Christmas, how goes it

Fred and Mabel, age 90 and both hard of hearing, were sitting in their family room looking at the Christmas tree in quietness when Fred says to Mabel, I sure am proud of you. Mable says--what? Fred said again--I'm sure proud of you Mable.  After a little while, Mable said to Fred--I'm tired of you toooo!

John Adams said—"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” Now we just need to determine the facts and evidence.

Christmas is a time we think about family; our spiritual family hopefully and our physical family hopefully. Those family feelings are all different to each of us, no question. And that is for a lot of reasons.  Our physical families grow old and die, some move to different places, some we disconnect with, and some family dynamics change for all kinds of reasons.  BUT many thoughts are for sure the same about family at Christmas.  I hope your thoughts are good, happy and joyful even though in some cases they are difficult.   

Christmas greetings have been sent to friends and families forever.  Greetings of hope and excitement of family and especially of the memory of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ are shared by many methods.  Walmart or Amazon just can’t replace that joy and excitement of the real story of Christmas (i.e. no matter how much you put on your credit card).  Saturday question—What story are you going to tell by your words and actions this Christmas?  Do you love to tell the story, The Story of Jesus Christ? I have said many times that I don’t like phonies. Well, I sure seem to see a lot of phoniness at Christmas (i.e. at least that is my opinion). I wonder if that is a reason why some folks are glad when it’s over.

I went to the park’s library the other day looking for a certain book. There was a gal their working on the jig saw puzzle.  We started talking and she helped me look for the book.  We couldn’t find it.  She told me about another book that she really liked in a series. She only had the second and third books here in AZ. Sooo I got an eBook from the Mesa Library and read it.  I liked it soooo went to their place to thank her and maybe get the second one in the series.  Her and her husband talked with me for an hour or more about their lives and shared their faith (i.e. great life stories--we had such a great time). That was a nice Christmas present. Very nice folks—real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks I told them.  Happenstance, na I don’t think soooooo as my friend JimTheWizard taught me. 

Jesus was deemed unrighteous by the religious leaders of the day. Their concept of righteousness had become twisted over the centuries. Righteousness became all about rules and regulations, about avoiding outsiders and sinners and the undesirable (i.e. sounds like most of us). Yet Jesus was a magnet to attract precisely those kinds of people. Righteousness in God’s sight is all about grace and forgiveness and an embrace of those considered too far lost to bother with. Even back then folks were confused and divided about the real meaning of Christmas much as we are now divided about Jesus.  BUT not all folks are/where of the Holy Huddle (i.e. the Pharisees) who thought they were the chosen few! BUT there might still be some of those folks around! Could be!

When I was at the lecture/discussion of Victor Franko’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, we talked to the professor’s wife who encouraged us to read the book, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.  She thinks it’s a continuation of Mr. Franko’s book.  Soooo when I got here in AZ, I went online to try to get it from the Mesa Library.  They had, I think 7 books of different styles, but all checked out and a large waiting list soooo I went to the Maricopa County Library web site and found the same result.  Wow! This non-fiction book was written about hope, determination, love, endurance, and forgiveness by the Ten Boom family in Holland and in the concentration camps during WW II. I found a used copy in a used bookstore down the street.  It was the 35^th edition of the book (i.e. the original was written in 1971).  After all these years the demand is still huge and massive.  Folks want to hear about Hope; this Hope is about Jesus Christ and how important it is in folks’ lives.

Think about this this Christmas—There are 300+ messianic prophesies in the Old Testament that were written maybe 300-700 years before the birth of Jesus about His birth.  You got to get the number folks, 300+! They were all fulfilled perfectly.  Now that is incredible. The odds are almost non existing for that to happen.  The timing had to be perfect.  There had to be a perfect time for Christ Jesus to be born. Perfect! What do you think of that? C’mon folks; you are smart folks! Saturday question—Scripture tells us that Jesus will return to rule the world.  When? Probably when the timing is perfect. For some folks that might be scary and for others, what a day of rejoicing that will be. Checkmate!

