Scary scary really scary

Disclaimer—Hey boys and girls, this “It’s Saturday” is not prophetic!  Take these words as serious as the words of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.  ItchieBitchie says—erv, most of what you say I take as hogwash or just grandiloquent words!  SlickWillie says—Yabut, I might be the Lone Ranger but I have to admit that some of that stuff that those folks say (i.e. like LuckieEddie) in “It’s Saturday” stick to me like dried up oatmeal does to my bowl.  Ha ha, I’m just spoofing ya! 

Marvin Purser (i.e. anyone can be a Marvin) says--Some people look for happiness in the past and say, "When I was younger. "Some look in the future and say, "When I get rich, I am going to...." Some look in the present and say, "Let's enjoy it while we got it...."  And then there are some who just work to reach one goal after another, and happiness taps them on the shoulder and says, "Boo!"

In children’s stories they talk about the wicket witch and the good witch.  Are there such things? I have heard folks talk like saying—she is a witch; I think reverting to the fact that she is not nice.  But I have never heard anyone refer to someone as a witch in meaning she is a good witch.  Are witches all female? Are all witches scary? All the witches I have seen at Halloween are portrayed as female, scary witches.  What does a witch in real life look like?  Can a real life witch look nice but be a witch internally?  I hear folks say—she’s a witch but she doesn’t look that bad to me (i.e. not scary).  I’m confused.  Are we confusing our kids with this good witch/bad witch stuff?  I heard ItchieBitchie say to someone the other day—I don’t like SlimyHerb.  He is a terrible guy. He really stinks!  He smells soooo bad that when I’m around him I have to breathe through my mouth! Maybe he’s a male witch!  Could be.  I don’t know.  What do you think? I asked my foursome the other day about if there are good witches and bad witches—they said all witches are bad—witchcraft is not a good place to go.  And these guys are smart! Saturday question—Do you believe in Satin?  How about demons? I hear about folks that are Satin worshipers.  Do folks strike deals with their demons? Are some folks demon possessed? Crazy to me but…! Joesixpack says—You don’t hear much about Satin and demons in our culture today; at least I don’t.  Huh, interesting.

I tell you want’s scary folks.  It’s how we as consumers are such suckers.  An acquaintance has one of those new fitbits.  I asked her how much she walks in a day—about 3 miles—woopsie do—that burns about 300 calories (i.e. about 100 calories are burnt for a 160# person per mile) and most of that walking is from the couch to the pantry to get more chips or to the bathroom to get rid of the more chips.  I asked her if that new-fangled counter counts intake calories—uh, no, I don’t want to know that; I eat way toooo much!  I think someone should invent a counter that is implanted in the mouth that counts calories and after 1,800 it locks the mouth shut.  I don’t think folks would like that (i.e. they won’t sell).   It doesn’t make them feel good.  Suckers!  OneSmartGal told me that they are going to change information on food containers (i.e. nutritional information) to be in normal portions instead of a slight portion. We are such suckers.  We don’t want to deal with reality.  Advertisers know what they are doing.  Arlene likes Raisin Brand for breakfast--The serving size they use is a cup; 2 cups is more realistic. Now that is 460 calories and 92g of carbs and 36g of sugar.  Ouchy ouchy!  I asked the gals at Casey's what is their most popular soft drink--Mtn Dew hands down. A 20 oz oz bottle of Mtn Dew has 290 calories, 77g of carbs and 77g of sugar.  Ouchy ouchy! Agolfbuddy (i.e. when he has good hip turn he's really good) says—You can’t walk off over eating; you can’t walk off gluttony!  Such is life.

And, as a bonus... a recent study found that the average American walks about 900 miles a year. Another study found that on average Americans drink 22 gallons of alcohol per year. That means that the average American gets about 41 miles to the gallon! Now that's scary!

Joesixpack says—erv, my sister-in-law, YackWomanBrenda is scary; I mean frightening!  She’s a witch let me tell ya.  Are you sure Joesixpack?  Does she have black hair, a long nose and warts on her face?  Let me tell you erv, my brother must have married her for her money or because she is a good cook or something else ‘cause she is a trophy witch!  She would win any witch competition hands down. 

Scary! A Hotel guest calls the Front desk and the clerk answers, "May I help you?" The man says, "Yes, I'm in room 858. You need to send someone to my room immediately.  I'm having an argument with my wife and she says she's going to jump out the window." The desk clerk says, "I'm sorry sir, but that's a personal matter." The man replies, "Listen you idiot. The window won't open... and that's a maintenance matter."

The scary juxtaposition of savings! I read in the paper, so it must be right, that 21 million Americans aren’t saving for retirement at all—that’s 9% of the adult population. In addition, one in four Americans doesn’t have any “emergency” savings. SusieQ says—Yabut they are enjoying life and not worrying about the future!  The future will take care of its self.  The government will do it, it will won’t it.  Now that is scary!  I would guess that some folks just can’t save (i.e. an impossibility for many different reasons).  And there are folks who are capable but just don’t save (i.e. for many reasons).  Sooooo, how does America handle those situations? Do we throw them under the bus or give them entitlements? GeorgeTheCrook says—To get votes, we give them entitlements!  Ouchy ouchy!  Hey, it seems to work. 

OneSmartMan asked me if I saw the movie “Silence of the Lambs?” No I didn’t.  He said there is a line in there that is applicable as to what we were talking about.  It goes like this—We covet what we see every day. He says it’s better in the movie. AverageJoe says--That coveting is hard on saving. Now that is scary!

LuckyEddie says--Kindness is the true revealer of a person’s greatness.  Scary huh! My Daddy, Chester, would say—If you are good you don’t have to tell anyone! DuaneTheWorm says—I like to tell folks how great I am.  DuaneTheWorm, we know!!!

