full of mystery

A fellow Road Scholar hiker in Yellowstone, who is a librarian in CA said to me—Good stories aren’t always fully true.  Soooo take that into consideration while reading this “It’s Saturday.” It could be full of mystery and more!

AverageJoe says--Aging is when you no longer can get better but just worse. Yikes, I hate that; it’s reality, not a mystery.  Things change folks if we like it or not!  Our daughter and family went to a Rookies game at Coors field.  There were street performers doing their thing outside of the stadium.  They saw two different street performers who had signs for their Venmo account to send tips. Things are changing folks.  It’s a mystery where this money thing is going toooo. It’s like electric cars; where is that going.  Hang onto your underwear folks; here we go! And some of you told me it would never happen!

JoeBlow says to MaryTheQueen—I’m sorry, it’s all my fault.  MaryTheQueen says—JoeBlow, you don’t have that much power over me; you way overestimate your ability.  I think she was saying that she has power over her own life, and no other person does, yes, no human person has that power over her life; yes, he can influence her but not totally control her. I felt that most to all of the Road Scholars were very independent, confident, and strong folks in a very positive way.

Here is some jive from some of the Yellowstone Road Scholar hikers: I am one tough cookie; I have had always been that way—I’m borderline between crazy and foolish and I can convince myself to be either one—This is not a bathroom tour—a couple of years is five years and a few years is 10 years—several gals told me that they would never have been able to travel if their parents didn’t leave them money—don’t step in the fresh bison scant--the real problem in our country is not race but class—you need to carry your toilet paper in and carry your used toilet paper out; make sure you bring a baggy—everything affects the fragile eco system. Ruminate on those statement folks (i.e. just like the elk and bison ruminate). This was my first Road Scholar trip while all my fellow scholars were veterans; one couple was doing their 19th.  They seem to like them—definitely, these trips attract a certain type of person. What a hoot I had.

The first morning the naturalist gave us a presentation about the geology, volcanic history, time line of how it was formed etc. along with how The Yellowstone Park was formed by our government.  Also, about the eco system as to how fragile it is.  Very interesting.  She said--The volcanic eruption occurred about 650,000 years ago and it is due anytime again as experts say it will happen about every 600,000 years; either her or one of the guides then said—give or take 100,000 years.  I LOL!  Give or take 100,000 years.  That was soooo funny to me. Give or take 100,000 years. Yellowstone is full of mystery.

I heard a grandma share concern about one of her children’s family with me.  This family has a lot going on because of their household; not bad but just an awful lot of activity and busyness with four young kids, a big dog and three cats.  Yikes, that makes me tired just thinking about it.  But their situation put pressure on grandparents.  Yes it does.  They want to help and be good grandparents (i.e. all four grandparents). The problem is one grandma means very well but gives a lot of advice which is very critical; she causes more added stress instead of help.  I asked if she knows it—she of course doesn’t; that’s usually the case.  I asked if the parents are aware of the situation—they are but don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings (i.e. maybe they are financially helping them--money affects the situation).  Soooo there you go, a real-life situation. Do you think you and I ever give advice that is critical and makes the situation more stressful?  It’s a mystery for sure. This story is an ultimate inexhaustible story. I think our kids and spouses would tell me where to go if I did that!

I was uptown or is downtown, I never know.  ANYWAY, someone asked me about my trip.  I gave them the snapshot version (i.e. one big fish picture).  He wasn’t interested in more for sure; no one really is.  We are but they aren’t! He told me that his uncle went on a 10-day trip seeing 10 major league baseball games in 10 different ball parks.  He really enjoyed it because all the folks were interested in baseball (i.e. a common denominator).  That is pretty much what I experienced.   What is even more eventful is this guy never usually talks to me; like never!  Why now?  I have no idea.  He is full of mystery.

Life is full of mystery for sure.  Sooooo are you fascinated with life or frustrated with life? Is life a just a big problem or a big opportunity? Is life just futile to you or exciting?  King Solomon writes that it depends if your life is lived by the guidance of “under the sun” or “under heaven.” Is our life run by money, power, fame, ego or the fear of God (i.e. meaning stand in awe of God) and keeping his commandments?  So maybe we all should try to turn frustration into fascination.  BuckskinJoe asks—How do we do that?  Who decides if we are going to do that? My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, everyone has problems; it’s just that some folks handle them different.

