live up to our billing

No spoofing here folks. Some folks live “up to their billing” as advertised on the advertising slick tacked to the pole!  No phoniness or faking, they are the real deal as advertised.  What you see is what you get. For me, that is soooo refreshing when folks are who they are.  You don’t have to peel back five layers of veneer to get to the real person that they really are. These types of folks are special let me tell ya. My opinion anyway. They ring my bells. 

You might not agree with the saying but I do.  I guess we all have the freedom to believe what we want.  And guess who gets to make that decision?  You are right, the person in the mirror!  That’s you, the AverageJoes and the average Marys! Here is an idea told by Karen, anybody can be a Karen, as to how to become great--"We allow God’s Spirit to make us into compassionate, kind, humble, meek, patient, forgiving, and loving people." Of course, we all have a decision if we want to believe that or not! And if those are qualities that we think make us great! The world says--Greatness is how much money and power we have! Wow! Now there is a difference in those two!

My opinion, we need to start and then stick with it if we really want to change. Both to start and to stick with it are not always easy.  It’s quite often much easier to kick the same can down the same street and call it good! Yikes! I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--For a seed to sprout, it must lose its protective covering, break apart, and disintegrate into the earth. Only after this ‘death’ will it grow into a productive plant. A seed that refuses to die will never become a plant. So it is with our lives—death must come before resurrection. We must die to living only for our own desires. Only then can we be born into new life.” Soooo what do you think of that?  That is what I thought.

I knew a person some time ago who seemed to be a nice and good person.  I then started to wonder about this person as I saw the friends and acquaintances they hung around with.  I was quite amazed, and I changed my opinion about them. I shied away from this person. Their friends were not the type of folks I wanted to associate with. Sooooo I asked a friend what they thought and they had the same feeling. Soooo if I think that way and my friend thinks that way than others think that way toooo; we ain’t the only two that are that smart! haha Something stunk, they maybe didn’t live up to the billing that they were trying to show (i.e. maybe fakey). GeorgeTheCrook asks—Is that person called a hypocrite?

I seem to continuously forget what God has done for me.  I seem to just forget!  How can I do that I ask myself! Just think about the folks who have been part of our lives and helped make us become who we are, amazing, just amazing.  Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo folks.  Are we thankful for that?  I try to be thankful but forget many times. Gratitude is just soooo important in our lives, my opinion. Gratitude makes a good heart which makes a good person, my opinion. That makes us live up to our life's billing!  And it makes life way more fun! ItchieBitchie says—Anytime I feel the urge to complain, I am going to say, “no, instead of doing that, I’m going to practice giving thanks.” Gratitude tastes like a million dollars!

Think about this -- If you live in your own home, are able to eat full meals & drink clean water, have a mobile phone, can surf the internet and went to college, you are in a miniscule percentage of the population and are a highly privileged person this day (This equates to being in the less than 7% category). Amongst 100 persons in the world - only 8 will live or exceed the age of 65! If you are already over 65 years old - be content, grateful and thank God; cherish life, grasp every moment. If you did not leave this world before the age of 64, like the 92 persons who did pass before you, you are truly blessed amongst mankind. Take good care of your own health. Cherish every remaining moment. Soooooo live up to your billing!

There are a lot of billings nailed to the board but the “top billing” gets the most attention.  No question about it, If you are the top billing you get the most attention.  SusieQ says—Yabut, the more talent you have, the more responsibility you also have to perform. Now think about that. There are some folks that put on a show a.k.a. a great performance but are just that, a performer. DuaneTheWorm is always performing to self-glorifying himself; let me tell you, he’s really good at it! The DuaneTheWorms of the world are usually figured out by others real fast, oh ya! Do ostriches really bury their heads in the sand to “hide” from predators—as if closing their eyes will make them invisible? No—they lay their eggs in the sand and occasionally stick their heads in to check on and rotate the eggs until they hatch. Even ostriches know they can’t hide from reality.

goes the dynamite! SusieQ says--When the camera is turned on, some folks are way different folks; I hardly know that they are the same folks. I decided, yes I decided and did it. I deleted my Facebook account. I'm living up to my internal billing that I have. I have been thinking of doing this for some time and a friend actually influenced me and helped me decide.  I like this person's independent thinking a.k.a. confidence about who they are and what they think. WorldClassLarry says--We learn to live within margins and without anxiety (i.e. the disciplines of silence and solitude). Henry Ford said--You can't build a reputation on what your are going to do!  Soooo there you go!

