run amuck

By continuing reading this “It’s Saturday,” you are accepting the terms of use, including the use of candy and cookies to entice you. To read and understand the Terms of Use and the use of candy and cookies BEFORE you read “It’s Saturday,” please review and accept:   Accept Terms and Candy and Cookies

I enjoy talking to some folks more than others and I assume you do toooo.  Why is that? JoeBlow says—Well for me, it seems like the topics we talk about are more interesting and diverse, how some folks present the information, how serious/important some folks think they are, if they are real, if they don’t think they know everything, their body language, how egotistical they are, if they will let me talk toooo, if they make me feel good, if they are entertaining, if they smell good, if they aren’t obnoxious, etc.  You get the point.  I heard a speaker say recently that usually in our lives we have folks we seek out who uplift us.  I have those folks.  Some of “them folks” are you guys.  I can talk with some of you for long periods of time and it is never tiring (i.e. I guess we just enjoy each other).  MissPerfect says--Some folks always talk about themselves, some always talk about the same things, some always complain, some think they are Prince Charming, some folks go on and on about nuttin (i.e. anyway what I think is nuttin), some are just boring folks; that is why I don’t enjoy talking to them (i.e. the conversation runs amuck real fast) BUT another person might enjoy talking to them as they like that stuff toooo.  Sooooo there you go. 

Talk about talking that goes amuck! JoeKnowItAll says—An expert is a person who has found out by his own painful experience all the mistakes that one can make in a very narrow field.  SusieQ, who is sometimes in a happy mood and sometimes in a bitchy mood, says—If you really want to get in someone’s head, use excessive flattery or just ignore them; it always works. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Sooooo I was at a super senior friend’s place the other day.  She is a super friend because she is just super and is super old haha! ANYWAY, she was telling me that her eyesight is getting soooo poor to a point that she can’t see the numbers on her phone very well and has to dial by memory.  This whole process takes a long time.  Soooo she called the pharmacy and they put her on hold and for some reason the call got dropped.  She said she got sorta kinda mad.  Soooooo I said to her—what do you have to do the rest of the day!  She just laughed (i.e. she figured out my humor but not all folks doooo).  Hey, I’m retired and have the life of Riley soooo I know her situation.  Time means nuttin to me!  

A friend died recently and one of her close friends called me to let me know.  We talked about her for quit a long time.  She was 96, a sweet lady, a fun lady.  Sooooo my friend who has been her close friend for 50 years said she knew her soooo well that they could poke fun of each other.  Soooo give me an example.  Well, she was super slow in doing anything or making a decision and I do everything super fast.  I would kid her that when we went out to eat, I would be done eating and you would not have your napkin on your lap yet.  She would say—I’m not that way; oh yes you are!

Do you know anyone who over exaggerates everything?  Like the weather person, the news person, the financial person, the funeral person, the car salesperson, the shoe salesperson, the politician person, the advertising person on TV. You get it but you don’t get it haha!  I had a friend who would always overexaggerate his estimate of how good our golf shots were; he would say great shot even when we hit in the crap or in the water.  He has been deceased for a couple of years and us guys still laugh about it.  He just was a lot of fun or a great gamer, one of the other haha! Maybe my deceased friend did it to get in our heads.  He wouldn’tof done that, wouldof he? We will never now will we. We do know that he could get in Darby’s and Steve’s heads! Such good memories.

Just because! I had some correspondence with some folks by text.  They think I made a mistake in something I wrote them.  Sooooo I said to them—Did I make that mistake as a mistake or did I make that mistake on purpose?  Of course, they didn’t know.  I didn’t tell them.  They will never know.  Isn’t that fun.  Oh the mystery! It is soooo much fun when you don’t tell folks exactly what you mean but let them decide what you are trying to say (i.e. C. S. Lewis was good at this).  That way they can make their own conclusion and decide for themselves what the meaning is. Why? Just because!  Some of you folks say to me—erv, sometimes I don’t understand what you are saying in “It’s Saturday.”  No, you don’t understand yourself, maybe.  CrazyMarvin says—erv, I don’t get it! CrazyMarvin, you might be the type of person who sits there with your mouth open and expect everyone else to spoon feed you!  What TV station do you watch the news? You maybe won’t get why I said that either!

Soooo I have connection with a person who gives me the feeling that they think I’m competing with them and they have done multiple things to give me this feeling.  Our pastor says we need to discern information and he taught me that I need to discern by testing it multiple times and multiple ways.  Soooo I did.  I got the same result.  Soooooo I’m disappearing some, backing off.  I don’t want to hinder this person. I don’t need any attention.  Maybe this person does.  Sooooo why does this person think this?  I don’t know but can only speculate—maybe it’s because they are short on confidence, maybe it’s because of their position, or their financial power or they are from a certain elite huddle.  Does it make any difference? I don’t want our relationship to run amuck soooooo I will take the subordinate position (i.e. go in the shadows; get lost in the desert for a while).  That’s fine with me.  I’m gone! See you later alligator after while crocodile! And remember folks—The east wind might blow hot or cold! Joesixpack says--Now what does that mean?

