the real deal

I read in the paper soooo it must be right—Only a fool would believe everything a politician says but then again there are a lot of fools! We don’t hardly believe anyone is the “real deal” any more no matter what their position is (e.g. some spouses don’t even trust their spouse any more—haha); we just don’t believe folks as we have been fooled soooo many times.  Soooooo I give no guarantee if anything is correct in this “It’s Saturday” based on what you think is right!  Judge for yourself.  MissPerfect who can over cook things at times, says—If a man’s wife doesn’t trust him, neither do I!

I have an idea that I plan to do here in AZ.  It’s the real deal (i.e. my opinion) but it will take some courage on my part.  Actually, some of you will think it’s crazy and others of you will think it would be risky for me.  BUT I think I’m going to do it.  I was sitting on the fence for some time as to if I was going to do it but was encouraged to do it by a crazy experience being that what I heard Russel Wilson say in an interview (i.e. does that surprise you). We are encouraged by the craziest things and by all kinds of folks, now aren’t we. Sorry to say, I’m also discouraged because of some things folks say and some kind of folks’ attitudes. I try not to be around these types of folks for toooo long periods of time (i.e. they tend to lessen me).

I’m not positive but I think this might be the real deal!  I was talking to my neighbor here in AZ the other day.  He gave me some advice indirectly. He told me about his potential future plans.  He and his wife have options and have exercised some of their options in the past. He really surprised me with his ideas. I didn’t know him this way before. They are thinking about changing their lifestyle to something they have really learned to enjoy. He has stimulated me to think out of the box some. Soooo what does that mean?  I really don’t know.  BUT I’m thinking. My neighbor is more like me than I thought. I am going to pick his mind for more ideas. Where is this going to go?  I have no idea. But it is fun to dream and plan and wonder! Of course, my future can change in a flash!  I understand that very much. Soooo can yours. Because of a lot of reasons! Both good or bad!

Three blind mice, three blind mice See how they run, see how they run They all ran after the farmer's wife She cut off their tails with a carving knife Did you ever see such a sight in your life as three blind mice?  Wonder why folks of my generation are confused after hearing this before they went to bed for years.  My realtor visited with me and said there are very few units for sale in our park and also few buyers.  It appears that folks are just sitting tight and going to see what happens.  A friend asked me--erv, what is going to happen—I have no idea; it appears that no one knows, no one.  A friend when I ask him what is going to happen says to me—If I would know I would tell you erv.  Here is a good answer that an investment stock broker would say to me when I asked him what is going to happen to the market—It is either going to go up or it is going down; it always does! WildWilly says—The market goes up on rumor but down on fact a.k.a. “buy the rumor and sell the news.” There is another old saying that goes like this—Do the opposite of what everyone else is doing! Or buy low and sell high works tooooo! Or do what Alfred does, everything he touches turns to gold! Well, the future is the great unknown and for sure it’s the mysterious unknown!  It sure doesn’t look very clear says the three blind mice.

I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it this—There is a thick line between entertainment and reality (i.e. meaning what you see and what the actual situation actually is might be way different, sometimes it’s a mirage).  ItchieBitche who has a tendency when things don't go well to fold her tent and go home, says—Folks aren’t always as they look or their lifestyles always don’t make folks happy. Sometimes folks who don’t live the flamboyant lifestyle are very happy. Soooo don’t always judge folks by how they look folks, you might be surprised. I see a variety of retired folks’ actions and lifestyle expressions here in the desert.  Yes, I do. I probably don’t know always what the real deal is. Saturday question—Are you the real deal or a fake? 

The movie Schindler’s List was impacting to me. I thought about this when talking to a street person outside Albertsons grocery store the other day.  One statement that Oskar Schindler made that I still remember and has affected me. It is: “Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don't.” Now that is real power folks. When we have the power to hurt someone and we decide not to, now that is power.  Anyone can hurt someone, but it takes a great person to choose not to hurt someone when we really want to and have the power. I think that’s the real deal. And no one will ever know if  we decide not to hurt someone and let them go Scott free, no one except us and God, not even the person who we are merciful tooooo. It’s like we forgave them their debt. Soooo who gained the most, the person we forgave or us? Now that is pretty deep folks. Anyone can step on a person who has no power, but it takes a great big person to decide not tooooo (i.e. instead they try to encourage them). I wonder if most powerful folks step on little folks. I wonder. Do you?

I think about this story, folks: I’ve heard that after John D. Rockefeller (one of the richest men of his time) died, a reporter asked his accountant how much John D. had left behind. “All of it,” the accountant answered. And I think about this, folks:  There is no profit in gaining the world and losing God. Even The Beatles understood that, writing these words in one of their final songs, “Last night the wife said / ‘Poor boy, when you’re dead / you don’t take nothing with you / But your soul—think!” Okay folks, we all have our special way(s) of helping folks if we want toooooo.  Big on if we want toooooo!  Some folks do not want to help others, they are all about themselves, completely.  And it appears that sometimes the more material wealth we get, the less we want to be nice to others.  Why is that do you think?  ANYWAY, the question to myself right now is, how can I help others.  I’m not asking how you can but how I can. That’s the real deal! I have no control over any of you! None! Zilch!

This is what Jeff, anybody can be a Jeff, says that made me think about myself and others—"As I’ve mentioned before, it doesn’t take wealth to be generous. It takes a tender heart. God puts chances for generosity in front of us daily. Let’s be prodigal givers.” GeorgeTheCrook says—There are tender hearted folks and then some aren’t. There are givers and then there are takers. I have no idea for sure why we are what we are. Saturday question—Who are you? In visiting with seniors here in AZ from all over the place, it appears that there might be a commonality and that being their environment had something to do with who they are especially influenced by a parent.  Even if they are in their 70s or 80s. It still shows (i.e. both good and bad). Such is life.