Our CO granddaughter, Erin, was in their hs color guard that got 1st in state competition. She was a flag twirler.  Next year she is trying out to be a gun twirler. It just amazes me how those gun twirlers can synergize throwing and spinning those guns. This activity seems to have been a good experience for her. It seems like it has matured her poise, independent thinking and her confidence. It would be neat that all kids could have such an experience a.k.a. help develop their internal billing. Doesn't she look like a typical freshman. 

The vignette of the day! Sooooo, recently I went for a walk in my 55+ park in AZ one morning and had a long talk with a pb friend’s wife.  She told me that when her husband died, she started walking with a neighbor guy whose wife also died (i.e. my friend).  He asked me to go to a dinner theater and said it was not a date, but they were just going out as friends. 30 days later he asked me to marry him, and I did (i.e. that might be called engineering the relationship). His kids were not happy with that.  They said—Dad, if we would have done that you would not be happy with us.  He said—But you aren’t 56 either. That was 20 years ago. Sooooo there you go!

A friend said to me—I was just waiting for the right moment.  Oh, just waiting for the right moment to talk and tell others what they wanted to tell. It appears that the right moment is very important when maximizing the effectiveness of what you want to express.  Sometimes it just isn’t the right moment, and we force it (i.e. doesn’t seem to work very well).  Soooo how do we know when it is just the right moment? Maybe it’s the right moment when others ask you about what you want to talk about.  Maybe by hinting around to see if they really want to hear about what you want to say.  If they aren’t interested, then don’t talk about it.  Now that could be. ShowBoatSally says--But then you don’t get to talk about what you want to talk about! SillyLucy says—Most folks live up to their human billing by wanting to talk about themselves and their stuff instead of about you and your stuff!  Oh ya! But flip the pancake, the good ones ask you questions and want to learn about you!  MissPerfect says--When both parties talk, then it is a conversation and not a lecture! This friend is very good about thinking about others (i.e. she has great qualities—she is a good one)!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.

Cinderella land

 

Pay attention here folks.  I CAN’T CHANGE YOU!  It’s impossible.  But I can change myself and that is a full-time job let me tell ya.  Soooo the only person you really can change is yourself.  Ya, I pray that some folks will change and maybe I might have a little influence but I’m not in charge. Sooooo, I shouldn't live in Cinderella land in thinking I will change someone.  It ain’t going to happen. That’s my opinion.

Life might be reality compared to Cinderella land.  Sooooo don’t be surprised.  Sooooo there is a guy in our 55+ community that some folks call “Brick.”  I asked folks why they call him “Brick.”  ‘cause he’s a Brick; I still don’t know why they call him “Brick.”  I wonder what noun they call me! Yikes!  What noun would folks call you do you think?  Hey, listen, I know some folks that have huge massive egos and I would guess they would think that folks would call them some really flattery nouns but in reality, probably not, maybe just the opposite! They are just in Cinderella land but they don’t know it. But flip the pancake. I know folks who don’t know how great they are but are really great and other folks know it (i.e. I really like these folks).

I was introduced to a couple recently that I enjoy.  Something that really amazed me is that they have a very nice house located in a beautiful location in a faraway state, they travel the world, and they are well read but still totally enjoy spending 6 months in a small park model in our park for the winter. They said—“We just love it here. It’s the people, they are soooo darn nice, soooo friendly.” I’m not sure if I understand much, but it appears to me that people need and want interaction (i.e. friendships, relationships and being accepted).  Again, I think, soooo, it’s my opinion that folks really want to be cared about and really want to be loved.  I do but maybe I’m abnormal but that is my self-evaluation.  You might think differently.  Maybe these 55+ communities a.k.a. winter camps for seniors offer something quite powerful to many; maybe something that they have never had before, and it fills a desire.  I think I’m unto something here. It’s sorta kinda like a Cinderella land for some!

My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, everyone has problems, it’s just that some folks handle them differently.  I believe that and it's my opinion!  RickieRick says—"We often think that the world is impressed with our success and how we enjoy our prosperity. But they’re actually more impressed by how we as Christians handle adversity (i.e. my opinion again is that Christians do handle adversity differently). Folks may wonder what it means to be a Christian when you’re in the same kind of pain they are. Does it look any different? The truth is, Christians have the same pain as everybody else. We just have a different source of comfort. Your successes don’t give you credibility. Your suffering gives you credibility. The more honest and vulnerable you are about the suffering in your life, the more powerful your impact will be in people’s lives (i.e. that’s also my opinion again).” BUT you might not agree, your opinion might be different.  Now that is up to you!

