Talk yourself right into it

She talked herself right into it! Helen Lescheid writes--A friend of mine, recovering from a deep depression, said his turnaround came when he realized, “I have a choice. I can continue to blame my upbringing, past traumatic experiences, and life’s injustices for the emotional mess I’m in, or I can focus on today and begin to take small steps of recovery.” Like him, I got myself out of a pit of self-pity and despair by focusing on the fact that if Jesus Christ lives in me, I’m a new creation. I can leave the old behind and claim my new position in Christ. But it was a choice I had to make many times a day. ItchieBitchiek says—I think they talked themselves right into it!

She talked me right into it! Yes she did. I was getting some information from city hall when Deb says—take a couple of light bulbs with you (i.e. new energy efficient ones). I said, na, I don’t think so. She said—they are free (i.e. she talked me right into it). She also said that in the near future we won’t be able to buy the old inefficient style if I like it or not (i.e. they talk me right into it by forcing me). Huh, interesting.

They talk you right into it (i.e. an old wise tale a.k.a. myth). You have been told this for years by your mom and grandma but it just ain’t true. You’ll get sick if you don’t dress warmly enough in cold weather. Fuwee! The only way you can get a cold is from a virus. And you know what’s the best way to prevent a cold? It’s by washing your hands with warm water, soap and friction (i.e. that’s no myth folks). Such is life.

I’m not hungry but it sure looks good says the demon in my head. I really don’t need it as I’m watching my weight but maybe this one time the daemon in my head says. Hey, no one is watching and no one will know now will they. But I want to loose weight and if I eat all the time I won’t loose weight. And the beat goes on! Okay, just this one time I will eat the chocolate, just this one time! She talked herself right into it. A friend who I was around recently lost 30 pounds and his wife says you have lost enough. You don’t need to loose any more weight. So how did you do it? He counted every calorie he ate—limited it to sooooooo many calories each day and did mild exercise. He lost 30 pounds—it’s really doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. There are all kinds of calorie counters on line. But the biggest thing a guy has to do is “talkhimselfintodoingit” or it just ain’t going to work. As my Daddy, Chester, always told me—The best discipline is self discipline. Very few folks have the that kind of discipline. I’m proud of my friend. So if my friend can talk himself into doing that, I guess you and I can talk ourselves into doing whatever we need to do. What do you think?

SusieQ was just going to look at the new outfits, wasn’t going to buy but those little voices in her head had conflicting ideas. Man, is this a cute outfit—I said I was not going to buy—it’s only a couple hundred dollars—I really don’t need it—it fits sooooooo goood—I really don’t have a place to wear it—it is different—what will my husband think—he will never know—it will make me feel soooooo good—I really don’t need it—I deserve it—I all ready have several outfits in the closet—it would impress my friends—no, I said I was not going to buy something; that’s it! Then SusieQ’s friend, BigBuyerSally, happens to come buy and says—that looks darling on you (i.e. it’s sooooo much you). SusieQ says—That does it, I’ll take it! Such is life. SusieQ should have listened to Winston Churchill about the voices in her head that talked her right into it--"This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never---in nothing, great or small, large or petty---never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." ~ Winston Churchill

LuckieEddie says--Some of the difficult trials in life may have been the result of the choices another person made, and some may have been the result of our own choices. As hard as we might try, we cannot control all of the circumstances in our lives. We do, however, have the opportunity to control our responses and our attitudes. We get to choose how we shape our moments or whether we all allow the circumstances to shape us in negative or positive ways. Wellsuckamucka!

I read it in the paper so it mustberight! I saw something that said The Great Pretender by Millinia Black was rated a 5star book so I got if from the library. As you know, I don’t like fakers a.k.a. pretenders so I thought it might be a good read for me. It is a novel about a guy who has two families and pretends to both families like everything is normal. Of course everything falls apart just like real life (i.e. pretenders are usually always found out). What I find most interesting in this novel and many times in real life is that folks “talkthemselvesrightinto” believing what they want to believe (i.e. even when the evidence, feelings, events and reality shows that it's a fake). They know better but they “talkthemselvesrightinto” believing non-reality stuff (i.e. they don’t like to give up the cash cow). I enjoyed the book; easy read. I want to warn you, there is a lot of sex in it so if that bothers you, don’t read it. Joesixpack says--The greatest faker a.k.a. pretender of all time is the devil and don't you forget that!  Ouchy ouchy!

It takes a Philadelphia lawyer to know what a paraprosdokian is. A Chicago area lawyer, who I know, says that a paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to reframe or reinterpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect. Like--Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience. I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car. The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on the list. Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening,' and then proceed to tell you why it isn't. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. Hospitality: making your guests feel like they're at home, even if you wish they were. Some cause happiness wherever they go. Others whenever they go.

This week I had the opportunity to golf and ride with a seasoned gentleman, Frank, who is full of wisdom (i.e. been a missionary/pastor of 40some years). I learned a lot from him. He sent me a short email about the day and ended it with this-- When you are DOWN to nothing....God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Now talk yourself into that folks and life will be a lot better.

The next day I had the opportunity to observe a class taught by a friend who is a professor at the University of Northern Iowa. He teaches 3 sections of Humanity 1 (i.e. earliest history of ancient history—there are also Humanity 2 and Humanity 3). This guy is innovative, intelligent, unique (i.e. in a good way), and excited about teaching (i.e. his students told me this). He is an encouragement to me as was Frank. He’s Robert, age 78.

So then I stopped at the Cedar Falls DQ for a Dilly Bar from Betty (i.e. a long time friend who I met only through buying Dilly Bars--an unique gal in a good way). I walk in and she says hi erv, hi Betty, she walks over to the cooler and gets a Dilly Bar out, I put my money on the counter, so when you closing Betty—maybe the week before Thanksgiving—going to work again next year—ya I plan to. Betty has worked at the DQ for 28 years and is 77 years old. She’s a real encouragement to me for a lot of reasons (i.e. I know a little about the speed bumps in her life). ANYWAY Betty says—this Dilly Bar is on me erv, put your money away! I went to do my volunteer work at the hospital (i.e. I was charged up). I hope I was an encouragement to the folks I talked to. I know I sure was still charged up riding my bike afterwards.

Sooooooo the next day I was walking down town to the library when I saw my friend Les getting his mail—After some farm talk and weather talk, we finally talked about something with some meat to it. Somehow we got talking about how he goes down to the nursing home (i.e. for years) and talks to the folks in the home. He told me that many of those folks are soooooo lonely and just really appreciate him just talking to him. Les is an encouragement to me. Les is 82 and unique in a good way..

Sooooooo the next day I had an appointment in the metro so I thought I would stop at McDonald’s and have a senior cup of coffee and read the U.S.A. Today (i.e. I like to do that). A guy, who is sitting in a booth across from me was reading the Des Moines Register. He gets up and asks me if I would like to read the Register as well. He had a Iowa Hawkeye sweatshirt on—so you a Hawk fan—yes I am (i.e. he lifts up his sweatshirt and has a Iowa tee shirt on and a Iowa belt buckle)—you go to some of the games—I use to; I went to school there for a couple of years—really—ya I played basketball for those two years—really—ya in fact we won the Big Ten Championship in 1944-1945—wow, I’m impressed (i.e. he mossied over to my booth by the window) and we talked some more—tell me something about you—well I had very good parents and good siblings that I’m soooooo thankful for that to this day; why the hell am I telling you this damn stuff; I don’t even know you—well sit don’t and let’s get to know each other—His name was Ed and he was 85 and was (i.e.5'21" as Ed says) or 6'9" when he played for the Hawks (i.e. a little shorter today he says) but had to come home after two years as he had no money to continue. Ed is very self-confident, intelligent, and opinionated (i.e. is a strong union man and does not like George W. Bush). He told me he’s unique (i.e. I think in a good way). He told me money talks and big money screams! So there you go, he agrees with me (i.e. has to be a good guy). He gave me his personal card and on the bottom it says—THIMK and SNILE! He was an encourager to me just like the other folks. Such is life.

I tell you what folks, these are real folks (i.e. not pretenders or fakers).  They are the real deal.  Folks with hugh massive good hearts--my kind of folks. No question (i.e. that's my opinion). 

