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.