We hiked Cowiche Canyon near Yakima, WA and this was on a marker.  We liked it! I have had many good experiences and one major one this winter in the Valley of the Sun.  It has been great but there is a part of me that makes me wonder.  Is this major experience just Cinderella land and it will last?  History shows that many such experiences don’t last (i.e. like my special golf buddies aren’t coming back next year; everything has to come to an end). This feeling of will it last isn’t a good feeling, oh no.  We all have had such experiences and maybe you are experiencing one now.  You folks might have a variety of such experiences now or in your past.  Relationships and friendships just don’t always last for many reasons. JoeBlow says—My family can’t even function well soooo how can I expect my other friendships and relationships to be perfect. BUT, my opinion and belief is, I think we can really work on making them last if they are important to us; I think with effort, the chances are a lot better (i.e. odds are in our favor).  MissPerfect says—Yabut, it takes both sides to want it to continue to keep a friendship or relationship strong; one sided friendships and relationships usually don’t work very well. Soooo folks, do you believe in miracles that you just can’t understand? I do! Some things seem to just fall in my lap! They are just miraculous!

I’m’ heading back to Butter County this coming week via way of CO and Waukee.  I will get to see Jimmer’s violin concert and one of his baseball games and Charlie's 7th grade musical.  I also hope to ride with Erin driving the car at age 15 and I hope to live to tell about the experience!  Her mom said—This isn’t Aplington, IA where folks know that she’s a new rookie driver when they pull over and give her the whole street; this is metro CO where it’s reality and not Cinderella land. It’s not Butler County where there isn’t one stop light in the whole county! But Butler County is really good at raising corn, soybeans and pigs; a ton of money has been made doing just that! Make no mistake, they are good at it!

I went to the hot tub on a beautiful AZ evening.  There was a lady in the tub and she shared part of her life with me. She was 78 and is working as a kitchen designer at Home Depot. She said she loves it. She has been a widow for 7 years and made the change quite well after a slow start. She also told me that her marriage was a 15-15-15.  She and her husband dated since they were14 years old, got married for fifteen years, got divorced for 15 years and then got remarried for another 15 years before he died of cancer. What? Well, he became an alcoholic and was very abusive and she just could not live with him.  He then married a real party lady, and he almost drank himself to death to a point that he was in the hospital for 2 weeks during which it was life or death. He lived and quit drinking and they got married again and had a super marriage for 15 years (i.e.  blue book version of her life). There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.

Soooo when I was walking to the hot tub a guy walked with me.  Sooooo how’s it going—ok, I like the hot temperatures—you stay for the summer—ya—soooo are you still looking for a woman—ya, sorta kinda—well that shouldn’t be hard as all the women seem to like you—no no erv, I think more women don’t like me than do; but I can’t get married anyway—how come—my wife put in our divorce decree that I can’t get married for two years after our divorce—really—erv, do you think that it will hold up in court—I don’t think soooooo—erv, can I tell her that you said that—you sure can!  What a hoot!

I was waiting on the platform for the train to take me to parking at the airport.  I was standing next to a flight attendant who I would guess was in her mid-30s. She was called in this morning to work but really didn’t want to work but did.  She said she works a lot of hours to make a living.  Soooo you like your job—I do—can you make a living—barely—sooo what do you do—I’m retired—that is what all of us want to do!

CoachB says—"We need to master our urges!  And if we don’t, we are going to have problems.” My Daddy, Chester, would say—erv, the best discipline is self-discipline!  BUT to do that isn’t always easy.  We seem to want to live in the present but the present creates the future.  And soooo many things once they're done they cannot be taken back.  I try to think about that.  If it’s done, it’s done.  We might live in Cinderella land for a little while only to live in the “bad lands” for a way long time.  Ouchy ouchy! WorldClassLarry says--It's a whole lot easier to prevent a mess than to correct a mess; besides, many times the small amount of potential gain isn't worth the risk of the potential huge massive down side! Put that in your pipe an smoke it folks! A friend was telling me that they can get soooo excited about what they are doing with their life which can cause their blood pressure to go up because of the excitement and also because of the stress.  They understand this and try to self-discipline themselves to control this event.  They say it has worked! They also told me that they socialize a lot and there is always food around. It’s hard to watch calorie intake. It really takes self-discipline!  Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! Yikes! 

As I started this It's Saturday I said I can't change you and you can't change me BUT I believe the Holy Spirit can change us and did just that for me AGAIN. Bingo! It happened when I gave up, then it just happened. It just fell in my lap a.k.a. answered prayer. AGAIN! Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—It isn’t who you use to be but who you are in the present!

humongous

A friend told me about someone in their family that had an unbelievable brilliant mind (i.e. as smart as a tac).  But they had a hard time functioning in life and ended up dying prematurely.  Ouchy ouchy!  I won’t have to worry about that!  I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.  Sooooo remember that when reading this “It’s Saturday.” CrazyMarvin says—Yabut erv, everyone wants their kids to be brilliant; some parents even pray for that!

