Saturday November 12 2016  “GIVING IS GOOD, GETTING IS BETTER”

 

“GIVING IS GOOD, GETTING IS BETTER”

Kathleen Martens

November 12, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

“Giving is good, getting is better”

I must admit it caught my attention,

As I read the headline across the ad

Such an easy phrase for retention

 

It seems the way our world thinks,

“What about me?  What about me?”

While the needs and wants of others,

So few take time to see.

 

If giving is good perhaps we should pause

And consider giving should be our fate,

But if GETTING IS BETTER as the ad says

Surely others will see that WE rate.

 

In other words spend lots of money

To buy whatever and anything you desire.

If anyone is worth it, surely you are

Because getting more is what you conspire.

 

And the more you get, the more you want

And giving is out of the question.

And soon your wants consume your days

And it becomes a rampant infection.

 

And as a virus it goes unchecked,

And the masses come down with the same,

“Giving is good BUT GETTING IS BETTER”

Seems to be the name of the game!

 

When I opened my email and read the above quote as a headline for an ad, it gave me pause to think.  It doesn’t really matter whose ad coined those words because it seems that is the underlying current of most ads.  YOU ARE WORTH IT!  How sad it is that our society has such a desire to “get” so much.  I must admit that I have been a guilty party at one time or another.  I don’t know if it is because of age or something else but I no longer have the desire to get, get, get.  I just wished I had learned that principle years ago.  If I had, perhaps I wouldn’t have so much to get rid of now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday November 11 2016  WHAT A MESS!

How in the world can I create so much mess when all I am trying to do is clean everything up?  I’ve come to the conclusion that this house is just too big!  I seem unable to finish one room before another needs attention for some reason or the other. 

I am currently working several hours a day on my sister’s photo album.  I know it probably gets boring hearing me repeat the same thing over and over, but people always ask me how am I so busy, so I thought I’d just fill you in.  I am still working on the studio, trying to get it emptied out.  I am boxing up books in the library in order to get things ready for its move when the studio area is empty.  And then I am trying to work on the album so I can be finished with it in order to get my craft room in some semblance of order.

And everything I do causes more work someplace else.  For instance, I had stacks and stacks of printed pages of poetry accumulated from the past several years which needs to be sorted and filed in proper sequence.  I’m talking about several thousand pages.  Those pages are being relocated into my office where I have more counter work-space and can do the sorting and binder filing.  The only problem is that I still have a couple of thousand poems to type up and file which are written in the pages of my journals.  I feel an urgency to do that so I can find the poems I need for certain publications I want to do.  Perhaps typing and editing my poetry is not a big deal to most people.  However, some of my favorite poems are among the pages of the past and it is important to me to have at least one typed copy of each.  The poems in my journals are the ones that have always been created through inspiration and spiritual times in my life.  The ones written in my blogs are the ones that come easily from whatever topic I may have discussed in the blog the day I write the poem.

I must stay focused and know that the mess will eventually be emptied out.  It is still difficult for me to part with “things” that help me recall memories, but the more I purge, the easier it becomes.  So, I will start by writing shorter blogs, shorter poems, and spend less time writing and more time logging those which I have already written.  Soon I will be finished with the album (perhaps in 3-4 months) and that will free some more time as well.  In December I plan to write poetry only for the blog space and on some days I might delight you with some of my previous work.  It goes all the way back to the 1960’s when I learned how to type.

Yes, things may look in disarray, but I know where everything is, my tools are accessible, I have space to work, and I am accomplishing more than I thought possible.  I am a fortunate person because I have been able to accomplish two passions in a lifetime.  I accept that writing poetry is truly a gift from God given to me in my childhood.  It has given me comfort in some of my bleakest hours.  And then to able to follow a dream to become a photographer and work in a field I loved was like icing on the cake. 