I'm going to try to get into your head (i.e. talk you right into it). Arlene and I went to the movie, Secretariat the other night. I had two motivating factors. 1st—I like true stories about underdogs winning. I think the reason is that I consider myself and my sisters survivors (i.e. underdogs—not born with a golden spoon in our mouth—not even a sliver spoon in our mouths) and for some reason we have survived to some degree. I don’t know the reason for sure but have an idea (i.e. for me it just fell in my lap). 2nd is that I have a friend who I call Secretariat (i.e. he is one tough guy who can do anything faster than anyone—like superman). He’s a winner and has the same internal fire that Secretariat had. It’s really a good name for him. I recommend you see the movie—no swearing, sex, or violence. And we know who wins—Secretariat wins the Triple Crown just like he did in real life. I read this in the paper so it must be right—“…we should take our families to see it. Nothing guarantees more films of this kind than to see it among the top grossing movies in Variety magazine.” It’s all about the money folks, if folks don’t want to watch this type of movie but would rather watch sex, violence, and swearing, then they will produce what the folks will spend their money on. Da! Such is life.

MissPerfect says—Do you have those little voices that talk to you; those that are in your head? Arlene and I went and saw the Broadway traveling stage show, Legally Blond, at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. It was good. It’s a blond who is trying to tell herself that being blond is not sooooooo bad. It was cute and funny. ANYWAY one part that intrigued me was the 3 to 6 girls who sang and pretended to be her “little voice in her head” giving her encouragement. Oh that encouragement! Encouragement can turn around something that you were about to give up on. It can come from the strangest folks, the strangest places, and in the strangest forms. Oh yes! It can be spoken, written, acted out, displayed, demonstrated, read about, seen at the movie theater, read in the Bible or by “little voices in our heads”! What do you say about that? Sooooooooooo throw those chips away, get your butt off the couch and encourage someone. You just won’t make others feel better but make yourself feel better. I was given a shirt by a friend recently.  He gives these shirts to folks who have influenced his life (i.e. what an idea). I was honored he gave me one. He encouraged me! Maybe I encouraged him in his past (i.e. hopefully).

Folks have all kinds of little people talking to them (i.e. some in their heads and some at the bar). Oh yes! A person can talk himself into almost anything. TheOldViking says--Just an observation…I have noticed when I come to this site..there are neon lights in the windows…the interior lighting is a little dim and a juke box is blaring in the corner,,,a few old men are hunched over a pool table with youngsters hanging round watching every move and an ear for every word… in the booths they huddle nursing a bottle of liquid bread lamenting their future while at the bar the loud ones announce to all they have all the answers. But when closing time comes the only thing to remain are dirty bottles a few stragglers stumbling out the door and the smell of spilled beer and a Budweiser clock telling them their late getting home… nothing was accomplished it was just another night at the bar… a place to flush out your kidneys and empty your minds…

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

erv

KR’s thought of the day--Much wisdom comes from wise words, little from wisecracks and less from wise guys.  MyFriendJean says--Speak kind words and you will hear kind echoes. One of the rescued Chile miners said this--I was with God and with the devil.  And I reached out for God. 

Ordinary

I think it was just an ordinary birthday party. Ya we celebrated Erin’s third birthday. There were about 6 kids between 2 and 4, 6 kids over 4, a bunch of adults, grandpa & grandma, uncle & aunt, cousin Charlie, and two dogs. After about sooooooo long grandpa and the two dogs went and hid for a while (i.e. took a break)! The kids all wanted the same toys, sit the same place, have twice much food as they could eat and wanted momma to help them. It was quite a day all right. Then we gave them all some cupcakes with a lot of frosting on them (i.e. full of sugar) to really get them going. I heard a lot of—do you have to go to the potty—say please—share your toys—wait your turn—what do you say—are you sure you don’t have to go potty—don’t spill—you’re a big boy—go play with the kids now—I don’t like that! I was told that one of the mothers use the “love and logic” method of parenting. It’s when she says—Uh-oh! when her son does something wrong and then they talk about it (i.e. it’s to make him think and help him make good decisions I was told). ANYWAY when the mother’s mother was in town, she was telling her mother about this method of parenting. She says to her son, tell grandma what I say when you do something wrong—her three year old son says--damit! Ouchy ouchy! Here’s a new one for me--One of the mothers used this new method to get her boy to go home. She said—We are going home in five minutes. She set her alarm clock to go off on her iPhone in 5 minutes and put it in her boy’s pocket. Now that’s a new method! I learned a lot at this party. When all the gifts were opened, the folks all left, and the mess cleaned up, James and Heather asked Erin what was the best part of her party—Erin said--the white one! The white one was the white cupcake compared to the chocolate one! The next morning Erin asked if she could have another birthday party today! Such is life.

I have no idea if our family is ordinary or not. How do you tell or know? What’s an ordinary family anyway? I do know that all of us in our family are all different. Ya just got to hang around each other for a few days to see that. We seem to look ordinary in the picture but pictures are sometimes deceiving (i.e. the picture guy says he can make pictures look anyway you want them too). MissPerfect says--Most folks put their best face forward when pictures are taken. So is our family ordinary? I don’t have a clue. We seem to be just ordinary folks doing ordinary things. But then again, I don’t know what you all do or what ordinary folks do. Soooooooo who is ordinary anyway?

Sunday morning when everyone was getting ready for church, I was sitting in the useless room (i.e. JerBear’s definition) with a view of the great room. Erin left her half eaten bagel on the table in front of the couch. Daphney, James and Heather’s dog, looked both ways, looked at me, and then with a quick move devoured the half eaten bagel in one bit (i.e. she knew I wouldn’t get mad at her—I’m her friend). I think she’s an ordinary dog doing ordinary stuff. What do you think?

I had a chance to hike on Mt. Falcon twice (i.e. just ordinary hikes—me and God). I was thinking through some stuff and asking God for some answers. He didn’t talk to me through a burning bush or a talking donkey. But the next day I did see something that caught my attention. It was on a guy’s tee shirt that was working in a kids’ second hand store (i.e. Heather bought some ski mittens for Erin for $2—great deal). This guy was maybe 20 and was taking the clothes from the women as they were bringing them in. He had a black tee shirt on that said on the top—What if Jesus meant everything he said…. There were some sayings below which I could not read as they were too small and he had an apron on. Sooooooo, What if Jesus meant everything he said…!

I don’t think this sounds ordinary. I heard a smart guy say the other day that faith in God can be discussed and shared between two folks who are at complete opposite ends of being educated in the Bible, religion, Hebrew, Geek, and philosophy. Think about that folks—in any other field like aerospace engineering, only the folks who are educated in that area could discuss it. That is the case in almost every other field except in the faith in God. Actually many times the most educated have the hardest time to believe in faith (i.e. blind faith). I read in the paper so it must be right, that atheists and agnostics are most knowledgeable about religions (i.e. ‘cause they study it more and don’t have blind faith). The article says that most Protestants can’t identify Martin Luther as the driving force behind the Protestant Reformation and 4 in 10 Catholics misunderstood the meaning of their church’s central ritual, incorrectly saying the bread and wine used in Holy Communion are intended to merely symbolize the body and blood of Christ, not actually become them. Sooooooo who is the ordinary person? If I remember correctly the Pharisees had a hard time with all this tooooooo (i.e. I don’t have to tell you smart folks who the Pharisees are but you ordinary folks might have to look it up—I’m just kidding folks! MyFriendJean says—There is no right way to do the wrong thing!

This was just an ordinary set up! We were going down I-80 at 79 mph when a temporary sign was put up by the Nebraska Highway Patrol in the middle of nowhere. You know those signs that have the orange metal flags around the message. The sign read—drug inspection ahead. And then there was another sign—drug inspection one mile. Then another—drug dog in use. I thought, man this is going to take a long time if they are going to stop every car on I-80 and have a dog sniff every car. The traffic will be backed up back to Des Moines. Soooooo we go about a half a mile and there is an exit unto a never used county road that goes to more nowhere. We get to about where the mile is and guess what, there is no inspection. But I did notice that there were the same signs going east. Huh, interesting. I guess the folks who have drugs just exit on the county road and that is where the drug inspection is using the dog! Hey, they didn’t lie, there was a drug inspection ahead using a dog! Just another ordinary day on I-80 I guess.