Soooo I was hitting some golf balls on the range the other day.  The older guy (i.e. older than me) next to me started talking to me and told me this story of his neighbor.  He would practice his swing all winter in his basement and then watch hours of YouTube to get his swing just prefect, and it was really good.  He then in the spring would go to the range and hit balls nearly perfect. Then went to the first tee and he couldn’t even hardly hit the ball.  How come!  He could not handle the real thing I guess. Now that is a humongous problem! AverageJoe says--I would guess we all have that problem with some stuff in our lives.  Maybe anyway! When the real thing happens, we can’t perform (i.e. we choke)!  Some folks just aren’t gamers, and some are! Ouchy ouchy!

A friend years ago gave a book of John Wooden sayings.  Here is one--“Too often we get distracted by what is outside our control. You can’t do anything about yesterday. The door to the past has been shut and the key thrown away. You can do nothing about tomorrow. It is yet to come. However, tomorrow is in large part determined by what you do today. So make today a masterpiece. You have control over that." – John Wooden

ItchieBitchie says—"Every second of your life, there’s a battle in your brain. There’s a mental battle going on right now! It could be between right and wrong, between what’s easy and what’s hard, or what’s healthy and what’s unhealthy.” You ever feel like you have a humongous wrestling match going on in your mind?  I would guess all of us had such feelings through our years.  If we haven’t then we should have had (i.e. we have really missed out)!  haha  It’s like a friend recently told me that he has the devil sitting on one shoulder and an angel sitting on the other; there is a humongous wrestling match going on.  I find myself this morning trying to decide what I’m going to do.  I think I should do something, but I really don’t want to do it.  I’m thinking about the pros and cons of doing this thing but still haven’t decided.  I think I will force myself to do it (i.e. but that doesn’t mean I will do it).  Why, I think it is the right thing to do and it’s good for me.  But I don’t really feel like doing it!  For me, it would be easier not to do it.  And this event will not affect my life in a humongous way, oh no.  Just think if it would, how much more pressure there would be. Like the old saying—I have a black dog and a white dog fighting in my mind and the winner will be the one I feed the most! Such is life.

Just about everything in this life is subject to change without notice. There is one constant, one thing you can count on, now and forever, and that is the unfailing love of God.” I believe that even though it is hard to understand or to comprehend. Folks have opinions which are just that, opinions.  We have beliefs that are just that, beliefs based on experiences.  If you have experiences that are “one of the kind”, no one, yes no one can argue those experiences (i.e. unarguable). What is a personal awe in your life?  No one, yes no one can experience your personal awe, only you can maybe.  That awe experience cannot be explained by you to another person in a way for them to really understand it, it just can’t be done (i.e. soooo we most times we don’t even try, we just keep it to ourselves).  It’s a humongous feeling. BUT no one can’t argue your awe either, it’s unarguable)!  Such is life.  

A friend sent me this little line. It’s just a little line but has humongous importance. Great opportunities to help others seldom come, BUT small ones surround us every day. Here is another little line that I really like—Don’t wait to do something! And when is the best time to do opportunities?  Of course we all know that, it is NOW!

The lesson of wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes (i.e. a book I read a lot) is that there is no human being “under the sun” who has achieved everything they desired (2:1-11), and no accomplishment fully satisfies (6:7). There are suppressed regrets and sorrows behind every smile, and everyone ultimately faces the tyranny of time and age (8:8; 9:11). Life is more than our accomplishments. Sooooo, suck it up cupcake and let’s get going!

Have you ever had a humongous thrill in your life that just stands out?  Like one that you will never forget? Is that fun or what?  What might that be?  Surely different for different folks.  Aren’t thrills fun?  The wide world of sports used to open their TV program with the saying and videos—The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!  That has always stuck in my mind.  Or as our kids and I say often—It’s a lot more fun to win than to lose! I visited with a friend recently who is not experiencing a thrill in his life right now.  He's in a funk or as he says—I’m living in the shadow right now, not an exciting part of my life right now.  He wants to have a relationship with a gal. He is trying to change it put it just ain’t happening right now anyway (i.e. not a mountain top experience).  Personally, I like thrills!  I have thrills! Saturday question--Sooooo can we really make the great thrills of life, or do they just happen? I really wonder about that. I have a thrill that just fell in my lap and it happened when I least expected it! Crazy, huh!