I was hiking Wednesday up 'er in 'em mountains and met a guy who looked about 23.  He had his shirt off and was very well muscled and had a short haircut. He said--how's it going--great; how about you--as well, great.  He looked to me to be a Marine who was home on leave after being deployed in arms way but he might have been a Mesa school teacher or a mechanic at the local Chev garage.  He had a large cross tattooed on his chest.  I went about 50 yards and hollered back to him--hey, you a Christian--yes sir. I gave him the thumbs up.  He hollered back--thank you sir!  Sooooo if I asked you if you were a Christian, what would you say? JoeBlow, who has a lot of smoke but no guy, says--I would have to say--I give presents at Christmas and occasionally go to a Christmas Eve service. JoeBlow, you didn't answer the question! It's a yes or no answer.

Merry Christmas to all of you my friends and family.  Peace and prosperity to you and your family. May you experience God’s love in a special way this Christmas. 

Sooo erv, Christmas, how goes it?  Noel (i.e. the French definition is—all is well).  Sing Gloria!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. I think John (i.e. anybody can be a John) quoted Jesus in the book of John saying this tooooo! John 3:17

I smell a rat

I went for a walk in our park and saw this Cadillac Escalade with a cow catcher on the front.  Now you don’t see that every day!  Soooo let’s ponder why this person has a cow catcher on their Cadillac.  First of all, do you think a man or woman owns the Cadillac? There could be many reasons why they have a cow catcher on their Cadillac.  Maybe some very good reasons.  I noticed it had Montana license plates. Now that even stimulates my thinking more.  Let your speculations rip! Saturday question—Do you ever speculate about other folks’ actions? Soooo you ever wonder about your own actions?

You might have been taught by someone to never point a finger at another. “When you do,” they said, “three of your own fingers point back at you.” OneSmartPerson, who can hold serve, said-- “We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior.” Aren’t we something else?  Crazy we are. And some are crazier than others, for sure. I wonder who is the craziest person you know.  It could be me. Yikes. And I don’t even know it.  But surely not you. haha  Sometimes it’s hard to smell the rat! As the story goes, JoeBlow was told in law school—If after three weeks of classes, if you don’t know who the class jerk is, it’s you!

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that sitting is the new smoking.  Boy do we sit a lot in our world.  Maybe we should so something when we sit (i.e. like exercise while talking on the phone—multi task).  What do you think? That is what I thought.  A high energy friend said this about an injury—If you sit and do nuttin the injury takes forever to get better; it’s just like life, it just deteriorates from there.  Think about that folks. Even if it’s hard and unpleasant you got to keep moving.  If you don’t, well, usually it’s not good.  But another friend told me about a lady that she helps who is about 100 who has been sedentary all her life; she just sits.  Huh, interesting. Rookie, our 9-year-old grandson, said after being asked how his leg was after hurting it on our family hike climbing on the rocks at Thanksgiving—My sprained ankle gets better faster when I’m enjoying myself: I heal faster! Our other grandson told  his mom this week--I'm worried Mom, usually by this time there are gifts under the tree for me and there are none! These guys just make me laugh. 

There is an old Yiddish proverb that says—“Man plans. God laughs.” That makes me laugh as I have made soooo many plans that didn’t work out like I planned.  How about you?  Some things went just the opposite.  Way different than what I planned.  BUT I still think it’s good to have a plan (i.e. plan to go in the right direction and stay on track).  But that is my opinion, not everyone agrees with me as many folks have no plans about anything; they just wander through life and then die and even then, they don’t have an exit plan for eternity.  Ouchy ouchy! TheFriendFromNorthOfTown, who is a channel flipper, says--But many have big trucks to haul their stuff around!

I met a 50-year old couple on a vista on one of my favorite trails up 'er in 'em mountains this week.  They had three children with the youngest in college and also had on grandchild--did you get married at 15--no she said, at 19.  ANYWAY, they told me they just moved here to the Valley for him to take a new job.  He said he was a manager of company and had a lot of responsibility which created a lot of stress but also paid a lot of money.  His wife told him that he probably will have a heart attach.  He took a different job in management with a different company at a lesser pay but still very good (i.e. I would listen to her tooooo as she was one sweet woman). Sooooo do you like your new job.  Sooooooo much!  Here I'm hiking on a weekday afternoon with my wife.  I asked his wife--is he different--way sooooo, he is much happier and more enjoyable.  Soooooo maybe it's not all about the money for everyone!  

