Monday April 18,2016  OUR JOURNEY HOME

The last day on the road and we are literally traveling on the highway as I write.  It has been quite difficult to have time to write the last few days as each day was jam-packed with activities.  In my mind I wrote much more than I accomplished on my blogs.  I wrote when I was so tired that I actually fell asleep sitting up at the computer with my fingers still poised over the keyboard.  So today I am writing in the car while Dave is driving.  I am awake!

My alarm went off at 5:45 a.m.  We left the Airbnb a bit after 7:30 a.m. and arrived at the Kentucky capitol building in Frankfort by 8:38 a.m.  The drive was spectacular.  The road was two lanes, very narrow from side to side and had a stone wall along each side.  The kind of stones that are stacked without mortar.  And to top it off, the road was extremely curvy and tree lined.  Very early spring growth, vivid green, and the purple and white blooms of the dogwood trees decorated the picturesque drive.  I was at the wheel so I did not have any chance of taking photos.  The surrounding land was horse country.  There were beautiful mansions surrounded by lush lawns and long, tree line driveways.  Beautiful stables dotted the area.  They looked like buildings I wouldn’t mind living in.  Large, spacious and aesthetically designed.  As I was driving around a sharp bend I was so surprised to suddenly see the most spectacular view of the Kentucky capitol building.  I had no idea is was around the curve, nestled among a thicket of trees.  The capitol was tucked neatly on a rise with huge circles of yellow and red tulips leading up to the magnificent structure.

If you read my blog a few days ago about the simple elegance of the West Virginia’s capitol in Charleston then you will understand when I tell you that this capitol holds a tie in its design and grandeur.  The Charleston building was by no means modest in its architecture but it held a quiet reverence of such magnitude that I felt as if I was on holy ground when I walked into it.  The capitol building in Frankfort was every bit as well designed and elegant but with a grand extravagance of not just space, but of color and detail and boldness.  Beauty such as these two buildings feed my soul.  It causes me to wonder what it will be like in heaven surrounded by the glory and beauty of who God is, and all He has designed in His heaven, for His children to enjoy.  I truly do not know how people cannot crave to have their eyes filled with such awesome works of art.  And I don’t mean paintings.  The buildings themselves are the art of which I speak.  It’s sort of like a wonderful feast, but it is through your eyes that your soul is fed.

Being that I am in the car I do not have access to any of my reference material of places I’ve been the past few days so I must tell you about some places we have been without remembering their correct names.  On Saturday after we left Carole’s home we drove to the Charleston West Virginia Capital.  It did not take a lot of time to view the rest of the capitol as it is mostly a working building housing hundreds of state workers.  The main attraction there was the architecture and the rotunda.  The building is huge and has 535,000 square feet under its roof.   We spent most of our time there in a building across from the capitol which houses THE CULTURE CENTER.  There was a museum in the basement that led one on a journey through time in West Virginia history.  We had so little time and there was so much to see that I had to hurry through it.  I would love to go back and spend a couple of days there.  The displays were amazing and creatively displayed each decade going back to when the land was first occupied by the native inhabitants and then by the white man.  The path through the museum was one way, very winding, and was made up of many small rooms displaying a timeline with a certain theme. 

It is mind boggling to realize how much there is to see in this vast country.  It could easily become a lifetime pursuit and there would still be more to see.  Everywhere I go there are so many interesting exhibits that have been prepared for public display.  I have found that a bit of internet research will open up doors of opportunity.  There is always way more to see than for which I have time.  No matter how long the trip, time runs out before the exhibits do.  The more I experience and see, the more I desire to explore and learn. 

Dave and I are seriously thinking of planning a “TRIP WITHOUT PLANS”.  We will need a time frame so we will remember to come home, but other than that we will drive back roads, stop when we want, drive deeper into the unknown, and figure out where we plan to stay the night as we need the lodging.  Many Airbnb facilities have same day reservations available.  We have even discussed choosing three states and renting a place to stay for one month in each space and using it as our home base to come and go and so see all the sights within driving distance of the cabin, apartment, or Airbnb, or whatever it is we rent.  We’d love to go to Maine, Vermont and perhaps New Hampshire in late a late summer going into early fall.  Does anyone have any suggestions of a state with recommendations of what would be fun to explore.

Lord willing, we will be home tonight.  We are thankful for beautiful clear weather, sunshine, and beautiful sights to view along the way.  And it is fun eating up all the food we have left.  Our snacks consisted of sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, cheese, crackers, prunes and apple slices.  It was all the courtesy of Carole fixing us a care-bag to eat along the way.  Later in the day we ate the yogurt she sent, more cheese, and I ate a bran muffin.  We still have oranges, more yogurt, and grapes.  I think we will probably need to stop for a protein meal for Dave, as an extremely balanced diet is a must for him, as it should be for all of us. The foods I described above are the kinds of foods I ate all across the country as I traveled last year.  On that trip I stopped at only one fast food place during the entire four months and that was on the next to the last day before I came home.  I stopped for a subway chicken sandwich.  And it was good!  We stopped several times along the way on this trip.

I JUST CLICK “SEND”

By Kathleen Martens

April 18m 2016

Such a peace to be heading home

With my computer and little IPhone.

Writing my blog and getting it done

And posting my photos is quite fun.

But alas, there is much yet to do

As it must be proofed to be able to view.

And sometime, I must confess,

My proofing I sometimes rue.

Please have compassion on what I write

Often I’m tired and my day is spent.

But I am never satisfied until it is done,

I wish for perfection when it is sent.

Just so you know I am never perfect,

So I just click “SEND” and off it goes,

Misspellings and grammar, punctuation and all

And I just hope, no one knows.

Lord, thank You opening the opportunity for me to see the Frankfort Capitol building today.

Lord, thank You for licorice.

Jesus, thank You for loving me today.

Thank You for the Airbnb we stayed in.

Thank You God for the opportunity to meet Sarah and Nicholas.

Thank You for trip ticks.

Thank You God for the color green.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

P.S.   We arrived home about 8:45 p.m. central time.  Actually for us it felt like 9:45 p.m.  Must go as I would like to publish this now that I have WiFi.

NOT YET PROOF READ

Sunday Sabbath April 17 2016  LAY UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Matthew 6:19-21:

¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

This morning’s sermon was a good reminder of what this verse really means.  Through a roundabout way we ended up at the church I had picked out on the internet to attend.  Our google maps was taking us to satellite campus miles away from where we were staying when we happened to go by the very church we wanted to attend and was able to circle around and get in the parking lot.  Last night I listened to several bits of sermons online from local churches.  One pulled me end because of the few words the pastor spoke, as if there was a reason we were to be there.  And…we ended up there.  I had no idea of the size of church it was.

It was quite an eye opener when we realized the church we wanted to attend was the reason the highway had police officers blocking off traffic so parishioners could come and go from the parking lot during transition time of services.  We were attending the 11:15 a.m. service and the early service was exiting as we were caught in the traffic jam.  The side of the building complex had the word “SOUTHERLAND” on it.  I thought it was a business.  I was wrong. 

The main auditorium seats 3,000 and the auxiliary auditorium seats 1,000.  There is a 9:00 a.m. service with the smaller auditorium running ten minute delay behind the large auditorium time frame.  There are also three other satellite buildings out in the community that seat about 1,000 each and the service is also relayed to that area.  Each auditorium has its own live worship team.  There is also an 11:15 service.  We attended the later service and the 3,000 seat auditorium was about 2/3 occupied.  The worship team was awesome and the songs were beautiful songs of praise and adoration to the Lord. 

We wondered a bit if the service was to be focused on the prosperity principles that so many large churches seems to focus on.  I personally would not choose to attend a prosperity focused church.  The announcer told the church that today’s message would be about MONEY.  Uh oh I thought, what did we get ourselves into.

The pastor began his sermon with the verse above, capsulized that he would be talking about money and our stewardship of what the Lord has given us.  This sermon was the final sermon in a series about dealing with the number “7” in the Biblical sense.  He message was to remind his congregation that God does not want us in debt but rather to live in freedom.  He actually gave several different scenarios of how to break the habit of debt, and how to get free from the bondage of debt so we can live in a place of freedom where God can use us for His purpose.  He gave so many excellent scriptures and challenged his church family to seriously attack the debt they have. 

I could go into depth about his sermon but I think it would be a better experience if you heard it from his sermon that will be online at:  www.southlandchristian.org   It will be on today’s date, April 17, 2016.

One more comment about the sermon.  I do know that Dave and I were supposed to be at Southland Christian Church today.  I was blessed by the worship, learned things to share through the sermon, and we have already put into play one of directives Pastor Jon Weece spoke of this morning.  I will not go into details except to say, that there is great satisfaction when we allow God to direct our steps.

After today, yesterday seems so far past.  This was to be our day of rest and we have been busy every single moment.  Lexington is a beautiful place and we had lots of plans.  God had other plans.  Like Proverbs says:  “Man makes his plans, but God directs his steps”.  What we had planned didn’t seem to materialize but in the course of this day, we have placed our treasures in heaven rather than in the memories we thought we would carry home.

And now back to yesterday, that long ago time.  What a great day it was.  We left Carole and David’s place early and arrived in Charleston, West Virginia by 1:00 p.m.  We viewed the capitol, met six beautiful ballerinas while we were touring and I had a chance to take some pictures for them with their camera equipment.  They were so young, vibrant and full of life.  It always blesses me to be around young people who are excited about living and who look forward to their dreams and plans coming to fruition.  I asked if any one of them had some wisdom for the world and if so, what would it be?  No one would speak up.  Finally one of the moms with the group chose one to speak.  Her name was Riana, from the Augusta Youth Ballet Company, and here are her words:

“Don’t let the state you’re from define you or if you think it’s bad, it’s great, because it could be small, it could be big. West Virginia is just as good as California.” 

