Tuesday June 6 2017  A SOUND YOU NEVER FORGET

The entire outside structure of our house is made of brick and our interior walls are extra thick making our house virtually soundproof from most outside noises unless we have a window open.  We do hear military planes, some thunder, as well as one other sound, that once you hear it, you never forget: the slow, deliberate, crackling sound of a huge tree breaking as it topples to the ground.

This afternoon I was standing in the kitchen with a headset covering my ears listening to a sermon as I prepared Brussels sprouts for the oven.  It was then when I heard a terrifying, unmistakable sound even though the kitchen windows were closed!  I froze in place and a few seconds later it was over.  I felt no jolt on the house but I was still in awe of hearing what I had just heard.  I knew it was close and I knew a big tree had its final curtain call.  In a quick dash I removed the headset, went from window to window to see if I could spy the tree that had fallen; but to no avail. 

I would not give up.  I knew that sound and I knew it meant trouble.  I headed outside.  And there in my neighbor’s yard stood their house, half covered by part of an old oak tree that had crashed down.  The limb that came down was small when compared to the entire tree, but quite large when compared with a normal sized tree.  The oak was an old growth tree and its branches are the girth and length of trees in most yards.  The trunk of the tree is monstrous.  The tree parts spread across the neighbor’s roof and rested on top of the chimney flue.  Its foliage was spread out in all directions.  A large portion of the weight was supported by a “Y” fashioned of two other branches still attached to the trunk of the tree.  It created a precarious condition, to say the least.  And it didn’t appear that its movement was finished.  The weight of the tree caused so much pressure on the roof that the neighbor and I could hear the stress and popping sounds of the walls doing their best to support the tremendous pressure.  The beauty and grandeur of the neighbor’s trees adds to the beauty of our surroundings.  Losing a tree such as this one is like losing a good friend.  And it appears they may lose the entire tree.  We’ve lost our own share of huge trees.  I grieved right alongside my neighbor today.  I’m glad I was home to be with her awhile.  And I am so thankful that no one was injured.

So, as you can imagine, my day did not quite go as planned.  I am behind on everything I scheduled to do this week and some things may not get done before we leave on our upcoming trip.  Before I leave I try to have the house in order for the couple who takes care of things while we are gone.  It will be a busy time because the temperature is going up and the gardens will need quite a bit of watering each day.  It is so nice to have a couple we love and trust that can “babysit” when we leave town.  It is nice knowing our house will not be silent.  I believe it is the surrounding woods that beckon.  It is like living in your own private retreat.  And best of all, besides peace of mind, our produce box delivered on Thursday will be safely tucked in our refrigerator when we arrive home two days later. 

THE FINAL CURTAIN

Kathleen Martens

June 6, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

There is never silence in my head

There is always the ringing that I dread.

And compounded with tightly fit speakers

My ears would not hear sounds of sneakers.

But today one sound came through,

Distinctive and long and I immediately knew

That somewhere a tree would crash

As I stood stock still, no place to dash.

The splintering sounds of century’s wood

Where for 200 years it probably stood

Came crashing down paralyzing me with fear

Knowing that sound was all too near!

And then the silence birthed a timeless still

As I prayed that no one was killed.

No injuries happened in the house

Not even the dogs, not even a mouse.

And the neighbor’s tree now must go

And its beauty will no longer show.

A part of the past will be no more

Its final curtain, closing the door.

Thank You God that no one was injured when part of the oak tree fell.

Thank You God that I was home to comfort my neighbor.

Thank You so much for the beauty You have created in nature for our pleasure.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

AND MAY YOU STAY SAFE!

Monday June 5 2017  CELEBRATE AGING

You may have heard the old adage, “Age is just a state of mind”.  Well, if there is an old adage that states such, I am here to say that I both agree and disagree!  My belief is that to a great extent how each one of us age is dependent upon the one who owns the body and mind. 

Take me for instance.  Since I don’t really know the private thoughts of others I will speculate on the above premise from my point of view. Personally, I believe that as we age, and how we age, depend upon the attitude we decide to take forward.  And before I make anymore comments I would like to stipulate that the comments I state henceforth are not absolutes.  There are so many personal factors involved for each person as well as some that are universal.  For example, some careers age people quicker than others.  Lack of exercise can do the same.  Excessive abuse of drugs, alcohol, sugar, or other unhealthy lifestyles can also have ill effects later in life which may cause some to decline or age prematurely.  Terminal illness, heart conditions and congenital malady may also change attitude, hope and the physical aspects of how we age.  Even spiritual belief or lack of belief might affect one’s attitude or how they treat their bodies: which in turn has an effect on what we can do, can’t do, or what we choose to do or not do.  So, as you can decipher, how we age is determined on several aspects; our body, mind, spirit, self care, genetics, and attitude.  