I was leaving pickleball the other morning and soooo was another guy.  I hear that you and I have something in common—what’s that—I hear that your wife passed on as well as mine—yes, last Christmas.  He told me his story and some of his emotions.  He is maybe 60 and retired at 50 and he said his wife and him had their live together all planned out. She had longevity in her family, and he didn’t soooooo they prepared accordingly but it didn’t work out that way. He is hurting pretty bad.  I asked him if he was a believer—sometimes; it has really been hard.  I smell a rat! We decided to get together and talk more.

I smell a rat!  RickyRick agrees with me or I agree with him, either way. ANYWAY he says--You don’t get wisdom from television. You don’t get it from the Internet. You don’t get it from magazines. Wisdom comes from God. The Bible says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash” (Proverbs 15:14 NLT). Soooo it appears that trash is the rat!

Our park has this naivety scene up by the activity center.  They tell me that it's been up there for many years.  I like it and others must toooooo.  PastorJohn said Sunday that Washington will not have a naivety scene this year--they couldn't find three wise men.

Saturday question—How do you know when something happens to you if it’s good or bad?  As the story goes, a farmer finally saved enough money to buy a horse to help him make life easier on the farm. The horse ran away. His friends came to console him. He said—Maybe it’s bad and maybe it’s good!  The horse came back with 20 wild horses.  His friends came and congratulated him about his good fortune.  He said—Maybe it’s good and maybe it’s bad. His son was training one of the wild horses and broke his leg really bad.  His friends came to console him.  He said—Maybe it’s bad and maybe it’s good.  War broke out and all young men had to go to war, but his son was not wanted and most of them died.  His friend came and was happy for him. He said—Maybe it was good and maybe it is bad!

It appears that many folks have an agenda shown by their talk and their actions.  Sometimes it’s a good agenda and sometimes not soooo good. AverageJoe, who has deep pockets, says—There is a sucker born every minute. Have you ever been the sucker? I think all of us have already. Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but you can fool all the people all the time.  I say—If you and I can smell a rat, others can tooooo; we ain’t that smart that only we can smell the rat. I was talking to a friend the other day about an activity we do. Part of our talking was about a couple of other folks that participate toooo.  We both noticed something about both of them.  Soooooo folks if my friend and I can notice that characteristic in them than others can toooo. We ain’t that smart (i.e. he is a lot smarter than me though)!  Saturday question—The characteristic we saw in the two other folks, was it a good one or not soooo good?  What do you think?

In the fine print of every prospectus for an investment product is found some version of these words: “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” Everyone who reads that disclaimer knows what the warning actually means: Just because this investment made money in the past does not mean it will make money in the future. You think the economy will continue to fly high?  EconomistPete says--It won’t, it never has in the past anyway soooo why will it in the future.  Sooooo don’t be surprised when it doesn’t do soooo well.  It isn’t if, it’s when.  There is a rat, and some folks seem to smell it and others don’t.

When in CO for Thanksgiving, I slept in the basement with Buggy’s Guinee Pigs.  We got along great.  We seemed to understand each other.  But I did think I smelt a rat!  Actually they aren’t really related to  rats. Guinea pigs are rodents, more closely related to chinchillas than to rats or mice. They are the domesticated counterparts of wild guinea pigs from South America. Thanks to their docile nature and low-maintenance upkeep, guinea pigs can be great pets for kids. I call Buggy’s pets pigs.  She really takes good care of them; does a very good job.  I still thought I smelt a rat!

LuckieEddie says—It’s hard to change “what you are use tooooo!” Oh, soooo true LuckieEddie, soooo true.  “What we are use tooooo” becomes our normal until we make something else “what we are use toooo” and then that is our normal. But we have to do it a few times to make it feel like our normal; at first it feels strange (e.g. like changing our eating habits or changing our way of life or changing our thinking or reading the newspaper digitally). Sometimes I’m forced to change and don’t like it until I get used to it and then think nuttin about it.  I’m really something else.

