Friday August 10 2017  SONGS OF OLD

 

Being considered as a certified member of the “older” generation and perhaps a bit “old fashioned” I choose to give a bit of insight to this situation.  Along with being in that category I must say it comes with blessing as well as a bit of mourning.  The blessing is we have a long history and have lived many years that many young people may never have the chance to experience due to early deaths.  The mourning aspect is the fact that all too soon our lives will be over.  Dave’s mother who was in her nineties one said to him in all sincerity as she lay ill in her hospital bed, “I’m just too young to die”. 

Yes, if we are fortunate we will live to a ripe old age, become a bit old fashioned, be put out to pasture, enjoy our retirement, secretly mourn the passing of self as the years settle in and look back over lives lived well.  And I’m sure that is how the young may perceive us, especially with the old fashioned part thrown in.  And you know what, that is the bare bones truth…the “old fashioned” part that is.  And I’m there.  And I love being there because when I look back over my life I still enjoy doing some of those very old fashioned things I used to do; like holding a book in my hands when I read it, or actually sitting down in a quiet place when having a conversation on the telephone without needing to drive or do ten other things while I’m using the phone. 

Another old fashioned “thing” I enjoy doing is listening to, and singing, old hymns.  Oh how I love the thoughtful choruses and the rhyming of the verses.  How so very pleasant are the tunes and attitude of worship in both words and music.   Very rarely do we sing a hymn at church but it is always a delight when we do. 

I turned on my CD player this morning and listened to old hymns being performed by guitarists and pianists.  Oh what a delight!  Though the words were not verbalized they resounded in my memory.  I mentally (and sometimes out loud) hummed along and even sang some of the stanzas and verses.  Some of the words came back to me, some did not, but I knew the stories behind some of the songs and sometimes even a bit of history as to the circumstances that caused the verses to be written.  That made the songs even more special. 

So, if I am old fashioned, so be it.  The younger generation will never know how awesome it was to live in the era I lived.  You could buy a huge chocolate candy bar for five cents if you were lucky enough to have five cents. Yes, we had wars and depressions, famine and the cold war, but even with all that, the world in general seemed more gracious, kind, compassionate, and caring of one for another.  It seems that in our modern day world very few of the younger generation know how to carry on a conversation, especially with an older person.  I must admit it is sad to see the demise of the “old fashioned” kindnesses and concerns of the past.  Actually it is kind of scary.

But for a little while this morning I simply sat and listened and allowed myself the pleasure of capturing some of the words of the songs that were being played, and construed them into a poem The words echo from my past as I sat in a little church in Pinole, California singing off key along with a congregation of about 30 other people.  

 

SONGS OF OLD

Kathleen Martens

August 10, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Old hymns echo in my memory

As I listen to instruments

Strum the tunes

Of long ago.

 

Words of comfort from childhood days

“Washed all my sins away”

And oh to remember

“We stand on the Promises of God”.

 

And even today—I still stand

“On the promises of God, my Savior.”

“I will shout and sing

“I’m standing on the promises

Of Christ my King!”

 

And “Blessed Assurance

Jesus is mine

And oh what a foretaste

Of glory divine…”

“Heir of salvation

Purchase of God.

Born of His Spirit,

Washed in His blood.”

 

The violin sings in soulful sound

As if my heart its source.

Resounding joy of yester-year

Once again to expound.

 

Music—God’s gift to creation

That man would hear

Nature’s character loud and clear.

 

“What can wash away

My sins?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus”

Another old song and remembered friend.

 

My “Rock of Ages,

Cleft for me

Let me hide myself in Thee”

And as I listen

Memories fly free.

 

Then I sing

“Give me that old time religion”,

And though words escape me

Joy explodes and my heart rings.

 

The banjo strums

The piano hums

My smile bursts forth!

Words escape,

But the tune

Has so much worth.

 

And my heart is glad

My smile is seen.

Music echoes in my soul;

My countenance a shiny sheen!

 

 

Thank You God for this day.

Thank You God for memories.

Thank You Lord for walking with me each day.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Wednesday August 9 2017  MY HEART IS STILL

 

MY HEART IS STILL

Kathleen Martens

August 9, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Home in my library

Quiet music

Hushed sound

A gentle stillness

Around me surrounds

Like a gentle breeze

In silence sings.

