first things first

I have learned once again that “it is what it is” sometimes and I just need to accept it.  I can’t do anything about it sometimes. I need to accept the music being played.  It’s the act of doing the first things first. Actually, what I learned I knew, but didn’t really accept it as I wanted the result to end a different way; it ain’t goin’ happen folks, I am certain. Sooooo there. I’m much better off facing reality and moving on; Just Smallify it!  That is my opinion. 

TheRevDavid says—"According to the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, the walls of Babylon were so massive that a four-horse chariot could drive around the city on top of them. Soooooo, when King Nebuchadnezzar looked out on his city at the height of its power and glory it’s not surprising that his ego swelled to gigantic proportions: ‘Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power . . . and for the glory of my majesty?’ (Dan. 4:30). Watch out, king. You were warned. God has a way of putting puny mortals in their place when they start thinking like that. What Nebuchadnezzar needed to learn was that only God is great and humans, however wealthy or powerful, are nothing compared to him.”  Where is Babylon today folks? Where is the great Roman empire?

The pic is of the 2-Ervins! It was taken of my great nephew Nickols Ervin and I at our family wedding last weekend, I asked the lead photographer at the reception how many pictures he took soooooo far—I have taken right at about 4,000 soooo far and my assistant usually takes about 2,000—wow, that’s a lot of pics, soooo what does your other assistant do—he just carries the stuff around for us—are the two videographers with your company—no, they are from a different company—you guys probably haven’t missed much—no, we usually get about all of it!  There were a lot of family pics taken on phones; it was fun.  One of my nieces would say if she didn’t like a certain pic—I need a new face (i.e. a redo). We usually don’t keep pics if we don’t look good in them now do we! I talked to a guy who talked about a mutual acquaintance who said--he sure looks old; I’m glad I don’t look that old. Later in the day I talked to that other guy, and he said about the same thing about the first guy I talked toooo. What a hoot! I think some of my family members were much happier this time than when I saw them last time and some I think didn’t seem as happy.  Seemed like new and different faces.  Stuff happens folks both good and bad and it affects us.  No question. FastFreddie says--Unhappy females aren't near as pretty! Oh, I asked Nick Ervin at brunch Sunday morning--soooo did you get the money I sent you (i.e. he is a poor communicator; I wonder where he gets that from)--ya, I did, I'm saving it--for what--a car.  He's my kind of Ervin!

RickyRick says—"’It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else.’ Ecclesiastes 6:9 The first step to becoming a contented person is to stop comparing yourself to others. The problem is that comparison is our favorite pastime! We do it all the time.” Comparing really makes the world go around now doesn’t it.  It’s great for capitalism. JoeBusinessPerson, who is a higher breed above normal, says—What a marketing tool it is in making someone envious even if it tears their heart out. Aren’t we something else at times (i.e. at least I am)!  Ouchy ouchy! 

Sooooo I decided to buy a new pair of kaki slacks.  I think the last pair I bought was when I was still in business some 15 years ago. I hardly ever dress up anymore; times have changed.  Sooooo it was suggested by a friend that I go to this nice store.  The salesguy was really nice and we had the best time.  He showed me the best on the market and the latest cut.  But he said, ever style is still popular.  I liked one but it was $98.  I looked at a nice new polo shirt; it was also $98.  I looked at a new pair shoes; they were $130.  A new belt that was $82.  I bought a new polo shirt on the sale rack and decided my old stuff was good enough! I even laughed at myself but had a great time. Soooo did the elderly salesguy (i.e. he seemed to understand). I’m happy! It’s like this story--I happened to be browsing in a jewelry store one day while my wife was getting a new battery to put in her watch. A nicely dressed salesman politely asked if there was something I was interested in. Looking at all the glitter and sparkle in the display cases, I smiled and said that we had reached a point in our lives where we really didn’t need or want to buy any more gifts for ourselves. The salesman smiled back and said, “I understand.”

Went to the movie Elvis.  I didn’t care for it much (i.e. my opinion). It started slow and didn’t really pick up the speed I didn’t think; it was sorta kinda boring to me.  It was sorta kinda like a friend said about the 4^th of July parade they went tooooo—It was good but a bit long for me!  Some of the words of the movie I couldn’t hear (i.e. they mumbled) and a lot of repetition of the story.  BUT, there was a lot of folks there soooo maybe it was just me, could be (i.e. I have a tendency to get bored easily). BUT how can anyone not like Elvis and his music.  AGAIN, very few folks can handle success (i.e. the world tells us that success is money, power and fame) and it appears it usually messes folks up.  BUT the very few can handle it! Just look around folks; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. BUT, there are the good ones, my opinion! And some of you folks are truly the good ones!  And I surely enjoy being around you folks.  Thanksamillion. Saturday question—Is there one universal quality that stands out with folks who can handle success? What might that be? Soooo what is success anyway? My mentor used to say to me—erv, the world measures success by how much money folks have, period! That’s it! The world doesn’t care about anything else. BUT, he measured success by other qualities as well.  I miss him. He taught me a lot of good stuff. Saturday question—What is the first thing that is first in your life? Really! Talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whisky! Proverbs 11:24 says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.”

My mentor and I talked much about what success is.  He would say to me--erv, the world's interpretation of the Golden Rule is gold rules, plain and simple but that is not what the Golden Rule is.  It is as it is said in Matthew 7:12 Do for others whatever you would like them to do you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. Oh, Tony Dungy says--Who measures success? God does, not the world. Who measurers impact? God does, not the world. God's standards are rock solid, not subjectively driven by the differing opinions and standards of other people's agendas.