I read this word the other morning that really got my attention. The word is dispensation. My teacher in Roseland Elementary didn’t ever mention that word that I can remember.  I would guess many of you know what it means; I really didn’t. It’s a great word for me. I sorta kinda think that I’m in a temporary dispensation period of my life. Maybe even just for the months I’m here in AZ.  Now I hope you research the word and ponder why I think that.  That’s an educational and psychological project with an application you might apply to your life as well. Or I guess you can get a bag of chips and sit on the couch! Both are result makers! haha

I’m in CO with our children and their families. I am incredibly thankful for them, unbelievably thankful! Of course, it is a great experience being together that I cherish and I hope you do as well with your family. WorldClassLarry says—"Children have always been terrible at listening to their elders, but they never have failed to imitate them. Your children and grandchildren see everything you do. They know your nature. They know your spirit. They know your intent. They watch you. You can say all you want but your example is what really impacts them." Now that is the real deal folks. BUT they always don't follow our example! Some do a lot better than our example! Oh ya!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.

controversial

Warning: This “It’s Saturday” is controversial. When anyone talks about anything controversial it means that there are differences of opinions; folks just don’t agree. TheLadyDownTheStreet says—erv erv, you’re the pot calling the kettle black in this “It’s Saturday.” You know, I might be! haha Let TheLadyDownTheStreet muse on!  

We live in a culture in America (i.e. and probably in the world) of go go go go go go go go but to really learn and appreciate material we need to be still—be still and know. My Daddy, Chester, would say to me—erv, most folks don’t think enough. That was his opinion. I like the word strategize as it seems full of action and thinking. But thinking seems to be controversial as it seems many actions are the result of not much thought, at least not for long term planning but for maybe more for short term satisfaction. I read while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it that the buzz word in mental health is toxic, meaning stay away from toxic folks.  Again, we have tooooo decide what is toxic and then who are the toxic folks.  JoeBlow, who isn’t going anywhere soon, says—I will have to think about that! OOOh! Ahhhh!

Hiking up 'er in 'em Superstition Mountains is a quiet time in beautiful surroundings for me toooo think! But certain crazy thinking can put pressure on me. Oh ya! SusieQ says--erv, don't go crazy, call Daisy!  Is Daisy the one who texts me but I don't open her texts as she sounds toxic to me? Here is some controversial wisdom of a 75-year old grandma I know which she gave to her 15-year old granddaughter--Her granddaughter called her all crying as her boy friend broke up with her.  She said--Mydearsweetgranddaughter, boy friends at your age are like busses, wait 10 minutes and another one will come along! Soooo I wonder if that same thinking applies to the75-year old single grandmas in our 55+ community here in the Valley!  haha

We have many laws that are controversial to many folks (i.e. no one seems to agree on anything). WorldClassLarry says—We can pass laws in government or even in our churches, but laws don’t change hearts.  OOOh!  Ahhhh! Soooo how can a bitter, nasty heart be changed? Now that is pretty deep. I would guess most folks don’t sit under an old apple tree and ponder that.  Or I wonder how many of us pray that God might change our bitter, nasty heart but maybe we pray that God might change my friend’s bitter nasty, heart.  ItchieBitchie, who knows himself the best, says--That self-evaluation is soooo hard, I did a honest self-evaluation once and didn’t like what I saw at all soooo I quit thinking about it! Saturday question—Do you think others see us the same as we see yourself? OOOh! Ahhhh! GeorgeTheCrook says—No matter what I write about myself in my obituary, folks who know me know my true self.  Like Abraham Lincoln said—You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all the time, but you can't fool all the people all the time.

Sometimes we think children have a China doll mentality but usually they are tougher than we think; they can figure it out and it’s better that they make small decisions themselves and numerous times. And if they make little mistakes, it’s good for them to suffer the consequences sometimes. My opinion is that it makes us better decision makers.  I was visiting recently with a friend who I think is a good decision maker. He seems to see the big picture and not just the nutshell version. We discussed that it appears that folks who have been around many different types of people, who have traveled the world, who have had many experiences of many kinds, who have made many decisions seem to have a different decision process than some who have not had those opportunities.  It appears their decision process is just different. It could be, maybe a broader view, a different perspective. If folks have never been out of Butler County, their thinking might be skewed some. Maybe. YaBut, they have watched a lot of news and read Facebook a lot! What do you think? WildWilly says—I think they are just as sure of themselves as others and just as happy, that is what I think! Why wouldn’t they, that is all they know!

Ya ya ya, but it’s the Johnnies and the Susies who get it done most of the time and not the windy folks making the noise; let’s look at their current and past results a.k.a. analytics folks.  The proof is in the pudding. It is very controversial if I can’t do it or I don’t want to do it.  You ever wonder about yourself? Many times, I can do much more stuff than I want to do. My thoughts seem to be quite controversial.  Soooo I guess it’s a mind game a lot with me.  Unless I really want it done or I just have toooo have it done, now that can change things!  Such is life.

Bev Van Wink, who’s a blue-eyed blonde with Dutch descent and who makes a living selling pictures of her teeth, says—Many decisions are made by a simple majority and it might be a majority of 51% soooo the other 49% totally disagree.  Sooooo how can we not have controversy!  These decisions many times affect many many folks. Soooo the battle never really goes away (i.e. look at our political environment). At the local level, we can just leave the church if we disagree, but we can’t leave the decisions of our government.  I guess we can protest, and some folks do, and it seems they get their way sometimes. I see that there are a lot of folks protesting all over the world soooo there must be a lot of unhappy folks.  Maybe they are just the small minority but get all the publicity by the news media.  I don’t know. What do you think?

Infinite, I like that word. It just strikes me as a “Wow” word like it’s forever, now that is impossible for me to comprehend (i.e. beyond my mind’s capacity).  It appears that there are certain things either good or bad that has or will happen to us that will affect us in infinite ways.  Now that is hard to comprehend as well. Let’s look at a practical example, a controversial call is made in a NFL football game which affects the outcome which affects the team to not get in the play offs sooo they can’t win the world championship, which forces a player to lose his job, his family falls apart, and the list goes on and on. And that controversial call could have gone either way. Wonder if it would have gone the other way what the results might be. Soooo now let’s put something like that in our life of the past or the future that might affect us forever and forever (i.e. maybe even just a foolish mistake). Wow! OOOh! Ahhhh!