Golf really is only a conduit for our friendship. My friends Bill, Mike, Jim (i.e. those are really their real names I think) and I seem to have really got along well.  We have had a good relationship through the years.  It appears that a couple of them might not be coming back to the Valley of the Sun next year for a variety of reasons (i.e. things change folks).  I miss them already. I think, my opinion, sincere relationships and friendships are soooo good for folks. A read this what a psychologist wrote, soooo it must be right—“Keeping promises ‘is an incredibly important aspect’ of maintaining a healthy and secure relationship—and ‘that applies to all forms of relationships whether it be romantic, intimate, professional, or parental. Broken promises can lead to trust rupturing, which can very quickly fracture a relationship.” Us guys have really laughed a lot through the years!  What fun we have had. Orison Marden, who told this in a story in an old book, said, “Laughter begins in the lungs and diaphragm, setting the liver, stomach, and other internal organs into a quick, jelly-like vibration, which gives a pleasant sensation and exercise, almost equal to that of horseback riding.” Dr. J says—"Most of us worry more than we laugh (i.e. shouldn’t be that way). But remember, ‘A merry heart does good, like medicine’ (Proverbs 17:22). In Luke 6:21, Jesus promised laughter to the weeping. Cultivate a merry heart now. Instead of focusing on what might be, focus on what it is.” TomSmart says--Laughter and great fellowship are humongous, they are the real deals folks. 

RustyTheRoadrunner says--Have you ever noticed that if you’re critical with others, they’re critical with you? If you’re kind to others, they’re kind to you? Or if you’re generous with others, then they’re generous with you? Whatever you give in life, you’re going to get in return (i.e. generally but not always). RustyTheRoadrunner, that’s maybe a little idealistic.  haha   RustyTheRoadrunner, I think you have been running around in the desert way toooo long).

Sooooo here are a couple of stories that touched me.  A friend and her family smothered other family members who came to the park to close on a purchase of a park model.  They did kind acts and touching acts to welcome them (i.e. absolutely amazing) in a very humble way.  Their complete motive was to just love them.  Story #2—One of my golf buddies told me that there was an ad for someone who wanted to rent a golf cart for a coming month.  He thinks it might be for someone who has a physical disability.  He said he was going to just let them use his with no fee even if they aren’t disabled. Soooo what is his motive do you this? Bingo.  Sooooo, for some folks, it ain’t all about the money!   LuckieEddie says—A small act of kindness can have a humongous effect! These folks don’t want any attention or anything in return; if they did, then it would be a business transaction! These are real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare: it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.

did I get fooled again

I wonder if you folks listen to what I say in “It’s Saturday.”  Why I say that is I just read this story of President FDR--He hated White House Reception lines. He always said, you shake hands and speak but nobody really listens to you. Soooo at one reception he decided to try something different. So, with a firm handshake and big smile he said to his guests—I murdered my mother in-law last night.  He said some of the people answers were, that’s nice, how lovely, keep up the good work!  Finally, a foreign diplomat leaned down and whispered into his ear, I’m sure she had it coming.

SusieQ says--Anyone who says money doesn't buy happiness just doesn't know where to go...shopping! The thing that makes deception so deadly is that those who are deceived don’t know it. Once they realize they were deceived, they aren’t deceived any more (i.e. what a big disappointment most times when a person finds out that they have been deceived). And most folks never know they were deceived (i.e. I could be one of them, I will never know probably).  Ouchy ouchy!  I really enjoy real folks, not soooo much phonies and fakes!  I have had the opportunity to meet some great folks recently, they appear to mirror my thinking and feelings a.k.a. the real deals just like many of you folks who are the salt of the earth).  What a great experience and stimulation.  I don’t think I have been fooled again! They are soooo nice! Well jumping carrot cake!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"The religious Jews who had courted Judas’ favor to obtain his cooperation in arresting Jesus cared nothing for him (i.e. they deceived him with money—it usually works). They simply used him. The devil’s crowd will flatter you and see that you will prosper as long as they can use you, but when there is no longer anything in it for them, they will forsake you just as the chief priests did Judas (i.e. threw him under the bus).”  It’s a great form of deception, sucker! That is why many folks don’t trust folks when they are nice to them. They think they say nice stuff to gain an advantage of some kind (i.e. many gals have heard most of the lines before and some were deceived—ya mix those lines with alcohol and it usually ends up bad like the Fast Fredies). It’s quite simple and probably a good thinking in trying to make sure first. What do you think?  That is what I thought. It’s like a golf buddy who gives putts of almost any length to fellow players.  We asked him why he does that—I want folks to like me!

JoeBlowFromLasVegas says--In competition of most forms, we try to gain an advantage.  Find their weak spot and go after it (e.g. stroke their ego). Just as an athlete or military person’s success depends partly on how well they know their opponent—they scout their opponent—they find their weakness or trends and then go after them (i.e. their juggler) in an attack mode. In competitive pickleball, opponents try to find the weak player or find the weakness of their opponent and attach it relentlessly; it works. In Las Vegas, they serve alcohol using pretty women with seductive clothing on to get gamblers to make poor choices (i.e. and it works).  Bingo! It’s all about the money folks, don’t kid yourself!

