a wide range

Disclaimer--On-on-one-hand I think this way and on-the-other-hand I think just the opposite.  Take that in consideration before reading this It's Saturday.  That's 180 degrees folks (i.e. a wide range of thoughts).  Soooooo be careful.  You are getting what you paid for it!  Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--There is a wide range of people.  Oh ya!  And half the folks you know are below average.  Surely none of you are below average, just those other folks.  Surely!  I have the opportunity to do some of the orientations for the volunteers at Wheaten Franciscan Health Care (i.e. do it as a volunteer).  I have volunteers from 15 to 90 years of age (i.e. wide age range).  These folks are the cream of the crop (i.e. above average for certain)!  Volunteers are that--good hearted. 

Arlene wanted a new dress and seems like she's been looking forever.  She always says--I can't find anything in my size and when I do they don't look good (i.e. she is petite).  Sooooo a friend told her that she should try the Dressbarn.  Soooo we were in the metro and she went there.  I was sitting in the car for a long time (i.e. that is good or that is bad).  She bought a dress and said--I could have bought 4 or 5.  There are a lot of nice dresses there that I really liked.  Sizes 4 - 24 is a wide range folks. 

My opponent at golf league the other night was a guy who hauls feed to hog confinements.  They furnish feed for 450,000 hogs using about 300 to 350 semi loads of feed a week.  I asked him what they feed those pigs.  Corn, distiller's settlings, soybean meal and dated candy bars and bakery goods, salt and other stuff  (i.e. wide range of stuff alright).  What--candy and donuts!  Ya, that's right.  Doesn't it take a lot of time to unwrap all the candy bars and bakery products.  No, we buy it all done--they just chop the wrappers and everything--it comes in as a dried mix.  Really!  Those pigs seem to love it.  The company who is feeding the pigs set the rations.  FeedHaulingGuy said--The bigger the pig, the more candy and bakery goods!!! Huh, interesting. 

Are you in the normal range?  Arlene was getting a pedicure soooo I ran some errands.  When I got back to pick her up, they weren't done with her yet sooooo I sat in one of the three waiting chairs and just observed.  There was a couple of 80+ years of age both getting a pedicure.  They had to be married for the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time or just shackin' up together as they were all mushy and gushy and stuff (i.e. if you were married to the same woman for that many years, you just wouldn't act that way--they acted like they were still in the honeymoon stage--after a while the newness wears off).  ANYWAY he was a rather robust guy, not very agile or mobile.  When he got done, he wobbled over to one of the other three waiting chairs.  He sits down and reaches under the chair and pulls out his shoes--a pair of new sneaker (i.e. I would guess $100+--each shoe was half bright blue and half white.  He puts them on with no socks.  Our culture is changing folks (i.e. a wide range as to what is normal).  Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--We have a wide range of feelings and they change constantly.  How others can be happy when I'm soooo miserable.  Then other times I've wondered how I can smile when other folks are crying buckets!  And it seems like some folks are constantly happy and others are constantly unhappy.  Some are complaining all the time and some are upbeat all the time.  Why is that do you think?  Some folks think everything is a problem and others look at the same situations as opportunities (i.e. my good friend does).  Some folks have to do things and others get to do things.  Why is that do you think?  That amazes me.  I have told you before, I just don't like to mow the lawn or cut the grass as some of you say.  Some of you get to do it but I have toooooo do it!  It really needs it bad soooo I wanted to do it Sunday.  Arlene wouldn't let me.  It was Sunday.  We have never moved our lawn or cut our grass on Sunday.  Ever.  We still haven't.  It maybe depends if you live in the country or not or maybe if the neighbors can't see you or they don't know you or you really don't care or you weren't raised that way or whatever.  I play pickleball and golf on Sunday.  That must be different.  Such is life.

When I was a kid growing up a mile and fourth south of Roseland, MN we couldn't ride Queen, our horse, on Sunday unless we rode inside the grove (i.e. soooo the neighbors couldn't see us).  What!  I guess our parents didn't want the neighbors to think they were bad parents.  Arlene couldn't watch TV on Sundays and couldn't wear slacks on Sunday (i.e. she cheated when going to youth on Sunday night by taking some slacks along and changed).  What Art and Cora didn't know didn't hurt 'em.  Talk about cheating, I rode Queen outside the grove toooo.  One Sunday I was riding Queen bare back and was coming back from around the grove as fast as Queen could run.  It had rained and Queen lost her footing and we went down real hard making the turn on the sw corner of the grove.  She rolled over me.  I didn't get hurt at all (i.e. it was horse shit luck that I didn't).  What Chester and Anna didn't know didn't hurt 'em.  Such is life.

We have a wide range of thinking alright!  Last Saturday I had a great day (i.e. you might not consider this a great day).  Ran early, did my breakfast, devotions, emailing, gave blood (i.e. about 11 gallons I have given during my life--the gal told me that the bigger givers she has seen are like 28 gallons--wide range for sure if you have not given any 0 to 28 gallons), went on a 15 mile bike ride on my favorite Cedar Valley ride, mowed the lawn and then took my bride of 45 years out to her favorite eating place (i.e. yes it was our anniversary of 45 years).  There is a wide range how folks and families look at 45 years of marriage (i.e. some celebrate and other families don't even acknowledge them--some don't even know it--some don't really care). 

On my bike ride I saw a guy working on his race car soooo I went and talked to him.  It was a modified car that he runs in the open class--worth about $18,000, has raced for 21 years, car weighs 2,200 pounds--must weigh 2,400 with him in it, owner and driver, 99% of all body and mechanical work done by him and his dad, entry fees are usually $100 and if he wins he gets usually $1,500.  Folks have a wide range of interests now don't they.  I said to him--I usually think race guys are wild, crazy and drink a lot.  He said--That's a typical stereotype folks have but it's not the case.  Folks in racing come from a wide range of backgrounds and are all different.  I'm not crazy or wild but I do like to drink some!!!  Such is life.

Folks have a wide range of weight (i.e. just like race cars)--I read in the paper sooooo it must be right--1/5 of all teens are obese and 30% of all adults are obese.  Ouchy ouchy!  The other morning as I was doing my run around A'town, I said good morning to a gal who was standing on her deck close to the street.  She had a rather pretty face, was maybe 5'4" and weighed maybe 200 pounds and was smoking an early morning cigarette.  She and I must not think alike!  Such is life.

 

We have a wide range of "wants".  I want something and then I get it and I'm disappointed.  I thought it would be better; I thought I would enjoy it more; it would make me feel better than it does; etc.  My mentor would say to me--It's never as bad as it looks and never as good as it looks.  Wants are good for our economy.  It makes folks want more and get more and spend more.  BUT wants don't seem very satisfying to me.  SusieQ says--Yabut if I only had a little more I would be happy.  A golf buddy said when playing (i.e. said it facetiously)--I just want to make one more putt)!  He already made his share.  Aren't we that way--Just one more!  Such is life.

ItchieBitchie says--Every time I fulfilled one desire, another desire takes its place. Objects do not fill the void in my life as I chase after what the world tells me I need (i.e. I read while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--it's chasing after the wind--meaningless). Being like others many times is more important than being like Christ.  Yabut IthcieBitchie, the world does a lot of advertising and makes you feel pretty much like nutten at times when you don't chase the world.  Envy and greed are great motivators for capitalism.  Always has and always will be.  The desire to keep up with the Joneses!  There is a wide range of emotions as to where folks stand on this issue. 

Folks have a wide range of abilities.  When cutting those suckers out of the evergreens at the golf course I found this.  That was a heck of a shot.  Toooo bad the person didn't know how good they were.  I was quite surprised when I put my head into an arborvitae to cut a sucker out and saw this.  Ya gotta really be a good shot to do that!!!

Ability is what you are capable of doing.  Motivation determines what you do.  Attitude determines how well you do it.  ~Lou Holtz~

We have a wide range of emotions!  I talked to a friend who is all excited.  A few weeks ago he was not excited at all (i.e. rather down in the dumbs).  Soooo what made the big change?  Something that he thinks is good and exciting has happened.  Big range in those emotions;  happy sad, full of energy lethargic, tired wide eyed and bushy tailed, proud discouraged, feeling love feeling like no one cares, feeling good about yourself to not liking yourself.  HattieHackie says--And those emotions occurred to me in one day!  Yabut, some folks are more emotionally than others and some just show it more.  Such is life.
 