WildWilma says—Some things about change or progress are scary to me.  I really don’t know if they are for the best.  Maybe change just scares me.  Now that could be.  But it appears to me that our culture and society is really changing.  Maybe it has always been that way and it always will.  Could be but it’s still scary. 

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--Our great-grandparents called it the Holy Sabbath. Our grandparents called it the Sabbath. Our parents called it Sunday. Today, people call it the weekend. Joesixpack says—If you aren’t a believer, it’s just that—a weekend.  If you are retired and not a church goer, it’s not any different than another day. There's an old Puritan saying, "Good Sabbaths make good Christians." Are we seeing changing habits, beliefs, things of importance, and a new normal that's reality? Is that scary or not?  SusieQ says—Right now everything is going great and it doesn’t seem to matter (i.e. many folks seem to think they are in total control of their lives). SirLawrence says--Maybe worship patterns/ideas/rituals are changing just like everything else.  There aren't many Puritans around, are there? It sure seems like there aren't as many church goers as there us to be, does there? It seems to appear that church going isn't as important to many as it use to be.  What do you think?

ChurchLadyBetty asks--Are many Christians just hypocrites?  Trump says--...you can't be in the middle more than me--I want it both ways). Are the Ten Commandments just hyperbole?  What does it mean to keep the Sabbath Holy? Are we just living in a different culture?  Are religious practices changing to fit our life styles? Are the Bible teachings just ethical admonitions; out dated and unrealistic in in modern society? Are they just underlying principals which can be interpreted as we please in our fast changing technology world? Are Christians becoming more--God loves me and will about accept me anyway I am and what I do.  HighlyEducatedHarry says--God has so many paradoxical teachings that are confusing to me (i.e. like it says you can't work on Sunday but he healed on Sunday and let his disciples pick gran on Sunday). HighlyEducatedHarry goes on to say--I think I know more than God does; That is maybe why many of the new ere, modern folks might think they can do what they want and it will be ok in the end. Everyone has an opinion on that I guess.  BUT when the gonger gongs, it will all be as clear as a bell! Bingo. Is that scary?

I read this in the paper soooo it must be right--Oprah Winfrey has become one of the most influential spiritual leaders in America. To her audience of more than 22 million, mostly female viewers, she has become a postmodern priestess—an icon of church-free spirituality.What do you think of that? Is that scary or not? Hey, she buys 10% of Weight Watchers which drives up the stock price considerably in one day (i.e. made herself $70,000,000 in one day).  It appears that she has clout folks!

Bobbythezombie says--This party is dead, I love it!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—If any speak evil of you, so live that none will believe it.

I didn't see that coming!

“Winston tastes good like a cigarette should" is an enduring slogan that appeared in newspaper, magazine, radio, and television advertisements for Winston cigarettes from the brand's introduction in 1954 until 1972. It is one of the best-known American tobacco advertising campaigns (i.e. I bet many of you youngins didn’t know that).  Winston Churchill once quipped--“Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened.” I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”  Winston Churchill also said--“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.”

CadillacJack says--I made an egregious error!  It was right under my nose and I didn’t even see it.  What was I doing? It was soooo obvious and I didn’t even see it; I didn’t see it coming at all.  CreamPuffJosie says--What is going on.  Am I blinded ‘cause I pretend to be ignorant?  There is an ad on TV about two parents talking about their young son and his recent football game.  The dad says something like—Isn’t he great; did you see him today!  The mother says in her head—He is not a football player but maybe he can be an announcer.  That sorta kinda makes me laugh.  SusieQ says—Ya, sometimes we are blinded by our bias.  ~  Jr went to the military and his parents were sooooo proud of him.  They went to visit him.  When they got back his parents' friends asked him how they found him.  Oh! His mother said--They had a parade with maybe 1,000 troops marching.  Jr. was the only one in step!

I asked a middle school gal how school was.  She said it was ok; we have a teacher who grades us on how hard we try and not what score we get on the tests.  What?  I don’t want those kids who just try hard doing a procedure on my heart let me tell ya.  It’s like participating trophies to everyone (i.e. we don’t want anyone to realize that they are not as good as some else).  Are participating trophies good or bad? What do you think.  Are we helping kids or hindering them? I read this in the paper soooo it must be right—Study after study has shown that millennials, the first of the trophy generations, are stressed out and depressed.  They were sold a bill of goods when they were kids, and discovering that the harsh realities of life apply to them too (i.e. had to have been like a punch to the gut). Oh that reality.  They didn’t see that coming! They were living in la-la land and it’s gone. Bingo.

WorldClassLary asks—What should we be teaching our kids anyway? 

Shush!  MissPerfect says--Don’t try to correct me. I am a sycophant and I like it.  Saturday question—Are you a real deal or a phony?  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that without any sense of meaning, people become dangerous to themselves and others.  Viktor Frankl says—Every moment involves choices, and consciously using that moment to make positive choices makes all the difference.  Such is life. Shhhhhhhh! LuckieEddie says--I don’t like to think about stuff like that; …happens and then I say—I didn’t see that coming! Da!

What audience do we play to (e.g. politicians please different audiences at different times—it’s all about getting the vote)? ItchieBitchie says--If we seek to play to different audiences at different times, we become susceptible to situational ethics and motivations based on the need for the moment.  The audience at the time becomes a pawn in our hands because we know what they want. What do you think? Saturday question—What audience are you trying to appease today? I think for me, my audience changes as I get older and as my situation changes.  How about you? Maybe I’m just becoming an independent old fart or maybe I have gained more wisdom.  I don’t know for sure which one it is!  Maybe some of both.  That could be. Such is life.