As far as I am concerned, photography and poetry go hand in hand.  I hope the words of my poetry create a mental reflection that is beautiful, calming, and speaks to the soul; just as I hope my photography creates beautiful poetry spoken silently to the heart.  Thus, “Visions of Poetry” was born.  I do not publish my professional art on the blog but rather include real life; daily situations which help tell my own personal story.

 

A PIECE OF TIME

Kathleen Martens

November 11, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

A piece of time

Captured in word,

A portrait captured

With words unheard.

 

Simple beauty

Seen with the eye

Can put a song in the heart

And soar to the sky.

 

Descriptive thoughts

Shared from a soul

Paint a beautiful portrait

For the heart to hold.

 

Lord, thank You for the beauty I see around me each day.

Thank You Jesus for the gift of SEEING poetry in Your creation!

Thank You too for the words You place in my heart.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

I HAVE A PARTY TO ATTEND TO!

Thursday November 10 2016  SO MANY CHOICES

 

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Kathleen Martens

November 10, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

We all have many choices

That come along each day,

Even a small choice

Often has much to say.

 

We choose our clothes,

We choose our style,

Some choices are small,

Some worthwhile.

 

We choose what we eat.

When and where,

How much or how little

Depends on our care.

 

We choose to have children,

Or possibly not,

And choices have consequences

Whether we like it or not.

 

We choose our car,

We choose our spouse,

And if we have enough money

We choose our house.

 

How we choose

Determines how we live.

What is left over

Determines if we can give.

 

We may desire to exist

In a perfect little world

To escape the turmoil

The human race unfurls.

 

But do we give pause

To really think ahead

And wonder where we’ll live

After we are dead?

 

With all of our choices

Do we take serious heed

As to what choice to make

So as to heaven will lead?

 

While on earth

We experience tears and laughter,

But we must choose God

In order to live happily ever after.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS EACH ONE OF YOU!

Wednesday November 9 2016  A GOOD DAY?

Of what does a good day consist?  Did you wake up to a “good day” today?  Today is a day that will go down in history.  Did you stay up last night to watch through the night to see what history would report?  Is your heart heavy or are you rejoicing?  It all depends from what perspective you view the outcome of a long and arduous battle of political differences 

I am having a good day!  Before you jump to conclusions let me clarify my perspective.  I long ago made up my mind that regardless my circumstances, regardless my pain, my health, my business, or anything else that might interrupt the flow of my day, that every day when I awakened I would say in my heart, “This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it”.  And so today was and is a good day.  If the outcome of the election had a different outcome would I feel the same?  Absolutely!  I know that my circumstances and those happening around me are not what give me joy, peace, satisfaction, or even security.  My hope and security is in the Lord.  My joy comes from God.  My peace is instilled within me because Jesus abides within me.  And regardless the outcome of a political election my satisfaction and contentment and outlook for my future is grounded in the plans God has for me.   

I also believe God has a plan for the United States of America.  If you know me well you will have heard me state that I believe God is in control and puts the leaders in place just as the scriptures read.  Did I look forward to voting for either candidate?  No, I did not.  Those who I thought prepared to lead our country were long ago discarded.  I decided not to vote.  I could not vote for either candidate with a clear conscience.  But, in the end, I did make my decision, stood in line to vote, and prayed that God’s will be done in this election.  And that doesn’t mean that God’s will was necessarily the one for whom I voted.  But I did my part. 

I will pray for the president and vice president elect, our house and senate, as well as others who work for the government.  I will pray that they will seek truth and be filled with wisdom.  I will pray for protection over our service men and police officers.  I will pray that peace and love will be instilled in the hearts of our countrymen so that hate and discrimination are no longer prevalent.  I choose to not waste my time with a hang-dog look.  I choose to not speak negatively about the outcome of the election.  And I choose to not carry a heavy load because of who will was elected to the office of President of the United States.  Rather I choose to hold his name up before God that God will give Donald Trump strength and wisdom to be the leader our country needs.  I pray that our country will be restored to peace and love between all citizens.  My prayers sound like a tall order and more than likely the sinful conditions of our world will never cease to be until the Lord returns and we have a new heaven and a new earth.  But I always remember the scripture that says:

“2 Chronicles 7:14

…if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

And so this is what I choose to do.