Death is the leveler!  LuckieEddie says--Folks have a wide range of faith.  Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.   I ran across an old friend (i.e. old in age and old in being friends for many years) on the street the other day.  He told me he was ready to die.  erv, I'm ready.  His wife died of cancer several years ago.  He said--All my siblings are dead and all my wife's siblings are dead--I really am looking forward to heaven--I don't really know how great it will be but I know it is going to be "beyond my expectations".  I told him that I don't think we can fathom it.  We maybe are told that it will be great but our little human minds can't comprehend it (i.e. some folks think they know and talk pretty big but I don't think they have much of an idea).  He said--And that's ok with me.  I said--death isn't all bad.  It sure isn't he said.  I said--It's going to be a great trip.  He said--And the trip is already paid for and I don't even have to pack! 

MissPerfect says--For those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not believe, no explanation is possible.

 

The other night I was sitting on the bench with a couple of female buddies/friends waiting our turn to play pickle ball.  One of them told us that 4 ladies by their lake house wanted to know something about Jesus.  They didn't know anything, never been to church and never opened a Bible (i.e. zero knowledge).  Sooo they came over to their lake house.  The first lady walked in and said--I don't know a God dam thing about this God stuff but I want to learn something about it!

 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The weaker the argument the stronger the words.

mistake

I heard a golf buddy say several times recently after someone made a "very poor putt" (i.e. way off target)--That was a critical mistake.  Have you ever made a critical mistake.  Not just a mistake but a critical mistake!  Ouchy ouchy!

JoeBlow's critical mistake is--He talks pretty big but doesn't get much done (i.e. all talk and no show).  Just look at his track record folks.  It speaks for it's self.  CrazyMarvin says--A good business principle is to under promise and over deliver.  I like folks like that; don't much care for folks who over promise and under deliver.  Just look at their track record.  Don't believe a word they say!  Heard 'em say that before!  Ouchy ouchy! 

A critical mistake is worry.  ItchieBitchie says--If worries can cure your sickness, then go ahead and worry!  If worries can prolong your life, then go ahead and worry!  If worries can exchange for happiness, then go ahead and worry.  Otherwise don't worry.  I read in some book--"For we walk by Faith not by sight!  Besides worry can kill ya!  Critically kill ya!

Us Americans think we have to eat all the time and a lot!  Did you you know--We could survive for several weeks without food, but left without water our bodies would fail within a few days.  Soooo we don't need to eat all the time.  Joesixpack says after not eating for a hour--Yabut I'm starving, I need to eat.  Over eating is a critical mistake.  ~  I was taking my bike off my car's bike rack at Pfeiffer Park (i.e. getting ready to ride my favorite 14.8 mile ride) and the lady beside me was putting hers on.  She was a special teacher for underprivileged children in the Cedar Valley.  She told me that many underprivileged mothers think they want their children to be obese.  They think it's a sign of power and strength.  Huh, interesting.   

Recognizing a critical mistake. Oh ya!  ItchieBitchie was depressed - didn’t know reason - searching for answers – wife suggested psychiatrist – 4 sessions and $1000 told him higher self-esteem, enjoy life more, take charge at home - man goes home, slams the door and; calls to his wife - things changing and from now on I’m the boss - you will fix my supper immediately – tonight going out with the guys – go up and run water and; lay out his cloths - and do you know who’s going to tie my tie and comb my hair - wife dumbfounded - “I’m not sure but I’m guessing the undertaker.”

WildWillie says--My weaknesses I have no control over.  I just can't help it.  A weakness, or "thorn" as Paul called it, is not a sin or vice or a character defect that you can change, such as overeating or impatience.  A weakness is any limitation that you inherited or have no power over.  Yabut there are things that we can change in our lives (i.e. if we really want tooooo).  On the first tee at "old goats" the other day, a buddy/friend told me about being an "accidental Pharisee".  He said--At times we all seem to be an "accidental Pharisee" by judging others by using a quality that maybe we think we might have compared to another who we think they don't have (e.g. raising children controlling our weight managing money getting an education).  We only use something that we think we are superior at to judge others by; not something that we are weak at; and we all have weaknesses folks.  All of us.  Ouchy ouchy!

Several possible critical mistakes!
A massivehuge mistake is not taking advantage of an opportunity when presented to you (i.e. my opinion).  I pray for opportunities, pray that I may recognize them (i.e. that they don't just go over my head) and the courage to act on them.  I think "passing" on an opportunity is a critical mistake!  ANYWAY I was honored and humbled to be asked to say "a little something" at Bryce and Katies' wedding last Saturday.  These friends really seem to have their priorities in order and seem to be equally yoked.  I wish them the very best and a long and happy life together. 

LuckieEddie says--I hate that when I seem to fail at an opportunity.  It makes me never want to try again.  Now that is a critical mistake LuckieEddie.  Yes it is.  Ya gotta get up and try again and again and again. You can't hit a home run every time.  No one likes failure. Whether it’s an “F” on a test, a failed business deal, or a broken relationship, failure is hard to stomach. Failure mocks us and asks us to examine what went wrong, perhaps offering us only a slight hope of redemption the next time. Once we fail it is very hard to try again.  But we gotta.  Got it, got toooooo!  Soooo throw those chips away, get your butt off the couch and do something!  You can do it.  Yes you can!  And don't you ever forget that. 

MyOldNorthwesternCollegeFriendRocky says--Jesus said in Luke's Gospel that the disciples "ought always to pray and not lose heart or get discouraged. Saturday question--Do you ever lose heart or get discouraged?

At our WHO (i.e. we help others) gettogahter Thursday morning, Marty said her computer says sometimes--serious error!  She made us laugh.  Maybe it was more MartyError.  Maybe! 

I read while eating my oatmeal with blueberries on it--That Solomon had 300 concubines in addition to 700 wives. Now that was a busy man with a lot of energy. He had to have a pretty good income. Let's see, 1,000 X 20 pairs of shoes = 20,000 pairs at $50 a pair = $1,000,000 just in shoes along. I think he made a critical mistake. BUT it says he had a lot of wisdom (i.e. maybe the wisest man who ever lived). Soooo figure that out!

I sometimes get over confident when things goooo well for a period of time (e.g. my golf game). Then I get puffed up (i.e. toooo big for my britches) and then my balloon gets popped. I assume stuff and that gets me in trouble (e.g. it will always be good--NOT). A critical mistake folks. I don't seem to learn very well sometimes as I repeat my critical mistakes. 

Do you remember when you were in jr high, putting your hand in your arm pit and making body noises trying to impress the girls.  I see now that it was a critical mistake!  If I would have only known! 

I think they made a critical mistake!  This is only from my perspective sooooo don't get excited about my opinion you cat lovers.  Friends said they have a cat that is dumb (i.e. they said it, I didn't).  The cat laid behind the car and didn't move and they ran over it.  Took it to the vet and the vet said they would have to amputate one of its legs.  The cat would be ok (i.e. after a $400 vet bill).  It would be able to run and do most everything but not climb trees.  Sooooo the cat did good until one day it climbed a tree to about 35 feet.  They had to call someone to get the "scaredy-cat" down (i.e. at a cost of $100).  A few days later the cat climbed up in the tree again.  This time they waited 3 days and the cat came down to a level that they could rescue it.  Then in a few days the cat climbed up there again.  My friend said--Either it is going to starve to death or come down or die of lead poisoning.  After 4 days, it came down.  Saturday questions--Where was their critical mistake?  Who was the dumbest, the cat or our friends?  Only kidding my friends!!!!  Only kidding.  It takes real folks with good hearts and a thick pocketbook (i.e. confident folks) to tell me that story.  Oh ya!  That's why we like these folks soooooo much.  Such is life.

It was a critical mistake that those vines weren't cut when small!!  I volunteered to cut the suckers out of the evergreens trees at the golf course (i.e. lot bigger job than I thought).  Paul and Jim did it a couple of years ago I was told but there were a lot of suckers that came back.  Some were already 12+ feet tall.  ANYWAY there is one tree that never got any attention.  It was in the no-mow area behind the burn pile (i.e. back part of the course where it wasn't seen much).  When I walk on the course, I go by there.  Have for years.  Always felt sorry for that tree as the vines about choked it to death (i.e. leaches).  The tree was fighting for its life.  Soooo I cut the vines at ground level and gave that tree a chance to live.  The vines are really intertwined on the tree sooo I couldn't pull them out.  I guess they will decay or just stay there.  Those vines have deformed the tree (i.e. scarred it for its life).  Soooooo, can you think of any parallels for this scenario? 

Those shitin birds!  Most of the suckers under the evergreen trees are Mulberry bushes.  That is 'cause birds like Mulberries, eat them, sit in the evergreen trees, shit, and then we have Mulberry suckers.  Sooo I blame all my work and effort on those shitin birds.  Such is life.