A guy stopped at my place when I was power washing my drive.  He was hot, I mean mad. What’s the deal--Why does this stuff always happen to me?--What stuff?  He told me. Oh!  It wasn’t really that much of a problem, more like normal stuff of life or maybe even on lesser side of life but he took it as a major event.  I said I would fix it for him, but he didn’t want me tooooo.  He just wanted tooooo complain to me I think a.k.a. vent. I did give him a couple of suggestions to how he could get it fixed of which he did one to fix it. BUT he does have some frustrating situations that he is dealing with, and this is just another one top of those. Soooooo I thought about that as I cleaned my drive.  We all have stuff happen to us. None of us are soooo special that bad things don’t happen to us.  BUT, it does seem like some folks have more bad things happen to them than others? BUT, I think we all can do certain things in our lives to prevent bad stuff or maybe minimize bad things (e.g. if we don’t take care of our lawn mower, probably it will break down more often). Like be proactive. What do you think? That is what I thought. Oh, by the way, my heart hurts for this guy! Life is not always easy. BUT my Daddy, Chester, would say—erv, everyone has problems but some handle them differently.

I went to a hs softball game of a friend’s granddaughter.  She a petti, pretty gal who is about 5’8’ and weighs maybe 120.  She steps up to the plate and hits over the fence.  And I can’t hardly hit my drives 200 yards.  I just had to laugh. It seems like all those players have two bats in a bag they carry around. I asked her mother how much do those bats cost, $450 each. What!

I think folks drive exceptionally fast in MI. I was heading home on I-196 which has construction. It was two lanes going west with cement barriers tight on the left side and no shoulders on the right.  The speed limit sign said 60 which was only a suggested speed obviously as we are all going way over that speed (i.e. the sky was the limit) in extremely heavy traffic.  I felt like I was driving in a formula one race in Morocco. It seems like everyone drives way over the suggested speed limit everywhere in MI and not much enforcement.  Then in rural IA where there is very little traffic, they don’t drive near as fast, and it’s much more strictly enforced.  Crazy for sure. But MI is the motor state, and they live up to their reputation. But IA’s gas prices are a little cheaper. haha I have a brother-in-law who loves to drive fast (i.e. he just loves it; I think that is why he lives in MI). First things first; ya gotta get your priorities in order! He’s really a good guy but just has a heavy right foot! He says my kid sister is worse than him! Holy smokes!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Success is simple--do what is right, the right way, at the right time.

it can't be

A couple of friends told me that they don’t believe anyone anymore.  Sooooo that “anyone” includes me I suppose.  Soooo if you are like them, no one believes what is in this “It’s Saturday.” Johann was saying that already a long time ago soooo it ain’t nuttin new!

RickRick says—"For most people, the mind is like a freeway. They let anything drive through it. They watch shows that are full of junk and nonsense, scroll through social media sites that are polarizing, and listen to gossip that makes them envious. Then they’re surprised when their mind’s freeway becomes polluted with all of these things. And they wonder why their stress is so high. The Bible offers another way. Philippians 4:8 says, ‘Think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected’.” As my deceased friend use to say to me—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions.  ItchieBitchie says—I can’t believe some of the decisions that I have made!  What was I thinking anyway!

One of my neighbors works at a jail and I think processes folks who are to spend time there (i.e. maybe like a Wal-Mart greeter haha). I would never guess she would have this job as she is young and pretty. ANYWAY, I said to her the other day—You probably have heard everything—Ya, I have, everything but they basically all say the same thing and that being “it wasn’t my fault but it’s the cops’ fault; they got it wrong” (i.e. it can’t be my fault). Lawyers never ask their clients if they are guilty. First of all, the clients all lie and secondly, they don’t want to know. Teachers tell me that parents can be very hard to work with; it’s never junior’s fault (i.e. it can’t be his fault but must be you the teacher’s fault).  Ouchy ouchy! A friend at breakfast recently told me—Even good folks lie! Soooo don’t get soooo cocky! SusieQ says-It can’t be, not me!

Are you a good problem solver? Do you think you are? Do others think you are do you think? Does your past life show you are? I don’t know if I am or not but I did make a good decision the other day, I think anyway. I was going to trim two bottom branches off a pin oak tree that has grown over some other trees.  They are about 16 feet up soooo I needed to use my electric chain saw on an extended pole while standing on my 8 foot step ladder. No problem: I have done it before.  Both of those branches needed to be cut three times.  After doing the first one, my whole body was just tired; it took a lot of strength and I thought: what am I doing, this is dangerous a.k.a. ridiculous. Soooo I asked my young neighbor to cut the last branch (i.e. he's one good guy). Great decision. I’m just not as strong as I use to be, I admit it.  When I had a physical recently my doc asked me if there was anything different.  Yes, I'm not as strong as I use to be and I’m not as tough as I use to be.  Well, erv, you aren’t a spring chicken anymore he said (i.e. it can’t be). BUT he suggested I might try CoQ-10, an over-the-counter drug that helps some seniors.  By gully, it seemed to help or it’s just in my head but either way, I’m back to jogging again and my body doesn’t get sore.  Try it, you might like it tooooo! I got new life!!! You say, erv, it can’t be that easy.

I heard two friends talk recently about a certain person who they called goofy.  I always thought that about him but didn’t never say that to anyone and didn’t say it when they were talking about him.  But from what they said about a current business situation he was involved in; it reassured my thinking.  He’s goofy from most folks’ perspective, maybe.  Hey, if those folks think that and I think that, then other folks think that tooooo; we ain’t that smart! BUT those two other folks are pretty smart let me tell ya! It can’t be that all three of us are wrong and are the goofy ones!!!! Can it? Surely not!!!! But it could be, and we just don’t know it (i.e. it can’t be!).  How goofy can a person be!