We took a different route home from Morrison, CO. We went to Denver and then north on I-25 through Cheyenne, WY and caught highway 20 east through northern Nebraska. I wanted to see the Sandhills area. It is the largest cattle cow calf area as they say. I really enjoyed it (i.e. to me it was very pretty). It’s just not an ordinary type of place (i.e. wide open areas). The small towns had a lot of places that sold cattle equipment like shoots, gates, galvanized water tanks, balers, livestock trailers, big pickups and etc. I saw one store that was called—Knife and Spur Store. The smell was just that, cattle smell (i.e. a mixture of hay, cattle, cattle manure which equals – cattle smell). But you know what, many things are the same—they too watch CNN news, watch Monday night football, worship the same God, like ice cream, and love their kids. We stopped for a burger in Chadron, NE. There was a guy who looked like a rancher (i.e. had a leather looking face ‘cause of the sun and weather, had boots on, was slim wearing a slim type of blue jeans, a wide western belt with a large roping buckle which also had his name on the back Big Al, a western shirt with the snaps, and a white but dirty cowboy hat). I don’t think it was his first rodeo! ANYWAY So I said to Big Al—Are you a rancher—was but just sold out—how is the cow/calve business—good since the prices are up; we also had an extra ordinary amount of rain this year that made the grazing very good and the hay exceptional—so how many acres does it take for a cow and calve—the government land grazing contract calls for 160 acres for a cow and calve to live off for all year; some ranchers do more on their own land but they look pretty bare as the year goes along. That is not an ordinary way of life compared to city life folks. I wanted to stay in Valentine, Nebraska as I had some things I wanted to do but I wasn’t very excited and Arlene really wasn’t. Sooooooooo we decided to just head on home. It wasn’t an ordinary trip—16 hours of driving. Such is life.

You know those 2 to 4 year olds that I talked about at Erin’s birthday party will all grow up. Yes they will. And what will they become? I asked a mother about their grown boys (i.e. I have lost tract of them). The boys have done very well it appears (i.e. educationally and financially). They were just ordinary farm boys from Aplington who went to Aplington School years ago. After she told me about them, she wrote this--Enough about the boys. We've been blessed, but I certainly know not to ask them anything too personal, or I'm snoopy!! It's funny how they allow their dad to do things, but if I do the same, I'm not too smart. Go figure!! Have a good day. Is she just an ordinary mom? It appears that one parent can ask a son or daughter a question and it's okay and if the other parent asks the same question, it's not okay. Why is that anyway? It appears that these boys' parents, who are our friends, seem ordinary but their boys seem to have done very well. They don't and won't get the newspaper attention like the NFL boys from Aplington (i.e. that’s pretty ordinary) but they might be much more successful. I don't know and it really doesn't make much difference. It will be fun to see what those young kids at the Erin's bithday party grow up to be now won’t it. Such is life.

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

erv
ervmellema@gmail.com

KR’s thought of the day—The trouble with the younger generation is that most of us aren’t in it.

And the winner is...!

What did you shoot? What was your score? What was your time? And the Winner is…! In America we are obsessed with the winner (i.e. like the Miss America Contest). We don’t much care for who is second or third or forth, we want to know who the winner is. Participation is not much recognized, we want to know who the winner is. Who crossed the finish line first, who made the most money, who has the biggest house, who at the end had the most points, who has the most money, who has the most stuff. This is all in the world’s eyes (i.e. the world’s measuring stick). GerogeTheCrook asks—BUT are they really winners. Such is life.

The real world (i.e. God’s world) says the winner is the servant (i.e. the least). Now that’s a conflict folks. A friend who did the opening at church last Sunday (i.e. this guy can sign like a bird) talked about the poor guy with sores that the rich guy didn’t want anything to do with. This singingbirdguy opened the service talking about how blessed he was (i.e. he has a good heart—a real person—my kind of person). The lectionary scripture this last week was about the rich man and the poor guy covered with sores. And the winner was…! Ouchy ouchy! I read Sunday morning while eating my oatmeal with dried cranberries on it—Do I see a gradual and continuing change in myself? Then in Sunday school, a friend who sat next to me took out this index card from her Bible and gave it to me—It read: No way can I feed on Jesus thru reading and hearing His Word and still remain the same. And the winner is…!

Joexixpack says—When things don’t go my way I want change (i.e. I want it to go my way—look at how folks vote—they vote for change when things aren’t going their way). So in the elections this fall the winner will be…! There's an old sea story about a ship's Captain who inspected his sailors, and afterward told the first mate that his men smelled bad. The Captain suggested perhaps it would help if the sailors would change underwear occasionally. The first mate responded, "Aye, aye sir, I'll see to it immediately!"The first mate went straight to the sailors berth deck and announced, "The Captain thinks you guys smell bad and wants you to change your underwear." He continued, "Pittman, you change with Jones, McCarthy, you change with Witkowski, and Brown, you change with Schultz." THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Someone may come along and promise "Change", but don't count on things smelling any better. And the winner is the one who can promise the most to improve the lives of the voters (e.g. raise “giveouts” and “lowertaxes”)—they get reelected most of the time. Suckamucka!

Think about this—List 5 folks who you think are the greatest winners—I did but it was hard for me—I think the winners who I wrote down might not really consider themselves winners (i.e. I don’t know but I think that). Soooooo who are really the winners?

Many folks wish they would have done something else with their life (i.e. missed the target—had their latter leaning against the wrong wall). Some folks change mid stream and take a path of what they always wanted to do (i.e. satisfy their urging of their soul). Joesixpack says—I pray that I may follow the inner urging of my soul. Sooooooo who’s a winner folks? Are you a winner you think?

Do you watch Dancing With The Stars? I watched Kurt Warner dance the other night. Everything is designed so “wehaveawinner”! We always have to have a winner. America loves winners it appears as everyone wants to be the winner! I have never watched any of the survivor shows but I see they are very popular. And the winner is? Jim Furyk won the FedEx and made $11 million! He’s the winner. Is he really a winner in life? I have no idea. The winner might not always be the winner. Winner of the $100,000,000 lotto is JoeBlow! They put his picture in the paper like he’s really the winner. Is he? History proves that many times it’s just the opposite. Actually most times the winner of those lotteries is someone who has no idea of how to handle that money. And maybe the reality is—most of the real winners don’t play the lottery. What do you think? History proves that most so called winners pray on the weaker (i.e. take advantage of them). Think about that.

Saturday question—Most folks in the world are motivated by their needs but it appears in America more often than not, we are motivated by our wants. It’s like the dog chasing the car, what is he going to do with it when he catches it? Is the big wheel the winner? What does a dog do to a big wheel? Everyone wants to be the “bigdog” it appears (i.e. we are told that anyway). Heather and James have a yellow lab named Daphney. They told us this story—James says to Heather, where is Erin, I don’t know. Erin crawled through the doggie door into the garage and then trough the doggie door to the back yard, had her pants down, was squatting and pooping! They asked her—what are you doing Erin—I playing doggie!

ItchieBitchie says--I sit and think--am I a winner? Very few folks in this world even know me. And the ones that do, only a few really really care about me. And the few who really really care about me have their own lives to think about toooooo soooooo they need to think about themselves first. The reality is I have to decide for myself if I’m a winner or not and it’s really really very hard to know if I’m a winner or not. I loose way more often than I win sooooooo how can I be a winner. Somehow I need to deal with that and understand that. I got to understand that loosing a battle doesn’t mean that I have lost the war!

The pastor of the church that Heather and James and Erin attend said in one of his talks (i.e. Heather asked my to listen to in on their web site) that if he would not have gone through all his suffering (i.e. he said he came from a very dysfunctional family, had a learning disability, and was picked on during his youth) he would not have become the person he was (i.e. including being a Christian). So can suffering make a person a winner?

I taught Monday and Tuesday. I asked four high school students sitting at a table in 4th period study hall—Sooooo who are winners and what are the qualities of a winner. I said I would let them discuss that and check with them later. They said that was a hard question but a winner does help folks. Give me an example—Parents who have children and work hard to support them in many ways. They are not glory seekers but just do something good. I asked them if they are winners. They said – not yet. We have to prove ourselves first—it’s tooooo early to tell. So is that wisdom? Can you be a winner one day and mess it up the next? I think I can. I read recently that we all go through different seasons in our lives and experience different situations and we might react differently during our different seasons. We could be a winner and then maybe not another time. You think so? I think so. It’s like what I remember what a president of an auto insurance company said at an appreciation golf outing maybe 25 years ago. One of their companies sold sub-standard auto insurance (i.e. insurance for folks who have an OWI or multiple violations). He said, we appreciate your business; we don’t want the shit but the cream of the shit (i.e. meaning we want the folks who made a mistake but really are good folks). MissPerfect asks—Do you think Gwen (i.e. a single parent of three who lost her husband) whom works her butt off to take care of her children is a winner? I do folks. Oh by the way—Those study hall girls are really winners in my mind. Yes they are. They are givers (i.e. they have huge massive hearts—real folks—my kind of folks). You know what folks, you guys who read this blog are the same. You are winners. Yes you are. I’m validating your life folks. Such is life.