I asked JoeAverage what he thinks of digital money—he went ballistic; I will never use digital money.  JoeAverage, are you the same guy who said you would never have a credit card, a cell phone, a computer, a self-steer tractor, pay no $30,000 for a car, have a smart TV, watch church on-line, take government stimulus money, have your SS check direct deposited, buy on line etc.?  I think you are full of baloney!  I don’t believe half of what you say and the other half isn’t true.  You have run amuck! You are all about the money; don’t kid yourself!

Things seem to be running amuck! I went to give blood.  I talked to a friendnorthofKesley.  She told me her hemoglobin was not high enough.  I told her I have that problem sometimes toooo.  I was one tenth of a point to low and they wouldn’t take my blood either.  Our doctors tell us our iron is ok, don’t worry about it.  Sooooo I went and talked to a friend who just got done giving and then left to get some groceries.  When checking out, the friendnorthofKesley was ahead of me checking out.  I told her that we both have tired blood.  I think my husband is the one who has tired blood; I told him the other day that I can’t believe how anyone can sleep that much.  He used to get up early in the morning and now sleeps late and I use to sleep good but now I can sleep.  Just then that friend who was giving double red cells at the Red Cross blood giving place came to check out.  I said to him—we are talking about myfriendnorthofKesley’s sleeping habits (i.e. he also is a friend of hers).  The check out clerk and the carry out guy both got a big kick out of that. 

In 1862 in a letter to a friend, Emily Dickinson wrote, “The heart wants what it wants.” LuckieEddie says—"However, I have found that in my life, doing whatever I want to do has not usually lead to joy. The heart does not always want what is best.” I had the opportunity to have two of my nephew-in-laws call me recently.  I really enjoy talking business with them.  They have a big interest in investing for the future and seem very good at it.  They both adhere to Dave Ramsey’s philosophies about money management.  Here is a summary of them that one of them sent me.  I hope that these principles might be like a jumping cholla to you. erv, mommy meea, what meatball you are.              

I read Monday Manna by Mr. Graves while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"We live in a time when an increasing number of people are keeping a vigilant eye out for a free lunch, free education, and a slew of other benefits and services they have not earned. Basically, they are waiting for someone else to do the hard work, to provide the resources they are not willing to put forth the necessary effort to produce. They are expecting to win the lottery – without even going to the trouble of buying a lottery ticket.”  He seems to think like something is running amuck here folks. BUT there are many in this good ol' United States of America that think we should have more free give-aways!  Soooo there lies the differences of opinions!  

A friend told me that they inherited some money from their parents.  One of their siblings could never manage his money and spent everything he got instantly.  He did this again with his inheritance (i.e. not good).  Why are these siblings different?  Maybe there is a difference for some reason!  A friend told me that their son did a DNA on their dog!  Yes, you heard it right, a DNA on their dog.  She showed me the results.  Like 20% lab, 18% chihuahua, 12% terrier etc. (i.e. you think that is really accurate).  The last percentage really made me laugh—16% super mutt! The company was nice, they couldof just said mutt but no, they said super mutt! I did a quick check as to the cost of a DNA for dogs--$69 to $159; now is that a good investment or what! We are affluent for sure!

How are we goin’ to do this? SlimySlick, who everyone knows what is wrong with him except himself, says—By far the best way I planned for my retirement was to marry it and inherit it (i.e. sorta kinda a cat and mouse game); it really worked for me (i.e. and it’s easy).  Something seems to have run amuck here folks. TomSmart says--I don’t think I read that in any of Dave Ramsey’s books; maybe I missed that chapter; couldof!

At breakfast recently a friend told me that his young grandson, who tells it like it is, was riding in his vehicle with him.  Grandpa, what’s this turbo boost button for—just press it. At the same time my friend hit the accelerator hard and the vehicle took off.  His grandson was really impressed and told his family at dinner that grandpa has a turbo boost button in his vehicle that when I pressed it, it made his vehicle take off like a rocket; I like that; that’s neat! Soooo maybe we all need a turbo boast button!  I think I do; it might make me a super mutt!

WorldClassLarry says--There is nothing better than the wind to your back, the sun in front of you and your friends beside you. Thanksamillion my friends.  You are special.  I applaud you. Yes, I do!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.

out of the ordinary

CadillacJack says—Skill without imagination is craftsmanship and gives us many useful objects, such as wickerwork picnic baskets.  Imagination without skill gives us “It’s Saturday.” Man-o-man CadillacJack, do you have to be soooo blunt! CadillacJack, my mind is like an Internet Browser. 19 tabs open, 3 of them are frozen and I have no idea where the music is coming from (i.e. maybe I'm out of the ordinary!.

George Champman, an English dramatist who died in 1634, wrote—“Fortune, the great commandress of the world, / Hath divers ways to advance her followers: / To some she gives honor without deserving, / To other some, deserving without honor.” George, that doesn’t seem fair does it!  Such is life I guess!

I spoke with a friend recently who does the technology of their church’s live streaming of their service.  I asked him a lot of questions.  I finally said to him—You must have had a lot of interest in this to put that much effort into it—not at all erv, I have absolutely no interest in this type of technology at all; the deacons asked me as they couldn’t get anyone else to do it and you know me; I learned it all from scratch with a lot of reading and help and practice.  He does it completely as a service to his church.  That is the kind of guy he is.  That seems to be out of the ordinary toooo me!  He is one good guy! And there is another lesson here for us to learn (i.e. my opinion)—Maybe we sometimes just need to ask a person! Just maybe! Give someone an opportunity! SusieQ says—But not me, I have enough opportunities!

