right or wrong

Disclaimer—Maybe much of what is written in this “It’s Saturday, is not correct. And I have no idea if anything what my sources say is correct.  Much of what they say might be embellished and outright fabricated.  JoeBlow, who dribbles around a lot but never scores, says--Everyone has toooo many opinions about almost everything.  BUT it might be much more accurate than the news that some of you think is God’s word. In fact, I know some folks who I think lie half the time, and the other half of what they say I don’t believe, but they are great spinners! 

Have any of you been on a jury?  Have you ever been part of a court case in which the jury is involved? The jury has the power to judge a person right or wrong.  Have you ever been juried by others in your personal life?  I’m sure we all have.  They decide in their minds if we are right or wrong.  The jury could be your friends, family, spouse, neighbors, strangers, a church, etc.  They either find us guilty or not guilty a.k.a. right or wrong! 

I’m not always right; I am right about 51.3% of the time according to Buter County Analytical Company with their home office being in The Shed deep in Butler County on the near west side of town (i.e. and who knows what they say is accurate—as money and beer are popular lubricants).  But my mentor use to say—erv, If you are right 51% of the time, you will be a success. Money Market Fund Managers who are successful are right about 51% of the time; that is right just 51%.  My mentor would say—erv, you got to be right more than you are wrong.  According to goggle, about 12% of the financial managers make it.  12% folks; why do you think they don’t make it?  I suggest you find one of the 12%!  I had a golf buddy/friend who when he sold his farm personal property, he invested the proceeds himself and by his own admission, said he didn’t have a clue what was doing (i.e. I don’t know if I believe him; he might have been pulling my leg).  He made a mint! Of course, good timing and good luck never hurt! BUT also, he might have listened to his wife and never told me that!

Coach B says—It’s impossible to be honest from a dishonest position.  If the core of anything is dishonest in any way, it is almost certain for failure at some point (i.e. maybe not today but someday it’s ugly head will show up).” A person who isn’t honest and claims to be is like a duck—if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. Of course, that is my opinion.  GeorgeTheCrook says—Once if anyone is dishonest and is exposed; it is hard to get the respect of honesty back again (i.e. a person’s reputation is tarnished and is near impossible to get it off a person’s expression.  LuckieEddie says—GeorgeTheCrook, I don’t know about that.  It seems like folks forget pretty quickly and sometimes forgive (e.g. politicians). And sometimes folks just move out of town and start over. Or if their dishonesty makes some folks money, then many folks really don’t care.  They like the money. They just turn their heads. Some even call it good business.

This is a sticker I saw on a side window of a BMW in our park while walking recently.  It might be right, or it might be wrong, but I had to laugh.  What do you think about it?  That is what I thought. The women of our modern culture sure have life much different than of cultures of the past.  There are many women who are in the south wintering that are doing it on their own because of many reasons.  Most seem to be very capable of handling most any situation.  The right way or the wrong way for a woman to act is thrown out the window.  BUT it appears that we still have dual standards in certain parts of our subcultures (e.g. some religious denominations who say they take the Bible very literally, maybe for some parts and maybe not for others—sorta kinda a pick and choose which is hard for a non-believer to understand maybe). ItchieBitchie says—erv, you are thinking tooooo liberal. You might be right ItchieBitchie or you might be wrong. It seems like folks have different opinions. I read in the paper again, soooo it must be right, that 80% of our communication is our body language.  Sooooo I guess what folks say only counts for 20%.  Little 6-year Billy said to his mom—Years ago men really had it great; they were in charge and ran the show!

Missperfect says—Rumors are more powerful than facts. I knew a state senator years ago.  He told me that if he wanted something spread through the capital, he would be at a urinal and another government leader was at the next urinal and he would say—Don’t tell anyone but, then he would tell him whatever he wanted spread.  It would spread like a wildfire in the CO foothills with a 90 mph wind (i.e. it didn’t really matter if it was right or not—sometimes the craziest stuff and most unbelievable spreads faster).  BigMouthEthel says—There is nuttin more fun or powerful than a good rumor; they are soooo much fun. Sometimes I even like to embellish them a little bit to spice them up even more; it’s a hobby of mine and I’m good at it!

A pickleball buddy/friend/pb partner for a game said to me—I can’t play worth a darn this morning—what’s with that—didn’t sleep last night—how come—stuff in my head; self-imposed—not good my friend—you got that right. Obviously, the self-imposed jury isn’t in yet! Saturday question—What keeps you up at night?  JoeDough says—I worry about my money! Like what am I going to do with it all. Really!  Folks are concerned by many many things which we sometimes have no idea what they are worrying about.  And they don’t tell anyone.  I have dreams that wake me up at night (i.e. every night). Not real bad dreams but dreams that get my attention (i.e. some are even positive—last night I caught the biggest walleye of my life; it was a huge massive one).  And I have to go to the bathroom sometimes.  Other than that, I sleep well.  How about you?

