hot flash

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--"The best deception has an element of truth and an element of a lie. It’s a real dozy when you have that mixture. The real master deceivers weave in a whole lot of truth and a little seed of a lie but that little seed messes us up.” I think that happens all the time intentionally and unintentionally (e.g. advertising, churches, parenting, education, money investing, etc.).  I have no idea for sure what is the truth or what is the lie in this “It’s Saturday” soooo be on your toes!  Some of it just might hit you like a hot flash but some might have a subliminal undertone that will influence you and you won’t even know it. haha

MissPerfect, who is always on the top of her game, says--Some days maybe you don’t feel like a hot flash especially when you face a detour or a dead end in life. Hey, they are all part of life if we like them or not.  They are part of life’s adventure (i.e. it’s not if they will happen but when soooo don’t be soooo surprised when they happen; make them opportunities). A friend would say--Soooo when you must turn around and go another way, smile about it, be thankful you have the energy and gas to do it. I like that attitude. Do you? MagicHerman, who has toughness and resilience, says—If you do it, let me tell ya, you will be a hot flash.  A friend and I were at breakfast and when leaving we saw this older guy who was using a walker and can’t see very well anymore.  My friend said—He really was the hot shot for years but not soooo much anymore! Huh, interesting.

Do folks say of you—That person is not everyone else (i.e. not a run of the mill), they are different. Do you want to be like everyone else or do you want to be different? I’m talking about being different in a good way!  haha

LuckieEddie, who is ridiculously entertaining, funnier that a coot, says—When we’re coming off a crest of victory, we are very vulnerable.  Don’t kid yourself folks (i.e. many folks can get pretty cocky after success; just look around). Let’s get this straight! A carnal Christian is a believer who chooses to disobey God and operates in the flesh; a believer on the inside but on the outside, they look just like a nonbeliever because by how they live their life (i.e. as a friend calls them, fakes). AverageJoe says—Very few folks can handle success; it goes to their head and that changes them (i.e. it’s carnal).  BUT some can handle success and some of those folks are some of you guys.  JoeBlow, who is always in the victory formation, says—When I get cocky, let me tell you, I get humbled!  Ding ding!

Friends told me that they finally had no choice but to use tough love with their daughter.  It was tough but we had to do it. WorldClassLarry, who is not the standard garden variety, says--A parent’s very nature wants to make things better for their children than they were for them. But it was the rough stuff that made you the super person you are. We want to make things easy for our children. And when we make it easy, they become weak and entitled. And then when a little bit of a breeze hits them, they fall apart.  SusieQ says—Yabut that is a tough line to know what is toooo much or not enough. But we all have seen results of both now haven’t we.  GeorgeTheCrook, who is bone deep honest, says—Hey listen folks, life is no picnic, we all have disappointments.  We all need to learn how to handle them.  It doesn’t matter how much stuff we have or how smart we are. BUT we all have good things happen to as well and we need to learn how to handle them too. It just won’t cut the mustard to have mommy and daddy take care of us all the time; there is a time when all of us need to grow up. I have this pic in my back bathroom. It reminds me that my life is like this ship on the rough sea that is tossed and turned just like the way life is. But the storm will pass, it too will pass. Expect it erv and don’t be surprised.

A friend told us about her father who was signed by the Giants.  He was doing well in the minors but came home during the winter and threw a snowball and hurt his arm. His baseball carrier was over. His brother signed with the Cardinals and was also doing well in the minors.  He had a wife and two children. His wife said he had to decide if he wanted to be a husband and a father or a baseball player. He decided to be a husband and father. His baseball career was over, but his life was very good. Their lives did change now didn’t they. Things always don’t end up as we see them now do they. FlipThePancake. But many times things work out way better than we ever expected or deserved or planned.  Oh ya, for sure.

Are you open to possibilities or closed to possibilities.  I mean are you a no no person or a yes yes person. Many folks we can just tell by looking at their faces. Some have a no no face and some have a yes yes face (i.e. a negative face or a positive face). I read this story of Thomas Jefferson that depicts what I am saying. Mr. Jefferson was with a group of companions riding horseback cross-country when they came to a swollen river. A wayfarer waited until several of the party had crossed and then hailed President Jefferson and asked if he would carry him across on his horse. Jefferson pulled him up onto the back of his horse and carried him to the opposite bank. “Tell me, “asked one of the men, “why did you select the president to ask this favor of?” “The president?” the man answered. “I didn’t know he was the president. All I know is that on some of the faces is written the answer ‘no’ and on some faces is written the answer ‘yes.’ His was a ‘yes’ face.”