Riana had returned recently from Washington DC where the kids from smaller states were made to fell “less than” those who lived in a larger state.  Riana had some good insight about her situation while there.  She realized that the group she was in appeared to be the nicest of them all and did not look down on others because of where they came from.  Kudos to you Riana!  It is the “big man” who does not belittle others to make himself look better.  As the saying goes, “Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you”.  You’ve learned that lesson well.  I admire you and all your friends.  You were all a great bunch of young women.  By the way, you are always welcome in my state of Wisconsin!  Even more so, in my home should you ever come to Madison’s state capitol building.  Get in touch with me through my blog and we’ll make contact.  Who knows, if you have a place to go, perhaps you’ll have a reason to go there.  Look forward to hearing from you or any in your group!

I will include some photos of the ballet group as well as the capitol.  I also put a few others in.  One is from the Black Dog Salvage Market.  Supposedly a famous place.  I only just heard of it.  It was spectacular when it comes to antiques and collectables.  Only wish I had had more time to spend there.

There are so many things to tell about the last three days but no time and I must get to bed.

PLEASE DON’T CALL…

UNTIL WEDNESDAY

By Kathleen Martens

April 17, 2016

Too much to tell

In just a short blog.

Even if it’s concise

It is still too long.

The night is late,

Morning comes soon.

Must get to sleep

So tomorrow I’ll not swoon.

The last long day

Of our wonderful trip.

All done by car,

Not plane or ship.

Just PRETEND I’m not home

For the first full day.

We’ve so much to do

Instead of talk or play.

Do not drop in or even call,

Till Wednesday comes ‘round.

Because if you do

I will no where be found!

It is really a year

Which I will need

But after Tuesday

Your phone calls I’ll heed.

Lord, thank you for coconut yogurt.

Thank You Lord for plenty of food to eat.

Thank You Lord for gasoline for my car.

Thank You Lord for sisters.

Thank You Lord for my husband.

Thank You Lord for knives.

Thank You Lord that You speak to me.

Thank You Lord for perseverance.

Thank You Lord for ball point pens.

Are any of you out there in blog land remembering to tell the Lord thank you for the things you have and can do?

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Saturday April 16 2016  WHERE I AM

Quite a beautiful journey today as we traversed the highways of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  This day has also been full and long.  Before I even began my blog I was almost falling asleep.  So this blog will be in competition with the shortest blog ever.

COME AND GONE

By Kathleen Martens

April 16 2016

Today we’ve gone a lot of places

And we’ve seen a lot of faces.

Climbed mountains of wonder

As from spring we sundered.

Higher elevation Spring lost its glory

Breadth of warmth not yet its story.

All new growth seemed to disappear

Though in lower elevation Spring was near.

As roads, descended our drive

We discovered that Spring had survived.

And now it seems summer is found

For around us heat abounds.

Tomorrow’s tale will take a while

As I share today’s full file.

Tonight is late and I’m falling asleep

So my stories will have to keep.

Too much to share on this late night of travel so I will once again bow out from writing my story.  I hope to do so tomorrow as we are staying at this Airbnb for two nights.  Tomorrow we hope to hoard a bit of rest.

Thank You God for bringing us safely to Wilmore Kentucky.

Thank You Lord that we are so pleasantly surprised by our accommodations.

Thank You for the generosity of Carole sending such a beautiful supply of food with us today.

Thank You Lord that You are God and that You love me so much.

THANK  YOU LORD THAT I AM WHERE I AM.

Thank you Lord for back scratchers.

Good night one and all.  God bless you. 

Friday April 15 2016  ANOTHER LAST NIGHT

Our last evening with Carole and David.  No time for blogging if I want to be alive later!  I am sneaking even these words in while hiding in my bedroom (packing).  I had quite a bit of computer complications last night that affected some of my past blogs and I don’t want to have that happen again so I am being conservative with words tonight.  We had a spectacular day today.  Any day when I can take unending photos is always a good day.  More about my day tomorrow.

ANOTHER LAST NIGHT

By Kathleen Martens

April 15, 2015

Early to bed, early to rise

Is what we must do to survive.

So this blog is SHORT AND SWEET

Until I again my computer meet.

Just three more days on the road

And then we can unpack our load.

And along the way I will write

Between watching the beautiful sights.

So good night my faithful friends

Who have been true to the end.

So many stories left unsaid

Left roaming around in my head.

Have a great day and God bless you too

And to God your thanks ensue,

Because He loves to hear your praise

As he blesses all your days.

Thank You God for allowing Dave and I to share in the lives of David and Carole.

Thank You God for Your Almighty Sovereignty.

Thank you God for bran muffins.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  I JUST GOT BUSTED!  OOPS!

Thursday April 14 2016  I LOVE SURPRISES!

P.S. AT THE TOP:  OOPS!  I FORGOT TO ADD THE PICTURES BELOW (WHICH MUST BE DONE BEFORE I PUBLISH) AND NOW THEY WILL SHOW UP BEFORE THE BLOG.  DISREGARD ALL COMMENTS REFERRING TO “BELOW”.  KEEP CLICKING THROUGH THE OLDER POST TO REACH BLOG.

What a delightful surprise to be told yesterday that today we would be visiting a traveling display at the Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke.  Carole and Dave, who have lived here for 30 years have never visited the Roanoke Museum, so this was a first for them also.  What excited me so much was the fact that we were going for the purpose to see the traveling display of original art pieces by Norman Rockwell.  Norman Rockwell is one of my favorite artists.  I have never read much about his life so it was an eye opener to learn about his procedure when preparing to paint a scene.  When he started out he actually used real life models who had to hold their poses for long periods of time.  Later he actually photographed what he wanted to paint and used the photos for recall. Norman worked 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and only took Christmas and Thanksgiving off.  Now that is what I call dedicated. 

Rockwell was extremely sensitive to the fact that his scenes depict what he was trying to convey as well as using authentic props for the period.  He was tedious in making certain every detail was accurate.  Dave and I downloaded commentary about the portraits and listened to the details of what he did to prepare for each portrait.  Such an example might be that when he used a waiter in the drawing, he looked for just the right waiter.  The waiter he hired for the train portrait was a veteran waiter of 30 years.  The stories about each piece of art were just amazing.  I am going to include some of my the snapshots I shot today at the end of this blog.  I asked permission to take the photos before I did so and was informed that it was okay to take as many as I would like as long as no flash was used.

Of course I was rushed through the gallery because it takes me so long to absorb all I would like to absorb.  I missed being able to see the original art that covered each of the Saturday Evening Post Magazines.  I was able to see them on the wall, hung in rows, but would have loved more time to do so.  Dave and I came to the conclusion that the magazine covers were not original paintings but the original covers from the magazines.   All I can say is that it was so worth seeing this traveling exhibit.  We were informed that this was its last stop.

I will also post some sights that I took of downtown Roanoke.  It is so beautiful here.  Temps today were in the high 60’s with a bit of a bite in the gentle breeze. 

We are thoroughly enjoying David and Carole and her family.  It is amazing to realize that her family is also our daughter’s biological family.  Rebecca is sister to our son, Courtland as well as sister to Carole’s children, one son and two daughters.  Rebecca has lots of nieces and nephews as I mentioned in a previous blog.  It is awesome to feel like they too are a part of our family.  And oh, I must not forget their awesome dog too!  Sammy is a mix between a Pomeranian and a Pekinese.  Sammy is old and sleeps a lot.  See what Dave and I have to look forward to in a few years (when we are old). 

Early spring abounds in all I see.  Though there is still a frigidness in the air, it has been so refreshing to participate in so many southern springs. 

REFLECTIONS

By Kathleen Martens

April 14, 2016

Thanks to all who have come along

Once again as I journeyed far.

I have found my choice of travel

And that is exploring by car!

So many sights and sounds

To fill me with such delight.

And it is nice to have a tag a long,

So I need never fear the night.

And there are a lot of reasons

That my time with him I lend.

There is no one I’d rather be with

Than my closes friend.

And our numbered days are almost gone

As our journey leads us home.

Where we once again will settle down

To reflect on where we’ve roamed.

Lord today I give You thanks for your continued protection.

Thank You God for the experience of going to the museum.

Thank You for my eyes.

Thank You for such a good sleep last night.

Thank You for birds.

Thank You for tomatoes.

Thank You for bunion remover.

GOOD AFTERNOON.  I PRAY THE REST OF YOUR DAY IS WONDERFUL.

Wednesday April 13 2016  I WISH I KNEW…

Update to those of my readers who have inquired about how I am doing: today I am doing quite a bit better.  I was actually hungry this morning for the first time since Sunday’s dinner.  I ate a small breakfast and soon felt a little energy returning.  I looked a lot better too!  I still have moments when I must recollect myself because I am a lot weaker than I was before the food poisoning occurred.  Perhaps it is good to have an occasional reminder that I am not invincible.

We left Sandra and Scott’s house a few minutes past 2:00 p.m. with plans to be at Carole and David’s home by 6:00 p. m. for dinner.  We are currently traveling North on Highway 77 and will cross the Virginia state line on this leg of our journey.  After we left our last location we drove quite a few miles through the back country roads of North Carolina passing through little towns.  Along the way there were so many interesting views hiding around the next corner.  There were old houses, former business structures, farms, and falling down barns.  Dave was driving due to my weakened state so I had opportunity to do a lot of gawking.  As I passed the changing scenery my curious mind wanted to know more about the people and the history of the buildings.  I WISH I KNEW the story behind each one.