Wednesday I had the opportunity to spend the day in NE Iowa with my best friend, Arlene. We like NE Iowa (i.e. for those of you who don’t know NE Iowa, it’s hilly with many trees and sits along the Mississippi River with many dairy farms nestled in the those hills—very fun). ANYWAY our day didn’t go as planned. We spend quite a bit of our time in Guttenberg just by accident. I saw Dock 615 on the River and remember that was the dock Mark Klahsen wrote about in his book Old Man River and Me. So I wanted to take a picture of it. My camera said I needed to replace the batteries. So I asked a guy where I could get some batteries—couple blocks down on the left. It was a True Value Hardware and the guy who helped me was Tom. He tested the batteries and said they were good; must be your camera. He had to put them back in as I didn’t have my glasses. It worked. I asked him if I could take his picture. I’m publishing it with his permission. I told him why I wanted to take the picture of Dock 615. I said I wanted to meet the owner to see if he remembered Mark. Tom told me that wasn’t possible as the owner died about three years ago; he went diving in Lake Michiagan and never came back. Wow! That’s sad. Tom is this your business—it’s been in our family for 115 years—how many years have you been here—tooooooo many! If you ever get to Guttenberg, stop in and say hi to Tom or better yet go and buy something from him. I thanked Tom (i.e. I think he’s a winner) and met Arlene. We went across the street to have a late lunch at the Riverview Cafe (i.e. the back was all glass overlooking the river including the lock and dam). The waitresses had on their tee shirts—If you’re lucky enough to be on the river, you’re lucky enough! We shared a burger and onion rings (i.e. very good and a nice view). So I was walking back to Dock 615 and met this senior citizen lady who was walking her dog. I said I just talked to Tom about the poor guy who owned the dock and never came back. She said, they never found his body. His widow sold the dock and Landing Inn (i.e. an old button factory which made buttons from claims from the river) to the new owner. End of conversation. Sooooooo I get to the Landing Inn where Dock 615 is in the river below. There was a guy doing some service work on the Landing so I said—I just talked to Tom at the hardware and he told me about how the previous owner never came back from diving at Lake Michigan. Ya, that’s right. Some think he’s in the Caribbean sipping Pina Coladas, others think he was murdered by…, others think it was just a diving accident and others have other opinions. There were two other businessmen who died about the same time sorta kinda mysterious too. My opinion is—what am I doing telling you all this—that’s enough. All those ideas, speculations, and opinions make for good folk lore stories in Guttenberg and Clayton County. I said, you better get back to making some money. Sooooooo I went and took the picture of Dock 615. As I got done a white car drove up. It was a localguynamedJim. He said the river is really high ‘cause of all the rain in MN—the locks and dam gates are open all the way down—I usually play golf in the morning and fish in the afternoon but the river is tooooooo high. I sometimes help the boys here who fish catfish commercially just to have something to do. Their business/office was just next to Dock 615. They use hoop nets and set lines—usually get about 600 pounds of catfish each day—the high water is bad for folks making their living off the river localguyJim said. Such is life.

 

I saw this on a door of a small town business in Guttenberg (i.e. might have to click to enlarge to read). Obviously the owner thinks the folks around there are winners. They probably are. Then in another little Iowa town I saw this on another front door of a business (i.e. I think that guy is the owner of the business). Someone must think he’s a winner!

Thursday I worked on a real estate closing and then had the opportunity to do a couple hours of volunteer work for Wheaten Franciscan Health (i.e. hospitals in the metro). I do some of their orientation for volunteers. I saw Rod, a former student of mine a zillion years ago (i.e. he’s in charge of the physical plant of the hospital). Farm boy from Aplington who has done well for himself (i.e. he appears to be a winner folks). Then I rode my bike on the beautiful trails in the Cedar Valley, had something to eat and then met an old student of mine, Dennis Oelmann (i.e. graduate of Aplington in 1976—my last year of teaching). I had Dennis in a typing class he told me. He said he wasn’t very good but have got a lot better since (i.e. must have been poor teaching). Dennis played offensive guard and defensive end on the Aplington Panther team that went 7 and 1 his senior year (i.e. a nice winning year). He’s also a farm boy form Aplington that is a winner. ANYWAY what an opportunity for me as he gave me a ride in his homemade Cozy III (i.e. is 1,100 pounds and is about 15 feet long—it’s cozy folks--built in 1989 for $30,000 but now is worth $55,000). Dennis has won many awards as a builder and designer. He has built parts that are all over the world and through this, he has met many folks and traveled the world (i.e. many opportunities). There was an article in the paper recently about all his accomplishments (i.e. very impressive). He is a winner folks for many reasons. The airplane ride was really fun. He even let me fly it (i.e. it’s very quick at 160 mph at 60% throttle). I did a few 10 degree banks—it’s operated by a little stick. We talked and flew and then talked some more (i.e. about three hours in all). What we talked about was really good stuff folks—the real world stuff. Dennis believes that all of us are given some talent and we need to find it and then use it for good (i.e. find what you love). We need to use our talent to help others find their talent so they can again in return help another (i.e. we need to encourage, lift up, and help others develop their talents--find their love and passion). To sum it all up, we need to affect other folks’ lives. And you know what really makes Dennis a winner? He loves the Lord. What more needs to be said! Dennis is a knackie person. Are all winners knackie you think?

And today I’m with James, Heather, Erin, Chet, Jessica, Charlie and Arlene (i.e. our family) in CO celebrating Erin’s third birthday. And the winner is…! You’re right, it is me folks. It doesn’t get much better than this. Some of you know what I’m talking about.

Oh yes, my NeighborKarl is a winner tooooooo! He says—I’m at an age now that I don’t have to worry about dieing young anymore! Or as MyFriendJeans says—There’s no such thing as a bad day—some are just more glorious than others. Such is life.

After biking the other day, I took my laptop and sat in the shelter in the back of Pfeifer Park. There was another gal there doing something. After about a half hour, I packed up and was leaving. She said hi to me and she was printing something on a tee shirt while drinking a tall Coors Lite. This is what she was writing on the tee shirt—“Magic persists without us no matter what we may try to do to spoil it.” ~ Charles Bukowski ~ This gal appears to be a winner folks.

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

erv

KR’s thought of the day—Junk is the stuff you throw out and stuff is the junk you keep!

Mixed signals!

Arlene just plain loved the kids! Arlene got back from the mission trip to Guatemala. Life in Guatemala is much different than the U.S. She ate tortillas and beans. Surprisingly she liked them (i.e. she usually doesn’t like anything different). The food of the many poor countries is beans and rice (i.e. it’s the staple as it is cheap). Not toooooooo many obese folks in Guatemala. We in the U.S. send mixed signals to much of the world with our affluence and waste. The story goes like this—A Guatemalan came to the U.S. and went into a super market. He walked down the isle and was just amazed by all the selections of food. And that was just the isle that had food for cats and dogs!

My Mom, Anna, always said--erv, always do what is right...I seem to send mixed signals (i.e. folks seem to misunderstand me). It has happened twice that I know this last week. It makes me not want to say anything or do anything again. I have been told that this happens many times as folks put their personal spin on it (i.e. they are programmed by their past and apply those experiences). ItchieBitche says—Many times we only see the grass above the ground and don’t see the roots below the ground. It hurts when you try to do good and folks misunderstand you. MyFriendJean says—Between the great things we cannot do and the small things we will not do, the danger is that we shall do nothing at all. Sooooooooo folks, don’t take any of this It’s Saturday tooooooo serious. Just read it with an open mind and don’t try to read tooooooo much into it. Please give me the benefit of the doubt. It might not be as you think it is ‘cause you understand it with your program—your agenda might be way different than how I’m programmed. Okay! Related to how our emotions affect us—I read on a blog this week this: Isn’t it funny how a phone call can change your day! Did you take that phone call as a negative call or a positive call? You reacted probably a certain way ‘cause of your past experiences I bet. I have had calls affect me both ways. How about you? My mentor and I had our Wednesday breakfast along with a mutual friend. They are both WWII vets. One said that he was in the Philippians when the bomb was dropped. There was a huge massive build up of troops there as an invasion of Japan was being planed. The troops were told that this invasion was going to be very bloody and many of you will die. Then the bomb was dropped and the war was over; they were all sent home. Now there were some mixed signals (i.e. one day you plan on dieing and the next you are told to go home). Such is life.

