it's a toss up

"I never graduated from Iowa. But I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's" --  Alex Karras / Iowa

I’m in the minority again.  Soooo I could be wrong. My next door neighbors have dogs (i.e. one has one plus a cat and one has two). My neighbors across the street each have dogs (i.e. one has two and one has one; there must be something wrong with me; I must be missing something!  Take that into consideration when reading this It’s Saturday.

Most dog owners feed their dog(s) the best possible ration soooo they can be healthy at any cost.  They also feed them just the right amount soooo they don’t get fat. They even take them for a walk every day because it’s good for them. Flip the pancake, many parents feed their children all the worst foods and high amounts and let them spend hours on their electronic devices. What! When I was a kid at a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN, our dogs got the table scraps and they seemed to do quite well but us kids ate the good stuff first, they got the leftovers if they liked it or not! Actually, we ate a lot of stuff out of the garden. The reason was it was cheap food and my Mom, Anna, worked very hard and was frugal!

Flipthepancake!  A friend who is a retired small animal veterinarian told me that for many senior widows and widowers a pet is a very good companion, and the cost is small for preventive good mental health. He said he would ask them—do you see your kids much—hardly at all; they are too busy with their lives to come and see me. Sooooo their best friend and family is their pet. What! Saturday question—How often do you see your parents or how often do your kids come and see you? A pet will show constant and unconditional love. It is said that some folks say they love their pet more than their spouse! Yikes!

It’s a toss up folks!  A friend is in a book club and one of the gals makes great pies soooo they decided to have her teach them how to make this rhubarb delicious pie.  She sent them the ingredients they were to bring along and one was one stick of butter flavored shorting a.k.a. lard which is very high in calories and latent with fat.  My friend and another of the book club won’t eat it as they think it’s not good for them as one slice has more than their daily intake of calories (i.e. mainly from sugar) and so much fat/cholesterol that it would kill a horse, soooo they gave the pies to friends as a treat!  Their friends loved them! Did you get that, gave it to their friends who get the calories and fat!  haha

Is it a toss up in our minds or do we know it?  I recently had a conversation with a friend who shared some insightful thoughts with me.  I thought this thought was very good for me, maybe you might not. It’s a toss up!!  haha  He said—"If I share the gospel and someone rejects God is that on me? Or if someone accepts the gospel is that because of my smooth talking or because of Gods work? We need to keep Christ at the center of it all and be willing to do what he has called us to do, even if it is difficult.” I took it to stay humble and don’t think we are soooo important, ervie is not in charge of the universe!

I had a conversation with a friend who knew a person who I now know when they were in college.  He sorta kinda mentioned that this person always wanted to be in charge and thought he was better than the rest of the class.  I didn’t say anything, but I get the same impression of him today and he’s probably 60 or so (i.e. and maybe he is better than the rest of us, that could be).  Huh, interesting. But it could be a toss up.  haha

Suggestion but suggestions are a toss up in that you might not even listen to it at all.  I understand you folks! haha I’m Mr. Irrelevant! Brock Purdy was drafted the very last player two years ago in the NFL draft and that position is called Mr. Irrelevant.  He won 5 games at the end of the season last year as qb and got the 49ners in the NFL Championship Game and has won 5 games this year.  From Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Relevant.  My suggestion might save your life.  Does that make any difference to you? It’s a toss up to some of you. I understand you folks! haha The suggestion is free soooo take it or leave it. I asked my primary physician when doing my Medicare physical if there is anything I could do to be more proactive with my health at my age (i.e. I need another 53 years to do the things we want to do)—he suggested having an EKG and also a chest calcium scan. I accepted). They did the EKG immediately and scheduled the chest scan that gives an amount of calcium a person has in their arteries in determining if there is maybe blockage or potential blockage to prevent a heart attack or death. I asked the technicians if this scan is quite popular—it is more and more all the time, but many folks still don’t want to do it, and some can’t afford it as it costs $150 and it is not covered by insurance.  My score was high soooo my primary doctor had me see a cardiologist for a consultation. He told me that this is only an indication and can be higher with age but quizzed me a lot and since I have not had any symptoms of blockage, he suggested I should have a stress test. I did and it was ok. My doctors tell me to make sure if I have any symptoms of blockage to let them know immediately and they can do a more advance test and if there is blockage, they can put in a preventive stint(s) to prevent a heart attack or death.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it—"The eggs of a potato bug hatch in 7 days. A canary’s eggs hatch in 14 days. A hen’s eggs hatch in 21 days. A goose egg hatches in 28 days. A mallard egg hatches in 35 days. The baby parrot comes out of the shell in 42 days. All are divisible by 7. There are 7 days in a week. Seven is a number of completeness.”  Does that mean anything to you folks? Where does the perfect number 7 come from? Huh, interesting. Maybe just a toss up!