In the book of Kings in the Bible, King Solomon (i.e. termed as the wisest man who ever lived) prays—God, give your servant therefore an understanding mind a.k.a. wisdom that I may discern between good and evil. In the book of James of the Bible it says—Ask God for wisdom and He will give it to you. We as humans have a hard time defining what wisdom and discernment are, and also how to get them. To me it looks pretty simple but still hard to understand the results sometimes.  Honestly, if we can figure out what is right and wrong, life is a lot easier, my opinion. It appears we do a lot of bird walking when defining what’s right and wrong or we just wink at it.  Yikes!

Right or wrong.  I watched some of the Pheonix Open Golf tournament.  It’s crazy when 200,000 folks hoot and holler all the time.  A late friend/golf buddy did not like folks to talk or make any noise while he was playing; he told us several times, “Be quiet, this game is hard enough without your noise.”  I don’t think he would have liked all that noise on the 16^th hole or in this tournament.  He would have told them to be quiet!!!  The only thing is, this crowd wouldn’t have listened to him. What a fun memory of a good friend. 

The Emperor Marcus Aurelius said—"He who lives in harmony with himself, lives in harmony with the universe.” CoachB says—"When we get peace on the inside, we’ll be surprised how all of the stuff that’s going on outside in the world doesn’t make much difference to us, we have an internal peace. He who is in harmony with himself or herself, is usually in harmony with the universe.” Do you believe those guys?  Or is their talk just their opinions?  Maybe you think differently and have a different opinion.  Could be maybe.  Sooooo Saturday question—How do we get inner peace? SusieQ says—For me it’s a lot of money and a lot to eat; those are the tricks!  The Christian religious leaders say—Accept and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  I think Jesus, folks. That’s my opinion. AverageJoe says—When folks find inner peace, they become very calm and comfortable in their skin.

I did something that I don’t think I ever did before (i.e. a new adventure). I went to a movie in the morning. Wow, I’m really adventurous!  haha  I played some pickleball first and then saw American Underdog about Kurt Warner. The picture show theater treated me like a king. I went to the 11:25 movie and it was $4.50. They let me use one of their leather recliners. And guess what, I was the only person there (i.e. a private showing)! Very good movie about their incredible underdog lives and their testimony about their faith and belief in God.

Are you a futurist?  A futurist tries to predict the future.  Sure, we all are futurists, especially the coffee drinkers at the coffee shop.  Maybe there are some folks that don’t think about the future (i.e. maybe many folks are oblivious to the future). I think about the future in a lot of different ways and for different reasons.  Actually, there is an association of professional futurists.  Candidates to join the APF must be recommended by a member and must meet two of the six selection criteria, which span employment as a consulting or organizational futurist, obtaining a postgraduate degree in futures studies, or demonstrating competence in teaching, writing or speaking on futures theory or methodology. That sorta kinda leaves me out!  BUT, I believe that our future is ours to shape to some degree anyway, maybe.  I think I will try my best to keep my future simple and enjoy the moment.  BUT, I could change my mind anytime.  What do you want your future to be? LuckieEddie says—My future is not promised but it is probably based maybe a lot on what I think and what I do and what I believe! CrazyMarvin says--My future looks like it's hard to figure out, much like the picture. This is my opinion of my future for what ever it's worth--God's purpose for me is around the next bend even though it doesn't seem that all the ducks are in a row. Or I could not go around the bend and just play it safe.

I had the opportunity to have lunch with some long-time friends last week.  These are good folks with good hearts, my kind of folks. We had such a good time.  And probably why, is that we shared stuff in our lives that folks maybe normally don’t share (i.e. stuff that is personal and is very real). It really is a great opportunity to be able to share such stuff.  We trust each other. I’m guessing maybe our relationship even got better. And we laughed a lot, mostly about ourselves! Or was it at ourselves?!

This guy really made me laugh.  It was posted to folks in our park.  This guy is honest.  I am an idiot for taking my new $400 electric bicycle, just bought at Costco, apart and now can't put it back together.  I broke the throttle grip.  So what I have now are all the parts of a new ebike for sale to anyone who like to piddle, wants to build their own custom ebike, or has this same bike and would like all the new parts to keep as a spare.  The Lithium battery $150+ own its own, not to mention the new brakes, tires, wheels, motor, etc.  Will sell to interested party for half its new cost.  So for $200 you get all the parts to build or put together a new ebike, minus one broken part - the right throttle grip.  You could order a new grip from Jetson, they do sell them, and put it all back together yourself or whatever you want.  It is more than I want to deal with at my age and lack of pleasure in and experience with maintenance and putting things together.  Every time I try to fix something I seem to just break or ruin it.

JoeEducated, who is the CEO and President of the Board of the Butler County Analytical Company, and who has more degrees than the number of rattle snakes in the Superstition Mountains says—Our prediction is 93.4% sure that this “It’s Saturday” has as much validity as a flying pig. When JoeEducated was quizzed about if he might be wrong, his response was—Naaaaa! I don’t think sooo. I’m never wrong about this stuff! We have done the analytics.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

leave a trial

JoeBig, a science fiction author and retired professor of mathematics and computer science who lives on the north side of the Beaver Creek deep in Butler County just west of Austinville, says—So high, so low, so many things to know.

