Tuesday October 13 2015  A DAY TO REMEMBER

CALENDAR WISDOM

IN THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN

THE STREAM AND THE ROCK,

THE STREAM ALWAYS WINS,

NOT THROUGH STRENGTH

BUT BY PERSEVERANCE.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

By Kathleen Martens

October 13 2015

Certain days are to be remembered,

And this is one of those.

A day unplanned, so beautifully displayed,

Like when you stop to smell a rose.

Simple pleasures sweet as a blossom

That uncurls just because,

And when it blooms it is perfect,

Without wrinkle or flaws.

Such was today, discovered each hour,

No plans to thwart our day.

Like a leaf being blown by the wind

Creating new ways to play.

The hours unfold bringing pleasure

That happened in sequential song.

Unencumbered by constraints or time,

And to the hours we seemed to belong.

Very rarely do I title a poem before I write it.  The poem usually comes first and then I figure out the title.  However, today’s title was written first as if I no choice as what to write.  The poem describes the day so accurately.  We had a day open before us and on the spur of the moment we just followed our hearts.  We discovered some interesting places to go and things to see. 

I don’t know if any who read this blog knows about the COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS in Hollister, Missouri near Branson.  I’ve often read its roadside signs as I have traveled these highways for the past 29 years when I went to see my family in Arkansas.  I never gave the signs a second thought.  Well, what we discovered is that this is a college, like no other college we’ve ever heard of.  Its roots began back in the early 1900’s when a missionary came to this area and realized there were no high schools and not much education happening in “these here” Ozark hills.  A high school was formed which later became a Junior College and then later a four year accredited Liberal Arts College.  Following is an excerpt from a website that tells about the college.  I think you will find its concept quite interesting.

“Christian values and character, hard work, and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U” experience.  At a time when there is much talk about what is wrong with the nation, College of the Ozarks exemplifies what is right with America.

C of O is committed to its founding mission of providing a quality, Christian education to those who are found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to obtain such training.  Instead of paying tuition, all full-time students work campus jobs to defray the cost of education.  Upon complete participation in the Work Education Program, the College guarantees to meet the entire cost of education for students, allowing them the opportunity to graduate debt-free.  The College openly discourages debt by not participating in any federal, state, or private loan programs and leads by example through having no institutional debt of any kind.

 “Hard Work U” earns numerous accolades yearly, including…”

One of the “business” ventures that the students are involved in is working in a restaurant on campus in the Keeter Center.  It is huge and cavernous, more like a beautiful over sized barn. All the food is grown on the premises, farmed by the students, prepared and served by the students.  We decided to have lunch only to find out that the only way you eat there is through reservations and they book up way ahead.  We made reservations for lunch tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.  You take what you can get when you are only going to be in town for two more days. 

We did a little exploring in the Keeter Center and then left to eat lunch elsewhere due to Dave’s schedule of eating.  We plan to get up early tomorrow so we can walk the campus and do some more exploring.  The campus is situated on a mountain top and it is absolutely beautiful.  There is much to see and discover.  After lunch we dropped off our lunch leftovers at our cottage and took off for the movie theater which Dave had discovered earlier in the day.  The movie we wanted to see was “90 Minutes in Heaven” based on the true story of Don Piper who died in a horrendous head on collision with a semi-trailer truck.  After being pronounced dead for one and a half hours he was prayed over and came back to life.  It is an amazing story.  I recommend reading the book (same title) before you see the movie.  The movie was done well but a lot of the details in the book had to be left out due to limited movie time.

When the movie was over Dave and I went directly to the Starlight Theater on the Branson Strip for the one event that we had previously planned.  We went to hear “THE TEXAS TENORS”.  They were awesome.  I think they rank number one show of all that we have ever seen here in Branson (except those in the Sight and Sound Theatre).  I have never watched the T.V. show “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” so I had no prior knowledge of who they are.  This was the show that led to their stardom.  All three were having a difficult time making a living and one of the men was the instigator in forming the group so they could try to get on the show.  The grand prize was one million dollars.  They made it to the finals and won the million dollars.  I can see why.  They are awesome!  If you are ever in Branson or have the opportunity to see them on the road when they travel I encourage you to treat yourself to a wonderful evening of exceptional entertainment.