Critical mistake!  WildWillie says--Before most unbelievers accept a person as genuine, they want to know that they are credible.  Soooo folks, don't listen to folks who are not credible.  It will save a lot of problems in your life.  Anyone can talk...!  DuaneTheWorm is not genuine sooooo he's not credible.  Mimic good folks and life will be much better.  JoeBow says--Yabut, sometimes we become numb to what is good and what is bad.  Ouchy ouchy!

AverageJoe says--Some critical mistakes could seriously kill a person, soooo pay attention!  Life is not a sing-along!

Daddy's advice!  My Daddy, Chester, would say--erv, learn from others' "critical mistakes".  It's less expensive and doesn't hurt near as much.  Such is life.  You English majors--How do I know when to use other's and others'?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--The odds are always with you if you keep trying.

PS  Next year when it's "sucker trimming days at the old golf course" I'm going to give the opportunity to someone else (i.e. pass on the opportunity).  I would love to do it again but I checked my calendar and I have funerals to attend those days!!!! 

 

fascinate

Joesixpack asks--How would you feel if your thoughts were broadcast on a loudspeaker for all to hear?

TeacherLois was teaching vocabulary and was teaching the meaning of fascinate.  She asked the young students if anyone could use fascinate in a sentence.  Patty said--We went to the zoo and it was fascinating.  Well, fascinating is a form of fascinate.  Can someone else use the word fascinate in a sentence.  Carol said--We went to the zoo and we were fascinated.  Well, fascinated is a form of fascinate.  Can anyone else use the fascinate in a sentence.  Harry said--My aunt is very busty.  She has 12 buttons on her blouse but can only fasen 8!

SusieQ says--I know ItchieBitchie is lying.  Yes I do. MagicalTed asks--How do you know that ItchieBitchie is lying SusieQ?  The reason why I know that is 'cause his lips are moving (i.e. liar liar pants on fire).  Talk about lying.  Who is the biggest liar ever?  I think it might be the devil.  Could be!  That sucker is really good at it.  Oh ya!  Don't ever try to argue with the devil.  He's better at arguing than you are, having had thousands of years to practice.  That is fascinating folks.  Oh ya!

GeorgeTheCrook says--Money always gets playing time, oh ya!  Some call it The Green Eyed Monster!  Hunter Maham was leading the Canadian Open Golf Tournament.  He was on the practice range when he got a call that his wife was in labor.  He walked away to be with her.  I heard a local tv sports announcer when asked if he would do that say--If I had Hunter Maham's money I would.  Sooo the news announcer asked him--would you do that then--I have to say I would 'cause otherwise I will get hate mail (i.e. being politically correct).  Da!  Soooo folks, would an average guy who makes just enough to pay the bills, walk off the course giving up a chance to make a million dollars plus a chance to enable him to make much more in the future (i.e. maybe even secure his financial future)?  Money always gets playing time!  Money fascinates me!  Oh ya!  Saturday question--What would  you do?  What would your wife want you to do?  Would she like the million bucks?  Saturday question--How many military guys aren't home when their child is born?  If it was the second  child, would that make a difference?  MissPerfect says--When our first kid dropped its pacifier, we boiled it for ten minutes.  When our second child dropped its pacifier, we told the dog to fetch it.  The first kid gets a million pictures; the second one gets a few!  The first kid gets many visitors at the hospital, the second kid gets a few to none.  The first kid gets more cloths than he could wear in a 100 years, the fourth kid wears hand-me-downs!  The 6th kid, folks say--oh really, the sixth kid (i.e. I must have missed the 5th one)!!

I asked a friend--How many $$$ do you make detasseling corn?  They start out at $8 a hour and get a dollar more for each year they work.  Soooo he makes $10 plus bonuses such as work every day, wear all safety equipment, if the field passes in two runs etc.  He worked 6 hours the day I talked to him and the day before he worked 12.  It's not doctor wages but for a teenager, not bad.  Some teens just sit on couch and eat chips and complain to the government (i.e. that seems to work tooooo in our current culture).  I wonder who taught them that anyway!  Huh, interesting. 

Bonuses a.k.a $$$ motivates folks.  Oh ya.  That is why church can be soooo difficult.  If a  person doesn't have a passion, you can't motivate them with $$$ (i.e. a carrot) or threaten to fire them.  I guess the pastor is the only one!  Ouchy ouchy!  What is the church rule--Something like 10% of the folks do 90% of the work (i.e. and 10% of the people give 90% of the $$$--I don't know what the rule is as far as complainers is). And without any bonuses!   CadillacJack say--Yabut the 90% that don't do anything are out there making $$$ (i.e. gettin'richer) while the 10% are working for nutten!  Such is life.

GeorgeTheCrook says--Borrow money from pessimists as they don't expect to get it back!

Luck fascinates me!  LuckieEddie says--There is luck in everything.  Oh ya!  Yes sir baby and I don't mean maybe!  I have heard some unlucky stories lately by some good folks and by some bad folks.  I also heard some very good lucky stories by some very bad folks and some very good folks.  Huh, interesting.  It seems to me that good happens to all and bad happens to all.  Not all in the same portion or severity.  I sure don't like the bad luck though!  Sooooo do we make our luck?  Some folks think we do and others don't think sooooo.  What do you think?  SusieQ says--If I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck at all!

A 14 year old friend says--My luck!  Our son told me that we are probably living in the best part of history (i.e. and we still complain).  What!!  A golf buddy sent me this--"The Great Depression's motto was: "Use it up -- wear it out", make it do or do without!!!!! This reminds me to be grateful
for what I do have..... Start each day with a smile and a prayer ... Then pass it on.

Are you lucky to be around good folks?  I am not in the "inner group" but sometimes do participate with them (i.e. I'm not as fanatic about their hobby as they are).  ANYWAY, recently I was with this group and heard part of the "inner group" talk about one of the "inner group" who wasn't there.  They were not saying nice things about him. Ouchy ouchy! That fascinates me (i.e. who needs enemies when you have friends like that).  Saturday question--Do you every do that?  Our pastor spoke about when Jesus asked his "inner group"--Who do they say I am (i.e. they being the public)?  Who do you (i.e. the inner group) say I am?  I wonder if many times we ain't what we think we are looked at by other folks' evaluation; even our "inner group"!  I wonder.  I wonder what folks say behind my back.  Does it really matter do you think?  How does a guy find out what others think of you anyway? 

 

Being tough!  I am not tough enough.  Played in a little golf tournament last Saturday (i.e. 36 holes).  I was sorta kinda a little tired when I got done. Some folks are sooooo tough.  They fascinate me.  I have a friend who is really tough.  I mean really tough in sooooo many ways.  OldSchool says--The "real" world will chew you up and spit you out if you're not tough.  Technology has not changed that statement folks.    BookWriterPhil says--I live in this struggle between myth and reality, between "should be" and 'is."  Went camping once with a friend and tried to pitch my tent on granite ground.  Spent a half hour pounding in plastic stakes.  My friend said, "Phil, sometimes you just have to pitch your tent somewhere else."  This we call flexibility; if we're blessed, we learn it early.  If we don't, life is immeasurably more difficult than it needs to be.  Folks, I'm learning flexibility every day.  Yes I am.  How about you, are you learning flexibility tooooooo?

I recently played in a foursome including TheChampionGamePlayer.  He got in the head of a friend.  They are both very competitive and my friend knows that TheChampionGamePlayer plays games with his mind.  Well, he was not tough enough to handle it and man, it affected him.  Another friend in our foursome told me that many many years ago at Hampton we were playing together.  He said he was playing well and I complimented him how he was getting his hips through the ball.  He said after that I kept thinking about getting my hips through and played terrible.  I thought that was funny!  And he remembered that!  Moral of the story--Ya gotta sorta kinda have toooooo be tough to play with TheChampionGamePlayer.  If you aren't tough, the space between the ears can be affected folks.  Oh ya!

You have to have thick skin to ask for criticism and then hear it and then accept it and then act on it.  Many folks aren't that tough.  They don't want to know.  Some house sellers will hire a stagger to come in and stage their house (i.e. tell them what they need to do to improve their chances of selling their house).  Many times, the staggers will tell the sellers things they don't like to hear.  Your house is a mess, you need to clean it up; you need to hire a professional cleaner and clean your house; you need to replace your carpet; you need to rent new furniture; you need to paint the interior walls; you need to get rid of  half your furniture.  When it comes to making money, usually folks are more receptive to listening.  Big folks can accept criticism (i.e. even ask for it) and move forward; little folks can't.  That fascinates me how some can and some can't.  Such is life.