It’s a toss up maybe!  I made shepard’s pie, one of my favorites.  I make it in a casserole container which I can have 3 or 4 meals from.  After I had the first meal, I didn’t put the rest in the frig as my Mom, Anna, never did until it was cooler.  I never did understand why she did that.  It never made any sense to me soooo I googled it. It said—USDA suggest you don’t refrigerate it until it cools off but it’s unclear why!  That made me laugh; I put in the frig.  Soooo I asked OneSmartFriend why we can’t put it in the refrigerator right away.  She told me it is probably because years ago the hot food melted the ice faster in the ice box soooo they waited to put the food in the ice box until it cooled off.  Makes sense. BUT sense grandma did it, the next generations still do it.  Aren’t we something? Soooooo the Butler County farmers don’t do what grandpa did, oh no.  They change.  The reason why is if they can make more money and make their life easier, they change. haha

It’s a toss up! Dr.J wrote—"We sometimes discover that a friend had a need that he or she didn’t make known or went through a time of trouble without asking for help. And we say, ‘Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you call me? You know I would have been there.’ And the answer is often, ‘I didn’t want to bother you. This was my problem, and I needed to solve it myself.’” Suggestion—Give the gift of teaching a person “to ask for help” and then helping them!  WorldClassLarry says—Here is something to think about: make a huge massive effort to help someone who needs a boast! C’mon folks, get with it! Maybe help the poor and needy with their problems; the elite a.k.a. financially rich can buy help if they need it but the poor can’t.  BUT remember, it might be harder to help the poor (i.e. usually it’s more complicated)! It’s a lot easier to give $5 to a mission agency and let them take care of it and besides, it makes us feel like we are really doing our part! Such is life!

"Snakes Alive!" "Great Balls of Fire!" We are in Branson to watch some Christmas shows, enjoy life, and explore Jeanne's early life's history as her early childhood was in this area (i.e. near Red Top, MO). There are many white hairs and guys with no hair here spending some of their retirement money!  It reminded me of a story my mentor told me about himself many years ago. He and his wife where here in Branson going to a show. His wife went to the bathroom and he was waiting in the lobby for her. There was a group of mentally challenged folks being lead by several leaders going to the show who were in the lobby as well. One of the leaders came up to my friend and told him he needs to get in line; just follow Betty Lou.  He tried to explain to her that he wasn't part of the group. She said--I understand but just get in line and follow Betty Lou!  My friend told his wife--It was a toss up if I belonged with them or not; obviously the leader thought I belonged with them! Such is life in Branson!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Be too busy to worry in the day...you'll be too sleepy to worry at night.

adventure mode

It’s an adventure mode to be around folks.  It’s also an adventure mode to be alone. Saturday question—Which adventure mode do you prefer?  I really don’t know which one I prefer. I like them both; I always have. If you are around a person or persons 24/7 for long periods of time, it seems to work a lot better if folks are very compatible.  If not, well, it seems like it doesn’t work very well.  They get under each other’s skin! They need some space. SusieQ says—Relationships are adventures alright! I read that about 50% of all marriages in America end in a divorce. That must mean that not everyone gets along.  Even many marriages don’t look soooo pleasant to me (i.e. some seem to be a mess).  But some really seem good. What is the secret do you think or what is the problem do you think?

