the big rat race

ProgressiveJeff, who always runs in high gear, says--The church I used to attend is not in a rat race; it just didn’t seem to be going anywhere, it was stagnated. It’s slower than a turtle race. My neighbors were in northern MN on a family vacation.  Their kids participated in a turtle race.  They caught turtles (i.e. you could rent them as well I guess) and the local town had turtle races for the kids on main street. They had a circle with a little circle in the middle where they put their turtles.  The turtle who crossed the big circle line first wins.  I guess they have done this for years.  Isn’t that a fun thing for kids.  It was a promotional for the town and businesses (i.e. innovative and creative).  Great idea, I think. And you don’t have to be a rat to win this race!  haha   Or as the French say, C’est la vie!

Have you ever been in a race but came soooo close in winning but didn’t?  Maybe in a sports event, completion for first chair in the band, close in getting an employment position, being valedictorian, becoming the homecoming queen, being the girlfriend of a boy you had a crush on in 8^th grade, almost buying the farm on an auction, soooo close in getting some award, etc.? Close but no cigar!  BUT soooo close that you might have cried. SusieQ, who is a real sweetheart, says--Close doesn’t count expect in horseshoes and necking! I’m just curious, did you ever have a hicky? ANYWAY, I remember at the 4^th of July celebration in Roseland when I was a kid, they had games for us kids. One game was a foot race.  I always was the fasted runner in my age division until this Ammerman kid from MI who was visiting his grandparents beat me when I was 11.  It was a close race, but I didn’t win. I was heartbroken.  Winner got a quarter, second place got a dime and third place got a nickel to spend at the concession stand in the pastor’s garage (i.e. back then you had to win to get a prize).  Soooooo why do I remember that anyway? I have been beaten many times since that race, but that loss seems to stand out for some reason. Soooo do you know what that formula means on that tee shirt I saw?  I didn’t.  I had to ask a real smart person who referred me to a real real smart person.  Hint, it’s a math joke. Just checking to see if you are a real real smart math person.  BUT I understand the saying.  I think! BUT sometimes I think I know stuff but there is more to the story than I know or understand.  It happens to me. Yes it does. Have you ever had the experience of it’s all fun and games until someone loess an eye?  Now that changes the picture real fast now doesn’t it! It’s part of the rat race maybe!

When the rat race gets vicious and money is short, that is when some folks cheat, lie, steal, do illegal stuff, etc.  Oh, when the pressure is on, folks can change.  When they are winning the rat race and cash is plenty, it’s a different story.  GeorgeTheCrook, who might be potential spam, says—We need to be careful that we don’t sell our soul to the country store. I read in the paper soooo it must be right, that folks are changing—The first thing most folks do when they wake up in the morning is to check their social media accounts.  It used to be the first thing folks did when they woke up was pee!!! It’s a rat race folks for sure! C’est la vie!

Sooooo a company wanted to know the technology of their competitor's product that was just killing them.  They contacted a high ranking engineer of that company and asked her if she would share the information for 250k. She said--I'm not that kind of person. How about for 500k.--like I said, I'm not that kind of person--How about for 750k--I will think about it.  How about for 1 mil--she said she would do it.  Now that we found out what kind of person your are, we just need to negotiate a price. 

Our Waukee grandkids were at my house for a few days.  I asked them what they wanted to do—play pickleball, go fishing, drive the golf cart and go on a bike ride.  Sooooo what did we do? You guessed it. What fun we had. Rookie was getting out fished by his sister and was impatient.  I told him that he had to be patient to fish.  He said—Grandpa, I’m not a patient person; but at least I know it and admit it! Their Daddy told them when I picked them up—Remember now kids, you are representing our family.  I thought that was an interesting statement. I asked Charlie and Rookie if their parents tell them that statement more often—We have heard it many many times.  We are usually representing someone or some group now aren’t we.  SusieQ, who is a 5-star player, says—Our actions speak louder than our words.  TerrySlick, the son of WillardTheBluffer and the grandson of RodneyTheWeasel and the great grandson of BigMouthFred says—I never did understand this statement—The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Soooo there you go! Now that is an eye opener!  The picture shows that Charlie needed an eye opener!  haha

I was jogging/walking on the golf course the other morning and talked to a couple of senior guys.  They said—Summer has really gone fast—it seems like the rat race goes faster every year—my mother lived to 95 and said life is a blur—it seems that way—His conclusion was, I just wonder if I have done enough in my life!!!! Hey, friends invited me to go the state fair soooo I went!  Why not! Soooo, now school can start that the fair is over. Put the campers, golf clubs, boats, and motorcycles away and lock up the cabin and get in the fall routine folks. It’s football season! Go Hawks! Put the petal to the metal and let’s get going! LuckieEddie, who reminds me sometimes of a bush hog, says—It’s just a different rat but the same race! C’est la vie.