And now we are back at the cottage and I am enjoying my day all over again just writing about it.  I think what makes a day such as today so pleasant is the peace that Dave and I share doing things together, without the stress of work, and no demands on our time.  All the riches in the world cannot replace peace.  I am truly one of the most fortunate people in the world to be loved like I am by a man as wonderful as Dave.  And what makes it even better is that I have Dave to love in return.  It is a day such as this that makes it a day to be remembered.

Good night and God bless your tomorrow that it will be a day to remember.

P.S.  Below are some photos taken on campus of The College of the Ozarks.

Monday October 12 2015  THEIR DESTINY AWAITS!

CALENDAR WISDOM

OCTOBER 12, 2015

ONCE TO EVERY MAN AND NATION

COMES THE MOMENT TO DECIDE,

IN THE STRIFE OF TRUTH WITH FALSEHOOD

FOR THE GOOD OR EVIL SIDE.

This was a day we needed.  No one here, no appointments, no shows to see, no time schedule to follow.  And I woke up at 5:50 a.m. and that was good.  We were in bed last night by 9:30 p.m.  That was like a little bit of bliss for me.  I enjoy going to bed early so I do not miss morning.  Morning is truly one of my favorite times of the day.  I listened to a sermon from Calvary Chapel Modesto as Dave slept next to me.  Such a peaceful, relaxing time.  These are the moments of retirement that I love.

We prepared for the day, ate breakfast, Dave took off for the gym and I took off on a hike around the grounds where we are residing at the present.  It is very hilly.  I have walked every street, every hill, up and down, and sometimes backward.  Well, today I decided that I would climb “THE HILL”.  As you drive onto the premises of this resort you are at the top of the hill with an astounding view.  It is a long way down and I found out later, an even longer way up.  I walked the hills around the cottages and then the challenge of “THE HILL”, beckoned me.  I took off not knowing if I could really master it in one fell swoop.  I just kept walking and I made it to the top.  It was actually not as difficult as I thought it would be.  My legs had already gone through the conditioning of walking the shorter hills which had toughened up the old thigh muscles a bit.  I walked up, took a picture of the flag on top (sort of like my glory shot) and walked back down.  Then I turned right around and did it again.  I think the second time might have been a bit slower but not much.  I returned to the cottage by going the long way and walking some more of the hilly streets and by the time I arrived back I was pure perspiration.  I think it was actually the best heart healthy workout I have ever done.  At least I didn’t pass out! 

I must admit, it was not quite the same as climbing the rock face that I climbed in Washington State but it was just as exerting if not more so.  It wasn’t quite as dangerous though.  Tomorrow I hope to do it three times in succession.

Watermelon is my favorite melon.  I am always a bit sad when the season is over and there are no more.  When we arrived in Branson over a week ago there were still some available.  I bought one.  It was delicious.  It is almost gone now so Dave and I went to the store in hopes of finding another one.  It was not the Walmart Supercenter where we had purchased the first one.  We went to a closer store which was the Country Market (right in the heart of the city) and they did have a few left.  So I decided to buy a couple.  When I checked out I realized that one was $12 and the other was $13.  So I did not buy them.  I felt that was too much to pay for watermelons.  I went to the manager and asked why they were so costly, as I thought that was an exorbitant price.  It was because they were the last of the season.  We left the store.

I suggested we go back to the Walmart Supercenter which was quite a distance, and since we weren’t concerned about time that is what we did.  There in the same little bin where I picked out my last one were some beautiful, end of the season watermelon for $5.48 each.  We bought two.  One for me to eat and one to take to my aunt Esther in a few days.  They are very healthy looking watermelon and now have seats of honor on our little red stools, in our little red cottage.  

MY LITTLE GREEN WATERMELONS

By Kathleen Martens

October 12, 2015

In the little red house

On the little red stools

Sit my little green watermelons

That soon will be cool.

The end of the season

More priceless than gold.

At least at one store

That’s what I was told.

So I looked elsewhere

Until I heard two cry,

“Take me”, they clamored

“Before I die”.

“I must fulfill my purpose

To give life to the living.

Unto the very last bite

I promise to be giving.”

So I picked up those two

With a glad heart,

And promptly put them

Into my cart.