Maybe today is the day you do something “out of the ordinary.”  Out of the ordinary is when you do something that you usually don’t do.  I have no idea what that might me.  BUT here is an idea.  Are we more a giver or more a taker?  Do we think more of ourselves all the time or do we think of others?  DrJ says—"Look around you today. Perhaps you’ll run across a child needing a smile, a disabled person needing a boost, a weary worker needing a kind word, a lonely person needing a call or note. Think of a way to encourage your pastor. Caring for others is the tie that binds. So look to Jesus and follow His pattern.” “A person wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.”--Benjamin Franklin  OneGreatGuy said this to a friend--I have been blessed in so many ways and you are one of those blessings. How do you think that friend felt when he was told that? ConfusedJodi says--I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do it's because I've missed my exit.

Are you a risk taker?  AverageJoe says—If you want to have good relationships with folks you need to take risks in sharing yourself; it you just take about the weather and music or sports or food, your relationships are going to be very unrewarding (i.e. but some folks like them to be that way).  A friend from way back recently shared some of his life with me by email.  I think it took some risk on his part to tell me some stuff (i.e. not earth shaking stuff but I wonder if he ever told anyone this stuff before).  I wonder how it made him feel. One thing he shared is that because of a men’s group of his church, he has shared some of his life with them and has never done this before.  He said he enjoyed it very much (i.e. and this guy isn’t a puppy anymore but is one good guy with a good heart; my kind of person).

There are some folks that think some churches took a nap, took a paid vacation, sat on their haunches, bought into the system, during the pandemic.  Some folks say--Isn’t this a time when folks need encouragement and help; churches missed an opportunity but just found an excuse to coast along a.k.a. kicked the can down the street (i.e. not very proactive or creative). That opinion is an opinion.  I read this when eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—We need to be a Barnabas when people around us are going through difficult times. That’s one way to live out the command to love each other, and Jesus said that love is the essence of all of God’s law. When we are encouragers, we are doing for others what we want them to do for us. And the more encouragement we give, the more we will likely receive. GeorgeTheCrook, who wasn't born yesterday, says—How long are many churches going to fiddle around and milk the system? They seem to like the system. WildWilly says—A ship in harbor is safe; but that is not what ships are built for!  WorldClassLarry says—A lot of people approach risk as if it’s the enemy when it’s really fortune’s accomplice.  Maybe, just maybe an opportunity was missed big time! RickyRick says--I love the fact that Jesus did not stand on the shore and shout instructions. When you’re in a storm, you don’t need advice. You need a miracle! You need somebody to show up, and that’s what Jesus did. He intervened in the disciples’ storm. Will flip the pancake--There is also a large group of folks that say--this virus is a great excuse for me to not go to be involved in church; I love it. MissPerfect says--Now that could be a 50-50 toss up!

A smart businessman/friend called me the other morning.  He was telling me how things are getting “out of the ordinary.”  Some major companies are telling new recruits for employment that they will guarantee they will be able to work from home their entire life.  Also, many companies are finding out that they can hire folks from Butler County and pay them twice their rural IA wages and still their employment cost will be way below their current employment cost that they have in major cities by letting folks work from home.  Holy smokes. That might put pressure on local employers.  PajamaChurchGoingRita says—And I can save a lot of money on clothes tooooo; I can wear the same pair of PJs every day to work that I wear to church! Remember folks—It’s all about the money; it has always been and always will be!  The world’s golden rule is gold rules! Such is life.

TomSmart, who is a breath of fresh air, says—Nothing is as frustrating as arguing with someone who knows what they are talking about.  Yikes that hurts! Flip the pancake--Maybe even worse is arguing with someone who believes they are right and won’t back down when we know they are wrong.  Ouchy ouchy.  JoeTeacher says—I have learned that no one can teach anything to anyone who thinks they know everything. They are usually the same folks that make a lot of noise but really don’t say anything (i.e. BettyNice says—That sounds like my brother-in-law)! ItchieBitchie says—Those type of folks aren’t really out of the ordinary here in this world! BUT I did learn something new from some folks that know what they are talking about (i.e. I think) at a dinner party the other night—I can freeze milk (i.e. I never knew that before). 

The other day I was a little put out as the government seems to favor others more than me (i.e. give others many more entitlement money packages than I get).  I thought “It ain’t fair.”  It appears that many folks have “chips on their shoulders” in thinking that they have been given the short stick while living in this world.  Sooo some must think there is a God who did that too them and they are bitter with God.  I’m just bitter with the government! The government ain’t fair (i.e. the only thing that’s fair is Butler County Fair and that is in June).  I know that and you know that and God knows that but it doesn’t make much difference, the government really doesn’t care and they are not fair. The government isn’t out of the ordinary! It appears that I got to complain more; now that seems to work!!! I got to get the media on my side. Now that is a fat chance! I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.  A friend told me at breakfast recently what his son told him when he was a little guy--“I see something that isn’t fair!!” That boy is smart; he figured it out early let me tell ya!

