Thursday February 9 2017  A COLD WIND BLOWS

Wisconsin welcomes me with lingering tendrils of icy fingers.  I thought I was cold yesterday morning scraping the snow off my car.  Well today I have been living cold.  I was in and out so I dressed in my warmest faux fur/faux suede coat.  I had on my faux fur lined hat with flaps that come down over my ears, and a scarf around my neck.  Underneath all that, my attire consisted of a shirt, pants, and a thick sweat suit jacket.  I was a sight for sore eyes!

It’s warmer now with the oscillating heater breathing out a constant stream of warm air under my desk.  Perhaps the house would not be so cold if we would turn on the two heat zones we rarely heat.  We have three pumps, three separate thermostats, and three areas of which we can heat separately.  We usually heat the kitchen and living area.  When it drops below zero we will turn on the other heat zones an hour or so a day to keep the pipes from freezing.  If we don’t use the vast majority of rooms we don’t heat them.  Mine and Dave’s offices are across the hall from each other in a NO HEAT ZONE, and we each have our own private floor heater which we turn on while we are working.  It saves lots of money!  Maybe that humidity I left behind in Corpus Christi wasn’t quite so bad after all.  Actually, the humidity did not bother me and I rather enjoyed its damp caressing touch to my normally dry winter skin. I could certainly tell the difference in just a few days. 

But I am home and Wisconsin winters are my lot in life.  I have long ago become used to living in perpetual winter except for the few short months from May through September (if we are fortunate).  And actually, if truth be known, I do love the winters here.  I enjoy the shorter days with darker evenings and mornings.  I enjoy being snowed in and having a great excuse not to leave the house (except to exercise that is).  I enjoy the smell of soup cooking on the stove and hibernating in the confines of our home. 

Our house has lots of glass surrounding our inside world so it often seems as if I am living in the outdoors even when confined to our safety zone of heat.  Without heat we could not survive.  And without the light from our many windows it would be difficult for me to survive the long months of being indoors.  So, I have the better of two worlds.  And I never take it for granted. 

So wherever you are as you read these words look around you and find something for which you can be grateful.  Look for the silver lining.  Whether it is light or dark, if you enjoy it be grateful.  If you don’t enjoy it, ask yourself what you can do to change it.  And then go about doing it.  I choose to be thankful in whatever situation or surroundings I am in.  And being thankful changes a lot of things!  And even when I am cold I am still full of joy!

GOD IS IN THE DETAIL

Kathleen Martens

February 9 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Thank You God for windows

Which look out over our land.

Thank You for a heated room

Where comfortably I stand.

I  gaze at winter’s glory

As I’m confined by brick and glass,

And I wonder how much longer

This old world can last?

In spring and summer, fall and winter

God’s miracles abound.

I never tire at the view

Before a new one comes around.

God must love this winter world

For it always seems to last,

But before I know it.

Spring brings a warmer blast.

And the greenery shades the windows

Blocking gentle, peaceful views

As if we live in a glass aquarium

And everything seems daily new.

And all too quickly comes the autumn

Gentle rustles of mighty color.

And not far behind is winter,

Autumn’s mighty brother.

And once again I’m in my element,

Short days and longer nights.

And for that I am so grateful

As I turn on my early lights.

Thank You God for each season as it comes.

Thank You for snow to nourish our land with moisture.

Thank You for rain that brings forth our flowers.

Thank You for sunshine that grows leaves so well.

Thank You for the harvest of autumn.

And especially thank You that the world shares its seasons so there are perpetual places to grow food.

GOOD NIGHT AND I HOPE YOU ARE WARM!

Wednesday February 8 2017  HOME AGAIN

There was about four inches of snow covering my entire car this morning when I went outside to load up for the final leg home.  I wasn’t quite expecting so much precipitation.  I used my snow removal mitt and sludged my way around the car and wiped away the snow so I could load up the car.  It was extremely cold!  Halfway through the loading I had to go inside to allow myself to warm up.  I feared frostbite.  That is not a fun experience and it can happen quickly in such cold weather.

After a look at the storm pattern my Airbnb host helped me re-route my phone’s GPS.  My passenger Marilyn and I were on the road by 11:00 a.m. We waited until after rush hour traffic as well as to allow enough time for the roads to be cleared.  We still encountered trucks plowing along the way but the roads were very passable.  With our new directions we were quickly out of the snow pattern.  We took the back roads and reconnected with our route once we were far enough north to miss the snow pattern.  The scenery was beautiful and there were few vehicles on the back road highways.