Dog owners fascinate me!  This is fascinating to me--In general, mankind, since the improvement of cookery, eats twice as much as nature requires (i.e. eat like dogs).  Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)~  This also fascinates me about folks in our current culture--When I run early in the morning on my usual 2.5 mile route on the streets of Aplington, the dogs in folks' houses bark when I run by.  Who would want a dog(s) barking every time someone runs by at 6 in the morning.  Who would like to be sleeping at 6 and have your dogs wake you up all the time (i.e. not me for sure).  Such is life in different folks house than ours!  Dogs use to be used for work with livestock, hunting or watch dogs.  Oh how things have changed.  Fascinating to me!  AverageJoe says--Many years ago the poor people were skinny and the rich were fat (i.e. a sign of wealth).  That's not the case anymore.  Why is that?

I was getting gas the other day (i.e. not gas like a fart but gas for my car) when a lady and her kids came out of a house by the gas station (i.e. must have been a daughter of the house owners visiting).  ANYWAY the neighbor was standing out front of his house watching his dog "do his thing".  This gal says to him--Your dog sure barks a lot and loud.  It's very annoying and you are obnoxious.  Don't you hear it?  I'm sure glad I don't live next to you.  And let me tell ya, you should be glad I don't either!!!!  Ouchy ouchy!   I think some dog owners must be deaf; I really do think soooooo.  That fascinates me that they don't hear the dogs bark or can put up with it (i.e. just tune it out).  Just fascinates me!

Fascinates me how different folks handle their drinking problem.  It's not opposing world views but folks have different recognition and also take different actions.  Oh ya!  I was watching the Open and there was a clip about Ernie Els.  He recognized that he had a drinking problem that might be affecting his golf game (i.e. I wonder if it was affecting his golf game if it also wasn't affecting other parts of his life).  ANYWAY he made a change.  It fascinates me how some can recognize something and make a change and others can't.  Such is life.

A MN golf buddy told me a little of his story recently.  He was divorced after maybe 12 years, filed bankruptcy, quite a serious drinking problem, quit smoking, started a successful business. eventually started dating a woman, married her after about 12 years, and seems quite happy and seems to have his life under control.  He said--I just try the best I can.  I call him my hero!

CrazyMarvin says--Alcohol does not make you fat.  It makes  you lean.  Against tables, chairs, floors and stupid people! OverTheTopSharon says--It fascinates me how we can justify stuff in our lives.

We helped Chet and Jessica move Thursday (i.e. I was tired at the end of the day let me tell ya--not very tough).  We picked up some pizza and some beer at HyVee.  I asked Ivan, the check out guy--what beer to you sell the most of--Busch light--Is it the cheapest--yes it is,; folks like cheap beer; we sometimes have it on sale for $11; can't seem to keep a supply in the coolers--$11  a 12 pack (i.e. I don't buy much beer)--no no a 24 pack; that's a lot cheaper than the $8 a six pack you just paid for that Samuel Adams; but we sale a lot of Samuel Adams toooooo!

The human mind fascinates me!  NE IA Steve says--Your mind is a wonderful thing, it can make fantasy seem like reality (i.e. isn't that fascinating).  On the 5th tee the other day, a 77 year old guy playing in our group took a chew of tobacco.  I asked him how long has he been chewing--60 years (i.e. ya gotta be pretty tough to chew for 60 years or dumb).  Says he has never had worms!!!  His playing partner is a ball hunter at our course.  He hunts balls and gives many of them to our course for resale or for the driving range.  Sooooo BallHuntin'Man, how many do you find in a year--maybe 25 dozen--how many years have you been doing this--maybe 10 years--sooooo that's about 3,000 balls--ya I guess sooooo--soooo where do you find most of them--wouldn't you like to know!!!--he's much like a mushroom hunter I guess.  That fascinates me.  Like I really care; I must have 5 dozen new ones on a shelve in the garage that I won or were given to me over the years.  But I do fine balls (i.e. by looking for my ball or others balls) and give them to my young golf buddies. 

Cadillac Jack was dinning at a fancy restaurant.  The waiter gave him his bill.  CadillacJack asked the waiter if he would like a tip--Of course I would--Don't chase wild women! 

What does a hurricane, tornado, and a red neck divorce have in common?  Someone is loosing a trailer!

MyMomAnna, would say--erv, your personality is how you act around others and your character is how you act when you are alone.  JoeBlow says--Character is often determined not by when we do what we must, but by when we do what is voluntary. It is tested far more by charity, than obligation. 
It appears not so much in what the public sees, but shows itself clearer in what is done in private.  AsSweetAsHoneyKatie says--Doing my best at this present moment puts me in the best place for the next moment.

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

erv

MyFriendJean a.k.a. one tough cookie says--Its good to be blessed.  Its better to be a blessing.

pride and ride

Blondie says--When we were on our way home from Holland, Mich. we passed a bus that said - Erv's Bus Service." I yelled at Buggsy to look. Their motto on the bottom of the bus was "We take pride in your ride.". I said that you could use that as one of your themes!!!!!!  I just thought that it was great, and they spelled your name right. Pride and ride could be fun words for you to work with. Anyway, I thought of you. I'm one of the people that do read your weekly missile.

I played with MyFriendGeno in his member guest golf tournament last weekend at Rolling Hills Golf Club just west of Westbrook, MN. It has been 33 years ago when we started this fun activity (i.e. I missed one year in 33 years--Jackie Lindaman's wedding).  A lot of fun (i.e. much pride in our ride).  The picture is with MyFriendGeno and Jr and Curt and their buddy Ahhshit!  Us four had many many good times through the years.  We were rolling dice for breakfast.  I said--I don't throw dice for breakfast on a Sunday morning with a couple of Baptist very often.  I asked Curt if he was still a Baptist--no, I went from Baptist to heathen!  After we played Saturday, Jr had to go home to get in the hot tub with Joyce and Brandy.  Jr isn't kinky, Joyce is his wife and brandy is just that, brandy!  Ahhshit use to be a tree just west of the 9th green.  One year we were leading the tournament and I hit that tree on the second 9 and went out of bounds--lost the tournament.  We did win the tournament 5 times but this year we were no longer in the championship flight (i.e. I think that means we are getting older). Such is life.

Do you take pride in your ride?  Do you take pride in improving the ride of others?  ItchieBitchie says--I have learned that my ride on this earth is much more fun and rewarding when I help others (i.e. think of others more instead of always thinking of my self).  You don't want to be around DuaneTheWorm toooo much.  CadillacJack just got a huge family inheritance.  He now has no interest in helping others (i.e. he now just thinks of himself).  Huh, interesting.  Why would a person change do you think?  And the universal answer is-------MONEY!  WiseOldJim says--Pride can cause us to lose a lot of things, like perspective and faith and compassion!  Ouchy ouchy!

Measuring up! 
There are times in my ride that I have a lot of pride (i.e. toooo prideful, full of pride--overthetop pride a.k.a. ugly pride). I really get humbled; have many times, many many times. All I can say folks is--God, please be merciful to me. Joesixpack say--One thing the worshiping of God costs us is our self-centeredness! You just can't be a be a phony like DuaneTheWorm and worship God. You just can't.

Judging folks' pride in their ride!  How does SusieQ treat a person she doesn't know? Observe how a person treats someone she barely knows. This is what I call a "taxi driver or server test." Does the person have the openness and yes, kindness, to have a real conversation with a waiter at a restaurant or the driver of a taxi? Does she ignore them or treat them rudely?  My Daddy, Chester, use to tell me--erv, the good folks are kind to less fortunate folks, older folks, and little kids (i.e. folks who can't repay their kindness--do it for just being nice and not for attention or to look important).  I think that is called your character--the pride in your ride! 

I had an interesting experience the other day.  I was visiting with a fellow church person.  She asked me about a certain person.  I told her that it has been very hard for me to get to know him.  She said, the same for me.  Sooooo others must think the same.  We aren't no super humans (i.e. at least I'm not).  Then in the afternoon, I was playing golf with my buddies and said something about another golf buddy that I though he was pretty hard on another golf buddy recently (i.e. gave him a hard time to a point that it wasn't fun for me).  Another golf buddy said about the critical guy--he's sorta kinda that way.  I thought that but he thinks the same.  Sooooo folks, maybe we seeee folks somewhat the same,  Maybe!  Just maybe.  Soooo maybe my Daddy, Chester, was right again when he said--If you are good, you don't need to tell anyone; they all know.  If  you are bad, well, put it this way, maybe everyone knows that toooooo.  You think soooooo?  Pride and the ride!!!