I pray for opportunities and pray that I can recognize them and pray that I have the courage to act on them.  I wonder how many opportunities I have missed in my lifetime.  Have you missed any do you think? Sometimes we think we are such a hot shot and too good to do something or sometimes we feel we aren’t good enough to do an opportunity.  I have felt both but have learned that to just do the opportunity. AND my experience is that I’m just amazed if I take the risk how most times it is a blessing for me and a blessing for the other person.  But it is easier to be a chicken.  It sure is.

I had a person, who I consider a good friend, ask me at breakfast—erv, how many good friends do you have.  Wow!  What a question!  I really didn’t give him a quantitative answer.  I said something like I have had many good friends through the years, but some aren’t soooo present in my life currently.  I really didn’t answer the question.  I feel, my opinion, I have a lot of good friends.  Many of my good friends are you folks.  How many?  A lot I feel. BUT I wonder if you feel the same way as I do in that we are good friends. I did tell him that I just read that very few folks have more than two or three good friends in their whole life (i.e. friends who you talk to about more than recipes or sports but really meaningful stuff).  Soooooo, maybe my evaluation is way out of whack.  I really don’t think soooo but it could be (i.e. I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile an quarter south of Roaeland, MN). Sooooo, how many good friends do you have currently, or did you have?  SusieQ, I’m not talking about Facebook friends or Google or Sira or your hairdresser or your favorite bartender or cash!  haha  Sooooo folks, what is a good friend? I’m talking about a good friend like you. SweetLouise asks--And what is meaningful stuff erv?

The other day I was talking to a friend, and she started fanning herself.  She said she was having a hot flash.  I have never had a hot flash, especially the kind she was experiencing.  She said they go away after a while but are not fun. Well, I think we all have hot flashes about many thoughts for different reasons, my opinion. Bill, anybody can be a Bill, says—"It is very hard to maybe impossible to have wholeheartedness in revering God’s name. He thinks that this seems almost unattainable for Americans because of two major traits of ours: affluence and distractedness. We have so much and are pulled in so many directions that a centered, sustained passion for God and his kingdom seems rare." Sooooo HotFlashEnigmaticWanda, start your fanning!

ThePersonNorthOfTown says--erv, and one more thing, for goodness sakes, don't give folks a piece of your mind!  Let me tell you, you have none to spare!  

My friend, TheYamahaXT250, and I are on our way to AZ via way of Waukee, IA and Morrison, CO.  Both pretty good stopping spots for sure.  The attractions are really something with a lot of smiles and good feelings.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

rats and more rats

When I was a kid growing up on our farm a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN we would shell our ear corn that was stored in cribs usually in the winter or spring.  We hired a guy in our community who had a sheller and sometimes the neighbors would come over to help.  It was very common back then. One event of corn shelling was when we got to the bottom of the crib was killing the rats and mice.  We always had cats and dogs on the farm soooo we didn’t have very many but some farmers really had a problem with rats.  I remember one time when a neighbor had a rat crawl up on the inside of his pant leg.  I thought that was soooo funny but he didn’t. Oh, those rats are always creepy to me!

When I think of rats I think of a rodent that is dirty and a disease carrier (i.e. a very negative feeling). I think of them in dirty and poor situations. We hear the statement—rat infested—which makes me get goose bumps, yucky.  We also hear some folks called rats, dirty stinken rats!  Ouchy ouchy! You know any folks that you think are dirty stinken rats? Regular rat finks?

AverageJoe, who lives on Easy Street, says--There are a lot of rats running around such as disagreements, divisions, trials etc. which can nibble away at our peace. Pretty ratty for sure!   The Lord gives a zestful peace the world cannot understand or give and which the world can never remove! That is the poison that can kill those rats, my opinion.  Rats have incredible fecundity. Rats begin breeding as soon as five weeks of age and are fertile every three weeks. Pregnancy lasts about three weeks, and litter size typically ranges from 6 to 20 babies. JoeSixPack says—I wish my money would reproduce that fast. Rats! My money that I have in the stock market seems to de-produce.  It’s a ratty feeling!

Folks beware of intoxicants. They are rats in folks’ heads.  Intoxicants make folks think they can do stuff that they can’t really do, at least not very well.  ItchieBitchie, who you should be careful of or he'll beat the snot out of a ya, says—I’m not a very good singer but when I’m drunk, I think I really sound good but in reality, I'm don't; I just think I do and then I usually have to suffer the consequences.  I talked to a gal who was many 45 who had a big boot on her foot and the part of her leg while in a hospital bed.  She told me she broke her foot and they had to put screws and a plate in it—sooooo what happened—my boyfriend and I were arguing and either he punched me, or I fell backwards from him pushing me and broke it; we were both drunk soooo I can’t really remember—that being drunk isn’t good a.k.a. rats—tell me about it. We had a nice conversation and we ended up praying together. Quite an experience for both of us let me tell ya! Bravo!