Now this will make the rat run faster and longer. Oh ya! A friend told me this story of his brother-in-law, Melvin, who is a big tough guy but has a big tender heart. Melvin’s senior mother is moving to a different house. She is having a most difficult time getting rid of her junk that she has accumulated for many years. To her it is memorable treasures that she just can’t get rid of.  Melvin said that when his grandmother died, she left him a box of her memorable junk with a note in it that said—My Dear grandson Melvin, don’t throw any of the contents of this box away or give it away. She put the “grandmother curse” on Melvin; sorta kinda managing her memorable junk even after her death!   Melvin nor his kids don’t want any of grandmom’s memorable junk, but he still has the box of memorable junk! Most of us know that Melvin’s grandmom’s gift wasn’t a true gift as it had strings attached which makes it a business deal.  I give many gifts to my family and to friends with this note attached—You may regift it, give it to a street person, sell it on a garage sale or throw it away; I will never know! C’est la vie! That is why I give cash a lot, it is always kept, and they really like it (i.e. it fits everyone toooo a t)! MissPerfect says—erv, do you know how hard it is to please anyone these days? I gave Charlie and Rookie each a $2 bill and let them go in Dollar General and buy anything they wanted. It worked.  I did put a note on each of the $2 bills (i.e. a string attached) that said—Spend me wisely. Of course they did! What a hoot!

I have eaten breakfast at a local restaurant several times recently. The gal who waited on us seemed frustrated, unhappy, and out of sorts (i.e. looked and acted like she was in a big rat race—gals are never as pretty when they are this way, my opinion).  I thought about it a little bit and decided that I would try to cheer her up. I remembered maybe a year ago she mentioned to me that her daughter was studying to be a navy attorney. When she came to fill our coffees, I asked her about her daughter and if she accomplished her goal.  Her whole face and disposition changed. C’est la vie!

Suggestion:  Sometimes there are some strategies in the big rat race that when we sit down and count the cost, we may find the war is simply not worth it. Decisions have consequences and guess who gets to make the decisions. DollyShowoff says--I'm soooo jealous and envious of others and I just can't stop myself.  Shakespeare famously described jealously as "the green eyed monster."

And the conclusion of this “It’s Saturday” is—Your life is an occasion a.k.a. an opportunity soooo rise up toooo it you chicken liver or the rats will get your liver!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

atmosphere

I had breakfast with a friend this week.  We always enjoy having breakfast together while we philosophy and discuss our opinions.  We always don't agree on stuff.  I'm not usually right, that is for sure.  No question!  Just like I'm not usually right about what I write in this "It's Saturday!" Take that into consideration when reading it.  

When I visit family and friends, all their homes or houses have a different atmosphere. Maybe not bad or good but just different. They are decorated differently, have different feelings, different smells, and the folks who live there for sure give it a different atmosphere maybe (e.g. some are very homie and some very sterile).  Both are ok but have different feelings.  Some homes we feel more comfortable in based on our genetics, past environment and our current environment (e.g. some rich folks might feel uncomfortable in a poor person’s house and a poor person might feel uncomfortable in rich person’s house). In my past business I have been in many houses/homes and I think the folks are what make great atmospheres much more than money (i.e. that is my opinion) but money gives folks opportunities/options to create a different atmosphere for certain.

A friend who I haven’t been around much recently, asked—erv, how is your summer going--I have had a fun summer—how about you—a lot of stuff going on; haven’t seen you in church much--I have been gone some and sometimes I just don’t feel like going—how come—the atmosphere doesn’t feel good (i.e. this seems to happen to many folks who lose their spouse, maybe)—why is the atmosphere that way?  Then we got interpreted by another person.  Oh, the atmosphere!  If the atmosphere isn’t good, folks just aren’t attracted to the situation (i.e. it could be to a social event, a golf course, a place of business, a family, a person, being around a friend, etc.).  You surely understand. Oh, the atmosphere! ItchieBitchie, who can be a sweet, little puppy dog at times and at times can be a vicious, mean dog, says—Yabut, erv, different atmospheres attract different types of folks.  I agree, ItchieBitchie, BUT no folks are attracted to an atmosphere that they don’t feel comfortable in. Now that is for sure ItchieBitchie.  Dirty, stinky, yucky bathrooms don’t attract many folks! Yuck!