I read in the paper, soooo it must be right, that Mrs. Clinton is proposed to capture 48% of the female Democratic caucusgoers, 49% of those with no college degree, and 55% of seniors.  It appears maybe that a lot of her advertising is targeted to those groups.  KnowItAllSally says--Hey, ya got to do what you got to do to get elected; ya got to kiss up to the folks who will vote for you!  Ouchy ouchy!

EngineerJim (i.e. anybody can be a Jim) sent me this--erv, for some reason I thought that this might interest you. Check out the website. I always welcome new words.  This one is particularly fitting in light of national events.

http://dictionary.reference.com/wordoftheday/2015/10/21/kakistocracy

I was running the other morning and thinking about a guy.  All of a sudden he drives up from behind.  I waved him down and told him I was just thinking of him (i.e. happenstance, na I don’t think so)--Oh ya!--I was just thinking that you are one lucky guy to stare death in the face and win—ya, I didn’t see that cancer coming—how many years has it been—14—wow, you seem to live a good quality life—pretty much but age is taking it’s toll—how old are you—81; I’m pretty thankful alright. 

Sadly the pastor said to the official board.  “I feel we may as well drop the midweek prayer meeting.” This caused a furore among the elders and they indignantly refused to agree.  “But, brothers and sisters,” said the minister, “what you don’t seem to know is that no one has shown up for the midweek prayer meeting for the last six months.”  They didn’t see that coming!  Ouchy ouchy! GeorgeTheCrook says--Sometimes we live in an illusionary world. Joesixpack says—what’s good for the goose is good for the gander!

Pam and Bill

CrazyMarvin said--I don’t think BuiltLikeaBrickShitHousePam likes her husband, BigBoyBill, very well.  I heard her scream at him the other night—I would like to sew your butt closed!  Ouchy ouchy!  BigBoyBill said—I didn’t see that coming, I thought we were getting along just fine.  What in the world is going on. I wonder if that will chance her libido with me? CrazyMarvin says—Don’t get soooo excited BigBoyBill, my wife, SexieCarol, seems to have a period of time each month when she talks like that toooo.  Such is life.


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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Conscience is the still small voice that makes you feel still smaller.

tempo

A good old friend and I haven’t seen each other for about two years soooo we played some Saturday golf with some other golf buddies recently.  It was sooooo good to see him again.  He is a real person with a good heart.  ANYWAY I wasn’t playing my best and he said I had to slow down and get my tempo; erv, you are tooooo excited.  His coaching seemed to help.  When I get excited I have a tendency to goooo fast and get out of tempo.  Such is life.

I’m no flash in the pan; I'm not even a flash!  I asked my picklelball mentor if he will help me this winter with position and finesse. Those qualities are coachable but ability is not.  ItchieBitchie says—erv, maximizing your ability is what you need to work on.  Saturday question—Do you know what your best abilities are; do you use them; do you maximize them? Charles Barkley says--You can talk about Xs and Os all you want but you gotta have the Jims and Joes! I talked to a parent of a high school senor.  He told me he probably will go to a local private college at $42,000 a year.  Scholarships are available of $2,000 to $15,000 depending on the ACT scores, GPA, and class rank.  They really don't care how many tackles or spikes you got at your 2A high school in rural IA.  They want the Janes and Petes that can perform academically.  Such is life.

Heavens to Betsy! ItchieBitchie says—You folks with more talent and more ability, more is expected of you.  Oh ya!  No question. You set the tempo for everything.  I read in the Book (i.e. it is in red)—From everyone who has been given much; much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Do you believe that?  I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Life is a process of sowing seed by word and by deed, and the harvest is inevitable. Make sure that your judgment results in rewards instead of regrets. Soooo there you go. Does that make any sense to ya? 

We all seem to have different tempos that seems to work for us.  Some folks have slow tempo and some have average tempo and some have fast tempo.  A 68-year-old good friend a.k.a. Secretariat has world class speed (i.e. has run 6,000+ miles since 2010).  He makes most others look like they are in slow motion.  I play some pickle ball with a senor friend in AZ that has an abundance of energy.  She is a very good pickle ball player and tennis player (i.e. plays all over the Valley and country). I asked her recently if she has a nickname.  She said no.  I am going to call her E-B which is short for the Energizing Bunny. Other possible names were Grasshopper, Blur, Gung-Ho and Grease Lightning.  Secretariat and EB have world class tempo folks with a lot of zeal (i.e. also are multi-talented--are real folks with good hearts—have ability and availability).  I really enjoy being around both of these high energy folks (i.e. going like sixty) even though I can’t keep up with them.  They make me tired by just watching them!  Well, Humpty Dumpty!

It’s just a slower tempo! SusieQ says--Good health is defined by many as the slowest possible rate at which you can die--Well I'll be a money's uncle! The physical body is limited in both time and capability, but a person’s spirit shall live on forever (i.e. some folks believe that and some don’t). AverageJoe says—Most folks don’t sprint to death. ChurchLadyBetty says--Death is NOT the end, only the door to another beginning (i.e. if you are a believer).  Forever is where 100 years is a blink of an eye.  Joesixpack says--Heaven will be great…but I’m not in a great hurry just yet. I’m trying to slow the tempo down!!!!  Of course if you believe when you die it will be like a pig dyeing (i.e. has no spirit), you don’t need to think about heaven.  TomTerrific says--Decisions have consequences and you are in charge of your decisions?  Such is life.

