Sunday, May 18, 2014

Getting It Wrong and Right (AKA The Holy Go)



My mom directs the choir at our church and leads the congregational singing. So, she is always very aware of what the music will be each Sunday.

On Friday, we were in the car and she told me that we were going to sing the Gloria Patri this Sunday. I shot her a befuddled look and she started singing it: "Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, tis now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen." As soon as she started it, I joined along and sang it to the end. Had she said, "We will sing Glory Be To The Father," I would have known just what she meant. I grew up in the Methodist Church and this was a standard. No need for the hymnal.

Mom then started laughing. She said, "When your brother was just a little guy, he insisted that the words in that hymn were not Holy Ghost, but Holy Go. We went round and round about it." I laughed, too. My brother was, and remains to this day, stubborn and hard-headed. So, I said so.

Then she said, "Well, he isn't the only one. When you were in pre-K, I had to take you to your teacher and have her tell you the correct words to Kum Ba Yah. You wouldn't believe me."

I didn't remember that and she couldn't recall the details. Guess it wasn't as funny as The Holy Go.

What I did remember from pre-K was the assembly room time when all the kids sat in chairs facing the front, the teacher would clap her hands together, and tell everyone to put their hands ON their lap. I obediently flattened my hands and placed them carefully ON my lap. I remember looking over at my neighbors to see that they folded their hands in their laps. Couldn't they HEAR? She didn't say fold your hands in your lap. She said to put the hands ON the lap. I shook my head thinking EVERY SINGLE OTHER KID in that assembly room didn't follow directions very well. This happened every day for TWO YEARS. I went to 4 and 5 year old kindergarten. Well, not summers, obviously. Or weekends. But, you get the idea.

I laugh now at this memory. Why? Because I know what that teacher meant was to fold the hands in the lap, BUT I remember thinking that everyone else was wrong. And I am a little bit proud of 4 year old me for sticking to what I BELIEVED to be the true and right thing to do, and not giving in to peer pressure by doing something that I thought was WRONG. Just because everyone else was doing it. And that takes me back to my brother and The Holy Go. For some reason, that made sense to him while The Holy Ghost did not. And he wasn't going to sing it WRONG just to make someone else happy.

Turns out we have more in common than I thought. Maybe what we call stubborn and hard-headed is not. Maybe it is just determination to do what you think is right. It only looks like stubborn and a hard head when others disagree with you.


Can you think of a time when you were sure you were right and you turned out to be wrong? Have you ever been called stubborn or hard-headed? Do you think it is a sign of determination and independent thinking or just an unwillingness to be open to the ideas of others? Have you ever stuck to your guns even when the idea wasn't popular with the majority?


49 comments:

  1. Even with parents, I've always had that mindset of 'who says they know everything" I may have a touch of stubbornness too. That difference between how you interpreted 'on' and 'in' should have told you that you would be a wordsmith one day. . .

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  2. How much bandwidth is there for comments, Robin? LOL. I've been viewed as stubborn and a trouble maker my whole life. This is because I call people on their b.s. So I think it's a good thing. As my favorite bumper sticker reads, "No well behaved woman ever made history." This is true for men too, but they're generally allowed more room for disobedience.

    Also, "Holy Go" makes a lot more sense to me than "Holy Ghost." I've tried to get explanations of the Holy Ghost from Christian friends, but they have none for me. So I'll happily go with "Go."

    xoRobyn

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  3. Usually my wife is the one to point out those moments, which I have sense blocked from memory.
    Although I don't blame your brother for Holy Go. I can think of many songs over the years where I heard the wrong lyrics and the right ones just never seemed to fit.

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  4. Yes and yes. Depends.

    Me and my friends would often ague just like you see in "My Cousin Vinny," sticking with a point we'd know is wrong just to be stubborn. So at times, sticking to your guns is a sign of stubbornness.

    However, one problem I see with people is a lack of self-awareness. They seem to have opinions of things because the media tells them to, not because they have examined it for themselves.

