Sunday Sabbath August 2 2015  HUSBANDS AND BRUSSEL SPROUTS

I am so thankful for both.  Husbands and Brussel sprouts that is.   I love my husband.  I love Brussel sprouts.  My husband abhors Brussel sprouts, but…he is in the kitchen right now slicing a whole bag of fresh sprouts for me so I can sauté them later in my stir fry.  Now that is true love!  At least on his part.  Perhaps the truer love would be not be to ask him to handle something he so dislikes.  Once they are in the recipe he will no longer even notice them.  That’s because the coconut oil that I cook them in he dislikes even more.  It’s all about micro-nutrient rich foods.  It really does taste good.  I think I wrote the recipe on the blog somewhere about the end of March.

Today has been a lovely day.  A great sermon at church, a wonderful time of ministering God’s love, a reconnection at Costco of a long ago friend/acquaintance, (which was a God ordained meeting), a lovely lunch at home with just Dave and I (no Brussel sprouts), a one hour nap for me, and now, just waiting for Betts to arrive so I can quickly do last minutes details for dinner and have everything ready within ½ hour after her arrival.

My table glass is still propped up against the dining room window frame, the base stands alone on a little rug so as not to soil the carpet with metal marks, the metal top leans against the garage wall awaiting a good scrubbing with a stiff metal brush to debris of any rust or chipped paint.  Sounds like a lovely table for a formal dining room, doesn’t it?  Having time to do the task reconditioning it appropriately is the key to getting it done.  And of course one thing leads to another.  Now I want to learn how to do some painting antiquing on a buffet that I bought at a garage sale before I left on my trip.  When we gave our furniture to our son and family it left me without a place for all that was in the buffet.   The piece of furniture I purchased at the garage sale is quite ugly because of the dark wood.  It has an interesting art-deco look but needs a little creative juices applied to it to become what I want it to become.  Rather than pay to have someone else do it I think I would like to learn how to do it myself.  Perhaps practice on a smaller piece of furniture first.  And that is how I always have so much to do.  I have too many ideas constantly swirling around in my head.

While I was in “downtown” Paoli (a one horse town) I talked with several people.  Two men having lunch, minding their own business, just seemed like targets to glean some wisdom from.  I had spoken with them earlier as we waited in line for our orders in the Bread and Brats House so I felt a little acquainted already.  They were both recently retired and were practicing what it felt like to be retired, just as Dave and I were doing.  So it came down to the nitty gritty time of asking them for their wisdom.  They both had immediate thoughts and readily shared them with me.  The first man named Topf shared this:  “Go outside at least one hour every day”.   Amazing wisdom, especially when you live is Wisconsin which is winter about half the year.  The other gentleman I interrupted was Jim.  Here is his wisdom that he borrowed from a book by Rachael Carson, THE SENSE OF WONDER:  “So every day I think this, what if I’d never seen this before what if I knew I’d never see it again”.  I found this bit of wisdom hit a chord in my soul.  So many times while I traveled I thought those exact words though I have never read the book, THE SENSE OF WONDER.  That bit of wisdom entices me to get the book.  I remember one event that stands out in my mind.  I was in Wyoming, approaching a mountain range in the distance.  It was so awesome and magnificent that I actually spoke the words, “Oh, what if I had missed this and never had the chance to see what I am seeing.”  I think there would have been a part of me forever missing.  I included a few pics for you.  There is another picture I took at Glacier National Park that I also posted for you to see.  It is another one of those moments of knowing that because I have experienced this moment and breathed in the beauty of God’s creation that I am somehow more complete.  It is still amazing to me that just a comment that someone speaks, a bit of wisdom, and I am catapulted back in time to the memories that live within me.  When those memories flash before me it’s as if I am actually there again, experiencing all the beauty and wonder of the moment I lived.  It is a wonderful part of me that I hope I never lose.

Later, as I was purchasing my table from the Cottage Goddess, Lori, the owner gave me this wisdom:   “Never feel guilty about skipping out, take pleasure in the treat.  It’s not worth it if you have to feel guilty about it.”  Hmmm,  I wish I had that insight earlier in life.  Perhaps I would have done some “skipping out”.  My problem was that I would always feel guilty and not enjoy it.  I look back now and realize I missed a lot of precious moments, especially with my children, because I didn’t feel like I could ask for the time off work to go see a little kindergarten school play or other events they were performing in.  If I had it to do over, you bet I would have taken the time off.  If you have young children, give this wisdom a great bit of thought.  Sometimes it pays to “skip out” so you can enjoy a bit of life, making memories to share later, that will never come around again.  Ask yourself Rachael Carson’s wisdom that Jim shared, “Oh what if I had missed this and never had the chance to see what I am seeing”.  You will be glad you “skipped out” or better put, took the time to go even though you are docked the pay.  The pay you can make up, missing an event that is special and only once in a lifetime, can never be made up.

I am so thankful that I meet such wonderful, spectacular, one of a kind people every day that I venture out.  Give away your smile to a stranger and see what happens.  I love to do just that.

Who knows, you may just be the angel that day to someone who needs one.  I think God uses us in mysterious ways.  Be willing to be used of God and see what happens in your life.  It is amazing!  And just think of the times when others have been an angel to you.

My friend Betts is late.  It is 7:00 p.m.  I was expecting her about 6:00 p.m.  I pray that all is well.  Perhaps a phone call is in order.  If she is not here by the time I publish this I will give her a call.  I so look forward to our time together.  Now it is my turn to be the hostess.  I will put into practice all I have learned in my travels.  So many wonderful places I stayed.  So many unbelievable experiences.  I hope to pass it on.

Good night and God bless you.

Oops, I forgot to write a poem.  Better do that now.

ALL THAT TODAY HAS TO LEND

By Kathleen Martens

August 2, 2015

Places that we’ve been in life

Have a way of touching our souls,

Memories full of wonderful thoughts

But the future should be our goal.

Where we’ve been is our past,

Where we are going is our pleasure.

Everyday a new experience,

A new memory it will make to treasure.

Never fear the unknown,

Look forward to what each day holds.

Cherish the past like nuggets of gold,

They give you the courage to be bold.

Some experiences may be sad,

Lay them at the Master’s feet.

Fill your heart with peace and joy

And never allow defeat.

For God is with you at all times,

Through the good and the bad.

Not only is He our Heavenly Father,

He is also our very best Dad.

You may never again walk this way,

Be thankful for these moments forever.

For this is a part of our eternity,

Each day we are to endeavor.

So look forward, while savoring the past,

And see today what you may never see again.

Fill your heart with each new happening

Of all that today has to lend.

Okay, so now I say good night and God bless you. 7:19 p.m.