Big babies! I went for a walk on our golf course last Saturday night.  There is a family farm corporation just to the west that feeds cattle.  They must of got some new calves in as they were bellowing for their mommies.  It's not easy to be weaned from mommy and mommy's sweet milk (i.e. that will change their tempo).  Sooooo I texted one the of principals--He told me that the calves are about 8 months old, weigh about 675 pounds and came from Montana. A few more months and they will be on your grill. Yummy! Such is life.

I was running the other morning and a 90-year-old friend was trimming his lawn.  I stopped and we talked (i.e. normal stuff—weather-nice fall day etc.).  Then he said to me—I get cold a lot easier than I use to and I’m not near as tough as I use to be!  Da!  His tempo has changed. Oh my aching back! I then continued my run and passed a walker (i.e. who is a super senior friend).  Her husband is struggling with Parkinson’s and she is his caregiver.  She was rather low a.k.a. discouraged.  I listened to her spill her heart.  She said her life and her husband’s life have really changed (i.e. their tempo will never be the same).  Such is life.

Tour de erv’smind! I was in a slow burning internal discouragement recently (i.e. sorta kinda somewhat of a quagmire).  It wasn’t bad but it was just eating at me a little on the inside.  It was going on for several days.  Just sorta kinda a grinder.  Then Arlene came up to me and hugged me and told me how much she loved me and thanked me for taking care of her and said--erv, I'm sorry I'm such a nuisance to you.  Crazy huh! Supernatural transcendent feelings and experiences seem to change a guy’s tempo folks.  LuckyEddie says—Those transcendent feelings and experiences can really change a person’s attitude real fast; they can come from the strangest places and from the strangest folks sometimes and at the strangest times.  Arlene always has had a knack for just that (i.e. has great feelings and senses). What Arlene did is very emblematic of who she is. That is why I love her sooooo much. Gee willikers!

A very old man lay dying in his bed. In death's doorway, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookie wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven. There, spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man? Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table. The aged and withered hand, shaking, made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife. "Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral." Jumping Jehoshaphat!

Well kiss my biscuits! I had the opportunity to be around a neat guy/friend the other day.  He is a busy, younger guy who has a lot of talent and uses it for good (i.e. my kind of guy). ANYWAY he called and wanted to play 9 holes (i.e. it was just a reason to get together and enjoy each other’s company).  And we did.  He mentioned a person (i.e. who we both know) that he thinks might have made some positive changes. Crazy, but I noticed the same thing in this person.  Why, we don’t know but he seems to be a nicer guy than he use to be (i.e. maybe we are just dreaming). He seems to have changed his tempo some! Sooooooo if both of us noticed this possible change in him, I wonder if others might toooo. Good for him.  We hope he has changed and maybe even changes more.  CadillacJack says—You can change from a goat to a hero real fast. But you can change from a hero to a goat just as fast!

WorldClassLarry says--Don’t let one life event define your life! If that one life event is a good event or a bad event, go forward (e.g. you scored a winning touchdown in high school or you had a disappointment). It appears that many folks get caught up in the one event of their life and stay right there (i.e. live it over and over and over).  Your life’s tempo is stagnated. LuckyEddie says—Suck it up cupcake, let’s get going, we’re burning daylight.

A neighboring town is doing some sewer work.  The company who is doing the work has a slogan on their tuck that makes me laugh.  A guy about 68 from our little town started a running program a couple of years ago.  I meet him some times and asked him how come he started running—doctor said I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol  and overweight.  He doesn’t appear to be very athletic but now he runs 6 miles every day and has lost 30+ pounds (i.e he looks great).  He changed his tempo.  Hey, he makes…happen!

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—There are two ways to wake up in the morning. “One is Good Morning God”--the other is “Good God it’s morning”

PS Thanks for being patient with me.  I think I have the problem worked out. Some of you don't know the problem I had as your mailing list didn't have a problem.  Gmail spammed my two large mailing lists sooooo  I had to break them down into smaller ones (i.e had to change my tempo). If any of you would rather not be on the mailing list, please just let me know.  Don't feel obligated in any way.  My feelings won't get hurt.  It's not about the money!!!!! And remember, you get what you pay for!!!! Such is life.

Recalibrate/readjust

ItchieBitchie says--Much of what is said is just an opinion or belief or preference or gossip or philosophy.  Very little of what is said is actual fact.  Soooo please take that into consideration when reading this “It’s Saturday.”  I don't want to have a dustup with you. As my neighbor Lila says—It is what it is (i.e. and it ain’t going to change)!

A recent Sunday I had an opportunity which resulted in another opportunity. I visited with a neat couple who are maybe about 37 years old (i.e. have three small children).  I knew these folks basically all their lives and also have known their parents for many years.  I don’t talk to them very often as our lives just don’t cross paths.  I asked the gal if she misses her Daddy (i.e. her Daddy passed away maybe 6 or 7 years ago).  She cried.  I think that is a pretty good compliment to her Daddy.  Abraham Lincoln said in the Lincoln-Douglas debates—The highest compliment you can give me during the brief half-hour as I conclude is by observing a strict silence; I’d rather be heard rather than be applauded. When I was walking home, I passed a house of 92 year old Gracie.  She and her maybe 60 year old son were just going in the house.  I said—going to have tea and a donut with your son Gracie—no, tea and rusk; you aren’t Dutch if you don’t eat rusk; and you’re not much if you aren’t Dutch!

 Joesixpack says--When I talk, I’m just repeating what I already know but when I listen, I might learn something.  Does this make any sense to ya.