I got a mixed signals. When at a recent Iowa football game, the second half was rather boring to me (i.e. I can get bored easily at times). Some of the fans left so they felt the same way maybe. ANYWAY the gals behind us put their feet on the seats beside me. They had sandals on (i.e. fancy sandals) and had their toenails painted fancy. One had her toes painted black and the Hawkeye decal on the big nail. The other had hers painted pinkish red. Both looked real nice like they were professionally done. I looked at their feet. Their feet looked above average compared to the few women feet I have looked at. Soooooo I wondered what the ladies looked like. Before looking I tried to get an image in my mind. I got mixed signals a.k.a. a mystery. And then I looked at them and they were…!

I read this while eating my oatmeal with MI blueberries on it—The eye of the soul is the will. If your will is to do the will of God, to serve Him with your life, to serve Him by helping others, then truly shall your whole body be full of light. Yabut the world does not tell me that. I get a mixed signal here folks (i.e. money, power & fame vs. service, humility, & kindness). If you believe you have choices here in this world, then you have to decide. And remember, decisions have consequences. I read recently that one is not born a winner or looser, but each one is born a chooser (i.e. seeds always grow up and bear fruit). LuckieEddie says—I couldn’t agree more! It’s like what you think is what you’ll be folks! Saturday question—What parades through your mind (i.e. does your impute give you mixed signals)? Such is life.

Many times elderly folks, younger folks and middle aged folks give me mixed signals. You ever wonder what others are thinking (i.e. what’s going’ on in their heads). I read this on facebook by a professional who works with the ageing population—Inside every old person is a younger person wondering what the…happened! UN-BE-LIEVABLE!

Some folks send mixed signals but in the end, the real person can be seen (i.e. you can’t fool folks for very long). You believe that? Joesixpack says—Just look where they spend their money and their time. Can you really fool folks? Abraham Lincoln once said—You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time. Another smart person with a good heart (i.e. a real person—my kind of guy) said this about a special person—In my opinion – and it’s only an opinion – Kids can see right through people and know when they are dealing with an honest and loving person. WellSuckamucka! Our little almost three year old Erin was looking at a children's Bible story book and asked James who is that man--James said that man was Jesus--Erin said, Daddy, I know him, he's a nice guy!

This might give you a mixed signal. WildWilie said -- I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, trouble-making biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink and gulps it down in one swig. "Well, whatcha gonna do about it?" he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears. "Come on, man," the biker says, "I didn't think you'd CRY. I can't stand to see a man crying." "This is the worst day of my life," I say. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found out that my wife ran off with the gardener and then my dog bit me." "So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in and sit here watching the poison dissolve; then you show up and drink the whole thing! But enough about me", "How's your day going?" Mixed signals!

One wise man says--Are you the kind of Pastor or Christian person who opens the door for folks to share what really matters? Then are you wise enough to know it is their story and not yours to share? If so, people will be knocking on your door because we all need someone to listen and care.

My roots go way down deep! My Mom, Anna, was very sweet, kind, and loving (i.e. she was the best). BUT one day she sent me a mixed signal. It was when I was maybe 8 or so. We raised chicks in the brooder house (i.e. I can still can smell the smell of the heater early in the spring keeping those little fuzz balls warm). ANYWAY this experience happened maybe early summer as the chicks were outside and I was helping Mom doing something with the chicks. I must have said something bad or did something bad as she was angry with me and really got after me (i.e. she was going to give me a whooping). I ran away and she couldn’t catch me. She played a little sly like she forgot about it but she didn’t. When I got close she grabbed me and took this piece of wood and gave a good whooping (i.e. the kind that today’s kids would put an attorney on a retainer). My roots go way down deep—I never questioned my Mom’s love for me—never!

When I was eating my oatmeal with a half of banana on it I read this—Everyday living is an exercise in decision-making (i.e. how you will think). What basis do you make you decisions on? Is it based on God’s counsel? Yabut, I get some mixed signals sometimes and I get confused. GeorgeTheCrook says—It takes a special kind of cat to figure things out. JoeBlow says—Don’t concentrate on what you can’t do but what you can do! Such is life.

I get mixed signals about our economy, oh yes! I read in the newspaper (i.e. so it must be right) that everything is really great on one page and the next it says it’s terrible. So who and what do I believe. It seems government tells you all kinds of stuff to make you fell the way they want you to feel. Politicians react to the folks much like some parents react to a kid throwing a temper tantrum. The folks are all concerned about themselves so they throw a tantrum and the politicians react ‘cause they want to get elected so they say and do whatever it takes. The folks act like they are the only fish in the pond much like a little kid (i.e. I’m hear to be served). When they don’t get what they want, they do another tantrum. It’s a viscous circle but as long as it works, they will continue to do it (i.e. feeding the beast and the beast grows more beastly). Such is life.

AverageJoe says—My wife (i.e. who I call right brain) gives me mixed signals. On Monday she loves me and the right brain on Friday says she wants a divorce (i.e. now that’s a riddle). I don’t think I have changed at all that I can tell. AverageJoe says--Maybe she has a case of “pause”! I heard a gal say in Sunday School that the “pause” really effects her (i.e. you never can tell what you will learn in Sunday School! Well flip the pancake AverageJoe, Arlene made me Shepard’s pie for dinner this week and the next day made me banana bread (i.e. 2 of my favorites). What does she want anyway? Maybe I’m just getting a wrong signal!

I watched a little Monday night football between the 49ers and the Saints. Mike Singletary is the coach of the 49ers if you don’t know. If you don’t follow the NFL you probably don’t know and really don’t care (i.e. I understand). Football isn’t everything in life as some think. ANYWAY Coach Singletary was a mean, tough middle linebacker in his playing days. But when he was standing on the sidelines, he wore a rather large cross hanging from his neck for all the world to see. Too many that sent a mixed single (i.e. what does that mean). I was debating if I was going to go to a Bible study lead by our pastor Tuesday night. I told Arlene I had 30 seconds to decide. One side said I would be the only guy there (i.e. I will be abnormal) and the other side said if Mike Singleary could wear a cross for the world to see on Monday night football (i.e. abnormal) than I surely can go. I went. I was obviously abnormal in the normal world—Mike and I! Such is life.

GeorgeTheCrook asks--Do we ever send mixed signals to our kids? CadillacJack says--Hole Ting Hole Ting Hole Ting That's what my two-year-old says. He has developed the habit of wanting it all. My wife will often offer him a spoonful of food from her plate. I will break off a piece of what I am eating and hand it to him. He shakes his head. He emphatically says, "Hole Ting." He doesn't want a piece. He doesn't want a spoonful. He wants the whole thing. I wondered, "Where did he get such behavior?" Who taught him that? Where did he pick it up? Hole Ting? Why didn't he want to share? Why wasn't he satisfied with what was given to him? Wasn't the piece sufficient? The piece was plenty, and he could get as many as he could eat. Why did he want the whole thing? Was he acting like a child or an adult? As I watched other children, I saw that it was more innate for children to want the whole thing. They wanted the whole toy without sharing. They wanted all of mama's attention. They wanted the swing or the tricycle all of the time. Hole Ting Many of the conflicts and wars are over the same thing. People don't want to share. They want it all.

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

erv

KR’s thought of the day—In a crisis, rise to the occasion but don’t hit the ceiling.

Advanced Physiology 494

Joesixpack says--I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

Maybe this was just serendipity, I don't know but I was riding my bike through a residual area toward the bike trail in Cedar Falls. There was a garage sale so I stopped. As I was looking around I could see and hear a mother and daughter talking with some Hispanic gals. The mother and daughter were running the garage sale. The Hispanic gals could not understand real well. They were treated so nice I thought (i.e. I said to myself, I bet that mother-daughter team are Christians—I can just tell usually). I looked around more and was at the book section. They had a large selection of books with a large number of Christian books. On top was the book Old Man River and Me by Mark Knudsen. I have a special spot in my heart for the Mississippi River as my Uncle Jim Mellema lived in Alma, WI and we went to visit him many times. Uncle Jim’s house was about 50 feet west of the towering bluff. It was the bluff, his house, about 12 feet of sidewalk, four lanes of highway, down about 30 feet to two railway tracks and then the lock and dam on the river. What a place to go as a boy. I watched many towboats and barges go through the lock. I would just dream about being a pilot of one of those barges. Uncle Jim would take me fishing by the wing dams and taught me about the river. He even was a commercial fisherman as a hobby so we would go out in the evening in his johnboat and set the lines and then return in the morning to retrieve the catfish. What fun for a boy. My parents would take my kid sister Doris and I to the ‘train in Willmar, MN and we would take it to St. Paul where we would transfer and get off in Alma about 200 yards from Uncle Jim’s house. I think we did this when I was maybe 12 or 13 and Doris was maybe 8 or 9 (i.e. parents wouldn’t do that today folks—our parents let us do a lot of stuff—gave us a lot of responsibility at a young age). Doris tells the story that in St. Paul RR Station she had to go to the bathroom and it cost a nickel. I told her to crawl under the door—she did! ANYWAY I went to pay the dollar for the book and said to the mother—you must be Christians. She said—we sure are, are you? I said yes and she said—that’s the only way to go. I said—I agree, that’s my opinion.