It's goofy to her but not to me.  I heard a mother say about her two adult boys—I can’t believe how different they are, they have the same genetics and raised in the same house.  I know both of these boys and would agree.  I think one is like their dad and the other isn’t.  Maybe she doesn’t see that, but I do.  It seems like some children are just like their parents and some are not.  Goofy for sure.  How do children decide?  How did you decide? Children don’t sit down one day and decide.  But how do they decide anyway? How did you decide?

My opinion is that good fiction is when we know it isn’t true but yet it is soooo real to us or our lives that it seems real.  You understand that?  I just read in a novel in which two attorneys were talking about one of their lives.  He said our marriage was not good for years soooo we decided to have a couple of kids to fix it.  How many times have you heard that he asked the other attorney—many.  How many times does it fix the marriage—never. Ok, maybe that is personal to your life and maybe not, but you get the hang of it.  It’s sorta kinda like the expression—If the shoe fits, wear it.  Can and do we ever learn from other peoples’ mistakes?  It sure is a lot less painful.  Sooooo, I suggest we get a good mentor and watch and listen.  Or get a bad mentor and don’t do what they do.  Now that would make sense to me. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out!

CadillacJack says--Rising overhead and declining income is not good! When it gets up-side-down, it ain’t good for sure. That is a business situation that is not good. BusinessPersonBob says—An upside-down situation can’t continue, and it won’t (i.e. something has to give). SuperRichRita says—What’s the problem, I’m fine and will be fine; I married rich and inherited a bunch from my parents! And you know what, probably she will be fine.  For many of you folks, the huge massive inflation won’t affect you, but many of you it will. Sooooo what will happen? It will be very interesting.  What do you think? That is what I thought. Such is life.

A friend at breakfast the other day told me that he and his wife were meeting with their financial advisor. The advisor told him and his wife that they don’t spend very much money.  His wife thinks she can help in straightening that out. They are frugal, hardworking folks who grew up that way.  I doubt if they will change.  But maybe! If not, their kids will spend it. 

A friend called and apologized to me for being rude.  I didn’t sense the occasion when she was rude and told her that.  She went on to tell me when she thought she was rude to me.  I didn’t take it that way, but she did.  That is the kind of person/friend she is.  We are in some ways likeminded.  Friends are that way.  Many folks never think it could ever be their fault; we live in a very self-centered world.  Friends who gave me some sedum are big volunteers (i.e. good folks with good hearts, my kind of folks).  He is a member of the Kiwanis Club and there are very few members left he said.  She spends a lot of volunteer hours at the Arboretum which there are hardly any volunteers left and the ones that are left have a bunch of body replacement parts and are old.  Oh, by the way, she is a Master Gardener and told me this—Ground cover’s first year they sleep, second year they creep and the third year they leap.  I know a person who says—That is just like a friendship.

Okay, I’m going to challenge you tooooo think.  I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.  It might not be what you want to hear and maybe it might be just what you want to hear.  I don’t know.  It’s an opinion of David’s.  Just that, an opinion that might be backed up by his belief and your belief might be different based on your genetics, past environment, or current environment.  ANYWAY, think through this and ponder, okay?  Are you ready? “One of the biggest mistakes we make in thinking about the justice and goodness of God is jumping to premature conclusions. Who wins and who loses, who’s had it good and who’s had it bad—that’s not decided in this life. Only the final judgement will reveal all.” Now that is pretty deep.  Like the verse I like—His (God’s) understanding I cannot fathom! I realize that some folks think they can, but I don’t think soooo folks (i.e. my opinion).  Now that is pretty exciting to me.  DollyShowoff says—It can’t be that I can’t understand God; I’m equal to Him or maybe even better in some ways! HumblePieCharlie says—I can’t understand his greatness; I just stand in awe of Him! To me, this attitude gives me hope.

Some of you think I’m crazy. That is ok, I don’t care.  I got up early last Saturday morning and drove 7.5 hours to MI to attend a wedding of my brother-in-law and sister’s grandson at 3:30.  I spent the weekend.  I had a blast!  Incredible! Much excitement and laughter.  Many of my family was there and many of them told me amazing stuff about themselves and their families.  Some I may share, and some are soooo private that I won’t ever.  I had a hoot! My sisters and their families treated me like a king. I had an unbelievable experience, unbelievable! Soooo how important is family to me and how much do I love them, they are beloved!  Dink ding ding!

All of my family members are different because of genetics, past environment and current environment; I am certain of that, no question, it’s for sure (i.e. we are all programed)! I sure did enjoy them. One Example:  I was seated at the wedding reception with one of my sisters, her husband, and one of their daughters, husband and three children from pre-school to a junior in hs.  I asked them each questions and asked the junior boy if he was going to take the typical test for college this year—yes, I’m taking several of them—you have any idea what you are interested in when you grow up—ya, I think I want to be a chemical engineer (i.e. not surprised as his parents are both chemists)—Soooo you have any idea what kind of person you would like to be when you grow up—did you think about that when you were 15—no, I didn’t but I now want to be as much like Jesus as I can.  My niece then said—Sooooo what does that pay? I think she was being sarcastic in referring to what the world mainly cares about and that is THE MONEY! This is just one of soooooo many conversations I had with my family members (i.e. we didn't talk about the weather and the price of gas).  I also enjoyed observing how we all interacted differently with our different personalities. I would guess our family isn’t much different than your family.

