forthright

Ernest Hemingway wrote in a letter to F. Scott Fitzgerald–The good parts of a book may be only something a writer is lucky enough to over hear or it may be the wreck of his whole damn life—and one is as good as the other. Please take that into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”

Dr. Suess had a saying that went like this—"Today you are you that’s truer than true and there is no one alive who’s youer than you.” We are really something else; we all are; aren’t we something else!  Crazy for sure (i.e. especially some of us—haha).  TomSmart asks—Who is really a normal person?  What is normal?  Are you normal?  Is TomSmart being tooooo forthright?

At church recently, I had a very interesting and life impacting experience with a couple of gals (i.e one was maybe in her 50s and the other maybe in her early 20s).  I asked them for their advice as they were female and have, I think, a good perspective on something I needed advice pertaining to another female friend (i.e. maybe normal folks but God only knows).  They told me that I should be forthright with her if she is really my friend (i.e. don’t beat around the bush but just ask her what you want to know straight out).  Soooo I did and got her answer straight from the horse’s mouth. This advice might have impacted my future of the rest of my life. Huh, interesting.

Have any of you been sorta kinda taken advantage of by a “silver tongue” type of person?  SusieQ, she thinks she is a fancy lady, says--Of course you have; probably everyone has to some degree.  It could be a salesperson, an ex-spouse, ex-friend, your boss, your church you attend etc.  They just don’t quite tell you the truth or not all the truth or sweep the facts under the rug.  What do you think of that type of person?  A friend told me recently that some of her acquaintances are what she calls “opportunists.” They sorta kinda take advantage of others.  SusieQ goes on to say--Sometimes folks with power or money will do that (i.e. take advantage of the weaker folks; it’s painted all over history folks—don’t be so naïve!). 

Coming back from biking the other day, I saw a sign for an estate sale soooo I pulled in.  This lady had a very nice house with nice stuff but overpriced (i.e. we always think our stuff is worth more than what it’s worth—when I sell my stuff, I never get enough and when I buy stuff, I pay tooooo much).  She asked if I was looking for anything in particular--yes, a motorcycle jacket—don’t have that; are you crazy to be riding a motorcycle at your age (i.e. she wasn’t real forthright in telling me to sell the motorcycle and get a unit in a retirement center and play bingo)!  I asked here where they were going—We bought a new condo at the Western Home; our kids want us to move there (i.e. she was maybe in her late-80s);  soooo you listen to what your children say—most of the time; they have been very good to us; but do they spend a lot of money; way more than we do! How much for this box of candles--$15; how about $10--those are really nice candles (i.e. our stuff is always nicer than anyone else’s)—they sure are and that is why I want to burn them; I burn a candle a lot--I want to keep the 2 new ones—ok, it’s a deal—A good deal is when it’s good for me and good for you—at least I got rid of another box of stuff!  We both laughed. What a hoot!

While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, this is what I read that MaxedOutCreditKatieWithAllTheJingle said—I just take care of the luxuries and the necessities will take care of themselves.  Besides, if I get in trouble, the government will bail me out; the folks who are the good money mangers and savers will pay my way!  It works (i.e. I learned that you have to complain and protest a lot; it works all the time). Such is life.

Soooooo I cleaned the chain on my bike with Dawn and water before my trek and then oiled it with White Lighting Epic Ride.  It was amazing how much easier it paddled or otherwise it was my attitude.  How will I ever know?  It really doesn’t make any difference as long as I think it’s better!  haha  I was at a small group at church and we were talking about faith.  I asked how do you know if you have strong faith or exactly how strong is your faith?  It analytically can’t be measured.  You might think your faith is strong but compared to what and to who.  Soooo maybe as long as you think you have strong faith that is all that counts.  What do you think of that? That is what I thought! ItchieBitchie, who can be very direct at times, says--Most folks don’t like to talk about such stuff; they would rather just talk about how great their faith is (i.e. which means that they are great).  Maybe sometimes we need to clean our chain and put a little White Lighting Epic Ride on it (i.e. like I said—we usually think we think our stuff is better than what it is--it's our ego talking)!  Such is life.