As we drove on the back roads the speed was slow enough that I could take in more details of what we passed.  I want to share a few of the sights we experienced.  The first situation that intrigued me was when I spied a boy who was approximately 15 to 17 years of age.  An older model car had been parked off the left side of the two lane road, facing oncoming traffic.  It was a big old dirty car from the late 80’s or early 90’s.  The young man’s backside was leaning against the grillwork, feet crossed at the ankles, arms crossed in front of his chest, dressed in silky tectured athletic shorts which came to just below the knees.  Big sneakers were on his big feet.  His face was set in a Jimmy Dean, tough dude look, his hair shaved close on the sidewalls and left long on top.  His black hair, contrasting against his pale face, spilled toward the left side of his face.  He had sunglasses on and his face was turned as if he were peering into my eyes as Dave drove past.  He was quite a gigantic guy and appeared to be at least 75 to 100 pounds overweight.  He looked quite angry and sullen from what I glimpsed in my 5 to 10 second impression.  My first thought was that he really wanted to be seen, and needed to be noticed.  He wanted to BE SOMEBODY.  My opinion was that he is searching for his identity as to where he fits in.  My second assumption (all total speculation on my part), was that he may have been angry about something that had just occurred inside the run down, shack-like house, that was the backdrop for the old automobile.  I WISH I KNEW.

Just a mile or two down the road we came to a left curve in the road and on the right was a very small, what looked like a former house dwelling, sitting very close to the highway.  It reminds me of the little shack where my mother once took me to when I was about 10 years old so she could show me where I was born.  Perhaps my sister can feed me back a comment regarding this comparison and make comment as to whether or not I if I have the correct recollection.  She was almost 9 years old when I was born so she may remember what it looked like.

My mind again wonders back to the history of this little dwelling and who built it and lived there.  What was its main purpose?  What were the people like?  What were their circumstances?  And I wondered how in the world was it still standing?  I also wondered, how long it has been vacated.  I WISH I KNEW.

As the highway’s winding roads led us higher up the mountain I could look down below me and see a small valley between the road and the opposing hills.  Very close to the road there was an old barn in total disrepair and demise.  About two thirds of the cross boards of the roof were exposed and two thirds of the roof had fallen in.  From my high advantage point I could look down into the barn’s interior and see the floor littered with the fallen, decaying roof.  It was like looking at the skeleton of what must have one day been someone’s pride and joy.  The end structures were still in place but a bit of the long wall had also lost enough boards to see the skeleton emerging.  The exterior of the old building was all dark and weatherworn and looked so sad.  I wondered when it was built and who might have built it.  It looked as if it did not want to give up its hold on existence, but was losing the battle one day at a time.  Its story will never be known to me but..I WISH I KNEW.

As the road became steeper and more winding, all passing lanes disappeared.  In front of us was a car with an antsy driver who tailgated the truck it was following.  The driver continued to look for a place to pass.  Finally it did make it around the truck, IN A NO PASSING ZONE, and we all survived his stupidity.  Then I wanted Dave to get closer to the truck so I could get a better look at its cargo.  It was carrying hundreds of live, white chickens, packed tightly into wire cages stacked ten cages high and five wide.  It was a long 18 wheeler.  I could see the chickens trying to move as they vied for space.  It was difficult for me to view such a spectacle knowing that the animals were alive and probably suffering.   Now don’t misinterpret and think that I don’t each chicken meat, because I actually do.  I remember my extended family ringing the necks of chickens, plucking their feathers, and eating them for dinner.  It was probably very frightening for the chicken, but it was quick.  It just saddened me to see the conditions these chickens had to go through to be transported.  I wondered where those chickens were headed.  I expect they were going to market to be readied for the pot.  THIS IS SOMETHING I DON’T WISH TO KNOW.

As we traveled north it’s as if we were going backward with spring.  Everything was so lush in Florida and South Carolina and even in parts of North Carolina.  Today as and as we traveled north the mountains became scare of greenery.  However, there were trees with purple blooms lining the sides of the mountains enticing spring to come forth.  Everything state has been so gorgeous.

As we were driving along, I read something on the back, side window, of a van.  I was able to get a picture of it as we passed the vehicle.  Here is what was printed in decal lettering:

“In Loving Memory of

My Daddy and Pappa

David “Crockett” Moore

3/17/48 to 12/4/01”

That is something I have never seen done before.  I WISH I KNEW MORE OF THE STORY.

We are almost at our location and we will arrived ON TIME!

WEEKS OF SPRINGS

By Kathleen Martens

April 13, 2016

Spring comes but once a year

But it seems to take it’s time

When you travel northward

Crossing into different climes.

Start in the South where sun is warm,

Meandering northward through the states,

And you will find weeks of spring

Is what will be your fate.

Thank You God for protecting us from two possible accidents today.

Thank You for the beautiful spring we enjoyed while on our travels.

Thank You that we still have spring to look forward to when we arrive home.

Thank You Lord for a beautiful place to sleep tonight.

Thank you for socks that have toes.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Tuesday April 12 216 WHAT AN ODYSSY

The last few days have been quite interesting to say the least. Visions of Poetry had a guest blogger yesterday for the very first time. I think he did an excellent job. If you read it you will know that my husband was like my knight in shining armor by coming to my rescue by writing my blog.

Sunday evening I ate some chicken that I believe was left off the ice for a bit too long. As soon as I ate it I could tell that it did not sit well within the confines of my stomach. I was sick most of Sunday night and by Monday morning I was in full bloom food poisoning. I have experienced that only one other time in my life and I recognized the symptoms immediately. At first I felt fortunate that I did not experience all the experiences that can foist itself upon the pain ravaged body. I just hadn’t waited quite long enough. Before all was said and done I experienced every symptom possible…except death. I won’t go into the gory details but I will say that I was not able to function, except in the bathroom.

Dave and I stayed at an Airbnb Sunday night. It was awesome. It had a beautiful bedroom, a great bathroom (thank goodness), and an excellent host. Nate was 26 years old and the General Manager of a Target Store. His place was impeccable and he was master to one of the most delightful black retrievers, Bella. We planned to leave bright and early on Monday morning but I could not go anywhere. I have not experienced such pain in a long while. It was pretty bad!

This morning I was a bit steadier and we decided to make a break for it. We had already stayed an extra night at the Airbnb.

We had planned to spend part of the day in Charleston SC. enjoying the sights. I knew I would not be able to get up so early and expend as much energy as I would need to last the full day if I went in to Charleston. When I ate a bite of yogurt and was able to hold it down we decided to head to Columbia SC and take a tour of the State Capitol building. It was so worth it. Capitol building tours are always so interesting to me and we try to see as many capitols as we can when in close proximity.

It was interesting to hear the history of how the Capitol building was built and how long it took to complete. The building was started in 1853 and through was not completed until 1903. If you are interested in reading about its history click on this website: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/Explore/history.shtml

It is too lengthy for me to read completely to fill you in on all that happened during the course of its building.

From Columbia SC we drove up to Taylorsville NC to visit our friends. The is the place we planned to stay last night as well. This morning at 5:54 a.m. Sandra received a phone call from the county sheriff. Sandra’s mother had fallen and called life alert and they needed Sandra to meet them there so they could get into her 80 year old mother’s house. They arrived first and since there was a front window unlocked they were able to gain access through the window. Sandra’s mother had fallen and received a serious head gash and had lost a lot of blood. To make a long story short, her mother has been stitched up, her arm in a sling due to breaking her clavicle and is now safely in a rehab center. Needless to say it has been a difficult day for Sandra.

Sandra and Scott are friends we met 38 years ago when we were both pregnant. No matter how long the time between our visits, we just pick up as if we were together yesterday. That’s the good thing about certain friends. And Sandra is that friend. Sandra returned home after we arrived. We all went out to dinner (at a Mexican Restaurant). I had a few bites of fresh avocado and two sips of chicken broth and I have been paying for it ever since.

It is late, I forgot to write my blog in the car, and Sandra hasn’t stopped talking to me all evening so I haven’t written much. Honest, it really was HER doing the talking! Don’t believe everything Dave may write in a poem. I did think it was a great poem however.

WHAT GOOD FRIENDS ARE FOR
By Kathleen Martens
April 12, 2016

It’s polite to listen
When others talk
And Sandra likes
To do it a lot.

Perhaps that’s why
I am so sweet
And listen to all
Her little mouth tweets.

But my blog
Will be cut short
So that I too
Can give retort

So goodnight friends.
Lord, today I am so thankful that I am on the road to recovery.
Thank you God for your protection through this day.
Thank You God for all the wonderful dogs I have met on this trip

GOD BLESS YOU!

Monday April 11 2016  SICK IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

You will be able to guess by the style, but to be clear this blob is being written by a guest blogger (her greatest fan and husband).  My role up until today was to edit Kathleen’s blog.  That is because it is much easier to find others “mistakes” then your own.  In this regard this blog mirrors real life.

We believe that Kathleen has food poisoning and so she will not be writing her blog today.  So now is my chance to put my prospective into this blog.  So I have written a poem.

A PEEK AT THE REAL KATHLEEN MARTENS

By David Martens

April 11, 2016

 What to say

And how to say it

And should I say it,

That is my challenge today.

What should I tell you about Kathleen?

About all her strange,

Unusual,

And mysterious ways?

Alas maybe I would

If I could.

But since she is sick,

None could be found today.

However she is good at blogging,

And she is a great picture taker.

But where she excels

Is at talking.

This is not a very long blog.  However, the chair is uncomfortable, the key board seems strange, and I am not focused.

Please keep Kathleen in your prayers.  And, may God Bless You.

 Sunday Sabbath April 10 2016  Yesterday’s Review

Our last day at our daughter’s place created a delightful bank of memories.  As promised in last night’s abbreviated blog I promised to bring you up to date today.  So here goes.

Our day began with our last workout at the gym for Dave and me.  We are not certain if we’ll have another gym opportunity during this last week.  We then went home (to Rebecca’s) to clean up and primp for the day.  It doesn’t take much for me to get ready, but it sure seems like it takes a lot of time to do whatever it is I  do.