 

My heart is still

I approach God’s throne

He beckons

With open arms

And says

Come my beloved

You are my own.

 

My heart

In tune

With God’s harmony

Of love;

Wrapped

In gentle grace

His love

Is always enough.

 

 

The words came silently early this morning as if being offered to me as a gift.  It has been awhile that my routine has been interrupted and this morning I felt as if I was once again home, though I never left.

 

And my day disappeared.

 

But…

I accomplished something that was a must to do!  And that is a very satisfying accomplishment.  Though I am far from finished, I think I will be able to hand it over this week!  I am racing the clock as I have my grandsons three days next week due to childcare needs.  So…I will be forced to have some fun and enjoy my two precious boys!  God is so good to me.  It is such a treat when they are here.  All too soon these years will pass.

My blogs will be short.

 

Thank You God for every opportunity to enjoy my grandsons.

Thank You God for the headway I accomplished today.

Thank You God for the peace you give me each day.

 

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU.

 

Tuesday August 8 2017  WOW  THE DAY GOES FAST

 

WOW!  THE DAY GOES FAST

Kathleen Martens

August 8, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I promised myself not to look at the clock

But things are happening slow.

I’ve so much I desire to accomplish

Before to bed I go.

 

Already past three o’clock

And I’ve not started what needs doing.

But I have accomplished other things

But not what I should be pursuing.

 

I slept in late all the way to seven

Then enjoyed a leisurely hour.

An outside breakfast so I doused with spray

Against mosquitoes, my shield and power.

 

Picked tomatoes since I was slathered,

Watered and checked all my pots.

Some things just can’t be put off

Regardless if it rains or not.

 

I took the time to follow an ant,

Carrying a burden twice his size.

For quite a long way he toted a bug

As if it was an important prize.

 

He only stopped when I towered close

Camouflaged on speckled ground.

He only advanced when I was still.

Hoping that he would not be found.

 

I watch with interest his endless effort

As he joined skittering red ants,

Each carrying a white load in front;

I discerned they were ant-eggs to plant.

 

It was only the red ants that had the eggs,

The black ants were foragers of food.

The red one’s pace seemed a frantic rush

And their task they faithfully ensued.

 

And the bigger black ant which toiled so far

Was lost in the blades of grass,

Knowing its destination was close at hand

It laboriously completed its task.

 

A whole little world beneath our feet

And we rarely take time to notice.

That little ant had a job to do

Survival of his species his motive.

 

And as I watched I ate a fruit bar

Frozen on one stick.

Though it was only my second favorite

It was good to the very last lick.

 

Written words revealed at last bite

Always little wisdoms they bring.

I read the four words and smiled inside

It read: “APPRECIATE THE SMALL THINGS!”

 

It is now 3:30 exactly.  It took me 29 minutes to write.  I am making headway with my day!

 

Oops!  The phone is ringing…

…and it is my daughter!

 

AND NOW TWO AND A HALF HOURS LATER I AM BACK!

 

Talked awhile, fixed and ate LUNCH (at 5:30 p.m.) on the back patio, watered backyard pots, and here I am!  And I probably only have two or three dozen mosquito bites.  (I might be exaggerating a bit.)  It was a battle when I went into the garden.

 

Thank You God for an awesome daughter who calls to say “I love you”!

Thank You God for mosquito repellent.

Thank You God for providing so much for us eat.

Thank You God that You are always in control even when we don’t understand the circumstances.

Thank You God for strength for this day.

 

For those of you who have asked for prayer recently I am praying for you.  I am praying for strength, stamina, that direction will be revealed, for jobs that are needed, for healing, travel protection, and for provision.  Each situation is for different request.  If you are a praying person please join me in prayer for those who have sent emails regarding the above needs and requests.  God knows each and every name. 