Different restaurants have lines waiting to get in and others don’t. Why is that do you think MissPerfect? MissPerfect, who thinks she runs the show, says--I’m not always certain but the atmosphere is just different; I can’t put my finger on it most times but good food at a good price influences me some I guess but the general atmosphere seems to be a factor as well. Maybe location or type of food or the folks who own it or the waitress that I like or the type of folks who are there or cheap beer. Many reasons make up the atmosphere for sure. Restaurant business is a tough business that takes a lot of work and has terrible hours, and many don’t make much money.  Many don’t stay in business for very long. And some stay in business for ever and make a killing! It must be the atmosphere!!!!

Heed the warning, here he comes folks. JoeAtmosphereChanger says—I can change the atmosphere within seconds.  I think he can folks.  I have been around him. BUT the question is—How will JoeAtmoshereChanger change the atmosphere? We all know a person who can change the atmosphere if they come or if they leave.  Yes, we do! That person can be in a business, family, social event or basically any setting. And let me tell ya, it doesn’t take long to figure who the atmosphere changers are now does it.  Saturday question—Are you an atmosphere changer? You all are probably if you think you are or you don’t think soooo! You are an impact player alright! BUT some maybe more than others.

I asked a friend recently who is around a mutual acquaintance if JoeBusinessMan is doing well in his business.  My friend’s response was—He doesn’t work very hard soooo it is hard to say. I have known this person for a long time and that is his personality or mentality or something; he has always been that way. Soooo is that good or bad.  I took Buggy and Jimmer out for a cone (i.e. a breakfast desert as I called it) at Mc Donald’s.  Jimmer said to me—Grandpa, you will have to wait for me ‘cause I eat ice cream slow. I had dinner with some friends who had their new pastor over and wanted me to meet him (i.e. I thought that was nice of them).  He ate really fast. Is that good or bad? A friend who eats really fast says—Fast eaters get a lot more done in a day! CrazyMarvin, who can hit homeruns but doesn't hit many of them, says—Ya can’t waste time; you’re not as young as you use to be! 

Saturday morning in CO, James and Heather took us to GraceFull Community Café in historical downtown Littleton for breakfast.  Just not an ordinary café. It’s a cute restored house in which anyone can have a free meal if they can’t afford to pay. It’s a non-profit foundation mission project of Heather, age 50, who was a NE farm girl who after her first profession of being a CPA in Houston, and during a second profession of being a secondary educator in CO, she and her husband had a family challenge in their lives which changed their atmosphere which directed her to decide to start this mission (i.e. many times challenges can change our life's atmosphere).  She talked to everyone at all the tables. We had less fortunate folks on one side of us and probably multi-millionaires on the other.  She is an interesting and amazing person.  Their web site says they have had 23,534 hours of volunteer help and have served 85,254 meals in 5 years.  Most of their funding comes from private donations. What a great experience for our grandkids to experience and to listen to Heather tell her story (i.e. me tooooo).

Then we went for a family hike up ‘er in ‘em mountains.  That is always a fun family activity that we enjoy. We stopped at a trout pond as Jimmer wanted to fish.  It was a great opportunity for James to teach his son how to fish. As he got better at casting you could see his atmosphere change and when he caught his first trout, his atmosphere really changed (i.e. dad and boy all teeth—success and confidence can change the atmosphere of a person’s life). Buggy was soooo patient while we watched Jimmer fish.  Of course, she had a book and read most of the time. BUT after the third trout that Jimmer caught, she said—Does this mean that we can finally go home!  What a hoot! Sooo while we were watching Jimmer fish, I asked Heather and Buggy if they would pray for me to meet a perfect gal.  Maybe half an hour later Heather said to me—Dad, you need to be aware that you might not find another Arlene!

Talk about changing a gal’s atmosphere/life.  After our meal, we went to the bike races downtown Littleton on the Saturday night.  These folks are good.  I talked to a professional racer who told me that if he wins, he gets $1,200.  I asked him if he must train a lot—yes, I do. Do you watch your diet—some but should more; many male and female competitors have eating disorders as weight is very important in bike racing. We sure enjoyed the atmosphere of the event (i.e. very uplifting).  I was getting tired standing watching soooooo I asked a gal who was sitting in front of an ice cream shop if I could join her. She was a triathlon competitor but is starting to ride a lot more bike (i.e. rode about 2,000 miles so far this year).  She just rode RAGBRAI the week before and had a blast (i.e. we had something in common to talk about). She told me she lost 100 pounds in one year and has kept it off for two years (i.e. now that will change the atmosphere of a person’s life).  I applauded her.  She was a nice gal.  Jimmer said to Heather when he saw me sitting and talking to her—What is Grandpa doing talking to a lady who is 30 and he’s 76. He was thinking I was hittin’ on her I think, and he didn’t think that was right!!! The kid has been watching toooo much TV!