Now that sounded the alarm (i.e. oh rats) but we don’t pay attention to alarms anymore. Alarms don’t mean anything to us.  Basically, they are just a nuisance soooo we just turn them off unless it’s on the corn planter. When the alarm goes off, it means it’s not working, something is wrong Rats! CrazyMarvin says—I don’t care if the alarm is going off, we are going to do it the same way as we have always done it ‘cause we like it and and it feels good to us.  We don’t care even if it leads to death, we are going to continue to do it.  Soooo be it! But CrazyMarvin, there must be a reason why the alarms keep going off! Joni Eareckson-Tada says--"We succumb to numbness. We tend to forget we live under a thick layer of moral corruption."

Recently I said to a friend—I haven’t seen you all summer; what’s going on anyway?  They told me what was going on in their life.  They were hurting and told me very honestly and from the bottom of their heart.  I listened sincerely and bled for them. Wow! They are not blabber mouths but shared with me very directly and trusting. FlipThePancake. I know folks that babble all the time about themselves pertaining to stuff that isn’t important with the motive of self-glorifying themselves; they seem to like attention. Folks just blow them off, pay no attention to them (i.e. those folks wear big cowboy hats but own no cattle). I listen to some folks intently about business and some not at all.  Some have great credibility and some who have actually none at all, just blowing smoke.  Sometimes those two folks might say the same thing, but no one will pay any attention to one but to the other they will (i.e. when E.F. Hutton speaks, folks listen). It seems quite often, the one who has credibility doesn’t say much (i.e. stands tall) and the one that thinks they always have the answers and says a lot, doesn't. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! I recently asked a friend/pastor how their church is doing—not very well—why—we have good folks of leadership except one person and that person runs the show (i.e. thinks he knows all the answers but doesn’t) and the others just let him do it as they don’t want to do the work; he is leading us in the wrong direction and the others are letting him do it; it appears he is ruining our church, anyway folks are sure leaving)!  Rats!

Words can be hurting or can be soooo encouraging. They can even be the same words said by different folks or said in different ways.  Now ain’t that the truth!  Some folks can tear us down and some can lift us up.  Sometimes it’s just how some folks strut around that turns us off.  I remember this story of years ago, maybe 35 years ago. Arlene would bring the kids over each Saturday morning to my office as I worked Saturdays back then. We would go and have a pancake at the little restaurant across the street. One Saturday morning, this gal got up to go to the bathroom and strutted across the restaurant and everyone watched her, I mean everyone. You can guess why!  Another gal could have gone to the bathroom, and no one would have noticed.  And I remember that of 35 years ago! Why would I remember her! I read this in one of Louis L'Amour's novels this week--I still didn't like him much, he was too durned sure of himself. I couldn't see where he was so high an' mighty!

This was written by Rick Boxx--Although strategy was an important part of Churchill’s success, his best talent was his wise use of words. In fact, his skill at verbal communication became Britain’s best weapon. Because of his careful selection of words, Churchill knew how to inspire people and rally them around unpopular ideas. Here is a sampling of some of the famous statesman’s most notable and sometimes humorous quotes:  “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”  “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”  “It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.”  And perhaps Churchill’s best-known statement, made in 1941 during the midst of World War 11: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large, or petty – give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Each of those statements provokes much food for thought. The British leader certainly understood the power of words. But he was hardly the first person to recognize that. Thousands of years earlier, King Solomon of ancient Israel declared, “The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook” (Proverbs 18:4). Some verses later, Solomon also observed, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Bravo!

Chuck Swindoll in his Book, David (i.e. which I really enjoyed and suggest you read, very good, my opinion) says—You move along in life and now find yourself slowly becoming shelved and the younger ones are taking charge and moving on. How quickly age takes over! James Dobson puts it beautifully—About the time our face clears up, our mind gets fuzzy.  Just about the time we get our act together, we’re too old to pull it off! Pretty good huh!  ANYWAY, he is saying we still can use our talents to help the younger folks pull it off.  Maybe be an encourager.  Saturday question—Are you any good at that? Do you do any encouraging? Or are you more the complainer type? MissPerfect, who is the founder of disinformation, says—erv erv, I’m more the do nuttin type; it works for me. I had a friend tell me recently that she discontinued being around a friend as she just started bashing folks all the time; it was such a negative that I couldn’t handle.  Bravo!

