appealing and tempting to look at).  TheWisdomLady says—That’s the same with teaching.  Presentation FastFreddy, presentation (i.e. it’s all in the presentation method). JoeTeacher says—That technique can be taught and improved, but some have a knack for it better than others.  Some even have a subliminal way of doing it.  And some try to force a square peg in a round hole with the attitude of I’m going make it work, you get it (i.e. just hit it harder with a bigger hammer)! That method of presentation doesn’t seem to work very well (i.e. unless you have extreme power over a person and probably that person will probably never like you, like never and will never be convinced by you and only do it because they have toooo and only for a short time).  Ouchy ouchy!

Sooooo the wise friend told me this story about herself.  She got a new phone and was trying to sync it to the Bluetooth in her car.  She just couldn’t get it.  She said to herself—I’m spending way toooo much time trying to figure this out.  There has to be an easier way to get this done (i.e. that is wisdom).  There is always someone who is smarter than we are or have done it many times before or a person who would even enjoy doing it for me (i.e. that is wisdom).  Soooo she stopped by the car dealer where she bought the car and pulled up and this young salesman came out and asked if he could help her and she told him, and he fiddled with it a short time and bingo it was done, and she was happy and she thinks the young salesman was happy too (i.e. that is wisdom in solving a problem and saving a ton of time and frustration).  RalphTheSmartOl’CatSkinner says--There is a lot of ways to skin a cat but tooooo figure out the best and easiest way is wisdom and is also anxiety relief/decompression. TheZinker says. Use your noggin!

David McKay, president and CEO of RBC, Canada’s largest bank, has offered an affirming perspective on work: “Let us recognize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, and that love of work is success.” Think through that folks.  ATTITUDE ATTITUDE ATTITUDE! GallopingGertie asks—What does that tell ya? I don’t get that work thing! I was told that much of the stimulus money goes into folks’ savings account and is not spent.  Wow!  PuppetBoyOtto says--Soooo why work if the government keeps sending me money.  I love it.

Mercy mercy!  RickyRick says--God set up the world with universal principles. One of those principles is that the more you help other people, the more you will succeed and the happier you will be. Happiness doesn’t come from living for yourself (i.e. like DuaneTheWorm who is big on self-glorifying himself). Happiness comes from giving your life away and being merciful.” Proverbs 11:17 says, “A merciful person helps himself, but a cruel person hurts himself” (GW). Now that is some of the best wisdom a person can think about folks (i.e. my opinion). BUT can we do it, that is another question. StabbyStab, who is a diamond in the rough, says—It doesn’t seem very American right now erv.  Well for mercy sakes alive! Great balls of fire! My long-time friend from childhood on, Dean, really liked that Hank Williams song—well, great balls of fire!

Saturday question—What or who is going toooo decide your future? Think about that folks.  Could you decide the future of someone (i.e. maybe by what you said to them or how you act)?  MissPerfect, who has quirks, says--If you think soooo, do right to everyone and in everything.  My Mom, Anna, would say to me—erv, do what is right all the time.  I try but I can't.  I don’t know if she knew how hard that is!  She was quite a lady (i.e. the best), she was, soooooo maybe she did. JoeFromTheOtherSideOfTheTracks says—Being a good person doesn’t mean you fit the life of every person you meet!

It seems like for me the hardest part of many things is getting started.  How about you.  I have this cupboard that I have been meaning to clean out for a month.  It isn’t very big and really doesn’t have that much in it, but I just seem like I don’t get at it.  Huh!  Sooooo many projects or situations, it seems to me, that getting started is the hardest part. And once I get started, I enjoy doing them and they aren’t bad at all.  And the best part, is when I am done.  It feels, oh, soooooo good! I did clean out that cupboard out today!  Holy smokes, what got into me anyway! Maybe it was the left-over lasagna I ate last night!  Could be!

Do you what to be the best you can?  If you don’t want toooo get any better, you don’t have to read this paragraph, just go to check out; you are ready to check out as you are toast, you are done! Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft says—Ultimately the learn it all will always do better than the know it all.  OneSmartPerson says—When you are in the learning mode, you will eventually surpass the person who stops learning.  If you stop learning, your knowledge become stagnate a.k.a. old information and that is just that, old knowledge (i.e. and it is hard on your attitude, for sure)!  LuckieEddie says—No matter how smart you are or think you are, keep learning. Besides, dried out burnt toast (i.e. the know it all) doesn’t taste very good!  Penny says—Whenever you hear words like “should” or “must” from people giving you advice, beware of their words. They are usually reciting old “scripts” that may not apply to you (i.e. wolfs in sheep clothing maybe are the “think they know it alls”).  Just be cautious.  MyNeighborDownTheStreet says—The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive.  The great opportunity is where you are.

JoeBlow in 1832 said—“Falsehood is never so successful as when she baits her hook with truth, and not opinions so fatally mislead us, as those that are not wholly wrong; as no watches so effectually deceive the wearer as those that are sometimes right.”

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. Zig Ziglar

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--It's more pleasant to give than receive...especially medicine and advice. 

overwhelming

Special Bonus Coverage at the bottom of this "It's Saturday" at no additional cost.  You guys get all the breaks! 