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that the artificial intelligence (AI) market could reach more than $190 billion by 2025 and grow more than 30% a year and it’s just one part of a broader disruptive trend in process automation that includes “co-bots” working alongside humans.  I smell a rat folks!  I read in the paper soooo it must be right that the U.S. Army is testing a new type of night-vision goggles that give soldiers the ability to see in absolute darkness, even the ability to see through walls using cutting edge camera technology (i.e. looking for the rat!). But with all our technology, we still don’t have the ability to see into the human soul and read the inner workings of the heart and mind (i.e. finding the rat; what could that rat be). Rats! Scotty, anyone can be a Scott, says--By way of analogy: suppose you went to your doctor for a routine physical. Suppose that before you saw the doctor, a nurse came into the room with a large syringe and needle. “Wait a second!” you might exclaim. “I don’t need that. I’m not sick!” No one wants a cure for a sickness they don’t believe they have.

SusieQ, who seems to be leaking oil, said to me—erv, maybe you just need to step back and not fight it.  It maybe just ain’t worth it; sometimes there are some strategies when you sit down and count the cost, you may find out that the war just isn’t worth it (i.e. you need to sit in the back and keep your mouth shut or just plain exit).  I recently have been taught a very good lesson AGAIN!  I have learned it before but forgot it seems.  Actually, three lessons and all related (i.e. it was a heavy duty application).  Yikes!  They are all related to the same problem I have about myself.  I got really humbled AGAIN! I have my tail between my legs for sure.  BUT I think I will be a better person; I really do.  Until I forget AGAIN and get cocky AGAIN! SlimySlim says—I feel sorry for you erv, I don’t have that problem because I have such a huge massive ego that it never gets affected; I’m very fortunate that I am soooo great! erv, the key is to become more egotistical. SlimySlim, I read this that you might want to think about--God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble James 4:6.

I don’t know everything. I wish I did, but I can’t even get away with pretending to know everything. Too many folks have made it painfully clear that I don’t. But over the years, I have become more and more comfortable admitting that and listening to others.  While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, I read what Tony Dungy wrote—A need to be “the expert” about something rarely impresses others and can actually hinder your own growth.  Always be in the process of learning. Seek the counsel of others. Listen to their experiences. Feel free to say, “I don’t know—enlighten me.” And let them fuel your growth.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.

astonishing and marveling

Saturday question—Are you pro-active or reactive? James Patterson said—When I was 26, I wrote my first mystery, ‘The Thomas Berryman Number,’ and it was turned down by, I don’t know, 31 publishers. Then it won an Edgar for Best First Novel. Go figure. Astonishing and marveling!

"Be fearlessly authentic" Do you ever talk to yourself? ItchieBitchie, who doesn’t seem to lie tooooo much, says—About 50% of the folks admit they do and the other 50% probably do but won’t admit it publicly.  Hey, it’s not crazy to talk to yourself, in fact it is probably very healthy.  It is good toooo evaluate yourself, coach yourself, encourage yourself, convince yourself, etc. I read in the paper soooo it must be right that many experts think it’s a sign of intelligence toooo talk toooo yourself. I read that Albert Einstein talked to himself; he would repeat his sentences toooo himself softly. This talking toooo yourself is astonishing and marveling toooo me.  Do it, it might make you a better person.  It surely won’t hurt anything! Some of you probably won’t understand what you are saying; it ain’t nuttin new; that’s what others have been saying about you for years! haha

MyNeighborDownTheStreet says--The past is a place of reference and not a place of residence.  Think through that folks. I am astonished and marvel how many folks ask me—do you have home-town friends or family that you know in your park?  When I say no, then they say—soooo why did you buy in that park then (i.e. soooo that tells me that it must be important toooo many folks)? Well, through some years being down here in the Valley and having the opportunity, mainly because of Dan who gave me the opportunity toooo play picklbeball in this park about 6 years ago, I got toooo make a few friends and made a number of acquaintances. I just liked it here (i.e. people treated me nice). Does that make any sense toooo you? I realize that some folks are more comfortable in being in a nomadic, migrating tribe and being around the same folks all the time and talking about the same old stuff (i.e. maybe a form of security).  Each their own I guess.  I find it very refreshing toooo be around different folks somewhat and talking about different stuff sometimes (i.e. not just about Butler County stuff).  BUT I talk toooo my long-time friends from back home and from all over a lot and also my family.  Many of you call me, text and email which I like, no question (i.e. I like that security tooooo).  Thanksamillion.  You folks are good folks with good hearts, my kind of folks. Oh, I wanted to go for an hour walk around the park the other day; I walked 15 minutes and talked 45; you almost have toooo be rude to get a good walk in!!!