The four of us, Rebecca, Neil, Dave, and I, headed out to CITY PLACE in West Palm Beach to the GREEN MARKET.  Bright and sunny, combined with a pleasant breeze, made the weather quite perfect.  The market is located on the Intracoastal and the backdrop with all the yachts in the harbor gives it a special flair of the nautical.  We decided to each choose what we wanted to eat for lunch.  I chose lobster salad.  It was quite minuscule with an abundant price tag.  It was delicious for the three or four minutes it took me to eat it.  Dave went to another stand and ordered a multi-grained bagel with egg, turkey, and cheese.  He said it was VERY GOOD.  I can’t tell you what Rebecca had because it had a Cuban name.  Neil had something similar to what Dave had. 

What we ate before lunch is what really counts.  I will tell you about the beautiful “boxes” that you saw in yesterday’s photo gallery.  The booth where they were housed had tables full of bright and colorful duct taped covered Styrofoam ice chests.   Inside each “box” were delicious, handmade, hand dipped, frozen popsicle bars.  That vendor was our first stop both last week and this week.  Because I cannot each chocolate (one of my favorite food groups) I chose a roasted coconut popsicle bar (AGAIN), and Dave chose a chocolate dipped peanut butter bar (AGAIN).  They were as delicious as we remembered them to be.  I will post a couple of additional pictures that you can enlarge if you would like to read about them.  The bars are all handmade and usually sold within the first 8 days of being made.  All the products are created from natural local produce which give them their flavors. 

Now I will go back to the lobster vendor.  The line was extremely long.  So, what do I do?   I strike up a conversation with the person in que behind me.  She was little reserved at first but the ice was broken when we realized we had so many common interests, with God being the main interest.  The lady’s name is Anne.  It was extremely interesting to hear a bit of her story.  I discovered that Anne is a talented Harpist and Pianist.  She performs at many events around the area, including working on a regular basis at the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach.  She is a soloist and also works with an ensemble.  She is an organist, accompanist, and teacher.

She sparkled as she spoke of her art.  I would have loved to hear her play while I was in Florida.  I have her card and we hope to connect the next time I am visiting Florida.  I intend to be in one of her audiences someday.  Anne is a lovely lady who loves the Lord and has a close relationship with Jesus.  I cherish our short time we shared together.  It fills me with joy to become acquainted with others who seek and follow after God.  She loves the Scriptures like I do.  Her recall to quote them is much better than mine.  I know where to go in my Bible to find them, but don’t always remember their reference.  My Bible is well marked and gives me the cues.

I asked Anne for her words of wisdom.  These are her words:

“Sing and make music in your heart t0 the Lord.  You don’t even have to be a music major musician to do that.  It all boils down to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and body and love your neighbor as yourself.  She also quoted the following scripture as words of wisdom from Philippians 4:8 NKJV”:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”  

“MAKE MUSIC IN YOUR HEART”.  I wonder what the world would be like if more people would listen for the music their heart would like to make. 

MAKE MUSIC IN YOUR HEART

By Kathleen Martens

April 10, 2016

What exactly does it mean

To make music in your heart?

How is it accomplished

To create the sound of art?

It takes a soul attuned to God

Who hears His whispered voice.

When you make music in your heart

It is always accomplished by choice.

When we look for the good

Rather than gripe and complain,

A music will fill the soul

That only God can explain.

And when the melodies fill you up

It bubbles out from within,

And then God just pours in more

To share with all your friends.

Thank you Anne for inspiring today’s poem.

So many pictures and not enough space or battery power to write about them all.  So I must choose.

I will tell you about the man I met with fingers of magic.  I cannot even tell you his name because I was unable to understand his pronunciation.  I saw this man last week as well but it was later in the day and he was just finishing up his street performance.  He is from Romania and probably the most gifted solo violinist I have ever heard.  I’ve listed to violin music on CD’s, television, and stage shows.  But never have I heard music that literally reached so deep into my heart, soul, and emotions.  He played classical music as his main genre but I soon learned that whatever music he has heard before he can play it.  When children came up to listen he changed to music that would delight them.  His fingers played the strings like nothing I have ever seen or heard.  He never missed a beat or a note.  His music was like a delicate layer of musical lace that reverberated in my heart long after the sound took flight. 

Mr. Violinist was sitting in a chair with his case opened at his feet.  It was filled with one dollar bills.  I was so blessed by the music that came from deep within him.  He did not “play” the violin.  As if by magic he instilled in his violin a voice of song that connected with my heart.  Perhaps not with everyone’s heart, but mine and those around me were certainly amazed at his renditions.  It was as if he were able to interpret a foreign language into something that could be totally understood without effort.  I have never heard a violin sing with such clarity. 

The street where he sat was short and narrow, with tall buildings creating an amphitheater of resounding melody.  Even the tiniest nuance of his magic fingers on a string caused the sound to come alive.  It was almost as if the music was visual.  We all stayed until he closed up shop.  The music man was old and seemed tired after his performance.  We talked a great while.  He was from Romania and had been raised around the gypsies.  He has played his music in several countries but because of the language barrier I could not decipher all he spoke.  All I know was that his music touched me like no other music in the world has ever done so before.  I think if I lived where Rebecca lives I would bring my own chair every Saturday morning and sit across the street from him so I could surround myself in his creation of music which his soul interprets.  I may not be able to play an instrument, but I had the wonderful opportunity to absorb that which he so freely gave.  His music filled my heart with wonder and great joy.

What I described in the paragraph above is how I feel about coming before God, the creator of the universe and creator of all music.  When I sit before God, worshiping Him for who He is and thanking Him for sending His Son to die on the cross for my eternal salvation,  there is no greater joy to be experienced.  Being able to listen to the talent He has given another is a blessing He bestows upon his Children.  It is though God that true love and joy originates.  As much as I enjoyed the master violinist, it is so much more important to focus our attention to the Master and Creator of the universe.  The One who made us in His likeness.  When we linger in the presence of the Lord we will be filled with joy unspeakable.

Thank You Lord for bestowing talent on those willing to share it with others.

Thank You for the experience of life and meeting new people.

Thank You for this beautiful day of writing.

Thank You for toasted coconut popsicle bars.

It is time for a lunch break.  Will publish this later tonight when we arrive at the Airbnb. 

HAVE A GREAT DAY, A WONDERFUL TONIGHT, AND A HEART FULL OF MUSIC (THE KIND THAT GOD MAKES).

Oh, and thank you if you read this entire blog.  I hope somebody does.

P.S.  THE WOMEN WON THE LAST CARD GAME!  CLOSE GAME AND VERY EXCITING!

Saturday April 9 2016  OUR LAST NIGHT WITH REBECCA AND NEIL

ALL WHICH TODAY INSPIRED

By Kathleen Martens

April 9, 2016

Washing and packing and loading the car

Is what the afternoon holds.

And my daughter stepped up to the plate

Saying something quite bold.

That on this day of final hours

“NO BLOG MAY BE WRITTEN.”

But Rebecca gave me an idea,

One with which I am smitten.

“DO NOT WRITE YOUR BLOG MOTHER DEAR

INSTEAD, JUST PHOTOS POST.”

And because I am a guest

I suppose I should mind my host.

So below look long and hard

And imagine what words I could say.

And tomorrow I will be in the car,

And can write the entire day!

Of course there is more to be said

As our day was jam-packed.

Never once in our entire stay

For something to do, did wee lack.

So, as long as my battery will last

I will tell you all that transpired.

And will write from my heart

All which today inspired.

Thank You Lord for the opportunity of meeting a new kindred spirit named Anne.

Thank You for this final day of enjoying a family time together.

Thank You again God for peanut butter, especially honey roasted peanut butter.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.  A SPECIAL BLESSING ON YOU ANNE.

P.S.  Please scroll down past  “OLDER POSTS”  to see all the photos.  The photos will end when you reach yesterday’s blog.

Friday April 8 2016  EVEN ANIMALS NEED A SANCTUARY

Another amazing day!  It is always amazing when we are on vacation to be able to get up early and have a good physical workout to start the day.  So that is “AMAZING #1”.  AMAZING #2 was the surprise of going to: “MCCARTHY’S WILDLIFE SANCTUARY”.  This is a Non-Profit Sanctuary “…dedicated to the preservation and protection of native and exotic animals of all types.”  It is astounding to realize there is so much need , and may be in other areas as well, to rescue so many exotic animals.  Many people buy them as pets when they are babies, only to discover that they are not equipped to care for the animal’s needs when the animal reaches maturity. 

This Sanctuary is somewhat similar to the Busch Sanctuary, which we visited several days ago, in as much as both facilities provide rehabilitation for abandoned, abused, or injured animals of many species.  The difference is that the McCarthy’s facility is actually housed in the yard of Mark McCarthy who opened the sanctuary many years ago.  It has grown to house many animals, has a full time staff that works with the animals to help them rehabilitate and be returned to the wild when possible.  Quite a few of the animals are permanent residents.  I have never been so close to such wild animals.  The only barrier was a draped rope surrounding a cyclone fence enclosue.  Some of the enclosures actually have chain linked ceilings as wells.  The posts of the fence and the chain link are 6 feet deep and the posts are embedded in cement.  This is not your run of the mill chain link fence that surrounds residential homes. 

The Lion stands to over 11 feet high when fully stretched upward on hind legs.  The tour guide would be on the outside of the fenced area and would offer the lion a morsel of meat from a long prong so they it would display its highest reach. 

We walked around the rehabilitation center in a group of about twenty or twenty five people following the tour guide.  The tour guide stopped at each cage and enclosure that was open to the public and explained why the animal was at the center, how long it has been there, and what the center is doing to rehabilitate it.  Not all animals can be returned to the wild. It was fascinating.  The owner, Mark McCarthy, was not there today because he was presenting one of the animals at a teaching seminar out of town.  One part of the Sanctuary’s endeavor is to save animals and educate the public about the animals. They do not breed the animals, nor do they neuter the animals.  Many are endangered species and should they need to be bred the animals will be “fully equipped”.