 

My prayer:

Lord, you know each and every name and circumstance behind the above requests.  Father I pray that you will reach down and provide, heal, and protect each according to their need.  Reveal your mighty power and provision to those in need.  Father please cleanse and heal broken bodies and place your angels around each person who will be traveling that they will arrive to and from their destinations safely.  I ask that each person will be drawn close to You and will recognize Your presence in their life.  Thank You Lord for caring for each one of us.  Thank You Lord for providing for our needs.  Thank You Lord that You are the One who renews our strength and fills us with joy.  Thank You Lord for watching over us as we travel daily close to home  and for those going on missionary trips abroad.  Thank You Father for loving us unconditionally.

 

In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

Monday August 7 2015  FULL SPEED AHEAD

God must laugh in heaven when he sees me making plans.  I find that regardless what I plan to do there is always something else that comes up.  Today was one of that day and it made me so tired that I don’t even think I can write all the words it would take to describe what happened in this day.  Besides, my mother always insisted that if I can’t say something good about someone then don’t say anything at all.

Today I intended to work on a speech which I will be presenting in a few weeks. I missed my deadline to turn it in. I’m already so far past the deadline that I am embarrassed.  I have a new commitment to hand my speech over at the end of this week.  So, that is my goal!  I planned to do it last week before I knew the grandsons were coming.  So I asked for another time extension, which was thus granted.  I cannot (I WILL NOT) let this week pass without my speech being written.  Maybe I need to reread the poem I wrote a couple of days ago about ‘TIME’.

I won’t elaborate as to the distractions that wooed my time away because it would take too long.  Just so you know this “thing” called life takes a long time to master.  And without God we never will master it.  I have found that it is only through God that I understand the meaning of life.  And it is only through God that my joy is complete.

 

GOD GIVEN VIBES

Kathleen Martens

August 07, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Even on a day

That has twists and turns,

There always proves a reason

As well as something to learn.

 

I realize not everyone

Carries contentment in their heart.

And oh it is so obvious.

When given a new day to start.

 

There are many people I do not know

And many pains they seem to carry.

Both young and old alike.

Have a sadness that seems to tarry.

 

And God knows each and every one.

He sees them from inside out.

The mission field starts at my door

And follows me round about.

 

And hopefully my joy from the Lord

Will spill forth and touch other’s lives.

And any gladness I can share

Will be God-given vibes.

 

Thank You God for filling my heart with joy!!!

Thank You God for smiles that I both give and receive in return.

Thank You Lord for a discombobulated day.

Thank You Lord that my children and grandchildren love me.

Thank You God for loving me!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

 

 

Sunday Sabbath August 6 2017  LIFE SIMPLY RIGHT NOW IS.

 

 

LIFE SIMPLY RIGHT NOW IS

Kathleen Martens

August 6, 2016

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

 

I was born.

I am alive.

My world began

With my breath of life.

 

 

Time before

Did not exist

Regardless what

Others insist.

 

And someday

I’ll be no more

For I’ll be in heaven

On golden floors.

 

The here and now

Is where time lives.

Life simply

Right now is.

 

So live each moment,

Accomplish what you can.

Comprehend the worth

Of just one Man.

 

When life ends at last breath

Eternity begins…

Because ONE MAN

Conquered death.

 

 

Thank You God for Sunday Sabbath.

Thank You God for this week ahead. 

Thank You God for the words I haven’t yet written.

Thank You Jesus that it was You who conquered death.

 

 

Good night.

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

Saturday August 5  2017  TALK SENSE TO YOURSELF

 

TALK SENSE TO YOURSELF

The language of Personal Power

By Chick Moorman

 

I read the above book several years ago.  While my friend was here recently I happened to show it to her and she quite enjoyed reading the wisdom of what is written in the book.  According to the author we must listen to how we speak to and about ourselves.  Many of us may not even realize that what we say influences our behavior, how we see ourselves, and even the outcome of what we can and cannot accomplish.  We limit ourselves by our words.  We give our own power away by how we speak.

 

This above paragraph may sound confusing, but I believe if you have an opportunity to read this book you will be so amazed by how so many people limit their lives just through the words they choose.  