 

THIS IS THE DAY GOD HAS MADE

Kathleen Martens

November 9, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

God is the one

Who sees the future ahead.

Moses and the Israelites

Out of Egypt led.

 

David fought the giant

With a slingshot and a stone,

And God rescued Daniel from the lion

Without a pain or moan.

 

And when Isaac was on the alter

Instead of a lamb,

The God of provision

Provided a bleating ram.

 

When Job was in torment

With illness, loss, and pain,

God knew the future,

And replaced Job’s loss with gain.

 

When the world seems forsaken

God always has a plan,

Regardless of elections,

Be it woman or man.

 

In His everlasting scriptures

God’s ultimate plan ensues,

Even the outcome of an election

Is not something for man to rue.

 

What we must remember

Is this is the day God has made.

And in the course of history

God’s plan will never fade.

 

Thank You Father for a peaceful election.

Thank You for a society that transfers the authority of its leaders peaceably.

Thank You Lord that You are in control of our lives when we offer ourselves to You.

And thank You Lord that You can restore peace and love in our hearts for others.

Thank You Lord that this is a good day!

 

Remember, it is attitude that will change how you view the world.  And it is only you who chooses what attitude you will have in your heart.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday November 8, 2016  BLOG POETRY DAY!

 

OUR LIFE IS BUT A BANK ACCOUNT

Kathleen Martens

November 8, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Our life is but a bank account

With a new deposit each day

Of eighty six thousand four hundred seconds,

To use any which way.

 

Every second is a treasure

That we must decide how to use.

How we spend it is up to us,

Or we can squander our seconds and lose.

 

Time must be spent or it is lost,

But once again renews at midnight.

But if unspent and instead squandered

It will expire in silent flight.

 

We can’t spend it twice,

Nor does it carry over into tomorrow.

It has a very short shelf life,

And it can’t be loaned or borrowed.

 

But what we don’t spend on ourselves

We can certainly spend on another

By giving our time and compassion

To help all sisters and brothers.

 

Though our account can’t be transferred

It is so valuable to share your wealth.

So make the most of each second of life

That disappears with quiet stealth.

 

So many decisions we make in a day

As we spend each second given.

We do not know when the deposits cease,

They last only as long as we’re living.

 

So use wisely the gift of a day,

The abundance of NOW simply share.

How we live and show love to others

Will show the richness of our care.

 

For the greatest wealth that we own

Is TIME, our greatest FRIEND.

And how we spend each precious second

Depends on the seconds we tend.

 

The above poem was inspired by a forwarded email that I received a few moments ago from a friend.  I am including the forward below.  I don’t usually forward emails, especially not in a blog, but I thought this one gives pause for thought.  I hope you enjoy it.  The author is unknown.  I took poetic license to highlight its important meaning of life.

 

HERE IS THE FORWARD:

“THE AUTHOR IS NOT KNOWN. IT WAS FOUND IN THE BILLFOLD OF COACH PAUL BEAR BRYANT, ALABAMA, AFTER HE DIED IN 1982

 

THE MAGIC BANK ACCOUNT

Imagine that you had won the following “PRIZE” in a contest:

Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has Rules:

The set of Rules:

1. Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from you.

2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.

3. You may only spend It.

4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day.

5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time, it can say, “Game Over!” It can close the account, and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?

You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself – right?

You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right?

ACTUALLY, THIS GAME IS REAL!

Shocked ??? Yes!!!

Each of us is already a winner of this “PRIZE”. We just can’t seem to see it.

The PRIZE is “TIME”

1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds, as a gift of life.

2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited to us.

3. What we haven’t used up that day is forever lost.

4. Yesterday is forever gone.

5. Each morning the account is Refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time WITHOUT WARNING…

SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?

Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars.  Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.

So take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply and enjoy life!

