undertone

LuckieEddie says--Look before you leap!  Have your parents ever said that to you? Or if everyone else is jumping off the cliff, it doesn’t mean that you have toooooo.  You might want to put some thought into the consequences.  Just maybe.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

Some men have a hard time trying to figure out how to say, “I love you, maybe.”  One fellow did a poorer job than most when he told his wife, “You’re just like dandruff darling, because I just can’t get you out of my head, however how hard I try!” MyNeighborDownTheStreet says—That sounds good to me.  Okay, okay, maybe just keeping his mouth shut and giving her flowers might have been better.  Just let the undertone say, “I love you.”

I had the opportunity to go to a granddaughter’s chorus program (i.e. she is in 6^th grade).  All of our grandkids seem to like music and seem to have some talent.  I’m happy for that as I believe it’s good to have a balanced life (i.e. their grandmother, Arlene, would be proud of them).  ANYWAY, her grade has about 1,000+ kids in the district in two buildings.  6^th grade chorus is an elective and there was a total of about 180 kids singing in her building and the same in the other building (i.e. seems like a high percentage to me). It sure seemed like these kids had an undertone for an interest and enjoyment for music (i.e. a great positive and exciting undertone).  When we left after the concert, across the street, there were ball diamonds full of young boys and girls playing ball.  It seemed like there was a lot of kids and folks enjoying it as well, maybe.  Even saw a large group of kids practicing lacrosse. Then driving back to their home, I saw several locations where kids were playing soccer.  A lot of stuff going on. But getting back to the 180andsome kids in 6^th grade singing in her chorus.  What a difference in physical development of those kids.  And it also appeared there was a difference in cultural back grounds.  Just amazing.  This is a public metro school which is probably more conducive to this.  I enjoyed it and think it’s good for 6^th graders, maybe. My opinion. Those of you who home school or have your kids in parochial schools might not agree with that. Saturday question—Are some school districts better than others?

This concert gave a feeling that it was genuine, and the kids, faculty, friends, parents and grandparents really felt it was. That was the undertone that I felt.  Another grandparent said the same to me after the concert.  Sooooo if she thought that and I felt that, then it must be right.  We ain’t that smart to think we are the only ones to feel that.  Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time, some of the folks all the time but you can’t fool all the fools all the time.  Most folks can seem to feel when a program or service is forced a.k.a. manufactured (i.e. a canned presentation).  They just don’t have the same feeling about them.  The undertone just isn’t the same.  CadillacJack says—It doesn’t take long to smell the rot! But if it is the real deal, it doesn’t take long to smell the sweet aroma either (i.e. like the smell of lilacs on a spring day).  Such is life. Saturday question—For those of who go to church, how does your services smell?

JoeAverage says—Undertones seem to be like déjà vu all over again. Oh fudge! I seem to not enjoy an undertone of phoniness (i.e. when folks aren’t telling the truth but just faking it like sweeping the problem under the rug). To me that just never solves the problem as it just keeps festering and keeps showing up.  It generally lasts for a long time it reappears. It appears to me that ya got to get to the root of the problem.  Coverups and pretending just doesn’t seem to cut the mustard.  It doesn’t erase anything, doesn’t rub the problem off. The undertone is always there.  Many times, folks won’t discuss the problem, but it still exists; it is still felt.  It’s to me very negative.  ItchieBitchie says—You can throw a lot of money at it or paint it over, but an ugly undertone just doesn’t go away by doing those things. My opinion. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it which was said by a long-time international businessperson—"Think of it this way:  In a meeting of your colleagues, who is the person you most want to hear from? Is it the person who likes to speak and often does, but not with candor, honesty, or knowledge? Or is it the person you know you can trust, someone you know will speak the truth in kindness?”

Last winter my bike fell against my leg.  I tore a chunk of skin back soooo I just cleaned it, put the skin back over the wound and put a band aid on it.  It’s what an ol’ farm boy does!  Well, it got infected some but finally healed some.  It got a big bump of about a quarter of an inch high and looked bad.  MyFriendTheNurse finally dug into in trying to drain the puss out but there was no puss but she dug out a terrible looking yellow ball of crap.  It scabbed over again and it took about 5 months but it’s about finally getting back to normal.  Probably if I would have gone to urgent care and used my Medicare, they would have fixed it and it would have been fine in a couple of weeks.  I just saved you folks maybe $2,000.  You are welcome! Chester and Anna would have been proud that I used the old farm method that we learned on the farm a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. (i.e. put some Watkins salve on it and it will be okay). I have an undertone.