Do you think there are patterns we have and that we also leave behind (e.g. money management patterns or parenting patterns)?  That is just a couple. There are patterns of all kinds; patterns that tell others who we are and were (i.e. tell-tale signs).  And many folks do them over and over and over again and again (i.e. both good patterns and bad patterns). My Mom, Anna, us to say to me—erv, look at your friends’ patterns; that is who they are; their past will pretty much be their future; yes, they can change but their history tells you something about them. ItchieBitchie, who is very under rated, asks--If a person can’t be trusted with little things, why do you think they can be trusted with big things; if they gossip about others, why do you think they won’t gossip about you at the card table?  If they are sweet and kind to others, it’s a good chance they will be kind and sweet to you. The comet leaves its tail alright! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Saturday question--What is sorta kinda the major label we have formed by others saying who we are; like what are we all about (e.g. what's our #1 most important thing)?

In John Grisham’s new book, The Judge’s List, two of the key characters, Jeri and Bannick, keep talking and thinking about everything they do will leave a trail, and they don’t want to be trailed.  They keep trying to cover their trail (i.e. just like the folks did in the old west stories) but it is very hard to do in our world of today, almost impossible.  Think of that.  We leave a trail all the time with social media, credit card transaction, our cell phones, our actions, fingerprints, what we do on our computers, our use of the internet, cameras, money accounts, even your garbage, etc.  Oh ya, we leave a trail alright.

I was looking for some folks who live close to me here in the park to maybe take a tree down for them.  I couldn’t find their lot soooo I stopped and talked a couple in front of their park model.  We had such a nice talk.  I asked him if I do the project if he wanted to help me—no no, I have two new knees and a new hip and my back is a mess; I worked hard, really hard when younger and messed up my body soooo now I can be down here (i.e. he left a trial). Sooooo I found the lot but they weren’t home soooo I talked to the neighbors across the street.  They told me their stories.  Fun stories.  They were from Canada, and he was a long-time bronc rider; he said he had two new knees, a bad shoulder and a rib bone that sticks out to prove it (i.e. those broncs left a trail).  BUT CowboyJoe still wears a cowboy hat!

Are you a grinder?  I know folks from all backgrounds who are grinders; they just grind and grind and grind until they get it done and then grind some more.  They are relentless.  I talked to a new acquittance/friend I made from pickleball who is a very smart person.  He tells me he only needs maybe 3 hours of sleep and then gets up and starts grinding (i.e. he probably gets a lot done in a day grinding away).  I suggested a book he might want to read as we share the same situation of losing our wives.  He told me he use to have a large library and read a lot of all kinds of books.  He doesn’t read anymore.  I suggested he should again. He said—I just can’t stay focused.  I bet he was a grinder on the job; got a lot done; his employer probably really liked him.  He and all of us leave a trail and are leaving a trail.

I read these quotes while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Phyllis Diller once said, “Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.” In the same vein, Jerry Seinfeld said, “Having a two-year-old is like having a blender, but you don’t have a top for it.” Daniel Webster said, “Educate your children to self-control…and you have done much to abolish misery from their future.” My Daddy, Chester, said—erv, the best discipline is self-discipline.  Saturday question—Do you and I have self-control and self-discipline? What does our trail show? How do we get self-discipline and self-control? Recently a gal told me that she tried and tried to quit smoking when she was younger, but just couldn’t; she would always be a mess until one day she asked God to take the desire of smoking away and she never smoked again. Wow! Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

I wanted some $2 bills for the grandkids for their Valentines. Wells Fargo said since I have no account with them, they would not help me. Neither would Bank of America. Sooo I stopped at AZ Credit Union. The teller, a sweeeet gal, went in the back room and got some. She asked if I had an account with them--no--are you a member of any credit union--no but my friend JoeCreditUnion works for one back in IA-- her supervisor said good enough! It's who you know, for sure! Those gals left their trails!

SuperJoe is a regular phoenix.  Are you a phoenix—not like the legendary bird but a person or thing regarded as uniquely remarkable in some respect (i.e. maybe unassuming not pretentious or like Phoenix, AZ)? I regard some of you as phoenixes.  Yes I do.  Several of us were waiting our turn to play pickleball the other morning.  One of the guy’s home is Austin, MN, home of the world famous meat, Spam.  Most folks our age know about spam and have eaten it as a kid in many different ways (i.e. I got real sick of it).  It gained popularity during World War II period. Those guys said they still like it fried once in a while.  I haven’t had it for a long time. How about you?  It surely isn’t a premier meat, but it is still on the market and it is still a good seller they told me.  It’s inexpensive and easy to prepare (i.e. open the can).  Spam is a phoenix! I just might buy a can for old times’ sake.  How about you? LuckieEddie says—Spam sure has left a trail!