Are bitter folks out of the ordinary?  Are you bitter?  Why are you bitter? Who are you bitter with? Does bitterness help anyone? It appears that many folks are bitter (i.e. maybe tooo different degrees).  It appears they are bitter because they feel they are shorted like in not getting what they want.  Getting what they want from who?  From God? If soooo then they are bitter toward God I would guess.  ANYWAY, bitter folks aren’t much fun to be around for me.  Bitter folks aren’t very pleasant, pleasing, agreeable, happy, delightful or nice.  I think bitter gals lose their sweetness and guys are no longer gentlemen.  AverageJoe says--Holding on to bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. My opinion is that faith in Jesus is the answer to get rid of bitterness a.k.a. life changer.  I can’t understand how anyone would want to be bitter all their life and all the time.  Each their own I guess.  You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink.  JoeSmooooth says—Yabut erv, you can put a little salt in their food!

I think soooo, soooo that means that it might not be right—Every person (e.g. you and I), think of God differently.  I think I’m right here but that means nuttin!  Here is my thinking.  How you see God and how you think of Him depends on how you were educated about God and by who; like different Christian church denominations, different parents, different teachers, different friends etc. (i.e. some teach that God is a mean God who you have to meet the rules or you will be punished—they believe you can’t be forgiven while another person might believe in God to be a loving God and loves everyone regardless of who you are or what you did (i.e. I believe God loves me even though I’m a sinful person).  What do you think of my thinking?  That is what I thought.

A friend, who can really bake the bacon, told me this story of himself.  He delivered some stuff to their son in the metro and rented a U-haul trailer.  They unloaded the stuff and were in a hurry soooo he stopped at a U-haul place that was near.  The guy said—got your paperwork-yep-oh you can’t deliver the trailer here; you have to deliver it across town—isn’t this a U-halul location—yes, but I can’t let you drop it off here, besides I’m way toooo busy—here’s a $50 bill—do you think you can back into that spot over there? It’s all about the money!

You ever feel like you are in a blunder feast? I recently talked to a friend who I didn’t think he was himself.  He seemed to have lost his confidence.  He didn’t share what was on his mind (i.e. I had no idea what is going through his mind).  Confidence, when folks have it they don’t think they will ever lose it and folks who lose their confidence think they will never get it back. OneSmartPerson says—Both feelings make a person feel like they are in a twilight zone. 

I asked my 72-year old friend, who is miles ahead of everyone else,--Are you going to ride bike again—of course I am.  A friend told me at breakfast recently that late last fall he was riding bike and hit a patch of ice and in a spilt of a second he was on the ground.  He cracked some ribs and broke his shoulder.  Many times when we get dinged we become reluctant to do something again.  It's easier not to do it again.  We have to fight through it when we don’t feel like doing it.  We need to force ourselves sometimes (i.e. at least I have tooooo). It’s easier to sit on the couch and eat chips; we all know what happens then!  Ouchy ouchy!

This might sound a little out of the ordinary, maybe and maybe not.  You decide.  I am part of an organization that some folks think that a person is great, and part of the group thinks this person is not great.  Sooooo who is someone going to believe—it all depends who you ask I guess.  To make it even more realistic maybe one group represents maybe the minority of the folks and the other group represents the majority of the folks. But if someone asks one of the minority who thinks this person is great, some folks will probably accept their believe.  Soooo be careful who you believe (i.e. that might not represent the majority by far).  And then again, maybe a person from the minority might be right, but just doesn’t represent the majority! That is why when you talk to references, they don’t mean much; maybe ask the references for additional references a.k.a. secondary references and then ask them for additional references (i.e. now you might find out who the real person is); a person isn’t going to give you a reference who isn’t their disciple.  JoeBlow says—That isn’t out of the ordinary.  This just fascinates me! Hey, it doesn’t mean one group is right or better than the other group, but the difference is not good for an organization (i.e. or maybe it is).  I know that for fact as some of you have told me soooooo (i.e. but that is your opinion)!  Many of you know what I’m talking about.  You have been or are in one of those groups. 

Soooo my 13-year-old granddaughter called me the other night.  She seems to becoming quit a young lady.  She can really carry on an enjoyable conversation; even asking intelligent questions and even caring about me.  Wow!  She wants to come and spend time with me this summer; she likes Butler County.  I told her if she could get a good fare from Denver, I would pay for her flight.  But it has to be reasonable ‘cause I’m frugal.  Grandpa, what does frugal mean, I don’t know.  What a great conversation.  What an opportunity.  Most 13-year-olds have a 13-year old logic of spending everything they have and now.  Well folks, many 55-year-olds still have that 13-year old logic.  I wonder if they are ordinary or out of the ordinary.  Some parents tell me that their grown children are terrible money managers.  It's good that their parents are frugal soooo their kids will have a lot to spend when they die as they will need a lot; that is very nice of them!!!

ItchieBitchie says--It is easy to identify folks who are out of the ordinary; they are the same folks who can’t count to 10; those are the ones in front of you in the supermarket express lane.

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

erv

MyFreindJean said--Busy souls have no time to be busy bodies.

wowee

Lucille Ball said—I’m not funny.  What I am is brave.  MissPerfect says—Only a brave person with a strange sense of humor will find anything funny in today’s “It’s Saturday.”  Maybe that was in the back of Shakespeare’s mind when he chose “A Comedy of Errors” as the title for his play.  Could be! What do you think?  That is what I thought. 