There was also an extensive collection of exotic and dangerous snakes.  Some were purchased for teaching purposes and many were those rescued from having been abandoned by owners who no longer wanted to care for them.  Florida’s Eco system is in great stress due to all the pythons that have been let loose in the Everglades.  As the tour guide told us, “When you damage one area of the Eco system, all the areas of the Eco system become damaged.  They find this especially true with species that are not native to this habitat and therefore have no predator available to keep them in control.  When the pythons are abandoned they produce prolifically and as a result there are many species of large cats and other animals that are now near extinction.  I will include some brochure info and pictures about the Wildlife Sanctuary.  The visit to the animal sanctuary was well worth our time!  I recommend that you consider the Sanctuary if you re in the Palm Beach area.

Rebecca is working this evening.  She has taken so much time off with us being here.  It has been great to have her with us so much but I suspect it is difficult for her work place to be without her. 

Tomorrow is our last full day in Florida as we plan to travel north on Sunday.   We’ll be staying at an Airbnb Sunday night in Charleston, South Carolina.  On Monday we will then travel to North Carolina to visit our friends Sandra and Scott for two nights. 

Our visit to the West Palm Beach area has been an awesome experience.  One thing that makes it great, besides the company of our daughter, son-in-law, and grand-dogs, is the fact that we have a car with us since we did not travel by air.  When Rebecca and Neil are working we are able to take off and GO…GO…GO…  And that is just what we did!  I know my blogs may seem long at times, but believe me, I leave way more information out than that which I write about.  

THE HIGHWAY OF LIFE

By Kathleen Martens

April 8, 2016

To be rid of all our baggage

That seems to tie us down

Seems like it would be so awesome,

Footloose and no longer bound.

All the stuff we collect

Someday will mean but naught,

All becomes obsolete

And no longer will it be sought.

As we age ideas change.

The importance of what we own

No longer ranks above our freedom.

All I need is a car and a phone.

To go where the wind blows

That’s really what life is about.

To experience life in the now.

From the rooftops I want to shout.

Set me free on the highway of life

To explore, discover, and yearn,

Not for all the luxuries of life,

But from experience in which to learn.

This poem was inspired by words which Neil (my-son-law) said to me a short while ago.  We were talking about the Sanctuary excursion we experienced today, and he said it so beautifully when he commented that life and all the things we’ve collected in life just become obsolete.  He said life is lived through experiencing it, not staying home to take care of all we have accumulated.  Neil and Rebecca are world travelers.  For Rebecca it began when she went to Japan for almost a year as a foreign exchange student in 1992 and 1993.  When Rebecca returned, she was all grown up.  She had tasted the world and the world has beckoned her since that time.  We perceived a noticeable change in her because of her unique experiences.

Rebecca does not like clutter or disorder of any kind, chooses to live in a small efficient home, and takes off when the opportunity presents itself.  She and her husband have sky-dived, snorkeled, sailed, lived on a ship for several years, traveled through many countries on several different occasions, and even comes to see us up in Wisconsin once in a while when work allows.  They are both interesting to talk to and know so much more in their short lives by living their experiences, rather than staying home to “take care of their stuff”.  They live a life rich in experience, work hard, and enjoy learning about the world on a firsthand basis.  Well, it took a lot of years for opportunity to present itself to Dave and me. I do believe I am ready to take hold of it.   Rebecca has probably taught me so much more than I have ever taught her.  I LOVE YOU DARLING DAUGHTER!  I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO BE YOUR MOTHER!

Thank You God for all the opportunities of life you place before us.

Thank You Lord for seeing the handiwork and magnificence of your creation up close today. 

Thank You Lord that there are those in the world who care about the amazing animals  you have created.

Thank You for the lessons children teach their parents.

Thank You for the sanctuary of our daughter’s home.

Thank You for providing a sanctuary for Your animals as well.

And God…thank You for peanut butter! 

HAVE A GREAT REST OF THE DAY AND GOD BLESS YOU!

P.S.  Be certain to scroll down through “OLDER POSTS” to see all the photos I logged on today.  

Thursday April 7 2016  SUCH AN EXQUISITE TREASURE

Wherever I go I always seem to meet diverse and interesting people.  Good people.  Real people.  When I watch the news I hear all the evil the world has to offer and I find myself wondering if there are any “good” people left.  And then my faith in mankind is once again restored when I meet the people I do as I travel. Going out in public places is sort of like me going to a playground.  There are so many interesting things to see and so many interesting people to talk to.  I believe that meeting strangers is one fine entertainment.  Especially when I am alone.  Rest assured, I engage in conversation only in safe places, and I take notice of my surroundings.

Daughter and husband wait patiently (most of the time) when I become engaged in a conversation, but just knowing they are standing back, waiting for me to finish, sort of takes the fun of it away.  I need no other entertainment.  I do not need to window shop, or browse, or engage with my IPhone.  I just look for people who seem receptive to conversation.  I never know where it will lead. 

Today I walked by a couple.  I spoke to the lady as I passed her and made the comment that I liked her T-shirt.  It had an interesting and bold statement across the front.  It said in big letters:

PROGUN

PROGOD

PROUD

AMERICAN.

It was clear that she did not understand what I said.  The man with her spoke a bit of English.  I could tell she asked him what I said and he told her.  She smiled and said thank you, thank you, very profusely.  Then she turned and asked the man something.  The man turned to me and asked me to wait.  He explained some things to the lady and turned back to me.  He explained to me that she didn’t understand what the shirt said and didn’t understand the word “PRO”.  I suppose I should never assume anything.  Usually if one wears a T-shirt with a logo it is a statement of their belief, or so I assumed.  She, however, didn’t have an inkling of what it said or meant.  We talked a bit and I found out that the lady is from Columbia and the man is from Costa Rica.  They do not live in the United States but are just visiting.  The shirt looked new and perhaps she had purchased it for the design.  No matter what it said, she was very happy I liked it.  I found their conversation very interesting and they were so excited to speak to an American.  I think they wanted to talk more but all I could think about was the fact that my husband and daughter were a few feet away, daughter’s arms crossed, just waiting for me to finish.  For over 11,000 miles of travel last year I never kept anyone waiting.  That was the perk for traveling alone.  Probably more of a perk for my husband than me.  But for me, the world was quite a playground and I could talk as long as I desired.

Meeting new people is a refreshing experience.  I enjoy their stories and I enjoy the wisdom that they offer when I ask them.  I did not ask for any advice today due to the language barrier and two pairs of eyes boring into the back of my head.  

My daughter is corrupting me while I am here.  My pants are tighter, my sugar consumption is higher, and it’s probably a good thing we are hitting the road in three days.  But oh, how I will miss her and her family (one husband and two dogs).  Rebecca has been so special from the day she was born.  We brought her home from the hospital when she was two days old.  I was so nervous that I could not even dress her.  The nurse dressed her for us.

Our baby girl; a precious gift from a young woman who chose to give her up for adoption, rather than have an abortion.  Her birth mother’s name is Carole.  I never forgot her name over all the years.  Carole held a special place in my heart.  I could only imagine the heartache and grief she must have gone through.  Throughout the years I prayed for her that God would honor her with a good life and more children in the future.  On Rebecca’s fifth birthday Rebecca asked me if I thought her birth mother ever thought about her on her birthday.  We always told Rebecca that God had chosen her to be our daughter and even though I was unable to carry her in my tummy God had chosen someone else’s tummy for her to grow in and that person was her birth mother.  We always told her that her birth mother loved her too but was unable to provide what she needed so we became her parents.

When Rebecca asked us the question on her fifth birthday I assured her that I was certain that her birth mother probably thought about her often and especially on her birthday.  Rebecca seemed to be born with an “old soul”, one with wisdom beyond her years.  She replied back to me, “I think I will pray for my birth mother every year on my birthday.”  I know I always did.

Time passed and when Rebecca was about 12 years old she asked if we minded if she found her birth parents.  We told her no, we would not mind and that we would do everything we could to help find her, but we wanted her to wait until she was 18 years old.  I actually started searching for her birth mother before she was 18, had some leads, but the trails were cold.  Before Rebecca was born we had met Carole and her mother Betts.  I searched using both names.  Years later I realized I was on the right track when I found a person with the same name as the birth grandmother.  I knew that her birth grandmother had her doctorate in psychology and worked as a school psychologist but the Betts I found lived in China and was a teacher at a college.  So to me, it was a dead end.

To make a very long, interesting, and God-intricate story short, I will say that when Rebecca was 30 years old we finally found her birth parents.  The story is amazing and someday I will write an entire blog about what happened to bring us together.  All I know it was in God’s timing and it was good.

Now Rebecca has two mothers and that too is good.  And Dave and I will be staying with Carole and her husband and family next week for three nights and two days.  We have stayed with them before but they lived in a different house.  It will be fun to see where they have moved.  They have also been to our home to celebrate Rebecca’s 31^st birthday.  It was so awesome to meet them.  God has been so good to their family.  She has a wonderful Christian husband, a son (born the same week as our son), and two daughters.  One of their daughters is also adopted.  They are blessed with 4 grandchildren and another to be born soon.  I consider Carole a very special friend.  A friend I carried in my heart for over 30 years and now very dear to me these past 10 years.

SUCH AN EXQUISITE TREASURE

By Kathleen Martens

April 7 2016

God is so awesome

In His plan for our life.

Even before conception

He has planned it right.

And when we walk according

To his splendid will,

He showers us with blessing

Our hearts to fill.

Though we have pain

And often time sorrow,

We grow with experience

In each tomorrow.

One mother’s loss

To another great joy

Giving another a gift

Of a little girl or boy.

And we are ever so grateful

For a mother’s great love

To sacrifice from self

Going far and above.

Thank you Carole

For the life that you gave.