Have you ever had/have an event become known as “The Great Excitement.” Do you folks like adventure? I seem too and seek it some.  When we are excited about something, we seem to think about it constantly and want to do it all the time. Sooo what excitement do you have in your life? How can we create excitement? Why wouldn’t we want excitement in our lives? What can we do to create some excitement? I was invited to go on a hiking and camping trip next summer and sleep in a tent!  We will be 78. Now that could be an adventure!

I really never got it but now I do, at least I understand it more!  I got it by having an interest about Zack Wilson, New York Jets’ quarterback, while watching him play the other night.  Sooooo I googled him and found out some information about him. One thing I learned is that he has ADHD. A friend told me a little about it, but I really didn’t understand it.  Sooooo I researched it and learned a lot. If you have it or have a friend or family member who does, you know all about it (i.e. how folks act who have it). It’s not curable but manageable; it has nuttin to do with intelligence; they have it for life; it’s genetic.  I now have a little understanding of folks who have it or I think they have it.  It changes my perspective about them.

I read there is a difference between acceptance and approval of folks. They are very, very different. They both are “adventure modes” for sure. CrazyMarvin, who is very muscled,  says—Our family won’t accept anyone in our family if we don’t approve of them (i.e. we throw them under the bus). YaBut Crazy Marvin, wouldn’t it be better to accept them even if you don’t approve of them because of some reason? Saturday question—Can you love someone even if you don’t approve of them? It appears that some folks are better at accepting others better than others. It’s an adventure for sure! I have a friend (i.e. is it you) who is very good at accepting folks for who they are. They are very good at it. MissPerfect says—The church that I sometimes attend isn’t very good at accepting all folks (i.e. very legalist and judgmental); that confuses me! That is sorta kinda an oxymoron to me!

My neighbor was admiring the beauty of their tree and it’s fall color.  She said that since they took down the tree next to it, the tree has grown much more out sense it had room to grow which made the tree much prettier.  Sooooo, I was wondering if we sometimes had/have folks around us who have/had hurt or are hindering our growth and beauty.  I know I have somewhat removed myself from a group of folks and I’m much happier (i.e. I don’t know if I am any prettier though)! haha 

Talk about an adventure mode! RickyRick says-“And, if you don’t live a life of love, then nothing you give will matter. ‘If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing’ (1 Corinthians 13:3 NLT). Love isn’t always the motivation for giving. Some people give just to get back, or out of guilt, or for control or prestige. You can give for a lot of reasons, but the Bible says if you’re not doing it out of love, then none of your giving counts. Finally, if you don’t live a life of love, then nothing you accomplish will matter. You can rack up an incredible list of personal achievements. You can get your picture on the cover of Fortune magazine. You can win the Nobel Peace Prize. You can have enormous accomplishments, be entrepreneur of the year, build a billion-dollar company, have incredibly great successes in your field of endeavor. But the Bible says it isn’t worth much if you don’t love. The Bible says—God says—that life is about relationships, not accomplishments.”

George Washington said—"It is better to be alone than with bad company.” I have thought about that a lot in the last several years, I decided I would rather be alone than with bad company. BUT I sure enjoy being around good company! I have seen and heard of this by observing many folks who are miserable being around bad company and others who really enjoy life being around good company. And ervie gets to make the decision who he wants to be around now doesn’t he. Saturday question—Who is bad company and who is good company? I do know how I enjoy good relationships, yes I do! They are tremendous adventure modes a.k.a. a big plus of life. CoachB says--The right partner will make you better and stronger and the wrong partner will make you weaker and worse. Soooo, choose your partner wisely!  That is his opinion! C'mon erv, that's just common sense; you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure that out! A nice, sweet, wise friend says--My dream a.k.a. adventure mode is for you and I to grow side by side, intertwining but never interfering in each other's growth, promoting joy and happiness together.