One of the most tired clichés in history is, it is not where you start, it’s where you end.” Rarely though is that true in college football, where teams near the top of the poll usually stay in the ratings, with a few surprises. I saw this guy across the street at the bike races sitting with a gal drinking beer and watching the bike races.  His tee shirt made me laugh soooo I took a pic.  For you non-golfers let me explain how I interpret it—It’s a par four hole, he hits a great drive which is long and straight, hits a wedge which is a club that is used when he doesn’t have to hit it very far, he hits on the green where if he makes the putt he will get a birdie and if he two putts he get a par BUT he three putts and gets a bogie and is not happy soooo that is why he drinks beer!  Later in the evening we were on that side of the street soooo I talked to them (i.e. they were still drinking beer).  His name was Junior and he and the gal told me that they are golf enthusiasts and have played many of the finest golf courses in the U.S.  Sooooooo how do you interpret that statement? What kind of picture do you paint of them.  They were very nice. We had a fun little talk. Most folks are really great folks! Oh, by the way—There is a saying in golf that is, you drive for show, but you putt for dough!  Or many interpret it in real life, meaning, you gotta finish, the start doesn’t mean squat (i.e. a flash in the pan)!  

Ben Hogan is a golf legend, who is one of my heroes, (i.e. he was the first golfer that really practiced hard and also overcame a tremendous accident which probably changed the atmosphere of his life).  He has a great story. ANYWAY, in his book, Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf, he explained one “secret” to his success:  He said, “…I had stopped trying to do a great many things perfectly because it had become clear in my mind that this ambitious over-thoroughness was neither possible or advisable, nor even necessary. All that is really required to play good golf is to execute properly a relatively small number of true fundamental movements.” Soooo folks, how can we apply his theory to our lives?  What would be your “small number of true fundamental things” that we would choose?  There is an old saying that goes something like this—You help other folks get what they want, and you will get what you want automatically.  GeorgeTheCrook says—C’mon erv, that is not American at all! It’s a dog eat dog world out there a.k.a. a fight and destroy world, ya gotta take care of yourself and then drink beer! What are you smokin’ erv!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—The odds are always with you if you keep trying.

now you are talking Bob

I met a new guy through golf league.  He actually rode with me for 9 holes.  I really liked this guy.  We were very compatible.  He told me that his son and wife said they were offended by what he said and they don’t want them to around their grandkids ever again.  Soooo what did you say that was soooo bad, I asked.  It wasn’t that bad I thought, actually was not bad at all. He said he agreed, BUT his daughter-in-law is mentally ill and when she doesn’t take her medication she gets goofy and maybe in some way that might be the problem.  Okay folks, there are two things that are ugly (i.e. in my opinion). One is metal illness, and the other is the ugly dynamics I see in families that don’t allow grandparents to be around their grandkids.  Okay, I think we are all mentally ill but toooo just different degrees. What is the benchmark as to being mentally normal and who is doing the measuring? And some folks really do and say things that can offend others.  And some folks are more tolerant than others. SusieQ, who can live like the devil at times, says--It use to be you never talked about money, politics or religion around family but now there are way more stuff you can't talk about; you can hardly have a conversation with your family anymore.  If I offend you in any way in this “It’s Saturday” I’m sorry up front.  Please don’t take me toooooo serious. I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN. 

On my way to CO last week, I stopped at a Casey’s as I had to gooooo to the bathroom really bad. I stepped into Casey’s and the first thing I heard was a person from somewhere who said—Oh, my goodness gracious!  He made me smile. Soooo do you think something surprised him that was good or bad?  I heard his tone of voice soooo I have a better idea than you do, but I wasn’t 100% certain.  If I would have seen him when he said it, I might be surer.  Body language sure tells the story most of the time (i.e. research shows that 55% of communication is body language).  Sooooo if I send you a text that says “you are quite a person” how would you interpret it?  Maybe it would depend on your genetics, your past environment and your current environment I would guess.  And maybe how well you know me and what our relationship is.  Maybe.  That is why communication is sooooooo hard but if we look each other in the eyes, it seems to work better. My opinion. A friend told me that a college friend had a boyfriend who was a cad.  I didn’t know what a cad was; I had to research it.  My friend said that they didn’t get married, but he was soooo dramatic to her that, she thinks, that it is why she never got married. Wow! Oh ya, folks sure can influence each other for the good and the bad. .Bob says--Oh, my goodness gracious alive!