It appears that we do a lot of stuff that is on the edge or maybe a little over the edge (i.e. whatever we think we can get by with).  We are always pushing the limit as to what we can get by with.  Many of those events are very controversial (e.g. a defensive back in football does everything possible to the extreme edge of the rules to gain an advantage; tries to maximize their advantage. Push the issue to the limit or even a little beyond the legal amount). They take whatever they can get by with. It appears that most folks push their limit as to what they can spend and some even go way over what they can afford to spend.  FlipThePancake. I have a friend who told me that her financial advisor told her that she is unusual as she is content with her situation and doesn’t always want more (i.e. they tell her she is uncommon). I believe she has moxie and other great inward qualities. Huh, interesting. Maybe she just has a great stiff arm!  haha ItchieBitchie says--Have we ever said no to the things we should have said yes to and yes to the things we should have said no to? Da!

I know a person who is in our 55+ community who is always controversial. If I say it’s white, he will say it’s black and vice versa.  I think this person just likes to disagree.  No matter what is said, he will say something to stir the pot, that being negative. This person is rather annoying to be around. I don’t think they have any idea they are this way. You think they have always been this way? Where do you think he got that attitude from? He surely doesn’t have much of a cooperative spirit, my opinion. JosieSmart who might need cinnamon-scented pinecones more than she realizes, says--If that person can’t just agree and quit being disagreeable all the time, at least he could just be quiet. He might be the husband of the lady I met leaving the pickleball court the other morning who was at the dog park treating her dog like it was her baby.  I said to her, you really seem to love your dog—oh, I just love my dog, Bruno; actually, I might love Bruno more than my husband who is soooo obnoxious and disagreeable! Ouchy ouchy!

Here is sorta kinda a controversial discussion of my mind.  A friend once told me that I let things bother me to much; I'm toooo tender. Also I'm a fixer just like many of you. Sooooo I don't like to see evil win as many of you don't either. I stir all that stuff in a pot and it causes conflict in my mind.  It seems like it would be easier for me if I didn't let stuff get on my nerves and I just forgot about issues that trouble me (i.e. but that sounds like I don't care and I don't want to be that way either). Soooo how do you handle these situations?  

I was reminded once again recently about something that made me laugh about years and years ago, like 50 years ago. We had a musician who attended the church we did that would only come when he could perform, not to worship with his ability but to preform (i.e. put on a show and get recognition which he loved). He never bowed but he would have liked tooooo I think. Now a performance is done in Las Vegas, or playing in the NFL, maybe in business, or social media or politics or anywhere where you might think it’s an advantage to move up the ladder but not in the spiritual world (i.e. that is my opinion).  But that is very controversial. Some folks love to be glorified. Now that thought might raise some cane in your mind. OOOh! Ahhhh! Like the old story--There is a black dog and a white dog fighting in my mind and the one that wins is the one that I feed the most! BobTheChamp says--I got to to the top of the ladder to only find out I had my ladder against the wrong wall! Ouchy ouchy!

Kelly says—"When you become distracted in your faith, it’s time to refocus. Whether you’re facing a crushing disappointment, a scary diagnosis, or fear of the future, spend time in prayer and reflection. Your quiet conversation with God will redirect your thoughts and your feelings to Him—in whom there is complete security and trust. The result? Your heart and your mind will do an about-face.” I like to sit early in the morning and muse about a lot of things.  I enjoy it. I was musing the other morning about if I extend enough mercy and grace to folks or am I tooooo judgmental.  I decided I don’t extend enough mercy and grace and yes, I am tooooo judgmental.  My Mom, Anna, would say—erv, if you are going to error, error on being overly kind and gracious.  She was just that kind of lady. KnowItAllBill, who is “what a guy”, says—You got to have rules and be legalistic or there is no order.  Moderation my friend moderation. CrazyMarvin says--This is very controversial in our culture. Sooooo weren’t the Pharisees very legalistic? And what did Jesus call them?

RickyRick says—"Psychologists have identified hundreds of fears that people can have. Fear is a universal problem—and it takes away our joy. What’s your greatest fear? Is it embarrassment? Failure? Rejection? Disappointing others? Not fitting in?” Before I left for AZ I was part of a small group with our church.  I enjoyed it; it was about prayer.  ANYWAY, it stimulated my thinking of a small group I was in many years ago in which we were talking about fears.  A young, successful businessman expressed that his greatest fear was the fear of failure and because of this he worked very hard in his studies and now in his business, he just didn’t want to fail. It’s maybe controversial if that is a good motive or a terrible weight to carry around.  He has been seemingly successful and is now in his 60s and I wonder if he got over that. He still works very hard. What do you think? Folks have told me that the fear of failure prevents them from trying new things; they just can’t handle failure (i.e. it just hurts tooooo much). LuckieEddie says--It's easier to continue to hit our heads against the wall than to change; at least we know how it feels!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Invest in the power of love, not the love of power.

SwervenErvin

Age alone is no guarantee of maturity or freedom from error.  As Elihu said to Job, “The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn’t guarantee good sense” Job 32:9). I have no idea if any of the stuff in this “It’s Saturday” is wisdom or good sense.  It is what it is!  That’s all I can say!  AAA-CHOOO!

I have to admit that I’m a SwervenErvin.  I swerve in and out for a lot of reasons.  Maybe my life’s road is slick and that is why I swerve. Or maybe I want to make better time soooo I swerve in and out of traffic. There was a new law passed in IA that is already in existence in AZ that you can go between traffic lanes of standing traffic called lane splitting or filtering.  I saw a lot of it in Europe last summer when folks with their scooters were going all over the place just inches between them and cars. It will take some practice for me to get comfortable with that I would guess. I will have to learn a new flavor of swervin'! haha

I hope that I mature and don’t swerve soooo much as I do on occasions, but I really wonder as I wander if that will happen. A friend told me that he and his friend mentored some folks who came to their church both with money management and their spirituality. After some time they reverted back to their old ways (i.e. their default systems). My friend felt like they were taken advantage of. My friend seemed discouraged. And then those folks went to another church. Another friend is mentoring a young person about money management. He just doesn't get it that he can't spend more than he makes. His attitude is--I don't need to worry about it, the government will bail me out and take care of me sooo why should I worry.  AAA-CHOOO!