Such an exquisite treasure

For us you saved.

Thank You God for allowing us to be the parents you chose for Rebecca.

Thank You God that Rebecca was the daughter you had picked out for us.

Thank You God for the wonderful relationship that Carole and her family have with our family.

Thank You Lord that you have orchestrated our lives to come together.

Thank You Lord for the gift of a newborn baby.

Thank You God for my computer.

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into our precious daughter’s life.  It is fun for me to go back and remember those happy times once again.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

P.S.  I will include a few photos of where we were today.  We went to a downtown area in West Palm Beach called CITY PLACE. It is a beautiful outdoor mall.  Thought you might like to see what a Florida outdoor mall looks like.  This is where I met the lady wearing the T-shirt.

Wednesday April 6, 2016  LOST AND FOUND

Yesterday’s blog was written early in the day when not much had yet happened.  But, as it turned out we had a wonderful afternoon of exploration.  Neil asked if we would like to go to the beach.  I jumped on the bandwagon, ate a late lunch and then headed to the beach.  Unfortunately by the time we left it was late afternoon.  Neil drove us along the beach road where Donald Trump’s estate takes up a good size of land on Palm Beach Island.  I can’t even imagine the cost of the upkeep of the buildings and grounds.  We drove around the island for a while and viewed the ostentatious homes, some of which, are occupied only a few short weeks or months of the year.  I wonder what goes on behind their closed doors.  It reminds me of a quote by George Eliot:

“THE CONTENTED MAN IS NEVER POOR;

THE DISCONTENTED MAN IS NEVER RICH.”

I wonder which it is that lives behind the façade of the beautiful, expensive homes?

Now, back to the wonderful conclusion to our day.  We went on walks around the grounds of the Flagler Museum and stopped under a tree that was huge.  It was a Kapok tree.  To learn more about the tree go to:   http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/kids/species-profiles/kapok-tree

Here is an excerpt from the website: 

“Kapok Tree (Ceiba pentandra)

Botany: 

…giant in the rain forests, the kapok tree can reach up to 200 feet in height, sometimes growing as much as 13 feet per year. Due to its extreme height, the kapok, or ceiba tree, towers over the other rain forest vegetation. The trunk can expand to nine or 10 feet in diameter.” 

I will post a few photos but the lighting may not be the best.  Dave and I are standing beside the tree and a part of the root is by our side.  The tree was so tall we could not capture the magnificence of its amazing stature. 

After our walk around the grounds of the museum Neil then took us to an amazing hotel by the ocean.   The Breakers is well known and about the ritziest place I have ever been as far as hotel or resort accommodations go.  Of course we did not have the opportunity to see any rooms or suites but the grounds we explored were magnificent.  The grounds are gated but Neil, with his delightful English accent, sweet talked the gatekeeper to allow us to go in and look around.  The facility looked like a movie set.  I figure that is the closest I have ever come to experiencing such opulence.  I am so happy that I am contented with what I have.  I believe the richness of contentment, like the quote said, is worth so much more than always looking for more.  When compared to the lives of those who frequent The Breakers, I fall into the category of “the contented man who is never poor”.

MY TREASURES ARE IN HEAVEN

By Kathleen Martens

April 6,2016

The beauty of the ocean

Fills my heart with peace

Creating deep contentment,

And never does it cease.

It takes not silver or gold

For my joy to overflow,

Because it lives in my heart

Wherever I may go.

And I have no baggage

With me to lug all around.

Joy is light and airy

Where contentment is found.

Nothing to lose,

What I have is steadfast.

It is Jesus living in me,

And His spirit will always last.

Serenity, mine to keep,

The gift that comes from love.

My treasures are in heaven

Waiting for me above.

No thing on this earth

Has greater lure for me

Than the day I meet Jesus

And His face I will see.

I have two little short stories to relate to you so you can see the antics of “the beginning of forgetfulness” or in other words, the tell-tell signs of aging.  While we were walking around the beach I lost my sunglasses.  I asked the guys (as Rebecca was not with us) if they had seen my red sunglasses.  No, no one could find them.  When we got into the car I looked all around and the glasses were no where to be found.  That is, not until I bent my chin way down, only to discover the glasses wrapped around my neck where I put them when I took them off to take a picture.  Oops!  That goes to show you just how much the men were looking at me.  There they were, clinging to my neck plain sight.

Later, we left The Breakers Hotel and exited through the front gated area.  After we drove through the gate Dave realized he had lost his sun glasses.  We decided to see if the gatekeeper in the back area would allow us to go back into the Breakers compound long enough for Dave to search around and see if he could find his sunglasses.  The guard allowed us back so Dave could search.  When we arrived at the entrance where Dave needed to enter the Breakers he stepped out of the car and began to walk away.  He immediately found his glasses…in his pocket, safe and sound.  Oops!  Well, lost and found.  That’s a good ending.  FOR BOTH OF US!

Thanks to all of you who have prayed for my friend’s daughter.  I received an email later yesterday which give me an update on Michelle’s daughter.  Here it is:

“Thank you so much. Daughter (I choose not to mention names of other’s children) is already doing better.  The liquid around her heart is less every day and it’s no longer bloody.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to pray for Michelle regarding her upcoming surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid.  I don’t know if it will be Thursday as planned, but whenever it is, she needs your prayers.

Update on last night’s card game.  The men won by a small margin.  But, like my husband said, a win is a win regardless how narrow the point range.  However, I will say, it felt really great to win 16,000 points to their 8,000 points the night before.

I must go.  I am being called to play the next game!

Lord, thank You for all the beauty you have made that fills me with contentment.

Thank You Lord for designing such diversity of flowers.

Thank You for being the Creator.

Thank You for new experiences.

Thank You for food on the shelves at the stores.

Thank You for toothpaste.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Tuesday April 5 2016  HOW FAST OUR DAYS DISAPPEAR

Yesterday can never be recaptured.  Today, this moment is where life lives.  And I cannot live in tomorrow-land until it arrives.  And yet, it never comes.  Because when I wake up in the morning it has always scooted ahead of me and is again out of reach.

So…I choose to live now, remembering the pleasantry of yesterday.  So many different experiences always happening as we live in the cocoon of our world.  I have a dear friend in Wisconsin who sent me an email that I received about midnight last night.  Three of Michelle’s children inherited a heart condition which makes it necessary for them to have pacemaker/defibrillators implanted in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  One of her teenage daughters underwent such a surgery on March 17.  Following is part of Michelle’s email.  I am sending it and asking that you will pray for her daughter during this crucial situation.

“Urgent Prayer request please.  March 17 (daughter) had a pacemaker/defibrillator implanted because of her condition (heart block and had deadly arrhythmias on a heart study) she is in ICU now with complications.

She was very swollen so I took her to ER.  She had a drain tube put in to drain fluid off heart last night.  If the bloody fluid doesn’t stop it means a hole in heart from the lead that must have perforated wall of heart.  Then they may need to do a revision surgery Thursday…”

Michelle went on to explain that she herself is scheduled for surgery on Thursday for cancer.  She has thyroid cancer.  She postponed her cancer surgery so she could be with her daughter through her surgery on March 17^th and help her through recovery time. 

As you can see, not everyone had such a wonderful day yesterday.  Michelle and her daughter are in need of our combined prayers to God.  Please ask for their protection and healing through these next few weeks.  Please pray for them as thoughts of them come into your mind.  Does God need reminding?  No, but we need to be reminded in whom we place our trust and faith.  Thank you friends and family for your prayers.

IT IS GOD WHO PICKS YOU UP

By Kathleen Martens

April 5, 2016

When the hour seems the darkest

Know God is by your side.

Regardless what you confront

Strength from God abides.

He is with you every step

Through both the big and small.

He is only a breath away

When on His name you call.

It is God who picks you up

And sets you back on course.

No matter what is your need,

His strength is your source.

Thank You Lord for a healthy body.  Let me never take it for granted

Thank You Lord that I awoke this morning.

Thank You Jesus that You are our Healer.

Thank You Father that you take care of me even when I am not aware of it.

Thank You that Your Holy Spirit abides within me, wherever I go, no matter where I am.

Thank You for friends who know how to pray.

Not much happening today as far as exciting excursions.  Rebecca is off to an appointment and I decided to write my blog early so we will have time to play cards this evening.  Oh, by the way, THE WOMEN WON BIG LAST NIGHT!  I mean we really destroyed our opponents.  It was awesome!  We had to gloat just a little bit.  We didn’t want to do it too loudly lest we eat crow for later games.  Oh, how I cherish these precious times with our daughter and her husband and their dog boys.  We see them so seldom and every hour is so precious.

Two of my very favorite people in the world were my Aunt Estell (my mother’s sister) and her husband, my uncle Horace (always pronounced uncle Harce).  Dave and I would play cards with them by the hour during the times we were together.  After I was an adult and moved away I didn’t get to be around them much.  As they aged and we “matured” we would go visit them for periods of time and they would drive to Wisconsin from California and stay with us several days.  Uncle Horace was the father I never had.  My father died when I was 17 years old.  Uncle Horace was the one to give me away at my wedding and the one I went to for help and advice and love.  Oh how I cherished him.

Well, I gave you a little look-see into my past so I could tell you what I am about to write.  As I sit at the dining room table playing cards at our daughter’s home, my memories escape back to the years when Dave and I played so many hours of cards with Aunt Estell and Uncle Horace.  In their later years they were about the age Dave and I are now and we were about the ages of Rebecca and Neil.  I remember Dave and I doing all the shuffling of five decks together and they would count the cards out on their turn.  Very slowly and methodically the cards would be sorted into the required piles.  I would sit there and marvel at what age had done to them and knew in my heart at that time that they would not always be with us.  I remember thinking in that moment that this was a memory I always wanted to cherish.  I waited patiently as they dealt the cards, wondering if that is what it would be like for us someday.  I intentionally tucked those memories into my heart so I would forever keep them with me. 