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Misguided, short-term thinking can get us into trouble. The other morning it was the first cold day of fall being 40, overcast and the wind blowing about 30.  I crawled in the shower and took a long, (i.e. and I mean long) hot shower.  It felt soooo comfortable. I probably almost used most of the hot water but I’m alone, soooo who cares. Besides, I pay the gas and water bills! I thought of all the good events of yesterday and also the most pleasant conversation I had before going to bed the night before. They were all great adventures and I really enjoyed them. It was hard to get out of the warm cozy shower and out of such a happy adventure mode. And you folks wonder if I really eat oatmeal with half a banana on it!

Here is a real adventure mode for me to think about.  OneSmartPerson says—"We often look at people and think, “Look how far they have to go. But we don’t stop and say, I wonder how far they’ve come? Maybe they were raised in a family where they had no model of kindness or courtesy. Maybe they grew up in a very dysfunctional home, and it’s a miracle, really, that they made it this far. What are the burdens they’re carrying? They may be sick. They may have a family issue. They may have just lost their job. There are all kinds of battles and burdens people carry that you and I don’t know about. Proverbs 19:11 tells us to overlook offenses. Do you overlook offenses, or are you offended by offenses? Are you so touchy and irritable that you’re offended by anybody who looks at you funny or forgets to say something or doesn’t see you? Love lets it go.” ervie, get it figured out!

Quiet desperation or joyful anticipation! BobbyT says—"Back in the mid-1800s, essayist, poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau made a statement that has become familiar to many of us, The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.’ In Thoreau’s extended quotation, he said, ‘What is called resignation is confirmed desperation…. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.’” I think that is where “the adventure mode” can be a great benefit. An adventure mode is more than an attitude of a $20,000 trip (e.g. it could be going for a fall walk with a friend or going by yourself). Make it an adventure and we can become joyful. That is just my opinion. But a $20,000 trip might work tooooo!

I believe that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind! I think that is a choice that I have. Maybe you don’t think you can alter your choice, but I know I can. It’s like a friend who says when something doesn’t go his way—it’s not a problem erv, it’s an opportunity! I really believe that my attitude really can affect the quality of my life. Soooo then if I am right, I can change my choice that can change my life?  For me, I pretty much know what that choice is; it has really worked for me in my life (i.e. it’s the conclusion of the matter a.k.a. the meaning of life to me).

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—To stay young, associate with youth…to grow old, try to keep up with them.

riled up

I have learned once again that the opinions of the folks in Butler County IA, population of 14,175, a county that still does not have one stop light, and is 81.8% white, may have changed a little through the years, but not the fact that they still think that they are 100% right! But then again, it seems that everyone thinks that!

Thanksamillion to all you folks who have helped me paddle in my life. You know who you are! I would never have had such a great life if it wasn’t for you folks. No question! I was once again reminded of this when reading Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven (i.e. you might have read his little book or heard his speech). It’s good and was given to me by a friend. William says this—“Like the small rubber raft we had in basic SEAL training, it takes a team of good people to get you to your destination in life. You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that our success depends on others.”

We get riled up about seemingly good events and good stuff in our lives and about seemingly bad events and bad stuff in our lives. I don’t have to tell you what they are in your life, you know, we all do. But here is what I find hard to understand, how can we really express our emotions and feelings to others. I really don’t think we can completely understand other folks’ emotions and feelings but just a portion of them and then another person can’t really understand ours as they have not ever experienced the same situation and also their mind is different than ours. We are all programed by genetics, our past environment and our current environment.  We are all programed differently.

I was introduced to the study of neurodiversity by a friend. I have never heard of it or had any knowledge of it. It ain’t nuttin new but I have found it quite interesting and researched it some. Basically, we all don’t think alike, and we can’t make others think like us; we are different. We enjoy others who are similar to us but none of us are exactly the same. I hear folks say—I have no idea how they can think that way!  Well folks, they think different than another person. AverageJoe says—Well, some are brainwashed, that’s for certain! Now that could be AverageJoe, it seems like some folks are brainwashed easier than others. And why is that? I really think we are all mentally ill but just to different degrees! 