JoeBlow's good advice--Don't get SlipperSlimySlick in your grill.  He's nasty.  And he's hard to get ride of tooooo!  Soooo be careful folks.  SlippperSlimySlick has an awful lot (i.e. toooooo much) pride in his ride. 

Parents have pride in the ride of their children no matter what age their children are.  FriendSeniorJudy said to me--We senior parents think our children are the most important; our children don't thing we are the most important!  They have their own lives and own children!  And folks, that is hard for the children to understand and also hard for the senior adults to understand.  But both can be understood if we think about it a little. "When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years." ~Mark Twain~  MyFriendBill told us at breakfast recently when asked how many miles did he think he drove to see their grand kids in their activities last year--He said last year they figured they drove 8,000 miles   Wow!  That's a lot of pride in the ride.  Oh ya!

I like to have a pecan waffle at the Waffle Shop before or after riding bike on the Cedar Valley trials. I usually read the Des Moines paper and do sudoku while eating it. This place just fits me well. There is a waiter/cook/everything guy there who works 2 days a weeks plus his a full time job. His name is Ryan. I have observed him many times as to how he handles people. He does a real nice job. Sooooo I asked him the other day where he got his people skills--Mainly from my parents. They had very good manners. I have very good parents. Sooooo Ryan have you told them that?   Kinda maybe. Ryan, you need to send them a note telling them that. You just need toooo. I wonder if he did.  I saw Ryan and asked him if he contacted his parents--he did--what was their response--like ok, they didn't seem to get toooo excited--they were excited Ryan, they just didn't show it let me tell ya. 

A few moments after the daughter announced her engagement, her Father asked, "Does this fellow have any money?"  The daughter shook her head sadly.  "Oh Daddy! You men are all alike."  Sighing deeply, she replied, "That's exactly what he asked me about you."

I talked to SandTrapSally at the golf tournament (i.e. not her real name put was the name on the beverage cart).  She was a cute blond working the beverage cart (i.e. wanting big tips).  Geno told me that she scored over a 1,000 points in her high school basketball career.  Soooo are you going to play college ball--no, I'm going to concentrate on the academics. 

I was told this story about an Aplington-Parkersburg grad.  He was a football player and wants to play in college.  His father asked him--In the last 10 years how many football players of A-P that went on to play at college level played all four years?  He couldn't think of any (i.e. I'm sure there are some).  Dad was more concerned about his academic side.  One smart dad. 

Curt told me that his son is going to the U of M and to study to be a doctor.  He told me he has done well academically and has a heart for people.  He works in a nursing home with the elderly and really enjoys it.  I think he was very proud of his son.  Folks, there is more to life that athletics.  Much more.   BUT athletics seems to get most of the glory (i.e. a lot of peer group pressure on the kids and on the parents).  Maybe strong on the "seems tooooooo"!  We seem to forget about all the injuries (e.g. bad knees and etc).  Parents have a lot of pride in their ride!

It caused him to studder step!  Pride in his ride! I did a volunteer project with a couple of guys the other morning. I asked SteveWtihTheBrokenFoot (i.e. broke it hoeing the garden) when we got done with our project, what he was going to do the rest of the day? He said--I usually do two projects a day; and one is taking a nap!   Such is life.  MissPerfect says--And that's not hard to believe!  What's that MissPerfect?  That AverageJoe isn't very tough.  You can't get very tough when your main physical activity is sitting on the couch eating chips.  There is an outside chance that he might change (i.e. heavy on the outside chance).  It's getting to the time where the "count is full" and something is going to happen (i.e. either go forward and get on base or strike out--you can't stay the same anymore).  Tick tock tick tock--time is almost up folks. 

A gal at church told me this story:  Her nephew is quite tall.  Many folks say to him--Man, you are tall; how tall are you anyway (i.e. maybe a conversation starter)?  He always wonders why folks ask him that.  They don't say to a person who is quite heavy; Man, you are heavy; how much do you weigh anyway?  Maybe different pride in the ride!  You think soooooo?

"People don't follow your position or your technique. They follow you. If you're not the genuine article, can you really expect others to want to follow?" - Kouzes and Posner in "The Leadership Challenge"  Seeeeee, soooooo be the real deal; don't be a DuaneTheWorm who is a phony.  CrazyMarvin says--Do what all goooooood folks do--make others looooook better than they really are (i.e. now folks, that is not being self-centered).  Such is life.

NerveWrackin'!  Joesixpack says--It can be nervewrackin' to do the right thing instead of doing what is most popular.  It's a lot easier to smile and shake your head vertically (i.e. a lot better for business toooooo or is it in the long run).  I have said many times--Just shake your head upanddown and say, yes sweetheart and life is much better--Remember--A happy wife is a happy life.  ~  One morning on my everyotherday2.5milerun, I met another Aplingtonite walking.  He can't hear very well.  I said something to him which he didn't hear sooooo he just smiled and shock his head vertically.  That's always a safe and effective move   Seeeee!  Pride in your ride.

GeorgeTheCrook says--If we can control our pride, we will have a lot of sunny days here on this earth.  Yabut, dysfunctional and functional is changing constantly GeorgeTheCrook.  What use to be dysfunctional seems to be functional and what use to functual seems to be almost dysfunctional.  Almost!  It's goofy folks.  Goofy! The pride in the ride has and is changing (e.g. use to be a good thing to have no debt--nowadays it doesn't seem that way--I still like no debt--must be from the old school--huh, interesting).  My Daddy, Chester, taught me--Interest is something you receive, not pay out.  He taught me only to borrow money on things that appreciate, never on anything that depreciates(e.g. cars, boats etc).    TypicalAmericanFred says--erv, you are out of it (i.e. wacko); it's American to have a huge massive debt!  Ya gotta have a lot of stuff and if it takes debt to get all that stuff; we will find some credit some where; we gotta have more stuff!  Ya gotta have a lot of stuff; it's American!  DGA said on facebook--We don't need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful.

DuaneTheWorm has a lot of pride in his ride.  WildWillie even questions what goesoninthe weasel's mind.  When we think our thoughts are the truth but don't know that they aren't, well, that could be a problem (i.e. False Evidence Appearing Real).  And you know what, that is hard to change.  They have thought that way for a long time.  Maybe it's impossible to change.  Ok, maybe round the corners a little--big on the word maybe.  Some folks in our neighborhood have this banner by their drive (i.e. must be Harley owners I suspect).  Harley owners have a lot of pride in their ride.  Hi ho Silver!...Away!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Friends are like snow flakes--none of them are the same.
 

least resistance

Violets come into my lawn (i.e. pesty and persistent).  They appear where the lawn is thin (i.e. never where the lawn is thick).  They take the path of least resistance.  Huh, interesting! 

AverageJoe says--Get around good folks and life will be a lot easier.  It keeps the crap from creeping into your life.  Soooo true AverageJoe.  Crap comes in when there is no resistance.  Good folks are the resistance.  What goes in will come out.  Or, what you think is what you'll be.  GeorgeTheCrook says--The way you see your life shapes your life. Such is life.

When our family was home recently, James gave us a hard time that there wasn't as many pictures of Heather and his children as of Chet and Jess' children on the refrigerator.  Well James, it's 'cause they send us prints sooooo alllllll we have to do it put them on the refrigerator (i.e. least resistance).  BUT James, just relax, I have purchased some prints on line from Wal-Mat (i.e. a place of least resistance).  I ordered 5 prints (i.e. 3 of your kids and 2 of Chet and Jess' kids).  Total cost was 48 cents and Wal-Mart sent them to our house free.  How can they do that anyway (i.e. least resistance).  BUT everybody is happy!!!!  Such is life.

I was telling my golf buddies on #5 tee box the other day that I was riding bike the day before when I got a gnat in my ear.  When I went to bed that night, that sucker was still alive in my ear.  It was crawling around soooooo I put that ear on the pillow.  Either it came out or died as I didn't feel it anymore.  NeverMissFrank said--You should of just gone into the other ear got that sucker (i.e. the path of least resistance)!  ~  My golf buddy who I rode that that day told me he had 40 to 50 golf shirts!  What!!! Really!!!  When you get home count them and let me know.  He emailed me--I counted 57 in my closet but probably have some in storage. ~  DaveSays--Hit it to the right, it makes the hole much shorter (i.e. path of least resistance). We heard this on several holes.  Then another golf buddy said--Ya don't want to be right all the time or you will get audited!!!