one of my favorite hikes

I am astonished and I marvel about this statement that CoachB says—The most worthwhile path is often not the easiest. CrazyMarvin says—Yabut I like easy; it works good for me!  I was having happy hour with a friend, and they brought up this scripture that is very astonishing and I marveled at it.  I’m going to try to memorize it (i.e. it’s not easy for me but I like it soooo well).  Maybe you might as well and use it consistently for all folks but especially your family and friends.  The scripture story is from 1 Samuel 25:2 through 25:42 but the verse I like is 1 Samuel 25:6 which says— David sent ten of his young men to Carmel with this message for Nabal (i.e. who was a potential enemy): “Peace and prosperity to you, your family, and everything you own.” I think if I pray that silently for all folks it will be a blessing to them and also to me (i.e. might even make me a better person maybe).  It surely can’t hurt anything I bet! I especially like it as it has all the focus on others and not on me. ItchieBitchie, who is the craziest person in the world, says--Now that can’t be an American cultural prayer; it’s not all about me. I actually do not hate anyone (i.e. not at this time anyway but that could easily change) but do have some folks that frustrate me; yes I do.  I’m going to try to say this prayer for everyone silently.  If I say that prayer to the folks who frustrate me, how can I be frustrated with them? I don’t think I can. And why wouldn’t I want the best for everyone? What do you think? I really can understand why some folks would not say that prayer for folks they hate but I don’t hate anyone now anyway. Do you hate anyone?

My mentor would tell me that Thanksgiving was his favorite Holiday; it is simple and yet soooo much fun. I agreed with him (i.e. Christmas can get way out of hand). ANYWAY, Zig Ziglar used to say, "Your attitude determines your altitude," and an attitude of gratitude determines your joy. Gratitude and thanksgiving go hand in hand. Billy Graham said this—"Taking the ‘servant’ attitude of thankfulness in all of life’s circumstances will help you react as old Matthew Henry did when he was mugged. He wrote in his diary, ‘Let me be thankful first because I was never robbed before; second, although they took my purse, they did not take my life; third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.’ I wonder if I could be that thankful. Could you?” Saturday question—What is your attitude about being thankful?

SusieQ, whose nickname is TheBarrellCactus, told me the other day that she had a bad day.  Oh really, tell me about it. When she got done telling me about it, I think she thought maybe that it wasn’t as bad as she thought.  ANYWAY, we all have had bad days, or we think we do.  Now look back and think about all the bad days you had and guess what, you got through them all and you are okay.  You can’t even remember most of your bad days. Soooo maybe they weren’t as bad as you thought. Soooo SeniorAverageJoe was getting his annual physical and told his doctor that it seems that recently he has been thinking of the hereafter more than he used toooooo.  His doctor gave him this puzzling look with concern and was sorta kinda forcing a response from him.  It’s like I go into a room and wonder what am I here after!

MyCouz, who is as good as gold, invited me over to his place for lunch down here in the Valley (i.e. he treated me like a king).  We had the most fun time; laughing our butts off, mostly at ourselves. Both of our wives passed on which generated much conversation of common interest.  ANYWAY, our Mothers, Anna and Berdina, who were sisters and very good friends, came from a very large family as probably many of your older parents did.  I asked him why the families were soooo large back then.  Well, there was no electricity, soooo folks went to bed early.  And many folks couldn’t hear very well back then.  Sooooo Simon would cuddle up to Henrietta and say to her, you want to go to sleep or what?  And she said—what!

Got an email from an old buddy from Danube, MN High (i.e. class of 63), TheOldZenker who seems to have a good handle on life, lost two hs friends who where his very good friends, one from heart disease and the other from COVID.  A friend told me what her boss use to say in these circumstances—Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (i.e. I was told that this expression is an old Eastern Catholic expression) or another of his favorites was, Well, I’ll be go to hell! (i.e. I don’t really know anything about this expression but have heard it—Huck Finn used it).  Soooo we better not get toooooo cocky about thinking we know our future on this earth! It might be astonishing and marveling or even shocking!