Coaches, political candidates, parents, religious leaders, news casts, teachers, unions, business leaders, etc. all rile folks up.  Sometimes it is for the better and sometimes not soooo much for the better. They might be messed up themselves and think way differently than normal folks do (i.e. and who is normal). But as long as they can influence folks and get them riled up and get a following, they have an army. In a democratic form of government, it is much easier to do than in a communist form of government it appears. But then again, if folks get desperate enough, history proves it can be done.

CadillacJack says--And we all get riled up about different things and at different excitement levels. Sometimes it’s fun to be around riled up folks and sometimes it just isn’t (i.e. at least I’m talking about myself in regards to radicals; they can be a pain for me). ItchieBitchie says—The only folks who enjoy radicals are other radicals and they don’t even seem to really like each other!

I think we all have different minds just like we have different fingerprints.  We are all unique alright.  GeorgeTheCrook says—For sure no one has a mind like my sister-in-law; not even close; I have no idea what God was thinking when He put her mind together! Yabut GeorgeTheCrook, she might think the same about you! A friend told me that his father called him " the different one in our family."  He said he took that as a compliment from his father. 

And of course, there are folks that have all kinds of excuses about themselves, and others have none.  What a difference for sure. Some never think their bad actions or thinking is their fault but always someone else’s fault.  But some give others credit for their good actions and thinking. Again, big difference in folks. My neighbor works as a register of prisoners at a large county jail. She says that they all get riled up and say that it was not their fault but someone else’s fault why they are going to jail. Da!

A golf buddy told me that if politicians tell the same lie 7 times, then the folks believe it’s the truth.  MissPerfect says, that’s the truth, it works when speakers want to get your attention and want you to remember something, they use repetition. Now that is how politicians get folks riled up!  Now that is psychology at its best! They know what they are doing! Oh ya! RickyRick says--If you don’t live a life of love, then nothing you say will matter (i.e. repeat that 7 times).

CoachB says—The two most important controllable factors of health are exercise and eating habits (i.e. enjoy life more by being in shape).  I have a friend (i.e. is it you or could it be you) who is “living poetry”—poetry offers examples of language and stocks the mind with images and ideas expressed in unforgettable words and phrases and actions. Soooo how can we live a life of living poetry? Get riled up folks!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Don’t save so much for the rainy days that you can’t enjoy the sunny ones.

right or wrong

For ever I have been wrong when I thought I was right! Da!  We went for a hike in Boulder, CO and I discovered that I thought the flat irons were like flat surfaces of the mountains horizontally but no no, they are like the old flat irons sitting up.  Da!  Sooo take that into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday” as I really have no idea what is right or wrong!

JoeBlow says--We have to make the best of our reality no matter what it is now. We must. It’s reality or are we living in a virtual reality? Do you think we sometimes get confused what our real reality really is?  Like which reality is right or wrong? I don’t know JoeBlow; I get confused a lot. My mentor would say--erv, it's never as good as it looks and it's never as bad as it looks!

ItchieBitchie says--We are never too important to be nice to people no matter how important we think we are. That sure sounds right to me ItchieBitchie.

Loneliness and hopelessness. In January 2023, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA) asked a national sample of U.S. adults age 50–80 questions about loneliness (measured by their feelings of isolation and lack of companionship) and their social interactions. One in three adults age 50–80 (34%) reported feeling isolated from others. Liz Bohannon, who spoke at the 2023 Global Leadership Summit, said that 58% of Americans report being lonely, 70% of leaders report being lonely and 78% of young people report being lonely. She then said--We all need community and support of friends. Relationships with friends are the most important long-term predictor of happiness. I think she might be right about that.

I read in the newspaper soooo it must be right--In recent years, protests have erupted across America. Depending on which side of an issue you identify with, you’ll consider a given protest needlessly destructive or justifiably disruptive. Ouchy ouchy! Saturday question—Soooo how do we know if we are right about an issue? Maybe we just think we are right but maybe we are wrong.  How do we decide if we are right or wrong?  Maybe it’s good to stay as lose as a goose!