I had several friends recently asked me very forthright—erv, how are you actually doing? You seem to be doing soooo well; are you really doing that well? Maybe they think that I am what Abe Lincoln said—You can fool some of the folks all of the time, all the folks some of the time but you can’t fool all the folks all the time.  Soooo how can I really know how I’m doing compared to what and to who?  It just can’t be done. Can it? A friend told me that when his mother died, his sisters were worried that when their dad went down south for the winter that some gal would get ahold of him and he would get instantly married.  His sisters insisted he had to go down there and get their dad home.  He did.  But after he was home for about two weeks, his dad called him and told him that he was getting married to some lady down the road.  They all just shook their heads.

I was with a group of church friends and we talked about asparagus.  Some liked it more than others; some like it about the size of their thumb and some liked the smaller size; some liked it prepared by steam, some by baking, some by boiling, some by grilling; some had their personal patch and some knew where it was in the road ditch; they seemed to all have different opinions about asparagus alright.  Then we talked about rhubarb; some liked it and some didn’t; some like sugar on it and others like salt on it; some said if you put enough sugar on it I like it anyway!  One gal said—You can pull rhubarb out and throw it over the fence and it grows back both places (i.e. that sounds like many folks; you just can’t get rid of them). The next day one of those friends brought me some asparagus from his private patch!  Wow!  We also had a very nice talk.  Probably even better than the asparagus. Great experiences I had.

I was going down the street in my trusty old golf cart (i.e. some call it my 85 Yamaha convertible) and a friend was trimming his lawn.  We had the best talk.  He has and is struggling with a nagging serious disease which has given my much trouble.  Sooooo he asks me how I was doing and then I asked him how he is doing—his response was--I’m not as good as I’d like to be, I’m a lot better than I was and am as good as I’m going to be. This guy has a good attitude and is just a plain good guy (i.e. a guy who is real and has a great heart; my kind of guy). Was our meeting and talking happenstance? Na, I don’t think soooooo folks!

Talk about comparing. I took maybe a 100-mile trek on my Yamaha XT250 recently.  I visited five small communities in North Butler County.  I had a blast.  But I relearned that not all folks live an easy life and not all have it made (i.e. it appears).  Some have it pretty tough the way it looks.  Small town rural living is sometimes were folks with little money live or have to live or want to live.  But what I was reminded of is that they all have a soul, all probably love their children as we do, all have political views, all get hungry, all have the basic needs to live and are all going to die.  I had many thoughts and feelings.  Very thought provoking to me. It was a great time and experience for me to reflect.  JoeBlow says—Not all folks have the wind to their backs and are all not running down hill like many of you folks.  Such is life. In one of those small towns, two maybe 12-year old boys, were throwing the football in the street.  I stopped and talked to them—One said—I like your motorcycle mister! I actually sorta kinda felt bad! I really was one of those 12-year old boys as a kid. Do you believe that America is a land of opportunity?  I really do. A friend told me that in some countries, folks are born in a class system and they can't get out (i.e. impossible).  Yikes!  DivorcedBeautyBabeFromTheOtherSideOfTheTracks asks--Are some churches this way?  Surely not, are they!

Got this text from our daughter recently.  Easton or as I call him Jimmer who is 9 years old.  He likes baseball and has some ability.  He had to try out to determine his level of play and was put in a higher level.  He is not pushed by his parents but…!  Our daughter said--“Youth sport parents are interesting; I guess we should push Easton more; Or he will never stay caught up; But he can run! He won his race again on Sunday 3:32 for 1/2 mile.” The kids he plays with and against are really pushed by their parents (i.e. have all the fancy dress and bags and equipment).  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that some schools are offering summer school for all kids to help them get caught up with their lack of education because of the virus.  I wonder how many parents will push their kids to go to summer school. Maybe it is like piano lessons when parents just plain get tired of hearing their kids complain about practicing and just say—it just ain’t worth it; let’s just let them sit on the couch with their iPads! Can there be a proper balance here folks? MyFriendCoachRick says—There can be!