What is your economic recovery plan?  Surely not more kids sooo you can get more government free money, is it?  When back on the farm a mile and a fourth south of Roseland, I remember how the calves used to beller when we weaned them of their mommy’s sweet milk; they just plain didn’t like to give up that free easy milk.  Same with taking all the free money away from folks. It will be hard; they will beller.  Maybe if they beller loud enough and long enough, and stomp their feet hard enough, they will continue to get it. You think soooo? Many large families might come back again. And the saying is—The rich can pay for it; yabut who is the rich?

Missperfect, who can set up the show alright, says--Strong relationships are developed by talking about important stuff; not trivial stuff like fashions and sport scores. It probably isn’t who has the biggest purse who wins! There are some huge massive purses let me tell you.  I observed that in the airport while waiting. Man did I do something smart, I prepaid my parking at Sky Harbor when traveling for Thanksgiving.  I got there and the lots were full.  I had a bar code on my phone which I used and got in and had a spot.  Slick as a whistle. When I left, I used it again and it was done. Pretty amazing actually. We demand everything to be friendly or we will go somewhere else.  But you can still do the parking the old way, oh ya! At least for now! BUT if I need one bolt or one clamp, I go down the street to Ace hardware here in Mesa where I can still get it (i.e. in the big box stores I need to buy 10 of them—sorta kinda like Costco but folks sure do like Costco)! Yes they do. Their marketing scheme seems to be very successful. BUT I read in the paper soooo it must be right that Best Buy is losing money and one of the biggest reasons is “organized shop lifting crime.” Best Buy’s CEO, Corie Barry, told analysis—This is a real issue that hurts and scares real people. It appears that some of the major cities are just letting it happen (i.e. turn their heads). I bet Amazon loves that! I went to Walgreens and had some pictures printed for my frig off of my iPhone: there were no cords to connect.  The gal gave me one to use; she said we need to put them in a drawer or folks will just steal us blind! Astonishing! Most of you would never consider stealing cords at Walgreens (i.e. other things maybe, but not stealing cords--haha). Saturday question--Why do some folks steal and others don't? There must be a reason I would guess; either its their genetics or their environment!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—It always seems impossible until it’s done.

lose your balance

We none of us expect to be in smooth water all our days (i.e. life isn’t always as smooth as silk). Soooo why are we soooo surprised when the boat rocks and bobs around?  How crazy are we anyway! We always can't run down hill with the wind at our back. We always can’t win.  As a friend said to me recently about a sports event—The other team is trying to win toooo; they pay their coach a lot of money tooooo! WorldClassLarry says—Soooooo when we lose our balance sometimes and fall, why are we soooooo surprised.  It happens. Stuff happens folks!

JoeSmudge lost his something and it might have been his mental balance. He just isn’t the same. He’s a highly volatile person, one whose depth or ability cannot be gauged; he is given to sudden driving impulses, and reason has no part in them. Why? I don’t have a glue. He insinuates that he is at odds with himself. I might be naïve coming from Butler County Iowa but I seem to see more road rage here in the Valley of the Sun than back home.  I hear and see things that I hardly or never see in Butler County.  That isn’t soooo pleasant to see and hear. A friend told us at a little party that one morning early here in the park (i.e. it was still dark) that she saw a vehicle drive slow by her house.  She knew her neighbor was coming back and thought it was the Stage Coach Shuttle droppin’ him off soooo she went outside to welcome him back.  The driver leaned out the window and said—Old lady this not your … business; keep you noise out of it! Obvious it was not her neighbor coming back for the winter.

Folks lose their balance a lot.  Our daughter, Heather, runs a lot and I mean a lot (i.e. like 1,000+ miles a year).  She runs many times on mt trails and the other day she lost her balance and face planted. She got all skinned up but had no serious injuries.  I friend told me about a guy who lost his balance riding his bike and died. Old folks lose their balance and break their hips (i.e. it happens all the time) and it changes their life and sometimes it ends their life. I had a gal talk to me about playing pickleball; she told me she played once, lost her balance and fell and got hurt and never played again.

