about face

Roger Miller in the lyrics of a song of his, says—Ya can’t roller skate in a buffalo heard! But you can be happy if you've a mind to!

Dr. Scot Peck says—'We must continually expand our realm of knowledge and our vision through the thorough digestion and incorporation of new information.” Saturday question—How do we obtain new information? It appears to me that new information has been found forever. Sometimes we have to do an about face (e.g. like the world is flat—we’ll never go to the moon—the Titanic builder said in Hailfast “This ship can never sink”). Now even grandmas have tattoos! The culture is changing! Oh yes!

Ya can’t take a shower in parakeet cage! But you can be happy if you've a mind to!

"November 20, 1798, in his Last Will and Testament, Patrick Henry wrote: ‘If they had [faith in Christ] and I had not given them one shilling, they would have been rich; and if they had not [faith], and I had given them all the world, they would be poor indeed'.” My opinion folks—If we have faith in Christ everything else just falls into place. It’s like a breakthrough! Like an insurance umbrella policy! Sooo what is faith? Has faith changed with time? About face!

You can't go swimming in a baseball glove! But you can be happy if you've a mind to!

About face! I asked JoeFromEastport,Maine if I could take a pic of his cap—Sure, go ahead! Then we saw a guy walk past with a tee shirt on that said—I know a lot more when I drink!  Then a guy walked past who had a tee shirt on that said—I don’t have the answers but know a Guy that does! Then another person walked by with a tee shirt that said, change the tide!

You can't change film with a kid on your back! But you can be happy if you have a mind to!

People don’t have nightmares during the day, do they! How come everything seems worse at night when it’s dark (e.g. some folks with Alzheimer’s have sundown syndrome which causes them to do strange things when it starts to get dark; something happens in their brain; they don’t know what they are doing). About face, it seems when the sun comes up in the morning it’s a new day and life seems way better! That is why I really enjoy early mornings! About face!

You can't drive around with a tiger in your car! But you can be happy if you've a mind to!

This is an about face interesting experience:  We met and had dinner with a lady who came to the U.S. from Twain as a young woman. She learned how to speak English, got a M.A. and spent her business life as a financial advisor/broker in CA but recently moved to FL (i.e. she has become very financially successful). ANYWAY she has a legal Twainish name but changed her name to street names during her life. When she was in business, she wanted a more powerful name soo she changed her name to Jessie. After she retired, she has changed her name to a name she made up which has a special meaning to her. She said it has taken her two years to live up to that name but is accomplishing it. Isn’t that interesting. Sorta kinda an about face. She now wants to travel the world 120 days of the year to enjoy life and expand her knowledge of life. She is an amazing, unique lady! We enjoyed her company

You can't go fishing in a watermelon patch! But you can be happy if you've a mind to!

Early one morning, I met this gentleman from Maryland who was an athletic director with this tee shirt. We talked about the importance of leadership and direction. At St. Johns, New Brunswick we walked up the hill to an old church (i.e. it was Sunday). It was Thrinty Church, a loyalist church established many years ago. Jeanne and I knelt and prayed together. It felt good. When we got back to the ship, we talked to a staff member who was from South Africa. She was 21 and she told us she was the youngest employee on the ship. She told us she walked up to the same church during her break and prayed as well—we asked her if she was a believer—of course I am; it is the foundation of my whole life—You seem really happy—you know where I get that happiness!

All you gotta do is put your mind to it! Knuckle down, buckle down! Do it, do it, do it!

About face—ItchieBitchie says, The important thing is whether we can slow down, be still, and appreciate life! Maybe we can do both at the same time. What do you think? That is what I thought!

I read this in one of my morning devotions from my PreacherManFriend –"In the movie Apollo 13, Flight Commander James Lovell radioed back to planet Earth after observing smoke and debris emitting from the space craft, ‘Houston, we have a problem.’ In like manner, we too have a problem. It is a problem as old as man and as destructive as any we have ever seen. There is no greater need than when we think we have no need. The Greeks called this arrogance hubris; the Bible calls it pride.”