I want to share a "friend story."  I was working on a “bird project of which my mentor started maybe 20 years ago.” A friend helped me refurbish the martin house that my deceased mentor put on the golf course.  We completed the work, but I had to paint it and then it was ready to put back up on the 10-foot pole.  The house is rather large, and I was not certain I wanted to do it by myself.  I didn’t want to ask this friend to help me any more as he is a busy person. Soooo, I decided I would find another friend to help me as I didn’t want to get hurt. Guess what, low and behold, that busy friend called me and said—erv, I was thinking about you and was wondering if I could help you mount that martin house on the pole?  Now folks, that is a friend.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worth while.

maybe not my magnum opus

I was checking out at the grocery store the other night and John, anybody can be a John, came up behind me. He had a tee shirt and shorts on and I had jeans and a long sleeve shirt on.  I said--One of us is goofy!  erv, I think both of us qualify to be goofy!  I agree my friend and we both laughed.  Soooo, take that into consideration when reading this "It's Saturday."

This “It’s Saturday” is a smorgasbord of thoughts and ideas to stimulate you, maybe, but surely not to change you! I'm trying something different!  Shake it up a little bit! I realize that some of you don’t like change! Ouchy ouchy!  You can handle it, yes you can. Just put your big girl/big boy underwear on! And another thing--I’m sure about 50 percent of what I say is wrong. I just don’t know which 50 percent! You’ll get to decide. Huzzah!

Many times, it appears that sometimes our minds are blurry, not very clear at all! ItchieBitchie, who is the professional grade, says—Much of my life is a blurry line!  Oh, the blurry line!  It’s like what is right or wrong; how does one determine that?  It surely can be challenging alright.  I read recently while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"Sin is changing for many as many don’t believe in God and if you don’t believe in God who tells us what is right or wrong, then what folks do is no longer a sin; it’s ok. There has to be a clear line as to what is right and what is wrong.  It can’t be blurry or no line at all. Without that clear line, well then, right and wrong can’t be determined.”  Saturday question—How do you decide what is right or wrong? Really, I can’t believe it! Now that’s a sign of the time we live in. Such is life.

TommyClutch a.k.a. a gamer who can perform under pressure, is the kind of person whom you can bet on.  Many folks hire a psychologist to work on their mind to help them perform under pressure (i.e. sorta kinda like having a positive cheerleader sitting on your shoulder, a hip hip hooray person).  Oh, what money can buy!  A friend was going through some physical pain because of a medical procedure and told me that he now has empathy for folks who have constant pain and can see why some get depressed.  Probably that is why folks take pain pills and get addicted to them.  Those pills make them feel better.  LuckieEddie, who over promises but under produces, says—I call them my happy pills; they make me who I am; they make me feel way better.  There seems to be side effects to most medications.  BUT, if used properly, many medications really help folks.  Google says (i.e. sooo it must be right)--That one out of six Americans take some form of antidepressant medication (i.e. soooo if you aren’t the one than someone else of the next five does). 

We got trouble right her in RiverCity! TheRichGringoDog says—"I discovered the only way most folks ever get a ranch is through the womb or tomb! And if the government doesn’t get us then old age surely will. And there’s always a haymaker that crashes us down to earth, knocks our teeth out and gives us a bloody nose.”  Oh, those haymakers!  Have you ever experienced a haymaker?  Now that is sorta kinda a dumb question isn’t it. TommyHumble, who can run the table, says--Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8   Tony Dungy says—"Adopting a positive attitude, even when you’re under pressure or the odds seem stacked against you, nearly always assures a positive outcome.  And thinking of people in a positive light changes how you treat them.” This is what I read the other day while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it which sorta kinda pertains to haymakers—Be humble or be humbled! 

Dr.J says—"Every human being has found themselves wondering at some aspect of life, nature, the universe, art, or their own experiences and feelings. Such wonder has a benefit: It elevates us beyond our daily existence which often focuses on the pedestrian tasks of survival. Wonder causes us to reflect upon that which is larger than ourselves. That was true for the psalmist, David, who wondered at how the God who formed the universe could also be mindful of him and his needs (Psalm 8).” That is rather hard for me to understand, rather humbling to me!

I like Colby Jack cheese the best on my raisin bread.  What kind do you like best? We can purchase the cheap version, the standard version or the deluxe version of many products. It all depends how much we want to spend and how advanced we want it to be or how good we want it to taste.  MeanSeanTheMachine says--BUT make sure you buy the version you like, or you won’t use it! There are soooo many version options that it is almost mind boggling.  And then tomorrow, there will be even new versions, an endless change (i.e. always something newer and better than today, it’s capitalism at its best). What version are you? There are all kinds of human versions. Many of you are the Colby Jack version to me, the kind I like the best (i.e. good, real folks with good hearts, my kind of folks! Huzzah!