We just keep her rolling; America is now about $31 trillion or is it $41 trillion in debt (i.e. who really knows).  My observation is that the snowball that is rolling down the mountain is getting bigger and bigger and going faster and faster and getting closer to the bottom (i.e. we just can’t stop it; it’s completely out of control). At some point in time, something has to change. I believe the only way it will change is a huge massive catastrophe.  Maybe that is why folks are living it up today for tomorrow they wonder toooo!  But what do I know, I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile and a quarter south of Roseland, MN.  ItchieBitchie says—erv erv, folks have been saying that for years and years and years, but we just keep on going. We just keep swervin' and swervin' to dodge the bullet. Soooo far we have been very good swervers!  Very innovative and creative.  We are very very good! YaBut ItchieBitchie--Both parties during their recent campaigning said to vote for them to save America's democracy!

I had a neat experience this fall.  I admire the flowers of a neighbor down the street, especially her zinnias. She said she would bring me some flower heads after frost soooo I could harvest the seeds for next year.  She kept her promise. I told her she does such a great job—I try.  I told her I really like that statement; we try.  That is a such a humble statement as we all know we always aren’t perfect (i.e. well, most of us don’t think soooo anyway). She is in the banking business and told me that she never planned to be in this business but just it just fell into her lap. Fell into her lap.  How many of us can say something similar, it just fell into our lap.  I sure can. We swerve around in life, and it just falls into our lap (e.g. folks spend $200,000 to get a degree in English and end up owning a garbage business). Swerven swerven Raw Hide! Did any of you folks watch that TV program as a kid?

Here is a good prayer that I read this week—Keep me authentic, Lord. Take every phony-baloney cell out of my body.  Just keep me real. It appears to me that when I am real to the bone, I don’t swerve as much.  AAA-CHOOO!  On my trip from Morison, CO to Mesa I was pulling into Trinidad at sunrise when I got a tire shot out from underneath me. That was a two hour delay. But, I met four very nice and kind people (i.e. real folks with good hearts; my kind of folks). Actually, it was an opportunity. So everything kinda worked out OK. As MyFriendJim always says to me--Happenstance, na, I don't think soooo erv!

It appears that many folks who swerve their way to the top and now they have no one to answer toooo. They are the top of the ladder a.k.a. the big dog! They can be very private, and no one knows what happens behind closed doors. Except themselves! They can get by with murder!  That is just an expression just like me getting a tire shot out from under me at dawn, but sorta kinda true!  But then some way the truth is found out and they come tumbling down like Humpty Dumpty!  It seems to happen to a lot of folks.  Some “attorney up” and swerve their way out of the worse but usually it ruins their lives it seems.  But maybe they still are rich financially and to them maybe that is all that counts.  Could be.  They don’t care about their families or friends.  It’s the money folks, it’s all about the money! They think they can always get another spouse and buy some more friends. Money can do that they think, and I guess it can, maybe. It is really hard it seems to stay fundamentally sound in what is true.  We have a tenancy to swerve away from truth when we get cocky and overconfident. We all, my opinion, need to be careful. I like the saying—erv, pay attention and heed the advice of your friends who are good counsel (i.e. I ask my friends for advice a lot; BUT I need to  pick good friends soooo I get good advice).  

Chuck, anybody can be a Chuck says—"If you find yourself in a trusted and precarious position of being unquestioned in your authority, be very, very careful. In fact, I would counsel you to select a small group of trusted people to voluntarily make yourself accountable to. Carte blanche, free-wheeling leadership is dangerous. Few people can handle it…not even an old, experienced person who has been around the block many many times.”  ItchieBitchie says—When I think I know everything, I find out I don’t and fall into deep doo-doo!

I must admit that maybe my eyes are more developed than my brain. I don’t think I’m swerving here folks. I seem to have a lot of defects. BUT I seem to hate that when folks point them out to me.  BUT I must admit that I have them, a lot of them.  BUT I have learned that folks that admit their faults are much better folks than those who don’t.  BUT thank all you for pointing out all my defects and weaknesses! You folks are amazing! haha

The end of the matter is: Have you ever got good counsel but never really got it?

I have friends who are not quitters. They have and I think will stick to the truth to their end.  But King Solomon was maybe the smartest man who ever lived and faltered the last half of his life.  He sorta kinda went off the deep end.  He is called the half-hearted man. David, who is one of my heroes, did the same but then got it together but suffered the consequences the rest of his life (i.e. sin can be forgiven but the consequences remain not just for the sinner but for their family and friends—ouchy ouchy—that just doesn’t seem fair—the only thing that is fair is the Butler County Fair and that is in June). Soooo why would folks change their way?  Why do folks do that.  AverageJoe says—erv, I would guess maybe for the temporary pleasure of sin! AAA-CHOOO!

A mother was telling me about her morning getting her two young boys ready before coming to work by herself as her husband is gone some of the time because of his occupation. She said—it is really hard as one of the boys is soooo cooperative and listens and the other one is just the opposite being sooo belligerent; he can make my life soooo hard; they both come from the same gene pool!  She asked me if I think he will every change.  Soooo I had the opportunity to engage with a person (i.e. I don’t know if this person was a male or female as I couldn’t determine it physically or by their name).  I asked the person if there was anything I could do for them (i.e. this is my position)—no, the medical staff is doing a good job and say they will be able to fix me up—well, good, it seems like you have a good attitude—yes, I have always had a good attitude but I have always thought different that most folks—what do you mean—I just think different than others and am a different person than most (i.e. this person had tattoos on their face and had their face pierced in different locations)—sooo is that an advantage or disadvantage do you think—probably both at times but I’m very content and happy with who I am—sooo is there anything I can do for you—no no I’m good—I wish you the best and may God bless you—and may God bless you and thanks for visiting with me! Soooo do you think any of these folks who think they are different will swerve from being who they are now? Do you think you will ever change? Maybe their parents would like them to change, maybe! Dr.Joe, who is well studied, says—Genetics cannot be changed by environment or can it? 