We all have beliefs and some folks even have convictions.  I read this sooo it must be right--Difference between a conviction and a preference, according to the U.S. Supreme Court. A preference is a very strong belief, held with great strength. You can give your entire life in a full-time way to the service of the preference, and can also give your entire material wealth in the name of the belief. You can also energetically proselytize others to your preference. You can also want to teach this belief to your children, and the Supreme Court may still rule that it is a preference. A preference is a strong belief, but a belief that you will change under the right circumstances. Circumstances such as…

I read in the paper that there are 1 billion Catholics in the world.  Christians (i.e. about 2 billion) compose of about one-third of the world population.  One half of Christians are Catholics and the other half are Protestants of approximately 3,300 different denominations that have different worship styles and sub-structure beliefs. Our little town has a North American Baptist church (i.e. one of many brands of Baptist) with a denominational membership of about 70,000, a Reformed Church of America church that has a denominational membership of about 230,000, and a Evangelical Presbyterian church with a denominational membership of  about 135,000.

The only thing that has changed is everything. OneSmartPerson says—It appears in our culture we live in, folks want more anonymity.  Does that make any sense to any of ya? Relax. I don’t think they’re going to send you up for wanting to be anonymous, although I’m pretty sure if they poked around a bit in your background they could find something else.

LuckyEddie says—I don’t pay much attention to praise of others and I don’t pay any attention to the praise that I give to myself.  Many times praise is not really sincere and it screws up a person’s head in thinking that it is (i.e. it can recalibrate a person’s head making it toooo big).  It’s better to not pay much attention to praise. The paper said--Yogi Berra didn’t ever seem to be much impressed with his successes.  I think that is a good quality.  What do you think?

Maybe toooo much over-control.  I wonder. GeorgeTheCrook says--I don’t want to be a fixer anymore.  I might use the “Ostrich Effect.” I’m just maybe going to use the “I just want to be myself and let others be themselves” (i.e. anonymity).  Huh, interesting.   And I don’t know what is maybe right and what maybe isn’t but it’s maybe just my belief or my preference (i.e. programed by my past).  And why do I even care what others think or do.  It’s maybe none of my business. Much of my thinking is just my opinion and interpretation.  And you know what folks, belief and interpretations have been around forever. There will be wars and rumors of war…over beliefs and preferences (i.e. folks who think they know what is right).  Such is life.

Happenstance, na I don’t think soooo! I just read what Peter Bergman wrote in the Harvard Business Review— …The key is being deliberate about which old behaviors to revert to. That’s where the question, “What am I grateful for?”  The things I am grateful for are, by definition, already a part of my life. I am grateful for the undistributed time I spend with my family. For the sense of presence and focus I feel when I am writing. For the times when I really sink in to listen to another, without any need to fix them or the situation they’re in. For the clarity I have come to in the past year about what’s important to me and to my business — and the time I spend in those areas of focus. https://hbr.org/2015/10/how-gratitude-can-help-your-career

Saturday question—Do you ever use situational ethics? Dating from the late sixteenth century, the Latin motto of the royal Stuart dynasty of Scotland was Nemo me impune lacessit—“No one attacks me with impunity.” Rendered in English, it says, “No one can harm me unpunished.”  LuckiyEddie says—Does that mean the same as an eye for an eye or is that just an excuse to exercise vengeance? Joesixpack says--I forgive but I get even.

MissPerfect says--If your output exceeds your intake, your upkeep will be your downfall.

AverageJoe says--If you want to be happy, focus on your health and your family. Health and family are generally not affected by your surroundings. No matter what your social direction is, those things remain valuable and fulfilling and they help keep you happy 

The Chicago Cubby says--We got to get red of "The Billy Goat Curse"--recalibrate/readjust! The "Curse of the Billy Goat is a sports-related curse that was placed on the Chicago Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sinis was asked to leave a World Series game against the Detroit Tigers at the Cubs' home ballpark of Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans.He was outraged and declared, "Them Cubs, they ain't gonna win no more," which has been interpreted to mean that there would never be another World Series game won at Wrigley Field. The Cubs have not won a National League pennant since this incident and have not won a World Series  since 1908.

And another thing, your perception might not be reality! I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--Beware that you do not credit your blessings to your abilities and efforts. It’s tempting to believe you are somehow worthy of God’s blessings, as though you’ve earned them. However, he desired that you, without any question, recognize that it was your loving Father who was responsible for every gift, every provision. Don’t hesitate to recognize that. Give him the credit and offer him the thanks.” The situation might be very different than what you are perceiving. My mentor use to tell me—erv, things are never as good as they look or as bad as they look. MissPerfect says—I don’t know about giving the Lord the credit; I worked hard and made myself who I am. That giving God the credit just might be a belief that some folks have.  You would have to prove it to me before I will believe it; I’m a very smart, powerful person with a lot of education. Huh, interesting.

Moore’s law is an interesting law.  Goggle it. It might be a fact folks and not a belief. You ain’t seen nutten yet!  It will change the status que. We might be on a continious cusp of revolutionary change a.k.a cutting edge or bloody edge. We will always need to recalibrate/readjust!  Such is life. 

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Never look back or you will lose your stride.

tantrums tantrums tantrums

Warning: This "It's Saturday" might be hyperbole

Do you have tantrums?  Come on, be honest.  SusieQ, it will be awhile before you leave most of your tantrums behind. Until then, you can expect to deal with outbursts of anger and frustration on a regular basis. You can cut down on the frequency of your tantrums by making sure you get enough sleep and eat well during the day. Remember, when you are hungry and sleep-deprived, it is a meltdown waiting to happen. Exercise helps tooooo. 