Carl, anyone can be a Carl, says—"The world in which we live challenges the Christian faith. It is an enticing world, which offers us riches, success, and the pleasures of sin. The world tells us that to eat, to drink, to be merry is the chief purpose of life. It tries to make us believe that fattened oxen and filled barns have greater value than peace with God and the hope of heaven. This same world is bitterly disappointing. Too many of us know this to be true as failure, sickness, sorrow, heartaches, and tears come into our day. Even the world-wise become world-weary. Amid these disappointments our Christian faith clings to Christ and finds in Him peace, hope, and assurance. We cannot perish.”

During brunch with a friend recently we discussed how it seems that some children don’t have a very good opportunity as their parents are not very good parents (i.e. the odds can seem highly stacked against them). BUT we are both amazed how some kids with bad parents come through.  We are both just amazed by these kids.  Some of those kids are you (i.e. you know who you are, we applaud you). Wow! My mentor would say to me—erv, those folks are really the great successes! Soooo were do parents learn their parenting skills from anyway?

Bob, anyone can be a Bob, says—"I have known business leaders who were so central to what their enterprise did that after they left, the work could not be sustained. They were like the bottom card in a house of cards – when they were removed, the ‘house’ collapsed. They had no viable succession plan.” We all have to call it quits some day because of different reasons. That’s just the way it is folks if we like it or not. Sooooo you have a succession plan?  How about an exit plan from this earth (i.e. more than just having your obituary written out, that is pretty minor)? PreacherMan says--When the gonger gongs, there is no second chances folks (i.e. it's like mising a three foot putt; I think they should be best two out of three). If you don’t have a plan, the plan will be done for you by the court and your soul will just go somewhere.  My mentor taught me to have everything planned, it is a lot easier.  Another friend says—Have PPP a.k.a. proper prior planning!

Are we captivated by cell phones, video games, TV, eating, social media, working, sleeping, reading, some addition, sports, etc.  Soooo captivated that it is our life. Is that good do you think? TheCrazyCatLady says--What or whom we worship determines our behavior. WorldClassLarry, who under promises but over produces, says--You are not everyone else, you are different. I think about this and try to make a game plan (i.e. evaluate my life and try to make a game plan for my future).  That means I have toooo make some decisions and changes usually.  There is always change and I have tooooo adjust. BUT SusieQ, who is a Rock of Gibraltar, says--We have to be careful as the world gives us what everyone else wants even if it’s not good for us.  The world doesn’t really care about us, it only cares about making money off of us (e.g. addicts us to sugar sugar and more sugar). It doesn’t really care about you. You better take care of yourself a little bit, maybe. CadillacJack says—I’m a controller a.k.a. a micro manager, a regular God Father or helicopter mom and maybe I need to delegate; maybe I need to make a change.

I just tried to do work out a business problem with a company through one of their employees who takes their calls.  Through the years, she and I just don’t communicate very well together. We just don’t seem to understand each other, we’re not on the same page it seems.  She tries hard but I’m talking apples and she is talking oranges it seems.  It makes it very hard.  I don’t know if I’m the only person that has trouble communicating with her or if others do tooooo. It happens to others I communicate with as well; we just don’t think alike.  Does this ever happen to you? Maybe even spouses, friends, family, employees, neighbors, clients etc. A top-notch business friend says—Communication is maybe the most important part of business.  Some folks are soooo much more fun to talk with than others. GeorgeTheCrook, who is as tough as nails, says—I can talk with some folks for hours and others, I can’t wait to end the conversation.  Soooo I can understand the feeling.

Maybe I thought toooo briskly! The other day I was soooo certain about making a decision about doing something; I thought I was dead right!  That was until the next day when I decided that it was a bad decision, maybe a real bad decision.  I let my emotions be tooooo much part of the decision process, I think. The facts and evidence just don’t stack up right even though my emotions wanted it to be that way, darn emotions.  Soooo what made me change? Do you ever do something like that? I really think by not doing it, I am way better off than if I did it; I feel very happy. Huzzah!

My boss, who is on vacation, phoned me today. He said, "Is everything OK at the office?" I said, "It's all under control. It's been a very busy day. I haven't stopped to take a break all day." "Can you do me a favor," he asked. I said, "Of course, what is it? "Pick up the pace a little. I'm in the foursome behind you." It appears that when there is a good cultural relationship, success is more prominent. That shows up in families, businesses, churches, sport teams, marriages, friendships, you name it.  When there isn’t a good cultural relationship, not soooo much success it seems. Just look around, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

I learned this at church recently. I sit in my normal spot as well as others in my area.  Sam, a teen-age boy was sitting in front of me. After church our conversation went like this—Sooo Sam, did your pigs get any blue ribbons this summer—yes they did—any purple ribbons—yep, that toooo—soooo do you just pick a pig out of the barn or what—no, we buy what we think are good ones—sooo do you just take them out the barn and take them to the show—no no, I put a lot of work into it—like what—I walk my pig a mile a day—what for—to get their muscles toned just like an athlete to impress the judge, I also put sun oil on them and put them in the sun to get a nice looking skin to also impress the judge--holy cow, it must work—ya gotta try to get every advantage you can as it's a competitive world out there.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--The world has its givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better.

hokey

I will be happy to answer all your questions in the order they were received; you are number 643 in the queue. I ask you to be patient! I will be with you shortly. Ya right!