Talk about be forthright with his buddy!  I was playing golf in Old Goats recently with my friend, Dale.  We were with two other twosomes from another town who were buddies. We had a great time. ANYWAY, on every hole they have hole prizes like the longest putt. Soooo one of the guys went to the placard to see who had the longest putt.  He said--huh, this guy putts with one hand!  Dale said--Really like he has only on hand--no no, he only uses one hand.  Then this guy says (i.e. seemed to be a "one-up you" type of guy)--I putt better with one hand.  One of his buddies says to him--Soooo Charlie, sooo is that the reason you putt with two hands!  What a hoot! 

LuckieEddie, who can talk about the real stuff, says--I think some folks sometimes just play games with each other and are not forthright (i.e. don’t get to the issue).  ClazenaShowboat, who can paint to extremes at times, says--Some folks’ relationships are a blur, all fuzzy, sorta kinda a dim picture; they don’t form a very clear environment; it appears that is a crazy methodology (i.e. sounds like politics). Missperfect, has it all figured out NOT) says—It’s not easy to be forthright with folks most of the time.  Even when they don’t want to really hear what I have to say.  Maybe many folks would rather just pretend it’s better than what it is.  Missperfect says—Isn’t that what Facebook is all about!

I was forthright with myself recently.  Yikes, erv, that sounds scary; believe me it was!  I told myself--Are you doing this for your ego, erv, or for the good of everyone? That’s a simple but penetrating question that caused me to honestly re-examine my strategy and admit that my thinking might have been based on only one factor: my pride. The Bible says something like—be aware of self-deception!  Who what me?  Now I will run that by a few good folks and see what they say.  I’m a project all right! I sometimes hate that when I see the truth! It’s very humbling to me. Did you know that you speak between about 15,000 to 25,000 words a day (i.e. and that is average, some of you go way beyond those figures for sure; you know who you are).  How many of those words do you speak to yourself?  MotorMouthBettyLou, I feel sorry for your poor Fido having to listen to you all day!  Poor dog!

I met these guys on the golf course early last Saturday morning while jogging; it was burzzy burzzy out.  I asked if I could take their pic. I told them I never seen anyone play golf with hoodies and cowboy boots before.  They were hs young men; names were Colton and Dalton; both didn’t like school; one worked part time in construction and other as a cook; one wanted to be a welder and the other a diesel mechanic.  They seemed to be great young guys. I told them it doesn’t matter how we look to enjoy life.  We laughed!

Soooo NeighborLisa asked me if I would let her dogs out last Saturday as she was going to watch her grandson play baseball—sure—do it at 1 and 5; just let them out and they will pee and come back in—no problem; soooo I let them out at 1 and had no problem but when I let them out at 5, the one that might have a mental problem, ran out the door full speed like “a bat out of hell” and didn’t stop running; never did come back (i.e. I think The Dog had that pre-planned).  I finally texted NeighborLisa and told her what happened.  NeighborTed said—erv, they always come back. Friends picked me up at 6:30 but still No Dog.  I got home at 9 and still No Dog.  I texted NeighborLisa and she said she would be home in an hour and hopefully The Dog would be back.  The next morning I was doing my devotions about 7:30 and The Dog walks across my yard to NeighborLisa’s place.  I think she did “a night on the town!” The Dog looked beat!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—If you lighten the way for others, you’ll never be in the dark yourself.

PS

The tip today comes from a commercial salmon fisher person of Alaska. She just had a knee replaced and told me that when you first have it done you can’t move your leg sooo get a strap of some kind and loop it around the bottom of your foot and lift it with your hands.  It really works.  I get tips from all over the place.  haha  It’s just like cranking the nets in full of salmon maybe. Could be!