 

After my friend reluctantly relinquished the book upon her departure I took a new interest in it last night as I was enjoying my nightly readying before retiring to bed.  I prayed and ask that God would point me to the right book to read for my nightly reading.  I picked the book of a shelf that is beside my reading chair.  I asked God to help me select a reading that would speak words directed to that which I needed to hear.  The book TALK SENSE TO YOURSELF all but jumped onto my lap.  I opened the book to where my book-mark was placed.  It was chapter seven.  I read all but the last couple of pages of the chapter (I was beginning to fall asleep) and realized it was EXACTLY what I needed to read.   The title was:  “The Language of Here and Now”. 

 

To make a long story short the chapter dealt with living in the present instead of always looking back at the “what-ifs” of the past or the “when” of the future.  “I will do that when…”  “I will go there when…” “When I retire I will…”  A few years ago I prayed that God would teach me how to live in the present.  My learning journey took me over a year to learn.  I read books, prayed, searched the scripture, and listened to my heart to decipher what God was directing me to do.  It was not an easy feat.  However, once I mastered the concept of living in the present I found it is a very rewarding place to live.  Am I perfect at living in the present; probably not.  But I will share with you that I use scant moments worrying about the past or being apprehensive about the future.  I live in the here and now.    

 

As I re-read chapter 7 I realized that that was exactly what God wanted me to read last evening.  It gave me pause to reassess what I am doing, and allowed me to be more aware of the words I use in my own self-talk.  Let’s just say there is room for improvement.  And the reminder has spurred me on to continue using my self talk with words of encouragement rather tan using words of regret or future worry.  The present moment is the only time in which I will ever have the opportunity to live.  Tomorrow never comes as it magically turns into today.  And today becomes the past when tomorrow becomes today.  So…actually there is only the now.  That doesn’t mean we don’t plan things ahead, but even that is done in the present, and then it is set aside until the event.  Rather than fret I choose to live in the moment doing what must be done, when it must be done. 

 

Instead of always looking ahead to the “when”, you instead choose to do what must be done in the here and now which will prepare you for that which is scheduled in the future.  

 

This chapter is so full of helpful learning tools that I recommend you purchase the book (or check with your public library) and take advantage of words that can change your life.  Only you can make that decision and only you can choose to do it rather than simply say, “when I get the time…” or when I….etc…etc”.  A great place to start could be www.half.com

 

And after you read chapters one through seven you can then read the last chapter: “Strategies for Change”.  I think you may be surprised to find out how you presently speak to yourself and what a difference positive change can accomplish.

 

 

EXERCISE YOUR SELF LANGUAGE

Kathleen Martens

August 5, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Do you ever think

That “someday I’ll do that…”

If I only had a…??

I’d do it really fast.

 

And as you look back

Do you think, “I should have done”?

Whatever it is that you didn’t

May have been a lot more fun.

 

Do you say “I’ll get around to it

When I finally retire”?

And find that when you get there,

You no longer have your fire?

 

But knowing “you’ll do it when…”

But “right now it can wait”.

Another time sounds so much better

As you’ve discovered other things which sate.

 

“But I am really going to…

When the time is right.”

But never spend time preparing

For your eventuality to be in sight?

 

“I really should of…or ought to…”

Are those your past and future regrets?

Perhaps you should do what is in the here and now,

Rather than using your time to fret!

 

Here and now is fleeting

And can never be used again.

What wasn’t done yesterday

Tomorrow will mostly likely refrain.

 

Here and now are when things happen.

One moment at a time.

If time’s not “spent” then it is wasted,

For the NOW weaves a fine line.

 

“Exercise your self-language”,

Change what you do not want to hear.

Your language can change your attitude!

Be aware and live in the present, which we hold so dear.

 

 

Thank You God for teaching me how to live in the present.

Thank You Lord for loving me as I am.

Thank You God for good books that teach us so many things.

Thank You Father that my present will last for eternity.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Friday August 4 2017  A TIME OF RESTORATION

 

A TIME OF RESTORATION

Kathleen Martens

August 4, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

 

It is Friday the end of the week

But truly seems like Saturday again.

I think I’m tuckered from being grandma

Added on to two weeks with my friend.

 

What a joy the past three weeks,

Being busy every moment of the day.

And this is the very first morning

I’m doing things completely my way.

 

Truly I believe I’m ready for bed;

Soft covers; a place to lay my head.