So I took the book home and put it next to my chair in the sun porch. Sunday night I picked it up and started reading it. I really liked it and finished it Monday night. It was a great read for me. It was about Mark Knudsen’s trip in his homemade open 18-foot johnboat made out of wood (i.e. painted yellow) using a 25 hp outboard from Minneapolis to the Delta by Pilotown, LA (i.e. 1,800 miles getting 3 miles per gallon). I enjoyed it immensely. Soooooooo Tuesday morning I looked up Mark’s # in white pages and called him as he lived in Des Moines. I asked if I could have lunch with him—sure so we met at Noah’s Ark in Des Moines at 12:30. What an experience I had. I immediately liked Mark (i.e. others do too as he said he could repeat his trip and never pay for any food or gas—his new friends would pay for it). He was very transparent and knew everything about everything. In his book he indicated that his knowledge served him well. He said—I find that I can talk myself into places, getting past barriers and breaking through red tape. And it’s not a con job. It’s just that I am honest, friendly, and sincerely curious and can talk to anybody because I’ve done just about everything they have done…In short, what I do is just what I happen to be doing when I wake up that morning. Mark is a brilliant person and very talented (i.e. he seems to be able to remember anything and everything and can do anything and everything). He says in his book—By trade, I’m a wood turner (i.e. he told me he is one of 5 who can do certain type of wood turning in the U.S.)…Woodturning is a thin shaving of who I am. I’ve been a golf course superintendent, a bus driver, an amateur radio builder and operator. I played banjo in dance bands, I built my own house, including wiring and plumbing; I built and managed a mobile home park; I feed cattle and pulled newborns out of calving cows; I’ve been a draftsman and an architectural photographer; I’ve studied ballet; I sewed dresses for my first wife; I made costumes for dance recitals I was in; I sketch; I paint and I’ve been told that I’m a pretty good cook. But I used to be a straight-edged businessman, a real mover and shaker, including serving as president and board member of the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. Folks this guy can do anything and everything. After his river adventure, he became a river towboat pilot at the age of 61 (i.e. that is very hard to do).

But he an adverturist! He took a motorcycle trip from Key West, Florida, to the Northwest Territories in Canada, to the Arctic Ocean at the mouth of the Mackenzie River. His next tip was a wide swing through the southwest and central sector of Australia. Mark told me he was born into an affluent family and his father wanted him to be like him—he did not. He wanted to file his head, not his bank account. He says—I fill my head with anything and everything. And that seems much more valuable to me. When his parents died he inherited much money and traveled it all away. He told me he has no money today and lives from hand to mouth. We have now talked about an hour and a half. His old fashion hot beef sandwich was half eaten and cold. He kept talking. He wanted to have wisdom and share that wisdom…he thinks he has spent about $300,000 learning that wisdom…people stereotype too many folks and really stereotype river rats; there are really some great folks on the river who really care for each other…So Mark what is the most interesting thing you learned in life—Never think you know it all and just listen to other folks…Mark who are you really?—I don’t know and I really don’t care anymore; I’m just me…I said to him—Mark you are abnormal and unique (i.e. not just a common ordinary person)…Mark, what’s your biggest challenge in life—Growing old gracefully. He said several times to me—Individual people are fine; it’s when you join them into a society is when you have problems with them…What I learn I want to pass it on to others….Communication is not what you say but how you say it…I like adventure both physical and mental; I like to discover new things and learn…Money means nothing to me—experience is what it’s all about and then share the experiences. It’s now been over 2 hours and he is taking his last bit of his old fashion hot beef sandwich which of course has been cold for about a hour and a half. He says, lets go to my house and talks some more.

When we get to his house he tells me—I’m a pack rat and I’m sloppy! I have more half done projects than anyone. Mark is very creative—I said, Mark I think you can do anything and you know everything (i.e. he admits that he can’t spell); What’s your IQ anyway—I have no idea and I really don’t care but creativity is something that can’t be taught. We walked over to the old yellow johnboat parked in the weeds much like it was when he pulled in out of the Mississippi just rotting away. We talked about it—it was very well built (i.e. even the Coast Guard said that he said)…He wanted to use a johnboat so he could feel things; he thinks that feeling things is very important in life. We go into the house and he introduces me to his third wife Waneta (i.e. her third marriage too). Waneta was as transparent as Mark with a big good heart—very easy to see. Mark said to me that Waneta was the first person who taught him to love as he was around much dysfunction life styles (i.e. they were married 7 years ago). Waneta said to Mark—That was a very nice compliment Mark. I asked Mark if he was a Christian—no, I’m a spiritualist. What’s a spiritualist? A Christian is scared about going to hell and a spiritualist has gone to hell and has returned. He said he studied religion in college, studied with priests, ministers, rabbis and has a Koran in the house—I know about religion; I use to go to church but got soooo frustrated that I'll never go back (i.e. maybe been around too many grumpy Christians--I really wonder if they are Christians if they are constantly grumpy--what do you think?).. Waneta went and got a poem she wrote for their wedding that was about God and Jesus (i.e. very Christian) and when I left she said some powerful Christian stuff). So when I was leaving at 5:15 I asked Mark for some wisdom—He said—Share, always share what you know; don’t have hooks in your love; be a living sermon; remember anything that is normal is not normal. I told Mark that he was a good man, a very talented man—I don’t think he even knows it folks. My Daddy, Chester, always told me, erv, be around folks who are great and don’t know it instead of being around folks who think they are great but really aren’t. Such is life.

Mark is very unique—he’s the only man that I know that has a slide rule in his shirt pocket! He is very opinionated and open with his opinion (i.e. the publisher said he had to remove some stuff as it was not politically correct). He wants to fix the world and probably has the knowledge to do it. But he can’t ‘cause it just ain’t going to happen. I told him that—we just have to do what we can as being good folks (i.e. where is the Roman Empire—where is Babylon). This idealism makes it very frustrating for Mark, others and myself. Yes it does. It can be very depressing when you really want to fix something and can’t. Mark told me that women seem to like his book better than men—why I asked—men like to hear about drunken scenes with wild parties are happening and there is a lot of sex in it. Women don’t care for that as much—you think so Mark? WellSuckamucka!

I mentioned this story to a few folks and the few folks I told said—now that is what a day of a retired guy should be. I was one lucky guy folks to have this opportunity. It just fell in my lap! Such is life.

Oh those stories!  When we took the Southern route through NE on our way to CO last spring, I picked up a paper in McCook, NE.  They were having a story telling festival.  One of the tellers was Tim Tingle form OK or TX.  I Goggled him and got his email and we communicated a little as to what this is all about.  He asked where I lived and told me about a story telling festival in Story City, IA which is this week end.  I went last night and heard professional tellers Tim Tingle, Pippa White from Lincoln, NE, Charlotte Blake Alston from Philadelphia, and Antonio Sacre from Los Angeles tell a story of about 20 minutes each.  I really enjoyed this opportunity and also of visiting with them.  They are very good.  Another opportunity that just feel in my lap.  Maybe this was just more screndipity, I don't know.  Such is life.

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

erv

KR's thought of the day--Self-forgiving service is what opens the hearts of people.

Heads up or keep your head low!

Our friend was telling us over dinner the other night that he is a little side ways with management. His supervisor told him he might want to keep his head low for a while even thought he might be right (i.e. not be seen or heard—be invisible—vanish from existence—not be seen by the water cooler). There will be another day to be heads up! Such is life.

Heads up or duck your head. On a Kulula flight into Cape Town on a particularly windy and bumpy day, during the final approach the captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the flight attendant said, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Mother City. Please remain in your seats with our seat belts fastened while the captain taxis what’s left of our airplane to the gate!’