Harvard Business School study found that there are four critical factors in business: intelligence, information, skill, and attitude.  The first three make up 7 percent of success, while attitude alone makes up the other 93. We had some very intelligent folks on our Road Scholar trip (i.e. I was not one of them). BUT even more impressive was their attitude; didn’t have one complainer.  They were fun and exciting and interesting and wanted to learn. 

Think about all the relationships and friendships you have had in your lifetime.  Hopefully many.  The old saying is—Nuttin stays the same; there is always movement.  Sooooo some of our good friendships have gotten better and our poor friendships have gotten weaker.  LuckieEddie says—It ain’t a mystery why that is; is it? Think about 5 of your strongest friendships and think about 5 friendships that got weaker.  Why! Da! SusieQ says--I realize that I don’t have to be a friend of everyone.  It just ain’t going to happen and neither is it for you.  That is ok, I really don’t think we need to.  What do you think? That is what I thought.  Some things just don’t work out!

I confess that even after 75 years of living, I still struggle to understand what I know in my heart is a mystery beyond comprehension. Soooo what do you think I know in my heart?  What do you know in your heart?  I have acquaintances and friends who think they know everything; I don’t think they do; they can’t; no one is capable of that; they just think they do (i.e. folks have to have a pretty big ego to think that, my opinion). And I know a lot of folks who know a lot; they do; they are very smart; you guys are some of them, but the best ones are the ones who admit they don’t know everything.  The good ones admit somethings are a mystery (i.e. they admit it).  CadillacJack says—Yabut, when it comes to money, folks often behave in ungracious and ungrateful ways.  Now that isn’t a mystery why they do that! Saturday question—Do you ever think before you do stupid things!  That is what I thought!

As I was sitting in an old rocker on the porch of the Roosevelt Lodge overlooking the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone while eating my sack lunch, I was told by our guide that Teddy Roosevelt probably sat the same place after a hunt of probably elk while sipping on a brandy.  That was sorta kinda touching to me.  Teddy probably would have said his famous expression to me—Bully bully to you erv!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it—"Retirement is not a biblical word. Retirement is change and transition!” A fellow Road Scholar hiker in Yellowstone told us at dinner one night—Memories are not made sitting at home!  I would add—at home sitting on the couch, eating chips and watching the news! I read this in a Monday business devotion this week written by Jim (i.e. anybody can be a Jim)--Research has shown that once the basic necessities of life are covered, there is an optimum financial level where happiness peaks. Below that ideal level of monetary resources, having a little more would relieve stress and provide a bit more contentment. Income levels above the amount, however, do not guarantee increased happiness. In fact, they often have an opposite effect. Buying and possessing things – like more clothes, bigger houses, or a collection of luxury automobiles – does not bring happiness, studies have shown…What money can buy is the ability to choose (i.e. gives us options). It enables us to identify what really brings us happiness, along with the hope of actually obtaining it. For many people, among the best uses for money are travel and shared experiences. Taking a vacation, planning a trip, and getting away from the everyday routine can have very positive effects on our state of mind. Also, having opportunities to spend time with the people we love most, doing things that make memories that last a lifetime can bring much happiness. Soooo cupcake, suck it up and let’s get going!

There was a little old lady in our Road Scholar group who just made me laugh.  We were walking to dinner one night and I asked her why she came way from Pennsylvania to see and hike Yellowstone—I always wanted to see it and hike it and didn’t want to do it with a cane—good reason. I asked her if she had a car—yes, I do—what kind—a Prius; what kind of car did you think I had—I thought you might have an electric car—... no erv, I don’t want one of those... electric cars that you have to plug in all the time; it would drive up my electric bill—that is a good reason for sure! And she could eat like a horse; maybe since the meals were included, she made sure she got her money’s worth! Like I said, she just made me laugh and I just liked her; how could I not.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Everyone is too old for something, but no one is too old for everything.

The tip of the day comes from D.L. Moody who has been dead for about 120 years (i.e. he is still giving advice)--The Scriptures were not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.