Have you ever heard the idiom seeing through rose-colored glasses? It’s used to describe someone who always sees a person or a situation in a positive way, sometimes to the point of thinking it is better than it actually is. Maybe even getting folks to become soooo positive that they can’t go wrong! Tell folks what they want to hear and then stroke them; or even give them a little success before smacking them. In our business we really never had a major problem with account receivables but had of course some concerns (i.e. it’s hard not to but it helps to do business with good folks and not to be naïve and greedy).  Folks who had bad credit reputations we guarded, took precautions and watched closely but the ones that were most difficult were the ones who were good for years and then turn bad because for many reasons (i.e. gottcha). It appears that this scenario happens in relationships as well sometimes.  As the saying goes—If we don’t give you credit you get mad and if we give you credit and you don’t pay we get mad, it’s better that you get mad!

CoachB says--Do you know what you see changes what you do? There is a principle in life that whatever you surround yourself with, whatever you’re looking at, whatever you’re listening to, whatever you’re talking about eventually changes what you do. Soooo folks, what are you looking at, listening to, who are you around and what are you talking about? Soooo get around good folks!  Sooooo be careful folks, be careful. Don’t get fooled again! WorldClassLarry says--There is a thinking of life that says—Associating with the right person is a decision that will determine 90% of your happiness. 90% seems pretty high to me but I agree with the thinking. The right person sure can really make a person soooo happy (i.e. just one person; some folks call it miraculous). A wiseguyfromMI likes that 90% tooo as he endorses the opinion that "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it!" Such is life!

I went and had my blood pressure measured by some retired nurses in our park. They do this as a service to us seniors, that’s pretty nice of them.  You know what, I told the nurse that took my blood pressure, blood pressures numbers don’t lie.  She laughed and said—but some folks think they do! We teach children to count as a milestone in their early learning.  Do we teach them what counts? I guess we have to decide first, what counts to us.  Usually, adults count their money and sometimes don’t always learn what really counts.  We teach others what counts to us but if we are messed up, then we are teaching maybe tooooo much of the wrong stuff, just maybe.  Now that’s my opinion; there is a big difference between those two.  Maybe both are useful but there is a difference. You think soooo! Talking about numbers, how long is forever going to last? Forever! Now that number is hard for me to fathom!  Soooo where do you want to spend forever?  Rookie when visiting me said—Grandpa, the streets in your park are all the same and infinite!

AverageJoe says--It's sure is a lot harder to get into shape than to get out of shape (i.e. easier to sit on the couch and eat chips and watch a Netflix than to do exercises--lot easier to go down than to go up--lot easier to get into a mess than out of a mess).  Yikes! Saturday question—Have you ever been in a mess?

My Daddy, Chester, would say to me about making a decision—erv test it against the worst possible scenario and if it passes, it’s a good deal.  Hey, things always don’t go well soooo test it against the worst possible result as it might happen.  It just might. The future consumes a lot of our time.  Soooo what is our future going to be?  What can I do to form my future?  Futurism is a big business. Trends, forecasts, economic predictions abound. Fortune-tellers, astrologers, and palm readers market their shadowy views of the future. Many folks work hard in trying to develop their future into the future that they would like it to be, but it always doesn’t work that way now does it?  Many folks feel they must find the right path for their lives.  WorldClassLarry says—Be careful who you listen tooooo and hang around with!  Be careful! Ya don't want to get fooled again.

I heard the statement “good enough isn’t” again recently.  I have heard it many times before; you probably have toooooo.  I think I heard it first in the movie/documentary Free Solo where these mountain climbers climb these 1,000+ feet rock walls with no safety ropes or nets; one slip and they’re dead.  Their statement is “good enough isn’t.”  It is said that in business 80% of businesses fail, yes 80%; “good enough isn’t.” MissPerfect says--Relationships can be hard and many fail; “good enough isn’t.” Now that is thought provoking for me.  MissPerfect says--It is really hard for me to be on the top of my game all the time!

Did I get fooled again? Easter is a very important day for Christians as we believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and rose from the dead to give us salvation. I have talked to numerous folks this winter down here in the Valley of the Sun that don't believe in Jesus as described that way but maybe have their own version of Jesus or of God). Sooooo, do you believe that we can be touched by Jesus a.k.a. God and then major changes can happen to us?  Do you think that is possible? Sooooo who do you think is getting fooled here? If any of you have ever been touched by God/Jesus, no one, yes, no one can argue that.  It's undisputable! Undebatable! Miraculous! Incomprehensible! Holy azalea!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--There was never a person who did anything worth doing that did not receive more than he gave.

it ain't what it looks like

How do you know if this “It’s Saturday” is even written by me?  Maybe it’s ChatGPT or language based on OpenAI a.k.a. robot artificial intelligence.  Maybe it ain’t what it looks like.  SusieQ who is a high octane person, says—C’mon on erv, we can tell!