It is still morning, breakfast is past

But last night’s rest didn’t seem to last.

 

Perhaps I should admit and say I am tired

And I need a few days to become re-fired.

A busy week ahead, everyday set aside

To finish a project my week must abide.

 

If you must call me, I’ll call you back

Leave a message because time I lack.

I must focus with my mind on course.

I have but four days as my resource.

 

But on this Friday I plan to veg-out,

Regain my strength and again become stout.

A time of restoration, my time for pleasure;

Solitude with God; my true treasure.

 

Though I enjoyed every single day of my busy three weeks I am truly ready for a short reprieve.  I’m itching to cook but holding back today just so I can have absolutely nothing on my agenda.  But…that can’t stop me from reading cook books.  I have the yen to go to garage sales, but then I must put a bra on and that doesn’t entice me at the present.  I would even like to clean up the mess in my office but then I would be doing something instead of nothing.  And the other something I’d rather be doing instead of the nothing I plan to do, is straighten up my craft room.  But…I intend to listen to this aging body (for a change) and lie low.

 

I am seldom tired so perhaps this is a good lesson reminder about how it feels to be out of energy.  I usually need to experience firsthand what it is the Lord wants me to be aware of.  I hope I learn quickly.  It makes me realize I should never take for granite the endless energy I expend daily.

 

Thank You God that You are my provider in all things.

 

My prayer for today:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the renewal of my health these past four and a half years.  Let me never take for granted the body You have provided me to use while on this earth.  Teach me through Your wisdom how to care and nourish and work with my flesh and bones that house my spirit.  And Lord, I pray for those who lack energy and who are unable to eat all the foods available to make them stronger.  I pray that added strength and vigor will be supplied to those who need strength.  And let me always be reminded of the power in praising You for what You do and for Who You Are.  And on this day I thank You God for allowing me the time to have a “Friday Sabbath”, a day of rest, that my flesh may renew its strength.  Thank You for this time of rest and relaxation so that I will be rejuvenated so I can do what You call me to do and to say what You want me to say.

 

ISAIAH 40:28-31 NIV

“Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.”

 

And my goal today is to do nothing (EXCEPT WRITE MY BLOG) and allow the Lord to renew my strength.  

Have a great day!  I plan to.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND GIVE YOU ADDED STRENGTH

 

 

Thursday August 3, 2017  THE OLDER GENERATION SHALL TEACH THE YOUNGER GENERATION

 

Words are never adequate when it comes to expressing how very much I love my grandsons.  I throw my arms open wide and express to them that I love them even more than my arms reach.  Xander often reciprocates in kind.  Zach has attained the ripe old age of “almost 10” so he is not quite as demonstrative as he used to be. 

Such a greeting at the breakfast bar happened this morning.  Dave held me a tight embrace, kissing me over and over on the neck (see what I mean when I say he still makes me tingle) and the boys were watching with delight, big smiles on their face and grimacing at the same time.  I quickly came around back of them and gave them a little slimy neck nuzzle.  “Euuuuu” was what Zach exclaimed and Xander giggled in tickles of laughter.  I opened my arms wide and told him once again that I love him even wider than my arms can reach.  He looked up at Dave and I and said…”but I only love grandpa this much” as he held his hands about a foot apart. 

Well…grandpa was standing there and I could see he was concerned.  I asked Xander why he only loves grandpa “this much” and he replied with such seriousness, “Because grandma, you teach me more things”.  Then he giggles, holds his hands open to his full reach and looks at me with a mischievous grin and says, “I was only kidding, I really love him this much”!

Dave is a born worker, a hard and diligent worker.  He has also been my teacher for the past 45 years.  I am a born teacher and I usually see the lesson to be taught in most circumstances.  I thank God for what Dave taught me, and I thank God for what my oldest sister has taught me.

As I think about my sister my mind wanders back to my early childhood.  Velma left home when I was about 8 or 9 years old.  She very much fulfilled my craving desire to learn.  I was always curious and always wanted to know the “WHY” of whatever was happening around me.  I explored, I read, I discovered, and she shared her 9 years senior experience with me and probably taught me things I didn’t even want to know.  But I absorbed and still remember many of the things she taught.  My mother had a house full of kids in all stages and though she loved us tremendously she did not have enough hours in the day to give us the individual attention we probably needed.  Velma was my surrogate mother during my formative years.  She moved away from home when I was about 9 years old.  But she has never stopped teaching me.