About face! Eating breakfast one morning the guy next to us had this tee shirt on and I asked him if I could take a pic of it and him—Sure, my granddaughter gave it to me. He was from Harlem, NY. Now that sums up this It’s Saturday. Take that into consideration when digesting what you just read!

Don’t take any of this It’s Saturday toooo serious! Remember, you get what you pay for! I’m just another bozo on the bus! If you can read French, you know what the sign says that this nice lady bought who sat next to us at an afternoon break in Quebec City.

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--A smile is a language that even a baby understands.

courage

A new friend in Yakima told us—Once I got a spine my job went a lot better!

Here are a couple of questions for you to answer. Why are some folks much more courageous and tougher than others? And, how come at times all of us are more courageous and tougher than at other times?

I know many folks who are courageous and tough, and I know many folks who are wimps! I want you to think of folks who you know who fit into both of those categories. Do you think there is a common denominator in folks in both of those groups do you think?

Long time friends of Jeanne told us about one of her favorite books of all time called Follow the River by James Alexander Thom.  She is a big reader with a house full of books! The book is about courage and being tough. It’s a historical novel on the true story of a pioneer woman. They suggested that I read it; sooo I did. I suggest you try it. It made me feel like a wimp! 

Coach Frentz, who is the head football coach at Iowa, set a record of winning more games than anyone ever in the Big Ten. I always don’t like his coaching philosophy, but I like him as a person, I think he is class. ANYWAY, I listened to his interview after setting the record. Again, he gave a lot of credit by being surrounded by good folks. I hear that over and over and over again. Soooo there must be some truth to that! It really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! Flip the pancake, I have read many times that we should get rid of folks in our lives who are bad influence on us. That is just common sense, isn’t it! That might take a lot of courage to do, maybe! I wonder if we sometimes “buy into" the philosophy of folks with bad attitudes or actions which could really affect us negatively and we don’t even know it. I wonder!

I read an old timeless classic book, The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck. It’s another book I suggest you read. In the preface of the book he says, “As a psychiatrist, I feel it is important to mention that I make no distinction between the mind and the spirit, and therefore no distinction between the process of achieving spiritual growth and achieving mental growth. They are one and the same.” Soooo I wonder if that has anything to do with courage and toughness! Mumm! I think it could. What do you think?

An old 84-year-old coffee drinking friend is courageous and tough but not really. He buys all his meals at Costco that are frozen so that he can just microwave them. He buys six weeks supply at a time. But he says--Once a month I buy a pint of ice cream; I like ice cream; I eat the whole thing in one day; I can’t help myself. Sometimes if there is a special on a quart of ice cream for about the same price, I buy it, but I also eat it all in one day as well! I can't help myself!

There is an old saying--You can’t teach a person something that they think they already know! That is probably true I would guess. I have relearned that it’s hard to change a person’s thinking if they have it instilled in their mind. It is very hard to change and if it ever changes it will have to be done by the person themselves and that just doesn’t happen very often. Soooo my conclusion, I pretty much give up on them (i.e. pretty much throw the idea of changing them out the window). I will be much happier in just accepting them as they are. Their thinking has been formed by their genetics, their past environment and their current environment and it is what it is. It appears to me that certain patterns in different folks produce certain results, and they are hard to change (i.e. both good patterns and bad patterns). For me I have to be courageous and tough to accept that!

The one and only SusieQ says--I want to be courageous and tough, but I don’t want to! I mean I want to face reality, but I really don’t want to face reality. I talked to a friend who lost his wife. He has been a caregiver to her for years. He told me that his reality has changed once again. Reality keeps changing for me. And now once again I have to face the new reality. I can’t pretend it didn’t happen. I told him to be courageous and tough; you can do it. I believe he will as he has an internal strength (i.e. guess what that is).

