Sunday Sabbath February 7 2016  MY DAY OF REST

Writing a blog is not always a piece of cake to do.  Especially when I think I should come up with something enlightening to write about; something that will cause others to pause and think about.  365 days in a year.  365 different topics. Or…with a mind as old as mine, I probably forget about what I’ve written in the past.  Then I just write something on the same topic again.  And if I do, it probably won’t matter, because not everyone reads it every day.   I can just hope that if my blog is a repeat, the reader either hasn’t read it before, or has a mind like mine, and just forgot that it had already been written.

Well, today it won’t be a repeat.  Being Sunday I have new fodder; today’s sermon.  And what a message it was.  We had a guest speaker, Ed Ainsworth, who spoke on the topic, “I MUST”.  He was a passionate and dynamic speaker.  His sermon may be listened to by going to:  citychurchonline.org

The sermon touched on how we, as Christians, sometimes settle living our lives with an “I should” mentality, when God desires and directs us through His Word, that we should live, with an “I MUST” mentality.  There are values in our lives that WE MUST do instead of making excuses by saying I SHOULD do.  Ainsworth is a global speaker with a message to the young.  He actually is a guest speaker in public schools speaking on the values of living a life of sexual purity.  Below is his web address and an excerpt from his web page.  If you have children or grandchildren growing up in today’s environment of “anything goes” perhaps you should listen to some of what he says for ideas on how to teach sexual purity to your adolescents and teens.  He has some very interesting videos and resources you may find helpful.

http://www.whiteheartcommunications.com/

The mission of Whiteheart Communications for the last fifteen years has been to help students make the choices that will make their lives better.  Ed (Sex Ed as he is known) and Connie Ainsworth have devoted the last twenty-six years of their lives to the youth culture.  Traveling over the United States and to other countries, Ed has found that teens are dealing with the same issues everywhere.   Ed and Connie believe that students will make choices that will make their lives better if they are given the right information and the right motivation.

If I had more time today I would outline his sermon here but I think you would receive much more benefit by listening online.

 

MY DAY OF REST

By Kathleen Martens

February 7, 2016

 

Today is my day of rest

To worship my God and King,

Our Father who art in heaven

Are words to Him I sing.

 

So holy is His Name.

Into this world His kingdom will come,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Through His blessed son.

 

He provides daily

For all of our needs,

Both physical and spiritual

From His hand we feed.

 

And He forgives

All of our sins,

As we forgive

Friends and kin.

 

He leads us not into temptation

And delivers us from evil.

For His is the kingdom,

And He overcomes upheaval.

 

And He will reign forever

In His light and His glory!

And on the Sunday Sabbath

Generations will share His story.

 

I now will go and continue my day of rest.  May you all be blessed, on this day of our Lord.

 

Saturday February 6 2016  WHEN THE CAT’S AWAY THE MOUSE WILL PLAY

Today, I was the mouse!  Dave has been gone all day long to a men’s retreat so this little mouse just let the day get away. 

On Saturdays I usually go to the gym without Dave.  What that means is, if I meet someone who wants to talk and visit (while not exercising), I can do so.  On the days we go together I try to stay on task because what I do always takes more time than what Dave does.  He doesn’t stay for the hydro massage when he is done and I ALWAYS DO!  Uh oh, now you found out why I really go work out.  I do it for the massage table time!  Yeah!!!  When Dave is not with me I don’t need to rush.  When we are together I try to finish up so he doesn’t have to wait for me.  But…when he’s away, I can play!

Well, today there just happened to be an even better reason for taking so long.  I met a beautiful young lady and we started talking.  And we talked, and talked.  When we separated I actually had to do another round of warm-up exercises before I could start my work out.  I didn’t ask if I could share her name so I will just share a little bit about the conversation, or at least the reason for the conversation.

I wonder if you have ever heard the phrase, “divine appointment”.  It is when timing coincides just perfectly for two people to meet, exactly when they are supposed to meet.  Sort of like what happened when I met Dave 44 years ago.  Well today was one of those divine appointments.  The young lady I spoke to today felt the same way.  She said the words I spoke to her today were purposed for her to hear this very day.  She was needing encouragement to continue on her goals of training, workouts, and weight loss incentive.  She didn’t say it in those words but I am improvising a long conversation into a few short sentences. 

When I first saw her I knew there was something special about her.  She had such a beautiful smile and her face just glowed.  During our conversation we discovered that we both love the Lord and desire His will for our lives.  What I recognized on her face was God’s countenance.  Somehow when two spirits such as ours meet, we recognize God’s presence in each other.  For some reason I believe our “chance encounter” was more than just chance, and will develop into a relationship on some level.  It may just be seeing each other at the gym, or becoming lifelong friends.  I am open for whatever God wants our relationship to be. 

As I listened to a sermon the other day while working out, the minister was saying how very important it is that WE CHOOSE OUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY.  Those you spend time with, you become like them.  I believe most parents see that also happening as their children become involved with other children.  We as parents try to steer our children away from those we  think may be a bad influence on them.  The same goes for adults as well. 

I remember as a young child zeroing in on certain other kids and deciding who I wanted for a friend.  Several of those friends stand out in my mind.  Arlene in Kindergarten,  Albert from our apartment complex (and we are still friends for over 60 years now), my friend Nancy Gail from Junior High (all the way through High School), and my friend Sue who was new to our church when I was in College (she was my maid of honor and has been a cherished  friend all these years).  And I certainly remember zeroing in on Dave on Saturday, October 28, 1972, before I had even been introduced to him.  And we’ve now been married almost 43 years.  And everyone of those friends that I chose had a profound reason in my life’s journey. 