I had a friend who died a couple of years ago who was close to 100 years of age.  Dave and I often invited him and his wife to do things with us instead of staying home.  He felt physically unable to go out and I think his wife didn’t want to take the effort it took to create the persona of who she wanted to portray at 70.  She stayed at home, watched TV (as they both did), ate their takeout food and visited with us when we came over.  I’ll never forget the words my friend told me one day when he was about 70 years old when we were encouraging them to join us for an event coming up in the future.  To the best of my recollection these are the words he spoke to me, “Kathleen, there was a time I could have gone out when I was younger but I always felt like I was too tired or it took too much effort, or I just didn’t want to go, so I stayed home and missed so much of life.  Now I am physically unable to do what I could have done years ago when I was younger, yet didn’t take the opportunity to do so at that time.  It is my greatest regret that I did not take the opportunity to do things when I was able to do them.”

This friend was a longtime airline employee and when he retired he received free standby flights for him and his wife for their lifetime.  He never took the opportunity to use that awesome benefit and he regretted it immensely.  He lived another 28 years after that advice was given to me.  I have never forgotten it.  I use this story as an example of attitude in the aging process.  At one time he was hampered by his choices and self limitations.  Later in life he was hampered by such a great accumulation of birthdays that his body decided it was unable to get up and go.  So, from the time he was 40 years old until almost 100 years old his attitude robbed him of living life to his fullest.  And no one felt that regret more deeply than he did.

So yes, I suppose attitude is a great factor but not the only one.  As for me, I want to live my life to the fullest each day that I can.  Are some days more difficult than others, yes, but I always have the hope that some days are also better than others.  There seems to be a new “flavor” of pain each morning in some new place in my body, and for the life of me I can’t figure out why this or that place is hurting for no apparent reason.  But, I choose to go on.  I am alive and I have choices to make!  I have desires to fulfill and dreams to live out.  I have deadlines to reach, projects to finish, and foods I haven’t yet cooked.  I have trips to take, mountains to climb, adventures to explore, songs to hear, poems to write, and grandchildren to love.  As long as I have the ability to make decisions I choose to praise the Lord and give thanks for what I have and what I can do!  That is my attitude.  I choose to exercise so I can keep myself moving, I choose to eat healthy so I don’t need to carry any excess me around, I choose to love others and do whatever I can to help those who are hurting, sick, or impoverished.  I choose to treat my husband like a king and my grandchildren like royal princes.  I will tell my grandsons about the love and mercy of Almighty God: and I will continue to say “I LOVE YOU” to my children every chance I get. 

But someday, be it tomorrow or 30 years from now, my accumulation of birthdays will end.  And if I live many more years I may no longer have choices to make in regards to what my body can and can’t do.  But, even when my body is depleted and I can no longer do for myself, I hope to always have an attitude of awe and wonder at the awesomeness of God.  With the joy of the Lord in my heart, perhaps some of the growing pains of old age will not seem quite so bad.

CELEBRATE AGING

Kathleen Martens

June 5, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Old age is but a journey

Going backwards to a destination.

So perhaps such a topic

Is worth investigation.

From womb to grave

It is a personal venture,

And choosing a positive attitude

Makes for a great adventure!

If only in our early life

We had wisdom of the old,

But perhaps not the best thing

For it would change our stories told.

And part of the excitement

Is what we learn along the way!

If we knew the old age adage

We might forget that we should play.

As babies we begin and may end the same

If long years are granted us.

So, at this time in my life

Old age I choose to discuss.

Each day I live I choose to cherish,

Each hour is open latitude.

I hope to never become complacent

Or exhibit a despairing platitude.

From cradle to grave

My days are numbered.

I’ll not allow a negative mind-set

My outlook to encumber! 

Thank You God for a peaceful spirit as I age.

Thank You God that I have lived so many years.

Thank You God that my time with you grows closer each day.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Sunday Sabbath June 4 2017  MY BRAIN IS AT REST

My brain is at rest and my body wants to be.  From meeting to funeral to wedding; yesterday was quite the day.  I made the mistake of not taking a snack to eat thinking that we (the photographers) would be eating dinner at the wedding.  I don’t recall ever photographing a wedding when the photographers were not included to eat dinner.  Usually those arrangements are made ahead of time.  As second shooter I am not responsible for scheduling or speaking with prospective clients so I was unaware of yesterday’s arrangement.  Though it is my norm to always pack food, yesterday I did not.

