now what

Have you ever felt when things seem to be going bad that we think, now what can happen next? Human nature is that way when things are going bad we think everything will go bad for ever. Flip the pancake, when everything is going good we think, everything will go good for ever! My mentor would say to me—erv, nothing is as good as it looks and nothing is as bad as it looks! He also would say—erv, this toooo shall pass!

I woke up the other morning with an incredible feeling. The feeling was unbelievably refreshing! It was such a great feeling that I can’t even explain it. It was like I was a hot air balloon just floating along with nothing affecting me. I thought now what is going to happen! I can’t wait!

Well flip the pancake. The opposite of my feeling is what I read recently--A recent article in Psychology Today said, “Envy is our culture’s silent partner. We scroll social media and quietly compare. We see someone else’s good fortune—an award, a baby, a beach vacation—and feel a little sting, then a little shame about the sting. Nobody wants to admit it.” Yikes, that is negative but probably very accurate!

While giving thanks, I was reminded of a pattern in my life that I seemed to have forgotten (i.e. I got out of whack which I can do at times). The pattern is that I have had soooo many good things happened to me in my life (i.e. unbelievable good stuff; and your life isn’t any different than mine). And they just happened to me, I don’t deserve them, they just fell in my lap (i.e. like just out of the blue). I believe I have been privileged or blessed!  I have told some of you about this and you have said, ya but erv you have made them happen. I don’t know about that. Soooo why won’t that pattern of my life continue!  I think it will. Ok ok, I have had many negative things happen in my life as well (i.e. from my opinion) soooo why won’t they continue. I think they will as well.

I have written many times and have told many of you that I pray for opportunities and pray that I might recognize them and pray that I might have the courage to act on them. Soooo my future and your future are  mysteries; they are incomprehensible! Is it exciting to us or scary? Are we looking forward to it or dreading it? Is our finality going to be a victory or a defeat?

We have just spent some time on Elis Island and walked The Freedom Trail in Boston. Just think of the folks who actually lived and experienced those places and events in real life. We talk about unknowns. I can’t imagine their emotions about their futures! Surely, they had to say—Now what? But they surely were hoping for something better. All of my grandparents/great grand parents came from Holland sooo I’m the third or fourth generation in America. I would guess my grandparents/great grand parents came to America for a new and better life. I would guess many of your past generations did the same. You think they experienced any hardships? Da!

Soooo I'm a purebred Dutchman, a purebred Friesland Dutchman to be exact. There probably are very few purebreds left in America I would guess.  We have hybrids in dogs, horses, corn plants, flowers, etc. We try to breed out defaults and bread in better qualities. Now, here is a question. Will AI develop human hybrids of higher quality? Now what?

A friend said to us--My husband says I'm trying to demasculinize him!  I asked her if she is--I don't' know but I'm bossy! Now what!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFrindJean said—Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.

trouble's comin'

I don't think those of you who are reading this "It's Saturday" are an average cross section of America, my opinion. However there are striking things that you have in common. Raise your hand if you agree!

Saturday question--In your mind, do I talk about the kind of things that people shouldn't talk about?

Patty warned me that she is a ornery person. I said to her that I don’t know about that—just ask Pete here—Pete said, she can be ornery alright. 

I don’t have it in me any more. A guy at a Bible study said that about his desire to go fishing. He’s 80+. We went for an about 6 mile hike up 'er in 'em mountains the other day and I was really tired. I ain't what I use to be! Such is life!

Trouble’s acomin’! Have you ever thought what everyone is thinking but don’t say it?  Or have you said somethings that everyone else is thinking but they are scared to say it? Sometimes I’m very careful what I say around certain folks as they become very offended very easily if they disagree with me; soooo I just try to keep my mouth shut. But I find it interesting that some of those same folks can speak their opinion around me and expect me to listen and accept their opinion. Something doesn’t seem right here. Saturday question—Sooo what does it mean to be open minded?

TenaFromTheNorthSideOfTheBeaverRiver in Butler County says--Ok God, I'm sorry that I feel that those ladies think they are the elite and privileged. I think money changed their attitude and they lost their humility. But it seems that they get all the roses and me, and others don’t. It ain’t fair. They seem to have the attitude of being all puffed up. It is how I don’t what to be but yet I do want to be. Life is not fair, the only thing that’s fair is the Butler County Fair and that’s in June!

Violet Stillwater from Walla Walla, WA says--You can bet your life on it! Sooo what are you betting your life on Violet Stillwater from Walla Walla? Violet says--You know what it is: The goal stays the same but the strategy might evolve.

Trouble's comin'! A friend of Jeanne and now of mine says she is vain about how she dresses—I was raised that way by my parents and have been vain all my life. I know no difference. She also got really hurt by her husband cheating on her and she threw him out years ago. Now at 80, she continues to be very bitter towards men. These are a couple examples of a person’s past environment that has affected them. It is what it is! That it is!