Did Velma give me the love for learning or was I born with that desire?  Only God knows.  And as I watch children grow I can sometimes detect inborn traits, characteristic, talents that seem to come naturally with the birth package.  It is a true teacher that sees the heart of the child and encourages each individual to pursue developing their God given talents.  Also the true teacher sees the need of each child to be encouraged to accomplish that which is difficult.  The older generation has knowledge, life experience, and answers that the younger generation need to know.  Even when it might not be well received some information must be taught to prepare the child, young adult, or others to be equipped with what they need in order to be ready for “real life”.

A little mind is open to direction, unfortunately not all children’s living situations allow the child to learn and develop their talents and skills.  The scripture instructs the older generation to teach the younger generation.  And I don’t think it meant giving them technology to teach them in the way they should go.

What a privilege it is to be able to answer questions, instruct, and point out things the child would never even think about.  WOW!  God has really entrusted parents (and grandparents) with an awesome purpose!

 

THE MIND OF A CHILD IS AN OPEN SLATE

Kathleen Martens

August 3, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

How do we know the mind of God

From whence all wisdom flows?

How do we learn life’s basic skills?

From the world or someone we know?

 

So many children have no guidance

Other that TV, U-tube and porn;

Messages the world proclaims,

Not that for which we are born.

 

The mind of a child is an open slate

To be taught, instructed, and loved.

From whom better to receive the knowledge

Than the loving Father above?

 

And His word best instilled

When the child’s heart is new.

The older generation shall teach the young;

Using the Word of God as their tool.

 

There is so much more I could say about this topic.  I hope what I have said will give parents and grandparents the incentive to realize how important their role is in the lives of their children and grandchildren.  If we do not teach them, who will?

 

Thank You God for the inquiring minds of our children and grandchildren.

Thank You God for trusting us with two precious children to rear and two awesome grandchildren to love and teach in the way they should go.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

GOD BESS YOU!

And always remember that GOD LOVES YOU TOO!

Wednesday August 2 2017  CHANGING OF THE SEASONS

 

I HEAR THE SYMPHONY

Kathleen Martens

August 2, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I hear the symphony

Sweeping across rolling fields;

Bounty of tassels

For Autumn’s yield.

 

Triumphant sounds

Fill my soul…

The endless cycle

Of centuries told.

 

Ribbons of beauty

Undulate with breath

Living life

So man is blessed.

 

Fragrant perfumes

Waft in gentle waves

In frolic dance

As if in play.

 

Towering trees create

A soaring flight;

Intimate interlude

Blocking light.

 

Field upon field

Wave in glee

Bowing to wind

In silence free.

 

The kiss of summer

As season goes by,

Its music is pure

As autumn is nigh.

 

My heart sings

As majesty abounds 

In God’s mighty creation

Through sight and sounds.

 

Music of the heart

Whispered on the wind…

And its stirring is felt

Deep within.

 

My very being

Hums in gentle repose.

Wherever I travel

God’s glory shows!

 

As I drove across the backroads of our area this morning my heart was truly hearing the beauty upon which my eyes feasted.  I can’t even begin to explain the exquisite patchwork design of field after field as I drove up and down the rolling hill.  My birds-eye view was breathtaking; mile after mile.  It’s as if the entire earth is singing in harmony; as if man and God are in partnership.  Open fields edged with groups of trees created a photographer’s dream.  The depth of field and the amazing patterns, colors, textures feed my soul.  If I could I would leave early in the day and just drive SLOWLY up and down the lazy hills decorated with intricate designs, heights and colors.  And as I passed through towering old trees lining both sides of the road I experienced a feeling of exclusivity.

Thank You God for my vision so I can enjoy Your magnificence as I travel the country roads.  What a delight to see the fields changing throughout each season and know that it is good because it was created by You.

Thank You God that I can breathe in the intoxicating fields of wild flowers and corn tassels and wet ground.

Thank You God that I can hear the birds singing as I drive through the shadows of the towering trees!