Coach B says—"Change is painful but there is nothing as painful as being stuck somewhere that you don’t belong. Change is difficult but it takes some struggle to change anything in life that we have a habit of that we’ve been there for a long time and sometimes we know we’re not supposed to be there, we know we’re not supposed to be doing this, we know we’re not supposed to be with this person but because we’re comfortable or at least we’re not overly uncomfortable we don’t make the change. Change is painful, it really is difficult to make major changes in almost any area, but it is far more painful to be stuck somewhere that you really do not belong.” AAA-CHOOO!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said--Courage cannot be tested cautiously. 

soooo that...

 This “It’s Saturday” is not going to be a career-ending experience for you and probably not a life changing experience (i.e. it’s not a kamikaze drone or anything like that). Soooo just relax. At least I don’t think it will be! haha

We do all things sooo that…! The… can be soooo many things.  Just think about that the next time you do something.  You do it soooo that…! There is a reason why we do anything and everything.  Some reasons are maybe good and some reasons maybe aren’t sooo good but there is always a reason why we do it soooo that…!  Don’t kid yourself folks.  We always have a motive and a reason why we do everything. MeanMax says—Quite often it is about the money!

DuaneTheWorm does everything soooo that he can be seen and heard to build his ego.  He’s a Showboart with a capital S! It’s all about him all the time. I read recently that Greeks look at brains, brawn and outward beauty more than most other nationalities.  It goes way back in their early heritage. While other nationalities look maybe more at internal beauty.  Sooooo many folks would spend a lot of time looking beautiful on the outside as it is very important in their environment and culture while others don’t.  They do that soooo that…! You do that soooo that…! According to google, the AverageAmericanWoman spends $182.30 a year on cosmetics soooo that… I don’t know if deodorant is included in that figure!

Last Saturday I went for a walk in Bear Creek Open Area by James and Heather inMorrison, CO. Coming back from my walk I talked to John, anybody can be a John, and Cody, father and son, who were in their garage. They work on cars together in their garage a.k.a. man's cave.  They told me that they have four generations of people that live in their house. I said--I can see why you guys work in the garage on cars!  They explained that they are very family orientated and also are believers so that... We had a great conversation. 

I never played in the NFL and I wasn’t in the military but I have heard in training in both of them that that they break a person down and then built them back up the way they want them.  It’s called by some folks “a reroute of life.”  A friend some years ago asked me—Why do we have to get to our lowest point before we will change a.k.a. reroute? Sooo that…! Sometimes we are pretty tough cookies. And maybe sometimes we are soooo stubborn that even when we get real low, we still won’t reroute our lives.  But some folks do reroute their lives and take a way different route (i.e. a completely different route). Some folks get on the right route and life is a lot better. I have an acquaintance who I am involved with currently who needs to reroute their life, my opinion. BUT I don’t know if it will happen. The reason is they have done this lifestyle for such a long time and actually they have it toooo good (i.e. they are enabled by family).  Their life isn’t bad enough yet! Ouchy ouchy! My hero, David, was knocked down tooooo nuttin and then brought back up to the top. Two things that really helped him; he remained humble, and he continued to love God. ItchieBitchie says—When you are on the top of the world like I am, it’s hard to have both of those qualities. I read recently--"As we say (i.e. I have no idea who 'the we' are)—Power corrupts…absolute power corrupts, absolutely.” Wasn’t The Great Roman Empire that way once?  Maybe America is that way now. I don’t know but maybe. Oh by the way, where is the Great Roman Empire? Where is Babylon? I think they were the greatest in the world at one time!

I talked to a 82-year old women recently who told me that she is broken hearted.  Well, that’s too bad—it is and I really hurt really bad—are you repairing your broken heart—I’m trying tooooo but it is not been easy—I encourage you too try to fix it as life is not good with a broken heart (i.e. do it sooooo that…!). She had a broken heart because her family forced her to go into a care facility. I happened to talk to another lady, age 49, who told me that she toooo has a broken heart. She said—The folks at the church she attended blabbered personal information she shared in a small group with everyone (i.e. regular loud speakers) soooo she doesn’t go to church anymore; I don’t need that type of folks. I told her that is toooo bad but not all folks are that way; don’t give up in having relationships, there are a lot of good folks; you just happened to run into a few rotten eggs.

It is such a good feeling to be needed and loved and also to show others that they are needed and loved. David was totally discouraged (i.e. about as low as a person can feel) sitting in a cave by himself up ‘er in ‘em mountains when low and behold his family showed up sorta kinda out of the blue along with their households. They never showed him much attention before and there they were. What a surprise.  Then behind him came 400 folks, which the number grew with time, who he didn’t even know.  400 of nobodies that felt just like him; they were folks from the other side of the tracks who were hurting as well. These nobodies became David’s mighty army and some become his cabinet when he served as King of Israel. A bunch of nobodies who became somebodies! Huh, interesting. Absolutely crazy. You put your thoughts into that story soooo that…! AverageJoe says—Being needed and wanted feels good to me!

If I would offer you $100 today or if you waited a year, I would give you $200, which one would you take? Now what do you think a 15-year old young man would take? An 85-year old woman? Or a 10-year old girl? Maybe they all would say I would do… Soooo that…! Delayed gratification is hard in a culture that wants everything immediate.

A gal told me recently that she is not an expert on the Bible, but she reads a Psalm every day (i.e. now that is a big person who admits they don’t know everything). The Psalms are soooo uplifting and encouraging to me; I can relate to David what he went through in his life, somewhat. Pretty neat for sure.  A friend sent me the pic. It’s what a friend of his has on the cover of his Bible. This person reads the Bible soooo that…! This next statement is not my opinion or anyone else’s opinion but is the gospel truth if you like it or not a.k.a. reality—If your life is heading in a bad direction and you don’t put some force in that life to turn it around, your gonna keep going in a bad direction. That cannot be argued, it is the verdict! Such is life.

Soooo a friend told me that the church they attend has a certain social flavor that probably not all folks would enjoy attending (i.e. not all folks would fit or feel comfortable). Huh, interesting. I had another friend who told me that the church she attends has a lot folks who are fake, not humble folks but think they are perfect a.k.a. Pharisaical flavored. These two friends are good folks sooo my opinion is if they think that way then others do toooo (i.e. it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out). The flavor of these two groups of folks probably act that way soooo that…! Maybe these groups of folks don’t know they are this way or maybe they like it that way (i.e. have the corner on the market).  Both could be correct or neither are correct. How do I know!