I heard some street talk soooo I don’t know if I should believe it or not! haha  ANYWAY, the word is there are some local folks that are starting their own church and currently worshiping in a barn.  Maybe they don’t believe what they were being told maybe by their current denominations soooo they are starting their own church based on what they think.  It has been done for ever; it ain’t nuttin new. Or maybe they don’t think they are getting enough bang for their buck!  Usually, they go well for a while and then have the same problems that all churches have and then some of those folks go to another church or start another (i.e. the grass seems to be greener on the other side of the fence and sometimes it is).  JoeBlow, who is pretty much a Monday armchair quarterback, says—They are much like cooperatives that start up and work for a while and then become goofy and fall apart pretty much.  Or maybe a coup that overthrows the current government when folks get really unhappy, even a civil war; it’s been done many times as history shows us.  It ain’t nuttin new (i.e. they get goofy toooo).  Some folks say—I can’t believe it why they want to do something different; we have done it this way forever; don’t they understand that it’s tradition and it’s the only way!!!! Da!!!! BUT flip the pancake—Some folks want to keep it the same and that is why they have a new start up; they don’t like the direction the new way is going (i.e. it’s way tooooooo liberal for them, maybe as an example).  It’s great to live in America and have freedoms to believe what we want in many areas. Saturday question—Are there absolute right ways (i.e. black and white)? Maybe there are different ways to skin a cat! Everyone has an opinion.  I talked to a senior lady walking past my house the other day.  She said—Opinions are like…everyone has one. In western MI there is a church on every corner a.k.a. a mecca of Christianity soooo folks have a lot of choices much like in WI where there is a bar on every corner.  Well, sorta kinda maybe alike! BUT I talked to a pastor at the wedding in western MI, and he told me that most churches are really struggling in the area; a lot of folks are unhappy for a lot of reasons.  I don’t know if folks are unhappy in the WI bars!

UncleBob was telling me that he got hearing aids, I had to have them but now I don’t wear them. How come?  They are a nuisance, and I can hear good enough without them.  Another friend had his teeth pulled and was madder than hops that it took soooo long for his dentures to come.  He got them but now doesn’t wear them.  Crazy! I golfed with a buddy who said—Only if I got new golf clubs, I would be a lot better.  He got new clubs and his game hasn’t changed a bit!  Now he thinks if he gets a new golf cart his game will improve. I doubt it! On TV they say he needs new shoes! haha  Sooooo many times we thing if we only had something new it would really improve our life and we have to have it and in most cases it doesn’t.  We fall for the old trick all the time. Sucker.  Like stuff to make us look better or a magic trick to lose weight or some cloths to make us really look good or some magic exercise gadget to make us look unbelievable good in one workout.  You get it sucker? Folks get it and never use it or wear it sucker. It ends up being something to hang our cloths on to dry and then we sell it on a garage sale for a couple of bucks if we can even get rid of it. Sucker. Aren’t we something else! Or some guys buy some bath wash that will make all the girls want to fall in love with them! Not! Sucker. Now you’re talking Bob!

My rear brake on my Yamaha XT250 didn’t work. I checked the brake fluid, but it was okay.  Soooo I called a friend who has a couple of cycles and also is very mechanical.  He said bring it over and I will look at it.  The first half hour we sat on the tail gate of his pickup, and he told me about how he has stage 4 lung cancer which he thinks he got from Agent Orange while in Viet Nam.  Wow, it is sad.  He is a tough guy but cried.  I sure wanted to do something for him, but I said I would pray for him and his family. He cried some more. Yes, he knew right away what was wrong with the brake. The calipers were frozen from corrosion or junk or crap.  He sprayed some cleaner on them and pried them lose, and it worked.  AGAIN, if you know what is wrong and how to fix something, it’s a lot easier especially if it is fixable (i.e. I know now).  I wish I could spray some stuff on my friend and fix him. He said it is in God’s hands, not ours. You know I could of probably googled it, watched a YouTube video and figured it out how to fix the brake, but wasn’t it a lot better that I didn’t and went to see my friend instead. I think soooo. Now you are talking Bob!

The Beetles sang a popular song titled “Help!” I get humbled sometimes and that experience has been quite pronounced recently. I was really affected. I don’t know about you folks but at many points in time I am humbled by something.  Maybe it is because I get tooooo proud, I think it is. Some call it being broken.  It makes me pull in my horns, it knocks me down a notch. I would guess even the most egotistical and confident folks get broken at some time.  Maybe and maybe not! I don’t know. Bob calls it being put in my place.  And that could be. And that is ok.  Bob says that a horse needs to be broke or they are useless other than for glue, but don’t kill his spirit as that will ruin the horse. Sooo being humbled by circumstances isn’t bad I guess even though I don’t like the feeling.  Are you ever humbled?  Are you a better person when the process is done? Is the humbling experience humbling? I read in the paper recently, soooo it must be right, that every pound of weight puts 4 pounds of pressure on your joints, particular your knees.  Sooooo maybe being humbled reduces stress on my biggest joint, that being my soul.  Could be maybe! BUT I don’t know. What do you think? That is what I thought.