My Daddy, Chester, use to tell me--Lazy folks are innovative.  They create stuff to make their life easier and faster with less effort.  It's a path of least resistance.  I was watching a robin pull a night crawler out of the ground the other day.  The night crawler was resisting being pulled out.  The bird instinctively knew just how to do it.  It would pull for a time and then wait and then pull again and then wait.  If the bird would have pulled hard the night crawler would have come apart.  Ya gotta apply just the right amount of pressure.  How did that bird learn that anyway?  Or was that bird just a regular Christopher Columbus? 

Justtellin'thetruth!  An elderly man was stopped by the police around 2 a.m. and was asked where he was going at that time of night.  The man replied, "I'm on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking and staying out late."  The officer then asked, "Really? Who's giving that lecture at this time of night?"  The man replied, "That would be my wife."

I sometimes take the path of least resistance and it causes me problems.  I enjoy doing sudoku.  I get lazy and don't always double check my enters (i.e. get cocky especially when I have done well for a while).  I get all puffed up (i.e. big head).  And then I have problems (i.e. get humbled).  Either I need to learn to not make mistakes or put the extra work into it.  Saturday question--Do you ever take the path of least resistance and have problems later?

Different ideas as to what it takes to make the cut!  There are atheists and agnostics, and worshipers.  There are folks who believe to have salvation you just need to baptised as a baby, some believe you need to have an intercessor pray for you for forgiveness and then pay a fee, some believe you are saved by your good works, some believe you are saved by following a bunch of rules, some believe you are saved as Jesus Christ being the Saviour and whoever believes in Him will be saved (i.e. free and simple), some believe that everyone is saved, some believe that they are chosen folks and part of some elite holy huddle and everyone else is doomed, some believe in  double predestination (i.e. you are predestined to go to heaven or hell and you have nothing to say about it), etc.  WOW!  There are a lot of choices.  Many just take the path of least resistance (i.e. it's cheaper and less time consuming)!  LuckieEddie says--I really don't care about salvation and religion and that kind of stuff; I don't have a dog in the fight (i.e. I really don't care; I'm lucky and I will just take my changes).  LuckieEddie, are you capable of grading your own paper?  Saturday question--What do you think it takes to be "good to go" a.k.a. "made in the shade"?

Laugh! When you don’t know whether to laugh or cry, laugh. Does your church (i.e. the people) laugh a lot? It appears to me folks like to go to a church that is happy and laughs a lot (i.e. church of least resistance).  SusieQ says--That’s the church where I’m going to go (i.e. where folks laugh a lot)!  JoeBow says--Laughter—maybe not the best medicine, but a good one! Saturday question--Is the church you attend fun to go to? Or is it boring and with no excitement or happiness? I think (i.e. my opinion), church should be an uplifting experience and not a drudgery. If it's a drudgery, folks just won't gooooo. I don't blame them. It's not that complicated folks. Joesixpack says--No Matter Who You Are, No Matter What You Do, You Absolutely, Positively Do Have The Power To Change. SusieQ, I don't know for sure if you are a Bozo or not BUT if your are, here is something to think about-----If your actions do not speak louder than your words, the less you say the better! Ouchy ouchy!

Aren't we something!  We think we are in charge and think we can fix most almost anything.  Then along comes something that we aren't in charge of or we can't fix (i.e. our hands are off the wheel), then we say--God fix it willya!  And RIGHTNOW!  ItchieBitchie says--Sometimes I lie awake at night, and ask, God "Where have I gone wrong"!  Then a voice says to me--This is going to take more than one night.  We take the path of least resistance.  To God be the glory great things He has done. Give Him the glory, great things He has done. Thanksamillion God. I lift you up and glorify you. I'm sorry when I blow it but you are my Savior. You understand me and love me. As ClassmateLowellOfClassOf63 told me--By His grace things happen. That about says it all.  

I was looking for an item at a speciality store the other day. They didn't have it. I saw a tee shirt (i.e. I like tee shirts) and it had a sale price sticker on it of 97 cents. Sooooo I took it up to the check out and asked the gal if that 97 cents was right--sure is--you can't beat that--she said, you can't beat that with a stick. The path of least resistance is the price. If it was $5, I would not have bought it. But at 97 cents I bought it. Such is life.

Limp along!  Joesixpack said--Ya gotta get a grip on it!  Get a grip on it like a grip you can get with a vise-grip.  I found this sucker on the road while biking (i.e. my normal route to Kesley corner and back 11.2 miles).  I gave it to my churchbuddy as he is very mechanical and probably could use another.  Besides I already have a couple.  But those suckers can really get a grip on things.  Oh ya!  A friend told me that her husband shuffles his feet but doesn't have tooooo but just does.  How come I asked--'Casue I guess he wants tooooo.  Many of our churches do just that--limp along.  How come--'Cause I guess they want to (i.e. least resistance).  Get a grip on it folks!  It's time to move forward. 

He will limp along. He has no choice.  Ouchy ouchy!  I asked an acquittance at breakfast recently if he would like to join us playing pickleball.  He said--I use to play a lot and was quite good at it.  BUT I can't play with you guys--yes you can--no I can't--why not--can't see very well anymore.  I went for several years with my sight getting worse and finally I went in to see what was going on.  I have glaucoma.  And nothing can be done for me.  If I would have gone in earlier, all I would have had to do was put drops in my eyes.  Soooo...the moral of the story is...!

WildWilly says--Some folks just seem to limp through life.  They don't seem to be able to make any worthwhile relationships (i.e. don't seem to connect with others).  They are always trying to impress folks (i.e. DuaneTheWorm).  Seem to always take the path of least resistance.  Does this person feel authentic or obsequious? There is nothing flattering about false praise, or people trying too hard to impress. Really good people don't feel the need to "suck up." Those who can just be themselves are more pleasant to be around (i.e. real folks with good hearts).  CadillacJack says--Life without God is like an non-sharpened pencil. It has no point.

My classmate "The Zenker" sent me this pic at our classof63reunion.  It's CoachBlack (i.e. my high school bb coach, me and a couple of my classmates.  Good memories.
 
Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans. (-:

erv

MyFriendJean says--True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.

PS Here is a response I got from last week--erv, at our Mesa condo I have a very similar sign in the kitchen..."Enjoy yourself...it's later than you think"...and at our age erv, I think I'll enjoy myself fast! 

eye witness

Disclaimer--All blog characters are not human.  They are just imaginary folks.  Sooooo don't make any of them you.  Okay?  They are just fun names. 

Joesixpack said to me--erv, I had a good feeling about you but I then realized it was just gas!  Ouchy ouchy!  Joesixpack, you have lot bigger fish to fry than me!  I'm just a little perch in your world.  And that is ok!  Such is life.

I swear to tell the truth the whole truth soooo help me God (i.e. he said that with his hand on a Bible).  ItchieBitchie says--I was an eye witness and I saw the whole thing.  Are you sure you saw everything and remember everything ItchieBitchie--Yes I am.  I've heard that before only to find out that the eye witness was wrong!  In some cases, dead wrong!  Experiments have been done where a person will go into a meeting and hand the presenter a message and then leave.  The folks in attendance are given a quiz as to what they saw.  Everyone sees something different (i.e. like some saw a female and others a male).  Some saw a black person and others a while person.  Da!  That is why DNA and surveillance cameras are soooooo much more accurate than a eye witness.  Yes, ItchieBitchie did tell the truth, the whole truth sooooo help me God.  BUT it was the truth as he processed the information in his brain (i.e. and that isn't always the actual truth).  Such is life.

I am an eye witness to this guy and he's not just a "run of the mill" person.  He is a real guy with a good heart (i.e. my kind of person).  He's a friend and a golf buddy.  He sent me this email--

Erv Just read this morning 1Tim 6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. Sometimes I feel the older I get the more frustrated I become, instead of being more contented and thankful. What's up with that?  ~  Relationships are not formed by talking about how much it rained or what the score of the game was or what is the price of corn or gossip.  Oh no!  A relationship is formed by being venerable (i.e. taking a risk in maybe getting hurt by sharing your heart--sometimes it feels like taking a bullet to the heart).  Being authentic.  Being real.  NOT being a DuaneTheWorm and always being phonyandshowyandself-centered (i.e. doing everything for one purpose--glorifying himself).     

Oblivious!  A golf buddy was telling me about his difficult family situation.  I asked him how he deals with that?  He said--I become oblivious to it.  Oblivious!  A couple of golf buddies in AZ told me about their difficult family situations.  I said to them, wow!  How do you  handle them--That's why I'm in AZ!  When I'm around it tooooo much, fur flies!  Out of site out of mind.  They become unconscious to the situations (i.e. temporally anyway).  Such is life.