JoeBlow, who is as big as Goliath was, said to me recently—Oh boy erv, have I changed.  I started out being an hourly worker for a company, then I became a union employee of the company, and then I was promoted to manager of the employees and then I was promoted to senior manager of the managers and then I became part owner.  I mean, I changed my perspective on things as I went up the ladder.  I saw things differently at each level. And then I retired and changed my tune again. And now I’m 85 and fighting aging issues and things look different again. Wow! At each level I had to do stuff soooo that…! WorldClassLarry who is mature beyond his years, says—erv, that is the nature of the beast!

I was in a business the other day and a gal waited on me that was really made up in good taste, my opinion.  She seemed to high lite her eyes with something and looked very attractive, especially from a distance.  I think this gal would have been attractive without any make up, maybe even more attractive. I talked to her about a product I was looking for and decided that she was pretty both outside and inside, my opinion. Sooooo was she really telling me the truth by being made up? Or was she made up soooo that…! Maybe not telling the whole truth is ok at times!  haha

Soooo I was around a person the other day who was crazily angry, I mean insane angry. They flew way off the handle.  Way over the top. Why do folks get that way. Some folks get that way more than others.  Is it genetic, past environment or current environment? This person acted like they were out of their mind. I did some research about anger and found out that some researchers believe that folks are insane when they get that way, therefore when angry gets out of control, a person is temporarily insane some think. Folks act that way soooo that…!

I couldn’t send the link of “It’s Saturday” to you who have mschi as your server for some time.  Your server is weird. I googled it and others asked the same thing. Soooo I contacted a friend who is a professional wizard and asked him if he had any suggestions. He said—"Unfortunately if that specific Internet service provider is not accepting them, that’s a 'them' issue, not a 'you' issue and that’s outside of your control until they fix the issue!” Now isn’t that the case more often with folks as well, it’s a ‘them’ issue that we have no control over. But we have a choice now don’t we, soooo that…! BUT sometimes I have a ‘me’ issue which I do have control over, now don’t ‘you’ erv! FlipThePancake, BUT maybe those folks no longer have an account with mschi! Could be! 

I really had an enjoyable summer doing many new, fun things. I really wonder what I will do next! This could be exciting what the next opportunities will be. I really can’t wait to see what will happen here in AZ a.k.a. new opportunities for sure! I embrace the future! I can’t wait to do them a.k.a. ‘me’ opportunities soooo that…!

I studied under a friend this fall in a small group. He is a very good facilitator; my opinion, a real mistro, and I stumbled over this gem he used--St. Brendan of Birr. "In the early days of Irish Christianity, druid tradition collapsed with the spread of the new faith. Study of Latin learning and Christian theology in monasteries flourished. Brendan became a pupil at the monastic school at Clonard Abbey. During the sixth century, some of the most significant names in the history of Irish Christianity studied at the Clonard monastery. It is said that the average number of scholars under instruction at Clonard was 3,000.[3] Twelve students who studied under Saint Finian became known as the Twelve Apostles of Ireland; Brendan of Birr was one of these.  The story that I recounted in group was of St. Brendan evangelizing a pagan king.  The king asked what would be in store for him if he became a Christian.  Brendan replied, "If you become Christ's, you will stumble upon wonder upon wonder, and every one of them true."

JoeSmuck of North Butler County said--Iowa football is in danger of being left behind in new era of college football (i.e. that is his opinion of course). We seem to be living in a new era  AGAIN!  LuckieEddie says--It ain't nuttin new erv, ya gotta keep up or you are dead in the water. It's been that way for ever. Don't act soooo surprised. Look around, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Ya gotta to change sooo that...!

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—The only difference between try and triumph is a little ump.

hot flash

I read this while eating my oatmeal with half a banana on it--"The best deception has an element of truth and an element of a lie. It’s a real dozy when you have that mixture. The real master deceivers weave in a whole lot of truth and a little seed of a lie but that little seed messes us up.” I think that happens all the time intentionally and unintentionally (e.g. advertising, churches, parenting, education, money investing, etc.).  I have no idea for sure what is the truth or what is the lie in this “It’s Saturday” soooo be on your toes!  Some of it just might hit you like a hot flash but some might have a subliminal undertone that will influence you and you won’t even know it. haha

MissPerfect, who is always on the top of her game, says--Some days maybe you don’t feel like a hot flash especially when you face a detour or a dead end in life. Hey, they are all part of life if we like them or not.  They are part of life’s adventure (i.e. it’s not if they will happen but when soooo don’t be soooo surprised when they happen; make them opportunities). A friend would say--Soooo when you must turn around and go another way, smile about it, be thankful you have the energy and gas to do it. I like that attitude. Do you? MagicHerman, who has toughness and resilience, says—If you do it, let me tell ya, you will be a hot flash.  A friend and I were at breakfast and when leaving we saw this older guy who was using a walker and can’t see very well anymore.  My friend said—He really was the hot shot for years but not soooo much anymore! Huh, interesting.

Do folks say of you—That person is not everyone else (i.e. not a run of the mill), they are different. Do you want to be like everyone else or do you want to be different? I’m talking about being different in a good way!  haha

LuckieEddie, who is ridiculously entertaining, funnier that a coot, says—When we’re coming off a crest of victory, we are very vulnerable.  Don’t kid yourself folks (i.e. many folks can get pretty cocky after success; just look around). Let’s get this straight! A carnal Christian is a believer who chooses to disobey God and operates in the flesh; a believer on the inside but on the outside, they look just like a nonbeliever because by how they live their life (i.e. as a friend calls them, fakes). AverageJoe says—Very few folks can handle success; it goes to their head and that changes them (i.e. it’s carnal).  BUT some can handle success and some of those folks are some of you guys.  JoeBlow, who is always in the victory formation, says—When I get cocky, let me tell you, I get humbled!  Ding ding!