Marilyn and I were excellent traveling companions.  I talked and she listened.  How is that for someone who loves detail.  She is a good listener and is teaching me to be one as well.  Marilyn was so appreciative to be able to travel and visit her sister who celebrated her 90th birthday while Marilyn was there.  It was a pleasure to have my friend with me as well as to be able to help make it possible for her and her sister to be together once again for a few days.

Marilyn was so delighted when she arrived home today to discover that her daughter had come to her place and left a welcome home card, a gift, and had also cleaned her home.  I was certainly impressed!  I thought how awesome it would be to walk into a bright and shiny abode after being gone for over two weeks.  I dropped Marilyn off a bit after 4:30 p.m. and I arrived home at 5:00 p.m. 

I was more than pleasantly surprised when I too walked into a bright and shining dwelling.  Wow!  The first step into the house I immediately took in all which Dave had accomplished in preparing for my return.  The kitchen was uncluttered and sparkling, the floors had been mopped, the carpet vacuumed, the toilets were scrubbed, and I was informed there were fresh sheets on the bed!  IT LOOKED GREAT!  That is, until we hauled everything in from the car. 

Dave’s wonderful surprise gave me incentive to put EVERYTHING away tonight before I retired.  I methodically went through every single bag, box, and suitcase and put each item in its place.  The only thing I have not finished is the laundry and that will wait for another day.  Dave usually does all the laundry but I told him I would take care of everything I brought back with me due to the fact that I shopped at one of my favorite stores and I always wash everything I purchase before wearing it.  Some must be hand laundered and I would rather do that myself.  I must admit it feels great to know that all is in order and I can start my tomorrow without chaos.  And best of all, the house looks great once again.  What a husband!!!  My sister calls him “St. David”. 

JUST SO YOU KNOW

Kathleen Martens

February 8, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Oh how blessed I am

That God’s gift to me

Is my wonderful husband,

Almost perfect, to a TEE.

Over forty four years

I’ve know this man,

And still beside me

He solidly stands.

He is my helpmate,

With whom each day I start,

And oh what a blessing

That he’s the love of my heart.

He makes me laugh

When we are together.

He is my rock

Through stormy weather.

And I come home

To arms open wide…

AND A CLEAN HOUSE

In which to abide!

Perhaps I too

Shall call him “Saint”

But just so you know

Perfect he AIN’T.

Thank You God for the man you designed just for me.

Thank You Lord for Your protection over Marilyn and me these past two weeks.

Thank You Father for all the things I have learned these past two weeks.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Tuesday February 7 2017  DO I TRY TO CHANGE OR STAY THE SAME?

Friends and Family:

Another safe day of driving.  We arrived at our Airbnb BEFORE DARK!  We are staying in Urbandale Iowa for the night at the same Airbnb where we stayed two weeks ago.  I have met my kindred soul.  Birdie is the hostess at the Airbnb and lo and behold, she loves detail.  Detail in talking that is.  I love telling stories of bygone years.  I love telling the details.  And I enjoy hearing the details of other’s stories.  So much is lost without a bit of history before the punchline.  And Birdie enjoys the same.

So, I have new things to think about and according to my cousin, less words I should be speaking about.  I have been informed that I go into too many details and it becomes laborious for the listener.  She is not the only one who has informed me of this information.  I sit here thinking about it and realize perhaps I should have heeded my cousins gentle advice long ago.  However, I just have too many words in me. 

Even my children have a times become perturbed with me because of all the detail I describe and all the facts on which I choose to elaborate.  As I listen to others I sometimes walk away and wonder what the point of their story was.  Later as they again discuss the subject they say things they think I should know and understand due to the previous conversation.  However, at the original telling they left out most of the details which left me more baffled than enlightened.  After I find out some of the additional details the story begins to make sense.  So, do I do the short version, which actually has no meaning, or tell the long version which explains all the whys and wherefores?

Even my wonderful husband sometimes becomes exasperated when I go into great detail.  However, he gives me his encouragement by saying, “this is the way God made you and He gave you the gift of “gab” for a reason”.

So now I question myself.  Do I try to change or do I stay the same?

