I thought getting older would take longer than it did

Do you remember thinking 21 was over the hill?  I use to give Larry, Janie, Sally, Billy and Susie and Debbie a lot of crap about being over the hill or going over the hill.  I guess that is one of the pleasures of being the youngest and it is pay back time for all the crap they gave me.  Well, I passed 21 about 45 years ago this December and I never thought I would get old this fast.  How about you?

If you think I was the first one to think this up, check out Psalm 39:4-7 where it says we are to number our days …..that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  Now if you don't think you are getting older and you have decided you are now going to do all those things you wanted to do when you wanted to do them check these stories out.

 A friend of mine retired and he was kind of a big deal in a lot of ways (big deal meaning he was very successful) and he was going to do what he wanted when he wanted and how he wanted.  Well, one of the things that changes is that your spouse has more access to your time.  He was told he needed to find some sprinkles and not just any type, style or color.  Do you get it?  Honey-do list!

My story is tonight I was going to a bible study and my wife, Shouna, called and she needed something done asap.  Yep, I changed my plans.  Well, as it turned out she did it and I was off the hook.

Actually I am really enjoying slowing down and focusing on things I really enjoy and hopefully less stressful.  I am doing more of the things I enjoy like mentoring a few folks, helping folks create a budget, showing folks how to save money and one surprise for me is that I have helped several folks shop for a financial advisor.  It is really fun when I help folks save money, reduce car payments, shop for cheaper life, home and auto insurance and not having anything to sell as I don't even want to.  If you want someone independent from the decision meaning they don't get a commission for making a certain decision, call me and I will help.  I might charge you a fee but you are guaranteed to save more than I charge you, else it is free.

Have you noticed as you get older that faster your bones hurt and more friends are dying on you than you care to think?  Have you noticed that many friends are writing books and trying to document their life stories?  In fact Julian Codding is encouraging me to make a book of my blog.  I am thinking about it.  If anyone remembers or knows Joe Heath from Ponca, he wrote a book about his travels to Alaska with some friends (go look on Amazon) or Brian Phillips of Ponca wrote a book of essays (on Amazon) and then there is Harvey Payne's book of pictures of the Osage (Amazon).  Everyone is writing something.  I bought all three of these and in fact a few extras for Christmas presents (Don't tell Larry or Debbie).

What does all this say?
or
What do you learn in the Osage?

• write your story, if for no other reason than for your kids
• everyday you are writing your story / Legacy to your family in memories so don't blow it
• A life worth living is a life worth passing on, if you want to pass on your values and principals to future and current family, write it down.

Thanks for listening,

gary

gary@thepioneerman.com

What do you do when you are 40 years old and have cancer?

Ya, that really sucks but I ran across someone in this situation and he is married with two children.  This reminded me of growing up in the Osage where we prepared for tomorrow way early!  I recall how we would put up vegetables in Ball jars and peaches and other fruit so that we would have food all winter and beyond.  We had a cellar (underground storage place to store food during the hot summer and cold winters) where we put potatoes (huge piles of them on the floor) and even a pumpkin or two plus all the hundreds and I do mean hundreds of jars of food.  

My favorite was the sweet pickles my mom would make.  We would pick cucumbers (those are pre-pickles and specifically I tell you this for my friend from NY City who 40 years ago thought pickles grew on trees).  I hope he still likes me after telling that on him.  Then those cucumbers were placed in 5 gallon crocks (clay pots) where mom added spices and vinegar and they fermented for days or weeks.  Our back porch was in a pickle.  I know, bad humor.  Anyway, we then put them in Ball jars and then into a pressure cooker to seal the jars for storage.  They would last for years in those jars in the cellar.  

My least favorite was pickled watermelon rind.  I never could figure that one out.  I am really glad we never put celery in those jars.  Celery is sinful.

Back to the young man with cancer:  We are working on figuring things out and pray for a good outcome.  Here are a few items you should check on or call me and I will tell you what to do.

• do you have adequate disability insurance
• do you have life insurance and how often do you check prices
• do you have too much or too little insurance
• have you prepared a will or trust, do you know what you should pay 

I don't sell insurance but I help folks answer these questions, so if you need help call 405-410-2918.

So what do you learn in the Osage?

• It is pretty obvious, get prepared for the unknown or unexpected
• You know something is coming that you may not like but a little faith and action can mitigate your anxiety and especially your family's mental well being
• As it says in the book, Think and Grow Rich, tithe and save 

Well, thanks for listening,

gary

gary@thepioneerman.com