Here’s wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day.

Start spending….

“DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD

SOME PEOPLE DON’T GET THE PRIVILEGE!”

Monday November 7 2016  HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CIRCUMSTANCES?

My plans changed today when I received one telephone call.  I had a window of time and my good intention was to go to the gym.  The call was from a long-time friend and we talked for almost two hours!  And I don’t regret it.  My friend has been going through a long arduous journey of cancer treatments.  Lately she hasn’t had many “good days”, as far as feeling well, due to the weeks and months of chemo.  Today was a good day and I was so happy to hear from her.  She sounded stronger and her voice was vibrant.  We had such a great conversation.  Moments such as these are precious as well as priceless.  Every day of our lives is a gift and there is no better reminder than beating cancer!  She still has more treatments to go and then a mastectomy.  And we have faith that she will be a survivor.

Never take a day for granted.  We are so privileged living in this country.  We are so fortunate to have food available to us that is abundant as well as food that is nutritious.  How awesome it is that we can pick up a phone and hear a friend’s voice hundreds of miles away on the phone line talking to us.  So many things that we take for granted that so many other people don’t even have available.  When I flush the toilet I think of all the fresh water it takes to flush it and I think of those that don’t even have fresh safe drinking water.  Look around you, open your eyes to what is available to you every single day and remember to be grateful.  When things don’t go as you planned and you may want to grumble and complain, stop and really take a look at your life.  Are you healthy?  Can you see?  Can you walk, Can you hear?  Do you have food to eat?  Do you have a toilet to flush and a roof over your head?  Do you have a good friend who calls you on the telephone?

I look at my life and give thanks to God over and over throughout the day for all the amenities which are available to me.  I thank him for my health and for the medical treatments available to my friend to fight the killer cells that are trying to take away her life.  I thank God for every bite of food that I eat.  I thank God that I can see and feel and hear and taste and walk and so on and so on…  When life tries to get you down, check your attitude, choose to respond positively to both people and circumstances that would try to undermine you.  Regardless your circumstances find something for which you can be thankful and then find another and another.  You may be surprised how your circumstances may even begin to change or how people will begin to treat you differently.  You may not have control over your circumstances but you do have control as to how you respond to those circumstances.

My friend is so full of life and hope and dreams (yes, even we older people love life and have hope and dreams) and every day is so precious.  She shared with me that before these treatments began that she was going to go forward with a positive attitude, giving thanks IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES and determined to finish the treatments even before they began.  Her attitude is what has kept her going and now she is seeing positive results.

Stop for a moment and give yourself an appraisal.  Do you believe your hours and days are precious?  If not, take a closer look.  Look around you and open your eyes to the value of this day.  So…I have not accomplished today what I had planned to do.  In the scheme of my life how important is that?  Sometimes we have to roll with the punches; like going through months of cancer treatment, or something as simple as not going to the gym.  I’m not trivializing, I’m just saying that primarily it is our attitude that will best help us do what we must do, regardless of how difficult, inconvenient, or uncomfortable it may be.  We cannot walk in another’s shoes so we should never be condemning or be judgmental of how another may respond to pain, sorrow, disappointment, or illness, but rather we may choose to walk along beside them, lending an listening ear, encouraging them, praying with and for them, rejoicing when they rejoice and crying with them when they cry.  And the best part of the journey for me is knowing God and having a deep and abiding relationship with Him; knowing that I am doing my best to walk on His righteous path regardless the circumstances.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF ATTITUDE

Kathleen Martens

November 7, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

An attitude of gratitude

Is a nice rhyming phrase,

But what does it really mean

As we walk through our days.

 

There is always so much

For which to give thanks

Through both the happy times

And even during angst.

 

When we have trouble

And don’t know what to do,

Sometimes how we take it

Will help our journey through.

 

When problems come along

We must decide how to act,

And what we speak is important

As its best to speak with tact.

 

Be aware of your manner

As well as your approach.