My friend Bear WasAnEyeWitness--This week, we're up at our daughter's in Seattle. They just had daughter # 4. That's "4 under 4"! It's crazy up there. I wear ear plugs and have to take some "time-outs"! Gee whiz that's a lot of kids in four years.  Gee whiz folks!  That will go into my gee whiz file.  Gee whiz folks I can hardly believe that...!.  CrazyWilma said--I saw it with my own eyes.  Yabut those 12 beers might have affected your sight CrazyWilma.  I don't think there were really 4 elephants on the road which you had to swerve to miss which caused you to hit the tree.  CrazyWilma said--Okay maybe there were only 3!  Or maybe 6, they were rather fuzzy!  I know I missed them and then that tree just jumped into my way!  What could I do.  Gee whiz those suckers were big let me tell ya!

BridgeLadySally (i.e. she's nasty--her hooks have barbs on them) said after telling some juice gossip before playing her card--I saw it with my own eyes soooo I know it's right!  Do we see things like we want to see them sometimes do you think?  Do you think sometimes we see things like the way we have been programed in our past?  Do you think that our eyes sometimes embellish certain things?  Surely not BirdgeLadySally!  She saw it with her own eyes.  MissPerfect says--Most of BirdgeLadySally's chatter is just "white noise" to me!  Ouchy ouchy!

AverageJoe says to GerogeTheCrook--I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you. I have been an eye witness to that statement.  You can't lie to folks and then say -- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it and I won't do it again.  Folks will just blow you off.  The trust has been broken and never will be the same.  Never!  If it happens the second time, it just validates the first message.  Ouchy ouchy!  Folks know who you are, you have shown that; you can't take it back.  You can try to restore the damage but the damage has been done (i.e. not an easy fix).  Aonesmartman sent me this--What Dr. Brown learned about authenticity through her research turned out to surprise even her. "I thought going into it that there were authentic people and inauthentic people. I did not find any evidence of that at all," she tells Oprah in the video. "What I found is authenticity is a practice and you choose it every day -- sometimes every hour of every day."  AverageJoe says--once  you loose your authenticity, it's hard to get it back.  Oh ya!

I was an eye witness.  Our little neighbor friends and their friends came over the other night to sell Arlene and I a little cups of GatorAid to raise money to buy the camper that is for sale outside of town.  They wanted 25 cents a cup.  The camper is a motor home probably worth about $80,000.  The kids said--We are raising the money to buy it and our parents said they would pay for the insurance.  Isn't this fun!  I love kids. 

I was an eye witness to this discussion.  After golf the other day, a Catholic converted to Baptist, a Open Bible guy, and a retired Christian Reformed pastor and I were talking about reading the Bible. They tried to tell me that Catholics don't really read the Bible, just the Priests do (i.e. well, years ago it was in Latin--years ago most folks were illiterate--then came education and Luther and Calvin with the reformation and the printing press). I said, I can hardly believe that.  ~  Soooo I emailed my AZ golf buddies who are Catholic.  Here is one of the responses I got--CONFUSED ERV I DON,T READ READ THE BIBLE I JUST BELIEVE AND THAT IS THAT . I JUST GOLF AND HOPE I GET A GOOD SCORE. WITH GODS BLESSINGS . AND NO FOOT WEDGES  ~ 2 other of my golf buddies sent about the same message--Catholics are much like others in other Christian denominations; some read the Bible and some don't; some read it more than others.  Sounds pretty accurate to me (i.e. makes sense to me).  WildWilie says--Yabut fear and guilt are still big motivators in many religions of the world (i.e. raises a lot of money folks).  It's sometimes all about the money! 

It's hard to always evaluate stuff!  Some folks have visionary ability and some don't.  AverageJoe says--You either have it or you don't. Just look around and you can see that in folks (i.e. Vision - The ability to see what others do not see).  Some innate qualities you either have or you don't have (i.e. they can't be learned).  Some folks are creative and innovative and some aren't.  Some folks can connect with others and some can't.  Some can see a good investment and some can't.  Some are funny and some aren't (i.e. even though they think they are). Some can see trouble and some can't.  Some can see the direction that needs to be taken and some can't.  A business woman told me this example--She has two gals who work for here.  One is very good at displaying and the other is not.  She had the one who is good work with the one who isn't.  There was no improvement (i.e. she was still terrible).  Sooooo we need to decide if we have vision or not.  If we don't, we need to hire or get around someone who does have that quality (i.e. my opinion). 

I was an eye witness to what he said and did.  GeorgeTheThudwacker, not GeorgeTheCrook told me that he saw something on a billboard and acted on it.  It ended up being a good deal for his family.  Sooooo, many folks saw the billboard and  only a few acted on the opportunity.  It was a limited opportunity.  Why did some act fast and other didn't react at all?  Probably 'cause some don't take advantage of opportunities (i.e. don't have the vision of such things), some are not in a position to act, some times things just fall in a person's lap, and maybe some are not risk takers.  And there might be other reasons that we have no idea why.  BUT it was a good deal for him and his family.  MissPerfect says--Oh, when to act and when not to act, that is a hard decision sometimes.  Sometimes the window of opportunity is open just for a short period of time, and bingo, it's closed about as fast as it opens (e.g. mortgage interest rates or I should have bought farm ground). 

MissPerfect says--Judging on extrinsic and skill-based factors is a relatively objective and straightforward exercise. Gauging softer traits such as will or attitude is much, much harder, and takes one-on-one contact, attentive listening, and careful observations..You are right BrainSmartMissPerfect (i.e. my opinion).  But some folks have the vision to see that in folks and some don't and sometimes we get fooled.  Yes we do.  Once the honeymoon is over, the real person is revealed.  Such is life.

The constant internal debate!  SusieQ says--I was an eye witness to this--An overweight business associate of mine decided it was time to shed some excess pounds  He took his new diet seriously, even changing his driving route to avoid his favorite bakery.  One morning, however, he arrived at work carrying a gigantic coffeecake.  We all scolded him but his smile remained cherubic.  "This is a very special coffeecake," he explained.  "I accidentally drove by the bakery this morning and there in the window were a host of goodies.  I felt this was no accident, so I prayed, "Lord if you want me to have one of those delicious coffeecakes, let me have a parking place directly in front of the bakery."  "Sure enough," he continued, "the eighth time around the block. there it was!"  LittlePipsqueakKerri asks--What's the difference between "eating like a horse" or pigin' out? 

It's time for me to skedaddle folks.  I golfed with a group of golf buddies last Saturday.  Six of them for 10 years averaged 300  9-hole rounds a year (i.e. living in Iowa folks).  Wow!  ANYWAY Maverick (i.e. one of the golf buddies) calls me Malibu.  He reminded me of Harm at the Kesley grain elevator maybe 35 years ago.  Hank I feed some  hogs together for a couple of years.  Harm couldn't say my name soooo Harm called me Malibu.  Also a oldgolfbuddyJon (i.e. I miss him--he was sooooo fun to be around) of years ago use to call me Malibu tooooo.  Good memories.  Yabut how much golf is enough anyway a.k.a. the constant internal debate!  What is over the top?  What's over the top with anything?  Moderation my friends, moderation!

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

erv a.k.a. Malibu

MyFreindJeans says--Boys will be boys, and so will a lot of middle-aged men.

PS  I got this response from last week's "It's Saturday"--I just read a really good line in the new book by Khaled Hosseini, And the Mountain Echoed: "Time is like charm; you don't have as much as you think you do. " Good and true, huh?

complicatedcomplicatedcomplicated

LuckieEddie says--erv, what you write isn't very complicated (i.e. just hard to understand).  I would hope "It's Saturday" is like "going to a friend's house" (i.e. it feels that good and relaxing)!  Joesixpack says--Yabut, some times I don't hear what you are saying very well erv.  Joesixpack, that is true with all of us.  Here is an idea to improve you hearing.  Joesixpack--You do have a BIG belly but not soooooo big as in the guy in the picture (i.e. or is it a gal in the picture--gals have big bellies toooo you know)! 

ItchieBithie (i.e. life just seeeems to smile @ him) says--The modern relationship status indicator has a new term.  It's complicated.  No longer is it just married or single.  Now it's "in a relationship" or "it's complicated."  Married - it's complicated  Single - it's complicated  Divorced - it's complicated  In a relationship - it's complicated.  Sooooo since when has human relationships not been complicated?

It's not that complicated, really!  Rick Warren says--A pretentious, showy life (i.e. DuaneTheWorm style) is an empty life; a plain and simple life is a full life.  I read in another book--"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others".