Now you all can be relieved.  I have hired (i.e. negotiated his fee to free) a fact-checker.  Yes I did.  He lives in Butler County and his credentials say his education is sketchy (i.e. might not have any formal education), never lived any place but Butler County, traveled out of Butler County a few times and that was to watch Hulk Hogan wrestle, reads the Des Moines Register every day at the public library and watches the 5:30 NBC nightly news religiously, has four ex wives because of divorce, has been a member of 5 different local churches and drinks coffee daily at the coffee( shop down town.  Soooo there you go!  He says he is very good! Wowee! He said—This “It’s Saturday” is not a “public relations stunt” but it could be!

JoeBlow, who is the real deal, says—I have stuff that just lingers in my life.  I try to get rid of that stuff, but it keeps lingering.  I can’t get rid of it.  I forgive folks but can’t forget them; the experiences seem to linger on.  They seem to just hang on; I can’t seem to get them hung up. Well JoeBlow, do pigs fly! George C. Marshall, who was a soldier and the third secretary of defense, said—If man does find the solution for world peace, it will be the most revolutionary reversal of his record we have ever known.” Do pigs fly! If world peace would ever happen, wowee! That would be something for sure.  When there were only a few folks on this earth, they were killing each other already.  Crazy! Why will it ever stop? It’s like a terminal disease, it can’t be fixed but only managed maybe!  Hey, folks have been praying for world peace forever, but folks still keep killing each other. SlimieSlime, who leaves skid marks, says—Money and power usually wins and rules!  Look around, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. CoolManLuke says—And now it is technology manipulation that’s being used without even killing each other (i.e. at least not on the surface)! 

ItchieBitchie, who has a happy hour mentality, says—The world is vicious, wild, crazy, outrageous, mean, unfair, wicked, demanding, on and on and on.  I agree ItchieBitchie, the world is challenging alright.  My opinion, we have to be very careful that we don’t get swallowed up in all that stuff. We all live in the world, but we don’t have to be of the world (i.e. at least try not tooooo—it’s really hard not to buy into it—it seems like humans like power and money; oh, that power and money can do a number on us alright).  Such is life.

This might be overwhelming to you.  But try to think through it.  I heard the MT-Cowboy talk about this.  It was very inspiring to me.  It’s Kairos, an ancient Greek word meaning the right, critical, or opportune moment. The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. The former refers to chronological or sequential time, while the latter signifies a proper or opportune time for action.  Saturday question—How does Kairos time refer to and affect you and me? CowgirlDaisy says—Oh boy, timing was a big deal in my life; I had good timing and bad timing; it seems I had a hard time deciding what the Kairos time was!  Wowee! Folks, try to think about God’s Kairos time!

WorldClassLarry says--It's better to under promise and over produce that over promise and under produce! A friend told me that she was having a hard time with the furnace guys.  They didn’t do what they said when they said they would do it.  She thought she was getting very poor service.  Not good!  She reacted in a business way to the owner in expressing her displeasure.  ANYWAY, she was complaining to her adult daughter who said—Mom, the culture has changed; the customer isn’t always right anymore.  Wowee! GeorgeTheCrook says—BUT the problem with that attitude in a free-enterprise system is that those folks won’t be around in business very long; there are more furnace guys; just look on line!  BUT that doesn’t apply to any establishment of the government that is paid by tax dollars (i.e. we have no choices). Wowee! That furnace guy might have thought he won the battle but might lose the war!  Ouchy ouchy! LuckieEddie says—Maybe that furnace guy has made soooo much money that he doesn’t care anymore (i.e. got the big head—that happens toooo—stick in in your ear Ms. Consumer).

I saw this as I was leaving Paxton, NB last fall.  I had to wait for a train to cross the road and this sign was there.  I thought it was funny.  I never saw a sign like that on a railroad track before and for what reason?  Why would there be a railroad track if there is not proper clearance? What do you think? Now look at the corner of the sign as it is bent back perfectly but from the other direction.  Maybe the train did a u-turn at the first legal intersection and hit it coming back.  What do you think? ANYWAY, it made me LOL!  

I was talking to a senior friend by phone the other day.  He is about 80 and a retired farmer.  I asked him if he still helps with the farm operation—I do very little; I did drive the grain cart this fall and do a little tillage, but technology is way over my head; we have self-steer, and I can’t always make it work while my grandkids can figure it all out real fast; I pretty much do nuttin! Wowee! I wonder if it is hard for younger folks to work with older folks; they just don’t get it very fast and many don’t want to get it.  In the real world, the younger folks just past over the old folks; it takes tooooo much time and effort to try to convince them or to teach them (i.e. things change if there are younger folks around and if not, well then, stuff stays pretty much the same). BUT seniors learn, well some do anyway! The ones that don’t want to learn, need to lean on their kids or an advocate!  OR stuff ain’t going to happen. An example of this—recently I signed up for my virus vaccination; friends called me and informed me that I could sign up with Butler County Public Health on Facebook using Sign Up Genius; soooo I did.  I got an appointment; the slots were filled up in no time. That was a pretty slick way for the Butler County Health to handle that, my opinion, I thought. BUT, some older folks will say—that ain’t fair, I don’t know how to use Facebook or Sign Up Genius.  