Saturday question—Are you a humble person? Bob says—Some of you are and some of you just aren’t.  Yikes! Some churches are humble and some aren’t. Some folks think they know everything about everything and don’t and some folks who do know everything about everything and sorta kinda do it seems but don’t know it! Yikes! I played with a friend in Old Goats (i.e. a senior golf event).  When we got done, they give out prizes (i.e. a few golf balls).  As everyone was sitting around waiting, I saw a guy who I know a little through golf who was the Iowa Golf Association the player of the year two times (i.e. had the most points in all the state’s sanctioned amateur tournaments).  He won over 100 tournaments at 9-hole courses in IA in one-day tournaments, won three major Iowa amateur tournaments, and was inducted into the IA Golf Association Hall of Fame.  Wow! Yes this guy could play.  He has had cancer, almost died, went through a divorce, doesn’t walk very well anymore and can hardly play golf.  He’s just another old fart with the rest of us sorta kinda.  Life can be humbling. Illness, age, and death seems to be equalizers alright. Look around, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Now you are talking Bob! Rookie, our grandson who is 10, said to me—Grandpa, you aren’t an old fart!

I was playing some golf the other Monday afternoon with some friends who are old farts.  One of the old farts, who was riding with me, said he has lost all confidence in his golf swing.  Confidence is such a fine line; you got it, you don’t have it, or you are over confident.  We all know if we lose our confidence, it can be hard to get it back again.  It seems we need to get some success in order to do that. BUT many times, folks will just quite as they can’t seem to get it back again (i.e. it hurts our egos tooooo bad).  In the last month, I have had more of an interest in golf than I have for the last several years.  I have worked on my game some to try to play at a level I’m happy with. It has been hard for many reasons as many of you experience in your activities as well.  I know what I need to do and can do it always soooo many times I revert to “The Default Swing." I don’t always have confidence in what I need to do (i.e. besides, my body doesn’t always like it).  Now you are talking Bob!

Soooo my neighbor got back from his fishing trip to Canada with two of his old buddies a.k.a. old farts.  How was your trip, neighbor—great, had a great time, BUT one of my buddies didn’t go along—why—we were to meet at 5 a.m. but he didn’t show up, we kept trying to call him and finally got ahold of his wife at 8 and Harry was still in bed sleeping, well, get him up, we are going fishing, Harry said he thought it was next week and said he couldn’t go--neighbor, I think he just didn’t want to go with you guys and that was his way out—no no, he’s an old fart and can’t remember worth a toot! Now you are talking Bob!

Bob says—"I think they are pulling our leg folks.  The government says inflation is about 8.6% BUT rent is up 30 to 40%, gas prices have doubled over the last year, home mortgages have doubled, and groceries have skyrocketed. Everything I buy has gone up a lot, everything. Even Dollar Tree has gone up to $1.25, that is a 25% increase. C’mon folks, figure it out. Maybe you might be able to buy some campers and boats pretty cheap real soooon folks.” Flip the pancake, a truck line owner told me that his drivers are making $150,000 a year if they drive over the weekends and if they want to be home for the weekends, they make $100,000.  Sooooo on my way to CO I talked to a trucker at a truck stop by Kearney. He was hauling a John Deere tractor from Waterloo, but he was from AR. Part of our conversation, I asked him if my acquaintance was right who told me that truckers make about $150,000 a year.  He said he does and is home every weekend and takes quite a bit of time off. He thinks many truckers make that kind of money or more.  A family in CO told me that inflation will not affect their life style but will affect their amount they save, but we don’t go out and eat as much. I have been told there is a shortage of camper spots! Soooo what does that mean? All of  Iowa home football games are sold out; what does that mean? Yabut think about the families that inflation will affect their life style (i.e. basically that means that the more affluent will have to pay for some of their kids’ school costs—those costs are built in to the cost of those that can pay—it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out—somehow it needs to be paid). Some folks have to greased to make the machine run! Some of you folks like that philosophy and some don’t; it depends which side of the fence you are on, probably! LuckieEddie, who sees the big picture, says—It’s a form of equalization just like death! Ouchy ouchy!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—Do your best, leave the rest.

praise

Writers and speakers have a difficult time pleasing all readers and listeners.  I hear that all the time.  It just can’t be done.  Sooooo some of you might enjoy this “It’s Saturday” and some might not.  BUT try to be open minded.  Remember, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN. 

