The more complex the problem the simpler the solution. The chemo port started coming through my skin recently; I had a new one put in so the old one wouldn’t pop out like the scene in “Alien.” The radiologist looked at it quick, “I’ll cut the old one out, re-thread a new catheter into the carotid, and create a pouch under the skin right below the other one, simple.” He made it sound so easy I thought about doing it myself at home. Then I remembered most of my home improvement projects take three trips to Home Depot and usually only get half completed. Skilled people make complex tasks look simple; unlike our excuses for things we don’t like. Especially when we try to throw a lot of words at things to tackle tough talking points. In college an English professor gave us an essay assignment called “What the world needs now …” Even though the deep thinkers wrote essays like “Man’s Inhumanity to Man” mine was “The World Needs a Better Snow-Tire.” I got an A and the intellectuals got low B’s. The lesson was keep it simple.
I’ve been in tons of depositions; so opposing attorneys hate me, “How many times have you been deposed?” “About 30 times maybe.” “S—t.” To be fair I was trained by three elementary school students – “How was your day today?” “Good”; “Do you like your teacher?”; “No.” ; “What do you want for dinner?”; “Cheetos.” Delivering bad news fits the bill also. When I deliver bad news my MO is the fewer the words the better. Diane, however, stuffs bad news with gobs of tiny little lies like she did recently when declining a party invitation… “We’ll be solving world hunger during the day, so we may be a little late getting back from Haiti; oh and Pete had blood work this week ….”
People ask me all the time, “how are you doing?” My response is always, “I’m vertical.” It’s simple, it’s true, and I like it especially since a lot of good people aren’t vertical anymore. Late in life my father would sit by the front window and watch the birds all day. I used to think he should be more active like going for a walk or reading a book. But to his credit, he didn’t get riled up about politics or what color the neighbor was painting the house. The only things that mattered to him were the cardinals and chickadees. In reality he was doing what he wanted and did so peacefully. Clearly, we’re all too busy scurrying around, minding other people’s business, while not focused on our own. I’m taking the opposite approach nowadays. Each day I’m thinking less is more and the real answers to the universe are right out there on the bird feeder. Keep it simple. Slainte.
“He made it sound so easy I thought about doing it myself at home. Then I remembered most of my home improvement projects take three trips to Home Depot and usually only get half done”
Your writing is GOLD Pete , pure GOLD!!! I so enjoy all of it😃
Thank you!!
Di, nice to hear from you. I think I saw you at the Wellness center recently. I will be back shortly. Pete
Pete…. You have the best outlook on life …what it could be, should be , and is!! Slainte
Mary, thanks for the support! Have a nice Weekend. Pete
Hummingbirds are my newest simple joy. Thanks for your inspiring, funny words!
David, we have seen one hummingbird in Goodland over the last 12 years. Must like the ADK more. Pete
KISS……….,💕🦩💞
Wow , a Real eye opener , watch Mom and Dad Later in their life’s Appreciate the small things that seemed irreverent in younger years !!!! Thanks Slant !
Tom, invest in birdseed. Pete
Mr. Pete…being an educator…I have to say that we can usually sniff out the kids who are trying too hard. My students refer to them as “try hards.” You earned that “A” over the “try hards” because you are sincere and funny. I’m sure you had plenty of drippy…sarcastic comments in the essay as well. 😊
Any kid who makes me laugh in a sea of middle schoolers…gets an automatic “A.” What can I say… I am a firm believer in knowing your audience.
When my Gramps was nearing the end of his life…he would sit and stare out his dining room window to watch the birds and squirrels. He would narrate to me everything they were doing to prepare for winter…while we would listen to old…country music. At the time… it made me feel sad… because I imagined him being lonely. But in my older age…I have also watched birds through my camera lens…and I have only felt peaceful. I have a better understanding of him now. 💕 We all need an escape from our own thoughts sometimes.
There is a time and place for everything. I mean…life is 99% simplicity but for the remaining 1%…you need someone to keep you in check. For you…that person is Diane. For God’s sake without her…you would have probably tried to get “The Cancer Pants” altered again.
🙄 💕😂
P.S. ~ I bought stock in bird feeders after I read this post today. 🐦
Cheers Mr. Pete! 💕🪳🍀
Elisa, I’m not as attached to the vultures at Stan’s dumpster; just sayin’. Pete
Great reminder. I just put on my weekend’s “to do” list, buy more bird feeders :). Love the photo of your dad.
MaryAnn, if we don’t fill up the feeder the birds start gathering and stare into the house to shame us. Nothing like guilt to take care of nature. Pete
Keeping it simple definitely is the best! Stay well and no Home Depot projects for you!!!
Fran, other than painting I’ve never had a simple home project. Pete
So 👍 true,the simple things are life’s way of making us pay attention to all the joy in this world. Especially watching the 🐦 birds. My Mother introduced us to birdwatching when we were little kids. Feeding them,identifying them and the joy of seeing the birds. I myself love the birds and sit at my kitchen table and marvel at the beauty of nature. Right now I have the gorgeous Baltimore Orioles, RoseBreasted Gross beak,Cardinals,Nuthaches,Downey woodpeckes,Pilated Woodpecker, and the blue 🐦 birds. I love that advice. Keep it Simple. Hope you have a good day Pete.
Mary Beth, who needs cable TV when you have all of that in the backyard. Pete
Your delivery of today’s topic definitely deserves an A+🍀
Grace, are you in favor of more punctuation or less? Pete
Although context is everything, I prefer ‘more’.
Your “snow-tire essay” advice was some of the best I ever received in college. Saved me on countless occasions! Still doing it 40+ years later! Thank you, my friend!
Mike, it’s funny how I can still write a one sentence memo to someone and they’ll still try to read into it. “There’s only 5 words in it, what else are you looking for?” Pete
Another great one! An old South saying to answer How are you doing is Happy to be looking at the green side of the grass.
🙏for port to behave and great blood work!
Steve, nice to hear from you as always. I see you’re a BBQ fan, what kind of smoker do you have? Pete
Really good post! The simple things create joy and happiness! Thanks for the reminder!❤️
Stacia, we spend too much time looking into something when it always is right there. Pete
Less is definitely More! Another good one Pete
Shelly, unless it’s more Ultra. Pete
Oh, definitely one of my favorite posts! More people need to take this advice!
Ted, thanks for reading! Lawyers may not like it since it would be less billable time. Go Irish! Pete
So very true, keeping it simple is not only easy, it leaves less to the imagination. My Sister and I haven’t mastered this technique as of yet…such a novel idea!
Love this post! ❤️
Nice! Enjoyed it and will try to practice.
Jane, it means taking less busy work off the list since it’s not that important. (Re-mopping. 🙂 Pete
❤️☘️🪳
Great post! Definitely my favorite!
I love the picture of your dad. I spent or I should say we because I made it Steves joy as well, watching the birds at our feeder for several hours on our back porch on Sunday.
I do love keeping it simple. ❤️
Shelley, you are up early and you are the first comment on the post today. It’s a little early for you guys to be diving into the crown and Tito’s. Cheers! Pete