You see all the time where politicians, coaches, pastors, anyone in the public's eye clarifying what they said (i.e. make sure they are politically correct).  You notice that our culture hardly ever calls a spade a spade (i.e. and surely not very accurate we think)!  If I had to clarify everything I said in each “It’s Saturday” to all the readers individually, I would never get anything else done.  Everyone understands things differently!  Sooooo don’t take anything I write sooooo serious.  It’s like this—If I say a gal really looks tough what do I mean—That she is a real beauty, a knockout or rode hard and put away wet, or I don’t want to mess with her as she looks soooo mean that she would knock me on my can and stomp on me!!!! Seeee, we all interpret that statement differently (i.e. pretty much based on the impute of our current environment and our past environment).  It’s overwhelming how we all think different!

This "overwhelming thing" reminded me of a story a friend told me.  It happened maybe 20 years ago.  He was on a business board and an employee came to the board prancing around and demanding that he be treated better than the other employees as he thought he was King Tut (i.e. he had a very high self-evaluation of himself)!  He went on and on with his tirade and finished by saying that if they didn’t meet his demands he was going to resign.  The board told him they would accept his resignation.  The big shot’s head all of a sudden shrunk (i.e. not near as cocky)!  Sometimes we think of ourselves different than others think of us maybe.  Such a real-life story. But it makes me laugh!

I went to the library and checked out a puzzle, my one annual puzzle.  I picked a 300-piece puzzle.  WhizardPuzzlePutTogetherer says—Oh, whoopie doo! WhizardPuzzlePutTogetherer says--I put together 1,000, 2,000 and 3,000-piece puzzles together and you did a little 300-piece puzzle.  Hey, listen sweetheart, I had an enjoyable time, frustrated, sense of accomplishment, frustration, relaxation, frustration, etc. For those of you who do 3,000-piece puzzles, I assume you have 10X of all those emotions. Oh, whoopie doo! At times I was sure all the pieces weren't there but when I got done they were all there. Have you ever noticed that sport teams, businesses, churches say they are missing a couple of pieces of the puzzle to really be great?  They are not great as they are missing a couple of pieces.  Are we the missing pieces?  Or are we the problem pieces! We could be either one.  Maybe not!  Such is life.

I hope this “It’s Saturday” isn’t considered a “seasonal effective disorder.” It could be and maybe it is or maybe it isn’t. Do you get “seasonal effective disorder?” I don’t think I do but maybe I do and don’t realize it.  Could be! There sure seems to be a lot more obituaries in the paper than normal.  Is this something to do with “seasonal effective disorder?”  Saturday question—How can we manage “seasonal effective disorder?” ItchieBitichie, who has a goat mode, says—You got to be both proactive and reactive (i.e. grab the bull by the horns)!  BUT the mind is very difficult to tame or understand; it’s like a crazy, wild animal (i.e. my opinion).

CadillacJack, who is an accurate hand grenade thrower) says—I can tell when I’m overwhelmed, yes I can.  My mind is ruffled which makes a restless pillow. Soooo what are many folks overwhelmed with? Inundated with? Have the over-the-top feeling about? What do folks feel is the abundance of tumultuous stuff? What do we really get bent out of shape about? Probably different stuff for different folks!  CoachB says--It’s the things that we overcome that define us.  These are the things that define our character, personality and spirit.  Anybody can be and act great when everything is going their way.  Great folks come out of handling stuff that is hard differently (i.e. and that decision is basically ours).  Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Bingo!

I seem to do better in managing my life when I actually sit down and think about stuff (i.e. analyze the situation).  Yep, sit down and think about stuff; not think about it when I’m on the go.  If it is something really important or even if it is not, it seems I make better decisions when I sit down and sometimes with someone who I respect and talk to them.  But when we sit down (i.e. my opinion), we concentrate more (i.e. more focused) on our thinking.  It takes more effort to do that but when I take more effort, I make better decisions.  No question.  I have sat down several times and thought about a current issue in my life that is frustrating me.  Maybe not a major problem but very irritating for sure.  I have analyzed it several times. I even have prayed about it. LuckieEddie says—Holy cow erv, it must be important if you prayed about it haha. Actually, I must admit, I’m sorta kinda enjoying the process of making a decision on how I am going to handle this situation (i.e. am I crazy or what!).  Maybe, it’s really not a problem but an opportunity (i.e. maybe a new direction; it might end up being very exciting for me).  The result of my decision will make my life better, I think! It’s not near as overwhelming when I deal with it in this fashion (i.e. more like a business decision—as my Daddy, Chester, use to say—erv, keep your emotions out of it).  Like I said, it’s kinda sorta fun.  Those darn emotions! 

Question—Why do we do stuff that we don’t enjoy and maybe even irritates us?  Why?  Is it because we feel obligated? We have always done it? We think it makes us look good around our peers. We can make money doing it. As I age, I feel that I don’t want to do certain things anymore for some of those reasons.  And I’m not going to do them (i.e. maybe, we will see).  I’m maybe getting smarter.  And maybe not!  If I don’t enjoy doing certain things or being around certain folks that irritate me, I’m not going to do it.  LuckieEddie says again—You alright erv? Did you fall out of the rocker? You better put your doctor on notice! Maybe you better sit down! Maybe it’s the virus culture affecting you. Could be!