WorldClassLarry asks--Do folks have a pattern of success and/or failure? Does it show in their trail? Does the world have a pattern that we all follow and just love it (i.e. can’t get enough of it)? I saw this on the back of a person’s tee shirt at Frey’s grocery store the other day—We’re not crazy, if we’re all doing it! There is that herd mentality again.  Soooo is he wondering if we aren’t crazy doing some of the things we are doing? It was told in a men’s Bible study by a couple of guys that the younger generations are more interested in authenticity than my generation.  They are tired of all the baloney and craziness of the current world.  I don’t know if that is true or not, but it sure sounds good.  Of course, it has to be determined what is authentic now doesn’t it (i.e. a big decision for sure). Authenticity might be different to different folks as I have been told by an advertising executive from the younger generation who is really smart and on top of the procedure (i.e. living the advertising experience). I also read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that the younger generations have been educated that they all deserve anything and everything; they all get the trophy (i.e. they are really messed up).  I’ll have to watch the 5 o’clock news (i.e. which I haven’t watched any news for two+ years) to find out what the truth is. NOT! TomSmart says—If you watch the news, okay, if you believe the news, you must be crazy and maybe messed up (i.e. it might not all be authentic, sucker)!

RickyRick says--People who always say, “I can’t” and the people who always say “I can” are both right. Why? Because fear creates self-fulfilling prophecies. This happened to Job when he said, “What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25 NIV). A vision based on fear rather than faith is going to limit you for your entire life. You’re going to miss opportunities. You’re going to waste the talent that God gave you. And you’re going to set yourself up with self-defeating predictions. This is my opinion now—How you and I think will determine our trail; no question in my mind but I am fearful sometimes. Ouchy ouchy! What am I thinking! I’m crazy for sure!

You might think I’m wrong and maybe I am BUT I think different scenery a.k.a. a different trail is good for everyone once in a while for a lot of reasons.  Some pickleball friends from AK who winter here in the Valley of the Sun are on a road trip to FL.  She said—It’s sorta kinda like the Zac Brown Band sings--I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand Not a worry in the world, a cold beer in my hand Life is good today, life is good today. They said they wanted to be around the water.  A nice change from the desert, my opinion. I am real happy for them as they just retired but still commercially fish salmon in the summer. Sounds like a exciting life to me.

Do you think we might “follow the system” and don’t even know it (i.e. like the domino effect)? I wonder about that.  I read the book The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell.  It’s a non-fiction book about bombing during World War II that was recommended by a friend, Tom, who lives not soooo deep in Butler County.  I really liked it. It’s about leadership, egos, decision-making that killed millions, morals, values, faith, and the use of new technology. Here is a thought of the book that is maybe a main thought—“What happens to true believers when their convictions are confronted with reality?” It’s a short book and easy to read.  Also, very popular. You might want to give it a shot.  Maybe! This is just my opinion and ya got to remember that I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN.

Oh, the book stimulated me to study more into the concept called “transactive memory.“ I use this all the time; actually many of you are part of a group of folks that I use.  It’s when folks use the information in the minds of others that they are not good at such as facts, numbers, emotions, management skills, plumbing information etc. that others are good at. Then when they need the information, they just call them. Churchill was very good at it.  We all are. We even store information in our family’s minds.  Learn about it; it’s fascinating to me. Great leaders in all areas use this (i.e. not everyone can be great at everything).  It ain’t no rocket science folks.

I realize that most of you don’t take advice a.k.a. suggestions very well; it’s really hard to tell you anything; some of you more than others.  Just look at your trail.  The proof is in the pudding! ANYWAY, at least I try to think about the advice I get while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, like—try to bite your tongue when you have the opportunity to brag about yourself; let others do the talking and be the ones to praise you; when your focus in life turns inward, focusing on yourself, you begin to lose God’s purpose for your life: to love Him and others.  SusieQ says—Now that sounds like my sister-in-law but surely not about me!

Things do change. I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that government agencies are reducing or quitting the negative procedure of “tracking COVID-19 cases.”  We sure spent a lot of time and money over accomplishing very little tooooo nutttin (i.e. my opinion) other than selling the news, folks love negative news). And God only knows how much of all the information was even accurate.  BUT people like to hear all the negative stuff. What did it accomplish anyway; I must of missed it. I guess now they are going to track the number of knee replacements each week that people get. haha  All that, whatever you want to call it, reminds me of my friend, JoeTheHike, leading a group of hikers from our park maybe 6 years ago up ‘er in ‘em mountains. He would stop every once in a while and tell them to look at that rock formation; it's “the sleeping bear formation.” The folks would oooh and aahh!  We would go another half hour and he would stop and have them look to their left and see “Chief Big Horse sitting in his chair." Again, the folks would go wild.  At lunch I said to JoeTheHike, you are full of BS about all those formations.  He said, you are right erv, but the folks just love it; it enhances their hiking experience soooo just let them enjoy it (i.e. it’s just like embellishing the news a little).