THE GIFT OF GAB

Kathleen Martens

February 7, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Do I try to change or stay the same?

A question the plagues my soul.

I only desire to encourage others,

Their wellbeing my only goal.

I always have a story to tell,

Perhaps my audience is not quite in sync.

So I must learn to audit my tongue

And speak more often in ink.

Then he who wants to read

And all the details find,

Can do at their own leisure

To enlighten their searching mind.

But there are times to be quiet

And to keep my tongue still

So that I only speak

The words God has willed.

So to my friends I will say

If I’ve ever bored you to death

Please know that henceforth

I will limit the words of my breath.

It may cause me to explode

For I’ve so many words inside

And Dave has allotted me His words

And I don’t think I can keep them inside.

Perhaps I should try with all my might

To change how God made me,

And live constrained like so many others

And no longer allow my spirit free.

Thank You Father for the gift of gab that you have given me.

Thank You Lord for the open heart of my cousin’s desire to help me.

Thank You for a safe day of traveling.

Thank You for people you bring into my life.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS EACH ONE!

Monday February 6 2017  A WONDERFUL DRIVE

Texas is flat.  At least the miles I drove today.  I will admit I’ve been to parts of western Texas that is anything but flat but today everywhere I looked was flat.  I couldn’t even tell when I crossed into Oklahoma.  So I guess Oklahoma is flat too.  But it sure was beautiful flatland.  No precipitation, but low clouds hovered most of the day.  Only when the sun began to set did the clouds part as if giving me a goodbye present in hopes of leave a good impression on me. 

The scenery was dressed in winter garb, harvested fields proudly displaying the stubble of last year’s crop and acre after acre of land dotted with hundreds of black cattle.   It was amazing to see such vast pasture land.  It seemed to go on forever.  For that matter, it seemed as if the highways went on forever. 

I stopped several times today for gasoline and/or potty stops.  However, I did make good time and actually arrived at the time I estimated.  Marilyn was quite surprised and impressed.  She said she didn’t think I ever looked at a clock.  Actually she is mostly correct in that assumption.

So much I could share about all I saw but the hour is late and I have another day of driving ahead.  We plan to spend the night in Des Moines, Iowa and drive the final leg of our journey on Wednesday.  Only two more days of unbridled freedom.  I so enjoy the time I spend on the road.

SO I JUST GO THE SPEED LIMIT

Kathleen Martens

February 6, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

So amazed at the vast array

Of highways stacked in the sky,

Under and over, around and about

The cars seem to fly by.

Where are they going

In such hurried frenzy,

Little cars and big cars,

And fast ones to envy?

Day after day the highways fill

Never in solitude alone,

With purposeful intent always speeding

While talking on a phone.

Bullying pickups plow my tail

As if saying, “GET OFF THE ROAD!”

And when the drivers get in front of me

The next car they seem to goad.

So I just go the speed limit

And follow the driver ahead,

So I can live through another day

And not end up dead.

Thank You God for my safe trip today.

Thank You for the beautiful scenery my eyes devoured on this day of travel.

Thank You for country driving.

Thank You that I do not live in a large city.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Sunday Sabbath February 5 2017  A DAY OF REST

A day of rest, doing something you enjoy doing rather than doing what must be done (like work).  And so it was today.

I accompanied Nora to church this morning.  Both her sisters also attend the same church,  After service we all enjoyed meal together and then I said farewell to LaFawn.  Janet, Nora, and I decided to check out a different resale shop and had a prosperous time shopping!  Again, a very successful and fruitful day.  Later we visited Janet’s son and his wife at their apartment.

Nora and I were off again, leaving Janet to watch the Super Bowl with her son and daughter-in-law.  So where did we go?  You probably guessed it.  However, this resale shop was a vintage shop.  Very unique, personable, with lots of treasures to find.  Nora found the treasure this time.

It was such a treat to spend two whole days with my cousin.  I originally hadn’t planned to stay today, but Nora assured me that if we weren’t at home to bother the Super Bowl husband I could stay and visit.  We tried to stay away but arrived back at Nora’s home before the game was over.  I still don’t know if the game is over and it’s 9:42 p.m. at present.  I’m in an upstairs bedroom, safe and sound and out of the earshot of T.V. language.  I tried very diligently to make as little noise as possible and not become a nuisance.  As I left to go upstairs He said I had done a good job.  I told him I felt like I was a little kid again going into the principal’s office awaiting my verdict.  Whew!  I passed the test.  For those of you who know me, you probably have an inkling of just how difficult that quiet time was for me.  But it was worth it!  I had an opportunity to spend time with cousins I had not seen for two years.