And now they are here.

Their destiny awaits

To fulfill my pleasure

And my hunger sate.

Thank You God for watermelon!

In a few days we will be going to Arkansas.  My aunt does not have Wi-Fi. I plan to go to the library and use their Wi-Fi to publish.  The library is not open on the weekends so I may not have blogs up over the weekend.  I will if I can.  Just thought my sister might want to know as she is concerned when she doesn’t hear from me as I travel.  Thanks Sister.  It is nice to know that someone is looking out for our well being.

Before I must write a P.S., I’ll just tell you one thing we did accomplish today.  We had the oil changed in my little Silver Fox.  I’m still under warranty and my Kia Dealership in Madison Wisconsin will reimburse me for oil changes away from home.  They reimbursed me for all the oil changes I had when I traveled earlier this year.  We have a great warranty with them.  (This note is actually for my information should I need to remember later).  I am not currently able to both blog and write in my journal as I travel, so must get my IMPORTANT facts in so I can remember them.  Now wasn’t it important that I talk about watermelons?  No comments please!!

Good night and God bless you and keep you safe.

Sunday Sabbath October 11 2015  GOODBYES ARE NOT FOREVER

CALENDAR WISDOM FOR OCTOBER 11, 2015

TAKE THE SAVIOR’S LOVING HAND

AND DO NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND,

JUST LET HIM LEAD YOU WHERE HE WILL,

THROUGH PASTURES GREEN,

BY WATERS STILL.

Why is it that you plan and dream and prepare and imagine the far off time when you will be together with those you love, and when it finally becomes a reality, the days just fly by and are over?  And that was today. 

We have looked so forward to being with our family as a complete unit and then it goes so quickly and nothing you do can stop the moments from speeding by.  Living in the moment is all that is available to us.  So soon the moments flee and we must say goodbye.  Our son and his family live close by us and so we visit throughout the year.  Our daughter and her family live about 1,244 miles away.  We are fortunate to see each other once a year.  And it is never easy when we say goodbye.  Today was doubly hard.  Our son and his family left very early and took the boys out to the car sleeping and didn’t wake us up before they left as they wanted the boys to not be disturbed.  It worked.  They slept until about 10:00 a.m.  Even though I will see them again soon it was a bit sad to not be able to say goodbye after such an incredible week with them.  I got over it quickly.

Rebecca and Neil on the other hand were a different story.  They came by shortly after 9:00 this morning on their way out.  Our goodbyes were long and drawn out because no one wanted to part.  It will be quite a long time before we are together again.  We enjoy our time together (perhaps because distance makes the heart grow fonder?) but it never seems to be enough time.  I just received a message on the phone from Rebecca that says it so beautifully.  “…This was such a lovely week and still seems like we weren’t able to talk enough.  We have to see you soon.  We love you so much xoxo…”  How could anything sweeter be said?  What she doesn’t realize is that I too feel as if I were not able to talk enough.  But for me that’s an everyday occurrence.  I always have many more words in me than I have someone available to listen.  Oh well, God always hears when I talk to Him.

GOODBYES ARE NOT FOREVER

By Kathleen Martens

October 11, 2015

Our tears are dry, our hearts are full

Memories linger in sweet refrain.

So seldom are we all together,

This a dose of medicine for all bane.

The sweetness of each moment captured

To be remembered in our sated heart.

So full are we of loving each other

Though physically separated, we are not apart.

All the words and sweet affections

Last long after the week is done.

A bit of my children live in my veins

Even when they are grown and gone.

Thank you Rebecca for your kind words.  We too enjoyed the evening with you and hubby.  It was a quiet interlude following such a busily packed, rambunctious week.  Every day was special!

I send my thanks to my blog readers who may be following the daily publications about my family escapades.  I write them down so that I will be able to look back and be reminded of what happened, with whom, and when and where.  I am actually looking forward to having time to go back and read my trip blog.  So much happened so quickly that I purposely placed each day on the shelf when it was over so I could go on to the next adventure.  I want to go back and remember a little bit better.  Time has a way of distorting our memory.  I want to write while everything is fresh in my mind so I can capture the true feelings of each experience.  Thanks for sharing these moments with me.

Good night and God bless you one and all.