Sooo the difference in generations brings up an interesting scenario.  That is not “we” but “us and them.”  AverageJoe, who hits a lot of homeruns, says—There always been us and them and it will always be that way; that is why we have wars.  Us and them! You might be right AverageJoe; that is why we have soooo many attorneys and the courts are full of lawsuits—us and them.  We don’t agree!  We see us and them in sports, politics, families, churches, businesses, marriages, friendships, countries, forms of government, personalities, etc.  It’s all over.  BUT, if us and them can’t get to we, going forward is difficult.  Wowee! I got the term “us and them” from a friend who she used it to describe a situation we are mutually interested in.  It seems like her description is pretty accurate at this point (i.e. and there are reasons why it is “us and them”). Wowee! Will it become “we?” I think God only knows. BUT, that’s my opinion soooo take my opinion for what it’s worth—NUTTIN. It appears that the first step is that the two sides have to agree that we have a disagreement that it is causing a divide (i.e. got to admit it and then address it in a pleasant discussion).  Wowee!

My big sister (i.e. only in age) told me over the phone the other day that she just can’t believe how old she is; she said she just doesn’t seem that she is as old as she is.  Well, getting older is better than the alternative, my opinion.  Yes, it seems, the older we grow, the more we realize the brevity of life. It seems to go with the territory. I realize that life isn’t always easy for the aged; in fact it can be very difficult in soooo many ways.  I have no idea of all your situations but I’m sure some of you have challenges both mentally and physically.  It just can’t be any different.  You don’t even have to be old to have them, but they seem to be more as we age.  Soooo how are we going too or how are we handling them?  “You” isn’t the neighbor next door but "you" is you and I (i.e. real folks)? Wowee!  I’m talking about the real world here folks, the real world right here in River City where the rubber hits the road where image rhymes with ego and ego rhymes with confidence and confidence rhymes with cockiness and cockiness rhymes with trouble and trouble rhymes with problems and problems rhymes with issues and issues come back to image.  Now you understand for sure! Such is life.

All I did was give her my opinion! Wowee! Boy, did she get excited.  I must have touched a nerve or something!  I think I scared her to death (i.e. well, she didn’t die but you know what I mean). These days it almost goes without saying that our pockets are filled with holes. Nothing of this world satisfies. It appears for many folks that contentment seems hard to find (i.e. hard to ring the bell). I read what Dr.J said the other day while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--NASA has incredible machines—rovers—that are designed for work on Mars. One is scheduled to land on the planet next month, and its name is PERSEVERANCE. The other is an earthbound copy that will perform the same tasks on earth to help engineers analyze the work and fix any problems with PERSEVERANCE. The machine on earth is named OPTIMISM, which is an acronym for Operational Perseverance Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars. That made me smile.  Perseverance and optimism seem to be good qualities. 

This is not an advertorial but I have no idea what it should be called! A friend was telling me the other day how busy they were and they have no time—sooooo what are you soooo busy about—they told me—I suggested maybe they should do something different that would maybe take half the time and maybe be much easier and maybe even more cost effective—yabut, I like doing it that way and besides, I have always done it that way!  Oh!  It’s like the old story of JoeSmart asking his notsoooosmartsister-in-lawJosie—why do you keep hitting your head against the wall; doesn’t that hurt—it does but I’m afraid that if I change it could hurt worse! Wowee!

I enjoy burning candles and have a box full of them from previous house decorations that I decided to save for this reason.  I found out that that those candles are all different when they burn.  Some burn slow and some fast, some smell and some don’t, some are prettier when they burn and some not as much, some maybe are designed for looks and not for burning maybe, some generate a tall flame and some a short flame etc.  BUT they all bring me happiness (i.e. that happiness might also be different for different folks depending on our past or current environment—my opinion).  Also, here is my personal analogy—Maybe we are all like those candles! Wowee! Thanksamillion to you folks; you all have brought happiness to my life in some form or another (i.e. because you are all different).  And I’m sure you have brought happiness toooo many other folks as well.  Wowee! That is all of you except for one of you and you know who you are!  haha

The person from NorthOfTown says—The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own.  You don’t blame them on your mother, the ecology or the president.  You realize that you control much of your life and your future.  SusieQ says—That could be personfromNorthOfTown, but I have noticed that some folks are like some flowers and plants that seem to survive despite all our best efforts to kill them. Others, though, fold up almost immediately unless they are treated with tender, green-fingered care. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—To defy old age, just believe that you’re as good as you never were.

foreshadowing

WorldClassLarry says—There are three motives for reading a book:  One that you enjoy it; and another is that you can boast about it and another is you are killing time! I am reading a book now that I might tell you about in the future (i.e. might).  I really like it but some of you might not (i.e. that is the way it always is, isn’t it).  ANYWAY, it makes this statement—If you are rich or poor (i.e. it used a little different terminology but this wording is easier to understand) is there any eternal difference between the two? Is that foreshadowing?