I was sorta kinda watching a person for sometime from a distance. It seemed like this person looked perfect or near perfect.  After some time, I met this person close up.  This person wasn’t near as impressive as I thought they were.  I was really disappointed! My distant impression was way wrong. They weren't what they looked like from a distance let me tell ya!

Magnus Carlsen, 32, of Norway is one of history’s greatest chess players. He earned the title of grandmaster when only thirteen and became World Chess Champion in his early twenties. Carlsen claims he can see fifteen moves ahead and sometimes twenty. If so, he must be a genius, for that many moves involves a lot of possible variations. I contend that if a person who is intelligent, smart, has a good personality a.k.a. chiasma and has a good heart; now that is a quite a person.  BUT if they lack a good heart all the other qualities are pretty much useless!  Now that is my opinion.  I think, my opinion, is that character must become before charisma.  What do you think?  That is what I thought! Saturday question—Sooooo what’s a good heart do you think?

I ran into this person one evening in the park by accident; happenstance, na I don’t think soooo! ANYWAY they sent me this text later--"After we encountered each other tonight, I stood for a long time, gazing at the moon, and feeling deep thankfulness for life, for very special friends like you." This person qualifies to be a great person with a good heart (i.e. my opinion).  It sure looks that way to me. I think being grateful is a great quality.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

A person said to me the other day—erv, do you believe that!  I said—I seem not to know what to believe these days; nuttin surprises me anymore! The cacti in the AZ Sonoran Desert can look pretty harmless from a distance but they have protection with their spines (i.e. a major defense).  It ain’t what it looks like! Even pretty roses have thorns to protect themselves (i.e. even if they are sexy red).  AverageJoe who slips into neutral occasionally, says—Ya gotta protect yourself from predators, you just got tooooo! Soooo how do we do that?  Well, most folks after they have been burnt one or more times, become leery of other folks’ actions and talk.  We ask ourselves, what is their real motive (i.e. we have our antenna up alright). Is that person real or a fake we wonder.  We test the water! We don’t jump in with both feet! And even at that, sometimes we get stung (i.e. they ain’t what they look like).  Ouchy ouchy! It’s really too bad that we get to a point that we don’t trust others, at least very fast!  We are very suspicious of them! And maybe we should be! MissPerfect who has a lot of faith in her brain, says—My boyfriend was way different after the honeymoon was over let me tell ya!  Okay, did you interpret that in that he was much better or much worse?  That is what I thought. Your thoughts probably are based on your past environment or your current environment.  

It says at the end of Ecclesiastes--And the conclusion of the matter is to fear God and keep His commandments, that is the chief end of man.  Soooo what does "fear God" mean to you?  Many interpret it to mean to have awe of God.  I like that.  Soooo what does awe mean then. I recently was told by a great friend—erv, don’t get cocky now!  Think about that advice. That is pretty powerful and applicable to my life.  Usually when I get cocky nuttin good happens.  At least for me! Such is life!

A Wooo Hoooo! Have you ever just been in the right place at the right time?  Like somethings just fall in your lap and you have no idea why?  Or as a friend, Jim, anybody can be a Jim, says—Happenstance, na, I don’t think soooo erv! I had that happen to me recently, AGAIN, and it was an “are you kidding me experience!” What did I do to deserve this special gift! It was just what it looked like, unbelievable in a massive huge gigantic portion! NutbagRalph says—erv, it’s not magic, it just feels that way; well, zip-a-dee-doo-dah! Well, waltzing Matilda!  That is all I can say.  A new senor couple who I have had the opportunity to be meet told us how they met. He said that they were on a dating service and she was his 31^st date soooooo he calls her “#31!” What a hoot! They seem very happy and have been married for 10 years. Happenstance, na, I don't think soooooo!

GeorgeTheCrook, who is a total package for negative marketing, says--It's hard when you don’t know what you don’t know! It’s the same as, it ain’t what it looks like! A group of us were having dinner at person’s place and it was really raining hard when the party broke up.  I rode my park bike over to this person’s place.  The hostess gave us a ride home.  Sooooo the next morning I went to get my bike and the gal said--I wonder what the neighbors think that your bike was still here this morning!  It ain’t what it looks like! Now that is how rumors get started!  But it seems in these 55+ communities a.k.a. Senor Disney Parks, most folks really don’t care or maybe might even be envious! It ain’t like small town Butler County folks! What a hoot! We had such a good laugh! An old golf buddy who lost his wife (i.e. this toooo happens a lot in 55+ communities as folks get older) gave me this advice—Have fun and make her laugh, it heals a lot!

