Saturday September 10 2016  OUTDATED AND BEHIND THE TIMES

To my chagrin I forgot to pick up my iPhone before I left for the gym this morning.  Only when I arrived did I realize my phone was four miles away sitting on my kitchen counter.  BUT…I had my headset with me and that was a lifesaver.  Yes, the music was still playing on the radio (all the more reason to need a headset) but there was that ever ignored screen I could turn to in my time of distress.  And so I did.  I actually exercised longer because I wanted to the see the end of a television show.  I do not know the name of it but it was on HGTV and the two hosts are twin brothers, one who sells houses, the other who remodels the house being sold. 

I will make one comment about the commercials that were shown on a Saturday morning, on a somewhat innocuous TV show, that any age could be watching (except for the commercials that is).  I was absolutely horrified to see such a commercial on a Saturday morning, or any other time, as far as that goes.  I can’t tell you what upcoming show or movie it was advertising but it was the most repulsive, demonic, frightening, and hideous commercial I have EVER witnessed.  It was actually nauseating.  To be fair, let me set the precedent that it has been years since I have watched much TV and I NEVER WATCH A COMMERCIAL.  Unfortunately I was caught unaware and was both stupefied and horrified at what I witnessed.  It sickened me.  I guess I am just behind the times.  If this is what can be broadcast during a “family show” I cringe to think what the R rated movies, or horror and crime shows might advertise.  I guess if you can make a dollar in today’s world, that is what counts.

I also had my eyes opened as I watched a 1990’s outdated, “hideous” interior designed home, be transformed to current day acceptability. I thought the 1990’s home was lovely and tastefully decorated.  Oh my, I am so outdated.  My décor goes back to the 1800’s era.  However, some of it is as current as the 1970’s.  After all, that was when we married and designed our “lovely” interior.  We did do a little makeover in the 1980’s when we moved to Wisconsin.  And since then things have stayed pretty stable.  Oh, there have been a few changes such as giving our 1860’s dining room set to our son for their new house, and replacing our living room Lazy Boy recliners.  It works for us.  I’m comfortable; Dave’s comfortable.  We both still love our antiques and if we need to buy something, why not go to an estate sale and get it a lot more reasonably priced?  However, I will insert that we did buy our Lazy Boy recliners new!  But, we replaced our dining room table with an old iron tobacco plant starter table which I had sandblasted so I could repaint it.  It’s really sturdy!

That show convinced me that if we ever want to sell our home we will need to have a lot of updating done.  Too bad!  I like it the way it is, Formica counter tops and all!  Oh, the one thing the TV decorator decided to keep were the cupboards that were like the ones we have in our kitchen; beautiful solid oak custom made cabinets.  He said those would not need to be changed because they could be painted.  My heart plummeted.  I would never want my oak cupboards to be painted.

So, I said all that to say this; I am definitely old.  I do enjoy change, and color, and a mixture of décor (all mixed together in one room), but if something works, why change it!  Let the people who move in next decide what they want to do.  I am past the point in my life that life must be lived to impress those who may stop by once a year for an hour.  I say, if it works for you, go for it.  And so I do.  Oh, by the way…we do still have, and use, our first two love-seats we bought in the 1970’s.  They were white, we raised two kids, and the love seats are still white.  One graces my library; the other was in my studio.  The studio is now taken apart, but that beautiful little love-seat still waits for the next person who needs a place to sit.

 

OUTDATED

By Kathleen Martens

September 10, 2016

 

To be outdated

Is it really bad?

It’s to see those unsatisfied

That makes me so sad.

 

I am so happy

With my old things.

It’s not fashion

That makes me sing.

 

What does it take

To be satisfied,

Always needing something new

By Your side?

 

If it’s still good

Why throw it away

When it can service

For many more days?

 

I am content

And filled with peace.

It is not possessions

That gives me ease.

 

I don’t need

The latest new fad.

Most things of old

Are the best I’ve had.

 

It is God who provides

What I own,

And I’m very content

With what’s in my home.

 

And I know ultimately

Nothing will last,

That someday I too

Will be a part of the past.

 

Then everything can be updated

All at one time,

Because this world

Has never been mine.

 

I have a home

Fashioned in glory.

And that is where

I’ll live a heavenly story!

 

Lord thank You for contentment.

Thank You too Lord for the years You have numbered for me.

Thank You for all the blessings You have given me.

Thank You that someday I will live with You in my heavenly home.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.