    Can that many people really think that "Avatar" was such a great movie to make I the top grossing film of all time, or did they go see it because they did not want to be the only one who didn't (that was me, by the way-finally saw it on Netflix, and was underwhelmed)?

    Ditto for music-is Lady Gaga really so groundbreaking, or is she just Madonna recycled?

    Ditto for politics. Do all those "Hope And Change" bumper stickers really signify ardent Obama supporters, or are they bandwagon jumpers who did not want to be left out?

    Independent thinking that follows careful examination and thought is a rare and valuable trait...and maybe it starts with a little girl who did not fold her hands because no matter what the teacher may have meant, the little girl thought it through and did what she was told/

    And your brother isn't the only one who once misheard lyrics...how many people thought Jimi Hendrix sang "Scuse me while I kiss this guy?"

    LC

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    1. ...how many people thought Jimi Hendrix sang "Scuse me while I kiss this guy?"

      What about 'Bad Moon Rising'... so many people have thought John Fogerty was singing, '' instead of 'there's a bad moon on the rise.' that he actually sings that from time to time at some point in the song...

      HAH!!

      ~shoes~

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  5. I can't think of a time I wasn't called stubborn!

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  6. Y'know, there's a good sermon tucked in to calling Him the "Holy Go"... maybe someday.

    I know what you mean by the Latin names. When I switched to a Baptist Church, I had to figure out what the Doxology was.

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  7. D.G. ~ Until your comment, I never even considered that aspect of the thing. You just might have a point there:D

    Robyn ~ I am glad when I write *anything* that makes people begin to worry about bandwidth in the comment section. It means that I have found something universal to everyone and we all have a thought (or ten) about it. I didn't extrapolate the idea out that most people who "shook things up" were likely considered stubborn by their peers. I think they saw themselves as determined. For the record, I like Holy Go and I think it was actually a fairly accurate "mis-hear" of the word. The Holy Ghost is the active part of the spirit of God that lives within the hearts of people. So, The Holy Ghost really is The Holy Go.... in the most literal sense of the word. I think we know from this post that I like plain, literal talk. So, I am on board with The Holy Go.

    Alex ~ You have sense blocked the moments when you were wrong, but thought you were right? Bwahahahaha. Excuse me while I pick myself up off the floor.

    LC ~ Well, I think I hit a button. Anytime that you continue to argue a point (unless you are in debate class) that you know in your heart is wrong. You have already arrived at all of the fractures in the argument, well that isn't stubborn because you are determined to do the right thing. That is unwillingness to admit you are wrong. Whole other ballgame. People who say that they like something because it is the popular choice (or dislike something because it is the popular choice) are several mile markers beyond stubborn. Independent thinking requires holding two opposing ideas in your mind at the same time and deciding, with examination, which is correct. Or how they are both right and wrong in various ways. It is a willingness to accept that things you've believed for a long time might not be true or true in the way you thought. It is an uncomfortable place to be while you are sorting it through and most people are not willing to do it.

    My favorite scene of a guy getting all of the lyrics wrong is in the movie Bull Durham on the bus. Last time I checked it isn't on YouTube or I would be there right now looking for it...

    Andrea ~ :D

    CW ~ Maybe someday... The other part of the conversation that mom and I had (not relevant to this post) but in the car on that Friday was that I said, "I really like that our church sings the Doxology. It is good to sing songs that were part of the Methodist service every Sunday now." It feels familiar and solid... and good. So, this morning we sang Glory Be To The Father and she smiled at me when we hit the part about The Holy Ghost. It was a nice moment.

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  8. My husband and I are both strong-willed and hard-headed. So much so that sometimes, in order to end an argument about who is right and who is wrong, we will just take turns. If it's my turn, I'll say, "I'm wrong. I apologize." The trick is to do it with utter sincerity -- which is only possible because I know that next time, he'll take the fall just as sincerely!