Joesixpack says—Should a guy be heads up or duck your head when dealing with customers or friends or family? Should you always be politically correct? Should you go with the philosophy that the customer is always right? Should you ever disagree or even voice you opinion? Should you let folks know what you believe or just be a mugrumper and go along with what each customer believes (i.e. be mushy mushy like a wet wash rag). ItchieBithie says—I just give them the run around so they don’t know what I stand for or they don’t have a clue what I stand for! ANYWAY I don’t know Joesixpack but I know business folks who are pretty transparent and others who will do and say or not say anything ‘cause it’s hard on business or good for business. It’s all about the money folks. JoeBlow says--He’s the biggest snake in the nest of serpents. WellSuckamucka!

Heads up or duck your head. Another flight attendant’s comment on a less than perfect landing: “We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal.”

Heads up or duck you head. Average Joe says—What his problem is that he’s a little in love with himself! Ouchy ouchy! I don’t think so, I think he’s just a smart-alec. I read this while eating my oatmeal with blueberries on it—We are to be compassionate, humble, gentle, and kind (i.e. especially if we are Christians). I was just reminded recently of how folks get hurt sometimes when they help others (e.g. help family and then be accused of taking their money—second marriages and having the first spouse’s kids thinking they took the kids money—siblings thinking mom and dad favored one over the other and they helped them more than them—did a big favor for someone only to have them seemingly slap them in the face). Yes it does happen folks (i.e. many times—usually money is involved). We do good stuff and get hurt (i.e. our egos and self-centeredness show up—they don’t appreciate me). Well shake it off, rub some dirt on it and forget about it. As a past support staff use to say to me—erv, … happens! Mr.JellyBean says—When you have the ability to forget it and go forward and help someone else, it’s Eureka! We must remember that many times it’s a case of mental illness or disrespect or something else. SusieQ says—That could be but I didn’t get my share of the money and I want it! Youbettcha! MyFreindJean says—The past cannot be changed. The future is still in your power. Such is life.

Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride!

MissPerfect says--God has given us two things—His spirit and the power of choice—to accept or not, as we will (i.e. I know that not all of you agree with that but I do). We have the gift of free will. When we choose the path of selfishness and greed and pride, we are refusing to accept God’s spirit. When we choose the path of love and service, we accept God’s spirit and it flows into us and makes all things new. I think (i.e. my opinion) that we all can be as miserable and as joyful as we choose. MissPerfect says—I think my brother-in-law is on an express train to nowhere? I think he needs to take some advice (i.e. good advice). He needs to get his head out of his butt and be heads up! Hey MissPerfect, there are always dysfunctional folks, dysfunctional churches, dysfunctional businesses and dysfunctional relationships. It’s our choices just as it is with your brother-in-law! Such is life.

Heads up or duck your head. An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a “Thanks for flying our airline.” He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment. Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, “Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?” “Why, no Ma’am,” said the pilot. “What is it?” The little old lady said, “Did we land, or were we shot down?”

He’s going to blow a gasket. Woopsie daisy! If a person is in leadership ya gotta remember that leadership is not a position—it’s a way of being. It’s about being determined to make big things happen regardless of your position. Ya gotta be heads up and you can’t duck your head. I read this in the paper so it must be right--Gals 22-30 with no husbands and no kids earn a median $27,000 a year, 8% more than compared to men in the top 366 metropolitan areas…just those who don’t marry and with no kids…education is the key…nearly ¾ of girls who graduate from high school head to college vs. 2/3 of boys…women are now 1.5 times more likely to graduate from college or earn advanced degrees…among black and Hispanics, women are more than twice as likely as men to earn degrees….this delays marriage and kids and number of kids….it has big implications for our society and for the economy…companies are targeting these gals with cash to spend (i.e. it’s all about the money folks). Suckamuckda!

Heads up Arlene and duck your head at times! Arlene left with 9 others from our church for a week’s mission trip to Guatemala. Heads up to opportunities and duck your head to dangerous situations. Oh those opportunities.

Here is a heads up! I was taught that to prevent contagious diseases, the #1 preventiion is to wash you hands. Wash them with hot water, soap and friction for 30 seconds. Then use a paper towel to turn the water off, dry your hands, and then use the paper towel to open the door and then throw the paper towel away in the receptacle by the door. Great advice I think. Sooooooooooo we were having dinner at the Pub and Grub in New Sharon the other night. Right before my Big Burger and onion rings came I thought I should wash my hands. There were two sinks next to two urinals. I was washing my hands and this guy comes in and starts washing his hands in the adjoining sink. He said—I sorta kinda got this backwards in washing my hands first but I just had hot wings with hot sauce!!!!! Suckamucka!

Heads up or duck your head. After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg, the attendant came on with, “Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal.”

Heads up or duck your head folks. I saw a plumber guy working on a water line break. He was Joey and his helper was Morris. It was most interesting as they were working in the trench, the locals would come by, stop, talk and give them a hard time. They all seemed to really like these guys. I wonder if they under promise and over produce. I got to talking with Morris who was 65 and helped Joey just because he wanted something to do to get out of the house he said (i.e. no pay but Joey treats him right he said). Morris had a heart attach in 06 and smoked maybe 8 cigarettes while I talked to him. He just loves living at Lake Ponderosa. He has a singlewide trailer and is completely happy he said. Huh, interesting. ANYWAY GerogeTheCrook says--Ya don’t have to duck your head if you under promise and then over produce (e.g. if you say your are going to get back to someone and you don’t, it doesn’t take long for folks to tune you out of their life—now that’s a heads up folks). That is sorta kinda a punch in the mouth. It’s sorta kinda like being the circus and you are in town but there are no folks who come and watch. That’s it! Such is life.

Heads up! Your previous actions are under review…after further review, your actions have been deemed admirable. You will reap the consequences. FlipThePancake. Duck your head! Your previous actions are under review…after further review, you botched the situation and you will suffer the consequences. LuckieEddie says—We are always part of the equation. ItchieBitchie says—Come on now, don’t be so hard on me; I want the whole enchilada and I don’t want to be responsible for anything (i.e. here lies an epic battle in our heads). It’s all about the deal—what deal—keep you head up folks—you’ll see it! Oh yes! Such is life.

And from the pilot during his welcome message: “Kulula Airlines is pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight.

Heads up or duck your head (i.e. it all depends what you think about change folks. View this link http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_the_child_driven_education.html Where there is an interest, there will be education. Soooooooooo how do we generate interest in the Good News? Any ideas?

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

erv

KR’s thought of the day—Service is not spelled “serve us”.

Snapoutofit!

Snapoutofit! Joesixpack says--Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or be a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any Difference! WellSuckamucka! It’s not Howdy Dooty Time folks.

Snapoutofit! MissPerfect says--We’re just going through a phase. The argument is over money or power, or thinking the unworkable will work if you just try a little harder. Now maybe all of this is true. But if it is not, you’re setting yourself up for the double-cross (i.e. a huge massive train wreck). When that subterfuge succeeds, the master illusion moves in for the kill, convincing you that life can be manipulated. Life can’t. But we can (i.e. life is manageable folks). SusieQ says--Hey listen, no day is soooooooo bad that it can’t be fixed with a nap; no day is sooooooooo good that it can’t be made better with a terrific time out (i.e. a little Sabbath).

Snapoutofit! WildWilly says—If we seek divine revelation, we’ll find it, even if it occurs while at work, folding laundry, or scooping the drive. Saturday question—How do you view yourself? LuckieEddie says—We do not see things in this life as they really are—only as we believe they are. It is as written in the Bible, we see through a glass darkly—but no glass is so dark, I think, as the looking glass in which we view ourselves. ItchieBitchie responds—The truth of ourselves is too often blurred by the capricious image of our self-perception. I believe it is among man’s greatest quests of life, not just to see life as it really is, but to see his part in it. Such is life.

Snapoutofit boy or she’ll eat your lunch—It ain’t Howdy Doody time guy. So suck it up and pay attention. No one said it was going to be easy. Saturday question—Do you ever get lonely? Joesixpack says—I find it peculiar that I am less lonely in the isolation of the desert than in the bustle of a city. Loneliness is often heightened by company. So why is that Joesixpack? Joesixpack says—It’s sorta kinda like this: I have discovered much gold here and it’s as thick as sin; I do not count it yet as either a blessing or a curse. Time will tell. Gold is an able servant but a cruel master. Ouchy ouchy!

Snapoutofit folks, be patient. I read this while eating my oatmeal with MI blueberries on it—God instructs us to be patient in all things. We must be patient with our families, our friends, and our associates. We must also be patient with our Creator as He unfolds His plan for our lives. And that’s as it should be. After all, think how patient God has been with us. WellSuckamucka!