Do you think Google has made life easier or more complicated?  How about cell phones?  How about cars?  How about round up?  LuckieEddie says--I don't know if I have more time to sit on the couch and eat chips now or before.  BUT I make sure I take the time to do that; it's one of my most ever favorite things of life!  It's not complicated let me tell ya!  And it gets results! 

MissPerfect says--I like it when the questions are complicated but the answers are simple.  That is a lot better than when the questions are simple and the answers are complicated!  Oh ya!  Sooo is this complicated or not?--One of the greatest things to know, and often the least known knowledge, ...is when you have enough.

Dufus!  Life seems complicated at times.  Oh yes.  Bubba Watson lost the Travelers Golf
Championship and sorta kinda blamed it on his caddy (i.e. you hit the shot bud------Bubba, you exaggerated the situation greatly).  He hit his tee shot in the water on 16.  Watson, meantime, was not asked about the incident during his open media session, but apparently snapped at a PGA Tour Reporter, "Don't try to make me look bad!"  No, he apparently did a fine job of that all by himself.  I tell Chet, it's a lot more fun to win than to lose!  I know a dufus.  I think this person will always be a dufus.  WildWillie says--You can't take the dufus out of a dufus!  I don't think Bubba is a dufus.  I think he was just mad at himself.  The dufus I know is a dufus 'cause he's a dufus.  That's just the way it is.  Saturday question--Do folks learn to be a dufus or is that just instinctive?

 

 

 

Decisions!  Life has an erosion effect on us.  What I mean is--Have you ever seen the Grand Canyon?  It was formed by erosion.  I think our lives are a form of erosion.  Events of life just keep grinding away at us making us who we are.  It's like being sand blasted for many years.  It's like getting stuck by a pin every day a.k.a. a constant reminder.  We have many choices in life.  Many.  We get to make many decisions and decisions have consequences folks.  Oh ya!  JoeBow says--While life offers many choices, eternity offers only two:  heaven or hell!  Ouchy ouchy!

DT said--Dad's, don't drop the ball with your daughters....the repercussions will be felt their entire lives.  Now that is a big responsibility guys (i.e. their entire lives).  Soooo you have to make that decision when your daughters are young and when you are young (i.e. not when they are old and you are old).  Sooooo step up to the plat now.  NOW!  Got it?  It's not that complicated guys.  My GolfBuddyFrank said to me--I got a lot smarter now that I'm older, at least on some things!!!!

Programed by our past!  I attended my 50th high school class reunion of good ol' Danube, MN High School.  26 of my 44 classmates attended.  4 are dead and 2 no one knows were they are.  It reminded me of two events of high school that really impacted my life big time.  One was getting the part of Barnabe Tucker in the Match Maker in our senior class play.  I was quite shy and didn't have an abundance of confidence.  It really changed me.  The second was at basketball practice during junior year.  At that practice I got the feeling that I couldn't miss.  Gave me great confidence.  Life changing.  Both of those events just fell into my lap. 

A friend told me about an event in her life at good old Danube High School that also was a life changer for her.  It toooo just fell into her lap sorta kinda by accident.  She wanted to be a cheerleader soooooo bad. There was no girl athletics back in 1963 soooo cheer leading was the thing.  The gals had to try out and then they would select the best 4.  Well the cheer leading sponsor (i.e. maybe a dufus) had a hard time keeping the the Pats straight.  Sooo when she announced the 4 cheerleaders at the student assembly , she got the wrong Pat.  Soooo instead of telling Pat she couldn't be a cheerleader, they had 5 cheerleaders that year (i.e. two Pat cheerleaders).  BUT that experience for the MistakePat was a life changer (i.e. a life changer 'cause of a mistake--opportunity).  Huh, interesting!

Okay I once again was reminded that I'm not much of an impact on folks (i.e. not near as important as I think I am and not very good with women).  Carol was the first girl I ever kissed.  It was in Roseland Elementary over by the swings.  I asked her about it at the reunion.  She didn't remember it.  ~  I was sooooo nervous but I asked Mary Jane (i.e. a pretty cheerleader) if I could drive her home after the sock hop after a football game.  I was surprised when she said yes.  I talked to her about it toooo at the reunion.  She tooo doesn't remember it!  ~  Shirley and I had birthdays a day apart soooo we were drivers ed partners learning in a Studebaker (i.e. that's right a Studebaker).  We had a good time together, sooooo gooood that we both flunked our drivers test for our license the first time.  I asked her about it at the reunion--She tooooo didn't remember it!  Now that is hard on a guy's confidence and ego let me tell ya!!!!  Such is life.

BUT I did impact classmateBill.  Bill came up to me and showed me his hand.  His hand had a bone that stuck out funny.  He said he got it trying to tackle me in practice one day and broke his hand.  Huh, interesting. 

When Heather and family were  home a few weeks ago for her 20th class reunion, we went to Legends Trail Golf course for breakfast.  There was a table of teachers (i.e. retired and active).  Heather told me a story of one of the retired teachers.  Sooo we went to the table and she told the story.  The retired teacher remembered the story like it was yesterday.  That was probably 23 years ago.  Here is the story: StudentBen was giving StudentJody a hard time constantly.  Mrs. Burman told Jody not to let him bother her as Ben's mother told me that the only way Ben knows how to put on his underwear in the morning was that the brown streak goes in the back and the yellow spot goes in the front.  ~  Mrs. Burman and I taught together 44 years ago (i.e. the few years I taught).  She and I would loosen the fuses in the hall fuse box and make the lights blink in a fellow teacher's classroom.  He would tell us about it time and time again and ask us if we had problems.  We told him he better see the janitor about that.  We did it many times.  What a hoot!

I volunteer at Wheaten Franciscan Health Care by doing the orientation for the volunteers.  Recently I had two going-to-be seniors in high school in the orientation.  Both of these guys had a full beard.  I don't remember any of my classmates having beards back in 1963.  Soooo what's the deal anyway!

ClassmateZenker told me he's a farmer.  He said it has been very good the last 5 years, very good.  SoooooClassmateZenker, do you have self-steer on your equipment (i.e. gps).  Ya I do.  I have 34 foot tillage equipment and set it for 33 and half feet sooooo I overlap 6 inches.  I thought there was something wrong as it seeeeemed sooooo far out there.  I must have been over lapping at least 10% all those years.  But he said, he has a hard time remembering how to run that stuff each spring.  His son says--It's not that complicated (i.e. a piece of cake)!!!

Living in the past!  Saturday morning before I left for my reunion, Arlene and I had breakfast with a young couple who are getting married this summer.  Katie told us that she didn't go back to her 5th year class reunion as many of her classmates still live in their high school past (i.e. very immature).  When you are out of high school 50 years your stardom of high school doesn't have much glory anymore although maybe some still think it does!  MissPerfect says--Just 'cuause you were the star athlete or cheerleader or whatever in high school doesn't make you a successful person.  I talked too probably 10 63classmates who have done very well who were not athletes at all or surely not the stars but who had great success stories.  Many, like me had pretty humble beginnings and surely were not the homecoming kings and queens in high school.  In fact, some of their stories are really something--and they were very humble about their accomplishments (e.g. my neighbor Jerry was raised on a farm across the section--his mother died when he was 13.  There probably wasn't much income in their family.  Jerry never was in athletics that I can remember yet he got his MBA.  He did not live or talk about the past but looked and talked about the future).  Such is life in America, the land of opportunities.

It's not complicated folks.  A couple of the most meaning conversations for me were with a couple of femaleclassmatesofclassof63.  One told me of her husband dieing of cancer and how difficult it was.  We talked about her strong faith in God and how important that was.  The other gal told me of the sudden death of one of their adult sons.  It to was/is soooo hard.  This is soul searching talking folks (i.e. talks with meaning and feeling). 

Something that really amazed me.  I heard no bragging about themselves, spouses, children or grandchildren.  SusieQ says--Maybe none of you had anything to brag about!!!!   Now that could be.  Real life of real folks.  Such is life.

America, oh America!  Our little Erin rode in the Breckenridge 4th of July parade with her Daddy.  She is riding in a Summit County Emergency vehicle.  Heather said she was worried though.  Worried that she wouldn't get any candy by not being on the curb.  Life is complicated for a 6 year old!  Such is life.

America is soooo great!  At times it seems democracy is complicated but America is soooooo great! 

Adeus amigos!  I enjoyed talking with you guys once again.  As Jonathon, a young man from church, said--But, just like peach pie at the church picnic, all great things have to come to an end at some point.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--May you never miss a rainbow because you are looking down.