Some of you folks are great readers and have great minds.  I have always thought it would have been better if I would have had a better mind but maybe it might have been a disaster if I would have.  How will I ever know.  ANYWAY, I wonder if there are pieces of evidence in my early life that would have shown how I was going to be today.  And you!  I wonder the same thing about you.  A gal who reads 100+ books a year says--Well, authors use foreshadowing.  I think speakers do toooo. Good leaders do also, maybe. ANYWAY, they seem tooooo!

 JoeWriter says--I learned the dramatic principle called “Chekov’s gun,” attributed to the Russian writer Anton Checkov: a playwright shouldn’t place a gun on the fireplace mantle in the first act unless it’s going to be fired in the final act…We were reading John Steinbeck’s classic novel Of Mice and Men, and our professor showed us how the story’s tragic conclusion was suggested earlier in several places throughout the book. Now that is foreshadowing folks. 

OldSusieQ, who always wakes up on the right side of the bed, says--Now I think I can still change parts of my life even at my age (i.e. even though the old gray mare ain’t what she use to be).  I think we all can.  But do we want tooooo? That is a big question. This quote is often credited to Cicero in B.C. 55—"The national budget must be balanced. …People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.” PrognosticatorLawrence, who lives deep in Butler County on the north bank of the Beaver River, says--What I see in my foreshadowing, IT AIN’T GOIN’ HAPPEN!

RickyRick says—"Ponder before promising. Deliberate before deciding. Muse before you choose. Reflect before you select. Consider your commitments prayerfully and carefully. Pause and pray before deciding. That will slow your life down…One of my mentors, Peter Drucker, is considered by many to be the founder of modern management. He used to say to me, ‘Don’t tell me what new thing you’re doing. Tell me what you’ve stopped doing.’” That is sorta kinda an oxymoron isn’t it; we hear all the time to do more, you can do it and he says not to do more (i.e. slow down).  What! Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going! We’re burning daylight!

My opinion is that there is an undertone with all folks might feel that is foreshadowing the future which seems to be scary and uncertain to all.  The general population as a whole is wondering how their life is all going to play out (i.e. many major moving parts of great consequences).  There seems to be a great concern.  A concern about the future of each of us individually and as humanity in general (i.e. yes, that’s big folks).  It feels sorta kinda creepy to me! CadillacJack, who lives like his hair is on fire, says--Maybe everyone knows it but they don't want to admit “it.”  Can it really be? LuckieEddie says—Sooooo erv, what is the “it?”  SmoochieSmooch will try to tell us what the worst-case scenario is and what the best-case scenario is, but she has no idea folks.  She is just winkin’ at us!  She doesn’t have a clue. She is just kissin’ up to us! JoeSixPack says—And she is good at it let me tell ya! You can bet your last dollar on that!

Why are you and I attracted to certain type of folks?  Is it because they are trustworthy, physically beautiful, think like we do, rich financially, have great charisma, have a good heart, are intelligent, are caring, are popular, are refreshing, are exciting, have position, agree with us, have same political views, have same believe about God, have the same philosophy about life, like to drink beer, enjoy the same activities?   Is this foresight or foreshadowing?  Now flip the pancake!  Wonder if they don’t have those same qualities or don’t exhibit some qualities that are very important to us, is that a foreshadowing for us to be careful about our relationship.  Is this a warning to us to be careful and watch out?  Like something isn’t right; things don’t add up; something is fishy!  When young folks are dating or friendships are made, obviously many of these things are overlooked.  Or the feeling is, oh I can fix them or they will change.  Da!  Most times those folks don’t change.  They stay good or they stay bad.  Luke 16:10 says—Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  Da!

A number of years ago a friend invited me to play with him and a client of his for a round of golf.  His client is the owner of a very nice golf course.  I enjoyed my friend and also this business guy.  They treated me like a king.  We had a forecaddie.  I never heard of a forecaddie before.  I felt like a big shot!  A forecaddie is a person who is positioned down the fairway or near the green whose job is to track the balls’ positions that the golfers hit.  I think I should have a forecaddie for my life.  How about you?  It was a day’s experience that I will never forget. Thanksamillion again my friend.

Dr.J tells this story that I like--Ken Block, a professional rally driver, recently fitted his off-road truck with 300,000 lumens of blinding light to make sure he can see everything on the darkest night and in the darkest places (i.e. he wants to see what’s up ahead). How much is 300,000 lumens of light? The average car headlight pumps out 700 lumens on low, and 1,200 with the high beams turned on. A light in a football stadium uses 70,000 or more lumens. ItchieBitchie, who has a lot of miles on her, says—It’s probably a good idea to know what is coming up soooo we are ready for it.  Like my DeceasedFriendPaul said to me—Decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions.

A friend was telling me this fall that he has scouted during the summer and early fall one area that he hunts deer and has seen a prize buck.  He has hunted the area on several occasions this fall but has not got in a position to get a shot at him.  He was telling me that one night he was in his stand and had his gun propped up facing the direction that the deer usually come from.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the big buck behind him about twenty yards away.  It was just a short time and the buck caught his scent and was gone.  That is why the prize buck is alive today probably, he is very shrewd in paying attention to signs (i.e. foreshadowing).  I think many times we hear, see, and smell signs but don’t pay attention to them and get a slug to our heart!  And then we say—How dumb can I be! Ouchy ouchy!