I told a friend recently—I like you ‘cause you have all the tools and know how to use them!  Actually this guy is easy to like for me.  I just really like this guy.  I like a lot of folks for a lot of reasons: we are compatible, they intrigue me, I relate to them, they have a certain charisma, they make me laugh, we understand each other, we relate, we enjoy talking about the same stuff, we enjoy doing the same stuff, we enjoy each other's company, they care about me, I have compassion for them, we have the same focus, they are confident successful folks who are humble, they are real folks with good hearts etc.  You get it.  There are others who I prefer not to be around as much for just the opposite reasons a.k.a turn offs.  You get it. Such is life.

Robert (i.e. anybody can be  Robert) says--One of the most common emotions is fear. Psychologists have a term for our reaction to circumstances we perceive as threatening. It is called the "fight or flight" response. We either confront the persons or situations that threaten us in some way, or we flee, seeking to avoid or even escape potential calamity. I read this in a Book soooo it must be right--"...'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work...is finished'" 

Quoting Randy Johnson who was inducted in baseballs hall of fame—I didn’t now I was going to be half as good as I turned out to be. I wonder sometimes why some folks mature and become such great folks.  A friend told me on the golf course recently--You are who who are around and what you read. That makes sense to me.  I have had the opportunity to have been around many many good folks (i.e. you guys). I just hope osmosis works.

LuckieEddie says--The most important thing is not to be an idiot.

I read this in the paper sooooo it must be right--Of the successful people that you have met, which of the following is the main reason for their success? Two answers were selected far above all of the others: hard work and determination. Hard work was the most common answer, chosen by 40 percent of the people surveyed. But determination was a close second, cited by 38 percent of those responding to the question. It was interesting that these far surpassed other possible success factors, such as knowledge, luck or good fortune, and influential contacts.

Have you ever got a little frisky and  blown your temper like Old Faithful?  Maybe you are confuting, discombobulating, or in a chaos, Saturday question--Where are you at today?

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half banana on it--All of us eventually find ourselves in harsh situations. The situation may be because we made an obvious error or simply because someone disagrees with our decision. After you have done what you can do about your harsh situation, you then have a very important choice. YOU decide how you will feel and talk about it. You can fret, fuss, cuss, holler, cry, lament, shout, argue, complain, lash out and just get plain nasty about it.
That's your choice. You can see a shadow and hide or...You can joke about it, make people laugh,
see the humor in it, smile wide and bright and leave others awash in your glow. Life is not so much what acts upon us, but how we react to it. Laugh or lament. The choice is ours.

Bloody edge or cutting edge? Crazy! Microsoft Office 2016 has some great problems (i.e. the app was corrupted--ouchy ouchy). It took a Microsoft technology guy two hours to fix my problem yesterrday. Crazy! Now that could almost create a tantrum!

ItchieBitchie says--Resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die from it. It is focused exclusively on self, and because it proceeds from injured pride, it leaves no room for humility. Without humility we cannot approach God, nor can we have any real or meaningful relationship with others. Humility is the only ground in which the spiritual life grows. Such is life.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--We are given enough JOY to live each day.

the mind

SusieQ says—My mind is a lottery, a regular crap shoot!  CrazyMrvin says--I tell you what SsieQ, I have a byzantine mind. Saturday queston—Do you trust you mind or your gut the most in making decisions?

Ciri says we have 78 organs in our body and 5 major organs—the heart, the brain, the lungs, the liver, and the kidneys. Joesixpack says—The brain (i.e. our mind) is affected by circumstances, events, propaganda, subliminal messages, education, internet narcissism, experiences etc.  My mentor use to say—erv, we are programed by our past.  I wonder sometimes if we hear the repeated same old things over and over sooooo many times that we no longer bother to notice what is being said. The words just become insipid.  I wonder. Maybe I just wonder that ‘cause my mind is weak and wonders a lot.  Could be folks. Weak mind strong back or something like that—I hurt my back taking the clothes out of the hamper the other day (i.e. crazy huh) soooo maybe I have a weak back and a weak mind.  Could be. LuckieEddie says--If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck!

This was a guy decision! I had a Ping G20 driver 10.5 degree loft R flex.  I wanted the same stick but with 8.5 degree loft.  Soooo I bought a used one on ebay and sold mind. My driver sold on eBay for $102.50. I paid $121 for the 8.5° driver. But if you add in the value of the sleeve of ProV1s at $15 that the seller threw in, the transaction cost me $3.50 to hit the ball 10 yards farther maybe! But I feel oh sooooo good! One of my golf buddies said to me—erv, all seasoned golfers know 10 yards off the tee is just for ego--the real improvement comes between the ears.

Hey, erv This is no joke it really happened to me!  A few weeks ago I noticed that I had gained some weight. I had reached an all time high of 232, so I decided to stop eating candy, ice cream and other good things. After two weeks I had lost 12# ! Not too bad!  I did the math and found that I had lost .857# per day, so I did some more math . I divided my current weight of 220# by .857 and found that in just 256.7 days I will be completely gone! So I went back to ice cream!  Oldclassmateof63

Joesixpack says--And sometimes we are wrong and we have to eat crow! The Italian mathematician, physicist, and philosopher Galileo was forced to recant his conviction that the earth moves around the sun rather than the sun around the earth. He was proven wrong.  WorldClassLarry says--It takes a big man to know and accept when he is wrong. Abraham Lincoln never formally joined a church.  He did start attending the Presbyterian church in Springfield after his son Edward died.  Lincoln was a student of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, did not, however, embrace the theology of salvation.  Yet when he saw the thousands of graves at Gettysburg, he had a spiritual awakening.  As Lincoln later said: “When I left Springfield I asked people to pray for me. I was not a Christian.  When I buried my son, the severest trail of my life in 1862, I was not a Christian.  But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.