OUTSIDE OF erv's HEAD

ItchieBitchie, who is intellectual, curious and open minded, says--There is a big difference between sincere humble praise and non-sincere fakie praise (i.e. praise to gain an advantage).  Oh ya!  Most folks can tell the difference.  Oh ya! SusieQ, who always doesn’t jump at it, says—Even DuaneTheWorm, as good as he is in deception, can’t fool all the folks. Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the folks some of the time some of the folks all the time, but you can’t fool all the folks all the time. GeorgeTheCrook says--BUT there are suckers alright!

I had a friend recently tell me that they don’t care to be around certain folks (i.e. they dodge them like playing dodge ball in physical ed class when they were in jr high) as they get the feeling that those folks think they are better than them (i.e. holier-than-thou) and it makes my friend fell uncomfortable (i.e. maybe that might be the reason why folks maybe don’t really care for that church she attends).  Oh ya! I told my friend—At our age, we don’t have to be around them! Oh ya!  Have you ever been in a one-sided relationship either romantically or casually?  How did it go?  Generally, not good is my experience. What should we do with one-sided-relationships when the others don’t respond to us at all or very little or limited?  What do you think? That is what I thought.

Woody Allen once said—80% of being successful is just showing up! Well, if we just show up, it is a form of praise to folks (i.e. like being a part of their life).  Some of best fun, enjoyable, rewarding times aren’t when they are planned but when we just show up (e.g. I connected with an old friend as we met going in and out of the bank the other morning; had the most delightful conversation about really good stuff of his life; an encouragement to him I think, an uplift).  Am I right? Sooo when we praise anyone unexpectedly (i.e. but sincerely) it is a win-win situation).  But if we don’t show up and use an opportunity, nuttin good is going to happen for sure, my opinion. I basically show up and hang out when I see our grandkids for short periods of time (i.e. I really don't have to say much).  I figure I can't go wrong!

RickyRick’s example of just showing up—"But the most painful storm of all is rejection. When your friend, your children, or your spouse feels rejected, you—and others close to them—need to rally around them and be there as a raincoat in the storm. Many years ago, my oldest child, Amy, was in high school. She tried out to be a cheerleader. She went to practice after practice for the tryouts. Eventually, her friends got accepted, but she was rejected—and it broke her heart. When she came home, she ran into her room, went into her closet, sat down on the floor, and burst into tears. Everyone in our family could hear Amy crying. And one by one, all on our own, we ended up walking into her room, sitting down on the floor in her closet with her, and crying with her. We didn’t give her any advice; she didn’t need advice. We didn’t say, “Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal.” It was a big deal! We didn’t say, “Don’t cry!” That’s an insensitive thing to say to somebody who’s grieving. Instead, we all sat there for about 30 minutes and just cried with her." I played pickleball the other morning.  The pickleball was ok but I had two very good conversations with folks between games (i.e. incredible).  A friend later told me that she talked to a guy who has had some health issues and was back but didn’t play for quite some time. He said, he missed pickleball but not soooo much for the game but for the social side of it.  BUT the physical side is very good (i.e. a great opportunity for exercise).  It was a beautiful morning and there was a huge massive crowd.  Of course there are some folks who are much more competitive than others in which the conversations aren’t very important.  Such is life.  We are all different now aren’t we! 

When we impower folks with our complete trust, I believe, it’s a very high level of praise (e.g. we left our small children with a young couple years ago when we went on vacation; we had complete trust in them and now they are not soooo young anymore and still do--great folks with good hearts, my kind of folks). Many years ago, our local doctor came into my office and put down a bunch of keys and a checkbook on my desk. He told me that his family was going on a year mission trip and I was to take care of his house.  I said I didn’t want to. You got tooooo, we are leaving tonight and he left. What was he thinking! I really didn’t want to be impowered!

INSIDE OF erv's HEAD

erv, do you like praise? erv, do you think God likes praise? How dumb are you erv?

Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.” 1 Chronicles 29:10 

PreacherMan sends me a devotion each day and recently he sent me one of Jonnie Tati Erickson’s. It really affected me (i.e. maybe the timing was just right for ervie).  Here is part of it:  “By all rights it was a battle God’s people should never have won. The odds against King Jehoshaphat and his outnumbered troops were astronomical. The frightened king had no strategy, no chariots, no allies, no time, and no army worth writing home about. But he had a secret weapon. He gathered the people and poured his heart out before God. He didn’t rattle his saber or make a patriotic speech. He just prayed as though his life depended on it—and it did. God answered, ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s’ (2 Chronicles 20:15). Within days the enemy was completely routed. The secret weapon? Praise! When it comes to a frontline defense against the Devil’s attacks, we often bypass praise and scramble to do something—anything—to remedy, rectify, or resolve the problem. Make lists, set goals, get counseling, go shopping, raid the fridge, read a book on the subject, or talk about it with others. But praise? Yet we learn from Jehoshaphat that praise must always be our first line of defense.”