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

erv

MyFreindJean said—True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.

blast off

I still think it would be neat to see a spaceship rocket blast off.  Ya, I’ve seen it on TV but that isn’t in person.  Things seen in person are just different.  You can tell folks what ice cream tastes like but until you taste it, well, it’s a new experience.   BobbyJoe, from deep in Butler County, says—Impossibilities are simply just things we haven’t learned yet.  I am just amazed about all the amazing folks that have come from Butler Co. and what they have accomplished.  Ya, we usually hear about the sport figures who get attention but many of you have done great things but will probably never get noticed.  Congratulations to you.  Actually, you might be much more important than the sport figures and maybe have accomplished much greater feats. You did it dude?

CoachB says—You cannot blast off into the future chained to the past. That is probably a good statement CoachB.  Sooooo how can we self-evaluate ourselves objectively?  Do we need some type of test? Do we need a benchmark to compare ourselves toooo; maybe something or someone or some measuring stick? In business there are job evaluations based on a formula based on the objectives of the company probably.  Sometimes the evaluation is done by a buddy or by a team member soooo it makes it useless as it is not a fair evaluation. SusieQ, who is a great table setter, says—And we all know that the only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in June. Soooooo maybe the start of a self-evaluation is to decide what the standard is going to be to test ourselves against. 

JoeBusinessPerson says--The evaluator needs to have a neutral mind and can’t be bias in seeing the situation (e.g. a medical doctor).  When the old broken-down maire is near the end of her life, we got to accept that.  But if the young maire is the “rain maker,” we got to accept that toooo. That is a scenario to many situations.  Many older, opinionated folks can’t accept that.  They want to kick the same can down the street.  They don’t want to blast off with something that is taking off. JoeTechnicalFoul says—That has always been that way.  Some things are just hard to get launched off the pad. 

RickyRick says—"Emotions are often unreliable.  Your gut is often wrong. Your intuition is often flawed. Your emotions often lead you down a blind alley. You can’t depend on everything you feel! You want to succeed in life. Study after study has shown that your emotional quotient is far more important than your IQ when it comes to success. How many people do you know who ruined their reputation because of something said in anger? Or missed a job opportunity because of their lack of self-control?” “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.” — Abraham Lincoln. I try to teach my grandkids to have poise.  They don’t really understand what that is (i.e. as well as many adults).  Poise is soooo impressive in soooooo many situations (i.e. it’s class).  Are you poised?  Do you want to be more poised?  It might be good for all of us to work on as when to talk and when not to talk and what to say and what not to say.  Maybe.  CrazyJoe says—I know for sure from my past experience, it never works to fly off the handle.  Probably right CrazyJoe; my mentor would say to me—erv, it’s never as good as it looks and never as bad as it looks.  Sooooo maybe he was saying—relax erv, cool your jet burners and don’t blast off!

Robert Frost said—The only way around somethings is through. Maybe that is true Mr. Frost in some situations and maybe in other situations it isn’t; just like you said—somethings.  I think I am learning that there are “certain somethings” that I don’t enjoy. I don’t have to do them and if there are “certain folks” I don’t enjoy soo then, I don’t have to be around them.  “Those somethings” are tooooo hard on my life.  Why do I want to be around difficult situations or around jerks?  I guess I have to be careful who I think are jerks and what are difficult situations or pretty soon I won’t be around anyone or anything!  haha I was drinking coffee while sitting around a round table with folks of the park after Sunday chapel recently (i.e. most of the folks I didn’t know).  The discussion, of which I was a listener, was how the dynamics of the chapel needs to change as the newer, younger retired residents don’t like the old traditional way the chapel has been run for the last 30 years (i.e. nuttin has changed).  And as a result, they aren’t coming (i.e. maybe), and the numbers are way down.  They also talked about how the numbers are down as well in some of the activities of the park.  The younger residents are not doing some of the old-fashion activities as much but want to do some of the newer activities. The old residents want to keep it the same as always (e.g. some older activities aren’t the kings anymore).  Hey, folks, it will change one way or another, for sure, no question. JoeBlowSr, who can get my goat, says--YaBut I really don’t know what younger folks want and I wonder if they really know.  It can be sorta kinda confusing! It’s hard enough to decide what I want! Yabut, things change. We have girls’ sanctioned high school wrestling in IA.  Who would ever guessed that 10 years ago.

Joesixpack says--We say money isn’t the issue but then again it seems like it’s what’s on everyone’s mind. Folks will kill themselves to make more money, but many say it’s not that important.  What! Saturday question—What are the intangibles in your life that are very important? Maybe even more important than money.  Missperfect, who is a drama queen, says—There are none more important than money for me! Really, what makes you blast off? I have been thinking about the intangibles in my life that are very important to me.  Are they really important to to me or am I just blowing smoke?  Now that is a good question. I really like the discussion I am having with me, myself and I. It has been fun, and I think important.