I see folks doing things that seem to be totally out of the ordinary.  Why?  It doesn’t fit their m-o at all (i.e. my opinion).  It’s like they think that the world is going toooo pot and they better enjoy life a little bit before all s**t happens. I don’t think I have ever seen folks react this way soooo drastically as they are now.  Or is it just the folks in Butler County?  Or just the folks that I see or am around? Maybe I need to be this way more. I might be missing something here! Maybe I need to get with it.  I think I will start tomorrow!!!! LuckieEddie says—erv, you’re not as young as you use to be soooo you better get after it! I talked to a gal who told me she is 85 the other day.  She told me that at 85 she has limits; she can really notice it.  And this gal has history as she was born near Roseland! Sooooo there! ThePersonNorthOfTown says—erv, you won’t do anything toooo radical as you are one big chicken!

CoachB says—For many of you your road is going to get way better than your past road a.k.a. life.  Why? He says—When folks change their attitude that makes their road change even if their road really doesn’t; in fact, their road might get worse as measured by some.  Now that is “counter-culture.”  Our culture is to fight darkness with more darkness, not darkness with love (i.e. when something bad happens to us we what to do something bad to someone else and we usually do.  Co'mon folks, look around; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Are you going to be someone different or a person of the culture? I think you know the answer! JoeKnowItAll says--Tooo that I think I do.

Ok, I think we hear soooo much stuff one way and then just the opposite.  We don’t know what to believe or use or what to think.  We are just confused.  Different folks, organizations, churches, marketing experts, political parties, businesses, advertisers, friends, etc. all do this to us.  They must think we are suckers, and it appears we are suckers for sure.  ANYWAY, the saying by Thomas Edison is a good example of this. I think it’s true, but I also think it’s good to be content.  Soooo there you go. 

MissPerfect says--Everyone you know has a reputation.  Everyone including you and me.  That’s just the way it is.  Our reputation may come from a long time of being who we are or just maybe a short time or given by others through conversation or our body language, or business dealings, or personal experiences, etc.  It appears that our reputation is hard to change.  If it is well established, folks can say what they want about themselves, but their reputation doesn’t change (e.g. a person who is a good person might screw up once but we still think they are a good person or if a person with a bad reputation might do something good but we still consider them a bad person).  Abraham Lincoln said—"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of people all of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”  WorldClassLarry says—If it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck, it’s a duck!

Recently a friend who is probably is in his late 50s asked me how I sold my 13 Avalon.  I said I advertised it on Craig’s List and Marketplace but didn’t have much success.  He said—Avalons are old men’s cars and old men don’t buy cars on Craig’s List or Marketplace; young folks do.  This guy is smart and technology savvy; he has all the new technology on their farm.  Soooo what I learned is if you want to sell to old folks, you better not use new technology but if you want to sell to younger folks, you better! 

Talk about change!  Our 13-year-old granddaughter called me the other night and told me she has a Step Card.  What?  It’s an Apple Pay Debit Card for teenagers.  She explained it all to me and said—Grandpa, I think you should use Apple Pay.  She explained it all to me and I might just do that.  It’s not that I really see a big need to do it but it’s good for me to learn and keep up a little with new stuff (i.e. sorta kinda fun).  Next thing I’m thinking about getting is a jetpack!  Maybe I will be the first in Butler County!  That will give the boys who drink coffee in the shed deep in Butler County something to talk about! Otherwise, they will continue to talk about the price of soybeans that has really gone up, but they sold all theirs already. What were they thinking! 

I am trying to put together a group of folks who attend the church I attend to join me in reading a book and have a book discussion in the future.  I have asked a number of folks and they seem interested and some have committed.  But that doesn’t always mean much.  If any of you have put together such events, you know that talk is cheap and many are just that, talk.  If you want about 5 folks you better get about 10 to commit.  It’s like throwing 10 against the wall to get 5 to stick! And church stuff might even be worse than lining up a golf trip or a women’s coffee group!  BUT I have done many of these such things and am well aware (i.e. my expectations are real; not phony soooo I won’t be surprised or disappointed or overwhelmed by negative results or negative folks). BUT folks, I have really only attended one church in my more adult life, soooooo maybe other churches might be different—some of my buddies tell me the churches they attend are more responsive.  Sooooo why are some churches more responsive than others?  You got me. There must be a reason. I can only imagine! Could it be that certain churches attract certain type of folks like certain businesses attract certain type of clients and certain type of clubs attract certain type of folks or certain type of retirement communities attract certain type of folks or certain type of neighborhoods attract certain type of folks? Huh, maybe we need to analyze the type of folks we attract to our churches or attend our churches or the ones who have left our churches!  We might be surprised, maybe (i.e. maybe overwhelmed). SusieQ says—erv, I don’t like to self-evaluate myself or anyone I’m associated with.  Soooo quit talking that way; just let the sleepin’ dog lie (i.e. it is what it is)! SusieQ, you might be the problem!  You might be the deal killer! Who, what, me!

TommySmart, who makes everyone look good, says—My theory is that if you look confident, you can pull off anything—even if you have no clue what you’re doing.

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

erv                                                                                                                               

MyFriendJean said—Junk is the stuff you throw out and stuff is the junk you keep.

Bonus coverage at no additional cost as promised!!!!  I have occasionally have people ask me how many responses I get from “It’s Saturday.” They also ask me or tell me that I take a lot of risk in what I write about and wonder if I catch some flak sometimes. I really don’t catch any flack but the responses are uplifting or crazy or whatever but some are just funny (i.e. I enjoy all your responses). Here are a couple of good ones that made me LOL from last week's "It's Saturday" (i.e. reprinted with their permission).