Snapoutofit it folks, it’s 2010. Many companies give their employees a certain amount of days off. They can do with them what ever they want (e.g. be sick, go on vacation, sleep in, or go to funerals). Most folks protect those days off as they are sooooooooo precious unless you have a zillion like some do. And there are some of you who have employers who don’t care if you take time off but you have to get your work done some how some way. I played golf with a guy this last week that works for a bank in their commercial loan area. He used to be a manager of a store of a retail chain company. He really likes it a lot better. A lot less hours, no holidays and not near as much pressure. Retail management can be tough (i.e. very demanding—lots of hours). ANYWAY all of this is why funerals aren’t attended as much as they use to. Folks go more to the visitations after business hours. I was to a funeral recently where I noticed that the employees of a government entity were not in a hurry to leave (i.e. let’s have another cup of coffee and visit) as they probably get paid the same if they get back early or late. Well flipthepancake folks, folks who are in sales or service seem to leave earlier or step out and make some calls—particular owners (i.e. if they don’t sell or serve they don’t make any money). I also noticed this when we were at continuing education classes or vendor outings (i.e. let’s play a couple of more holes or have another beer—I don’t want to get back to the office before it closes ~ owners are on the phone and are the first to leave to get back to the office before it closes). Have you noticed that retired folks have all kinds of time to talk as they are just clipping the coupons (i.e. no work so time means nutten to them—in fact some are bored so they want to talk to kill time)? Snapoutofit folks, it’s reality. It’s all about money and how it affects each one of us. WellSuckamucka!

Snapoutofit folks. Quit just thinking about yourself and being so self-centered. Casey Dix, a young man and a friend of our church is in the National Guard and is heading out for a year of deployment. Here is what is happening to him--Casey is with the Iowa National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, (1-133rd IN BN). They will be mobilized with the National Guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division. Since Aug. 3rd, they have been training in Camp Shelby, Mississippi. They get a 4 day pass, (Casey is going to New Orleans with some of his buds), then they will be training at Fort Irwin, CA. When they actually arrive in Afghanistan will be not disclosed until they get there, due to security reasons. Maybe you have a few minutes to send him an email. If it was your son or friend or yourself, think what that might mean (i.e. maybe make it a weekly occurrence). I will get his address later when in Afghanistan so you might want to send him a package or so. Do what your heart tells you. casey.dix@us.army.mil

Snapoutofit! I had the opportunity to enjoy the company of one smart guy recently. We laughed and talked and discussed many serious situations. The bottom line is that decisions are made after gathering the best possible information excluding our emotions and then going forward. It still might not be the right decision but it’s the best decision today considering the information we have in front of us. This guy has a good head and has good decision making ability. So my friend, snapoutofit questioning your ability, you will do just fine. Yes you will. You’re smarter than the average old bear! Youbettcha!

ItchieBitchie says—Snapoutofit! Quite pretending, it’s reality. A friend asked me recently—I’m transparent but I wonder if I always should be. Are you a transparent person or don’t you let others see your inside? I had anther friend tell me that she doesn’t let anyone know her inside. My opinion is that you have to be transparent if you want to have good relationships. SusieQ says—YaBut erv, I have done that and got hurt real bad. I never what to do that again. So maybe pick you places, pick you time, pick your folks etc. I don’t know, what do you think? GerogeTheCrook says—The first step in changing something about yourself is recognizing you have a opportunity and be transparent about it (i.e. pretending just doesn’t cut it). Suckamucka that’s hard at times! If you are a real person, most folks will accept you and do almost anything to help you. If you pretend (i.e. be a faker) I for one don’t have much time for you. Such is life.

Joesixpack says—Well, I cannot explain how it is, but I know that man is not honest! A friend who is an alcoholic gave the book Twenty-Four Hours A Day (i.e. it comes from AA) to use as part of my devotions, which I do. This is what I read while eating my oatmeal with a half of banana on it—A.A. Thought for the Day—Call on new prospects while they are still jittery. They may be more receptive when depressed. See them alone if possible….Meditation for the Day—Try not to give way to criticism, blame, scorn, or judgment of others when you are trying to help them. Effectiveness in helping others depends on controlling yourself…You should have a firm foundation of spiritual living which makes you truly humble, if you are going to really help other people. Go easy on them and be hard on yourself. Snapoutofit, once an alcoholic always an alcoholic! A recovering alcoholic can’t take one drink! If she/he does, it’s a huge massive train wreck. Not just for the person but his/her family, friends, employers, and others who invested a lot in that person. Suckamucka that’s just the way it is. It’s reality folks.

RogerDodger says—It’s not what you eat that kills you, it’s what eating you that kills you. Snapoutofit folks! Maybe you or someone you know has been really low (i.e. feeling really beat up—depressed—feeling hopeless). It’s when we are the lowest that we are most receptive in listening (i.e. my opinion). Like when the doctor tells you that you need to lose weight or die or you need to exercise daily or you will die or you need to change your diet or die or you need to take your medication or die or you need to be constant conscious of your situation or bad things will happen to you. That list can go on forever. Then after you feel better or think you got it whipped, you go back to your old habits. No more support group, no more exercise, no more God (e.g. 9-11), no more exercise, just back to the sameoldsameold (i.e. gain the weight back again). WellSnapoutofit folks, we need to stick to the fight. If you can’t do it, get around some folks who push you and make you do it. A zillion years ago when I coached basketball, I told the guys--if I don’t get after you to improve, then you need to worry as that means I don’t care about you anymore. But it’s your decision and decisions have consequences. Such is life. If you aren't fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm. ~Vince Lombardi~

Have you ever been in a tough spot a.k.a. a tough situation? I mean really tough! It’s great if you can vocalize about it with someone you can trust. They might bang some ideas off you and quiz you with a very neutral position (i.e. maybe even tell you some things you don’t want to hear). They probably won’t have any answers but just give you an opportunity to vent and they might give you ideas to think about that you haven’t (i.e. ‘cause you are so narrow minded) thought about. A friend and I kicked some ideas around recently. It was really a good time and good stuff. We talked about being calm when faced with though situations. Yes, being calm. I have said this before—Talk softer and slowly when in a tough situation. Try it, it works. If you get all excited, then the other person gets all excited and pretty soon it out of control. Here is another tip, say to them—Let me see if I have this right, and then repeat what they said. Then say, is that what you are saying. It works. Try it on a spouse, friend or a guy on the street for practice. Be CALM! Snapoutofit, you might be wrong! Lucky Eddie says—The man who is calm has his course in life clearly marked on his chart. His hand is ever on the helm. So if someone disagrees with you, stay calm. First of all he might be right and secondly if you are right, you don’t have anything to get excited about. Be open minded and be CALM! CadillacJack says—Men and women have duties to others,--and duties to themselves.

I was walking back from the library the other day and met 3 pretty gals in front of city hall. I asked one how her new job was going (i.e. supervisor)—good—have you learn the employees a little and which buttons to push on each one—ya, I have, one thinks she’s always right! WellSnapoutofitlady! You are not always right. I had breakfast with my mentor this week like usual and he said—No matter how smart your dog is you can’t make him talk—that’s like us, no matter how smart we are (i.e. or think we are) we can’t understand everything (i.e. His understanding I cannot fathom). Suckamucka that’s hard for arrogant folks to understand. WellFlipThePancake—My mentor and I agree that it seems when we become too arrogant, God seems to have a way to humble us. Do you ever get humbled? Do really arrogant folks (i.e. I mean really argent folks) every catch on? I was negotiating lot lines of a real estate deal the other day and a pretty little gal almost started to cry—now that’s a good method of negotiating that seems to work. Oh yes! Maybe Roger Clemens might use that! You think so. He might folks even if it’s fake.

ItchieBitchie says--I hope we snapoutofit soon! Our economy is soooooooo bad that I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail ~ I ordered a burger at McDonald’s and the kid behind the counter asked, “Can you afford fries with that?” ~ I saw a Mormon polygamist with only one wife ~ Motel Six won’t leave the light on anymore. Suckamucka it’s getting’ bad folks!

Snapoutofit lady! A woman goes into a meat market and asks the butcher why his Labor Day Special on U.S.D.A. Choice Sirloin Steaks is $3.99 a pound, when the guy across the street is selling his for $2.99. The butcher says, "Well, then, why don't you go over there and buy his?" The customer replies: "He doesn't have any left." "Well, that's nothing" the butcher says, "when I don't have any, I sell mine for only $1.99!" The conclusion of the matter—It’s easy to make a lot of noise if you ain’t playing the game. Such is life.

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

erv

KR’s thought of the day—An unusual amount of common sense is sometimes called wisdom.