Now the tables have turned.  Dave and our daughter do all the shuffling and we each take our turn to deal the cards.  My hands do not work so well since I have lost flexibility in the joints of my fingers.  Our two young’uns (Rebecca and Neil) in the crowd sit and wait patiently as I perform my turn.  They say nothing but I sometimes wonder what they think.  I hope someday they will be able to look back and remember with fondness how much fun we had playing such competitive games, regardless of how long it took mom to deal the cards.  We all need to feel we are needed. 

Footnote:  When Dave and I play together we just put all the cards on the table face up and mix them heartily.  And our games are still just as fun.  I will say that it is because of Neil that I can still play cards.  Several years ago he realized how difficult it was for me to hold my cards.  He surprised me by designing a card rack for me so I could place my cards in the rack and set it on the table.  Oh…what a great gift that was and still is.  Later he made one for Dave too.  Of course we brought them with us.  I’ll include a photo with today’s blog.  He even did an original hand painted design across the back that all can read.  I LOVE IT.  AND I LOVE BOTH REBECCA AND NEIL AND GRAN-DOGS, COAL AND JACKSON.  I feel like a very rich woman!

Hope your day is a good day!

GOD BLESS YOU!

P.S.  Not only do our days disappear, so do our years!  Live each hour to its fullest!

Monday April 4 2016  OH WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY!

Dave turn coated on me today.  He actually told Rebecca and Neil that he could live in Florida.  I didn’t say a word.  But I will admit that today was one of those picture perfect days that would cause anyone to want to live here.  At least until they went through a summer of heat, humidity, and hurricanes.  Dave went on to cover his tracks by saying, but he wasn’t planning on moving here.  Whew!

Neil and Rebecca both had the day off and we had an adventure!  Mine and Dave’s began at the gym while they caught up on their sleep by sleeping in.  They have both been working long and hard.  While Rebecca went into work for a short time Neil took Dave and me to “The Society of the Four Arts Garden” in Palm Beach close to where Rebecca works. 

The Four Arts Garden was originally planted in the late 1930’s as an example to those living on Palm Beach Island as to the kind of plants that would grow in their own gardens.  World War II saw the garden’s demise.  In 1954 the Garden Club of Palm Beach had it redesigned into segments exhibiting the floral displays in room-like enclosures.  Hurricane Frances and Jeanne once again destroyed the gardens.  Again the garden was replanted only to be destroyed by Hurricane Wilma.  Hurricane Wilma brought with it “micro bursts” that decimated all the plant life in the gardens.

In 2007 a beautiful new garden was opened and a few of the old trees were saved.  The new gardens were planned around the old trees which influenced the project’s design.  The members of The Garden Club of Palm Beach work in the garden to keep it up.  The garden’s self-guided tour is open free to the public.  It is a rather small garden with separate enclosures showing off the meticulous room designs.  I will include some of the photos I took today.  I did not have time to go through the entire garden because I had the opportunity to meet a kindred spirit.  And guess what, we talked a lot. 

My new kindred spirit is Susan from New Jersey.  I could tell immediately she would be a person I would like to know better.  I asked her my famous question:  What is your one wisdom you would share with the world if you had a platform to do so?  Here is her response:

“I think my  one word of wisdom would be LOVE, and to love every person and to take the time to care, to be kind, and to spend a moment to look into each person’s eye.  I think that is what the world is really all about. LOVE!

What stood out to me was Susan’s phrase, “…and to spend a moment to look into each person’s eye”.  Perhaps looking into a person’s eyes is not important to a lot of people, especially those of a stranger.  Looking into another’s eyes is always important to me, especially those of a stranger.  Not everyone will return my gaze, but at least they will know that someone else sees them as an individual person.  I especially enjoy doing this as passengers debark from an airplane at the airport.  I look into their eyes and smile.  Rarely do the adults return the smile.  The children’s faces almost always break into a great big grin as they crane their necks to hold my gaze as they led away quickly.  When our children were little I would take them to the mall with the soul purpose to smile at people in order to see how many smiles they received in return.  Some smiled in response, but not everyone.  And several would stop and have a short conversation with them.  Would I do that now?  I do not know.  People are different.  Life is different.  As a parent I would be on high alert at all times as to their protection.  I always was on high alert, but I think I would show even more due diligence in today’s world.

Susan, thank you for sharing your heart with me and listening to mine.  Our spirit’s connected connected even deeper when we discovered that we are sisters in Christ.  Somehow, spirits identify with spirits that are similar.  If I never see you on this earth again I’ll have a rendezvous with you someday in heaven!

After we left the gardens our family went to lunch. We ate at a place where Neil and Rebecca go quite often.  Wherever we go Rebecca and Neil always seems to know quite a few people who work and manage the businesses we use.  The owners and managers always seem to know them and after Rebecca introduced us to those she knew we ordered our food.  The entrée salads were huge.  A few moments after our order arrived we received an unexpected delivery.  It was a gift from the management which included two small cold slaw salads, two apple desserts with chocolate toffee dip, and four huge cookies.  What a terrible treat for me!  I ATE TWO OF THE COOKIES.  One cookie was consumed after lunch and another one after dinner tonight.  My dinner was my leftover salad, which I still could not finish.  However, I had no trouble finishing off the cookie!

We left the restaurant and drove to the “Busch Wildlife Sanctuary”.  The sanctuary has a hospital which treats thousands of sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals each year with the goal of returning them to the wild.  Nearly 90 % are returned to their natural habitat.  The animals we viewed were beautiful, well cared for, and some were permanent residents of the park.  There is no charge for admittance and the park receives donations that allows it to stay open.  We did not have access to the “hospitalized” animals but could see some from afar off.  It was well worth the trip to visit such beautiful and interesting wildlife.  Be sure and click on the photos above to see some of the pictures from today.

From the Wildlife Sanctuary we traveled to the beach.  There was a beautiful ocean inlet lined with spectacular homes.  We walked out on a pier that went beyond the inlet.  It was from this inlet that two 14 year old boys were last seen leaving for a sail on the open sea.  Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos, were last seen leaving the Jupiter Inlet on July 24, 2015.  You may remember the story from widely broadcast and printed news stories last summer.   It was at this same place where we went today.  There was a small memorial placed on the pier.  (See above photos).  Such sadness for a parent’s heart. 

On a more positive note, I walked by a beautiful parrot sitting on the railing of the pier.  I have never been so close to such a beautiful bird unless it was caged.  The bird’s name was Augie.  Augie is eleven years old and has been owned by his handler since he was 5 weeks old.  He was a rescued bird.  Someone found an egg and cracked it and lo and behold, there was little premature Augie struggling to survive.  He was raised in captivity due to him being orphaned.  I asked if I could hold him and his owner said Augie would like that.  I rolled up my sleeve so he could cling to my arm.  He gently stepped on, gave me a good sideways scrutiny and settled in to enjoy himself.  Of course my daughter took some pictures.  The men were long gone so they missed all the excitement.  It was thrilling to me!  It was another one of those little GOD-GIFTS to me.  I hope you enjoy the photos I will included above.

All in all, it was a beautiful, lovely, day.  And Florida just came up a notch or two in my eyes!  The weather was perfect!  That helped with the increased rating.

OH WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY

By Kathleen Martens

April 4, 2016

God in His goodness

Bestows beautiful gifts

To those who seek

Their souls to lift.

When least expected

Beauty just comes,

Like a refreshing breeze

Or the kiss of the sun.

So many presents

To unwrap each day

As we walk hand in hand

Along our way.

Brilliant colors

On a feathered wing,

Visual poetry

Of which to sing.

The expanse of ocean

Lapping the shore,

Opening the heart

Reaching its core.

That we might reflect

All God’s creation,

Designed specifically,

For our elation.

Lord, I thank You for two healthy children and for the joy of having them all these years.

Lord, thank You for your beautiful creation.

Thank You for the opportunity of meeting a kindred spirit today.  It was Your countenance I recognized on her face.

Thank You Father for Your unending and amazing love for me.

Thank You God that you created those in this world that really do love others and care for them.

Thank You for the Garden Club that works so diligently that your beautiful creation is displayed.

Thank You for Your unending designs.

Thank You for colors beyond imagination.

Lord, thank You for TIME.

Thank You Lord for refrigerators.

And thank you Father that my daily bread comes from You.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY.

Oh, what a wonderful day!

Sunday Sabbath  April 3 2016  A WALK ON THE BEACH…IMPENDING DOOM

I survived the walk on the beach.  Well, not really the beach, because we were actually on the Intracoastal Waterway.  The Intracoastal Waterway is a 3,000 mile inland waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts in the United States.  In this area it separates West Palm Beach from Palm Beach Island.  The water is brackish because it is where the Okeechobee Lake’s fresh water overflows into the ocean water. 

Rebecca and Neil take our two grand-dogs there for their walks.  They also take us there for our walks.  It is about a mile away from their house.  We drive through residential streets to get there and then walk about a mile or so while we are there.  There are homes that back up to the coastal water; big, beautiful, grand, and expensive homes.  The beach area ends where the houses begin.  The homes then have private beaches.  There is a walkway that goes in front of the homes, lined with beautiful yards which have a myriad of palm and coconut trees, and gorgeous plants and flowers.  There is a wide grassy area between the yards and the street.  The berms are planted with tall, mature coconut trees along the sidewalk where pedestrians walk.

Coconuts grow in large clusters at the base of the coconut fronds.  They are large and numerous and weigh about one and a half pounds or more.  They are in the “drupe” family and belong to the seed fruit category.  The danger of walking on that path underneath the clusters of the coconuts is a clear and present danger.  If the hard fruit landed on a person’s head it might possibly become a lethal weapon due to the distance of falling from 30 feet or more.  I was very aware of the coconut laden trees and made certain I avoided walking under them.  When I was here previously, such a coconut fell just a few feet ahead of me on that same path.  I doubt if many people would survive a coconut falling on top of their head.  I took a few pictures of the beautiful trees with the fruit in various stages of ripening.  I wish you could see the size of just how big some of them really are.  I’ll include some at the end of the blog.