What do you think are the all-time great manipulators?  How about love, affection, attention, security, freedom, money, sex, alcohol, guns, power, ego, more stuff, more money, etc.  Saturday question—Do they ever change. Well hokey pokey. Do you folks know how to do the hokey pokey?

OneSmartPerson, who seems to see the current situation like it's hindsight, said—"A bulldozer is a great manipulating machine, but skilled liars are great manipulators of people. So on a grand scale I’d say politicians and the media are the greatest manipulators of all and that follows the lying or misinformation thought I mentioned previously.”  Ouchy ouchy! That’s hitting the nail on the head! CharlieGoodShoes, is a regular parrot who just repeats everting he hears, says—I maybe shouldn’t believe everything I hear like I do now, or I did in the past! That OneSmartPerson seems to think maybe that some folks are hokey!

I bought a new SIM golf driver a few years ago.  It has an adjustable head that can be adjusted to favor a draw/fade and also the loft.  I always thought that was just hokey. BUT the other day, I thought I would mess with the adjustments as sorta kinda something fun to do. It appears that the adjustments I made seemed to help my driving. I don’t know for sure but if I think it does, then does it really matter (i.e. maybe it’s just a head game or it does work)! I really think it maybe has more to do with the archer than it does the arrows for a person of my ability. Many years ago, I was getting gas and an acquaintance asked me if I got a different car—yes, I did—erv, did you get a good deal on it—I think I did—well that is all that matters, as long as you think you did—I had to laugh!.

JoeLiar, whose pants is on fire, says--Everyone seems to be a liar these days—at least, that’s how it feels! Parents tell their kids there is a Santa Claus, a Tooth Fairy, an Easter Bunny, the Cubs are the best team, the Lutherans are the best, and God only knows what else. Soooo someday I bet they wonder what else have they told me that ain’t the truth.  And some parents say--Now kids, always tell the truth, don’t lie. But what is” the boy” supposed to think when their parents lie (i.e. maybe what they say is hokey).  GeorgeTheCrook, who is just like his mom, says--History sorta kinda proves that propagandizing children and adults really works. Ya, it seems toooo but it is soooo hard to distinguish between the truth and what is false (e.g. from cult leaders to the real great leaders). EasySylvia, who is flexible and teachable, says--Folks like to hear something that will make their lives better and for sure if it’s free (i.e. especially when they are desperate; that is when we are really suckers).

Dr.J says—"When Paul discovered the true object of worship, it changed his life. The more we worship our Triune God, the more our life will change. If it is not your practice already, worship on your knees and see how it changes your heart.” You believe that? I do. Do I believe that ‘cause I was told that from birth by Chester and Anna (i.e. more from my Mom, Anna, than Chester) and Roseland Reformed Church.  Maybe, but I believe that with my heart. Saturday question—What is the most radical change you made in your life (e.g. I changed my eating habits as the doctor said if I don’t I will die). A friend told me about her college friend who one day packed her car and moved to a different part of the U.S. I asked her why she did that—she wanted a different environment, I guess. Or I know another person who as a teenager quit high school and joined the Marines. Soooo what causes us to make radical changes? The adage from years ago informed us the only things certain in life are death and taxes. Those two remain constant, at least in most countries, but there is at least one other certainty we all must confront: Change. Just as surely as the sun will rise in the east every morning, each new day will bring with it changes of some kind, whether we like it or not. Sooo don’t be surprised.

RickyRick says—"There is no halfway house between heaven and hell. There’s no intermediate state. There’s no limbo. There is no purgatory. Did you know that the word “purgatory” is not in the Bible? It’s not a biblical idea. It’s something that was created 800 years ago in the Middle Ages. In fact, Catholics don’t even believe it anymore. Pope John Paul II stated publicly that purgatory is not a real place, and the word ‘purgatory’ isn’t even in today’s Catholic catechism.” I checked with some friends who are devout Catholics and very smart and they said these remarks:  Soooo all those years I believed it and now I don’t; I guess so if the pope says so; I was taught there was soooo I still believe in it, I will go with that; I have no idea; Of course there still is; I don’t really know what purgatory is; My wife says we do; I believe in what the priest says; Absolutely there is; I don’t know and really don’t care; Maybe we will find out some day; We Catholics don't hear about Purgatory any more,.....but it definitely was a concept taught as part of our Catechism; Purgatory: I’ve never heard of anyone doubting purgatory.

