analogies

An analogy is a comparison between two different things to explain or clarify a concept by highlighting their shared similarities.  Here are a few stories that happened in my life recently. I encourage you to form a personal analogy reflecting the meaning of them to you from your own life's experiences.

We had happy hour with friends of Jeanne who just sold their house and had to get rid of all their stuff as they radically had to downsize. They told us, no one wanted their stuff that they thought was soooo important (i.e. not even their kids). They had to give it away (i.e. and they said—it was really good stuff).

The Takeaway is...! A couple on our mission team in San Angelo was in the milk business in TX. They milked about 3,000 cows. I asked them a lot of questions. One I asked was if she was involved in the business—yes, I did all the record keeping—did you keep records on every cow—sure did, we have very complete records on every cow—If they don’t perform, they are culled and go to slaughter. We keep only the above average ones! And your personal analogy?

Another guy on our team told us that he was conceived in Holland but born in Canada, they were immigrants.  When his mother delivered, the doctor said here is the first one and here is the second one. She didn’t know she was having twins. That increased their family to 6 people all living in a garage.

A long-time friend from MN, who sits with us in church, told me that she didn’t sleep well last night, I slept for two hours and then couldn’t sleep again until 5. What’s the deal?  I ate toooo much chocolate I think. You better cut back on the chocolate!  No way, I like chocolate!

There are winners and losers! I talked to a guy in our 55+ park at the mail box who has lived here for 30 years. He has lost his wife 10 years ago but had a girlfriend for the last 6 who recently has passed on. He told me he’s lonely and will start looking for a new one soon. He is 89. Soooo I asked him if the park has changed a lot in 30 years—yes it has, more folks from CA with a lot of money and different attitudes that I don’t much care for. I talked to a land developer who really likes CA folks who have a lot of money: I can put up with their attitude if they have the money! And your analogy is?

We visited Big Bend National Park on our way back from San Angelo and a couple at our motel said that they really enjoyed the park—sooo what did you enjoy about the park—the vastness was spiritual; the hike along the Rio Grand River in the Santa Elena Canyon was really magnificent and touching as well. Sooooo we hiked it. Sooo what is your analogy?

We had the opportunity to listen to the complete Handel Messiah by The Phoenix Symphony and Choir. It was long but beautiful. If I understand it right, it tells about Jesus Christ from prophesy to resurrection. It has been popular since Handel wrote it in 1741. The place was packed and the folks really enjoyed it and it seemed to affect folks (i.e. and most paid big bucks to experience it). Sooo what is your analogy to the Handel Messiah in your life. Oh, Leonard Bernstein, the late New York Symphony conductor, once said that the most difficult position in the orchestra is the second fiddle. Do you have an analogy for that?

We ate breakfast in Study Butte, TX population 173 at Chilly Pepper Café. Jeanne and I shared the Mexican omelet which had prickly pear in it chopped that morning. We really enjoyed the locals especially Ben and Shirley. Ben is 89 and Shirley is 76. They came here 20 years ago and liked it sooo well that they bought 20 acres and built a stone house. We like the quietness, few people, warm weather. We come to Chile Pepper Cafe every morning for breakfast. Shirly told us she was the town’s ambulance driver for 10 years. You seem very comfortable here—we are very content. I asked them if they are believers—Ben said, we sure are. They were a hoot! Soooo what is your personal analogy that fits this story?

Now this gets a high 5! I read this in one of my devotions that was very interesting to me and maybe it might be to you—"My children are grown. They’re not the adorable babies and toddlers I sang over all those years ago. My relationship with them hasn’t always been easy, but they’ve never stopped being my children, and I’ve never stopped delighting in them.” Do you have a personal analogy for this?