A wise, old person (i.e. if you are old and wise, it could have been you) once said—There are three types of folks.  The first type, after doing a deed of kindness to another, is quick to demand the favor in return. The second type is not so quick to ask for a return of the favor, but privately thinks of the other as their debtor. The third type “does not even know what he they have done.” That is what our undertone is if we like it or not.  Soooo a golf buddy and I were talking on hole 6 about a mutual acquaintance who just died.  He and I made a relationship mainly working on a mission project along with others years ago.  As time went along, he seemed to develop an undertone of being very radical and strange.  We ended our relationship, and he really didn’t care.  He treated me like an old set of worn-out pillars.  Actually, no remorse, feelings, or emotions.  My friend told me that he treated all folks that way.  Life was all about him my golf buddy said (i.e. that was his undertone probably). Sooooo probably not toooo many really cared if he died then I would guess.

Don’t sneak up on me like that! You scare me!  Have you ever been scared by someone or something? Da! I had a person tell me recently that I scared her soooo bad that she almost peed in her pants.  When we were kids, my friend, Jerry, and I along with my kid sister were throwing grasshoppers at cars by our farm on a Sunday afternoon.  One of the cars stopped and a couple of teenage boys starting chasing us across the field.  Of course my kid sister couldn’t keep up soooo they caught us.  They threatened to beat us up and knock the crap out of us.  They finally left after scaring us really bad. My kid sister peed in her pants.  Sooooo do you have a safe haven a.k.a. a fort or safe harbor?  A place you can go and be at peace and feel really safe.  One of my places is my sunporch especially during sunrise or sunset.  It could be your home, a storm shelter in time of bad weather or maybe your place of worship or on the lake or just sitting in your back yard or in your garden or with a friend or with your family.  Many folks have different places that they find their safe haven (i.e. it changes our undertone soooo we don’t have to change our pants).  We all need such a place.  SusieQ, who is just what the doctor ordered, says—I’ll jump on that! I like that!

Some say that we are to forgive and forget.  CommonJoe says--I can forgive but never can I forget. It's impossible.  Especially when a group of folks or a person does something to me that is pre-mediated and viscous.  And then when they don't at some point accept responsibility for their wrong doing.  Why do I want to be around them? It's a terrible underdone.  A friend says--"I can forgive but I'll never forget. BUT I get even!" Saturday question--Have you ever been stabbed in the heart? Have you forgotten it? I have had a couple of friends this week tell me how they were stabbed in their heart and it still hurts which has built a bad undertone that others don't know about. They were not happy campers! I told these friends that it was good that they would share their feelings as sharing helps a lot.  My opinion. 

One day a one smart person visited a tiny village. One man was upset with him and furiously shouted at the one smart person, “You have no right teaching others, you are as stupid as everyone else. You are nothing but a fake!” When the rage was over, the one smart person was still sitting there smiling. This made the man even angrier, “Why are you just sitting there smiling? What do you have to say?” Then the one smart person spoke, “Do you ever have guests at your  house?” “Yes.” “Do you serve them foods and delicacies when they arrive?” “Yes, I do.” Then the one smart person continued, “If they don’t accept them, to whom do those foods belong?” “Well, I suppose if they don’t accept them, those foods are all mine.” “Yes,” said the one smart person. “In the same way, I do not accept your anger and your criticism. It is all yours.”

CoarchB says—We look with our eyes but don’t see with them.  He said he was trying to say is we see with our mind and spirit.  Sooooo we think differently even though we look at the same thing (e.g. makes a big difference when we have a dog in the fight). Makes sense to me. Sooo what you have just read in this “It’s Saturday” is understood way different by each of you.  CoachB suggests that we raise our consciousness of what we see but be careful what we look at.  Again, I say—What we see and understand is really based on our genetics, our past environment and our current environment. My opinion. Sooo, rub some dirt on it and let’s get going! Saturday question--Do you think you understood  a teeny weeny bit of what I was trying to say in this "It's Saturday"?

The next two Saturdays there will be a "It's Saturday" BUT I won't be able to send you an email as I won't probably have connection as I will be traveling out of the country.  Peace and prosperity to you and your family.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Nothing is a waste that makes a memory.

remain rational

SusieQ said to me—erv, you must have taken great pains; you could not naturally have been soooo very stupid to write the stuff that is in this “It’s Saturday.” I'm just pacing myself folks! haha

OneSmartPerrson once said—Conflict is unavoidable, but combat is a choice. MissPerfect, who folks wonder at times if she has her paints on right, says--When problems surface at work and in social relationships, they can be handled as tasks, or you can remain relational, solving the problem without damaging the relationship (i.e. don’t be soooo dramatic about them and maybe even down play them).  WildWillie says—But I like to get all emotional and make a lot of noise. WorldClassLarry, who has a good heart, says—Listen up folks, as long as you are alive there will be problems in your life soooo don’t be surprised when they happen (i.e. it's not if but when) but if some folks create more problems than the average dog, you might consider lessening the time you are around that dog or get a heavy duty shock collar for that dog. 

Sometimes it’s hard to remain rational when stuff just doesn’t make sense.  I was at the Yamaha dealer getting supplies to change the oil in my Yamaha XT250. They are also a Harley dealer.  When I got done a salesman talked to me.  He told me that they can’t get Harleys and there were very few on the floor.  He told me that the demand is huge massive but no bikes toooo sale.  And I get paid on commission—not good!  That doesn’t sound good for anyone.  He said—The spring is really a good time to sell, especially when folks want them and have the money to buy!  Ouchy ouchy! A banker/friend would say—A Harley loan is one of the best loans to make. That is the last thing they will default on.  If they default on their Harley loan, they are dead broke, or the Russians are coming!

I was at Hy-Vee the other day and had a neat experience.  I saw an online shopper doing her job and she was talking to herself, then laughing at herself and was just happy.  She said to me—I’m fine, really I am.  I have soooo many things going on in my head; it’s just hilarious. She was shopping for 16 different customers all at the same time.  She told me she really enjoyed her job. It’s the folks like you that that make it soooo fun (i.e. I don’t know if I really was that great but if she things soooo, great). She said there are very few folks who are unhappy and the ones that are, there is probably a reason, and I don’t take it personal.   She was a very neat gal, my opinion.  Soooo I went to check out and the checker was not happy.  Maybe he was just demoted in Hi-Vee’s realignment.  Maybe he took it in the shorts.  Just maybe.  I took the online shopper’s advice and cut the guy some slack as he was not a happy checker.  Not a happy smile in every aisle! 

People who manage other folks have a tough job alright.  CommonJoe, who seems can play to the crowd sometimes, says—It’s hard to deal with different personalities and egos.  Especially when it comes to money, many folks’ true colors then show through.  Oh ya!  Some folks have no patience for that a.k.a. kissing everyone’s butt in trying to make everyone happy.   BUT when folks are making money (i.e. are very flush which many are it sure seems) they are way different then when money is tight and they are unhappy.  There is no question about that.  Personally, I can’t understand how this situation we are in a.k.a. dystopia can continue.  BUT, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile a quarter south of Roseland, MN. I think the world situation is a mess (i.e. my opinion). BUT I have read that it’s been that way many times before (i.e. history shows that some people live and some folks die and there has been wars and rumor of wars forever; it’s been that way forever). It really ain’t nuttin new! ItchieBitchie says—C’mon folks, it’s all driven by money and power. I try to live a simple life but it ain’t easy.  Yikes! Such is life. ParBaby says--I’m going to shut the news off and play golf!!!!!!

I was taking yard sticks and waste etc. to the dump site using my golf cart.  There was a gal crossing 9^th street soooo we stopped and talked. She was a client of mine years ago.  We stopped in the middle of 9^th street of Aplington, IA and talked.  Crazy, right! ANWAY, we haven’t’ talked for maybe 10 years. She burnt a barn down years ago by accident) which we paid for which we had a good laugh about. I asked her if she is still single as she was a divorcee.  She still was.  She is maybe 50ish and a grandmother.  She is very independent and a hard working entrepreneur.  She said she doesn’t have time for the drama of a relationship of a guy and many guys don’t’ care for an aggressive, independent women like her.  She is still a very pretty lady but has gained a few pounds.  We really had a good conversation in the middle of 9^th street in Butler County, IA.  I might not ever talk to here again.  I’m old enough to be here dad. Huh, interesting.  What fun.

Maybe it might be a good idea to be an advocate for another.  Some folks really need an advocate. I think there are at times when we all need or will need an advocate.  One easy way to be an advocate for others is incensory prayer for others (i.e. my opinion). There appears to me that very few radical changes happen in our lives or others without God.  Just look around folks.  It doesn’t take rocket science to figure that out.  AA says that very few folks can kick the habit without The Higher Power (i.e. that is pretty much proven). To me that is rational.  RickyRick says—"Radical transformation is what God wants for you a.k.a the ultimate makeover. You can turn over a new leaf on your own (e.g. like losing 30 pounds), but only God can give you a new life. He does this by renewing your mind. Ephesians 4:22-24 says, ‘Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires . . . be made new in the attitude of your minds; and . . . put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness’ (NIV). Notice that there’s a putting off and a putting on. The health of your mind really comes down to stopping some stuff you need to stop doing and starting some stuff you need to start doing. Stop putting negative, hurtful things into your mind. Start watching and listening to things that make you more like Christ.”  I believe this (i.e. I have a trillion and 2 reasons to believe).  My suggestion is to be an incensor for others.

I had a learning lesson the other day (i.e. a humbling lesson).  I was in my golf cart and saw a friend in his yard.  We talked.  Part of his family is having great medical problems (i.e. I mean a tough situation). We talked about the typical stuff pertaining to the ugliness of the situation.  Sooooo the next morning I was still thinking about them and went to see him and helped them in a little way that I could (i.e. talk is cheap folks but action is what it’s all about). Besides giving makes everyone feel good; it’s good for the soul).  I had a friend tell me (i.e. she said—I’m not bragging about myself erv. but I offered to help an elderly person who was large and needed help walking). Many folks won’t do that but just talk about it.  She said she was soooo appreciative in me helping her.  My friend is this way, soooo that is no surprise, but I gave her an opportunity, maybe, in that she could tell me about it (i.e. it takes a good friendship to have someone to tell this good stuff toooo; most folks think they are bragging  soooo we won’t share). Sooooo maybe you think I’m bragging about helping my friend’s family in a little way I could.  Could be, that is your choice.  Or maybe I consider you good friends!  Soooooo I suggest you do something good for someone this day (i.e. and email or text me what you did).  Just don’t talk about doing something in church or in your mind or at the card table.  Talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey! Remain rational you irrational person! Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going!   "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." Maurus Aurelius who died 180 AD

erv, remain rational for God’s sake! Here is another experience I had which reminded me that we just don’t change very easily.  A friend is a great person but has a quality that they can’t or won’t chance a.k.a. flawed.  This quality seems to be built in them.  Maybe because of past environment or current environment or genetics.  I don’t know (i.e. they might not even know they are flawed).  I think we all have some qualities in us that are tough to get rid of (i.e. maybe even the folks who think they are perfect).  We just can’t or won’t change. Okay, some folks do! But most will go to their grave not changing, my opinion (i.e. maybe they will round the corners a little though).  Sooooo do I just accept this friend this way or try to change them?  Good question.  What do you think?  That is what I thought. EasyGoingBetsy, who has been known to get saucy at times, says—I prefer to talk big and then just kick the same can down the same street! Besides, changing makes me and others nervous (i.e. out of our comfort zone).

I don’t know if I’m rational or not, but I do spring yard work in a crazy order.  I do the work that irritates me the most by me looking at it.  There is a point that I can’t stand it anymore soooo I do it.  I postpone the other stuff until another day.  It seems to work for me.  And some days, I just don’t look at it soooo it doesn’t irate me.  It seems to work. There is always another day I say.  I’m retired and maybe lazy also. Soooo I decided to change over a flower garden to grass to save some work.  I was talking to my family about this, and they suggested I just transplant some ground cover and maybe get some more soooo it’s really not much work.  Great idea I thought.  I was telling a friend about this, and he said that he does that tooooo.  He even just takes his mover and mows around the different ground cover (i.e. great idea).  Seee, he’s lazy toooooo (i.e. not soooo, not this guy, he’s just more efficient).

I actually don’t care much for yard work including mowing lawn.  I have three neighbors that don’t have any bushes or tress.  I understand when you get older and lazier why they do that or like some of you who just move to a condo.  I have it pretty easy in AZ with a small lot and a rock yard.  I have decided to make my life easier by eliminating even more stuff in my IA yard.  I’m even thinking about buying a $10,000 riding lawn mower to mow my little yard (i.e. it takes me 45 minutes with my push mower and to trim but I could cut it down to maybe 10 minutes which would give me time to sit on the couch and eat chips).  Why not, others do that. BUT then again, I’m pretty frugal.  Maybe goats! Years ago, folks in the country didn’t have lawns but just let their livestock run around the house.  But then the neighbors got a lawn mower that put pressure on the rest of the neighborhood.  Oh, that peer pressure.  Now folks spend zillions on their yards. And I’m going the other direction! 

I like spring with all the new growth and freshness.  But I don’t like the spring winds in IA.  I can’t keep my hat on! I was coming back from my walk when some friends were leaning on their rakes in their yard and hollered for me to come over. They are seniors with health problems and were wondering what to do with all the work they were looking at.  And they said--All the stuff in their yard was 30 years old and looks that way (i.e. they sounded discouraged).  I don’t know what they decided.  It reassured my thinking that I would rather sit in my sun porch and read a book.  I’ll go to my sisters’ and friends’ places and just look at their pretty yards and uhhh and ahhh and then go home and sit in the sun porch with a cool drink and take a nap.

CoachB says—"Are you ever in wonderland?  Wonderland is inside of your mind and spirit. It’s when you see everything as a wonder. It’s like we see the miraculous things and just simple things all around us. When we develop this ability, it makes life much more precious.”  My suggestion—Try to appreciate as much as you can.  I think appreciation and gratitude is very important.  It appears to me that folks who do this, seem to enjoy life more. My opinion.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

I don't get it but yet I do

Bobby Thomson’s famous home run—“the shot heard ‘round the world”—lifted the New York Giants over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1951 and has  become one of the most dramatic moments in sports history.  Legend has it that the guy who threw the pitch, Ralph Branca, had just been told by a teammate, “Whatever you do, don’t throw it up and it.” So where did Branca throw it? Up and in. That happens often. Tony Dungy says--Whatever we focus on, whether it’s positive or negative, tends to come true for us. I don’t get it but yet I do.

Sooooo I was coming back from AZ going down I-25 just south of Denver at 75 mph in a middle lane of very busy four lanes when all of a sudden, a white pickup come up from my left and side swipes me.  We pull over and call the CO Highway Patrol.  The officer did his report and asked me what happened, I told him and he said the other person will say it was your fault, it is very typical, the insurance companies tell their insureds not admit fault. That is exactly what happened.  Soooo it looks like we will each pay our damage.  Mine is about $4,000 with a $1,000 deductible.  I told a friend about this, and he said—If I was at fault, I would admit it.  Saturday question—Would you admit fault if you were at fault?  I get it but yet I don’t.  The other person and I both felt that we were very fortunate as it could have been a huge massive accident and we could have been seriously hurt, and hurt others as well.  ANYWAY, I have been told that ATVs, UTVs, and side x sides are really hard to get.  Like maybe a 6 month wait on an order but if you pay $1,000 more you can get them quicker.  It’s only another $1,000.  Folks are willing to pay it I have been told.  Folks want them and want them now.  Sooooo there you go! I don't get it but yet I do!

The old saying is—The difference between a businessman and a crook is the type of attorney they can afford. LuckieEddie says—Sooooo if that statement is correct, then the difference is then in our heart. I get it but yet I don’t. It seeeems sooooo many times, it’s all about the money.

CoachB says—"Expect good things! What happens when you are minding your own business and bad things happen to you. In life stuff just happens. Life is not about what happens to you but how you react to it. Good things happen to folks who expect good things to happen. Even when they always don’t seem soooo good.  It’s a matter of attitude.” You believe that? I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.  God chooses things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And he chooses folks that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.  Ain’t that something to think about.  I pray more for wisdom as God said he would give me that if I only ask.  The reason why I pray for that is that I’m not smart enough to figure things out.  I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN. I read recently this—When a person makes alliance with the Almighty, giants look like grasshoppers.

I don’t get it but yet I do! This last winter I had a situation that I tried to force something as I thought maybe I wanted it to happen (i.e. I maybe thought it was a good idea).  You ever do that.  I analyzed it many times but the numbers never really added up soooo I sorta kinda knew it was not what should happen.  I wasn’t disappointed as there surely would be another opportunity and maybe even better (i.e. and actually it did happen—it became very clear I think).  I was using my human emotions trying to make it work (i.e. probably trying to force a round peg in a square hole).  You ever do that? Really the result of it not working out wasn’t a surprise. I had thought through it and already made the decision in my mind.  Then an event forced the decision for me.  I believe it was a good deal. I bet most of you think this was a money-making deal, right.  It wasn’t.  Fooled you didn’t I! Now what do you think it was? You can put your own personal experience in it and make it very personal to you. Such is life.