The other day I did something on my laptop but didn’t even know what I did when a dropbox dropped down with a feature that I didn’t even know my computer had (i.e. purely an accident).  It was a feature that was useful to me (i.e. where have I been all this time).  I just LOL.  BUT I thought and wondered how many times I have features available to me that I can really use, and I don’t know about.  Or how many times I learn from a mistake I make that really turns out to be a good move.  And I wonder how many times I have these opportunities but don’t recognize them or am scared to try them.  I’m a wonder alright; I wonder a lot!  I wonder as I wonder. For sure!

Recently I got up early and did my usual morning routine which I really enjoy (i.e. I would guess many of you do the same).  This particular morning, I felt dull (i.e. not as sharp as I usually feel).  AverageJoe says—erv, how can you tell if you are duller than you are normally. Good question soooo maybe I wasn’t really duller than normal but just thought that (i.e. just a false perception—how do you measure dullness analytically or quantitatively). ANYWAY, you ever notice that “just a little bit” can really affect your life.  I mean, you just get a little bit of love, encouragement, good feeling, happiness, uplift etc. and it really affects our lives.  Just a little bit (i.e. it really doesn’t take much).  Sooooo some little thing will come about, and I won’t feel soooo dull!  I just don’t know what that “just a little bit” will be.  BUT it always comes; yes it does.  Mostly from you folks (i.e. you folks with good hearts; my kind of folks).

I was thinking about some of you folks while lighting my fireplace.  My wood container, the old copper boiler, made me think of some of you.  My hat really goes off to some of you.  You have told me about your accomplishment of stopping being an alcoholic and have not drank for many years.  I really applaud you; that is not an easy accomplishment (i.e. you know who you are; and some who I don’t know about).  One friend invited me to go with him to his AA meetings when guests were permitted.  I was very impressed with how real folks were and the organization.  I found out that the first thing an alcoholic has to do is admit they are one and second that there is a higher power.  I would sure like to hear from you recovering alcoholics and hear how you are doing.  ANYWAY, the boiler was purchased on a trip to FL when Arlene and I traveled with my big sister (i.e. only in age) and our brother-in-law maybe 50 years ago.  We stopped at a junk place in KY.  It was late in the afternoon. Arlene found this beat-up old boiler and thought we should buy it. The old guy said he would sell it real cheap; I would like to have enough for it to buy a six-pack as I have no money and I am thirsty; this is a dry county and it’s late and I have just enough time to drive across the county line and get it before they close; what do you think? My brother-in-law named him BenTheBeerHog and he has remained that name for all this time. We supported his addiction! Hey, the guy was thirsty!

Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo.  The day after I wrote the above paragraph, I got a call from my friend who invited me to the AA meetings.  He said we haven’t talked for about 10 months his phone says.  I told him what I just wrote.  I asked him how old he was—79; how many years since his last drink—26; what is the success rate of folks who come to AA—about 15%; what is the biggest reason that they don’t succeed (i.e. his opinion)—Don’t accept that they have a problem and they don’t stay committed. 

TomSmart says--"We must dare to think 'unthinkable' thoughts. We must learn to explore all options and possibilities that control us in a complex and rapidly changing world." A friend at breakfast recently told me what a wise young businessman (i.e. a successful entrepreneur) said at a business meeting—The CPVID-19 pandemic is causing us to acquire habits that will last a long time into the future.  That is his opinion of course but…! I think that is foreshadowing!  And what are those new habits going to be?  Are we going to be proactive or reactive? I heard our pastor say in Adult Sunday School, I think—We need to interpret properly and make proper application. I understood him to say that we need to use all methods and resources to gather the best possible interpretation (i.e. try to interpret it correctly) and then make an applicable application (i.e. of course he was talking about scripture).  LuckieEddie says—Of course you can spend way toooo much time with the bureaucracy of interpretation and never do any application (i.e. many folks would rather talk than do; that ain’t nuttin new).  Holy smokes! Such is life.

When a kid, I really liked to watch cowboy movies and programs.  Many older folks still watch those reruns yet today.  In fact, the other day I called a very senior female friend and she asked me to call her back as she was watching a cowboy show. ANYWAY, I always liked when the cowboys would herd the wild horses into a box canyon.  I just liked that.  I feel that Americans are being herded into a box canyon and don’t even know it (i.e. suckers).  I always sorta kinda felt sorry for those wild horses to be fooled and trapped.  Those wild horses or Americans seem to have been taken advantage of (i.e. maybe) and they didn’t see the foreshadowing.  Ouchy ouchy! Once the wild horses are in the box canyon and the gate is shut, it’s over; they are toast (i.e. that is history—I have seen it on many cowboy shows soooo it must be right).  

MissPerfect, who lives a lifestyle of the rich and famous, says--There is always a pleasure in unraveling a mystery, in catching at the gossamer clue which will guide to certainty. JoeReader says—I should have paid more attention to the gossamer clues early in my life and maybe I would have figured out where I was going to end up; like where I am now!  BUT I was thinking more of sports, girls and beer at that time.  What was I thinking anyway!  Darn hormones! CrazyMarvin says--Sometimes the unthinkable turns out to be the truth!  Ouchy ouchy!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—If you never seem to reach the goal of your dreams, blame the alarm clock.