From the time I left home and returned I was gone for about 7 or 8 hours, a good part of that working.  I did take lots of water as it ended up being a bright and beautiful “hot” day and the wedding was outside.  I had eaten a light lunch about an hour before I left.  I do not do well when I go past my eating time.  I was becoming quite ill by the time I arrived home.  My head gets queasy, I become dizzy and disoriented and when it gets to the point that my stomach hurts I am pretty much a lost cause.  Once the pains start in my stomach the pain will not go away, even after I eat.  I was just on that verge when I walked into my kitchen. 

A boiled egg never tasted so good!  I then devoured watermelon, grapes, and cherry tomatoes.  I had a few more small portions of food and staved off the stomach attack.  But I couldn’t get rid of the headache.  It bothered me off and on all night and I finally gave up at 3:30 a.m.  I got out of bed and ate a small portion of food and took some Tylenol.  That seemed to help.  I will never again assume I will be served food (any where I go) if I am to miss a meal.  I will pack my own care package and take it along.  I can always bring it home if I don’t need it.

If going without food affects me that way it gives me pause to grieve for those who do not have enough to eat, especially those who are starving.  Even what I experienced yesterday was nothing when I think of those who have very little sustenance or none at all.  I miss one meal and I’m “starving”?  I think not!  We in the United States are daily blessed by the abundance of food that is available to us.  Do we really even have an idea of what a starving person experiences?  How can I complain because I missed one meal?  At least I knew there was food waiting for me at the end of the day.

I am so grateful and thankful for every bite of food set before me.  Dave and I thank God for each meal that we eat.  We take nothing for granted.  We know not what the future holds for our world; weather, droughts, disasters, loss of our power grids, and so much more could change things dramatically.  So what I have today I will certainly give thanks.

SHOW ME WAYS TO REACH OUT

Kathleen Martens

June 4, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Lord, I am so grateful

For what is provided.

Teach me how to share

And give so it’s divided.

Hear my words of thanks

As I lift my voice in praise

For the wonder of Your bounty

You’ve supplied throughout my days.

Know that I am sorry

When I do not think of others,

As so many go without

And hunger their lives smother.

Show me ways to reach out

And share the gifts I own,

That I share from my table

As well as from heart and home.

Thank You God for every bite I food I eat.

Thank You for giving this old body the strength to work yesterday.

Thank You Lord for all You provide.

And thank You Lord that my headache subsided this morning.

HAVE A WONDERFUL SABBATH!

Saturday June 3 2017  A ONE HOUR WINDOW

What to think, write, publish, and print: all in one hour? That is my question. 

NO TIME UNUSED TO SIT ON A SHELF

Kathleen Martens

June 3, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

A day ahead packed with events,

One hour to create is all mine.

I live each day as if it’s my last.

It makes each day quite sublime.

Sometimes my plans go astray

And occasionally obstacles I must avert,

But my commitments I try to fulfill

Though at times my memory shirks.

Two events scheduled at the same time,

On the same night and both demand.

There is only one me so I must divide…

Leave the first early, arrive later than planned.

But thankfully that is not today.

This day is packed and no wiggle room!

Punctuality necessitates when I arrive,

And from one to the next I will zoom!

And so it is I use this hour.

No time unused to sit on a shelf.

I will fulfill my daily commitment

Which I’ve chosen to place on myself.

And that is to write a poem

And use God’s gift to create

By sharing His love through my words,

All without being late!

So, I am off and running this morning.  I look forward to this day and pray that the outdoor wedding will not be disrupted by rain (as is in the forecast).  Cameras and lenses must not get wet! 

I even have time to eat my breakfast before attending a “breakfast” meeting.  We had a heads-up on what is being served and neither Dave nor I can safely eat pancakes and waffles, especially in the morning!  So instead we choose to eat before going.  We will have chicken, whole grain rice, covered with cabbage and bean soup, and a huge spoon of jalapenos in my serving!  And I mustn’t forget to mention our first cherries of the season.  I LOVE CHERRIES!

And so I bid you adieu as I go upstairs to eat my scrumptious breakfast and fortify myself for the day.

Thank You God for the gift of life this day.

Thank You God for steady hands with which to hold my camera.

Thank You God for providing such good nutritional food upon this earth.

And God, I pray that I will never take even one day for granted!

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOUR DAY BE WONDERFUL.

Remember:  Live each day as if it is your last because one day you will be correct.

Friday June 2 2017  A NOT SO ORDINARY, ORDINARY DAY

AN ORDINARY DAY

Kathleen Martens

June 2, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

An ordinary day,

Is there any better kind?