SWEET REFRAIN OF YESTERYEAR

Kathleen Martens

February 5 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Sweet refrain of yesteryear

In quiet reverie,

Taking joy in each moment

As the hours quickly flee.

So joyous I am

For an opportunity of such,

To relive days gone by

As memories we gently clutch.

Thank You God for the new memories we have made.

Thank You for this precious interlude to visit with my Cousins.

Lord, I thank You in advance for my safe travels home.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Saturday February 4 2017  A FRUITFUL DAY

Productive, fertile, rich, prolific, abundant, successful, profitable, and rewarding are all synonyms for the word “FRUITFUL”.  And my day was such.

A FRUITFUL DAY

Kathleen Martens

February 4 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Productive means to get it done

Fertile means abundant and lush.

Rich means having it all

And receiving without rush.

Abundant means all you need

Successful is being effective.

Profitable means being gainful,

Rewarding without being defective.

All in all that was my day,

To shop in total leisure,

And my cousin fulfilled my dream

All without measure.

And so it was with my day.  Not only did I have a fruitful day, to top it off, I met a wonderful couple in the resale store (A Coat of Many Colors).  They were young and in love and I could tell by the way they spoke to each other how much in love they were.  There was a special something that drew me to them.  Well, that something was the glory of God that was round about them.  They both love the Lord and I could see the joy in their lives.  I am so blessed when I meet those of the younger generation who love the Lord and show love toward others.  I could sense that measure in them.  They were a refreshing gift to me today.  We spoke for a few moments and then I resumed my shopping.

My shopping too was quite rewarding.  When I visited my cousin two years ago this was my all-time favorite place to shop.  I am thrilled that I had the opportunity to come once again.  I purchased seven pullover shirts/sweaters, one button up blouse, two pair of slacks, and the most luxurious house coat (robe) I have ever owned.  Though it is floor length IT WAS ACTUALLY SHORT ENOUGH FOR ME AND DOES NOT DRAG ON THE GROUND!  I can hardly wait until the house coat is laundered and ready to wear.  And the second best part about it, it is purple!  AWESOME!  My total expenditure for the above items was $32.00 and some of the items were brand spanking new!

Last night Nora and I were on our way to the mall to do a power walk and we just happened upon a Goodwill Store that Nora had never been in.  Her car just automatically made a bullseye for the parking lot and low and behold, before we knew it, we were walking across the threshold and it was after 8:00 p.m.  We were there until closing.  I bought one blouse, one sweater, and one RED jacket!  A pretty good find in my book.  Not only did we both discover some great finds, we had a fun-filled time of doing so.

Today before shopping we attended the senior’s luncheon at Nora’s church.  It was excellent.  I was able to visit with Nora’s sister during the luncheon.  She is about 8 years older than I am and was closer to my older sisters as we grew up.  Nora and her other sister Janet and I were all close in age so they are the ones with whom I spent the most time.  Though LaFawn and I haven’t kept in close contact over the years it was a great treat to be able to visit with her today as well.

All in all, I think today was quite a fruitful day.  Not only did we accomplish serious shopping, we spent quality time with each other, reminiscing, and being our ornery selves towards each other as we laughed over some of our childhood antics.  Of course it was Nora who was the ornery one, surely not me!

Thank You God for this delightful time with my cousins.

Thank You for the great finds I discovered today.

Thank You for Nora and her husband.

Lord, especially thank you for my housecoat!

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS ONE AND ALL!

Friday February 3 2017  TRAVELING HOME

Up bright and early to a blustery cool morning in Corpus Christi.  I wish I could have stayed another couple of weeks to help Lana.  Home and responsibilities beckon me.  There are some things of which you can just never have enough.  For me, that is time.  The years go too fast and are too short.  The months speed by.  The weeks are swallowed up, and days are so fleeting that I can barely keep up with them. 

I thought when I retired I would have all the time in the world.  Oh my, is that a misnomer.  My drive today was seven hours and it just flew by.  I listened to an interesting mystery book most of the way and it made the day speed by even quicker than usual.