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

A New Year Thought from my second cousin once removed a.k.a. The Other Warren from Omaha--Yesterday is a cancelled check  --- tomorrow is a promissory note --- today is cash.  Use it "wisely".

think

 Saturday question--What do you think about the most? TheTexasChilieDog says—"What we hope for is what we want our future to be. It sorta kinda tells us what is really important to us. If we think about money all the time or ourselves or others or pickle ball or eating Christmas cookies or if we think about being more like Jesus' outrageous, lavishing, and radical generosity, then that will pretty much tell us what is the most important to us.” I think that is correct. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

TheTexasCowgirlRuby says—"Honestly, I find myself reflecting on my goals and the direction my life is heading. I also often think about the people who matter most to me, like family and close friends, and how I can support them. These thoughts tend to shape how I approach each day and the choices I make.” TexasCowgirlRuby--Let me tell ya girl, What you think is what you’ll be! Ride 'em cowgirl!

Now, do I have us thinking about what we think about? Are we surprised by what we spend most of our time thinking about?

A long-time good friend told me that I think tooooo much! But my Daddy, Chester, would tell me—erv, most folks don’t think enough. Now that is an oxymoron. I read somewhere—Don’t believe everything you think!

I think what Catholic Charity said in their newsletter is important for me and you. Let’s see what you think!  Encouraging Mindfulness to Minimize Holiday Financial Burdens  “ We at Catholic Charities encourage everyone to approach spending with peace, purpose, and practicality.  Setting a simple budget, choosing meaningful experiences over expensive gifts, and tracking small purchases can help keep financial stress at bay. Avoiding high-interest credit and planning ahead for extra holiday costs are ways we honor both our households and God’s call to wise stewardship. Open conversations with loved ones about expectations can also relieve pressure and create more intentional, joyful celebrations.” I really think that makes sense to me.

Flip the pancake! On our plane flight to Denver for Thanksgiving, the airline pushed their credit card through their flight attendants. It was obnoxious to me and I think others. They said—“We should buy a lot of gifts as you don’t have to pay for them for 90 days nor pay any interest for 90 days, soooo get our card and spend big time for Christmas.” What a joke, I think! How dumb do they think we are! TheDenverBronco says—erv, pretty dumb pretty dumb! Abe Lincoln said—"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time."

Mrs.PricklyPear from Southern TX says--We can give a lot of gifts at Christmas, such as clothes, toys, food, money, but if we can give the true gift of Hope, now that’s a gift that will have large ramifications. In my opinion, the hope of salvation through Jesus Christ is the greatest gift that we could give anyone.

A friend from South Butler County says—"Think different—live better.”  If you look around, you’ll see that great people do things they don’t always feel like doing. They do things that other people aren’t willing to do. They seem to think differently than the average dog!

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits says--"Reflection requires stillness. One cost of rushing from thing to thing is that you lose the space to think. Hard work matters, but nonstop motion often hides a quiet truth: you could have used your time better. If you never pause, you confuse activity with effectiveness. Make time to think."

We visited with a snowbird here in AZ who is maybe in her middle 60s. She told us she went back home to be with family over Thanksgiving. Soooo we asked her how did that go. She said—This is the first time the girls actually talked to each other. It was amazing. I think age and circumstances can make a difference maybe. A preacher recently said—God will be merciful to those who repent. Maybe that is a concept that happens in families too. What do you think?  That is what I thought.

I want you to think about making a Christmas experience this Christmas that you will remember (e.g. our mission trip to San Angelo, TX was a Christmas experience that we will never forget and be part of our life forever). More stuff just doesn’t mean as much; we have enough stuff but experiences are a different story.

We got this from one neat person--"This time of the year reminds us that we are all on this amazing journey. We could never have imagined the beauty of the whole thing but now we are just reminded how special life is and to say thank you God." What do you think of that? Maybe the older we get, the more we understand, just maybe! I really don't know but I think I seem too. A little anyway!! But remember, I' m just a little of' farm boy from a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN.

I took this pic looking out of our motel room last Saturday morning in El Paso, TX. I told Jeanne that I hope those folks driving the Penske truck don’t need to leave right away!  Jeanne's thinking was that it was a couple moving and they have all their stuff in the truck and they parked their car behind the truck soooo no one could steal their stuff. Two different thinking about the same situation. That reminds me of how many of us think about Christmas differently (i.e. for some, it’s all about the stuff and others think about the true meaning of Christmas). We hope you choose the true meaning! The experience is much better. That is what we think!!!! Merry Christmas to all of you from Jeanne and I.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--The fiddler calls the tune.