I read about this concept of life that is exciting. We are to kill part of our old life and replace it with a new life a.k.a. rebirth like forming a new part of our life (e.g. if we are bitter about everything so we kill that attitude and have rebirth with looking at everything positive). Do you know how much happier that would make us. Another example, we can’t run anymore or don’t want so we replace it with walking with friends. We can’t walk anymore soooo we start reading and form a book group or a friendship group or something. Now that might take courage and toughness to do. And it might make life much more exciting! Just sitting on the couch eating chips does not cut the mustard!

Jeanne has found some renewed friendships at church. It appears that some folks go back to church when they get older. It’s sorta kinda a rebirth. I have found, it seems, that some of my best new relationships are at church. Is that a surprise to you folks?

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said—Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.

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.

nuisance

Anacortes'OwnDeceptionPassQueenDeb says--erv, you talk toooooo much about pie in the sky! You can be a nuisance!

Can something good that is over done be considered a nuisance! Jeanne went to see her sister who lived in Kent which is a suburb of Seattle. Any location west of the Cascades is much wetter and their vegetation flourishes. Well, she picked some blackberries outside her apartment for us. Blackberries grow wild and are abundant in this area, soooo abundant that they are a nuisance. I really like blackberries but the locals maybe not soooo much. PortTownsend'sOwnHarborMasterBobby, who is a local, told us not to eat the blackberries from the lower stems as the dogs pee on them! I don't think she is local as that makes sense to us!

We were discussing and wondered if we might think we are helpful to folks but we might become a nuisance to them instead (i.e. maybe a little of us goes a long ways)! Some folks told us that they have sooo many friends, family and acquaintances that come visit them that they are a nuisance (i.e. like mosquitoes). Some other folks told us that they have visitors and can’t get rid of them (i.e. they are like leeches)! JoeBainbridgeIsland says--Us older folks like our routines and don’t like them messed up! It’s like the old saying—After three days, they are like dead fish, they start to stink!

Some antonyms for nuisance are joy, pleasure delight. We were visiting the information center of North Cascades National Park and we were leaving the facility when we started a conversation with a grandfather who was about 70 and his grandson who was 12. Jeanne asked if they would like her to take a picture of them together. They were very excited and accepted the offer. So as we were departing I said to him, you guys are nice people. He said to us, nice people like to be around other nice people. Interesting concept!

I wonder if many folks are weary; it sorta kinda seems that way to me. Are you weary? But then again why should folks be weary? I just read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that 10% of all adults in the U.S. have a net worth of a million dollars or more! But then again, maybe it’s the other 90% that have more to be weary about? JoeWhidbeyIsland on the Puget Sound says--It's all about the money, isn't it?

Death is a nuisance! Studies show that children follow only parents as the most admired and influential figures in children's lives. I admired Chester and Anna and they influenced me. My parents died when I was 16 and 22 sooooo I didn’t get their full blow. I would have liked to have been around them longer and also for our children but not to be. Many of you know what I’m talking about. Life isn’t fair, the only thing that’s fair is the Butler County Fair and that’s in June.

Aging can be a nuisance too! BobScquim from the Dungeness Spit in the Straight of Juan de Fuca of the Puget Sound told me that his golf game has gone way down hill as he got older—I complain all the time that my ball doesn’t go near as far any more. His golf buddy put his arm around him and told him to not worry about it, you were never very good; your club speed is slower than the speed limit in a school zone! I asked him why it's call a spit--he said 'cause that is what it is called!  Soooo there ya go!

“My future is written by what I do today! What I do today will affect me in the future. The past, present and the future all run together.” I didn’t make that up, oh no, Einstein said that. LindaWhoIsOneSmartPersonOnTheOlympicPeninsula who gets as much respect as the Colombia Bar where the river meets the ocean, said—"We have echoes of the past that we hear, both good and bad. And the future we will have echoes of the what we do today. We are making those echoes today.” I want to sit down and talk to myself about what I think and do today; I hope my thoughts and actions aren't a nuisance to myself or others!