Stopped at a gas station and ate the packed lunch I brought with me so I saved a lot of time.  And here I am sitting in a Barnes and Noble store in the café area writing a quick blog before I arrive at my cousin’s for dinner.  I plan to be at Nora’s by 6:00 p.m..  I am now in Hurst Texas, a few miles north of Fort Worth, Texas.

This is just a quick note to let my readers and family know that all is well.  You know, you can never quite trust an old lady on the loose!  It sure feels good!  To be both old and on the loose.

ALLOW YOURSELF TO FLY

Kathleen Martens

February 3, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

How do we contain the years

The months and the days?

How do we fill them with memories

Through a calendar’s maze.

Every moment is a blessing.

Every hour can be a profit.

Every week can make a difference

And every second can be a rocket.

We decide our attitude,

Light your fuse and aim high.

Live life with great passion!

And allow yourself to fly.

Thank You God for a safe trip today.

Thank You that Lana is doing better every day.

Thank You Lord for Nora and Mike’s hospitality.

Thank You for life!

Thursday February 2 2017  CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS

Lana was invited by her seven year old grandson to attend Grandparents Day at his school.  And today was the big day!  Lana was determined to attend as it only happens once a year and this was her first opportunity to participate.  So I was the chauffeur and accompanied her for the celebration.  And what a celebration it turned out to be! 

It was at a private school and I was amazed at the excellent behavior of the children, their work ethic, the availability of learning tools, and the caliber of teachers.  We were present for morning devotions, prayer time for each child’s prayer request, The Lord’s Prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.  I even remembered all the words to both The Lord’s prayer and the  pledge.  Following morning opening we listened to some of the children practice their recital for a speech competition. Both poetry and dramatic interpretations of stories were presented.  The children were seven, eight, and nine years of age.  I was quite impressed.  The class segued into learning time and work time.  The grandparents observed and were able to ask questions.

Following the morning session we walked to the gym and there was an all school mass for approximately 800 plus students from Kindergarten through 12^th grade.  I have never seen such quiet orderly conduct, decorum, and courtesy of so many children in one place at one time.  The mass was beautiful with music, singers, communion, and many more lovely maneuvers. 

We then went to join the children in the lunch room during the elementary lunch period.  Grandparents were offered a free lunch.  What a pleasure to watch so many well behaved children and their proud grandparents.   I asked someone how often this celebration and mass took place.  I was informed that it is presented only once a year on grandparent’s day.  How awesome is it that I had the privilege to attend.  Lana and her grandson were having such a good time together at the lunch table that I decided to make myself useful.  I went from family to family and asked if they had a cell phone.  It they did I offered to take a photo of them and their grandchildren together.  The grandparents loved it.  I had people waving me over to take their photos.  I met a lot of interesting grandparents and well behaved children.  I was able to give them a snapshot in time for them to cherish.  Only one family did not have their phone with them.  I took their photo on my phone and immediately sent it to their phone which was tucked safely in their truck outside.

Lana needed to leave and I had to stop with families still requesting me to take their photo.  Lana is still quite weak from surgery and I believe she pushed herself a bit hard today.  I was only more than happy to take her back home.  Once home she went straight to bed and slept a good part of the afternoon.  I am heading north tomorrow.  I only wish I could stay longer.

CELEBRATING GRANDPARENTS

Kathleen Martens

February 2 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.co.

Memories of childhood

Come rushing back,

Of joyous excitement

There was no slack.

Boys and girls beaming

At grandparents in love,

Adoring adulation

Never enough.

Moments in time

To cherish forever,

When grandparents are gone

Memories not severed.

Sweet little faces

With pleasing smiles

Excited that grandparents

Came the extra mile.

Some so old

They wobbled a bit,

And others quite young

And very fit.

But it mattered not

Whether young or old,

Grandparents were grandparents

Like beams of gold.

Each child so happy

And grandparents eager

To share joy and love

Without being meager.

And my memories surfaced

Of younger years

Both joys and sorrows

Of laughter and tears.

It was so fun

To share in this day

Watching children

At work and play.

Watching grandparents

Having fun

Enjoying grandchildren

All on the run.

At the end of the mass a lady shared that her grandmother always said:

“Your children are your investment.

Grandchildren are your profit.”

Thank You God for my son and daughter.

Thank You God for my grandsons.

Thank You for loving them so much.

Thank You that I was able to participate in this lovely day with Lana.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!