 

Update on my grandsons.  They are at present attending VBS.  I did a photo shoot this morning for a church project so had no time to work out.  So, in order to spend more time with the boys, I stopped at the gym to use their WiFi to write and publish this blog so my time will be open when we return home.  The afternoon plans are still not decided.  I never mention any plans until I know the plans will truly take place.  I do not like disappointing them.

The boys spent night last night at their own house so they could attend Karate class.  They arrived back at my place early this morning, quite tired from the evening’s events and early wake-up.  It is normally about a 40 minute ride from our home to theirs so they had to arise quite early so as to be ready when mom left for work.  The boys have been great!  They have worked in the yard, (Zach’s kindly deed), sweated up a storm, and have had their share of mosquito bites. They are troopers!  Since the day has not yet unfolded I must wait until tomorrow perchance something exciting comes along.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday August 1 2017 DICHOTOMY OF LIFE

 

CHANGE–the synonyms being:  alteration; modification, variation, transformation, revolution, conversion, adjustment, and amendment.

DIFFERENT—the synonyms being:  dissimilar, diverse, unlike, unalike, altered, poles apart, and not the same.

I am working-out at a different gym location this week due to my grandsons attending VBS nearby.  After one day on DIFFERENT machines I was ready to give up!  But I came back again today.  Yesterday was tough.  I am not fond of using my time learning new contraptions I only plan to use for a week.  Each had a different touch; a different menu of instruction in order to make it run, felt differently, and being a newer facility seemed to affect the stress of my workout.  I stuck to my usual weights and repetitions; I wasn’t going to let a mere machine defeat me.

At first I thought it was the DIFFERENCE of location and unfamiliarity that was causing me the consternation.  After looking up the word CHANGE and then the word DIFFERENT I realized the two words are worlds apart.  Both words and synonyms describe my conundrum but I see the words as each having a different outcome of results.

“Different” describes my place, my unfamiliarity with the equipment and the fact that the machines are not the same.

“Change” seems to be the word of choice in this instance because it deals with proactive measures of what I must do to contend with my present situation.  I can make choices.  I cannot disagree with the fact that the machines are unalike but I can choose to use them by modifying my expectations, by transforming the way I think, by adjusting to the situation at hand, and even having a “self-revolution” of modifying my behavior and attitude.

As I sat here in the gym with my computer opened the lady who works here at the gym walked by.  I asked her to suggest a topic and she suggested writing about being in a new place to work out.  So that is what I am writing about.  And ultimately what I discovered is that this gym is a lot like life.  Every day is different.  Each circumstance can bring new experiences, hazards, adjustments, and rewards.  However, when we face change it’s more about how we view life.  This gym is an example of the dichotomy of life.

DICHOTOMY—the synonyms being:  contrast, opposition, gulf, contradiction, separation, clash, and irreconcilable differences.

Even here I had an “irreconcilable difference” with an elliptical machine.  I could not handle the way it affected how I controlled my body due to the unfamiliar footings.  After I tried for a few moments I found a different kind of machine that met my needs.  I made the proactive choice to change in order to try something different in order that I not give up on my ultimate goal; a heart healthy workout.  And I think that may actually be an answer to some of life’s situations (especially as we age).  We all go through hardships, financial drought, sickness, pain, and death of loved ones.  But through it all we must accept different situations  as they happen, and by choice, even when things are unfamiliar and different, choose to change what we can to create a life worth living.  The dichotomies that we face will teach us strength, perseverance, and new ways to accomplish our goals.

 

DICHOTOMY OF LIFE

Kathleen Martens

August 1, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Each day is different,

Each hour never the same.

But God has the ultimate plan,

And He knows us each by name.

 

Life never stays the same;

Change is an inevitable part.

We must be willing to modify our attitude

And allow joy to fill our hearts.

 

Look ahead with anticipation

As here and there we roam.

God is our ultimate destination;

Know this world is not our home.

 

Thank You God for change in our lives.

Thank You God that You created each and every person uniquely beautiful.

Thank You God for sharing with me the truths in Your Holy Word.

Thank You that I have faith.

 

MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU SAFE THIS DAY.