Later, it seemed that I went through a season where others were choosing me as their friend.  This was discussed in conversations with each of them over the years.  They picked me and did not give up until I was their friend.  Sometimes I resisted at first, but they all became tried and true friends.  The first was Judy in Southern Calfornia (who is now with the Lord), the next was Sandra, and though we live states apart we are still close and email and chat.  And then it was time for me to pick.  But the one I picked could not stand me.  However…she ended up being one of the best friends  for over eighteen years before she went to be with the Lord in 2005.  Her name was Barb.  And then there is my friend Sherry.  If I remember correctly she picked me and won me over into her court.  A better friend would be hard to find.  She is selfless, giving, and speaks her mind (which I sometimes need to hear).  She is still near and dear to my heart and I can hardly wait for her to retire at the end of this school year!  I think we could get into a bit of mischief if given the chance.

 

And sometimes God just picks my friends for me.  One of the first times I believe it was a mutual connection.  I saw her at church standing with her husband by her side in a dimly lit room full of Christmas decorations at a Prime Time event. There was just something that drew me toward them.   Little did I know what would take place in our hearts from that point forward.  Not only did I get one of a best friends for life, but Dave was also blessed with a friend.  My friend Lana and her husband now live many miles away, but forever there is a connection between us.  And then there was another such connection.  Again, I was at prime time when I looked up and saw her across the room.  I believe God whispered in my heart that I was to be her friend.  Her name was Rose Marie.  Oh, what a wonderful gift God gave me that night.  She connected with my heart the first moment I saw her.  She was so full of the Love of the Lord that she just radiated His persona.  She too, is now with the Lord. 

And on another unsuspecting morning when I was hosting a women’s event in our living room I looked outside and a group of women came walking up my sidewalk.  One of the ladies I had never seen before.  Before she got to the door I had that same tug on my spirit that a new friend was walking into my life.  And Judy V. still lives close by. 

The friends I mentioned above from Junior high on are from different areas, different states, different backgrounds, but all having one thing in common.  And that “thing” is actually a “who”.  Every one of them love the Lord.  Yes, I have friends who do not believe spiritually as I do, and they too are special and I love them dearly.  It is just that we don’t socialize as much, or do as much together.  We spend the most time with those whom we have the most in common with.  They are the ones who we influence, and who influence us, to become more like each other.

And today, I think I met a very special lady who I think I would enjoy developing a friendship with.  I am more than twice her age so she may not have the same idea.  But that’s okay.  If God wants us to be friends, we’ll be friends.  It may be for a long time or it may just be for a while.  God has purposely brought many friends into my life for short term relationships.  One older friend I had for many years told me “ALWAYS MAKE SURE YOU MAKE SOME FRIENDS WHO ARE YOUNGER THAN YOURSELF”.  An older lady told that to her as she lived to be very old and one by one all the friends in her life died off and she had no one left.  I think that is excellent wisdom. 

There are many more friends that have influenced me as well.  So many have come and gone.  Their mission in my life completed or my mission in theirs fulfilled.  It doesn’t mean they are no longer important, because sometimes the briefest influence can have the most lasting results.  I thank God for all the people he has brought into my life over the years that have helped me through my journey of life.  I just hope I have helped others as well.

 

FRIENDS ARE GOD’S GIFT TO US

By Kathleen Martens

February 6, 2016

 

Friendships come and friendships go,

Time and distance span the years.

And death comes to knock at the door

Leaving those behind with tears.

 

But there is a reason friendships develop

For even a short period of time.

Perhaps there is work in the heart to be done

And for that friend it’s easy to find.

 

And when that friend’s mission is complete,

God may bring someone else to the door.

For God provides just who is needed

That can reach deep into our core.

 

And you may be the secret angel

That God places in another’s world,

To touch a place in their heart

That only you can help unfurl.

 

Thank God daily for those in your life

Who lend their strength with a helping hand.

A friend is one who is willing to give

Assistance to help you stand.

 

Our friends are God’s gift to us,

Be ready and willing to believe

There is always a reason he brings two together,

So be gracious, and with love receive.

 

Good night and God bless you.

 

If you haven’t heard from an old friend for a while, stop and give them a call.  Friends are great treasures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday February 5 2016  A SHORT MEANDERING

VERY SHORT BLOG TODAY!  I promise you.  Today is a very busy day and my moments of use are actually scheduled on a note paper in the kitchen so I will not fall behind (all time sensitive), including this blog.  I have one hour from start to finish.  After I sign off writing it usually takes about another half hour for proofing and publishing.  Often times I publish before I proof it because it is easier for me to find the mistakes when I read it on my cell phone.  Then, I go back into the computer and correct the mistakes I find.  Dave then reads it and I correct more mistakes, and then I usually receive a helpful email from my sister the next day and she find a few more bloopers.  I am grateful for every mistake brought to my attention so I can correct it.  

So, I have no specific topic today but would like to ramble a bit.  First of all, Dave discovered the fact that my “Fun Facts” may not all be exactly correct.   He discovered that the Happy Birthday Song, “Fun Fact” was incorrect.  I was going to put the Wikipedia explanation here, but decided to just give you the web address so you can check it out if you are interested in the TRUE FACTS!  It is interesting to read.

Perhaps I shall do a little investigation before quoting something I read in an email “Forward”!  Sorry for the misinformation.  Disregard my “FACT”.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Birthday_to_You

 

The one thing I do know, is that anything I quote from the Word of God is certainly a TRUE FACT!

I had a delightful morning reading God’s word, praying, writing, and listening to old hymns.  My music of choice today was a CD produced by David Hollandsworth.  Though the hymns were all favorites of days gone by, every one of them were still as vibrant and meaningful now, as they were when I was growing up, and in some cases, for the last century or two.  David normally composes his own music scores, but I was pleasantly surprised to know he presented the old hymns in the melodies of old.  So many of the old hymns are now being cannibalized with different tunes, beats, and sometimes even changing the words.  Oh how I long to hear the hymns as they were first written.  The copyright has expired on most of them and I suppose anyone can take any part of a song and change it to their liking.  This morning I listened to the tried and true of yesteryear and enjoyed every moment.  I actually pulled out my old hymnal and looked up each song and sang along!  My Dave was not home this morning so I could sing as loud as I wanted, without being self-conscious. 

David Hollandsworth and his daughter voiced the songs.  The name of the album is “PEACE LIKE A RIVER, A Collection of Classic Hymns”.  He has produced some of the finest music I have ever listened to and it is heard in many parts of the world.  Chances are you may have even heard a commercial, U-Tube productions, or some other venue which he composed and produced.  He actually composes customized music for productions.  You can get in touch with his website at:  

www.davidhollandsworth.com

Below is the poem I wrote this morning while listening to his music.  The album I listened to while I composed the poem is called “TIMELESS”.  It is my very favorite album!  While traveling last year I listened to Hollandsworth’s scores over and over.  I still listen them and it seems as if they are new each time I do.

 

LIVING GOD’S PRECEPTS

By Kathleen Martens

February 5, 2016

 

Oh wondrous love

Holy Spirit Provides.

Living His precepts

His Word Abides.

 

His Amazing grace

He showers down.

Mercy overflows

And freedom abounds.

 

Oh that I

Walk His Word

As an open Bible,

In action heard.

 

That His wondrous love

Others will desire,

So they too

For our Lord aspire.

 

This poem was inspired through the music of David Holllandsworth and Psalms 119.

 

I will refrain from additional Fun Facts until I have time to verify what I am printing.  Instead I will tell you about a tip that I read in an amazing book, years ago.  The book title is:

“1,628 COUNTRY SHORTCUTS”

From 1,628 Country People

Edited by Roy Reiman

Published in 1996

 

I have no idea what page it is on so I will just tell you about it.

If you use a dishcloth in your kitchen to wash dishes with or to wipe down counters, be sure you rinse it thoroughly in COLD water and leave out to dry.  Your dishcloth will no longer have an odor.  The premise being, the bacteria cannot grow unless the cloth was rinsed in hot water.

I have done this for years and it absolutely works for me.  I just spread the cloth on the divider between my two sinks and run cold water on it.  I don’t wring it out, but let it air dry.  But just to let you know, I do change my cloth quite frequently. 

So this is not a “Fun Fact” but it is a trick that I know works!

 

My clock is ticking, so I sign off with 13 minutes left to proof and publish.

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!  GOD BLESS ONE AND ALL!

 

 

 

 

Thursday February 4 2016  GRADUAL DECLINING YEARS

Just a few moments ago I sat down to write an email.  The Sun was shining so brightly in my eyes I had to drop the mini blinds so I could see the screen.   I wrote the email, got up to make a phone call, came back into the sunroom about six or seven minutes later and to my huge surprise the snow was coming down in buckets.  Great big, fat, beautiful snowflakes, gently stirred by the shifting of the wind.  I took a video of the cascading snow but I don’t know how to send videos to my blog site.  It is so beautiful I wish you could see it.  Of course I immediately pulled the blind up so I could sit here and enjoy my panoramic view.  I felt like I was in a snow globe.

What did I say the other day?  If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes!  This is what I was talking about.  Well it might be best for us if it changes back to the way it was.  Five minutes of snowing would be just fine with me.    

I am reading an interesting and enlightening book by Joan Chittister called, “THE GIFT OF YEARS”.  I am thoroughly enjoying it.  Her topic is about the later years of life and the gift they are to us.  It is beautifully written and confirms a lot of the attitudes I have about aging, as well as opening my eyes to even greater possibilities ahead.  Each chapter begins with a famous quote.  One quote I would like to share is a quote from “Seneca”.  I have never read anything Seneca has written but I have heard about him.  I looked him up on the internet to have a better understanding of who he was.  Here is an excerpt from the website:

Seneca

“Born

Cordoba, Spain 

Lucius Annaeus Seneca (often known simply as Seneca) (ca. 4 BC – 65 AD) was a Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, dramatist, and in one work humorist, of the Silver Age of Latin literature. He was tutor and later advisor to Emperor Nero.” 

Here are his words:

“As for old age,” Seneca said, “embrace and love it. It abounds with pleasure if you know how to use it.  The gradually declining years are among the sweetest in life…Even when they have reached the extreme limit they have their pleasure.”

The above quote was the opening line for the Chapter on “JOY” in Joan Chittister’s book.

Now I expect (and hope) to have many more years ahead of me, but even during the “youth of my old age” his statement makes so much sense.  For one reason, I have already tasted a bit of what he was referring to.  As I reflectively look back to last year, I must admit, stepping out of my comfort zone to take a journey across part the United States, afforded me some of the sweetest pleasure I have experienced in my entire life.  I did exactly what Seneca stated.  I looked for the pleasure and the sweetness as I began the journey of becoming “older”. I stepped out and embraced my age, loving the days of exploring alone.  It was so much more than just an exploration of cities and mountains, rivers and oceans.  It was an exploration within myself.  It was a time of questions.  Questions I didn’t know if I could answer.  My trip challenged me to go forward into the unknown of self.  Who did I think I was to believe that I could do what I set out to do?  It was a challenge to the self I knew, from the self I did not know.  Just in case you are wondering, I think I passed with flying colors.  I actually remember thinking about the fact that I was embracing who I was, and I was determined to love every moment of every day.  I especially like the way Seneca couched the words “The GRADUALLY declining years…”  I think that makes the years ahead sound ever so much sweeter still.  I like the word “gradual”.

There was a new freedom I experienced that I had never experienced before.  I still had pressures and deadlines, but they were pressures and deadlines of my choices,  of my planning.  I had never before experienced the freedom of becoming something more than what was always expected of me.  I was a mother, a wife, a worker, a business owner, involved in so many different areas, from church to small groups, volunteering, speaking, keeping up with all the intricacies of life such as appointments, upkeep, cooking, cleaning, and who knows what else.   I never before had the total freedom to explore, both the outer world around me and my own inner world that existed somewhere deep inside of me.  There were times when I surprised myself.

I think I discovered just how important a positive attitude is.  We sometimes do not give enough credence to how much is affected by our attitude, our outlook on life.  I do not know a time when I ever felt as invigorated and alive as I did those four months I was gone.  In essence, I was on my own.  I had a new responsibility.  The responsibility to look after myself.  Sounds easy enough, but I found that it also needed to be underlined with all the wisdom I could muster.  From my very first night on the road I began to have my eyes opened in a way I never expected.  I found that everything boiled down to ATTITUDE.  I had quite an experience that happened on my very first night.  I have not yet written about it.  It is quite a story that I may choose to share with my readers at a later date.  However I bring it up here because that very first night set the entire precedence of my attitude for the remaining days that loomed ahead.  I truly believe God gave me the wisdom I needed to make the right decision that first night, and it fortified me with such peace and strength.  I believe it set the precedence of every day following.  And it all had to do with ATTITUDE.   The attitude of telling myself every single day that I COULD DO IT!  My attitude spoke loud and clear to the new SELF that was emerging.  Because of the attitude I chose, my new self just blossomed, affecting every area of my life.  My attitude gave me vitality, and very rarely did I even get fatigued.  I felt extremely healthy, slept soundly on every bed, couch, toddler bed, air mattress, and every other kind of bed you can think of, waking up refreshed, with no aches and no pains.  And I don’t ever remember one sleepless night.

It would take me a long time to share all I have learned while on my journey.  Hopefully, as situations and memories come up, I will be able to capture them in my blog as a reminder to myself and to share with my readers.  It is only you, it is only me, that can make the decision how we are going to enter into the “gradually declining years”.  I choose to embrace them.  I choose to allow them to teach me all that I have yet to learn.  I choose to not regret the past and to carry no unforgiveness with me toward anyone. As I travel these last years of my journey I plan to squeeze every bit of sweetness and joy out of every remaining year.  What do you choose?

I also choose to continue making plans for my future.  I choose to learn how to use the years I have left to better know who I am, to have a closer relationship with my Lord, to love others in ways I have never been able to do in the past, because of time constraints, and to allow each day to change its course if necessary, teaching me the art of adaptation.  Never once have I asked, nor do I intend to ask, “What will I do with my time”?  Rather I will ask, “How will I ever accomplish all I desire to do in the time I have?”  I don’t see the years looming ahead as a fearful place to go, like walking into the unknown.  I will embrace the unknown, I will follow the path that I believe God has set before me, and I will challenge myself daily to do whatever must be done. 

At the present, my life is on a journey to rid myself of the baggage of the past, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  I am enjoying every moment of it.  It is causing me to reflect on thoughts that I have had to put on the back shelf for many years.  As I touch and re-examine each item in my house, I must make a decision to either discard, donate, or keep.  As I consider the fate of all the “things”, memories come flooding back.  And when that happens, I embrace those memories.  I am on a journey.  A journey of release, a journey of going forward.  It is something I choose to do.  It is something I NEED to do.  Along with my de-cluttering  I am rejoicing in the past, just as I am anticipating, that which is yet to come.

 

MY GREATEST TREASURE IS YET TO COME

By Kathleen Martens

February 4, 2016

 

Time has a way of sneaking past,

The hours wriggling away.

The hands of the clock keep ticking by,

With no amount of cajoling will stay.

 

Peanut butter sandwiches and jelly globs,

I thought would last forever.

Always something to do for toddlers,

I thought I was eternally tethered.

 

Babyhood days are now long past

As are Scouts and marching band.

No more fingers reaching up,

To hold a stronger hand.

 

And the frazzle of teen years,

Somehow passed without regrets.

So many things to teach the young,

So their values were righteously set.

 

Then young adults, college and marriage,

And the house became empty and quiet.

The hustle and bustle was all gone,

Peace and calm replaced the riot.

 

More years of work, slaving away

For the almighty dollar.

Always planning for what was to come,

Sometimes wanting to holler.

 

Those days too, finally ended,

Opening a new world of wonder.

There were no bells or whistles,

Or a band resounding thunder.

 

Because of a simple date on a calendar,

No longer part of the working throng.

With the future looming ahead,

Where did we now belong?

 

The alarm no longer set to ring

To signal the hour at hand.

For the first time in adult life,

Our work was no longer in demand.

 

The past was over, no more commute.

Each day packaged as a gift.

Ours to plan, and ours to dream,

And through memories now to sift.

 

And the future holds a promise

Like a late flower waiting to bloom.

And for the first time in our hearts

Our dreams have lots of room.

 

We rejoice in our past, as we look forward

To all that awaits our pleasure.

Our gradually declining years, 

Are yet, are greatest treasure.

Proverbs 16:31  Living Bible

^“ White hair is a crown of glory and is seen most among the godly.”

 

 FUN FACTS:

Warner Communications paid $28 million for the copyright to the song Happy Birthday.

My comment:  I wish I had been the one to write that song!

 

Good night and God bless you!

Wednesday February 3 2016  OUT OF TOUCH

It is always so difficult to publicly confess my shortcomings.  But today I have a confession to make.  I am out of touch with reality.  Not every aspect of reality!  The discovery of being out of touch happened this morning when I read the food ads in the newspaper.  You see, we only take the Wednesday and Sunday paper because it usually takes me all week to just get through those.  Usually I throw away most food adds because I know where I like to shop that consistently has the best pricing.  My favorite place for small items, fresh items, in season items, and often organic items, is a little hole in the wall store, called Aldi’s.  I don’t believe it is a national chain, however I did come across a few Aldi’s in other states.  Perhaps some of my readers may be aware of Aldi’s, or even shop there in their own hometown.

Today I read several ads from other stores.  The price differences amazed me.  Especially when I opened Hy-Vee’s “sale” paper.  I just couldn’t imagine spending so much money on some of the exact same products that I can buy so much more affordable at Aldi’s.  I don’t mean to talk negatively about any store, especially Hy-Vee.  Hy-Vee is one of the most beautiful stores you will ever walk into.  It is clean, spacious, well laid out, displays beautiful produce, and even has an occasional low cost product of some sort.  I go there for one reason.  To buy my frozen Brussels sprouts.  I get the best prices in town there.  So I go to Hy-vee’s, buy about 10 bags of Brussels sprouts, and don’t need to go back for another two or three months.  It’s sure pretty to walk through, but I would not want to pay for a full cart of groceries. 

Even their ads are extremely beautiful and mouthwatering.  I say:  Be cautious of beautiful ads.  First page:  packaged pizza, canned soda, assortment of beer, potato chips, crackers, and the token live food choice, an avocado.

Second page, more chips and more chips, and Velveeta, BBQ sauce, Wing Sauce, Little Smokies, more crackers, M&M’s, salty peanuts, and fried and battered chicken products; Parmesan garlic Wings, Value pack Hy-Vee chicken wings, Big Bad Buffalo Wings, and Serrano and Jam wings.  Most in thick syrupy red sauces.  And so on the ad goes.  More beer, more crackers, more chips and cheese dips.  Oh, don’t forget, more sodas.  By this time I am not even looking at the pricing any longer.  I’m just wondering where the real food is.  These are newspaper size sheets for each page of the ad.  It has 8 sides.  Finally, on the last full page spread I come across a little portion at the top left that actually advertises REAL FOOD. 

Perhaps I should give you my definition of “REAL FOOD”.  My definition includes that which is fresh, or sometimes frozen, in its natural state.  Food that still has live enzymes that connect with the live enzymes of my body.  Real food is that which has not had the nutrition entirely cooked away which is then substituted with “fortified vitamins and minerals”.  It is food that has not been baked, dipped, smothered in sauces, pasteurized, homogenized, cooked to death, covered with MSG or artificial flavorings, food coloring, or salted.  Do I buy things that aren’t alive?  Yes, I do.  I buy dehydrated spices and seasonings.  I buy whole grain bread products, and I even buy fresh roasted COOKED CHICKENS!  But, when I look at a newspaper ad, the first place I turn to (which is usually the front cover of the ad paper) is to see what produce is available at the best price.  Hey, I actually became excited this morning when I read that cauliflower has come down from $2.89 a head to $.99 a head!  And of course that price was at Aldi’s.  Even Aldi’s has been high priced on cauliflower this year.

I shop for produce more frequently in the winter.  During the spring, summer, and fall, I plan our meals in accordance as to what comes in our Farm Box each week.  After accessing what I have to work with, I create my menu, make a list of what I need to pick up at the store to fill in for my recipes, and that’s about all I need to buy.  I buy certain things in bulk at Costco, such as roasted chicken, prunes, walnuts, organic grains, coconut oil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.  I come home, make pots of soup, freeze most of it, and then we feast from our freezer all winter.  So pretty much what I need in the winter is just salad greens, veggies, fresh fruits, nut, grains, and dried beans.  

The back page of  theHy-Vee’s ad was more of the same.  Everything already cooked and prepared, lots of sauces, lots of carbs, Blue Bunny ice cream (which I love but don’t buy), diet Coke, and a free Propel drink with purchase of 2 Gatorade 8 packs.  I can see now why food costs so much.  It must take a lot of workers to run the computers to prepare so much pre-made products.  I think I’ll stick to blueberries, cauliflower, and Brussels Sprouts.

After being assailed by the beautiful ad pages in the newspaper, I can see why people would want to buy it.  It looks beautiful, probably tastes good to those who are used to eating highly seasoned and salty foods, easy to prepare, and easy to buy.  But, I will admit, I was totally blindsided by what I saw.  I guess I am out of touch with reality, or just plain getting too old to realize all the nuances of the young generation who are too busy with children, careers, homes, and jobs, to cook.  

Quite a few people have shared the fact that they eat out most nights.  I know young families that go to fast food places several times a week due to time constraints.  And some younger friends have simply confessed the fact that they weren’t taught how to cook, have no interest in learning to cook, and would just rather stop and pick something up.  And unfortunately, these are sometimes the very families that are in the throws of financial crisis.  How sad is it that our society seems to no longer deem the value of the family dinner table.  In my opinion, the kitchen is the heart of the home.  I knew one mom (this is the absolute truth) who proudly told me that her stove top had never even been turned on since she and her husband married.  At this time she had one daughter about 2 or 3 years old.  Actually, she said, she had never used any of her kitchen except the coffee machine and microwave.  It was very clean and very sparse.  Their home was in an exclusive, high-end development.  When I was there I could feel the sadness of that kitchen.  It was a completely decked out, state of the art kitchen which was extremely beautiful, but had no purpose.

Food, REAL FOOD that is, brings me joy.  We are all different.  We all have different interest which bring us joy.  I am really glad that one of mine is creating wonderful meals in the kitchen.  And what makes it even greater now, is the fact that Dave is home, and has taken over cleaning up after I cook.  It is not usually too bad because I keep cooking pots washed up as I go, but it is still a great help and benefit to my time.  His motto to me is, you cook, I clean.  NICE!

Hey, I have gone on and on about something, that more than likely, everyone else was already aware of.  I must admit, my eyes were never opened quite so wide as they were this morning.  Seriously.  I also enjoy looking into other carts to see what others purchase.  I’ve always thought, that what is in the cart, tells a lot about what is going on in a person’s life.  I thought I could guess when someone was having a party by all the chips and hot-dogs, and boxed pizzas, and beverages, and desserts piled high.  One day I said to the lady behind me, “Looks like a fun party coming up.”  She looked at me, then looked at her cart (loaded with all the above mentioned foods), and said casually, “Actually no, I have three teenagers at home and this is what they like to eat.”  Unless something was hidden on the bottom of the cart I did not see one bag of salad greens, no other vegetables, and no fresh fruit.  That was an eye opener. I have learned that I may not be able to guess the intent of anyone’s purchase, but I still like to peek.

If you have an Aldi’s close by, go in and check it out if you haven’t already.  It can save you a lot of money, and they have good sales each week. The sale goes from Wednesday through the following Tuesday.

 

EACH DECISION IS IMPORTANT

By Kathleen Martens

February 3, 2016

 

Though money is a factor

When you shop for food.

It is more what you buy

That concocts your mood.

 

Be careful of the colorful ads

Designed to entice desires.

What you put in your mouth

Can really make you tired.

 

Be careful little mouth

About everything you eat.

Regardless how much you cram in

Your needs it may not meet.

 

Look for that which will die

If unattended in your fridge,

And it will build a strong body

And will be your healthy bridge.

 

Fruits, vegetables, and salads greens

May not be on everyone’s plate.

But if they are on yours,

It determines a better fate.

 

For God is the creator

Our body designed with perfection,

He also created live food

Positioned for our detection.

 

That which grows on trees,

On bushes, and in the ground,

Is the table that God prepared

To make us healthy and sound.

 

So stop and give pause

To all you ingest each day.

Each decision is important.

Consequences you will pay.

 

Every day a building block

For tomorrow, next week, next year.

And it really makes a difference

When older age is looming near.

 

As I sat at the breakfast table and looked at the ads, I knew I had to write about what I was looking at.  Do not let your eyes deceive you.  The beautiful food ads are just a small part of what is happening to our society.  Family values are rapidly dissolving, there is pressure to buy what we cannot afford, instant gratification seems to be the norm, and we as a society are drifting toward socialism.  Oh how sad it will be, when the younger generation wakes up when they are older, and realizes how their decisions of today have spun a tight web of deception around them.  I won’t go into the political aspects of what I could say, but I am grieved when I remember the values our country was founded on, and now realize where we are progressively headed, and how quickly we are getting there.  But I know that God is in control and I believe His clock is ticking, preparing for the return of our Lord and Savior.

Just as Judas was the one to betray Christ, there are also Judas’s in place to betray our country.  It has already started happening,   I believe that what is happening in the world, is on God’s timeline.  It says in the Bible that God is the one that allows which rulers to rule.  His plan is in action.  My prayer is not for just one person to rise to the top, but that God would put the one person in place that is to be used to better further His plan.  I pray for His perfect will.  And actually, it may possibly be the one, I would least likely choose.  But, I know whoever is elected, it will be for the purpose of God’s timeline.  Regardless what happens,  I need not fret or worry.  My hope is in God.

Blog became too long.  I must close.

FUN FACT:

The tooth is the only part of the human body that cannot heal itself.

My comment:  And that is too bad, because they are sure expensive to repair. 

 

It is only 10:32 a.m.  My blog is written! 

 

So, if you read this tonight: GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

If you read it today:  Have a great day and God bless  you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday February 2 2016  A DAY TOO BEAUTIFUL TO MISS

Have you ever talked to someone and they say to you, “oh, what an awful day”?  And when you ask why, you find out it is because the sun is not shining, or it is raining, or overcast, or cold, or snowing, or…or…and the list can go on.  I NEVER consider whether the day is a good day or not because of the weather.  Actually, I have learned to never allow the conditions around me, the circumstances, the weather, or what someone has said to me, determine what my day is like.  I discovered this secret early in life.  If my day was circumvented by all the situations, people, words, weather, news, pain, or work I had to do, I would never have any WONDERFUL DAYS to look back on.

I have discovered that even the news anchors couch words to make “the weather” sound like the deciding factor as to whether or not the day will be good or bad.  Isn’t it wonderful when you have the joy of the Lord in your heart and you can wake up every day with hope and anticipation of an awesome day?  Yes, sometimes plans must change because of weather conditions, especially in Wisconsin, but does that make it an “awful day”?  There is a saying here that is used quite frequently, “IF YOU DON’T LIKE THE WEATHER JUST WAIT FIVE MINUTES”, because that is how quickly it can change.  I remember many outdoor weddings thwarted by thunder and lightning storms that quickly developed and just as quickly passed over.  Did things need to be done differently, yes of course, but by the end of the day the couple were just as married regardless where they had to speak their vows.  There was one occasion that I actually photographed a wedding on a ski mountain, hiking in the snow to get where I had to be.  Days like that to me were never “bad days”.  To me every single day is an adventure and is always amazing to live through.  Even if I am just cleaning or cooking.

Speaking of amazing…I have started sorting through my office closet, which is a large clothes closet outfitted with shelving for all the office supplies and disk files.  Oh my goodness.  I can’t believe how much I threw away on just the first day.  There was a bit of nostalgia felt as I chucked the photos of clients that I used for display, but in the same vein, there was a cleansing in my spirit at the same time.  Faces I will never see again, events I no longer need to be concerned about, files that must be culled that are just taking up space, must go!  I am saving samplings of my work which will fit on one little part of my bookshelf.  Some of the work is more like art, though the faces are not my loved ones, but I still like to look at them every once in a while.  Sometimes I look at some of the portraits and find it almost unbelievable that I was the artist.  I have always had a difficult time thinking of myself as an “artist”.  But, I guess I was; maybe still am.  I think what lives in my heart as a passion will always be part of me.

It is interesting to me to see how I opened this blog talking about the weather, transitioning to wedding memories, and then, end up being an artist.  Well, this is one artist that now wants to become an organized and decluttered creative being (if that is possible).  I was proud of myself yesterday.  I actually did a great job filling up a good portion of the recycle bin.  Lots of old notebooks, reference material that is now outdated, catalogues, supply books, telephone books, and old photos.  And that was all from just one half, of one shelf.  If I tried to explain to you all that I must go through I would be here all day.  So rather than tell about it, I shall go do it.

 

A DAY TOO BEAUTIFUL TO MISS

By Kathleen Martens

February 2, 2016

 

So much clutter, from where does it come?

Years of accumulation, work and fun!

No longer needed, it seems quite bereft

Some is disposed, but there is lots more left.

 

Hours ahead of deciding and sorting,

What to keep and what to discard.

If my daughter would come and do it

It wouldn’t be quite so hard.

 

She is so good of decluttering my space.

She never questions what she throws out!

But when I come home and find it all gone

I retrieve from the trash and refuse to shout!

 

Been there done that with my girl,

So I’m better off doing it alone.

Deciding exactly what I need to keep

Rather than being forlorn.

 

It just takes time and a little adjustment

To realize what’s happening is real.

I need to experience the hours it takes,

And time to feel, what I need to feel.

 

It is a journey as I travel this road,

For part of my past I am throwing away.

Like an amputation I fear will hurt,

But not quite so bad, just a little each day.

 

As I sort, my load seems to lighten,

As beautiful memories flood my hours.

It is not with sadness I throw things out,

Rather a resurging freshness that gives me power.

 

It is my journey that no one else can do,

And my heart sings as I look ahead,

Because someday it will all be done,

And my footing will be in good stead.

 

I will be stronger for all that I’ve learned,

And there will be joy tucked in my heart.

All I need do is focus on my goal

Because every day is a fresh new start.

 

And when that clutter is out of my life

I just wonder, what will I do?

I’ve decided to treasure the memories I find,

And be glad that my work is through.

 

Every day is a day too beautiful to miss.

Whether rain or sunshine, work or play.

I will enjoy what I do as a pleasure.

For I never know, if this is my final day.

 

Psalm 118:24 NKJ

“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”

 

FUN FACTS

The banana cannot reproduce itself. It can be propagated only by the hand of man.

Monday February 1 2016  A SHORT HELLO

Does anyone believe me when I use the word “short”?  Well, I always have good intentions, but what else can I say.

As I mentioned last week I had an extra appointment go on my Thursday appointment book that I wasn’t expecting.  I think I told you that I found out on Wednesday that I needed to schedule an MRI on my right shoulder.  I received the results back  Sunday morning on “MY CHART” online.  The results stated that I have two tears in my rotator cuff, swelling and fluid in my bursa, and arthritic changes that also exacerbate the injury I had to my shoulder when I hurt my elbow about three months ago.  When I have pain it seems like time doesn’t pass very quickly.  I find pain to be very draining in so many aspects.  I have kept it under wraps the past few weeks trying to take it a bit easier, but never seeming to find time to rest it.  Well, it finally caught up with me.  Pain not only affects the area that is injured, but seems to find ways to radiate into other body parts that are trying to  take up the slack of the injured area.  That is what I am experiencing now.

I do have an appointment with a surgeon next week to discuss what might or might not be done about the tears.  I dread the nights due to the fact it is so painful to lie down.  Please send your prayers my way for healing.

So, enough of that.  On to higher and better topics. At this moment I have no clue what topic, but give me a minute, I’ll come up with something! (I hope.)

Oh, I just thought of something.  Yesterday, my husband received a photo of our 4 year old grandson.  Dave sent the photo on to me with the stream of messages that went along with it.  Xander’s mom instructed him to change clothes so they could leave for a shopping trip.  He came back a few minutes later, decked out to the hilt.  He had outdone himself.  I’m telling you, if he didn’t have style, then I’ve never seen a kid who has it.  He had not forgotten one accessory, jacket, high socks, short pants, shoes, and GLOVES.  Oh, but the clincher was, he was in total concentration mode.  You know how I know?  Because he takes after his grandfather.  When my husband Dave is concentrating he does this “tongue thing”.  The tongue pushes through the lips, goes off to the side and protrudes a bit.  Xander had it down pat!  When I saw the whole package I could hardly stop laughing.  He looked so cute, so innocent, and SO VERY STYLISH!  I asked my husband, “What did Amy do when he came out dressed to the NINES?”  Dave replied, “Took him shopping”.  I am going to include a visual reference to this event, in photo format, so you will not need to leave this to your imagination.  I do hope you enjoy the style.  Perhaps he takes after his grandpa with the tongue thingy, but I think he takes more after his grandma in style.  I love the UNIQUE!

This episode reminded Dave and I of an incident with Xander’s father about 30 years ago when he was about 7 years old.  When Courtland, our son, was 4 years old, he had a little blue suit with pants, vest, and dressy jacket.  He had a little white shirt to wear with it.  Well, I couldn’t bear to get rid of the suit so I kept it in the back of his closet hanging on a hanger.  One evening we were going to dinner at someone’s home.  I asked Courtland to go upstairs and dress in something very nice so he would look handsome.  After quite a lengthy time he came back downstairs, walking rather stiffly.  Somehow he had crammed his 7 year old body into the size 4 white shirt, pants, vest, and jacket.  The pants were quite high-water, barely able to be snapped.  The vest rode up over the little round belly that kids have at that age.  His hands and arms dangled profusely out of the tight, extremely short sleeves.  The jacket was buttoned with one button that made the bottom flare out.  As I type this I am laughing as I look back at that visual memory.  Oh my, what to say when he looked up and in all sincerity, with a somewhat worried smile on his face, “How do I look mom?”  My response was that he looked absolutely amazing and handsome!  I could not burst his bubble.  It took everything I had to not burst out in laughter.  He was definitely proud of himself.  He also looked wide eyes, and acutely uncomfortable.  I went on to say that I wasn’t quite expecting him to wear a suit and asked him if he thought he might be more comfortable in something else.  Oh my, he heaved out a big sigh of relief and told me that yes, he would probably be more comfortable in something else.  I told him to go on upstairs and put something a bit more comfortable on.  He was changed in record time.  He came back downstairs and thanked me for having him change.  He then told me “Oh, that feels better.”  I wonder if he remembers that incident.  I certainly do.  The only reason I didn’t let him wear the suit was because I could tell he was miserable.  Had those pants stayed buttoned much longer he might have passed out from lack of oxygen. 

Since I am on a roll, I have one more little incident tucked in my “mother memory”.  We moved to Northern California from Southern California when Courtland was close to turning 4 years old.  My sister then lived close by.  We both lived in the east bay area near San Francisco.  Courtland was 5 years old.  We planned to go to my sister’s for dinner.  On that particular day I had been shopping and purchased Courtland some new underwear.  The “UNDEROOS” were little briefs that came in a package of eight, each one was a different color.  I gave them to him and he was so excited.  I actually didn’t know someone could get that excited about underwear.  When it was close to time to leave I asked him to go and change clothes so he would look nice for Aunt Velma.  He came back a few moments later.  He had little dark brown cord pants on.  I glanced at him, he looked decent, but I thought, oh my, I’m going to need to buy him some new slacks too because the ones he put on were now so tight on him. 

We arrived at my sister’s place and the kids always got a hug and a love pat on their bottom when Velma hugged them.  Velma patted Courtland’s behind a second time after hugging him.  Then she asked Courtland what he had on under his brown cords.  He excitedly unsnapped his britches, pulled his cords down to his knees, and commenced to showing Velma his new, colorful, UNDEROOS.  I stood there watching as Velma started peeling back layer after lay of elastic waistbands, counting each colorful pair.  All total he had on nine pair of briefs, the ones next to his skin were the boring white ones.  He looked up at her in all innocence and said, he wanted to wear them and couldn’t decide which one to wear, so he put them all on.  When Velma reads this blog I hope she gets a great big chuckle in remembering that evening.  I had Courtland take off eight pair and choose just one pair to keep on.  He came back out at said, “Oh, that feels better”.  And to this day Courtland only enjoys wearing clothes that are comfortable on him.  I wonder why?  And to my knowledge, I think he only wears one pair of underwear at a time.  I’ll have to ask him.

 

SOMETIMES I WONDER HOW

By Kathleen Martens

February 1, 2016

 

God made little children

To bring a smile to a mother’s face.

Everyday full of surprises,

At night is when you pace.

 

No child can be trusted

For a moment out of sight,

To keep them alive and healthy,

Or at least out of a fight.

 

Especially when they have a brother,

It matters not the age.

The only way to keep them apart

Is to place them in a cage.

 

Which of course would be illegal,

So referee you must become.

But most times it is easier,

And you actually have some fun.

 

But of course my kids were perfect.

Because our son had no brother.

He only had an annoying sister

Who was bossy like no other.

 

But our daughter had a brother

The perfect age to boss around.

And even through the occasional squabbles,

Lots of smiles were found.

 

So many memories tucked away

From babyhood till now.

I’m just glad I survived them all,

Sometimes, I wonder how.

 

Footnote to this poem:  I REALLY DID ENJOY BEING A MOTHER TO MY YOUNG CHILDREN AND THROUGHOUT EACH AGE.  AS A MATTER OF FACT, I STILL ENJOY IT, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THEY HAVE HOMES OF THEIR OWN! 

As far as Dave and I are concerned we believe we have been so blessed by both our son and our daughter.  One of my greatest desires in life was to be a mother, and then to be granted the time on earth to be the one to raise them.  God granted me both desires!  On our son’s 18^th birthday I turned to my husband and said, “Do you know what today means?”  He answered me immediately with, “Yes, it now means you are living on borrowed time.”  Dave knew of my prayer request to God, that I would be allowed to live until both children were grown.  I am ever so grateful that God granted my prayer. I knew there could never be another person in the world that would love my children like I do.  I always wanted to make certain that they were raised to stand straight and tall in the eyes of the Lord.  There is even a bigger story behind that prayer but it will be shared at a later date.

Proverbs 22:6  New King James Version

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

FUN FACT:

The roar that we hear when we place a seashell next to our ear is not the ocean, but rather the sound of blood surging through the veins in the ear.

I’m glad I did not know that.  My sister had a conch shell and she would let me hold it up to my ear.  I truly believed I could hear the ocean.  It was like magic to me.  Sometimes it hurts to grow up!

P.S.  Be sure and scroll down far enough to see the photo of our stylish grandson!