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  9. Lol! Kids and what they hear in songs. We used to sing one that said 'God is exalted.' To my small ears I thought we were saying God is exhausted. And in my brain exhausted reminded me of sausages, so I had this image of a man lying on a sausage sleeping whenever we sang that song. =D

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  10. Your final questions pretty well describe the way I am and have always been. I've tried to soften my stance in recent years. Especially when you're married to someone who is similar I think that in order to keep peace that someone has to give to some extent.

    But yes, my parents and others thought I was stubborn and bull-headed at times. Less so in friendships because this doesn't work that well in keeping friends.

    I was raised in the Methodist church and those songs and responsive readings are burned into my memory. In my 40's I switched to a Baptist church and realized that I had really been Baptist all along and just never realized it. I never mistook the phrase "Holy Ghost" but it always sounded a bit scary to me.

    Lee
    A Few Words

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  11. Dianne ~ That is really funny. I am not sure I could apologize WITH SINCERITY if I felt that I was right, but I can see how these spousal disputes could become very real problems without your method. So... maybe I could learn. Maybe.

    Leandra ~ God is exhausted. I can see why a kid would hear that and think it was the right word. I just can't figure out how sausage came to be equated with exhausted. Although, maybe when God is tired He sleeps on a sausage. Ha! Thanks for sharing your story.

    Arlee ~ It is difficult when two stubborn people are married to one another. Not impossible. Dianne K. Salerni and her husband have come up with their own Method. Maybe they will find just getting a bit softer as they go along will work just as well, if not better. I think it is somewhat easier in our friendships to just not talk about the things you know you disagree on.

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  12. I always liked Gloria Patri. Also a Methodist, each time a new minister comes, it either is used or bumped. It's one of those special songs I wish they would all keep. Revolving minister Methodists could use the sense of tradition.

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  13. There's nothing worse than being so sure you're right when really, you're dead wrong.

    I can't see or hear the words Holy Ghost without thinking of an Eddie Izzard skit that involves Scooby Doo.

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    1. There's nothing worse than being so sure you're right when really, you're dead wrong.

      I've been guilty of this from time to time...

      ~shoes~

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  14. Karen ~ I have been through traumatic situations that caused me to lose my voice. It is the worst. Feeling confident and willing to speak for yourself... well, we don't appreciate that until we lose it (or regain it).

    Elizabeth ~ I am not sure that ministers realize that music can be a stabilizing force while everything else is in a state of flux.

    Diane ~ You got that right. It is a horrible feeling to know you've had it wrong and been vocal about it.

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  15. Kids can be funny. Mine were always hearing different words to songs too. I was never an assertive person (nor kid). If I knew I was right, I kept it to myself and never argued. I guess I am still like that as arguing over who is right is such a time waster.

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  16. I'm insanely stubborn, and I'm fearless, which is an equally terrible combination, especially in the blogosphere. I say what I mean and I don't just rock the boat, I capsize the whole damn thing and drown everyone inside.

    I'm just surprised you even knew the words in the first place. Growing up going to Catholic mass was like that great Mr. Bean episode where he's in church and no one will share the hymnal book with him, so he just mumbles everything except for the chorus. That was me. I had no idea what any of the other words were, so I just opened my mouth and mumbled along to the music. God gives As for effort, right?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZyuSDUh2U

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  17. I do tend to think I'm always right so I guess I'm a bit stubborn. I like to call it confidence. LOL

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  18. GIRL WONDER ~
    I have a GREAT comment to leave on this blog bit, but I MUST get my arse to bed RIGHT-FREAKIN'-NOW!

    I WILL return later with an A-list comment. [STMcC: Remember "Valentimes" and "No case too small", you old dumbass!... gotta leave reminders on someone else's blog? ...You dumbass!]

    ROBIN(!) ~
    Check yer Emailz, 'cauz I sent ya one.

    Yak Later...

    ~ D-FensDoggzzzzzz....

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  19. My husband tells me I'm stubborn all the time. And you know what? I'm proud of it! ;0)

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  20. I'm stubborn AND impatient, so yeah, not a happy combo. I think it can be a very good thing for a child to exhibit such strong individualism.