A friend said that she has a sister-in-law who is hard to be around as she thinks she knows everything. Yikes! And my husband, who is her brother, agrees with me. Sooooo if she thinks that and her husband thinks that then others must think that too as they are smart but not that smart to be the only two that know it! Don’t kid yourself!

I have met two super senior women (i.e. in age and in quality) here in the Great Northwest that are something else. They, my opinion, are dynamite woman. I ask myself why are they so dynamite? Neither one of them has had an easy life nor would I say a pleasant life. Their attitudes are just amazing and have been all their life no doubt. I believe, my opinion, it is because of their genetics, past environment and current environment (i.e. a combination maybe).  And I found out by being with them that they both have a distinctive common denominator (i.e. you can guess what it is). And they are very enjoyable to be around. One is 91 who recently passed away and the other is 87! One was ready to die with no problem and the other has a serious significant other and they are going sailing!

RickyRick says—"Human beings wear out. You can’t burn the candle at both ends. If you’re discouraged, you may not really need to change anything major in your life. You may just need rest! Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap.”

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--A person with big dreams is more powerful then one with all the facts.

jump for joy

"Tomorrow a stranger will say with masterly good sense precisely what we have thought and felt all the time." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Soooo what makes you jump for joy? I have asked myself that. Here are some examples for me that come to my mind: walking on the ocean’s sandy beach and having a sense of awe and wonder, sitting still and quietly in my chair early in the morning and being thankful, having a meaningful conversation with special people, doing something good or seeing something good done by others,....

AI says—"Joy is more than a fleeting feeling—it's a deep, abiding sense of delight and contentment that can spring from the simplest moments. True joy lives within us, arising from our experiences, our relationships, and our sense of purpose.” Do you believe in AI?

A typical, historical ocean front house on the beach has a unique look and feel. The look and feel is like “ The Old Man and the Sea” could live in them. The salted ocean breeze damages the exterior and gives it a weathered look. Usually, they are painted in certain colors which makes them feel more beachy. The aroma inside and out is just that of an ocean beach house (i.e. I can’t explain that aroma). Our ocean house we stayed in was just that. We had maybe a quarter of a mile walk out the back door through the evergreens, then through the beach grass and then over a sand dune to the ocean. It was really neat which we did several times. The whole experience gave us joy! We really can’t explain it in words. It had a certain aroma!

OneSmartPersonFromAcrossTheBay says--Having joy means you don’t act differently whether you’re at church, work, home, or the grocery store. It means you don’t segment your life. Is this true of us: What you see is what you get! Joy can’t be measured analytically but we can see it in folks who jump for joy. No question! On our way home from our trip we stopped for gas at Astoria, OR which is on the Colombia River. I was buying a diet Mt. Dew and the guy ahead of me was buying a tall Budwiser and a chili dog (i.e. it was 10 in the morning). He had knee high boots on and water-resistant pants. I asked him if that was his lunch or breakfast—I just got off work soooo it could be either he said in broken English—sooo where do you work—at the fish processing plant down the street on the river—what do you process—mainly salmon and shrimp but other kinds as well—that is why you smell fishy—that is the reason alright--you like your job—yes, I do; it’s hard work but it’s a good job—do they pay you well—yes they do; I’m very happy—I wish you the best guy—the same to you sir!

Do these folks in the picture look joyful or unjoyful to you? I think for sure there is a difference, my opinion. What do you think? Do we know joyful folks and unjoyful folks? Are we joyful or unjoyful. John Calvin said, “Those who are extremely anxious wear themselves out and become... their own executioners.”

Sweet Caroline--Good times never seemed so good. So good! So good!  SusieQ says—"We live in the present! We don’t live in the past and we don’t live in the future but we live in the present!  We live in our now world.” Joyous folks don’t seem to me to talk very much about what they did in the past but what they are doing now to make others have a better life. Really what we did 20 years ago is of little importance to most folks; they want to hear what you are doing in the present to make someone’s life better.  Those present looking folks bring joy as they are always looking  “to do the next right thing.” Of course, this is my opinion). And remember folks, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

On our trip, some of Jeanne’s relatives took us out for dinner. It was my first time meeting them. We had a good time together. She told us this story about herself that shows us that we always don’t see things as they are (i.e. we misunderstand things at times). I was going into a building, and a guy had his arms out as I approached him. I thought he must know me, but I don’t recognize him sooo I went up to him and hugged him. He whispered in my ear, mam, I’m security and I’m asking you to put out your arms so I can frisk you for weapons!

I can’t laugh at her as I do the same! One morning I was going to put our luggage in the back of our vehicle and there was dog poop on the ground. I went and got some cardboard to pick it up and get rid of it before someone stepped on it. As I started to pick it up, the dog poop moved. It was a WA slug!