Friends told me that they finally had no choice but to use tough love with their daughter.  It was tough but we had to do it. WorldClassLarry, who is not the standard garden variety, says--A parent’s very nature wants to make things better for their children than they were for them. But it was the rough stuff that made you the super person you are. We want to make things easy for our children. And when we make it easy, they become weak and entitled. And then when a little bit of a breeze hits them, they fall apart.  SusieQ says—Yabut that is a tough line to know what is toooo much or not enough. But we all have seen results of both now haven’t we.  GeorgeTheCrook, who is bone deep honest, says—Hey listen folks, life is no picnic, we all have disappointments.  We all need to learn how to handle them.  It doesn’t matter how much stuff we have or how smart we are. BUT we all have good things happen to as well and we need to learn how to handle them too. It just won’t cut the mustard to have mommy and daddy take care of us all the time; there is a time when all of us need to grow up. I have this pic in my back bathroom. It reminds me that my life is like this ship on the rough sea that is tossed and turned just like the way life is. But the storm will pass, it too will pass. Expect it erv and don’t be surprised.

A friend told us about her father who was signed by the Giants.  He was doing well in the minors but came home during the winter and threw a snowball and hurt his arm. His baseball carrier was over. His brother signed with the Cardinals and was also doing well in the minors.  He had a wife and two children. His wife said he had to decide if he wanted to be a husband and a father or a baseball player. He decided to be a husband and father. His baseball career was over, but his life was very good. Their lives did change now didn’t they. Things always don’t end up as we see them now do they. FlipThePancake. But many times things work out way better than we ever expected or deserved or planned.  Oh ya, for sure.

Are you open to possibilities or closed to possibilities.  I mean are you a no no person or a yes yes person. Many folks we can just tell by looking at their faces. Some have a no no face and some have a yes yes face (i.e. a negative face or a positive face). I read this story of Thomas Jefferson that depicts what I am saying. Mr. Jefferson was with a group of companions riding horseback cross-country when they came to a swollen river. A wayfarer waited until several of the party had crossed and then hailed President Jefferson and asked if he would carry him across on his horse. Jefferson pulled him up onto the back of his horse and carried him to the opposite bank. “Tell me, “asked one of the men, “why did you select the president to ask this favor of?” “The president?” the man answered. “I didn’t know he was the president. All I know is that on some of the faces is written the answer ‘no’ and on some faces is written the answer ‘yes.’ His was a ‘yes’ face.”

I pray for opportunities and pray that I can recognize them and pray that I have the courage to act on them.  I wonder how many opportunities I have missed in my lifetime.  Have you missed any do you think? Sometimes we think we are such a hot shot and too good to do something or sometimes we feel we aren’t good enough to do an opportunity.  I have felt both but have learned that to just do the opportunity. AND my experience is that I’m just amazed if I take the risk how most times it is a blessing for me and a blessing for the other person.  But it is easier to be a chicken.  It sure is.

I had a person, who I consider a good friend, ask me at breakfast—erv, how many good friends do you have.  Wow!  What a question!  I really didn’t give him a quantitative answer.  I said something like I have had many good friends through the years, but some aren’t soooo present in my life currently.  I really didn’t answer the question.  I feel, my opinion, I have a lot of good friends.  Many of my good friends are you folks.  How many?  A lot I feel. BUT I wonder if you feel the same way as I do in that we are good friends. I did tell him that I just read that very few folks have more than two or three good friends in their whole life (i.e. friends who you talk to about more than recipes or sports but really meaningful stuff).  Soooooo, maybe my evaluation is way out of whack.  I really don’t think soooo but it could be (i.e. I’m just a little ol’ farm boy from a mile an quarter south of Roaeland, MN). Sooooo, how many good friends do you have currently, or did you have?  SusieQ, I’m not talking about Facebook friends or Google or Sira or your hairdresser or your favorite bartender or cash!  haha  Sooooo folks, what is a good friend? I’m talking about a good friend like you. SweetLouise asks--And what is meaningful stuff erv?

The other day I was talking to a friend, and she started fanning herself.  She said she was having a hot flash.  I have never had a hot flash, especially the kind she was experiencing.  She said they go away after a while but are not fun. Well, I think we all have hot flashes about many thoughts for different reasons, my opinion. Bill, anybody can be a Bill, says—"It is very hard to maybe impossible to have wholeheartedness in revering God’s name. He thinks that this seems almost unattainable for Americans because of two major traits of ours: affluence and distractedness. We have so much and are pulled in so many directions that a centered, sustained passion for God and his kingdom seems rare." Sooooo HotFlashEnigmaticWanda, start your fanning!

ThePersonNorthOfTown says--erv, and one more thing, for goodness sakes, don't give folks a piece of your mind!  Let me tell you, you have none to spare!  

My friend, TheYamahaXT250, and I are on our way to AZ via way of Waukee, IA and Morrison, CO.  Both pretty good stopping spots for sure.  The attractions are really something with a lot of smiles and good feelings.

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

erv

MyFriendJean said—We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.

rats and more rats

When I was a kid growing up on our farm a mile and quarter south of Roseland, MN we would shell our ear corn that was stored in cribs usually in the winter or spring.  We hired a guy in our community who had a sheller and sometimes the neighbors would come over to help.  It was very common back then. One event of corn shelling was when we got to the bottom of the crib was killing the rats and mice.  We always had cats and dogs on the farm soooo we didn’t have very many but some farmers really had a problem with rats.  I remember one time when a neighbor had a rat crawl up on the inside of his pant leg.  I thought that was soooo funny but he didn’t. Oh, those rats are always creepy to me!

When I think of rats I think of a rodent that is dirty and a disease carrier (i.e. a very negative feeling). I think of them in dirty and poor situations. We hear the statement—rat infested—which makes me get goose bumps, yucky.  We also hear some folks called rats, dirty stinken rats!  Ouchy ouchy! You know any folks that you think are dirty stinken rats? Regular rat finks?