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  21. I stick to my guns on my beliefs whether others agree or not. I have been called stubborn (or rather, 'bullheaded') by those in my family when I was young. I have never minded the term, so maybe I am? Ah well, I can live with it. :)

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  22. Husband and I are both stubborn, but about different things.

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  23. Manzi ~ Arguing just For The Sake of Being Right... big time waster. Also pointless. Because you aren't really going to change minds and influence people. My mom watches a lot of Dr. Phil, so I listen to a lot of it while I type on my computer. He calls that Right Fighting. Fighting just to prove how right you are when no one is listening... bah. Living the way you feel is right... well, who can argue with that?

    ABFTS ~ You do realize that link you left me is just how I compose my HERE'S TO YOU posts? No? You didn't know that? Well, if I think of something like that I tend to dedicate it to my friends in a Thursday post. And now you KNOW how that comes together. Yeah, well, I have exhibited some of those traits (here and IRL, too) and it doesn't always go over so well. Good thing I like to swim.

    Susan ~ Confidence is DEFINITELY a by-product. One of the best ones I think.

    StMc ~ How did I know that this post would resonate with you? I read your email and sent you a rambling nonsensical one in return. That is kind of like, "I see your quarter and raise you a dollar."

    Sherry ~ Well, of course you are. After all, THAT MAMA IS A GROUCH.

    Jay ~ Stubborn and impatient? Oh no. Take a chill pill in your pocket whenever you are driving.

    rosey ~ Yeah, I am thinking it is a compliment, too....

    Carol ~ And that is a relief. Can you imagine butting heads over the same darn thing over and over???? Yikes.

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  24. Ah yes. Many times I have been wrong. Too many. I believe it is not good to stubbornly stand your ground if you are wrong. It is part of having flexible minds and also let wrong habits and ideas go. Yet, I still have the hardest time opening to new ideas and accept I am wrong. And I mean the HARDEST time.

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  25. Sweetie says I'm stubborn, but no way will she ever convince me of that. Not in a million years.

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  26. Hi, Robin...

    BOY have you asked some loaded questions here. LOL Yes to all! LOL. I've always been VERY OPINIONATED even as a little guy. And I was always called STUBBORN. But I really believed I was right... I would argue the fact. ALWAYS. As I got older I LEARNED to LISTEN. After I heard all the facts then I'd make my decision to either agree or disagree.

    It's hard to stand up for what you believe in. It could lead to bullying and even worse. One must be careful to be smart about it. Passion and conviction are human emotions. So are reasoning and patience.

    I am happier in the balance.

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  27. Al ~ I could be wrong (ha!), but I think most people who stand their ground when they are wrong do not believe they are wrong. The only time it makes sense to stand your ground is if you believe you are right. There is a fine line here. If it is something that matters to you... standing your ground becomes determination, strength, courage. If you suspect that you could be wrong, but are unwilling to embrace any other ideas... well that, is when it would be best to step back, open your mind, and do some research. Are you right? Are you wrong? And, if you are wrong.... yes, it can be tough to let go of an idea that has had you in its grip for a long time. But who wants to cling to something that you now KNOW isn't true? I think the hardest part is letting go and opening yourself up to the idea that you MIGHT be wrong. After that it gets easier.

    Briane P. ~ Sweetie needs to rethink this, doesn't she?

    Michael ~ You have responded with a loaded answer! Ha!
    Listening. Who would have thought that is a skill? Have you ever watched people talk who don't actually listen to what anyone else says? I find it fascinating. While someone else is talking that person is ACTIVELY THINKING of what THEY will say NEXT. Listening to all sides of an argument before arriving at a conclusion is not easy (but very worthwhile). We tend to just absorb everything our parents, family, teachers, and neighbors consider Absolute Truths. Those are the hardest to release and accept that they are not true at all. Sometimes it can shake your foundation.
    I think that everyone who stood for something took some crap from someone. And some people took a lot of crap from a lot of people. Being willing to stand up for what you believe because it goes against the majority can lead to bullying and worse. Is it better to actively participate in something that makes you ill so that you will fit in, but goes against everything you believe? Or better to stand up? As a teenager, I just wanted to disappear. If I could have had a superpower I would have chosen Invisibility. Now I'd rather fly.
    Passion, conviction, reasoning, patience. Yep, all good things. I think it is possible to claim those and what you believe in.
    Happier in the balance. I hear you.