Sometimes maybe we just lose our balance in our thinking; we get all bent out of shape. Missperfect, who can figure folks out from across the street, says—That is maybe because of age, circumstances, physical health issues, mental health issues, stress of life, changing of relationships, events of our life, etc. I can understand that personally.  Changes in my life the last 8 years have affected me; no question.  Sorta kinda threw me off balance.  Maybe more than I thought or think. Could be, maybe. I have a friend tell me that I’m still in the mourning stage. I really don’t think sooo but she does. Other folks maybe can see that more than I can.  It could be. Have you ever sprained your ankle? How come did that happen? Maybe bad footing, high heel shoes, uneven surface, your equilibrium was messed up, drunk, medicated, playing in a sporting event or just plain happened for really no reason.  How did it feel?  Did it take some time to heal?  Of course it did. A severe sprain takes time; you just can’t do anything about it; it just takes soooo much time. When it happens, we can’t do anything about it; it happened and now we face the results. No fast fix.

It appears that we lose our balance in our priorities sometimes, or maybe it’s just me.  I needed to buy something that was of little importance, and I was told by someone (i.e. I can’t remember who but they told me that I should stop at Savers to buy it). Savers is a non-profit secondhand store that gives all their money made to local causes.  Soooo I just happened to see a store one day and stopped. I was impressed with their stuff and also the organization.  I ended up buying what I wanted and was checking out.  A gal who was in her 20s, I guess, checked me out and said it was half price—what—it’s Monday and most stuff is half price on Mondays.  I told her I was impressed with the store—she told me about how it helps folks—they give to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization here locally which my two children are involved in; they are very good to my family and adopted us as their Christmas family. This gal was a joy to be around and had beautiful blue eyes.  She touched me. She put me back on my correct balance, basically humbled me.

I have some preconceived goals that I want to accomplish here in the Valley.  I’m researching the opportunities and will act soooon, I think. They are not “razo dazo” ideas but I think good ideas.  I think they will put more meaning in my life.  I don’t want to rush into anything (i.e. I'm hunkering down).  CaptainKirk, who has a certain style and flare about him, told me—erv, happiness is not the purpose of life but it’s the byproduct of the finding the purpose in your life. Here is an example of giving and finding happiness (i.e. my opinion)—A hug is a wonderful thing. It makes you feel wanted, needed and loved all at the same time.  Hey folks, I’m not going out hugging everyone; that’s not what I want to accomplish!  CadillacJack, who is someone you want on your side, says—A train will always stay on the right track unless, when it comes to a junction an engineer or prankster has thrown the wrong switch. If it reaches the wrong destination, that will be tough on the passengers. I am going to watch for the pranksters!  haha

I bought some cottage cheese as I haven’t had it for a while and it really sounded good.  Probably when I get done eating the whole container, I will have had enough.  I do that with food, I like it but if I eat toooo much I’m tired of it.  I get bored easily.  As the song goes, after you been having steak for a long time beans beans taste fine.  Soooo I need to be careful that I don’t get burned out by doing toooo much of my ideas as I might lose my excitement or I might enjoy it soooooo much that I can’t get enough of it.  BUT most stuff for most folks lose their charm after soooo long and soooo much activity.  BUT not to all folks.

I had a little party on my deck for the friends who helped me buy my house here in Carriage Manor.  I bought it site on seen and they did the looking and advising for me (i.e. good folks who I trust).  We had a very good time reminiscing and laughing. One guy told us how he and his wife were walking back home in IN last summer and he caught his foot on something (i.e. and maybe not) and fell face down and got all bloody and was a mess.  He said it happened soooo fast that he didn’t even know what happened.  Another friend said—Didn’t you fall a couple of years ago coming down your steps here in AZ?  You better be more careful.  When he and his wife left, I made sure I turned on all the lights.  Didn’t want to a have a bloody mess at my place! And all the paperwork!!!!

Yes, we sorta kinda poked fun of our friend who fell on his face but in reality, we all fall on our faces almost every day but in different ways (i.e. at least I do).  I came down here to AZ with no agenda and was not going to do anything in a hurry.  Now that is hard to do for me; I didn’t want to lose my balance; I want to stay focused.  I have lost my balance a few times but did sorta kinda correct it. I probably will always fight this temptation.  There are soooo many things to do and soooo many folks to be around. I want to be me and not what others want me to be (i.e. that can be hard to do). Not just here but wherever I am.  I don’t want to be a phony; I don’t want to compete for whatever I’m trying to complete for (i.e. I don’t even know what that is sometimes).  Does that sound crazy to you? I thought soooo! While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, I read what Tony Dungy said—Refuse to be defined by your career or accomplishments but determine your life by your every day life (i.e. who you are every day). I read somewhere that the love of money is the root of all evil.  BUT GeorgeTheCrook, who doesn't always want to show his face, says--I just can't get enough of it! I love it. It's my life.

