Tuesday August 4 2015  A LITTLE SIN

Quote from August 4 Calendar: “(A little sin adds to your troubles, subtracts from your energy, and multiplies your difficulties.”

6:43 p.m.  Just sat down at my rickety table desk and read my wisdom on the August 4^th Amish Calendar.  I thought it such a great piece of wisdom I would write it as the cover title.  I’ve done my fair share of sins and I can attest that this wisdom is so true.  Think about what you do BEFORE YOU DO IT!  Especially if it is sin.

9:03 p.m.  Had to stop to prepare dinner, eat, get ready for bed, and now I’m back.  I just sent a few pics of mine and Betts’ day together.  Hope you enjoy them.

Betts had an engagement with a friend for lunch today so she spent the morning there and came home about 2:00 p.m.  Dave and I had a visit with Dave’s primary physician and he had a good report.  Blood sugar levels are doing wonderful and he is on his way to recovery in many different areas.  Very happy with the report!  Afterwards I went to work out and met Betts back at the house at 2:00.  We had plans to see the Madison Capitol together.  It had been a long time since I had taken the tour and Betts had never been in the Capitol building before.  She graduated from the University of Madison in 1953 and did her Doctorate degrees in California.  Although she lived in Madison for several years attending school she had never once gone into the capitol building.  She seemed very impressed with how beautiful it was.  It truly is a beautiful place.  It cost seven million dollars to build in 1906 after the previous capitol building burned down.  It took about 120 million dollars to renovate in 2001.  We were told that it would cost in excess of TWO BILLION DOLLALRS TO REPLACE but many of the contents would be irreplaceable because there is no more marble available in the sizes that were used in the original mining for the 1906 building.  Of course I say this without bias, but…I do believe that the Madison Capitol building is the most beautiful of all the capitol buildings that I toured during the past several months.  And believe me, I saw some absolutely beautiful buildings.  If you have never taken time to tour capitol buildings, especially the capitol of your own state, take time to do so.  A lot of history to be learned in the hour you are there.  I think the second most beautiful capitol building that I toured was the one in Austin Texas.  Every one was beautiful in its own way.

Of course today, while at the Wisconsin Capitol I had my divine encounter.  This was with another woman named Arliss and her 10 year old son Tray from North Dakota.  They were here because Arliss’s husband came to Madison for a special surgery.  Through our conversation I learned that God is an important part of her and her family’s lives.  I could tell she was very pleased that her 18 year old recently graduated daughter was on her way to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip.  Her story about it was awesome.  I asked Tray if he had any wisdom and he was emphatic that he had none.  So…I asked the mom!  And she emphatically did have some.  Some great wisdom if I may say so.

Arliss’s wisdom: “My grandmother told me this wisdom two years ago after she turned 100 years old.  She passed shortly afterwards.  She said that family is always first, all those things that you think you are getting self-worth from, all the organizations, activities, and things like that will come and go.  You need to keep in mind how important your family is and the things that you do with your family and the memories you make are the most important.  Your family is who sticks with you.”

That wisdom is oh so true!  I was blessed for having heard Arliss’s story.  There was so much more that she shared.

Betts and I left the capitol building shortly afterwards and went to Babcock Hall.  Taking all our guests to Babcock Hall is a tradition that we started many years ago.  If you have been here you  may remember what Babcock Hall is.  Babcock Hall is on the UW campus.  It is where they sell the ice cream that they perfect to perfection.  When we first started going there 29 years ago you received huge, huge cones or cups full for $1.50.  And it truly is the most delicious ice cream concoctions you will ever taste.  I had the smallest one and it was still much more than I should have eaten.  Did I save any?  Yes, I did.  I put it in a cup to take home …and…then before I got out the building I ate the rest of it.  I will pay for it tomorrow when I wake up with big bags under my eyes!  Oh well, remember, I live in the moment and that moment was a beautiful one to live in.  I enjoyed it without guilt!

Home to make dinner!  It was delicious and quick and easy Salmon, rice, and salad!  We didn’t need any dessert!

And now I am here.  Almost too tired to write a poem but at least I remembered I did not write one.  So let’s see what I can come up with now that I have droopy eyes.  Betts is packing, Dave is getting ready for bed and I’m half way sleeping in place.

REMEMBER TO TAKE STOCK

By Kathleen Martens

August 4, 2015

Take a look around you,

Who is by your side?

Through thick and thin, ups and downs,

It is family that abides.

 

In your heart is space

For many that you know

And to whom is the affection

The greatest that you show?

 

Is it friends who come and go?

Or to cherished items you cling?

Who is it that walks in a room

 That causes your heart to sing?

 

Friends from school are special

And some that you meet at play.

But do you have time for family?

Or do they seem to be in the way?

 

Sometimes those who are closest

Are the ones we over look.

How is that sometimes our families

Are the very ones forsook?

 

When you look at your life’s path

And see the places that you’ve been,

Who is it that is always there?

Is it family, or is it friend?

 

Friends come and friends go,

And some you just out grow.

But your family is always there,

It’s THEIR love you will always know.

 

So on your journey through life,

Remember to take stock

Of the priceless treasures that surround you,

YOUR FAMILY WHO IS YOUR ROCK!

 

I must thank Arliss for the inspiration for this poem.  Her grandmother’s wisdom is so true.  Love and cherish your family because they are the ones that will be there for you in the end.

Good night!