I accept

Suggestion—Before you read this It’s Saturday, you need to accept the terms and conditions! Ready? Don’t be angry at any person!  Start with the person that angers us the most. Give it up! ‘Cause that person controls us and ruins our life. Let it go! And we will have peace in our mind, soul and life. Everything will be better. There is only one person who can do that and that is us, me. Pretty simple and it costs us nuttin! AverageJoe says--I can master my mood, not theirs! They don’t even know they frustrate us in most cases. How crazy is that!

When I have something or somethings that bothers me, frustrate me, perplex me, confuse me, affect me, control me, disgust me, makes me wonder, gets under my skin, irritates me, I sit down in the quiet and write them down in detail and why they bother me. Most of the time they dissolve, or I find out they aren’t as bad as I thought or much easier to figure out and resolve than before. It really works for me. I guess it’s because I accept them.

It's hard to accept certain things, yes, it is. A friend suggested that a mutual acquaintance contact us about our advice about marriage as seniors. She did text us and asked if we would call her on her main cell phone and not the cell phone she just texted us on. She said the first cell phone is my burner phone that I uses to find my main cell phone!

I’m thinking that more folks in general are starting to mellow in their radicalness. I hear folks tempering their attitudes, I think. I think we as a human race are starting to accept the reality that if we don’t work together we are going to self-destruct as a country and as a world. The Bible tells us that there will be an end. ItchieBitchie says—We all know we are going to die on this earth! We all have expiration dates just like the milk in the refrigerator does. Da!

Oswald Chambers said, “God is the Great Engineer, creating circumstances to bring about moments in our lives of divine importance, leading us to divine appointments.” I accept what Oswald said but SwervinErvin has trouble recognizing them and accepting them sometimes. I accept that non-believers think believers are weird but they really like how believers act! Yes, yes and yes!

Saturday question--What is the most important thing for humans to accept do you think?

GeorgeTheStingingCactus said to his wife: I accept you a.k.a. appreciate you! When we accept others, we tell them that we support them and our relationships appreciate in value. FlipThePancake, if we don’t accept others, relationships depreciate in value very fast, deteriorate, decompose, dissolve, disappear. My Daddy, Chester, told me never buy something that depreciates in value if you don’t have the cash (i.e. save the cash before buying it) but I could buy something that appreciates in value with credit. I accepted his teaching.

CoachB says--Keep calm and carry on! I agree Coach and I accept your advice but how do we keep calm and carry on is the 64,000 question. Paul tells us the answer but not all accept his advice. As a deceased friend, whose name was Paul also, would say to me—erv, decisions have consequences and guess who makes the decisions. TheTexanWithTheBigCowboyHat says--If you make wise decisions, compound interest is a blessing. If you make foolish decisions, compound interest is a curse.

Jeanne and I spent this week in San Angelo, TX working with a team of World Renew folks doing assessment for folks’ needs as result the terrible. disastrous flood they had last summer. These assessments will be used for the volunteer construction teams that will come later. Our team seems to think one of the biggest sources we can give them is Hope. Yes, the material fixing is very important too. They seem to accept both very much. We don’t know who is blessed the most, them or us. It is very humbling for us but feels oh soooo good! And we know, Life is like riding a bicycle -- if you stop peddling, you fall over. San Angelo was founded by sheep ranchers manly and it has sheep sculptures all over town. We saw one sign that really caught our attention. It read--In a world of sheep, be a goat! I accept that!

I’m erv and I accept this message!

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—When you are in the dark, look for the stars.

the market

Disclaimer right up front. You don’t have to believe anything I say or talk about; in fact, you might not want to believe anything in this “It’s Saturday.” Some of you might put it in the same category as "AI slop."  This “It’s Saturday is for you and I to THINK (i.e. I realize that is hard for us at times)! hahaha I’m actually not even a writer; many of you have corrected me many times! Sooo what is my motive in writing this “It’s Saturday; my son asked me this when I started writing it many years ago. He told me—Dad, if your motive is wrong, it won’t work. None of you have to read "It's Saturday" like you have to read what a teacher tells you to read or listen to what your pastor says at church; this is purely optional. BUT I have a market! As there is a large number of people that read “It’s Saturday” weekly. I really can’t explain it. I really don’t know why but they do. It is what it is. I have no idea!