But the word “ordinary”

How do you define?

Maybe someday I’ll figure it out

So I can experience more.

To feel a day is ordinary

Is never to me a bore.

Perhaps “ordinary” are the little things

That makes life go round.

All the routine and little chores

Are joys I have found.

To have a day go smoothly,

Is such an awesome event!

Living slow in time and space

Is a gift heaven sent.

So my ordinary day

Deviated from premade plans.

And turned out to be quite fine

With a lot fewer demands.

I simply accomplished little tasks

And even worked up a sweat

So I stayed home from the gym

And now I’m in calorie debt.

I suppose an ordinary day

Can be to do as I choose,

Like stay home and work hard,

And then just take a snooze.

I’ve yet to nap but perhaps

It is a dream that could come true.

Just make up YOUR ordinary day

And do what you want to do.

Sunshine and warm air greeted me this morning.  I decided to stay home from the gym to work in the garden.  I did plan to go to the gym later but by the time I worked up a sweat and was on my feet a few hours I decided that my garden work was my workout for the day!  Perhaps it was not truly my ordinary day, but I think I just pretended it was.  I am trying to listen to my OLDEST sister and not overdo activities when I need to conserve energy for another event.  I will be up and out early tomorrow as Dave and I have commitments, then we plan to attend a funeral at 11:00 a.m., and after that I have an outdoor wedding assignment for the rest of the day.  So…I am taking my sister’s advice by not over-doing “it” today. 

Thank You God for the beautiful sunshine this morning.

Thank You God for gardens.

Thank You God for the ordinary in my life.

HAVE A GREAT SPRING DAY!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Thursday June 1 2017  THE DAY WITH TOO MUCH TO DO

THE DAY WITH TOO MUCH TO DO!

Kathleen Martens

June 1 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

Just as I love having something to do

I think there are times with too much to ensue.

As was this day as it blossomed and grew

I’m not yet finished and my evening is through!

So I say hello and then I say adieu,

Tomorrow’s beginning will come too soon.

My days and hours are all too few

And it is already the month of June.

Thank You God for this busy wonderful day.

Thank You God for back roads.

Thank You God that I am retired and do not usually drive in rush hour traffic.

Thank You God for haircuts.

Thank You for Wal-Mart’s.

Thank You for gyms.

Thank You for garden boxes full of fresh produce.

Thank for MacDonald’s vanilla soft serve ice cream cones.

Thank You for Farmer’s Markets.

Thank You for libraries.

Thank You for friends who come over and need my help.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Wednesday May 31 2017  I AM SO HAPPY I HAVE THINGS TO DO

I AM SO HAPPY I HAVE THINGS TO DO

Kathleen Martens

May 31, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

Why does a day walk away

As if it’s galloping by?

Why does a month flee so swift

That it seems to fly?

I’m holding on to every moment

That sifts through my hands.

I try to lasso hours to use

To do as I command.

But no matter what I do

Regardless how speedy I work.

I never accomplish all I desire

Because I have no moments that lurk.

But the joy of everyday

Is that I did my very best

To accomplish what I could,

Before my night of rest.

And so I plan tomorrow’s fair.

I am so happy I have things to do.

Like downsizing all my “stuff”,

And my kids are so happy too.

And so my days are always spent.

I never have hours unused.

I am so fortunate I can still work

And always have things to ensue.

An update on the album pages for those who are interested.  And if you are not interested…that’s okay too!  I have finished all the labeling on each page.  My next endeavor is to go through each page one by one, making certain I didn’t leave anything out, arrange them in the accurate order of how I want them presented, and then prepare them for their photo session.  That will be a tedious endeavor. 

While making pizza today I had an overwhelming melancholy descend on me for just a few seconds.  I was thinking about my dear departed Aunt Estell and it just seemed as if she should still be alive and here or earth.  I so wanted to share something with her and desired to talk with her.  She seemed so alive to me for those few seconds as I thought about her and then the melancholy made its appearance.  Of course reality immediately returned and I was well aware that it was not possible to talk with her or any of the others in my family who have died.  While designing the album pages it was as if I was enjoying their company all over again.  Today it became apparent as to how soon I will be closing this chapter of my life.  Working on the album has been a great adventure and an incredible saga.  I did not think I would ever hear myself voice these words, but I think I shall actually be sorry when it is finished.  That is…until I begin working on the album(s) for mine and Dave’s immediate family history.  Now that one will probably take me the rest of my life!