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  28. I was raised Methodist... now, I tend to think of myself as that special group of Methodists that I lovingly refer to as Reprobate Methodists......

    I remember as a little one, the first time I became aware of the term, Holy Ghost... I started trying to process the idea that ghosts could be Holy...

    Sometimes, it just takes a while...

    ~shoes~

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  29. My family always bitterly called me judgmental and critical. They didn't like it that I wouldn't just go along to get along, once I knew better about who they were and what they were up to. My friends say I am the go to girl when it comes to knowing stuff- all kinds of stuff that maybe nobody really needs to know! So I am happy that some people think I am right a lot of the time and I am also happy that lousy people know that I won't give up my convictions just to be a people pleaser. We all need to know when to compromise. I just happen to think that compromising on your convictions is rarely worth it. The other stuff- like song lyrics and the like? Well, I try to use the 100 year rule. If it won't matter in a hundred years, then I'll give in. Even if I think I'm right and the other person is wrong. That 100 year rule really helps to weed out silly arguments.
    I love that you were convicted to do what you felt was right, even as a young kid. You didn't have fear about being different and you had a strong belief in what was absolutely right. I love that. It tells ma a lot about you and I'm thrilled that your inner self was good from the get go.

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  30. Hi Robin,

    I'm relating to your post. I kinda' reckon that sometimes, even when you are completely wrong, it can still feel right. I have been called rebellious and I take great satisfaction in doing things my way. If everybody else is involved in something, chances are I will do something else. That's why, even though my ideas are often not popular by the majority, I carry on regardless. This is one of the reasons I don't get involved with all those blog hops, blog fests and alphabet challenges. I like being different and that's proof for you, my kind friend.

    Gary :)

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  31. Sure I was right and turned out to be wrong...on a regular basis;)

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  32. I have so many "wrong when I swore I was right" moments that they far outweigh the others. BUT I have stuck to my guns until I knew for sure, and I think that has to count for something.

    Song lyrics? Well, singing Elton John songs phonetically as a child certainly set me on the right path . . .

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  33. I am a fairly stubborn person, which is not a very good thing.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  34. lol... too cute! Everyone else was wrong. They always are.
    There've been plenty of times when I was convinced I knew better. My mom can plainly attest to that. Stubbornness and strong will run in my fam. (Plus a fierce Scot's temper) and now I get to experience from my son. Oy.

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  35. Shoes ~ I don't think adults remember what it is like to deal with "strange concepts." I am sure that my brother had the same problem. A Holy Ghost? What???? So, Holy Go made way more sense to him.

    Jasmine ~ Being too stubborn to go along to get along in a family where everyone was bending right and wrong... THAT speaks volumes about YOU. Not many people would have had the ability to even recognize that what they were doing was wrong. And, if there was doubt, it takes a very strong child to fly in the face of what a parent wants them to do. I imagine that overcoming that obstacle made all of the others easier. Once you are used to being the person with the unpopular opinion (that you believe is right) it gets a whole lot easier to make your stand there.
    I like the 100 year rule idea. That is an excellent way to determine if it is worth taking that stand in the first place. No one wants to fight ALL of the time. In the above scenario, I NEVER told anyone of the other kids that they were doing it wrong. I don't even recall telling my mom or dad about it. I just decided to do what I thought was right and let everyone else do their own thing.

    Gary ~ Yes, I have noticed that you fly in the face of bloghops, alphabet challenges, and all that other stuff. Of course, that has only inspired folks to create things like the Anti-BlogHop and make you the poster child. Hahahaha. But, yes, I know that it can be lonely standing on an idea that isn't popular with the masses.