Did I read it right that Russia shut off the gas to Germany? If they did, that wasn't nice! This might really sound hokey to you, but I think that this is great advice, my opinion. A great military technician says—The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. Now then, now we have to decide what the supreme art is (e.g. in a constant fight with a child, how could the art of battle change the war). Of course, we would have to change our mentality now wouldn’t we.  We might have to be innovative and creative (i.e. make it a game, games are fun). SusieQ, who is ridiculously imaginative, says--Many times the opponent that is the smartest, wins (i.e. out smarts the opposition and they don’t even know it). Well, hokey pokey!

Have you heard that before, like how many times.  You are special as you are preselected to get a new phone, but you have to pay for it over 36 months and sign a high-cost service contract, but they say it’s free and you are preselected. It sounds hokey but it must work as it is used a lot. It has to be a form of manipulation. It just like advertising. When in business we always had a tough time deciding how, where and how much to spend on advertising. My mentor always said—erv, the best form of advertising is the word of mouth. If a company, church, non-profit organization doesn’t have a good product or doesn’t have good service or has a bad reputation or isn’t friendly to do business with or is overpriced, their chance of success is limited. I am working on a bird project and was talking to bird experts and they said—birds like to around other birds and birds attract more birds. Advertisers can advertise all they want saying how great they are, but it doesn’t help much if they are blowing smoke, like where’s the beef (i.e. you can tell folks that you smell good but if you don’t smell good, you don’t smell good). It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

I was up early the other morning and meditated about much stuff.  I enjoy that but also, it’s perplexing. I was thinking how I have soooo many positives to be thankful for BUT one negative thought can seem to wipe the good stimuli away.  It shouldn’t be that way. I thought about David in the Bible and Abraham Lincoln, who are heroes of mine and wondered if they thought that way.  Of course, they both did. And they were great, humble folks.  They wrestled with many of their thoughts a lot. Maybe even it could be called struggled. Do you think they every knew how great they were.  You probably don’t know how great you are?

This might sound hokey to you but why don’t you try Jesus? Herman, not everyone can be a Herman, says—"How often when a person has been surrounded by problems and perplexities, have we heard them say: ‘I’ve tried every-thing—but nothing helped’? How often have you and I thought or said the very same thing. BUT how many of us have said, ‘I’ve tried every-thing, but...’?” I believe that the Holy Spirit can warm hearts! That is my opinion. I was having breakfast with a friend recently and some how we got talking about how when we are troubled, we ask Jesus to help us (i.e. fight the battle for us).  AND many times, we get results surprisingly real fast.  Sound hokey to you! Maybe the situation doesn't change but we do!

A friend called me and asked me what was I doing--I was reading some boring business stuff and fell asleep soooo I was taking a nap!  We both laughed. Did you know that our bodies are born to die, and the decay starts to kick in after we have turned 55. This is the point at which our DNA starts to degenerate. Mmmmm, I'm on the slippery slide!  Maybe that is why my doctor said, erv, some of this stuff doesn't make much difference anymore.

If you think that sounds hokey, well, try this on for size. A friend told me that every fall she automatically gains weight. She thinks it 'cause of her Northern European heritage.  Sooooo, I asked her what country is that! Netherlands. I have to gain weight to get ready for the cold weather.  I didn't dare to ask her how much she gains each fall.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Conscience is the nest in which goodness is hatched.

torque

Have you ever had a person torque you off? Soooo who was it? How come they torqued you off? Do you get torqued off easily? Just maybe you can't handle much torque! haha

There is a lot of financially torque on some folks and for others none and others not soooo much.  Inflation affects folks differently it seems. More pressure causes different results for different folks for sure. I think for me, it’s hard to tell how inflation affects folks.  I see a lot of spending by many folks (i.e. many major bond proposals in our area have passed which tells me folks aren’t worried).  But the stock market is nervous it seems. I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that inflation is hard to slow down, soooo far anyway. Time will tell I guess. A classic financial joke asserts that if you laid all of the economists end to end, they still couldn't reach a conclusion.