Lean on God and listen,

He is the wisest coach.

 

Let a bit of sunshine

Shine from your heart each day.

When your attitude is positive

It will light another’s way.

 

It matters not what happens.

What matters is how you respond.

When your stance is positive

It can help right lots of wrongs.

 

It’s not necessary to just be right,

But to react with gentle grace.

An optimistic mind-set

May help another to save face.

 

Thank You God for this day.

Thank You God for friends.

Thank You God that I can see.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Sunday Sabbath November 6 2016  “FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE”

The following Sabbath Sunday poem and title was inspired by today’s sermon I heard at City Church, Madison Wisconsin, by Pastor Derrick Wright: “FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE”. 

 

FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE

Kathleen Martens

November 6 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

What is your fear that lingers inside?

What frightens you most in the darkest night?

To whom do you turn for comfort and peace?

What do you do to make it right?

 

Rise up and take a stand,

Fear not what the world can do.

Fear not anything for God never fails,

He dispenses FAITH to get you through.

 

How much do you choose to love God

In order fulfill your purpose while here?

God has ordained a plan for your life,

And it is because of FAITH you need never fear.

 

Fear not what comes your way.

To live is Christ!  To die is to gain!

Allow no room where fear can live,

And fear will always wane.

 

Rather face the fears that attack.

Rise up in victory with FAITH!

Push all fear down to the depths

As daily transformed, in FAITH you bathe.

 

Bask in God’s renewing strength,

Let the past be the past.

There is no place for fear to dwell

Because God’s love will always last.

 

God’s perfect love casts out fear

Because God is with you forever,

So where He is, fear cannot abide

Therefore pursue God with great endeavor!

 

“Matthew 10:28 

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

“Isaiah 41:10

 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 

For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.”

 

SCRIPTURE READING FOR SUNDAY SABBATH

Psalm 37

¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
    your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ Be still before the Lord
    and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.
⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed,
    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
    though you look for them, they will not be found.
¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land
    and enjoy peace and prosperity.

¹² The wicked plot against the righteous
    and gnash their teeth at them;
¹³ but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
    for he knows their day is coming.

¹⁴ The wicked draw the sword
    and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
    to slay those whose ways are upright.
¹⁵ But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
    and their bows will be broken.

¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have
    than the wealth of many wicked;
¹⁷ for the power of the wicked will be broken,
    but the Lord upholds the righteous.

¹⁸ The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,
    and their inheritance will endure forever.
¹⁹ In times of disaster they will not wither;
    in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

²⁰ But the wicked will perish:
    Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
    they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.

²¹ The wicked borrow and do not repay,
    but the righteous give generously;
²² those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
    but those he curses will be destroyed.

²³ The Lord makes firm the steps
    of the one who delights in him;
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall,
    for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

²⁵ I was young and now I am old,
    yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
    or their children begging bread.
²⁶ They are always generous and lend freely;
    their children will be a blessing.^[b]

²⁷ Turn from evil and do good;
    then you will dwell in the land forever.
²⁸ For the Lord loves the just
    and will not forsake his faithful ones.

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed^[c];
    the offspring of the wicked will perish.
²⁹ The righteous will inherit the land
    and dwell in it forever.

³⁰ The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
    and their tongues speak what is just.
³¹ The law of their God is in their hearts;
    their feet do not slip.

³² The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
    intent on putting them to death;
³³ but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
    or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

³⁴ Hope in the Lord
    and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
    when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

³⁵ I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
    flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
³⁶ but he soon passed away and was no more;
    though I looked for him, he could not be found.

³⁷ Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
    a future awaits those who seek peace.^[d]
38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
    there will be no future^[e] for the wicked.

³⁹ The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;
    he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
⁴⁰ The Lord helps them and delivers them;
    he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
    because they take refuge in him.

Saturday November 5 2016  FALL BACK

 

THE HANDS OF TIME

Kathleen Martens

November, 5, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Thank goodness for husbands

Who listen to the news

To remind us old folks

The clock turns back at 2:00.