I like people’s names that can be either male or female like Bobbie, Erin, Billy or Chris.  I can’t tell you really why but I just do.  This is what I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it by Billy Graham—"The Psalmist said, ‘Fret not thy-self...’ The implication is that fretting, complaining, and distress of mind are often self-manufactured and can best be coped with by a change of attitude and transformation of thought.” I also like those two statements—change of attitude and transformation of thought.  BUT how do we change our attitudes and transform our thoughts?  And then do we really want toooooo? A pickleball player I know tells me that she is just not a morning person (i.e. takes her a long time to wake up in the morning).  Is that genetic or is she programed?  I don’t know if some folks can change or if some folks what to change.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

I, as well as many others, believe in the health triangle.  How can anyone not believe it that.  Think about it.  Is it work?  It sure is. Do we have to concentrate on it? Sure do. Do folks like to do it for the most part? No! I was invited to a get-to-gather of college friends. One guy told us that he once weighed about 210 pounds.  He went to the YMCA every morning and went in the seam room and did 300 sit-ups for months and only basically ate lettuce and lost about 50 pounds. And he kept it off.

TheGalDownTheStreet asked me the other day if I still play pickleball—ya I do in moderation—how about you—I use to but decided not toooo this year; I didn’t want to be soooo engaged so I gave pb up but continued my other interests; I wanted to have more time to write, read and think (i.e. quiet time stuff).  I really enjoy that; I want to be myself and not be over influenced by others.  Huh, interesting.  I had sorta kinda a revelation the other day (i.e. at least for this day or this week—haha). It is a direction in my life.  I seemed to come to my senses about this direction.  Sooooo far I have really enjoyed my decision.  BUT, it just blasted off soooo I will give it some time.  BUT it is me and what I believe (i.e. it is the real me). BUT, it took me three months + for me to figure it out.  I’m a slow learner. BUT, I think it will be very good for my mental, spiritual and physical health. It has been very good for me in my past but I sorta kinda got away from it. I sorta kinda woke up! Bingo!

I have to admit that I change my mind about doing somethings.  I do.  I think that a certain thing sounds like a lot of fun and then after I think about it, I wonder what I was thinking about when I thought that.  I think age does that, I come to my senses!  Maybe we rethink stuff when we get older.  An older guy downthestreet was telling me that he observed that the older he gets, the more accepting he is of people with whom he disagrees with (i.e. he has cooled his jets). He said he has found the sweet spot in his soul where he could hold firm to his convictions and still get along with people who think differently. I wonder if he had an implied wonder at how relationships might have been different had he found the sweet spot sooner. BUT I still wonder how some folks can think soooo crazy!  I do. Surely, they don’t think that of me or you, do they? Da! CoachB says--Do we know how hard it is to know ourselves?  For the most part, many folks don’t want to know themselves (i.e. don’t like self-evaluation—much easier to be critical of someone else). SusieQ says—It is much easier to smell someone else’s bad breath than our own! Yikes, halitosis of others can be soooo bad! BUT it’s sooo hard to smell our own bad breath.  Golly sakes alive, I need to buy some Listerine for sure 

I talk about deception a lot it seems.  Okay, here is some good deception (i.e. well good for one and bad for another).  Our grandson, Jimmer, is 12 years old. He seems to be quick and can run fast for his age.  At Thanksgiving he and I went to the hoop in the cul-de-sac and worked on a simple deception regarding basketball.  I taught him the simplest of the three basic basketball deceptions, the little fake one way and go the other (i.e. it’s not rocket science). He had some success in doing this in his games. Success makes you buy into it and the more you buy into it the more success you have (i.e. pretty crazy, huh). It really isn’t that hard to figure out.  BUT we need to learn a simple basic method to use our skills and abilities and then work on it and buy into it. BUT if you don’t want to change (i.e. blast off), it’s all for naught. JoeCool says—That is being coachable or non-coachable. I was delivering some grapefruit from my tree to a friend and some ladies were digging up some cacti.  They asked if I want some.  I could use one as one is dead in front of my place.  DeniseFromWI said--Here is one that will get about 20 feet tall in 30 years.  I will take it.  Don’t touch the milky stuff where I cut the slip off; it will burn your skin bad.  Let it lay out in the sun for about a month and then plant it.  I was coachable; I know nuttin about planting a cactus.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—When a man retires, his wife gets twice the husband but only half the income.

and the end of the story is...

Seneca, a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist and satirist who died in A.D. 65, wrote, "Desultory reading is delightful, but to be beneficial, our reading must be carefully directed."  Folks, take that into account when reading this "It's Saturday." Just remember, you get what you pay for!

When we look at folks, many times their stories aren’t as they appear to us as we see them. We are fooled many times just like our appearance fools others many times.   Like my mentor use to say to me—erv, everyone has warts, it’s just that we can’t see them.