You think all folks have good and bad in them?  I hope that all of us have good in us. ThePersonNorthOfTown says--Sometimes I wonder about some folks!  I think I know that all of us have some bad in us, sorry to say but do all of us have some good in us! Maybe some have more good than bad in them! Is good and bad in us taught or what? When hiking to Emerald Lake in the Rocky Mountain National Park, we came upon two young ladies sitting on a rock eating their snacks while overlooking a beautiful view. We talked to them and found them very pleasant and dynamic and charming. They were past college friends from the East. We told them how neat they were, and they responded—Our mothers taught us well! I have a friend who is great; I think why she is soooo great is that she doesn’t know she is great!!!!  She is always cute (i.e. happy gals are always cuter); she always has a smile from ear to ear!  How can she go wrong with that attitude!

CoachB says—What does the best year of our life look like?  What are the qualities that made that year soooo great?  What did we have? How did we feel? Is this what we are trying to achieve in our life now? Are we chasing after the wind and not pursuing what produces what we want? Again, what was or is the best year of our life? Are we living our life right or wrong? CrazyMarvin says—I have no idea, I’m just living my life a.k.a. kicking the same can down the same road!

JoeTheWorld proclaims—Be like me! Be like me and I will make you beautiful and successful!  We seem to be bombarded continuously by JoeTheWorld doesn’t it. Saturday question—How do we decide what is right or wrong?  I guess that is up to us; we make the decision. It appears that we are encouraged and nudged by folks who we are around.  Look around folks, it’s not rocket science! Da! Isn’t there a saying—Birds of a feather flock together (e.g. radicals flock together).

I read this story while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--The wife of a well-known, brilliant professor once recounted to me a conversation with her future mother-in-law, who gave this advice: “Make sure you don’t compliment him too much. It will go to his head, and he’s already too boastful.” Boatsful or humble, which one is right and which one is wrong?  SmartAleckTrish asks—Does anyone really like to be around boastful folks a.k.a. narcissistic folks)?

What is good for the goose is good for the gander. Or is it?  Sometimes we just talk big, but we justify our behavior. Our behavior is okay for us but not for others (i.e. we have two standards). An example is when we complain that a certain group of folks get welfare, but we get large amounts of aid from the government ourselves.  Isn’t that like a double standard? It’s got to be right or wrong; it can’t be both or does it just matter how it affects me (i.e. it’s all about me me me)! Aren’t we something else!  It’s all about the money! 

A friend told me--You’re in the right place at the right time doing the right thing. Or maybe you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing.  Soooo how do we know? It’s sorta kinda like what I saw on the olive oil bottle—you are either a virgin or not a virgin; how can you be extra virgin? Help me here! Sooooo how in the world do we decide what is right or wrong?  There has to be some measuring stick in the sand, doesn’t there. Where does that measuring stick come from. If there is no measuring standard, then there is no right or wrong. JoeSmart says—It seems like everyone has a different measuring stick sooo that means everyone has a different right and wrong!  Saturday question—Can we be a little right and a little wrong? Ouchy ouchy! Can our right and wrong change from day to day?

Generally when we do wrong we end up in a mess! Messes are not good! If you have ever been in a mess, you know that!  Yikes! Sooo why then do we do wrong! And when is the best time to do right, maybe it’s now!  RickyRick says--For us, doing right might look like visiting someone in the hospital, writing a letter to someone who’s lonely, having breakfast with an old friend or being kind to your obnoxious coworker. Whatever right looks like for you, you should do it now. The Bible says, “Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now” (Proverbs 3:27-28). Saturday question—Do you think the Bible is a standard of what is right or wrong? MissPerfect, who always runs downhill with the wind at her back, says--I think I need to do about 1,000 mental squats to get my mind in shape!

I’m totally convinced that we can’t go wrong by showing gratitude. I think it’s a great medicine. It appears that folks who are grateful are always better folks (i.e. that is my opinion). You might think I’m wrong but are you happy?

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  SusieQ says--C’mon erv, everyone knows that.  Then why do soooo many folks not do what is right and not save their time and effort by doing the wrong stuff? Answer me that will ya SusieQ!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—Conscience is the small voice you listen to after you tell it what to say.