A friend, who is not average bear, says--Bob Dylan wrote a song called "The Times They Are a-changin'." (I know because I Googled it)  My friend is right! This friend is always right! Ok, maybe one time he was maybe wrong, but it was questionable! My friend has written on his forehead—World Book Encyclopedia! This friend is one smart person let me tell ya!  That is why I like to be around him.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Friends and family are the most important in the recipe of life.

talk yourself out of it

I felt certain someone’s lack of response was a negative to me.  I had to talk myself out of it.  And I was right, there was a reason for why there was not a timely, positive response given to me I found out later. Our human nature is to let negative or possible negative stuff affect us way toooooo much, my opinion.  We need to talk ourselves out of that thinking, again my opinion.  The fear of negative response limits humans of trying to do something positive; we just don’t like to get rejected soooo it’s easier not to expose ourselves.  BUT then we never get to feel the great up lift of helping someone else.  Sooooo what is it going to be? There is always risk folks.  Always. Such is life.

When touched, some gals goo gaga gaga.  Some gals have to talk themselves out of it! A friend told me at breakfast when I asked him how folks get a good heart (i.e. he has a good heart)?  He said—It’s more by nature than nurture many experts think.  Wow!  Meaning that you and I have some genetics that give us a good heart.  And maybe we learn some from our environment also.  MissPerfect, who can be a real showoff at times, says--Sooooo maybe I can blame my bad part of my heart to my parents.  What do you think about that?  That is what I thought.  My friend told me that he and his wife took dance lessons for over a year.  He wanted to learn maybe several of the most popular dances.  I read in a Greek newspaper, soooo it must be right, that women like to touch more than men; they like to be touched (i.e. like in dancing). But there are some that don’t and remain expressionless a.k.a. unemotional. A Greek philosopher said in the article that there are reasons that maybe are in the closet (i.e. many reasons maybe like genetically, past environment or current environment).  The article also said that guys get more excited with their eyes!  Well, overall people like to be touched (i.e. that is why we shake hands I guess).  SusieQ says--There is a certain sense that is transmitted when touch happens (i.e. at least toooo most folks but not all). That is why holding hands or hugging are used! But touching can mean different things for a woman than a man (i.e. for the most part anyway, maybe). Saturday question—How does touching affect you?

CoachB says—"Be very careful who you dance with.  That meaning be very careful who you are around. If you dance with the devil long enough, he will step on your feet! This is a truism regardless of the situation. Who you travel with determines where you go. Sooooo be careful who you associate with.  Be careful folks.” ItchieBitchie says—Sometimes I really have to talk myself out of not walking with the devil as he looks soooo inviting. A friend made devil eggs for our pickleball potluck which were very good, very (i.e. and I told her soooo).  I guess the name likely comes from the connection between spiciness and the presumably hot temperatures in hell. I wonder who made that name up. Soooo a gal got a humorous award from the club.  She gave a little talk stating that because of pb and the club, she changed her life.  Her husband said that she sorta kinda came out of the basement.  She thanked the folks for doing that to her.  That’s a WOW folks!

No matter how clear I try to explain myself in “It’s Saturdays”, there are always folks who don ‘t understand what I’m trying to say.  It’s easier to just let you make your own opinion in how you understand things. Your interpretation might be way different than what my intention is.  BUT some of you on occasion understand me, MAYBE!  Again, we are all programed by our current environment and our past environment and our genetics that sure affects how we interpret anything said.  And that is really hard to change or even to understand.  A friend sent me this that sorta kinda made me laugh.  The friend said—When I learned that change is an opportunity my whole life changed.  Well, cha-cha-cha!

It's a 50-50 proposition at best.  It’s not a slam dunk for sure.  It’s like I don’t know for sure but maybe! You ever have any of those situation or thoughts? Of course, you do or have, we all do.  Don’t kid yourself.  Like is a warning real or not! Should I stop or not! Is it a good deal or not! What makes us make the decision to go one way or the other?  Probably different things for different folks, maybe.  LuckieEddie says--It appears some are luckier than others in going the right direction.  Or maybe it just looks that way, I don’t know. You ever wonder if you should stop something that you wish you would never have started?  Or heeded the warning but now you are in a mess?  It’s hard to talk yourself into somethings and hard to talk yourself out of somethings!  Yikes!

Warren Buffet was quoted in the paper, soooo it must be right—or as the old saying goes—Don’t have all your eggs in the same basket. Buffet also was quoted in the newspaper article, “I have no special powers when it comes to making money, if calculus or algebra were required to be a great investor, I’d have to go back to delivering newspapers.” Mr. Buffet wouldn’t say what he thinks the market will do in the second half of the year.  Maybe his guess is as good as yours! haha And we all have an opinion now don’t we.  I’m usually about 50% right at best! A friend said his financial advisor told him not to worry about the 30-40% drop in the market as it will come back in 5, 10 or 20 years.  My friend said—I won’t need the money then, I will be dead! Oh, by the way, I think we all have an opinion about investing for the future.  My opinion comes from the Bible—"You know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night….So be on your guard…Stay alert and be clearheaded.” Yes sir baby and I don’t mean maybe! Invest wisely! Buy low and sell high. It always works!

The other Warren from Omaha, as he calls himself, is my cousin once removed I think or is it twice removed, anyway I'm removed (i.e. my Daddy, Chester's first cousin).  He's one great guy who just amazes me in sooooo many ways. He says many times--It's a Mellema thing!  When he tells me about his grand kids and his great grand kids he always adds--And they are all above average haha!  What a great attitude he has about his family.  He's a good one folks.

I wonder, really wonder, if it’s a 50-50 situation if it’s we don’t want to do it or if it’s we can’t do it!  Like cleaning the house, taking care of the yard, doing the laundry, cooking, taking a trip, reading a book, going for a walk, visiting friends, painting the bathroom, fixing something broken, washing the car, managing your money, making your bed, dusting, cleaning the garage etc.  You get the point.  Soooo why do some folks have more get up and go than others?  SusieQ says—I gotta be in the mood and my problem is I’m never in the mood! Soooo why is that SusieQ? You are always ready and in the mood to eat and watch TV! And we know you are good at both of them!

I have friends and acquaintances who are full of energy, much more than me it appears.  BUT, I do know that when I do projects I feel oh soooo good when I complete them (e.g. like really cleaning the sun porch on the 4^th of July). Oh, that completion really felt good.  I really did a good job!  haha  BUT it wasn’t Arlene clean!  It was erv clean!  That sucker is really clean! haha And once I got at it, it really didn’t take toooooo long but long enough let me tell ya! It surely wasn’t like a spring house cleaning like my Mom, Anna, would have done.  Do ladies still do fall and spring house cleaning? Do most ladies even clean anymore? I think they have robot sweepers now or hire it done. MissPerfect says—That cleaning is hard on my $50 nail job! Besides I need to get to the gym to get some exercise!

Scott Stallings just finished tied for 4^th in the John Deere Golf Tournament and won $317,500.  Not a big deal to most of us.  Most of you have no idea who Scoot is, he is not well known.  I happened by chance to hear an interview he did.  A year ago, he sorta kinda gave up on his career in golf.  He ballooned to 250 pounds.  BUT he lost 55 pounds in a year and now weighs 195.  He said—My whole life has changed, just not my golf game.  Here is his quote—"At first I didn’t know what that meant…I was ‘I don’t know what that means.’ And he said, ‘You’ve got two things you can control: Your attitude and your effort, and the rent is due on both every day, so pay the man.” Soooooo I guess he decided he could do it and did it.  Maybe we all need to talk ourselves into doing something; each has our own thing maybe. ItchieBitchie says--And age has nuttin to do with it. Nike says—Just do it! I learned in Greece that nike sorta kinda means victory, Nike was the Greek goddess of victory. I didn’t know that before. 

A friend at breakfast who is a neat guy, told me that he has a friendship with another retired professional guy and that guy told his wife that I have never had a friend in all my years that asks questions about myself that are personally challenging.  Most of the talk and questions of friends of are of the “unimportant type” like how’s your golf game or is it going to rain today (i.e. more the garden variety).  This guy appeared to sense a different feeling after talking to my friend than he had before.  Huh, interesting. CadillacJack might ask—What good book have your read recently or what sitcom is your favorite? Now that is opposite ends of the spectrum.

Here is an analogy! I live in rural IA, Butler County (i.e. the least diversified county in IA) but we can raise corn. Prime ground which is tiled and with a CSR rating in the 90s will sell for about $21,000 or more per acre and it rents for maybe $350 cash per acre (i.e. this year but probably will go up for 2023).  The farmers plant about 36,000 kernels of corn per acre at a cost of about maybe $175 which can yield in good conditions about maybe 250  bushel per acre.  Of course they have to fertilizer it at a cost of about $325 an acre, and then spraying cost about $50 an acre but they have equipment cost/fuel/etc. of about maybe $135 per acre (i.e. no labor cost is in this figure) soooooo there is some costs (i.e. these are 2022 approximate costs and there is risk). All this information comes from my expert source a.k.a. the horse's mouth. My opinion is that the farmers in Butler County are currently doing well. CitySlickerJoe says--C'mon erv, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Soooo this last week I planted some seeds to enhance my life.  Pretty exciting it has

been.  I already have had seen some sprouting going on. I want to expand my life and to do that I think I need to plant some seeds.  Saturday questions--Do you think I can expect the yield that my farmer friends get with their corn? I don't know but it takes effort and risk and some cost on my part to plant the seeds. As the old saying goes, If you do the same thing you did the last 5 years why do you think the next 5 years will be any different! I'm going to give it my best shot!

PudgyPud, who has gained 5 pounds each year for decades and has a belly to prove it, says—Life just ain’t fair, I just look at food and gain weight and my sweet, little wife watches what she eats and exercises and only weighs 120 pounds.  PudgyPud, the only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in July (i.e. coming soon folks). I think they might have a contest for pigs that have the best daily rate of gain. The winner gets the purple ribbon. The Iowa State Fair has a contest for the biggest boar.  The winner is usually like 1,200 pounds I think. Now that’s a big ham! He probably eats like a pig! He surely doesn’t live in any Nazi concentration camp.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Plans are nothing—planning is everything. Dwight D. Eisenhower

enjoy the process

A few paragraphs into his classic story A Christmas Carol, author Charles Dickens tells us, “Once upon a time...old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house.” When Dickens published his now-classic story in 1843, that opening phrase, “Once upon a time,” had been well-used in English literature since 1600—even going back to its earliest use in 1380. It’s the perfect way to begin a timeless story. Soooooo folks, once upon a time!

Disclaimer: This “It’s Saturday” might not worth writing home to your mom about, but you get what you pay for.  If you don’t have high expectations, you won’t be disappointed.  Such is life.

I woke up the other day and decided to go for a bike ride.  It was a beautiful morning, and I haven’t ridden yet this summer.  I pumped up the tires on the ol’ bike and mounted it on my vehicle and headed out.  I stopped at McDonald’s for a sausage egg with cheese McMuffin and a senior drink and read the Des Moines Register (i.e. I use to do this more often but not for a while).  There was a lot of super-seniors in there telling jokes, giving advice, talking about the weather, and gossiping.  I heard one super-senior lady say—This is not gossip ‘cause it came from the ... church; ... don’t gossip or drink; it’s the real stuff!  I heard another super-senior lady telling the ladies at her table that her granddaughter has never been baptized soooo we were in the pool the other day and I dunked her and said the magic words and she’s good now, good to go!  While riding bike, I thought of what DoctorDan meant (i.e. tried to eye ball it)--At the end of one of DoctorDan’s teachings either in Greece or Turkey, he challenged us with this statement—Do you go to church to just go to church (i.e. do the superstitions and traditions of your denomination) or do you go to church to build a church?  Now that is a good question DoctorDan. I really did enjoy the bike ride on my favorite 15-mile trail. I also really enjoyed DoctorDan’s teachings. Both were just plain great.  I enjoyed the whole process.  Yes I did. What a hoot.

Soooo when I got home I went for a ride on my Yamaha XT250 on some off road trails of a couple of friends in their wooded paradises. It was beautiful and really fun.  You think I live the life of Riley.  Not really, when I got home I washed windows!  Yuck!

Aging is really a process.  Yes it is.  We are all in the process if we like it or not.  Sometimes that process is soooo much fun and sometimes it isn’t.  It’s more fun for some than others for sure.  But we all get older now don’t we.  My knees hurt after I play pickleball, my golf game is surely not the same, I get tired easier, I can’t remember as well, I don’t have as much interest in certain things, but I really enjoy my life; I enjoy the process even though it is different.  I have many adjustments.  I try to tweak the process to fit my situation. KingSolman says—There is a time for everything. That is what I need to adjust toooooo.  On our trip, I was the oldest person. Huh, interesting. Why do you think? We usually got up at 5:30 and toured all day (i.e. some days walking maybe 6-8 miles on uneven rocks and getting back about 6 and having dinner at 7. Big days for some seniors. It’s a lot easier to sit on the couch and eat chips for many. Sooooo, I have just completed their process as I am going to volunteer to be a patient advocate at an area major hospital.  I think this will be something I think I can do and will maybe help some folks (i.e. maybe I will even help myself). Maybe. I don’t know, I will see. I’m looking forward to it (i.e. enjoy the process). Such is life. Ring the bell! Many of you seniors are soooooo great in helping others.  My hat goes off to you.  I want to be like you. Oh ya! 

RickyRick says--Every day when you wake up, you need to remind yourself of what counts and what doesn’t count. Don’t be distracted by things that are insignificant and petty. Why is it important to remind yourself of what matters? It’s easy to lose your joy over some small thing. In fact, it’s usually the small irritations—not the big issues—that cause you to lose your happiness. Somebody cuts you off when you’re trying to make a turn, and you lose your happiness. It’s the little things that sometimes affect people the most, and yet they don’t really matter. Paul said in Philippians 3:7, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”

A golf buddy on the 6^th tee box told us that we have a tendency to remember some stupid thing we did when we were a teenager.  Absolutely no one remembers it except us, but it still bothers us.  Now isn’t that the truth.  And another golf buddy said that he remembers making an error in a high school ball game that cost us the game (i.e. his opinion) which he has never forgotten and that no one remembers from some 50 years ago.  Crazy huh, just crazy. Hey, enjoy the process of the good stuff folks. Such is life. I read this by Tony Dungy while eating my oatmeal with a half banana on it--Whatever is evil, vengeful, lustful, tempting, or otherwise ungodly tends to stick in our minds or hearts and grow.  We need to be vigilant not to let that happen.

A friend at breakfast told me that after his wife died, he had a friendship with a neighbor who lost her husband.  They would get-to-gather but after awhile he decided that it just wasn't going to work.  I was moving on and she was not; she wanted to stay in the same spot. He told her that he would not be able to see her anymore.  She was dragging him down.  As the saying goes--It's a lot easier to drag someone down than to lift someone up.  Saturday question--What kind of person are you? Negative or positive?  Yabut erv, I read in the liberal newspaper, so it must be right, that even 8 out of 10 Democrats say it's going in the wrong direction. Holy smokes! I'm just showing you what's in the newspaper folks. Maybe it's just more fake news!  Could be. Maybe it's just propaganda with an agenda. CommonJoe, is it going in the wrong direction? C'mon erv, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out (i.e. I still don't know what he things). Maybe this is not a Democrat or Republican question folks, but it's an American question.

A friend gave me some ground cover called Ajuga.  I like to say that word AJUGA! ANYWAY, I did not baby the roots of Ajuga enough and they all died.  My bad.  And I like Ajuga. The plant is very tough when mature but not when they are babes. She gave me some more and I have learned that I need to baby Ajuga more and I will.  Certain babies, clients, kids, spouses, friends, church folks, truckdrivers, employees, employers, carpenters, etc. need to be babied more than others now don’t they.  Some are really high maintenance to get the best out of them.  Very time consuming much like my Ajuga!  They are pretty and nice to be around but can be a pain in the butt at times, my opinion.  Soooo I asked a friend how many poor folks go to their church—none; how many do you have in your church—none; soooo where do the poor folks go—maybe they don’t go to church was the answer. CommonJoe says--C’mon, some churches don’t like high maintenance folks as they are time consuming, and they need to be babied tooooo much; they want to stick with the homogeneous folks; not near as much work. We give $5 sooooo someone else can deal with them. The Ajuga are just left to die if not babied!  Such is life.  ItchieBitchie says--Talk is cheap, but it takes money and time to baby folks who are different than us!

A friend of a friend, who is a school secretary, told us that their school teaches coding to elementary kids.  I had no idea what it was.  She explained it this way—It is learning to talk to a computer and tell it what you want it to do, a little different that programing.  I goggled it and that is pretty much what it is.  I talked to a friend who is an educational specialist and asked him about it.  Ya, schools do that.  It is suppose to stimulate kids minds but we have kids that can’t read, rite or do rithmatic but we are teaching them coding. But maybe it’s the new future, the new process.  The gal who told us about coding was a grandma who was educated as a graphic designer and how she learned graphic designing back then is all obsolete as it is all done by advanced computer programs now.  Sooooo there. 

Experts ask--Can you change how fast you are aging? Some think you can.  Maybe do positive things. Maybe keep moving. Maybe eat right and in moderation. I guess there are somethings we can control and some things we can’t. I noticed in Greece and Turkey there were not near as many obese folks.  I asked the locals about that—some think because they walk more and work harder physically.  They don’t have the means to just sit on the couch and eat chips.  That was their opinions and only that.  But there must be a reason.

My Daddy, Chester, would say—erv, the best discipline is self-discipline.  But sorry to say, very few have it.  That is why folks hire trainers, psychologists, pastors, and others to manipulate their minds.  A friend suggested I read Battlefield of the Mind—Winning the Battle in Your mind by Joyce Meyer.  It must be good as it says on the book cover—Over 3 million copies sold! Or folks hope it will do magic for them. haha Another friend a.k.a. Mr.MBA has self-discipline it sure seems.  Maybe! haha ANYWAY, he says if you read the first chapter of those books and the last, you are good, the middle is all fluff.  Another friend, who also has great self-discipline, says—Those books are all the same, but you have to have discipline to do what they say, most folks are just wasting their money ‘cause they won’t do it.  There are millions and millions of self-help books on the market and now we even have YouTube to tell us how to do stuff (i.e. how can we mess up! haha). I agree with Joyce. It is a good reminder and encouragement for sure.  We need an encourager of some kind.  As some of you know, I like the book of Ecclesiastes. Here is a good verse about that--A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Some of you have heard me use the illustration of that being you, your spouse and God (i.e. a pink, blue and Purple braided cord).  I believe that, very powerful, my opinion.

The other night I was sitting at a ball game with some folks eating popcorn.  One of the folks was a guy who grew up in Aplington who I know along with his siblings and I also knew his deceased parents.  Well, maybe about a month ago he fell dead to the kitchen floor. His wife did CPR until the police came and then the paramedics.  They flew him to a hospital. They had to shock him to get him back to life on two more occasions. They did by-pass surgery and there we were eating popcorn together and watching a ball game a month later.  His cardiologist told him that his odds of living was less than winning the lottery.

OldTimerSally says—The way people age and the signs we show of ageing is nature’s way of tattooing.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—If a goal is set properly, its already half achieved.

PS I'm interested in buying a used female or youth motorcycle helmet.  You got one?

meticulous special

In the movies, the villain is being chased by the hero, and he approaches a “road closed” sign. He hops out of his car and moves the sign in front of the open road. He then drives off, confident that the good guy will take the wrong turn.  And how did the movie end. Of course, the good guy does something special and wins. Of course.  And the crowd goes wild! In real life the ending isn’t always that way but many times it is.  Saturday question—Have you ever had anything special happen to you? For me, unexpected tragedy and unexpected special great things that happen to me are very humbling. Very!

As our guides said many times—It could be true, or it might not be true; there is a lot of tradition and superstition that are passed on from soooooo many centuries. Some traditions and superstitions even seem unbelievable. Some are as old as the antiquities in Greece and Turkey (i.e. layers and layers of civilizations built on top of each other, like 9 layers—now that is a lot of centuries folks). Sooooo you decide what is true and what isn’t in this “It’s Saturday.” You might have different special thoughts based on your past environment or your current environment.  Of course.  Many of you folks are meticulous special folks, my opinion.  Special folks do things differently, they just don’t go through the motions like kicking the same can down the same street. LuckieEddie says--Special folks don’t play slop but play call shot!

I was invited to our son and family’s place for Father’s Day.  I occasionally ask our son to order something for me using their Amazon Prime account sooo I can save a few bucks on shipping.  He does it but never seems tooooo excited about doing it (i.e. an inconvenience to him I think).  Sooooo guess what I got from them for a gift on Father’s Day. You are right. A year’s subscription to Amazon Prime (i.e. I’m special).  That is soooo funny to me.  Soooo driving home I thought about something else pertaining to prime.  In a relationship with a woman, do I want to be “the prime man,” “the junior back burner man” or “the hybrid man?”  There seems to be good and bad in all three.  It’s nice to be the prime man and not be second fiddle but being a junior back burner man there is less responsibility in a relationship.  Can there be such a thing as a hybrid man? Maybe it might depend a lot on the attitude of the woman.  Could be, I don’t know. They might have the same feelings. Now that I am Amazon Prime, I have no idea how much stuff I will buy. The more I buy, the more I’ll save!  I really think I will shop more online!  Why not? I got free shipping! I’m prime!

We were sitting on their deck having Father’s Day brunch (i.e. one of my favorite places to sit and visit). My Waukee family were delayed on their vacation by a flight cancellation soooooo they went to Top Gun: Maverick.  On vacation they discussed what each of them would have as call names like what the top guns gave to each other like Rooster, Iceman, Coyote, Warlock, Cyclone, Hangman, Maverick, Phoenix, Payback, Harvard, Fritz, Hondo, Hammer, Fanboy, and Bob which described them.  Rookie was given the call name JunkMan and Charlie was given Rainbow.  I asked them what they thought my call name should be, Rookie said Wrinkle!  Soooo there you go! From the mouth of a nine-year-old boy.

DoctorJ says—"Many of the older translations of the Bible used the word peculiar to describe the people of God.  Newer versions update the language, telling Christians that they are a special people.” And yet…A. W. Tozer wrote, “A real Christian is an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to Someone he cannot see, expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another, empties himself in order to be full, admits he is wrong so he can be declared right, goes down in order to get up, is strongest when he is weakest, richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels worst. He dies so he can live, forsakes in order to have, gives away so he can keep, sees the invisible, hears the inaudible and knows that which passes knowledge.” Christians are meticulous special alright!