DuaneTheWorm always puts on a show to self-glorify himself; he’s really good at it.  He can fool a lot of folks alright.  BUT if folks are around him for any amount of time, they see right through him and know him as he really is.  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the people all the time but you can’t fool all the people all of the time. There’s always a story behind the story. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it written by Tony Dungy—“Honesty is a component of a person’s character that is remembered far longer than an individual’s words, talents, or accomplishments.” Joesixpack says—Tell it like it is folks.

ItchieBitchie says--Most all folks don’t tell the whole story or they shade the story or they forget some of the story intentionally or unintentionally. JoeEverthing says--ShowboatClazena's stories are basically hyperboles!  Sometimes folks have it in their mind what they saw or remember but it isn’t actually what happened.  They are programmed by their past environment or current environment; are very prejudiced. GeorgeTheCrook says—That is why eyewitnesses aren’t always as good as a video.  Eyewitnesses are prejudiced. I have learned here down here in the Valley that I’m really my age; I really didn’t understand that before.  That knowledge had a huge massive impact on me.  I didn’t think I was as old as I thought but I am. The younger retirees have shown me this.  I can’t do some things at their level as they are 15 years younger.  What is going on here anyway! I have learned that I lost about 8 years of good retirement; they are gone; that’s just the way it is.  I’m not unhappy about it or bitter about it but it is reality (i.e. I actually was glad I could do it; I would do it the same again; Arlene was a great blessing to me).  BUT any of you who have been 24/7 caregivers know what I am talking about.  I just realized this and am seeing my world differently now. BUT those years cannot be redone; no do overs! Soooo I need to readjust and rethink and understand that. 

Time can be rude to me.  Time can teach me what I use to have and show me maybe what I didn’t appreciate enough of what I all experienced; now it is all history of my past.  And it went soooo fast. It was fun while it lasted. A lot of fun and soooo many good memories. I think, my opinion, it is good to take a “mental break” once in a while and relieve myself of the whatever I need a break from.  I need to “re-set, recover, reboot, refresh, and grow.”  Find peace and relaxation.  Be low key! Go slow motion! In caregiving we called it “a respite.” I think, my opinion, that respites are good for everyone.  It might be listening to music or taking a walk or getting away or reading a book or taking a nap. We need breaks of our normal lives or routines.  Missperfect said--I just wanted to see if I did something different for a chance if my attitude would change. 

I have talked to many seniors whose life isn’t or wasn’t as perfect as they look.  It is just amazing what many folks have experienced in their lives; just amazing.  I am referring to soooo many seemingly negative things. BUT most have had soooo many positive things that we don’t know about as well.  They are just as amazing.  Here is one of many stories I have heard recently.  I see this guy all over the park, like all over.  He’s probably about in his 60s I would guess.  Always happy and cheerful.  Seems to be very active.  We have talked several times but about nuttin serious.  Then one afternoon I was riding my park bike and I met him at an intersection as he was on his golf cart.  We talked like we usually do.  I asked him where he was going—going to play pickleball—I thought I saw you playing this morning—I usually play twice a day—now I play with some women and we play till dark—he told me he was from the mid-west and is separated from his wife of 49 years of marriage—what’s the deal with that—she suffers from depression and wants to be around her sisters back home—soooo what do you think of that—well erv, maybe it’s the best for both of us, I really don’t know. I would guess there is a story behind that story, maybe!

I was cleaning the bathroom the other day and thought about the end of the story maybe being realizing that~Talent is God-given--be thankful. Praise is man-given--be humble. Conceit is self-given--be careful.  You probably think I need to get my head in the toilet bowl and think more about cleaning it!  

I have learned AGAIN that there are soooo many talented and amazing folks.  I would appreciate to just have the opportunity to hear their stories.  Maybe the group of folks that are snowbirds have a different mentality compared to the general public. I don’t know. These folks seem to have great attitudes even if their lives aren’t perfect (i.e. not any different than anyone else’s).  Many snowbirds, it seems, are soooo gritty and full of confidence and strong mentally and positive.  It is advantageous, my opinion, to be around this environment.

There are a lot of folks who walk in the park.  Many I see walk by every day.  It seems like many gals walk with another gal or even three of them, but guys usually walk alone.  Sooooo why is that? And there are more gals that walk than guys.  Why is that? Of course, we see couples walking together quite a bit.  Some are holding hands—I always think they are just recently married or working on a relationship.  Then there are some spouses helping their spouse with their walkers or walking beside them in their scooters. And of course, there some sitting on the couch eating chips watching the depressing news again and again.  I think the gals who are serious walkers make me smile the most; they scoot by going 100 mph with their fancy spandex outfits on including neat hats (i.e. usually in good physical shape). They make those outfits look good or those outfits make them look good!  And there are the limpers who I think they just had hip or knee replacements.  Everyone has a story and some I have no idea what their stories are.  And those walkers have no idea what my story is either. And then there are the bikers; a lot of bikers every day doing the same with probably the same stories.  BUT the walkers and bikers always seem happy! So what do you think of that? That is what I thought. SusieQ says—The moral of the story is, suck it up cupcake and let’s get going! I’m goin’ for a hike up ‘er in ‘em Superstation Mountains soooooo I will catch you later. Just me and my thoughts.  Such is life.