James (i.e. anybody can be a James or a Jimmer) says--Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it  by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

I grew up in Roseland Reformed Church and went there for about 17 years until I went to college. We usually went Sunday mornings and nights soooo that is about 1,700 times.  We sang, as I remember, this doxology every time:  Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It’s all about praise praise and praise.

Here is a suggestion to you erv, why not make some of your prayers just praise prayers to God.  Just praise him about everything and anything and not ask Him for stuff.  Just praise, praise, and praise Him! erv, you live in a very self-centered world where it’s all about me BUT folks don’t just praise God very much it seems. Sooooo do it!

In a conversation erv, consider praising a friend, a family member, a business acquaintance, a neighbor (i.e. anyone) and then shut your mouth.  Don’t talk how great you are or think you are; they really don’t want to hear that, really (e.g. maybe I think my grandkids are great but they really don’t want to hear that either). It deflates the value of your praise to them erv, my opinion. 

What is the opposite of praise, erv?  I think it might be to slam someone or put them down.  I can do that quite easily if not vocally than in my mind (i.e. totally negative for my mind). What am I thinking and doing anyway.  What a jerk I can be.  I recently decided to pray for good things to happen to a person who I disagree with in how he thinks.  He isn’t necessarily a bad person I don't think but how he acts and thinks is bio-polar to what I think.  I am forced to be around him, but we don’t maybe enjoy being around each other. BUT I prayed for the best for him and felt way better (i.e. I praised him in sorta kinda a way I think). I still don’t have to be agree with him.  I really don’t dislike the guy but would rather not be around him most of the time as he irritates me.  Sooooo I think it’s better I’m not around him. I don’t have to be his friend.

God, I praise you, you are the almighty God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, the Prince of Peace, the ruler of everything, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, you are everything.  I stand in awe of your greatness even though I do not understand you or fathom your understanding.  You are amazing. Absolutely beyond my understanding.  You are God and I’m a human.

This is what Tony Dungy said in a daily devotion I read in his book that a friend gave me—a praise to me maybe—"There are others around us who need our help and encouragement a.k.a. praise; our role is to try to impact them in a positive way.”  I really think that is what I am to do God even though I’m not always soooo great at it.  But I can try!

The conclusion of this next story is up to you as to what’s in my head.  haha Soooo I was golfing with a buddy in Old Goats the other day.  I asked him about a mutual acquaintance who is a good friend of his.  Joe’s wife died about 3 years ago, Joe is about 80 I think.  Oh, my buddy said, he got married; he met this babe online, flew to the Caribbean and got married and moved to Montana.  Just like that? Yes, just like that.  What did their adult son do that has lived with them for years?  Well, I guess Joe decided that he was finally old enough to learn to take care of himself. Joe sold the house soooo he had to get an apartment.  Joe is heading for a new life.  What do you think is in my head about that story?  I’m not telling ya folks. You will never know. My golf buddy said she has a lot of money!!!!!! The criteria use to be—She doesn’t look like much, but she can really cook! haha

I'm in CO via Waukee. Praise God for Charlie, Rookie, Buggy and Jimmer! They are special to me. I asked all the grandkids to tell me something that makes them unique.

I especially enjoy being around my Waukee, IA kids in the morning.  They are morning kids and are fun to be around at breakfast.  They enjoy reading at breakfast. Sooooo Charlie, age 12, said--I am unique as I forgive people real quick; like in five minutes.  Rookie, age 9, said--I am unique because I like school; I like to learn.  

Jimmer, age 10, sorta kinda gave me a quality that makes him unique by not giving me one.  He is very soft spoken and a kid of few words and very tender.  He and I went for a walk on a trail in Highland Ranch while Heather was getting a facial (i.e. I asked her how much a facial cost--Dad, you don't want to know--ya, I do or I wouldn't of asked--you will just give me a hard time). Jimmer didn't say more than a few words on our walk.  When I asked him questions, he would usually speak with body language. I found out later that he had to have a filing at the dentist in the afternoon and was very nervous. Buggy, age 14, also wouldn't give me a quality that makes her unique.  She is definitely at an age that her hormones are all over the place, but that isn't probably a unique quality of a 14-year old girl. It seems her uniqueness is all over the place! Do any of you gals remember how you acted when you were 14? That is what I thought. Well, at the last minute they did produce.  Buggy said--I focus on my school work and get good grades. Jimmer said--I'm kind and a good sport.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Find the little things to make part of your day, like a day off.