A golf buddy and I were talking about an old boss of his.  We came to the conclusion that it appears that many successful business folks sorta kinda have somewhat of a certain zing (i.e. moxie) to them.  ItchieBitchie says—Maybe folks need that mind set for them to be successful.  You think soooo?  I read in the paper, soooooo it must be right, that a little narcissism is ok and maybe good for folks.  The key might be “a small amount!”  WorldClassLarry says--Also if the little narcissism can be camouflaged with humility.  AverageJoe says—An egotistical person is one who is “me” deep in a conversation!  Ouchy ouchy!

 Recently I was in a small group setting where one of our buddies was given the opportunity to share his “current life’s storm.”  It is a tough storm he is in.  No question.  Storm aren’t much fun.  The residual effects of storms aren’t either.  You all know what I am talking about—if not, you will at some time.  I talked to my friend later and he told me it felt sooooo good to share it.  I told him that it was an opportunity for him but also a great opportunity for the rest of us to hear it.  CadillacJack says--Stuff like that can affect a guy’s mind alright (i.e. maybe just temporally or maybe permanently). I asked out support group what they do to encourage themselves--one gal said she prays for wisdom, lot of wisdom and 

patience and courage--does it help--my storm doesn't go away and is gettin worse but my mentality has changed.  Bingo.

The other morning I was running and one of my buddies hollered at me—erv, are you moving or standing still!  Later that morning, he called me and asked if he offended me.  I told him he couldn’t chagrin me (i.e. ‘cause I know him and his heart).  He was wondering as it is soooo easy to offend anyone these days.  That is the kind of buddy he is.  But I really wonder if he was kidding or if he was serious and he had a slip of the tongue!!! I think (i.e.my opinion) that this “having to be sooooo careful what you say” has taken some fun out of life.  Our language has become very generic, less colorful, more middle of the road. We are sooo concerned that we might be offending others that we just don’t say anything (i.e. ya can’t offend anyone if you don’t say anything). Could be but I don’t know. What do you think?

Does a monkey use its mind or gut to make decisions?  I read this in the paper, sooooo it must be right--In the wild, female chimpanzees have been seen trading sex for meat. In the lab, capuchin monkeys who are rewarded with silver discs for performing some task will use them to buy sex. MissPerfect says--The mind of a human and a moneys seem to operate about the same.  Really! Ya gotta wonder if Darwin's theory has some merit!  

I read this while eating my oatmeal with a half a banana on it--God has used out-of-the-ordinary strategies in the past. Most of us can probably think of a time or two when we thought we had life figured out, only to have it turned upside down. A radical change in career, an uncomfortable move, an illness, or even a death can bring one closer to God and doing his will in ways never imagined. We can go through life playing it safe, but there will be times when God may use a risk or strange way to bring something new to light, as only he can. Now those times can and might affect a person’s mind alright.

 MissPerfect says--Many criminals and street folks are notorious liars (i.e. seem to be very good at it). Why? Well maybe part of the reason is ‘cause many of them are mentally ill or addicted. I read in the paper that statistically, the upper classes in America go to school, go to work, get married, stay married, are active in community events, go to church and don’t commit stupid crimes (i.e. think through that folks). GeorgeTheCrook says--Some folks seem to make better decisions.  And decisions have consequences. LuckieEddie says—I think folks have choices (i.e. some folks think not everyone has choices and also think that not all decision are not made freely--if they are not mentally capable or under duress). It appears to me that the world takes advantage of many folks who are not capable of making good decisions (i.e. pluck pluck pluck the easy ones).  I read in the paper, soooo it must be right--Lottery sells most in poorer locations. Saturday question—Have you ever been plucked. GeorgeTheCrook says—Listen folks, there are some “apex predators” out there and I’m not kidding. 

Happenstance, na I don’t think soooooo!  A recent Saturday morning I was walking on the golf course thinking about several opportunities I passed on earlier in the summer (i.e. our situation didn't seem to fit well at the time).  I was thinking that usually when you pass on opportunities they are gone forever.  Just then my phone rang.  Guess what, I was offered one of those opportunities that I passed on.  Our situation is somewhat better now and I said yes.  How about that.  My mind changed in a matter of seconds.  Bingo.

Joesixpack asks--Why do most folks’ minds change between the ages of 20 to 35? Mark Twain said—“When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much he had learned in 7 years.”  Joesixpack says—I have some family that are in their 50s and their minds have not changed yet; I’m sorry to say that some of my family are idiots and alcohol only makes them worse. Ouchy ouchy!

Charles Dickens said—“Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”  Is that a mind decision or a gut decision?

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

erv

MyFriendJean says—A smile is a wrinkle that shouldn’t be removed.

murky water

I am going to tell you all I know in this "It's Saturday." Yessiree! Don't worry, it won't take long!  

I told myfriendSteve (i.e. anybody can be a Steve) the other day--Most of the time I"m pretty comfortable with life and in my situation of life (i.e. most of the time).  We have a lot of limitations which alters my life style but life is okay.  Life isn't really murky to me.  I think I see it as it is.  Does that make any sense to any of you?  Several years ago, I was trying to mentor a lad who had a bad family situation.  I told him that life isn't always fair (i.e. the only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that's in June).  He said to me--erv, life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what your are going to get.  I put a lot of effort and time into this kid but don't really know if I made any difference in his life.  I guess I will never know now will I. Such is life.

This week I solved maybe a 50 year old riddle I had about my life.  Amazing!  How? A newspaper story solved it for me. I guess it showed me to look at it from a different perspective and bingo, it wasn't murky anymore!  There was the answer.  A very positive answer at that.  

In William Shakespeare's classic literary work, Hamlet, he includes the famous words, "To be, or not to be - that is the question: Whether is nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles...." Through these, Shakespeare states, we see the essence of simply being. Living life as it is.  Such is life.