I hiked the trail to the bottom of the Cowiche Canyon the other day. Jeanne didn’t go with me as she is petrified by rattle snakes and really dislikes hot weather. It’s a moderate 2.2 mile hike out and back. I noticed by the traffic pattern that most folks walk on the hard packed part of the trail where there are few rocks, bumps, or unevenness. We are just like a cattle heard coming from Texas, we just follow the lead cow as it is easier walking. It really makes hiking a lot easier. Soooo isn’t that how we want our life to go? We like everything smooth, downhill and with the wind at our back! Well, folks, we all know it ain’t going to happen. Sooooo how can we obtain joy when the trail is tough?

Here is a concept to ponder that might make us jump for joy--It’s one thing to say we value something but it’s another thing to actually live it. That is putting values in action: not just saying values matter but actually living them. Pretty thought provoking for me! Of course we have to decided what good values are!!!! Like I wrote, we see things differently! Oh ya!!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--A full cup must be carried steadily. 

gets my attention

This “It’s Saturday” is like “a spit in the ocean” in your life. I understand that! It hardly gets your attention! No question! But here is the spit!

Jeanne gets my attention in many ways! Oh yes! One such attention getter was her helping me develop a different attitude towards two people (i.e. a much better attitude) which has made my relationships with them much better. I don’t think this change would have happened if she wasn’t part of my life.

Another attention getter is that she has swayed me on (i.e. my current thinking anyway)  is that genetics play a bigger part of our lives than I gave credit tooooo before. There are now even genetic studies of folks and doctors can treat symptoms  from genetics before they happen. Now that is amazing. Sooooo, it really is your parents’ fault!!! hahaha At least much more than I thought previously, I believe. Sooooo, it appears to me, that we can’t do tooooo much about good luck or bad luck in the random selection of genes we got from the gene pools of our parents. You get what you got! Such is life!

Well, another attention getter that I believe in is that we can manage our lives (i.e. this area we have free will). Now there is a big selection in the  pot to pick from, a real smorgasbord of goodies! And some folks pick better and different than others it appears. We all have different live styles and thinking, and see life much different (i.e. there are choices for sure). Soooo we can’t blame everything on our genetics unless we want toooo! hahaha

A balanced life sure seems to be a big advantage for most folks—physically, mentally and spiritually. That gets my attention in folks that are balanced. Look around folks, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. That is my opinion of course. JoeAverage says--It means approaching each day with an awareness of how we pick our choices and habits—no matter how small—they can tilt the scales either toward harmony or chaos.

I see and hear folks constantly praising their dog or dogs. Ok, folks praise their kids and grandkids tooooo (i.e. and sometimes even their spouses)! It appears that everyone likes to be praised. It seems as though praise does get our attention! Dr.J says—"We are often so preoccupied with our petitions to our Father that we completely forget to praise Him for who He is and what He has done.” It appears to me that folks that appreciate and praise God are different kind of folks. I praise those folks; they get my attention!

It got my attention. We stopped and had breakfast in an ocean side logging town the other day. I asked the waitress what the clock that wasn't running with the worn out roof that was next door was all about—she said it has stopped running 20 years ago, but it does have the correct time twice a day! Sooooo I wondered if  folks say I have the wrong time! And then they say, his roof is worn out too! What's he all about?

On our trip we had many experiences, saw beautiful nature, had the opportunity to see and meet many people (i.e. some friends and relatives and others were strangers) who have different lifestyles, beliefs, and attitudes. We really enjoyed the diversity. Something that we saw in many enjoyable folks was their ability to be good listeners (i.e. some better than others of course). Soooo what is it to be a good listener? RickyRick says—"Jesus came to earth to defeat death and to destroy the devil’s work. What is the devil’s work? Messing up your heart by filling it with worry, guilt, anger, and confusion—and making you feel worthless and helpless and hopeless and aimless.” We sure were around a lot of good folks, yes, we were. You know who you are! We had a hoot!  Some of you are very good listeners which makes you exceptional folks, our opinion. Oh, if any of us want to be good listeners or better ones, here is how we can become one according to Dr.J—"The best way to learn most things is by doing and practicing them—(e.g. prayer is a discipline, a practice, that only gets better when it is exercised. The best way to learn to pray is to pray).”  As a younger couple from San Diego who we meet eating breakfast told us—You guys keep going; we want to be like you when we are your age but remember, we all have expiration dates! I asked them if they were believers. 

We felt like Lewis and Clark, maybe! They said—“We are now at the at the end of our expedition.” They said that when they got to the Pacific Ocean where the mouth of the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean.  We ended our last few days of our trek staying at a seaside beach house on the Pacific Ocean. It was really good! We both enjoyed walking on the beach while thinking and talking! Pretty simple but really great! I won’t tell you what we thought and talked about!  You can only guess!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our paths for a reason.