Good Morning to you ---------- your story about the church that decided to close reminded me of an incident here in my hometown ---- the church was located in a part of the city that was aging, and the church was landlocked and could not grow.  A new young pastor arrived on the scene, and convinced the board to sell the church and relocate out in the western suburbs--- and that is what they did. They sold the church, bought a nice piece of bare land, and began meeting in a school until they could afford to rebuild again.  When --- low and behold, the Lord called this pastor to another church, so he resigned, leaving them with no building and no pastor.  The church eventually folded, and the people scattered. ----  PS. Have you ever noticed how the Lord calls pastors to "warmer climates" ??.  The church we attended in Arizona had a least 25 retired pastors attending.  The Lord likes warm climates.  w    ps. I turned 88 yesterday.  88 seems much older to me than 87.  Not sure why.  My Dad lived to be 81, and I always thought him to be old, because he acted old.---  My Mother lived to be nearly 97, yet could communicate with everyone regardless of age, and people used to love to talk to her-- and listen to all her stories.  Fond memories.  Have a good day-------------- unless---- it snows. Then it will be a snowy day.  We had a snowy day here in Omaha yesterday, but OK now     w

---------------

I’m one of those who got a concussion and nobody cared. Football against our arch rival Wellsburg. Mom and dad weren’t at the game and I don’t think they ever knew! I can remember standing on the sideline with smelling salts but I never did remember the touchdown they said I scored. No film to study back then either.

So we just arrived in The Villages. Took four days to get here. That was our plan. We were gonna spend several days in Memphis but it was so Covid shutdown we left early. It started by driving by our Hampton Inn on Beale Sreet. I overshot it so I stopped and backed up 200 feet! On Beale Street! The tour we were going to do wasn’t running, we bought a different one for our car, didn’t work, couldn’t make the ticket to get out of the parking lot work, etc. Finally decided just to go to Graceland. Got there to find six cars in a parking lot for 700 cars. Walked all the way up there, found I didn’t have my credit card, tried Deb’s, it was declined, gave up and went back to car. A couple in the parking lot talked us in to going back. Now 5 cars in lot. My card worked-same account as Deb’s which was rejected. But the tour was good. Our neighbor in Dike  said Elvis had recently been seen in the jungle room but no such luck. It wasn’t our day. We came out to the parking lot to three cars. As Deb opened her door she hollered “some one took our suitcases”. They were gone. We walked around the car in a panic and talked about what was in them. Two minutes later Deb realized.....they are in the hotel! We have laughed so many times about this. But Memphis is not on our bucket list anymore.

I’m convinced if the rest of the day had gone better we wouldn’t have had these thoughts. But the rest of the trip was really good. Hank and Bec stopped before we could get the car unloaded.

I’m going to text you some pictures I took inside a men’s bathroom at a neat resteraunt we ate in. Deb said the woman’s was much more boring.

Take care, Bruce

groovy

Groovy is a term I used years ago like in the 60s.  We used it meaning cool, excellent, fashionable or amazing, depending on context.  Some of you folks are groovy! Oh yes you are.  Simon and Garfunkel sang a song in the 60s called The 59thStreet Bridge Song, that I played from a record when at good ol’ Northwestern College.  It was groovy!  I wonder where that record is today.  ANYWAY, the song begins: Slow down, you move too fast / You got to make the morning last / Just kicking down the cobblestones / Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy.

It’s great to feel groovy.  What makes you and I feel groovy? There are a lot of things or stuff or events or accomplishments that do.  No question. I think we can make others feel groovy in a very sincere and honest and uplifting way.  Yes, I do. I think encouragement (i.e. a form of caring for others) is something that is groovy for others.  And besides, it makes us feel groovy as well.  MissPerfect says—When I’m discouraged, I encourage others by showing my appreciation to someone (i.e. turn my focus and attention to them and away from me); it’s amazing what that does for me; it makes me feel groovy! 

Have you ever taken a shot to noggin (i.e. like falling out of the hay loft)? Probably you older folks have taken some whacks to the behind as well.  I know I have. In fact, my sisters tell me that our father, Chester, was much harder on me than either of them.  I got more whacks on the behind then they did.  He was very demanding of me.  They even felt sorry for me.  I don’t remember any of it.  Crazy.  ANYWAY, when we take a shot to the noggin, how does that affect us? It can knock some sense into us or knock us senseless!  Years ago we had no protocol for a shot to the head; you just got up and went on.  It was a way different world back then. Do any of you think you might have had a concussion, but nothing was done.  Maybe that is why you are like you are today! haha We will never know! Our family never went to the doctor unless it was really bad; I mean really bad (i.e. put some Watkins salve on it and it would get better—for anything and everything). Such was life.

I read the Book of Ecclesiastes again; it’s the Book that I read most often.  The introduction is very interesting to me. It says—From the perspective of his own understanding, the Teacher (i.e. assumed by most to be King Solomon) takes measure of man examining his capabilities.  He discovers that human wisdom, even that of a godly person, has limits…We should be prudent in everything, living carefully before God and the king and, above all, fearing God and keeping his commandments…Life not centered on God is purposeless and meaningless.

Recently I really had a “time!”  An incredible experience! Great wisdom and very touching to me.  It happened out of the blue! Unexpected. It was a “time” to me and maybe you might not have thought it was a “time” to you.  Are you and I different? ANYWAY, I was having a conversation with a couple who are friends who are in their 40s. They told me that she went to get groceries on this Saturday morning and when leaving her car wouldn’t start.  They had to call a tow truck to take it to the dealership.  They didn’t necessarily care for the inconvenience and cost but handled it in a way that was impressive to me (i.e. saw the big picture).  It was just that, an inconvenience. It's like myneighbor/friendKarl use to say--If has a motor you know you are going to have trouble with it!  Well, those weren't his exact words but close enough!  Such a small problem in the grand scheme of life.  What a great perspective.  It was wisdom.  Pretty groovy to me! My Daddy, Chester, said to me many times what is in his saying.  Many times.

Amy says--"Humans have low tolerance for ambivalence, our minds seeking refuge from the tension of opposing thoughts we cannot reconcile. And we often prefer black-and-white thinking—either it’s all this or all that—all mercy and no judgment, or vice versa—not this messy both/and."  I would like to think I'm open minded (i.e. ok, at least to some degree haha).  I would like to think I can see both sides of a discussion and will listen (i.e. I hope anyway but maybe not).  It appears that extreme radicals cannot. I was visiting with a friend by phone recently and he said that all of us probably have qualities that some others like in us and we also have some qualities that those same folks don't like in us; in fact, we have this same feeling about everyone we know, EVERYONE! He went on to say--I have this feeling about you Dad (i.e. and I thought he thought I was perfect)!  Oh man! RattyRat, who can make the money shot, says--How can we love someone if we don't accept both their qualities we like and we don't like? If we can't, we can't love anyone! I am thinking about a friend who seems to be able to do this at a high level.  I applaud her for this quality.  She doesn't seem to take things sooo black-and-white about folks she loves; she rolls with the punch! She’s groovy!

Jimmer, Erin and I went for a maybe 2-mile hike in Jefferson County Open area when I was in CO. Jimmer was rather difficult as he would not walk with me most of the time (i.e. I don’t think he wanted to talk to me).  I couldn’t get him to change.  He was himself (i.e. maybe kids are like adults, they too sometimes need their own space). Soooo on Christmas night we all played Cards Against Humanity and UNO Attack (i.e. a new modification of UNO that just made it more fun—the kids really liked both). Jimmer showed a way different side of himself.  He was most expressive and exciting and funny. Soooo who is this kid? Erin showed her softness and kindness to me by showing me a pic of her holding Copper, her previous ginny pig, while he died; she said she held him 20 minutes as he was dying.  What do these actions tell me about their future?  I have no idea!  

My kid-sister is a retired educator and still has a strong interest in teaching children.  I think she was a very good teacher.  I was visiting with her about how the current education situation will affect children.  She does testing of young children on line for a school district and can see that some children are struggling.  She feels that a teacher is their best opportunity to learn; not more money in education but their teacher. Teachers can really help kids and some really do.  Here is something that she told me (i.e. in her opinion)—First grade is a hard grade for many children as they learn a lot (e.g. reading).  The second grade is a review grade (i.e. can be a catch up grade) and then again the third grade they are taught a lot of new stuff again.  Boys seem to have a harder time with the process it seems but many times all of a sudden they get it.  I found that interesting. All of a sudden they get it.  That sounds like some adults as well.  Soooo what does it take for us tooooo all of a sudden to get it? Could it be a good teacher, an example, a mentor, an experience? God only knows!

I had a friend who is a leader of a men’s group in his church tell me this—“Good Luck on your small group.   My group is in disrepair right now, as several were reluctant to come because of the virus.  Two of the original have died, and two just left for Arizona --- so I need to replenish the stock a bit.  It's really strange - a couple of them do not have email, and even though we meet at the same place, same time, and same location each week, they do not show unless they receive a phone call inviting them.  Everyone is different, including me.” The human male is a strange animal alright. They constantly need to be jacked up it seems! SusieQ, who produces warm and fuzzy feelings, says--Some of those old farts are pretty stubborn and obnoxious let me tell you; I have learned that from my past experiences. Ouchy ouchy!

I read this in a book that interested me 

Soooo what stories are being told to the next generations?  What will they take from our stories? A friend at church told me that a box of 380 ammo a year ago cost $15 to $20 a box, a month ago it was about $35 and now $75.  Sooooo what does this mean (i.e. rabbit hunting is becoming more popular)? I read in the paper, soooo it must be right--You can’t beat free stuff!  That is funny but it seems really true.  I don’t know if that free stuff is soooo groovy!  What do you think?  That is what I thought. Would you like $600 for each person in your family? How about $20 for each acre you farm? AverageJoe says—Now that sounds groovy to me! ItchieBitchie says—Hey, I’m the poor old guy who is paying for this or my kids will or my grandkids will; it ain’t free folks! Someone has to pay the fiddler, don’t they? An assistant at the Buter County Treasurer’s office told me that registration for a new Tahoe is $800 plus sales tax of about $4,000; that is why we need stimulus packages! Soooo do they loan folks the money for that tooooo?

RickyRick says this about an old story that many of us heard many times but probably never thought about what RickyRick thought about--Do you remember the story of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish? I think it’s amazing that, out of 5,000 people, only one person brought a lunch. I’m thinking a lot of people were hiding picnic baskets under their robes because they didn’t want to share with anybody else.

I saw this in the Denver Airport.  I’m a Lincoln fan.  Many of his thoughts and lines in his speeches came from the Bible (i.e. he was a Bible scholar and reader but never a member of a church).  This is one of them. Mark 2:25 says--If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. I agree with Mr. Lincoln, no country, business, family, sports team, church, music group, etc. will remain if divided (i.e. if not in one accord).  They usually dissolve, one side wins and takes control usually by power and money, or they just split by necessity or by common decision. History shows that.  It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. 

I really think it’s important to be balanced with these three qualities (i.e. it is called the wellness triangle).  In the mental side, spirituality is very important (i.e. my opinion).  It appears that folks who can maintain the balance of these qualities are much better folks to be around and also have better lives.  JoeSmack says—erv, it ain’t easy!  JoeSmack, nuttin really good is easy! 

I stopped at friends’ place recently and they had this on their house.  I laughed.  Sooooo I pressed hard to get their attention.  Now ain’t that the truth sometimes; we just have to press hard to make the ding dong sound soooo others can hear us.  Now will others answer our bell is another question.  Sometimes it seems like they are not home or are hard of hearing or maybe going to the bathroom.  Such is life.

There is a trend for different organizations, businesses, churches, sport teams, etc. to change their brand, name and/or logo. Why?  They want a new image.  Maybe the old ones are offensive, old fashion, not what they want to be known for, not popular, poor for business, want a fresh look, bad image for some reason, bad connotation, bad history, need a face lift, etc. AntiqueEdith says--It’s an update; brought up to date from the old fashion way.  Technology is constantly changing; if the process doesn’t change, basically companies will be left in the dust.  Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  JoeBlow says—I don’t want to change.  You don’t have JoeBlow; no one is making you but I hope you like to eat dust. I have a long-time business friend who has always said that communication is the most important part of business.  Yes, communication. Raise the concern and let’s talk about it; I will listen; I want to hear what you have to say (i.e. I want to hear your opinion).  Have you ever been involved in an organization where folks are not given the opportunity to express themselves, but their voices are just stifled and pasted over?  How did that go?  Oh, that communication!  I recently misread a text and thought I was meeting a person for lunch the next day.  They texted me and asked where I was.  It was today! Ouchy ouchy!  I miscommunicated the message in my brain.  One can never be tooooo explicit with communication maybe.  I felt bad but what could I do other than apologize.  Such is life.

I listened to a story about a church that was dying.  The church members where old and few.  They decided that maybe they could use their talents and money to close their physical church and start a new church in a new neighborhood of their city.  They hired a church planter and are going to give it a shot.  Wow! To me that is impressive.  They didn’t just kick the ol’ can down the street!  Maybe some churches should consider planting a new church in the church they are in.  A new church with a new plan and a new name!  TinaTheChurchLady says--Boy, that would take a lot of humble adjustment (i.e. the old timers won’t like that)! WorldClassLarry says—Yabut, they are probably going to die anyway (i.e. the church and the folks)! LuckieEddie says—Reality isn’t much fun to talk about sometimes!  Yikes!

Those of you who have run in the New York City Marathon can relate to the The 59^th Street Bridge Song.  The 59^th Street Bridge is just past halfway in the marathon, but it is tough because it has a steep rise and is very hard on the feet.  The end of the bridge, though, is great because it is downhill and there are numerous people waiting on 1^st Avenue to cheer the runners on (i.e. feeling groovy). Can any of you relate to that in your life?  I’m guessing soooo!

I read what Richard M. DeVos said while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it. Mr. DeVos was a businessman and owner of the Orlando Magic basketball team and said this--"Few things in the world are more powerful than a positive push (i.e. make a person feel groovy).  A smile. A word of optimism and hope. A 'you can do it' when things are tough." That is his opinion

I hope you can make adjustments in your life (e.g. get around good folks, make good 360 degree changes, modify habits, etc.) that will make you feel groovy! You can do it!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--The perfect guest makes their host feel right at home.

I beg your pardon

If I would do away with semicolons, parentheses, i.e.s, e.g.s, and much else in writing “It’s Saturdays,” we would lose all music, nuance, and subtlety in communication.  I would end up shouting at you in block capitals. A friend told me that neighbors came over and visited with her and her husband.  She said that they are nice folks and mean well BUT the longer they visited, the louder their voices got and the shriller their voices became.  After they left, her husband said his ears hurt him! I beg your pardon! Sounds like those neighbors need to take some Valium before visiting!  They seem to be way toooo juiced up!

I talked to a brother-in-law this week and he told me that when he wears a mask it seems his IQ drops 50 points!  Holy smokes, that’s not good! If that would happen to me, I wouldn’t have many points left.  Maybe that is my problem!!

I recently read this story and it affected me.  At the age of 39, a politically hopeful New York lawyer fell ill, struck with fever, nausea, and pain. Eventually, the affliction deepened, paralyzing him from the waist down. He nearly died. His name was Franklin D. Roosevelt, and though he recovered in part and went on to serve as the 32nd president of the United States, he was never cured of his paralysis.  None of us were promised a rose garden! Does anyone have a perfect life? I beg your pardon!

I recently purchased some different colored pens (i.e. red and blue). Their use seemed to change my attitude (i.e. petty minor investment).  It’s like sitting in a different chair in my house or wearing an old shirt I haven’t worn for a long time. Or doing some small project that I have putting off for some time. Or talking to different folks. Reading something different or eating different foods or listening to someone with a different perspective or getting a different pair of running/walking shoes or getting something I always wanted.  Don’t be soooo boring and learn something new even if it is something simple like how to use new technology in your car or on your TV. I think you got the point. The change is stimulating to me a.k.a. uplifting and exciting (i.e. gives me a new perspective and thought process). MyNeighborDownTheStree said--And two different colored pens did that to you erv? You must have a very limited life! You better not take your mask off toooo often.

WorldClassLarry says--When deciding what path to take, spend time in silence and talk to two folks who have been through this situation and seem to have had success (i.e. or failure, they might tell you which path not to take—BUT they don’t usually admit it that it was their fault soooo you might be better off sticking with the winners). Did I say exercise or extra fries! It all depends in what you want to hear.  I beg your pardon!

Robert Frost said—“In three words I can sum up everything I learned about life and those three words are Life Goes On!  Make sure our lives go on. This is what ThePreacherMan a.k.a. the conduit, passed on to me written by the late Henry Eggink--“The Christian life is a journey to be traveled, a race to be run, a battle to be fought. But regardless of which metaphor we use, the Christian life is often rugged and before long, we grow tired and are inclined to slow down or perhaps even to stop altogether our progress. We must not do that. To do so would be sad. It is imperative that we press on.”  ItchieBitchie says—I beg your pardon!  I want life and especially the Christian life to be easy and prosperous!  Winston Churchill said—"Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter.” I have this pic in my bathroom to remind me that life is not always smooth.  If I think it is or will be, I must of fallen out of the rocker or ate tooooo much junk food on New Year’s eve! 

I have been reminded once again by the death of a friend about friendships and relationships.  I have had three such folks that fit in this same category. They showed me how I don’t want to be.  I think all three were/are good folks, maybe, at least they thought/think they were/are. BUT, they all had a common denominator that really affected our relationship.  They were/are all very opinionated and they were always right and a conversation with them was/is a lecture to me by them.  They all wore out their welcome with me pretty fast. I said, I beg your pardon and separated myself from them. I took their lives as a warning a.k.a. an alarm to me (e.g. a reverse example which gave me really bad diarrhea). Coach B says—"Life gives us warnings that we need to heed. Many times when we don’t heed the warnings, life can get messy.  Remember, some of you do, when Mt. St. Helens erupted in 1980 and they told everyone to evacuate but old Harry Truman said he wouldn’t.  He was never seen again.” Maybe old Harry Truman was right, dead right!

A slap in the face a.k.a. a wake up call can be quite effective!  A friend called me recently who told me that if his wife dies before him, he probably will move back to Iowa to where his family is.  I have friends here where I live but things change (i.e. I think he misses his family).  He said--I have found out that I talk to my siblings more now at my age than I ever did before.  They have time for me and we enjoy being around each other (i.e. they have coffee with me). But he said—That is what I’m saying now and could change my mind if that would happen. This friend has made a ton of money, but I think he’s getting smarter; I think he is. I had a profound conversation with a friend in AZ recently.  She is a widow and has lived in a smaller over 55 community in Mesa (i.e. maybe about a 1,000 folks or as she said—like a large high school) for some time but recently bought another place in a new Del Web community.  This area is huge massive and the dynamics seem to be much different (e.g. many younger folks who are recent retirees).  She is not for sure but it seems it has a way different feel to her.  She isn’t sooo sure it fits her.  As she said—I’m 75 and look at my life in 5-year intervals.  The clock is ticking, and I think I appreciate my relationships I have in my smaller resort. Think through all that folks.  I beg your pardon!

Plato called contentment, “natural wealth.” I wonder if it is natural for some and learned by others.  Plato was pretty smart.  A whole lot smarter than me soooo we better go with it being a natural wealth. AverageJoe, who is smarter than the average mule, says—Contentment is a very good quality.  Saturday question—Are you content? It appears we live in a very competitive culture.  We seem to be very driven.  It appears to me it’s like a huge massive snow ball going down the mountain at lightning speed and getting faster.  How will it ever going to stop! It’s impossible (i.e. it seems to be getting bigger and bigger and faster and faster). There is only one way it will stop (i.e. my opinion). And time is ticking. I’m saying that; Plato isn’t!  And I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, MN. I would guess Chester and Anna said that toooo! Maybe that is where I got it from!  Could be! Maybe it’s a Roseland saying!  Could be!

In the book Odyssey, Homer says—"A man who has been through bitter experiences and traveled far enjoys even his sufferings after time.” I have learned in my life and am still learning that when I quite trying to change folks but change myself, I’m a lot happier.  When I’m happy in my circumstance, no matter what it is, I am a better person.  Now I still try to change some things of my circumstances, yes I do but some I can't soooo I need to accept them and make the most of them even if I really don’t like them.  BitterKatie, who has a cocklebur under her saddle constantly, says--I beg your pardon, erv! Ok BitterKatie, this is pretty deep!  It’s easier to say that than to do!  And it seems some folks are better at it than others.  And…!  And…! Ok BitterKatie, if you want, you may just keep wallowing in the crap if you want tooooo! It’s your choice.  I can’t change you. Da!

Flip the pancake.  I had an acquaintance tell me pre-Christmas that this was going to be a way better Christmas than normal Christmases; way less stressful—why is this one soooo special—my family isn’t coming because of the virus; they don’t get along at all and it is very hard on me; I worry about it a month in advance and then while they are here and then I have post-Christmas depression—holy smokes, that’s not good; you better sit back, enjoy your eggnog and enjoy this one haha! She laughed!

I thought the flight to CO was quite quiet and reserved.  It seemed like folks were not very festive or cheerful; pretty reserved; no one seemed to talk much to each other (i.e. my opinion).  We sat with a seat between us except for families. Everyone was wearing masks.  The kid next to me looked like he was maybe a sophomore in high school.  He had on a Locker sweatshirt, old sweatpants and a pair of old tennis shoes and bushy, messy hair.  We didn’t talk until we were deplaning.  He told me he was going to see his parents in Denver.  We met again on the train going to the terminal to the baggage claim; we talked more.  He told me he was an actuary for Blue Cross and Blue Shield working on mortality. This kid who I thought was a sophomore in high school was helping making business decisions for a major company. I asked him what the company thought of the future of business—depends a lot of the future political scene; this is very hard to predict; we are nervous (i.e. he didn’t sound like a sophomore in high school)! ~ Heather, who is a RN, says kids are smart, they know what is going on more that we think they do.  They catch on more that we think. Kids are hard to fool!  Well, this kid in the plane fooled me; but I’m easy, for sure!  ~  We were looking at Christmas lights on houses in the neighborhood when I was in CO and 9-year old Jimmer said this about one of the most decorated houses—That sure is a lot of work!  You can’t fool those kids! I beg your pardon!

I really like this story (i.e. touching to me).  When Harry Swayne played in the NFL, his teammate, Mark Schlereth, kept inviting him to Bible studies. Swayne politely declined, but he couldn’t help noticing the difference in the players who did go. They were so kind to Swayne that he came under deep conviction and longed to give his life to Jesus. In January 1999, after the Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII, he piled into the caravan of limos heading to the celebration. “I was so convicted that I told my limo driver to take a left, and I made him take me back to the hotel. And I gave my life to Christ.” CrazyMarvin says--Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is! 

I think many folks don’t know how to love or maybe do a very poor job loving each other.  SusieQ says—I beg your pardon erv!  I really know how to love; I’m a great lover (i.e. I really didn’t know how to interpret her statement; she made me nervous).  ANYWAY, I think folks don’t all know how or some of us do a very poor job, including you, me and even the churches.  I have shared  some information I get from Cedar Valley Hospice each month.  I think they know what they are talking about. They say—“Many of us have experienced friends withdrawing, or saying things that we do not find supportive when we suffer grief (e.g. death, divorce, illness, hardship, etc.)…Not all friends are a source of comfort. They seem embarrassed…Friends avoid you. Studies have found that after a death, friendship networks change.” My opinion, I think churches should teach folks ways to love each other.  We mentor in business and we coach in sports (i.e. teach folks exactly how to do it, repeat the procedure sooo that it becomes automatic—I think many folks don’t know how to love or love very poorly).  We talk about love a lot but don’t really teach it. Or do the churches?  Maybe I missed church that Sunday or wasn’t listening. Anybody can wear a big cowboy hat even if they don’t own cattle! Elementary, my dear Watson! MissPerfect says—Folks really don’t care what you preach, they care what you do! IckieVicki says—YaBut erv, I’m a show dog and not a working dog!

Here is a fun little example of what I am talking about—Two friends of ours wanted to support us by visiting Arlene during her Alzheimer’s disease.  Many folks (i.e. including family) find it very hard to do this (i.e. are very uncomfortable).  One of these friends is a very loving, compassionate and caring person but told me flat out that she doesn’t know how to love Arlene and just stays away (i.e. felt uncomfortable).  One of her friends of church, who didn’t know Arlene very well but has experience of working in a care facility where folks with Alzheimer’s were cared for (i.e. also has a very compassionate heart) went with her. She showed her by example.  She just held her hand and hugged her and talked to her in a compassionate loving tone.  Our other friend, I think, learned a lesson.  They did this many times. I think everyone was blessed.  I was for sure.  Don’tWantToBetty says—It’s easier to just stay away or send a card!  It is Don’tWantToBetty, it is, I agree.  Sooooo maybe this loving is hard to do to a point we really don’t want tooooo (i.e. it is easy to love the perfect but not soooo easy to love the imperfect).  Could be. What do you think?  That is what I thought. If you believe in Jesus, who did He spend the most time loving?  GeorgeTheCrook says—Jesus must have been wacko! You can’t make any money or gain any status being around those type of folks (i.e. low end); you got to be around the shakers and makers who have the money and positions!

Somebody (i.e. anyone can be a somebody) once said that beauty is the passport to success, but it’s not a passport.  It’s a visa, and it expires.  WrinkledFaceWilma says--That’s a tad depressing BeautyBabe, but I found it to be true.  BUT, your expressions of love last forever, my opinion.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Efficiency is avoiding extra work by doing it right the first time.