I use to coach high school basketball years ago.  We could help guys improve by teaching them skills and techniques, but we could not tech them quickness (i.e. some call it Fast Twitch), it just can’t be done, my opinion.  You either got it or you don’t (i.e. it's genetic). Sooooooo, I was thinking about a relevant quality and that is sweetness (i.e. I don’t know really how that is relevant but it sounds good to me). I really wonder if sweetness can be taught or not? It’s pretty easy to tell if a gal is sweet (i.e. my opinion) but can it be taught, I don’t think soooooo folks!  BUT I think sweetness can be lost.  I do.  I think it can be lost for a variety of reasons.  And I also think it is hard to get it back.  When is the last time you discussed the topic of sweetness?  That is what I thought!  Saturday question—Girls, are you a sweet person? LuckieEddie says—My girlfriend ain’t what she looks like let me tell ya!  Oh no! Are guys ever sweet?  Maybe!  I know that guys can be sweet on gals!  Some of  you girls know that I bet!

ItchieBitchie says--It ain’t what it looks like.  My mentor would say to me—erv, everyone has warts but you just can’t see them.  Yup, that is probably true.  BUT some folks are soooo much more like us than others I think (i.e. makes us more compatible I think). You agree? And sometimes folks fool us until we get to really know them and then there are some who are just plain who they are (i.e. what you see is what you get, no phoniness at all, the real deal—my kind of folks).  My Daddy, Chester, use to say to me—erv, the great ones are great and don’t even know it but the ones who think they are great but aren’t, are not soooo much fun to be around.

Again, remember folks I lie a lot. Soooo what is your job description for being on this earth?  Is it to play tennis all day, drink some beer at 5, have dinner, watch some TV and do it all over again the next day?  If soooo, you are fulfilling your life’s job description. If it is to help others, then what are you doing? I guess we have to read our job description and compare our life’s actions to it.  Maybe we lie to ourselves sometimes.  Just maybe! 

It ain't what it looks like.  I went and had brunch with mycouzonceremoved and his wife who winter in Sun City (i.e. they are 90 and 88 and just great folks, my kind of folks, we did a lot of laughing).  They told me about a 80-year old lady in their 55+ park.  She said--We were renting a park model when my husband died.  The guy across the street was having a deck party and invited me to come.  I had a good time. He and I started to spend some time together and he said after about two weeks that I might just as well move in with him soooooo I did.  That was three years ago!  We still haven't told any of our kids!

We went for a hike up 'er 'in 'em Superstition Mountains last week.  Great hike at the face of a mountain called Treasure Loop.  It is one of my favorites.  A friend who I was with really liked it and also likes nature a lot.  She calls it getting a big dose of Vitamin N!  I like that. I really think exercise in nature is soooo good  for our bodies, minds and souls  That is my opinion. But my friend was a lot tougher than me going up the mountain. I was just draggin' behind her. What can I say.  She made me look like a wimp! Of course I played 13 games of pb the day before in a tournament. What am I thinking, like I'm 19 yet! Crazy fun!

Soooo, I talked to the guy down the street who was sitting on his deck enjoying the morning sun.  Great morning—yes it is; but we’re heading back home soon where it’s still winter—where’s home—Canada—well, have a safe trip—we will, my wife is driving—when you leaving—when ever she tells me; she plans everything and I just shake my head; we get along really good; it works for us! AgreeableAlfred says—There is more than one way to skin a cat! Or as a Canuck friend says--If you ain't the lead dog, the view never changes!

It ain't what it looks like, maybe!  A friend made chicken noddle soup for a friend who had COVID.  When her friend brought back the container her friend left some penuche (i.e. any of you remember penuche, my Mom, Anna, would make that, it's a throw back).  The throw back mentality is "to always return a bowl full).  Sooooo a friend gave another friend this throw back advice--Don't do anything I wouldn't do but that gives you a lot of latitude! Here is another throw back--The first glass of wine makes a gal warm up! The second glass makes a gal...chatty! And the third glass makes a gal brilliant! And another throw back--A really neat gal doesn't need diamonds or wine to make her sparkle!!!!

Do you know what "Invented Spelling" is?  I didn't but do now. Very interesting.  I like it and it can be very exciting.  What do you think?  That is what I thought.

I would like to give you a suggestion--Put your heart right! It ain't an erv original, oh no!  I read it while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it.  

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn.