Saturday April 23 2016  NATURE’S EASE

My topic tonight comes from a statement Dave said to me earlier this evening.  We were sitting outside in the back yard enjoying the 60 degree weather.  Dave has worked so hard in the yard these past few days and we were just relaxing in the warmth of the day as we looked out over all the new spring growth.  Most of our yard is natural habitation with only a portion carved out that we keep weeded and manicured.  We have planted hundreds of hosta plants of many varieties that border our lawn areas.  We have several other flower garden areas, fern gardens, shade gardens, and a small area where full sun loving plants can grow.  And the ubiquitous hosta plants scattered throughout. 

The part we cultivate is backbreaking, time consuming, and beautiful to look at.  Just beyond the garden areas (which are so easily overrun by weeds) is a beautiful natural setting of wooded land.  As we sat in our bouncing, rocking patio furniture looking at the contrast, Dave said, “Nature’s natural growth is just as beautiful as what we have done but without all the work.”  It gave us both pause to stop and wonder why in the world we added all the “frills” in the first place.  It was (and still is) a lot of work, and expense.  Thirty years ago we were a lot younger and felt it would take less work to have the border than it would to always fight the encroaching woods.  Whatever you leave un-mowed allows the woods to relentlessly march forward and reclaim new territory.  We learned that lesson the hard way and we have never been able to reclaim the area we chose not to mow for a season.  We recently had several trees cut down which sprang up, towering and leaning over our house.  So I guess the moral of our dilemma is that either way, a big yard is a lot of work.   We again are taking a closer look at whether or not we would like to stay or leave.  We both realize that the older we get the more difficult it will become to acclimate to  new surroundings.

If I could go back 30 years and relive these past 30 years knowing all I know now, I wonder how different my decision might be.  That is not possible of course, but an interesting thought.  I wish I had been a lot wiser, a lot sooner.  But then again, who’s to say I am wise now?  DON’T ANSWER THAT QUESTION!

 

WE CANNOT LIVE IN THE PAST

By Kathleen Martens

April 23, 2016

 

Oh to be wise

Sooner than later

Without need

Of life to cater.

 

To buy a house

That is the best

Regardless how long

We stay and nest.

 

But alas,

Not to be

For the future

We cannot see.

 

Each decision

We make today,

For a time

Will serve our way.

 

We cannot live

In the past,

Yet today’s decision

Will not last.

 

As time marches on

We each will change

Though our choices

Have far reaching range.

 

So we do the best

For what we need,

And as time moves forward

New decisions we’ll heed.

 

I guess my poem sums it up quite well.  The decisions we made 30 years ago served us well for that time.  Now is another time and we must look forward, not behind us. 

 

Thank You Father for the hours we have to look forward to.

Thank You Lord for being with us every single day.

Thank You Lord for helping us make the best decisions for our future.

Thank You Lord that You are our strong shield and help in time of trouble.

Thank You Lord for our two little Kia Souls.

Thank You God for my toe socks.

Thank You too for my shoe inserts that help my feet feel good.

Thank You God that spring is here.

Thank You for the beautiful sunset I see out my sunroom window.

Thank You God for sisters.

Thank You Lord that my oldest sister wrote a poem and sent it to me.

Thank You for my eyeglasses so I can still read and see to type.

Thank You for my pillows.

 

Below I will close with a poem my sister sent me a couple of days ago.  It touched my heart to know that she too gives thanks to God for all that He provides for her.

Below is a sentence describing when this poem came to my sister.  Let me explain what she means by “court cats”.  My sister lives on a small court with 4 houses on it.  When a neighbor moved away they left their cat(s) behind.  I think other cats have joined their cat and my sister’s tender heart could not bear to know that the cats were hungry so she started feeding them after the neighbors moved.  That was a long time ago.  She still goes up a couple of times a day to make certain they are fed.  And yes, she buys it all.  One more comment from me regarding this sister.  Growing up she was always very special to me and a role model I looked up to.  She is truly about the most generous person I have ever known.  I have been recipient to her generosity more than on one occasion.  Thank you Sister.  And thanks for the lovely poem.

“I have a prayer/poem that came to me tonight giving the court cats a second helping of food.

 

THANK YOU LORD

 

Written by my sister VFM

4/21/16

 

Thank you Lord for trees

Thank you Lord for cool breezes

Thank you Lord for sneezes,

that clears the nasal ,

Thank you Lord for the green leaves.

 

Thank you Lord for all of my bountiful

Blessings

 

Thank you Lord for my sister to care for

and all the people I have cared for.

Most of all Lord I thank you for the means,

the energy, the patience, required to do so.

 

VFM 

 

GOOD NIGHT TO ALL MY READERS AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY BLESSINGS FOR WHICH TO GIVE THANKS.