Joe"Lumberjack"Forks told us that the local logging business around Forks has really taken a hit because of two events; the large machines that now have taken away a lot of jobs and the Northern Spotted Owl. He also told us that the logging business is the most dangerous occupation there is; if you see a lumberjack who is 60, he is either lucky, tough or very smart! Joe"Lumberjack"Forks lives near the Hoh Rain Forest which is beautiful but it's where it rains 148 inches a year sooooo he might be all wet, a.k.a. nuisance!

This guy was the real deal!  I was getting condiments for my Costco hot dog (i.e. not from the Neah Bay Costco a.k.a. The Brink of the Continent as there is no Costco there let me tell ya) and a guy said to me—excuse me (i.e. he was getting some napkins) and then said—I’m a real slob and need a lot of them! Suggestion, don't leave a visit, a job, a relationship, or anything in a mess. Folks are a nuisance when they do that!  

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--People who are busy rowing seldom rock the boat.

a breath of fresh air

What stinks?

A stunning view! Moving to Yakima, WA to Jeanne’s home area has been a change for me. The culture is somewhat different than rural Butler County IA. It is quite interesting for me. As some of you know, I like adventure and change and that it has been. I think it’s much like going on vacation or traveling. They are a breath of fresh air!

I read this in a novel I’m reading. Eddy was asked by a game warrant if he had seen Buzz his old buddy in crime of years ago—" I haven’t seen Buzz in five years or move. Frankly, he was the one that was the brains behind our deal, as stupid as he is. I just followed along, which makes me even stupider. It’s been a breath of fresh air to not be around him.”

We really had a fresh air experience. A friend from back in IA gave us the opportunity to contact a 25-year old couple from IA who are in Yakima to study medicine. They know no one in Yakima. What a delightful experience they are. We were to maybe help them, but the reality is we think they helped us just as much. They are a breath of fresh air. They gave us a quiver in our liver! It’s always exciting to be around folks who are content and not constantly agitated.

When my family was here visiting, the grandkids had their first taste of huckleberry ice cream. They said it was the best ice cream that they ever had. Huckleberries are grown wild up ‘re in ‘em Cascade Mountains. They are a prize pick! They are a breath of fresh air.

Seeing and experiencing a new experience can give me a new perspective. For me and many of you, nature will do that; a Vitamin N (ature) lift; a breath of fresh air. Ding ding ding! I needed some help this week and a person here in Yakima really went out of her way to help me; she was a breath of fresh air (i.e. obviously she has a good heart)! A touch of good nature! Our kind of person. We are currently exploring the NW of WA for a couple of weeks. It's beautiful; it touches our hearts and minds and souls.

This is the writing of a special guest today, a person who I really respect.  "Do you ever get the feeling that everyone you interact with is trying to present themselves in a way that will impress you? I feel like I can see right through it (most of the time) and the intended effect is flipped on its head -- I am not impressed. In fact, I am annoyed and disappointed. When I spend time around people -- colleagues, friends, family, the grocery clerk, the barrista -- who exude realness, it feels like a breath of fresh air. The word "authenticity" gets thrown around a lot these days, but it really is refreshing to encounter people who are genuinely comfortable with themselves."

A new friend I made here in Yakima told me that he was raised in a dysfunctional home as his father was an alcoholic. He does everything to help his children and grandchildren to have a much better environment growing up than he did; something positive. A breath of fresh air compared to his growing up experience! Spot on! Giving an opportunity to succeed!. Absolutely superb!

Maybe you and I can be a breath of fresh air to someone today. What do you think? AverageJoe says--For some of you it’s just another day on the job! You do it every day. Saturday question--Soooo when you and I leave, do folks think the air smells like flowers or do they quickly get the Glade air freshener can?

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

erv

MyDeceasedFriendJean said--Where ever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.