 

Nothing worse than forgetting

To change the old clock hands

That faithfully ticks in the hall

Its grandfatherly commands.

 

And the clock in the dressing room

That circle each hour each day

Its hands must be manually moved

To proceed correctly on their way.

 

And the clock my son made

That hangs proudly on the library wall

It too must be synchronized

Or tomorrow, today’s commands recall.

 

And then the little bird clock

The chirps on each hour

Must be hand coordinated

As they have no WiFi power.

 

And my windup watch

That sits patiently in a drawer,

Will continue on its merry way

Until I wear it once more.

 

And I must not forget the car

Which I learn anew each time

How to reset the dashboard lights

So the hour will read just fine.

 

And the microwave is so old

New numbers must be put in

So that I can stay on track

And correctly my timer end.

 

 

And then all the computers,

The smart phones and T.V.

Fortunately have a better memory

And at 2:00 am will be set free.

 

More than likely there’s another clock,

But I can’t remember where,

And someday when I least expect it

Its face will give me a stare.

 

REMEMBER TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR TONIGHT!

GOOD NIGHT!  HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP IN THE MORNING!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday November 4 2016  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED (ALMOST)

It is finished!

What we hoped to begin and end in October has now been accomplished.  Our tree is trimmed (each branch stuck into a pole) and covered in gold ornaments (made of paper, cloth and tin), and our glittering skirt (a piece of untrimmed yardage) creates a stunning exclamation as it covers the base of our tree (consisting of a board, tree stand, and a towel), but I will tell no one!

The boxes are stashed and I am happy!  And, it is only November 4^th.  A few more gifts to buy and wrap, and that is it.  NOW MY CHALLENGE IS THAT ALL SHOPPING AND WRAPPING MUST BE FINISHED BEFORE THANKSGIVING!  When the month of December comes around I want to be totally footloose and fancy free.  I intend to watch at least one Christmas movie per day, go to any and all events I so choose, spend time with family and friends, and do some entertaining.  On Christmas day Dave and I usually attend the local theater and spend the day watching a movie, or several movies if there are any exceptional releases at that time.  But who knows, we may just stay at home and play cards all day.  I may even consider taking a week off from writing my blog.  Now that would really be a vacation.  Hmmm…maybe I should take off the entire month!

This year Christmas is on a Sunday and that makes it even more special.  Perhaps we can find someone who has no family and invite them over for a Christmas dinner.  We celebrate Christmas with our family on Christmas Eve so that our son and his wife have the entire day to spend with their boys on Christmas.  We always had the same arrangements when our children were little.  We both worked and it was seldom that we ever had days off (weekends were not days off for parents) to absolutely devote to our children.  We would dedicate our entire day for their pleasure of being with mom and dad, playing games and discovering how to use their new toys.  We snacked and played all day long.  It was so awesome to be able to focus our entire day on them.  Unfortunately some of those days don’t always happen on Christmas for Courtland and Amy.  Courtland often works on Sunday and holidays and must take his shift in rotation, regardless the holiday.

When we first moved to Wisconsin we had no family in driving distance (our closest family was about 800 miles south) so we celebrated with our foursome; mom, dad, daughter and son.  On the ride home from our son’s wedding I turned to Dave and said, “Hey, we now have family in the area and someplace else to go for Thanksgiving and Christmas”.  That was a happy thought.  And over the past several years we have had many joyous occasions of having our “family” over as well as being invited as guests to their home for celebrations.  Though not a large extended family, we now have someone with whom we share special events.  Now if we just coerce our daughter and son-in-law to move to Wisconsin we’d have two places to go.  Florida verses Wisconsin?  I don’t think such a move will ever take place!

Perhaps we could make this year’s special Christmas Sunday special for someone else.  Over the years we were occasionally invited to join others at their home to celebrate with them.  Other times we invited families to share in ours.  So perhaps it is time for us to once again pick up the baton and extend an invitation.  Life is now opening up to Dave and me in new ways due to being retired.  We had to bypass so many events when I was working due to the stress of my work load.  I am only now beginning to feel the freedom from being so tethered to a job.