I have talked to some real smart folks (i.e. those real smart folks are some of you) as to what the future of our country is going to be or even our world.  The conclusion seems to be—I don’t know; it will be interesting!  Sooooo you ask me what I think. Well, I have always said, soooo I will stick with it, that for it to really change we will need a catastrophe (i.e. something bad to happen). BUT I'm sorta kinda like the good ol' joke about the economists predicting ten of the last five recessions! Look at history, it has always been that way. It’s no rocket science folks.  But I have no idea what that catastrophe will be.  But it isn’t if but when (i.e. that is my opinion). Soooooo don’t be surprised when it happens.  Do you know how much money some folks (i.e. you guys) have made because of COVID?  I can only imagine. How many new campers have been bought anyway! Many of you folks have never had it soooooo goooood! Common sense says that it can’t continue forever. Can it? Most of the folks who went through the depression aren’t around anymore (i.e. no one remembers it hardly).  I can’t imagine how tough that was. Like a friend said at our little party—Most of us have never had it soooo good. I agree my friend, most of our problems are first world problems like are folks going to buy a $80,000 pickup or a lake cabin or both. A friend called me and told me that he wanted to buy an Iowa farm that he worked on when he was a kid.  He bid up to $15,000 an acre. It sold for $19,000. Very few folks in the world could buy one acre besides a whole farm! Many wonder what they are going to eat today.  Isn’t that a huge massive difference? A friend told me that the house he lives in he could no longer buy now; it doubled in price in the last couple of years (i.e. don’t kid yourself, that is more than 6% inflation folks).

A friend I made maybe 6 or 7 years ago through pickleball hunts elk in his home state of WY (i.e. up ‘er in ‘em mountains).  He was telling me that he always carries a compass as it is soooo easy to get confused especially if it starts to snow hard.  He also told me and showed me how he confuses the bull elk by bugling for them.  The bulls think there is another bull in their territory; there is, a fake elk bull! He uses his hands and voice and he sounds just like a bull elk.  He hunts with a bow and says that sometimes they come rushing to him and are maybe 3 feet away.  He can’t even shoot as when he moves, they are gone. I bet to learn to talk like an old bull elk doesn't happen over night!

When in CO our family went for a family walk/hike.  It was a hoot.  I asked my granddaughters, who can melt my heart, if they will hold my hands six years from now—sure we will grandpa; we will probably be in college, and you will come to see us in your car that flies—could be—they said we would never go to the moon. These gals are soooo nice to me and sweet. One of them got up at 5 to come with their mother to take me to the airport when I left; now that is special.

Thanksgiving day, I asked all our grandkids to write what they are thankful for.  Henry, who I call Rookie age 8 wrote—I’m thankful for everything that I like, and my friends, and school and pets, and fun. Also I’m thankful that God created me. Also I’m thankful to have a family who loves me, and friends who play with me. Easton who I call Jimmer age 9 wrote—I am thankful for my family because I could not have one and they are nice, and I love them so much so I am thankful for them.  Charlotte who I call Charlie almost 12 wrote—my family, my friends, books, food, kindness, clothing, loyalty, truth, sports, culture, laughter, pain, ceremonies/celebrations, parties, dogs, life, plants, the universe, love, cameras, evolution, the past, bravery, humor, water, the five senses, quantity, technology, warmth, coldness, softness, smoothness, animals, companionship, gatherings, paper and pencils, words.  Erin who I call Buggy age 14 wrote—I am thankful for family and friends. I am thankful for ice cream and smiley faces, for music and fall colors. For school and books. For my phone and ability to connect to others through social media. For food and water. I am thankful for my life and a chance to write my own story.  ~  It’s always great to hear what kids say; they seem to be more real; adults seem to be more programed and maybe not soooo real (i.e. fakie; politically correct).

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Forget yourself and think of others--you'll quickly find joy in your life.

The tip of the day comes from Benjamin Franklin who penciled the old truism--Fish and visitors stink after three days.