    Sandra ~ Yeah, I know that feeling, too...

    Lynda ~ Being strong enough (and willing enough) to investigate the whole thing shows character. It is one thing to cling to an idea just because and another thing to allow your mind to accept that it might not be right. It then requires some investigation. If it turns out that it wasn't as you thought... well, that just shows you care most about what is true. I think that is a good thing.

    Gina ~ I think it is and isn't. It all depends on where you make your stand and why.

    Pk ~ Well, maybe you can teach him to be discerning so that he turns that stubborn streak into determination. Conviction is not a bad thing... just be absolutely sure that you are standing on a solid rock and not sand before you throw down your flag.

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  36. ye, I'd say determination. and Holy go--how precious! Made me smile.
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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  37. There have definitely been times I've been sure I was right, only to find out I wasn't. Luckily, I'm someone who won't argue things unless i'm 99% sure about something, so I don't end up looking too bad, though I am embarrassed in my head.

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    1. Arguing is mostly a fruitless pastime anyhow!

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  38. Part 1 Of 2:

    ROBIN ~
    Uhp! I'm an idiot!

    I just now remembered that I was supposed to leave a follow-up comment here, like... DAYS AGO!

    Well, better late than never? (...I guess we'll see.)

    What I meant to tell you is that (believe it or not) I am NOT really very stubborn. I mean, if I KNOW I am right, I will not bend to pressure or say something incorrect just to "get along" with others.

    Have I ever been proven wrong about something? Sure! Who hasn't been? But it hasn't happened to me very often about exceedingly important things because the more important something is, the more care I take in evaluating the evidence before making up my mind about it.

    I guess the biggest mistakes I have made have been with spiritual beliefs. On more than one occasion I have realized that I'd come to a conclusion before I'd become aware of ALL the necessary evidence that needed to be considered and accounted for.

    A couple of times I have had to discard my cherished spiritual beliefs and go back to the drawing board, starting from scratch again. These were valuable lessons that also proved to me that I am able to acknowledge false religious beliefs and ditch them in an honest effort to KNOW the true Truth. (Not everyone can honestly say that.) I have even gone back to people years later to tell them I had previously inadvertently misled them regarding spiritual truths; I have apologized and explained how I myself had come to the wrong conclusion, being unaware at the time of facts that I later learned and which altered my beliefs.

    >>... Have you ever stuck to your guns even when the idea wasn't popular with the majority?

    Uhm... No, I don't think so. That doesn't sound like me at all.

    Whatever stubbornness I should have gotten, apparently went to my Brother. So he got HIS portion along with mine.

    Continued Below...

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  39. Part 2 Of 2:

    Two humorous little stories about my Brother's stubbornness...

    When he was in First Grade, the teacher had the class making Valentines Day cards for their parents. On the chalkboard, the teacher wrote "Happy Valentines Day" for the students to copy.

    Brother Nappy was SURE she had written it wrong. He knew it was supposed to be "Valentimes", so he ignored her instruction and wrote it his own way. Then later he thought: Well, OK, I'll write it HER way, even though it's wrong!

    So he erased the "m" and made it an "n".

    Then a few minutes later his stubborn streak kicked in again and he thought: No! I don't care what she says, I'm going to write it the right way!

    So he erased the "n" and made it an "m" again.

    A few minutes later he capitulated again and changed the letter back.

    He did this over and over about 6 or 7 times (or, "tines"). He finally decided to follow the teacher's instruction, even though he was sure she was going to make him look stupid later.

    To this day we still have that "Valentin(m)es Day card, and you can see that spot that was erased so many times that the paper is ..."wafer thin" right there.

    One more story about Brother Nappy...

    In 5th or 6th grade I got really into the 'ENCYCLOPEDIA BROWN' books. So Nappy, in 3rd or 4th grade started reading them too.