I went to the fund raising meal/dance of the pickleball club.  I bought a ticket and they assigned me to a table I was to sit at with others. My table was #33 and there was a married couple from MN, about an 85 year old widow from SD, a lady and man who both lost their spouses who spend a lot of time together and me (i.e. all very delightful folks).  Sooooo the dance was going on and the two couples got up to dance leaving me and the 85 year old widow looking across the table at each other.  I asked her if she wanted to dance--sure, why not. As we were walking to the dance floor she told me that she hadn't danced for probably 30 years. We were dancing away and she started to cry.  I told her I was sorry if I stepped on her toes.  No no, my husband died in December; we were married 61 years.  Boy was I relived; not 'cause her husband died but because I didn't' step on her toes!

I am learning what my physical limits are at my age (i.e. the old knees aren't what they use to be).  Oh ya!  I can’t do activities as long and as hard as I use toooo.  If I take that into consideration, I can do fine even though I might be a number of years older that some of the folks I do activities with.  I was hiking a pretty hard hike recently. Coming down the mountain there was a guy sitting on a rock and his wife was over him. I asked if he was all right and he said yeah yeah! Meaning that he was not all right. I asked him if I could help him. He said no. His wife said we ate too much Christmas stuff over the holidays. We can’t make it up the mountain like we could last year. They were both about 50 pounds overweight.

Sooooo after hiking I stopped and had a burger at this restaurant.  It was packed and the hostess said I would have to sit at the bar being single; she couldn’t tie up a table for a single (i.e. it’s all about the money).  Ok, I sat at the bar.  I sat next to a couple who I could tell right away that they weren’t married but maybe dating or having a night together (i.e. how did I know—they were talking differently).  Soooo I was eating my burger and I heard her say to him quite loud—Sooooo how long did your last marriage last?  I almost spit out my burger laughing. Obviously, I haven’t learned the right questions to ask gals.  Sooooo I finished my burger and paid and as I left, I took a quick glance at them.  A golf buddy/friend would have described her—Rode hard and put away wet!

I have learned from a facetious statement that I have heard from several snowbirds down here.  They say—erv, you could be in IA where is below zero and deep snow.  What I have learned from that statement is this—why me!  We all, maybe, have a tendency to ask the question why me when things don’t go our way but soooo many times we don’t say why me when things have gone well for us for years maybe.  Is this an attitude that we need to adjust.  Instead of being a complainer, we need to be a thanker more, maybe.  It appears it makes life a lot better. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it written by OndSmartPerson—Our feelings of self-worth are shaped by the opinions and attitudes of others.  Some of us were surrounded by people who affirmed our worth again and again as we were growing up. Others of us weren’t. But all of us have been affected at some point along the way by the thoughtless words and hurtful actions of others. Those words and actions color how we see ourselves. And no matter how much we have heard about God’s love for us, we sometimes struggle to believe that we can actually experience that kind of life.  And the end of the story is…! Well leapin' lizards!

She did not have PPP! Oh no! I was completely baffled by this gal.  I was on a hike coming down from the face of a mountain when I met this gal.  She stopped me and wanted to talk to me.  She was maybe 25, had on fashionable attire (i.e. not hiking carb) and carrying a little bottle of water with maybe 4 ounces in it.  She asked me if I knew how to get to the Flat Iron Trial.  Flat Iron is to the top of the mountain and the trail is very difficult. Yes, I do—will you tell me how to find it as I want to hike to the top—I told her but asked her if she knew how hard it was—no, I just read how pretty it is on the top—it’s 3:30 and it’s a 5 hour hike; you need to start early in the morning—have you done it—a couple of times—will you take me—no, I don’t think soooo; I don’t think I want to do it again—I will pay you. I didn’t see a pretty ending to this story the way it looked to me, but she was young and appeared to be in good physical shape which really helps but she had no idea how hard it was nor was she prepared.  Sooooo what did you take away from this conversation?  That is what I thought. And the end of the story is…! I will never know now will I. Oh by the way, PPP stands for Proper Prior Planning (i.e. HankMyFriend a.k.a. Secretariat, taught me this). I went with Hank and James, our son-in-law who goes the same speed, on a hike up Grey’s Peak, a 14ner (i.e. a 14ner is a 14,000 foot mountain peak in CO).  It was a beautiful summer morning until we got maybe ¾ of the way to the top and it got cold and started to snow hard.  I had no pants, no gloves and just a baseball cap and a light jacket.  I about froze to death.  I turned around. James gave me some extra socks he had for my hands and a stocking cap.  They still laugh at me for not having PPP. BUT I didn’t think it was going to get cold and snow! I guess that is why Iowans die up ‘er in ‘em mountains.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Friends are like snowflakes, none of them are the same.