I like real folks with good hearts.  If folks mess up and make mistakes, I can accept that. I can accept folks who disagree with me.  But I don’t much care for the DuaneTheWorm type of folks that will say and do anything that will make themselves look better (i.e. murky).  My opinion is that many politicians seem to be DuaneTheWorm type of folks (i.e. it might appear that is the way to get elected). MissPerfect says-- I think the AverageJoes want someone to be real (e.g. a person who is a honest turn-the-,,,ship-around person).  Some politicians say—Everyone should have a nice house and everyone should have everything that everyone else has.  They don’t say how they are going to get folks that stuff but they say statements like that for votes (i.e. I think most normal folks are starting to catch on).  Maybe those certain politicians are real folks (i.e. real in that they are not real).  They are just murky, real murky! SmartAleckSam says--Can't we find some middle ground and go forward (e.g. compromise). 

SusieQ says--Ya can preach all you want but if you don't practice what you preach, you are just wasting your time (i.e. making the water murky).  I read in the paper, sooooo it must be right) that what people say (i.e. words) is only 7% of the communication.  The folks that leaders are trying to lead have to buy into the goals of the project, and they have to feel they were contributing to the overall success of reaching those goals. If they don't buy into the leader for what ever reason, the person is not a leader and probably won't have much success.  CadillacJack says--Look around, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  Will Rogers said--If you’re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.  

GeorgeTheCrook says--We have limitations in our natures.  Some folks are epistemological: reason is weak and the world is complex.  We cannot really grasp the complexity of the world or the full truth about ourselves (e.g. morals and social). CrazyMarvin says—We are humans, that’s why. ItchieBitchie says--Maybe we need one foot in in the world of achievement but another foot in a counterculture that is in tension with the achievement ethos. I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--When a person gives a poor man shoes, does he do it for the poor man or for God?  The poor will often be ungrateful, and you will lose heart if you rely on immediate emotional rewards for your work (i.e. our minds get murky).  But if you do it for God, you will never grow discouraged (i.e. our minds will stay clear).  Huh, interesting.

This isn't murky murky.  LuckieEddie says--It's straight up!  ~  The things that lead us astray are short term—lust, fear, vanity, gluttony.  The things we call character endure over the long term—courage, honest, humility. LuckieEddie, that makes DuaneTheWorm short term.  He could be the champion short term guy.  If not, very close I would guess. This guy is good!

This is murky murky! An elderly couple had just  learned how to send text messages on their cell  phones. The wife was  a romantic type and the husband was more of a no-nonsense guy. One afternoon the wife went out to meet a friend for coffee. She  decided to send her husband a romantic text message and she wrote: "If you  are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a  sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you. The  husband texted back to her: "I am taking a shit.  Please advise."

Hats off to Red Cross blood donation folks.  They sent me a thank you for giving blood (i.e. nutten new) but they also sent along a questionnaire asking help in seeing how they are doing in providing service to us.  Now that is wearing a bigboypants (i.e. my opinion).  We went to eat at TX Road House the other night.  All the greeters who take folks to their tables asked the patrons how their experience was the last time the ate at the TX Roadhouse.  Papa Murphy must think impute of their patrons is important as they will give you free bread (i.e. in AZ $2 off your next pizza) if you call and answer a few questions about their service and product. Why do you think they do this?  Da!  They want us to come back sooooo they can make money off us.  If we are not happy, we won’t come back but will take our $$$$ elsewhere.  I think the good old boy mentality organizations won’t do that.  Why?  Don’t want to disrupt the “gravey train “ a.k.a. good old boy mentality.  Maybe churches should do this—the questionnaire thing.  What do you think?  Maybe some do.  Could be. ItchieBitchie says—It’s sooooo easy to be average and just let the old dog sleep.  It’s toooo much work to make a major change.  Besides, those in the good old boy system probably have it made and don’t want any chances.  Don’t want to make the water murky.

I read it in the paper sooooo it must be right that "U of I hired Ex-IBM exec Bruce Harreld as president "to shake up the culture of the institution"...the Board of Regents picked Harreld over more traditional candidates (i.e. from within the educational system) unanimously...the selection, the Regents says, sends the message "the current status quo is unacceptable". ...faculty is not happy.  Maybe, just maybe how business operates and how education operates might be different (i.e. that might scare some faculty). If there is an old boy mentality, it might be threatened.  I have no idea if there is an old boy mentality there.  I only know what I read in the paper. But it would appear there is a reason why faculty is sooo excited. That will make the water murky!!! Most everyone thinks--How is this going to affect my butt (i.e. $$$ self-interest). That is pretty normal folks. Such is life.

This is our hs football field
This friend was the chief field painter

This is rather murky folks.  A friend told me that Aplington-Parkersburg (i.e . our high school) beat E. Marshall 56-7, EM beat BCLUW 55-18, BCLUW beat GMG 13-0 and GMG beat N. Tama 22-16. I wonder what the score would be then if we would play N. Tama?  Huh, interesting.  

LuckieEddie says--People say that religion is a crutch (i.e. for sissies). But there are times in all our lives where our circumstances (e.g. storms and speed bumps) cripple us and in those times, I'd much rather have God to lean on than any number of less savory alternatives (e.g. the folks at the Wild Horse Bar). Jesus isn't murky to little kids (i.e. very clear)--During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republicans. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him. Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some folks from Micigain on the Mount. But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot of American Airlines. Pontius the Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead and said he couldn't fly.
  Have a FUN day my friends unless you have other plans.

erv

MyFriendJean says--We give advice by the bucket but take it by the grain.