AverageJoe, who lives on Easy Street, says--There are a lot of rats running around such as disagreements, divisions, trials etc. which can nibble away at our peace. Pretty ratty for sure!   The Lord gives a zestful peace the world cannot understand or give and which the world can never remove! That is the poison that can kill those rats, my opinion.  Rats have incredible fecundity. Rats begin breeding as soon as five weeks of age and are fertile every three weeks. Pregnancy lasts about three weeks, and litter size typically ranges from 6 to 20 babies. JoeSixPack says—I wish my money would reproduce that fast. Rats! My money that I have in the stock market seems to de-produce.  It’s a ratty feeling!

Folks beware of intoxicants. They are rats in folks’ heads.  Intoxicants make folks think they can do stuff that they can’t really do, at least not very well.  ItchieBitchie, who you should be careful of or he'll beat the snot out of a ya, says—I’m not a very good singer but when I’m drunk, I think I really sound good but in reality, I'm don't; I just think I do and then I usually have to suffer the consequences.  I talked to a gal who was many 45 who had a big boot on her foot and the part of her leg while in a hospital bed.  She told me she broke her foot and they had to put screws and a plate in it—sooooo what happened—my boyfriend and I were arguing and either he punched me, or I fell backwards from him pushing me and broke it; we were both drunk soooo I can’t really remember—that being drunk isn’t good a.k.a. rats—tell me about it. We had a nice conversation and we ended up praying together. Quite an experience for both of us let me tell ya! Bravo!

Now that sounded the alarm (i.e. oh rats) but we don’t pay attention to alarms anymore. Alarms don’t mean anything to us.  Basically, they are just a nuisance soooo we just turn them off unless it’s on the corn planter. When the alarm goes off, it means it’s not working, something is wrong Rats! CrazyMarvin says—I don’t care if the alarm is going off, we are going to do it the same way as we have always done it ‘cause we like it and and it feels good to us.  We don’t care even if it leads to death, we are going to continue to do it.  Soooo be it! But CrazyMarvin, there must be a reason why the alarms keep going off! Joni Eareckson-Tada says--"We succumb to numbness. We tend to forget we live under a thick layer of moral corruption."

Recently I said to a friend—I haven’t seen you all summer; what’s going on anyway?  They told me what was going on in their life.  They were hurting and told me very honestly and from the bottom of their heart.  I listened sincerely and bled for them. Wow! They are not blabber mouths but shared with me very directly and trusting. FlipThePancake. I know folks that babble all the time about themselves pertaining to stuff that isn’t important with the motive of self-glorifying themselves; they seem to like attention. Folks just blow them off, pay no attention to them (i.e. those folks wear big cowboy hats but own no cattle). I listen to some folks intently about business and some not at all.  Some have great credibility and some who have actually none at all, just blowing smoke.  Sometimes those two folks might say the same thing, but no one will pay any attention to one but to the other they will (i.e. when E.F. Hutton speaks, folks listen). It seems quite often, the one who has credibility doesn’t say much (i.e. stands tall) and the one that thinks they always have the answers and says a lot, doesn't. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out! I recently asked a friend/pastor how their church is doing—not very well—why—we have good folks of leadership except one person and that person runs the show (i.e. thinks he knows all the answers but doesn’t) and the others just let him do it as they don’t want to do the work; he is leading us in the wrong direction and the others are letting him do it; it appears he is ruining our church, anyway folks are sure leaving)!  Rats!

Words can be hurting or can be soooo encouraging. They can even be the same words said by different folks or said in different ways.  Now ain’t that the truth!  Some folks can tear us down and some can lift us up.  Sometimes it’s just how some folks strut around that turns us off.  I remember this story of years ago, maybe 35 years ago. Arlene would bring the kids over each Saturday morning to my office as I worked Saturdays back then. We would go and have a pancake at the little restaurant across the street. One Saturday morning, this gal got up to go to the bathroom and strutted across the restaurant and everyone watched her, I mean everyone. You can guess why!  Another gal could have gone to the bathroom, and no one would have noticed.  And I remember that of 35 years ago! Why would I remember her! I read this in one of Louis L'Amour's novels this week--I still didn't like him much, he was too durned sure of himself. I couldn't see where he was so high an' mighty!

This was written by Rick Boxx--Although strategy was an important part of Churchill’s success, his best talent was his wise use of words. In fact, his skill at verbal communication became Britain’s best weapon. Because of his careful selection of words, Churchill knew how to inspire people and rally them around unpopular ideas. Here is a sampling of some of the famous statesman’s most notable and sometimes humorous quotes:  “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”  “Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”  “It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required.”  And perhaps Churchill’s best-known statement, made in 1941 during the midst of World War 11: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large, or petty – give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” Each of those statements provokes much food for thought. The British leader certainly understood the power of words. But he was hardly the first person to recognize that. Thousands of years earlier, King Solomon of ancient Israel declared, “The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook” (Proverbs 18:4). Some verses later, Solomon also observed, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). Bravo!

Chuck Swindoll in his Book, David (i.e. which I really enjoyed and suggest you read, very good, my opinion) says—You move along in life and now find yourself slowly becoming shelved and the younger ones are taking charge and moving on. How quickly age takes over! James Dobson puts it beautifully—About the time our face clears up, our mind gets fuzzy.  Just about the time we get our act together, we’re too old to pull it off! Pretty good huh!  ANYWAY, he is saying we still can use our talents to help the younger folks pull it off.  Maybe be an encourager.  Saturday question—Are you any good at that? Do you do any encouraging? Or are you more the complainer type? MissPerfect, who is the founder of disinformation, says—erv erv, I’m more the do nuttin type; it works for me. I had a friend tell me recently that she discontinued being around a friend as she just started bashing folks all the time; it was such a negative that I couldn’t handle.  Bravo!

I want to share a "friend story."  I was working on a “bird project of which my mentor started maybe 20 years ago.” A friend helped me refurbish the martin house that my deceased mentor put on the golf course.  We completed the work, but I had to paint it and then it was ready to put back up on the 10-foot pole.  The house is rather large, and I was not certain I wanted to do it by myself.  I didn’t want to ask this friend to help me any more as he is a busy person. Soooo, I decided I would find another friend to help me as I didn’t want to get hurt. Guess what, low and behold, that busy friend called me and said—erv, I was thinking about you and was wondering if I could help you mount that martin house on the pole?  Now folks, that is a friend.

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

erv

MyFriendJean says--Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worth while.