I don’t get it but yet I do!  An acquaintance died and I’m sure the pastor said nice stuff at the funeral.  Why not, probably a big giver to the church.  I have this nasty taste in my mouth of them. They told me years ago that they changed churches to go to this church because they needed to be around high-income folks to make more money.  I’m not making this up, oh no, they told me this direct. Tony Dungy says—“When I was coach of the Indianapolis Colts, we evaluated a lot of draft prospects coming out of college. Sometimes a player would have plenty of experience, talent, and skills and would perfectly fit a need on our team. But in spite of all these qualifications, we still wouldn’t draft him if we had written DNDC next to his name (i.e. Do Not Draft [because of] Character). You will never lose by emphasizing character over results in the long run.” WorldClassLarry, who is more of a chooser than an accuser or an excuser, says—A few bad characters can surely mess up the image of a company or a church or a family; actually, more than the image, the chemistry as well.  It’s all about the money folks. I learned in the sermon last Sunday that they threw Jonah overboard!!!!!

A friend was telling me recently about a job he had some 20+ years ago while in college (i.e. he had a connection).  He worked for a high-end country club.  He would help set up banquets, weddings, meetings etc. They did it all from setting up tables, setting the place setting, folding the napkins and complete arrangement to serving the meal and then taking it all down afterwards (i.e. sometimes doing two in one day).  He would many times work from 6 a.m. to maybe 1 a.m. the next day he said.  It was very hard work, but he made a ton of money.  These workers got a fixed gratuity of 20% of the total cost plus also cash tips from the guests.  Now these were high-end folks and he said that the little old ladies were very generous.  He had to do two things—Work hard and be nice and polite a.k.a. character.  

I get it but I don't!  A friend down the street told me that she tells her adult kids actually what she thinks even if they don’t like it.  “They need to know how I think.  It’s okay.  We get along fine by me doing that even if we don’t agree.  I don’t do this to my friends or my grandkids or my son’s wives, but I do it to my boys. They know exactly how I think and feel.” I have another friend who told me recently that she gets disappointed in that most of their adult children as they don’t seem to care much about them.  They hardly ever ask questions about their lives.  They act like we just aren’t around.  Soooo do you think she should tell her adult kids how she feels? I had a grandmother tell me that some of their adult children and grandchildren don’t seem to be very appreciative at all to a point she wonders if she will give them anymore gifts.  She feels like she has had enough.  Should she tell her family how she feels? Flip the pancake.  I would guess there are children and grandchildren who feel this as well about their parents and grandparents.  There are some of you who solve the problem by just not caring about each other—done! Or some who don’t even know who their parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren are. Or some of you who have experienced death in your families and no longer have them around and wish you did. Also, there are maybe some of you that have almost near perfect relationships.  Sooooo there you go.

How would you describe Billy Graham?  Pretty much all of us have some knowledge of Billy Graham I would guess.  ANYWAY, a friend gave me the book Saturdays with Billy (i.e. thanksamillion again my friend).  Here is one of Billy’s statements—“Yes, it has been a privilege to know some of the great men and women of the latter part of the century…Let me stress again, however, that most of my time was spend with people who will never be in the public eye and yet who are just as important to God (and to us) as a queen or president.” He considered himself just a CommonJoe like JoeThePlumber, just like you and I. I understand that but yet I don’t.  In his statement, he was talking about you guys.  Yes he was.  You are great.  Yes you are.  Never never forget that folks. NEVER! Even though I don’t feel very great at times!  Sometimes I feel like a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. Most of the time I feel pretty much like one of those ants in the ant hill in my front yard. I’m not saying that in a bad way folks, oh no. And that is okay. I’m good! Very good! I’m very comfortable being vanilla a.k.a. one of the boys.  Very much soooo. We all have our platform. I sure enjoy your friendship. You are great and special to me. Oh ya! CadillacJack says—There might be some folks who think of themselves as better than others and are proud of it. Is that called self-righteous? Whaaat in tarnation . . . ?! JoeFeelSmall, who is related to Rich Strike, says—I sorta kinda fell like Brock Purdy who was the last football player selected in the 2022 draft.  The last person drafted is nicknamed Mr. Irrelevant. Purdy sure wasn't an irrelevant when playing for IA State as he was a record sitting quarterback for the Cyclones,  A great one for sure!

I don't get it but yet I do.  It said in the paper sooooo it must be right.  It's a horse race! How did Rich Strike (i.e. 80 to 1 odds) pass soooo many horses to win the Derby?  Two answers: He ran by some, and some, as they say in racing, stopped running. That sounds sooooo much like life. It's a horse race! Soooo put your blinders on and run your race folks. Don't watch and listen to others who are negative and depressing (i.e. not my kind of folks).

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as you go along.

convenience

ItchieBitchie, who usually finishes last in the the fastest heat, says—Beware of telling an improbable truth.  I hope that doesn’t apply to this “It’s Saturday.” You get to decide what an improbable truth is.  Saturday question—Do you trust your decisions? Does your history show that? 