I sure had a good time torqueing the nut as part of replacing the front tire on my Yamaha XT250. I decided to do it myself with the help of a couple of friends who gave me advice and their help along with their tools and muscle. I learned a lot and totally enjoyed the whole process (i.e. I made it a game). It isn’t what you know but who you know for sure (i.e. and also I saved about $150). ANYWAY, I used my friend’s torque wrench to tighten the nut when done.  It took 61 pounds of torque according to the owner’s manual). Wonder I had to have my friend’s muscle to get it loose with a standard ratchet! Torque on a bolt or a nut is how tight it is suggested to tighten them. It is especially important when heat is involved. Notice that the torque wrench is maybe two feet long which gives much more leverage; leverage always helps. Most folks don’t have a torque wrench I would guess. Do you have one? Do you know what one is? My first experience with a torque wrench was in the Roseland Garage as a kid when Sam Breams was tightening the head bolts on a car; I asked him what wrench was all about; he told me. I don’t remember ever using a torque wrench before (i.e. the owner’s manual suggest I do).  Saturday question for seniors—How many miles before the valves on cars had to be ground years ago; that is why they had to take the heads off the engines.  And sometimes new sleeves had to put in along with new rings I think.

I stopped and saw friends at their farm shop the other day.  I saved about $150 on my project. Woooo weeee! They showed me one of their smaller projects of making a piece of equipment that by doing the work themselves and being innovative, they saved about $40,000. Some folks talk in hundreds of dollars, some in thousands and some in millions; those ranges are way different. Folks are in way different worlds aren’t they. I think that puts a lot of torque on different groups of folks.  It can’t be any different. Maybe that’s why some folks have such a hard time understanding each other. Even tooooo a point that it torques some folks off (i.e. are very jealous and envious but some just want to sit on the couch and eat chips and don’t want to work or take risk).  LuckieEddie says--Maybe it ain’t as easy as it looks to be big time. I have a farmer friend who I have kidded for many many years by saying—I should have been a farmer.  He always says—erv, there is nuttin stopping you from being one! BUT there really is--I don’t have enough wrenches or muscle! I have a John Deere cap but no tractor!

CoachB says—“We have to constantly move if we really want to advance. We can’t get a whole lot out of live if we don’t constantly move. The law of gravity only takes us down if we don’t move. Soooo get up. Get moving. Get started on that project. Get started on that vacation. Just get started on something.” I talked to Sparky, a businesswoman, and she told me she walks every noon break 2 to 3 miles. Now that is moving. Soooo throw those chips away and get your butt off the couch; I will guarantee you that you will feel better mentally and physically and at no financial cost (i.e. a money back guarantee).  Now that is a bargain folks no matter how you look at it. I read somewhere this—The path through the narrow gate is not always easy, but it’s the most rewarding. Now that is putting a little torque on you! Do you feel the pressure? How much torque does it take to affect you? SusieQ says—A lot more than that obviously! haha

This paragraph you might not understand or appreciate if you don’t believe you have a soul.  Do you believe you have a soul?  What is a soul? Sooo do you have folks in your life who are soul suckers (i.e. like suck your soul right out of you)? Do we have different things or motives that are soul suckers? I have a friend who called a group of folks “soul suckers.” Yikes, that sounds bad doesn’t it. Can we determine who those folks are in our life or those things?  I try to stay away from those folks and those things (i.e. not good for my soul I think). Does this thought torque you off?  Have you ever thought about that before?

TomSmart says—Everyone’s soul is the same; now that is hard to understand using worldly wisdom, now isn’t it. Now using heavenly wisdom, yes, it can be understood.

I read in the paper soooo it must be right that to reduce torque in our lives it is suggested to take a “nature bath.”  That is to enjoy nature in some form in a relaxed mode.  It reduces heart rate, reduces stress hormones, lowers blood pressure, increases the feeling of well-being and increases happiness. Pick a form or forms that fit you, that is available, and that meets your time schedule. What do you think about that? Suck it up cupcake and let’s get going!

Sooo what is comprehensive thinking anyway?  SlimyAfred might be a good computer programmer but a terrible parent.  Comprehensive thinking is a combination of all our genetics, past environment and current environment (i.e. it is what we are; the total package). It could even be common sense; some folks can be good at doing mathematical computations but have no common sense at all. It’s like seeing the whole big picture and not just a fragment of life. I have a friend who is very intelligent but seems to have a hard time adjusting to normal life living. Many of you have very good comprehensive thinking, I think. That is evaluating you from my comprehensive thinking! haha Such is life.

Can you laugh at yourself.  I can and do often. I’m not near perfect like MissPerfect who thinks she is anyway. Soooo, when I took my Yamaha XT250 wheel over to the tire company to have the tire mounted, I talked to Mike, anyone can be a Mike, one of the owners.  He was soooo nice and fun to be around even though this was just a little deal for them as they mount huge massive tires and many (i.e. big money deals).  He said they would do it. I gave him the wheel, the liner and the new tube.  He asked if I had a tire—I looked at him and said, yes I do Mike, it’s in my garage at home. We both laughed. What a hoot!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—We wonder for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.