Two years ago I experienced an amazing trip to visit my loved ones who are still living, as well as long-time friends who had a great influence on my life.  It too was an incredible saga: one I will never forget.  I will always be thankful that I had the opportunity to experience such a quest.  Well, working on this album ranks in the same category as my physical journey.  Creating the album pages have also been an incredible and unbelievable account of delving back into my history.  Faces…names…birth-dates…places…periods of time…all rattle around in my head as I think about those I love, both past and present. I visited with each relative once again through this paper odyssey.  I am just so thankful to be able to look back and REMEMBER.  The brain is an incredible organ!  As I age I do not take memory for granted due to the fact that my mother, my grandmother, and my great grandmother no longer had the ability to even remember their children or their names toward the end of their lives.  At present   I more than likely know more names of in-laws, cousins, their kids, and even some of their grandchildren and great grandchildren at this stage of my life.  And for the ability to remember I am so grateful; BUT I SHALL NEVER TAKE IT FOR GRANTED!

So now I will return to my craft room and my pile of beloved memories.  I shall enjoy all which I have remaining to do and use up the hours of each day as I give thanks to God for the opportunity to have been blessed by such an incredible experience such as this.  I just wish time did not go by so quickly.

Thank You God for my hands…so I can do.

Thank You God for my eyesight…to see what I need to do.

Thank You God that I can walk…so I can get where I need to go.

Thank You God for my hearing…so I can hear the voices of those I love and hear birds singing.

Thank You God that I can sit down…so I can work at my desk.

Thank You God for my brain…which controls my bodily functions.

Thank You God for my nose…so I can smell the fragrance of your flowers.

Thank You God for my mouth…so I can tell others about who You are.

Thank You God for my memory…so that I can remember who You are.

GOD BLESS YOU ON YOUR ODYSSEY OF LIFE. 

Tuesday May 30 2017  I HOPE I LEAVE THE VERY LAST TIME…

I HOPE I LEAVE THE VERY LAST TIME…

Kathleen Martens

May 30, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

All day long we’ve been around town

For business, searching, and shopping,

With appointments and many stops

The day kept us hopping!

Here and there and everywhere

We drove lots of miles,

On the freeways with lots of cars

Traveling fast down little aisles.

Perhaps I am just getting old

Or the population has grown too big!

Too many people going every which way,

So for me it was quite the jig. 

I don’t mind driving city streets

When I am on a far away trip.

I’d rather not have crowds so close

With so many cars shiny and hip.

I’d rather take slow country roads

To travel hither and yon.

It is so exasperating on city streets!

Back roads are much more calm.

And so I choose what time to leave,

As well as when to arrive home.

Now that there are so many people

Certain times I choose not to roam.

My heart longs for serenity and peace

And a view that feeds my soul.

 I need not look anywhere else

When I’ve already attained my goal.

Being home is my favorite place.

And I am content with where I am,

Right next door to some special dogs

And Michael, Karen, and Sam!

But the future looms ahead,

What awaits us none of us know.

I prefer to live where I reside

Until it is my time to go.

The day will come; I’ll be no more,

And for better or for worse

I hope I leave the very last time

Carried out of my home feet first.

And in that hour mourn not for me

For we each have an expiration date.

And if you plan on going to heaven

I’ll greet you at the pearly gate!

Thank You God for all the people You have created.

Thank You God for back roads.

Thank You that I live in this time and in this place.

Thank You for this day and for providing all our needs.

HAVE A GREAT DAY WHATEVER ROAD YOU TRAVEL!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Monday May 29 2017  “THANK YOU” IS NEVER ENOUGH

“THANK YOU” IS NEVER ENOUGH

Kathleen Martens

May 29, 2017 Memorial Day

www.visionsofpoetry.com

Who is not here to celebrate today?

Who was not born and had no say?

What voices were stilled because of death?

What baby not conceived to breathe a breath?

Men of valor so bravely died

As their blood mixed with comrades by their side.

Some had wives and were already fathers

Who left behind little sons and daughters.

Yet others whose offspring are not to be;

Faces that grandparents will never see.

Who are those missing upon this earth?

What boy or girl was never given birth?

From all the wars of pain and death

Are far reaching consequences of such breadth.

For those who served, freedom was their call.

So many in our military gave their all.

And this day each year we set aside

To honor the veterans who have lived and died.

So many on the battlefield met their fate.

Sadly few now know, the significance of this date.

My heartfelt and unending gratitude to all our military personnel, male and female, who have served our country and for those they left behind.  I thank both the veteran and their families for your sacrifice.

Thank You God for a country fashioned with You in mind.

Thank You for the privilege of living in the United States.

Thank You God for Your Ten Commandments

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS DAY OF REMEMBRANCE!