And now I look ahead and dream of the time we may be downsized and rid of years of accumulation.  I know we will have more freedom and I am beginning to feel the need for that to happen.  I learned a lot while I was “trimming that tree”!

 

DO FOR OTHERS

Kathleen Martens

November 4, 2016

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The tree is trimmed

Ornaments in place,

Holiday time

Begins its race.

 

Sprinting ahead

To finish shopping,

To buy the gifts

Without stopping.

 

So all will be done

Before the masses

Crowd the malls

Fervently dashing.

 

That opportunities

Can be enjoyed,

Especially now

We are no longer employed.

 

And then take time

To do for others,

Not only family

Sisters or brothers.

 

But to search

And find those weary

Who need a family

And someone cheery.

 

So many alone

Forsaken and lost,

To give joy to another

Is not a great cost.

 

To extend a hand

Or offer assistance

May brighten the day

If we are persistent.

 

Perhaps our time

Could be our gift,

That would help

Another life to lift.

 

Or a gift card

For what they need,

Perhaps for food

On which to feed.

 

Or a few hours

To the kids attend

So parents have time

Crowds to fend.

 

So many things

We can do

To help others

Their day get through.

 

So give thought

To helping someone

Not just on Christmas

But everyday that comes.

 

Thank You Father for being such a good, good Father.

Thank You Father for allowing Your Son to become flesh.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Thursday November 3 2016  “THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUTH”

 

THE TRUE PRIVILEGE OF LIFE

Kathleen Martens

November 3, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

“The Privilege of Youth”

The title of a book,

It caught my attention

So I took a closer look.

 

Written by an author

I have previously read,

He is very much alive

Therefore, not dead.

 

“A Boy Called It”

Was his book first published,

And a far cry

From being rubbish.

 

It caught my heart,

His words cut deep

About childhood memories

That caused him to weep.

 

And though I will read

The new volume I possess,

I gave pause to his title

And slowly processed.

 

“The Privilege of the Youth”

Hit resonant chord

As I looked back over years,

And to the future, toward.

 

I thought to myself

That the truth I have found

Is that old age is more privileged

Than being a youth unbound.

 

For I have something greater

And I want you to hear

The youth may never have

So many days and years.

 

For life holds no promise

Even to the young

That long life will be given;

That all songs will be sung.

 

Should I die now

I have experienced long living

And some lives are numbered

With shorter years giving.

 

I so believe the privilege

Belongs to the old

Because it is a time

When we can live bold.

 

It is the time

When we no longer must scurry,

But can sit in God’s presence

Without hustle or hurry.

 

And the hours we have

We become better acquainted

With the God of salvation,

And spiritual yearning is sated.

 

So I think the privilege of youth

Is but a passage of time

Because living the “old life”

Seems mighty fine!

 

But the true privilege of life,

Regardless short or long

Is when the heart follows God.

Then days numbered never wrong.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Wednesday November 2, 2016  BIRTHDAYS COME TOO FAST

It seems as if everyone I know has a birthday!  And they all come too quickly.  I think we should only have a birthday about once every five years.  Perhaps that would give me enough time to make a card, write in it, address it, put a stamp on it and eventually get it to the post office.  Sending birthday cards are a constant embarrassment to me because I always have good intentions and then never get them mailed.  Well, OCCASIONALLY one might make it to the mail box.  I could come up with lots of excuses but that would only elaborate on more of my shortcomings, and for heaven’s sakes, why would I want to do that?

So, sister dear, (who I don’t imagine reads my blog) happy birthday to you on the 7^th.  Wish I had your albums all finished but alas, that it still a ways down the road.  Instead of making a card I’ll use that time and accomplish getting one more layout done toward its completion.  I do hope you are okay and that your health improves daily!