When we hear the word “market” many think of the stock market first thing I would guess. But many of you have markets that affect your livelihood as well a.k.a. corn market, apple market, car market, employment market, housing market, social market, etc. All those markets affect our standard of living in one way or another. I talked to a large fruit grower recently and he told me that the fruit business is in trouble right now—how come—over production. I read in the paper that the growers want folks to eat the old standard apple, Delicious, but the people want to eat Honey Crisp. Delicious apples are what they are used to growing but the public market is different. They don’t want to change. It costs a lot of money and time to change. They want to do it the old way! Da! Who do you think will win this battle!

The pastor at church recently told us--"The 'church attender market' is small and shrinking. Folks don’t want to go to church as much anymore. In Europe most don’t believe in God and it’s becoming more that way in the U.S. The churches have tried everything to get them to come but it appears that nuttin is working. The churches have moved the pulpit, discontinued the organ, made it casual, used hip songs, used performances etc. Now what! And the market that does go to church is aging out!" Yikes! There has to be a new mouse trap—that was in the book, Who Moved the Cheese years ago!

CactusJack, a nut of distinction, says--Day2day, year2year, life2life, time keeps going if we like it or not! The market for park models a.k.a. tin huts by my definition is slower in the 55+ communities now than it has been. The supply is greater than the demand. Soooo that drives down the prices some. That’s dynamic pricing as the business world calls it—like green fees in AZ during the winter when the snowbirds want to play golf, the prices go up—whatever the market will bear. But the demographic is that in the future the percentages of older folks is going to be much larger soooo there will be a larger demand but will they be able to afford the properties or the life style, that is a question that no one knows. Maybe the future generations won’t want to winter in park models. Maybe they will want something much more upgraded (i.e. they are use to much more high-end stuff). Could be! A tin hut, maybe not! I asked a friend how his Thanksgiving went--we had great news that a grand daughter is going to have a baby; most of our grandkids it seems would rather have dogs!

Our  granddaughter Charlie's shirt says it all! Saturday question—How do you and I market ourselves? Our market is the sum of our parts I think, and not just one flick of time. I like real folks and not fake folks. Real folks are who they are all the time and not just when they are trying to impress. Real folks are who they are in all situations (i.e. being themselves). Real folks don’t need AI to write a profile of them to make them look and sound good, it shows and is real. LuckieEddie says--We are who we are! Don’t kid yourself! A pastor said recently, we believers should act always in a way that others ask what is different about us. I believe we do! I asked our waitress at breakfast recently who was marketing herself in such a pleasant way if she was a believer; she said—yes sir, I am. I told her that I can tell!

Some markets are changing their brand; we see it quite often now. Meaning, they want a new, fresh impression, a change. They want to express their company or business differently. It’s a tool to increase sales, become more popular, develop more interest, align with the current culture, get rid of the old fashion look. It appears that folks do that all the time, create a new brand for themselves. Some of those brands are internally permanent and some are just surface branding. Both of those brand changes come from something or for some reason, they just don’t happen. BillTheRoadrunner a.k.a. The Big Nut, says—I think my personal marketing brand depends a lot on the folks I'm around. Yes, I do. Our environment really impacts us how we market ourselves. I suggest we take a break and think and ponder about the brand that we have!

Reminder—None of this might be right or make any sense to you, remember, I’m just another bozo on the bus! Besides, it seems that most folks in our culture think they know all the answers and they don’t want to think about changing.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFreindJean said--It's not how many hours you put in but its what you put in the hours.

P.S. THINK ABOUT THIS! We were at the Millennial Choir and Orchestra Christmas Concert at the Mesa Arts Center and were waiting for the doors to open. I was talking with a guy who was from Idaho. He said in part of our conversation that we are blessed even blessed to be here at this concert. Sooooo who blesses us? Santa Claus? Our government? The man in the moon? Sooooo who blesses us? Soooo when we say thank you for being blessed, who are we saying that to?