I think that how we are educated (i.e. by formal education or street educated) has a lot to do with how we think and how compatible we are with different ideas.  What do you think.  Like an accountant and an entrepreneur probably don’t think alike.  A scientist and a preacher, not the same more than likely. Management and employees seem to think differently. Democrats and Republicans don’t seem to agree and have different ideas. An attorney and a salesperson. An engineer and a truck driver. A nurse and a pawn shop owner. Maybe even a man and a woman.  A banker and a new motorcycle owner who has no money. It appears to me that folks look at things differently.  A teacher or a business executive. A farmer and a factory worker. A government employee than a sole business proprietor. Many, even the rich and the poor.  A Christian than a nonbeliever. And they all seem to think they are right.  But are they? We sure seem to have a hodgepodge of thoughts and beliefs alright. Where did they all come from anyway?  I started with the thoughts of Chester and Anna on the farm a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN and went from there!

I learned from our guides and locals that Turkey and Greece get along okay socially and religiously but have differences politically.  It goes back to their war they fought against each other in 1919-1922 and about allies they had back then and even now.  It's very complicated and still is, I  was told it is about land (i.e. basically the islands). There are still tensions of sorts between the countries and that is why there is the old statement--If Italy attacked Turkey from the rear would Greece help?

Talked to an ol’ college friend this week.  He told me—erv, I feel like Lazarus.  One day I could hardly walk dragging my leg, couldn’t go up stairs, my shoulders hurt really bad, couldn’t get my arms above my head and my who body just really hurt.  I woke up one morning and it’s all gone. I feel like I’m 20 years old. It’s a miracle erv, a miracle.  I can’t explain it.  BUT now I have to quit using bad language around the house as …my wife, is now mimicking me and goes around the house and says the same bad language (i.e. his wife is compromised by dementia). It’s not pretty but kind of funny! Her favorite is son….! I wonder why he takes the Lord’s name in fain and uses other bad language.  I’m going to ask him, yes I am.  There must be a reason.

BadCreditPeteandDorthy were denied a loan by SmartBankerTom for their new hot tub.  He told them that they defaulted on their camper loan and their motorcycle loan and the bank will not make another loan to you.  No problem, they went to their old, easy grandma with dementia, and she gave them a loan.  While eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it, I read what JimmieJim wrote in his Monday Manna—“Don’t loan money to friends or family. The worst form of ‘help’ is to co-sign a note. Ancient wisdom from the Bible’s book of Proverbs compares co-signing a note to a bird caught in a snare, warning of its potential dangers: ‘My son, if you have put up security for a friend’s debt or agreed to guarantee the debt of a stranger – if you have trapped yourself by your agreement…swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased…. Save yourself like a gazelle escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net’ (Proverbs 6:1-5).  Forty percent of people who co-sign for a friend or family member end up costing themselves money; even worse, 30 percent find it has damaged the relationship.” If you want to be a special person, my opinion, I think it would be best to give them a gift (i.e. a true gift has no strings attached; if strings are attached then it’s a business deal) but make sure you treat all family members the same or if you don’t it’s ouchy ouchy (i.e. now that’s another can of worms)! OneWisePerson says--Money is always a problem if you don’t have it or if you have it! Oh, the love of money! Oh for Pete’s sake! ItchieBitchie says—Yabut, ya gotta have it! The average income in Greece is $24k and is heavily taxed (i.e. very large national debt).  And many don’t have jobs and many who have jobs work 4-days a week. Our guide said—It’s not good! Many rely on their parents who are very frugal and live in the country. Tip of the day comes from a golf buddy—On the 8^th fairway he told me that he doesn’t give money to his kids until they can prove to me that they can manage their own money.  SweetAuntieGrace who put her skin in the game, says—Many family members make big mistakes by loaning money to family; I was one of them. Poof, it was gone! Ouchy ouchy! NiceUncleRay says—I made loans to family members and it worked out great.  Ya just got to pick out the right family members!  haha

A golf buddy told me that his wife is very meticulous special and cleans the house that way.  I try to help her vacuum.  I vacuum the living room that no one ever goes in.  I have to do it every week.  I don’t do a very good job as what’s the use.  She said to me—I didn’t hear the vacuum run very long, you must not have done a very good job.  Sooooo now I do a fast job and let the vacuum run and go and do something else.  Sooooo far it has worked! This friend is a hoot!  He makes me laugh.  He is a real person with a good heart.  My kind of person. But he fools his wife!

And you think you have problems. The Ottoman Sultans who ruled the Turkish Muslim Empire would live in a palace on a compound.  He would have multiple wives, a bunch of kids and 200+ concubines.  He would have maybe 300 slaves/guards/soldiers to protect him and from being overthrown (i.e. nuttin different than today).  He had many many slaves to do all the work.  Now that is a lot of faces to feed and to keep happy. I bet some days he scratched his head! He used a very simple and effective old management method—If he didn’t like anyone for any reason, he had them killed (i.e. this business management plan is still used some today). WildWilly says--Holy Schmidt! Is that bad language?  How about holy cow? Harry Carry was famous for his frequently exclaimed catchphrase “Holy Cow!” when the Cubs hit a home run or turned a difficult play on field. Caray also avoided any risk of mis-calling a home run, using what became a trademark home run call: "It might be ... it could be ... it IS! A home run! Holy cow!" I always enjoyed hearing it as probably many of you did toooo (i.e. it made me smile). But some might say, we are all going to hell!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.