    One time our Dad was helping him to read and understand the stories. Encyclopedia Brown advertised "No case too small". My Pa explained to Nappy that this meant Encyclopedia Brown (E.B.) would take ANY and EVERY case.

    Nappy became argumentative about this point, insisting that the slogan meant that there were some cases E.B. would NOT take! Our Pa corrected him, but Nappy REFUSED to accept the alternate view because it was OBVIOUS to him that the slogan meant that E.B. would definitely refuse some cases if they were deemed too small.

    Do you see the way in which Nappy was interpreting the slogan?

    To us, "No case too small" means that E.B. would accept ANY case, regardless of how insignificant. But to Nappy, in (probably) 3rd grade, it OBVIOUSLY meant that E.B. was saying he wasn't interested in any case that was too small; he don't want "no case too small".

    HA!-HA! Is that funny, or what?!
    I mean, you can easily see how a young mind could flip that meaning 180-degrees and get the exact opposite from it.

    Anyway... that's always been my Brother. Stubborn? Pshaw! That word barely scratches the surface!

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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    1. I will try and attack Parts 1 and 2 right here.

      Religious beliefs. That is a big one. I don't know what your beliefs were before they are what they are now... I think that most people tend to carry on as they started. If their parents are of a certain faith, they raise the kids that way. Some of the those kids turned adults carry on as their parents did. Some still believe but don't "participate' in the same way. And others (a smaller percentage, I think) will 360 their beliefs. I suspect that the reason this is so difficult to change (in an adult) is because Something has been accepted as Truth and it makes sense on at least some level. Once a belief makes it to the Truth level, it is hard to change it. Not many people are willing to set it aside and re-evaluate when given information that does not keep with their Truth.

      An opinion not popular with the majority... yes, I can see how that doesn't apply to you.

      I love the two Nappy stories. I bet your parents just LOVED LOVED LOVED that Valentimes Day Card. You said that you still have it, so it must have been a treasure.

      Encyclopedia Brown... yes, I do know those books. I read some of those books probably about the same time you did. I also can see quite clearly Nappy's post. EB clearly stated that if your case is too small, he's out. ha! Did your father ever gain ground with Nappy and he understand what EB meant instead of what he said??? I can picture myself suggesting that Nappy read a different book.... I get tired of arguing. And once it's clear why Nappy understood it that way... ah well.

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    2. Good grief Charlie Brown. I really should proof these comments before I hit the publish button.

      I can also quite clearly SEE Nappy's POINT. (What on earth was my brain doing???)

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    3. Always stick to what you believe to be true. It's the only way. Now why did you post make me think of Jurassic Park?

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    4. ROBIN ~
      Nappy did eventually come to understand the real meaning of that advertising slogan, but I couldn't tell you when or how. Did our Pa finally find a way to explain it so that Nappy understood? Or did the real meaning eventually dawn on Nappy on his own, sometime later? I don't know.

      What I'm sure of is that at least for quite awhile, my Pa was unable to grasp the way Nappy was reading the advertising slogan from the 180-degree difference it was intended to be understood by. So, although I wasn't there at the time and only leaned of it later, I must imagine that had been a rather frustrating and puzzling discussion for both my Pa and Bro, and a back and forth comedy of errors that went on for some time before someone's proverbial light bulb turned on the cause for the misunderstandings suddenly became clear.

      Funny stuffs.

      ~ D-FensDogg
      'Loyal American Underground'

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  40. When my parents attended one of our never-ending high school choral concerts, my dad asked me about the song "Bring In The Fern." At first I didn't know what he was talking about, until it finally hit me. The song was "Be Not Afraid." It's no "Holy Go," but you get the point! Cute story, and don't argue with me, because I'm always right!

    Julie

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You can now add YouTube videos in your comments by copy/pasting the link. AND/OR you can insert an image by surrounding the code with this: [im]code[/im]. In the case of images, make sure that your code is short and simple ending with something like .jpg. If you want to use a pic from someplace like Google Images, click on the image, then click on View Image. That is the code you want!

Dazzle Me!