I was asking our daughter for some advice recently and she said—Dad, why do you ask for advice; you don’t listen to it anyway.  I think I listen to advice from a lot of folks, I really do. I was telling a friend about this, and he said—erv, I wonder if Heather is right, maybe you listen to her advice, but you don’t follow her advice! Saturday question—Do we only follow advice when it is covenant and we agree with it and like it or when we are forced to face the facts? Ouchy ouchy!  I heard some advice a friend got from her mentor when she was thinking about having a relationship with a certain guy--If you don’t hate his ass today there will be a day when you will! Yikes!

It appears in our culture of affluent America, that many folks would rather pay more for the convenience than do the work and save the money.  I hear folks say—I don’t have time to do that, I would rather pay the extra money to have someone else do it for me.  This is said and done by folks who can afford it and by those folks that can’t really.  It’s the convenience of the matter, folks will pay sometimes huge amount of money for the convenience (i.e. someone else to wash their car or buy their groceries or change the oil in their lawnmower).  GeorgeTheCrook, who always arrives late at the office, but makes up for it by leaving early, says—C’mon now, don’t act soooo confused, you all pay for convenience! We live in a very affluent society. 

Tony Dungy says—"Many people say they regret doing the wrong thing, but I rarely if ever have heard someone say they regret doing the right thing. It’s always worth it to do what’s right.”  My Mom, Anna would say to me—erv, always do what is right.  I tried but didn’t always.  I did suffer the consequences through the years, oh ya!  JoeCool says—It’s much more popular and many times it looks cool to do the convenient thing than do the right thing; that is why I’m looked at as being cool! A friend told me that one of their friends lost his wife by death and right away looked for another wife.  He got right after it.  Wow!  Usually that is disaster but not always.  ANYWAY, he met this gal on Eharmony I think and did their compatibility survey, and they were like 90 some percent compatible soooo they got married. That sounds convenient!

Had a classic experience recently a.k.a. an icon.  Was invited to a friend’s family birthday party of cake and ice cream.  They had part of their family to celebrate their mother’s, grandmother’s, wife’s birthday including a fiancée and girlfriend.  There were 9 of us including 3 generations with ages from 17 to 76.  We sat around the dining room table and laughed a lot and talked about maybe serious stuff like PDA (i.e. Public Display of Affection).  We pretty much agreed that it is not acceptable and dangerous for sure.  Of course, we are all pretty conservative and from Butler County.  Maybe more liberal folks from the metros might have different onions.  haha  Such a great experience that no way it could have been planned; it just happened.  This was a classic that might be remembered for ever (i.e. one of a kind).  It was that good. What a hoot! Will never be reproduced. Doesn't happen every day. My opinion. What fun! 

We demand that everything is convenient, or we will go or do something else (i.e. most times anyway).  Do you think Amazon, eBay and Wal-Mart know this?  Of course they do.  It has become big business.  Look at the large buildings and infrastructure they have developed for emotional buying.  And free shipping if you spend soooo much.  Ya gotta buy more ‘cause you save more!  Press two buttons and you own it! Such is life in the convenient world.  Bingo! I stayed in a motel in NM, and I checked in on line and checked out on line, slick as a whistle, very convenient.  It almost seems like they know what I’m thinking! They probably do! Gottcha!

BigPete says—If you are doing stupid stuff, stop now. Go no farther.  Turn around. Quit doing what you are doing. Make a 180 degree turn. I’ve had enough.  It’s not going in the right direction.  I’m heading into trouble.  Simply put up your hand and say--NO!  Stop the monster.  As my deceased friend, Paul, would say to me—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions! Bingo! JoeBlow says--Try to stop doing our own stupid stuff!  It’s actually simple and quite convenient.  And to top it off, it feels really good!

There usually is a lot of hissing and spatting a.k.a. pretending from the little cats but who are the big cats that roar and win the battle (i.e. tare us apart).  We seem to make big cats out of small cats in our lives (i.e. at least I do at times) that can tear us apart internally.  Not good! We have a tendency to make a mountain out of a mole hill.  Dr.J says--Jesus had a way of making the complex simple. For example, He taught with parables that contained cultural references easily understood by His listeners. When it came to simplifying the enormous code of Old Testament laws, He reduced the approximately 613 laws down to two: Love God (the first four of the Ten Commandments) and love others (the last six of the Ten Commandments) (Matthew 22:34-40). Saturday question—Are we still in the process of moving from the Old Testament to the New Testament? It sounds pretty simple but hard to apply most of the time, maybe. For goodness sakes alive, what is going on here!

CommonJosie says—Some folks are passionate about some things and couldn’t care less about others and another person is just the opposite.  I have a friend who is a “fishing lure acholic.”  He just keeps buying and buying and buying.  He knows it but just loves it.  He will buy anything that makes it convenient to catch more and bigger fish.  I’m not making this up. Oh no. He told it right to me.  He actually seems to be a normal person as far as I can tell! Sooooo what is your obsession?

 Proverbs 16:18 says—Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall! Yikes! That sounds terrible.  First Peter 5:5 says—God, HE-DA-MAN, opposes the proud. What’s the opposite of pride? This is pretty philosophical; you might not want to think about it (i.e. it might hurt your brain).  I understand. CoachB says—"Train your heart! What we want is often not what we need, and a wise person focuses and trains their heart to what they need instead of necessarily wanting what the lower nature says they want. It takes some elevation and some wisdom to distinguish between the two of what we want and what we need. And generally, what we need in life and far too often what we want is disaster.” JoeBlow says—There are times we should bite the bullet and try to figure this out! MissPerfect says--It’s a mindset.  Are you trying to fool other folks?

MyNeighborNorthofTown says--“Not one of us is as smart as all of us.” Because we all have our strengths and areas of expertise. Individually we may be able to accomplish some good things; but put different people together who eagerly pool our respective abilities and we can move from good work to a pure masterpiece. I complimented John about his talk. He said it was a group effort. I had all our staff meet and we brainstormed.  They gave my examples, stories, and expressions that I wasn't all excited about, but they were the best.  Mine weren’t near as good!

I’ve (i.e. erv) been called a racehorse by some of you, known for galloping into life like a warrior steed into the heat of battle (i.e. too eager and do it toooo fast without thinking enough). Everyone has a breaking point, however, and the more I age the faster I reach it. These days (i.e. I’m learning I think), I fear I might more closely resemble a newborn foal, struggling to untangle awkward legs and find the necessary muscles to stand. I think I’m becoming more laid back I told a friend recently.  I think I have more the attitude of--Let me drop everything and work on your problem. SusieQ says--erv, you don't have enough time to fix my problems! You have no idea!

The convenience of security is very important to many.  I have heard from several women that the park I wintered in gives them security. It is gated and folks look out for each other (i.e. many of the parks are this way).  This is very important for single women I heard.  Also, I heard from some women that a man gives them security as well.  Another part of security is money.  I have learned that if a woman was to pick between two guys each being 8.5s (i.e. that is probably the max any woman thinks of a guy in our culture today it seems as told to me by some friends at church last Sunday—a married friend said—we love our husbands but don’t always like you guys, I think she was serious) but if one had money and the other one didn’t, which one would she take. Da! I had a little experience in seeing woman taking the 6.5 guy over the 8.5 guy if the 6.5 guy had money and the 8.5 didn’t.  Oh, the security of the convenience of money.  But at some point, some gals really don’t care at all, they just want the companionship of a guy and vice versa.  They don’t care how big his belly is or what his check book balance is! BUT some women think some guys are just looking for a nurse and a purse. I reread once again while eating my oatmeal with half a banana it—Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other to succeed. If one person fails, the other can reach out and help. But someone who fails alone is in real trouble.

 It is soooo convenient to say the right words but much harder to really mean what we say.  Have you ever noticed that?  A friend told me that she had to laugh at her friend who said she is not prejudice about people—I don’t treat that other group of folks any different, I like those other folks! Saturday question—Do you treat the vulnerable and marginalized folks (i.e. those whom the our culture ignores or despises) different than your social group? Sooooo if you go to church, does your church treat different folks differently?  I was told by a successful pastor that his church tries to treat all folks the same without exception (i.e. no elite holy huddle).  But it is hard. I wonder where he got that model!  Is that called servant-leadership? He also said—If you want to have a great church, it has to act that way.  How does it feel if you are not welcomed or accepted? How does it feel when you are welcomed and accepted?  I have felt both emotions. I preferred to be welcomed and accepted.  It seems to me that the great folks know the combination for greatness or is it maybe they don’t know it but that is what makes them great! Could be! But I don’t know for sure. Maybe we don’t always give admiration to the feet washers but we do to the high-profile folks instead (i.e. but we say we are not prejudice).  I don’t know about that! What do you think? That is what I thought. Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Enjoy life, this is not a rehearsal.