I still have not had the opportunity to celebrate our five year old grandson’s birthday party at our house.  However, we did attend his school class party at his home last month.  And now…it is time to attend the next grandson’s class party!  So I’ll have two birthday parties to host this month!  Oops!  Make that three.  Our daughter-in-law will also be honored with a party this month.  It sure is an honor to be alive to see our children and grandchildren grow older.  It’s like watching trees grow strong and tall, producing wonderful fruit as they grow deep roots in the foundation of the Lord.

However, I must congratulate myself this year because I remembered to send my son-in-law an e-card that was earmarked to be opened on his birthday.  I felt very smug when my son called to remind me, knowing I had already sent the card.  By the time I finally remember everyone’s birthday, have their data logged into my computer with reminders, and possibly even send a card, my memory will start failing and I will forget that birthdays even exist.  In the meantime I don’t mind celebrating once every five years, but I just can’t convince my face to stop its aging process.  It’s happening, whether I like it or not!  But I will say without a doubt I love each birthday I have!

We’ve probably all heard the saying that we may be getting older with each birthday but it is better than the alternative.  I recently read a story in the local newspaper about aging which included a picture of the oldest person in the world.  She is 117 years old, born in 1899, and is the last person on record to be alive who was born in the 1800’s.  There was a comment in the article that said, “… in this case, perhaps the alternative may be better than the birthday”.

Regardless how old I become I hope to celebrate each birthday because I do believe that each day we live is a gift from God.  Our days have been numbered before we were born.  My goal is to live His will for my life as long as my days are numbered upon this earth.

 

CELEBRATE EACH DAY OF LIFE

Kathleen Martens

November 2, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

How many days

Have we yet to see?

Only God knows

The hours to be.

 

You know not how

Or when you will die,

So put your trust in God

And on Him rely.

 

Fear not death,

For it’s the threshold of life.

When we step into heaven

We are free of all strife.

 

No more sickness,

No fear, no sorrow.

Only the present

Without a tomorrow.

 

But today is now

And we walk this earth,

And even through trials

There is so much worth.

 

Though it may be illness

Or the loss of a friend,

And some suffer pain

Until the very end,

 

But regardless the burden

Scattered on our road

God is always with us

To carry our load.

 

Though we may get discouraged

And things sometimes get dreary,

God will fill us with joy

That we not become weary.

 

Give thanks for this day,

Rejoicing with pleasure

The goodness of GOD,

And His SON our treasure!

 

Thank You God for the days you have numbered for me.

Thank You for these later years of life that I have the opportunity to know You more.

Thank You for today.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Tuesday November 1 2016  POETRY OF MORNING

 

POETRY OF MORNING

Kathleen Martens

November 1, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Oh but if I could just write a poem

As I experience so many feelings,

Rather than leave thoughts ruminating

And my mind reeling.

 

So many things that I see

Set my heart to soaring,

And later when I sit to write,

The words come out so boring.

 

Every morning brings something new

As I travel the back roads of home.

Tunnels of corn yesterday waved

And today all I see is loam.

 

Fields of green sprout winter wheat

As if magically over night,

And tilled soil, dark and rich

Peppered with seagulls white.

 

A morning mist hovers low and cool

With sunshine dappling gold.

The leaves of maples seem to glitter

And in awe my attention holds.

 

Soy bean crops old and withered

Because fields yet soggy and wet,

And the beans must be dry,

Too much rain, the farmers fret.

 

And leaves of color strewn about

In forests, lawns, and streets,

And regardless of how many you rake

You always face defeat.

 

The skies filled with forms of V’s

As geese fly in boisterous throng.

Oh to be free and winter south,

To do so could never be wrong.

 

Yet the beauty of home so worth it

As I travel over hills and plains.

And the days are ever so short

As winter light seems to wane.

 

Morning appears later each morn,

The night sleeps long and deep.

Extended darkness makes a shorter day,

This season I love to keep!

 

GOOD NIGHT!