The temperature has dropped into the mid 70’s.  It feels wonderful outside with the scattered clouds and ocean breeze.  Now I would love to take a nap, but I have been told that it is card playing time.  Will continue this blog later!  Sighing off at 3:56 p.m. 

5:54 p.m. and I am back.  THE LADIES ARE THE VICTORS.  At least for this game.  We have played three card games called HAND AND FOOT, and the men have two wins and we have one.  Well, at least we will not be shut out from winning at least one game.  One year we played thirteen games and the men won every single game.  And wouldn’t you know it, they still maintain the bragging rights and have never let us forget it!

We visited an awesome church on this beautiful Sunday Sabbath.  Neil and Rebecca have been watching the broadcast of the church online and decided to take us there.  It is Faith Church in West Palm Beach.  It has been meeting in a high school auditorium for the past 30 weeks.  I don’t know where they met before.  There was quite a crowd present and the praise and worship time was awesome.  I cannot remember the songs now but they were songs that I have never heard before and the words of praise and worship were awesome.  There was a sweet spirit among the musicians, and unbeknownst to us, they were the very ones who welcomed us as we entered the sanctuary.  I was far back from the front and the stage was quite dark so I didn’t even realize they were the musicians.  After the service I went back to these young men and told them how much I appreciated their warm welcome they gave us on the way in.  That is when I found out that they were the singers and band.  They had such a welcoming spirit and it made me want to come back.  After talking with them I was introduced to the music director, who was one of the guys who had greeted me.  We also met a friend of Rebecca and Neil whose business sets up the sound system and all the electronics needed to make a Sunday Service doable.  Before we knew it we had a complete tour of backstage and all the workings of setting up all the needed paraphernalia that is put in place each Sunday morning.  It was unbelievably orchestrated.  It was another gift that God bestowed upon me today.  I love having new experiences and seeing and learning about new things.  I think the rest of my group enjoyed it too, but maybe not quite as much as I did.  It so reminded me of the assortment of things I was able to do last year on my trip when time and circumstances allowed. 

The sermon was also amazing.  The Senior Pastors are a husband and wife team.  The wife spoke this morning and the sermon was well worth hearing.  I know it might not seem exciting to some to have an awesome church to attend when you are away from home, but for me it is always a highlight of any trip I take.  I enjoy taking time for new experiences.

TAKE A CHANCE

By Kathleen Martens

April 3, 2016

Every day is the day of a lifetime

So grab it by the horns.

Do what you can to use it up,

Let new experiences be born.

Take a chance to sing and dance

If opportunity does arrive.

Do everything possible

Before tomorrow’s sunrise.

You never know who you’ll meet

Or the opportunities that are inviting.

Purposely seek to connect

It makes life is so exciting.

Just a hug or just a smile

Can go quite a way

Adding sunshine to your hours

Of an otherwise gloomy day.

Today Lord I thank You for the opportunity of experiencing Faith Church and all the wonderful music.

Thank You Lord for my feet that can take me on walks.

Thank You Father for Your amazing love.

Thank You Jesus for Your amazing grace.

Thank You for the beautiful sky You paint for me each hour.

Thank You for the awesome beauty in the world You created for man to enjoy.

Thank You for today’s sermon.

Thank You for allowing me to meet the people I met today. 

Thank You Lord for all the wonderful experiences I enjoy that you place before me.

Thank You Lord that my brain still works!

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU FROM BEAUTIFUL SUNNY FLORIDA.  You see, Florida really does have a beauty all its own.  Even though I would not choose to live here, I am enjoying every single moment I have while I am here!

P.S.  When you look at the pictures below be sure and click on “OLDER POSTS” a few times to make certain you see all the pictures I uploaded tonight.  The last group of photos uploaded all on on page so be sure to click or tap on them to see them full size.

Saturday April 2 2016  SIMPLICITY AT ITS BEST

BIGGER ISN’T NECESSARILY BETTER.  Not in all things.  Take houses for instance.  I’ve always enjoyed the space of a larger home after Dave and I married.  As a child I grew up in very small spaces.  And when I say “VERY”, I mean very, very small.  Our first home after we married was about 1300 square foot.  I felt as if I lived in a palace.  I didn’t even have enough “stuff” to fill all the kitchen cupboards.  And, if I remember correctly, we got along superbly with just what we owned.  I had no inclination that the house was small.  Two years later we moved.

We moved “up” so to speak.  Our next house was about 2400 square foot.  It again seemed palatial.  The rooms were large, it sat on the side of a high hill and had an astounding view.  Again there were a few bare cupboards and several rooms that had no furniture.  Fast forward to 10 years later when we moved again.  By this time the house had two additional people living in it, lots of “stuff”, and no empty cupboards or rooms. 

That was a temporary move and we planned to back into the same house two years later.  Following those two years Dave was offered a job that would allow us to stay in the area permanently.  We had moved from HOT Southern California to the San Francisco Bay Area.  That area was my home stomping grounds so we decided to stay.

So time to buy another house.  This one was about 2900 square foot.  Again, extra room, more space, but no empty cupboards.  Actually we had a row of stored boxes that had not been unpacked since we moved to the area two years previously.  We lived in that house for two years. 

Our next move, 30 years ago, brought us to Wisconsin!  COLD WISCONSIN!  A few warm months a year and that was (and is) it!  I have never regretted our move to Wisconsin.  Again, another house, this one 4400 square foot.  Now that was a lot of a house and a lot of yard.  We were on five acres of wooded and groomed area.  It was like a dream come true!  Again, we had lots and lots of empty space.  Rooms we didn’t even use.  And lots and lots of boxes packed in one room that we didn’t even unpack for at least two years.  More stuff.

We eventually had the entire house used up.  More places to put more stuff.  And now…it is a nightmare.  It is difficult for me to part with the treasures of the past.  So I just fill another drawer, or another closet, The visual stays uncluttered but I know what is hidden.  And twenty years pass and our children move out and the house is quiet.  But the stuff still lingers.  And when I say stuff, I mean lots of stuff.  Some left behind by our daughter, however, most accumulated by me.  And here is where I am.  An over-sized house on an over-sized lot (we did sell two and a half acres), and lots and lots of stuff inside.

And as I sit typing this blog I am sitting in our daughter’s beautiful home in Florida.  It is serene, beautiful, nicely decorated AND UNCLUTTERED!  All 1100 square foot!  She is organized, particular, and amazingly self-disciplined when it comes to purchasing items that she does not need.  Nothing unneeded comes through the door.  Oh, how I wish I had learned that concept years ago!  It is so refreshing to be in an environment where everything has a place and is in its place when not being used.  Much due diligence is required.  Perhaps she did not want to repeat the mistakes of her mother.  However, I will say that we have about a roomful of stuff that belongs to her in OUR bedroom closet and shop.  Someday she plans to come to Wisconsin, go through it and take the rest.  Hmmm…I wonder if she’ll still want her Barbie bus and all her Barbie dolls.  And maybe I could encourage her to take all her baby clothes I saved for her.  On second thought, perhaps NOT!

Our marriage has been a 43 year journey with lots of stuff accumulated along the way.  Now it is time to downsize.  As I sit in the confines of Rebecca and Neil’s beautiful, well appointed home, I see how simple life can be without all the stuff to take care of.  I have come full circle to the fact that BIGGER ISN’T NECESSARILY BETTER!  Their home shows simplicity at its best!

TOO MUCH STUFF

By Kathleen Martens

April 2, 2016

Too much stuff

Becomes a load

When in the confines

Of your home.

Oh how I wish

I did not own

All the clutter

In places unknown.

It will be

Quite the surprise

When all displayed

Before my eyes

That which once

Was so dear

Now I wish

Was no longer here.

So, I will enjoy the presence of space while luxuriating in our daughter’s beautiful home!  Hopefully my stuff will still be there when I get back.  My hope is that I too will someday experience simplicity at its best!

Lord, thank You for loving me just as I am.

Lord, thank You this wonderful time away to visit our children.

Lord, thank You for all the “stuff” I have.

Lord, thank You for coconuts.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU

Friday April 1 2016  TRUE BLISS

My daughter gave me the topic to write about tonight.  I love it when people suggest a topic.  It may be an idea, a health matter, a story, or even just a word or a few words.  In this case she asked me to write about what TRUE BLISS means.  So, first I looked it up in the thesaurus on my Word screen.  A list of words came up in the following order:

“ECSTASY

HEAVEN

PARADISE

ENJOYMENT

HAPPINESS

DELIGHT

PLEASURE

HARMONY”

So…these are the synonyms.  Before I even looked up the list of synonyms, the words “God” and “heaven” were foremost in my mind.  I was pleased to see those words on the list.  I wrote the poem below using each word in the order that they were listed.  It took about three or four minutes to write the little poem.  I think these words capture what true bliss really is.

WHAT IS TRUE BLISS?

By Kathleen Martens

April 1, 2016

ECSTASY of life on earth

Realizing HEAVEN is its worth.

God’s beautiful PARADISE,

ENJOYMENT for eternal life.

HAPPINESS surrounds my soul

To DELIGHT in such a goal.

True PLEASURE not yet known,

HARMONY dispensed from God’s throne.

I hope you enjoy my poem that utilized, in sequence, the thesaurus’ list of synonyms describing what the words TRUE BLISS mean to me.

My first example of true bliss is the poem that I wrote above.  Now to describe at least in part what true bliss would mean to me I would like to share the following.  I think I have achieved some of what I believe bliss to be.  First, and foremost, it would be Dave and I being retired.  I know I could dream to be young and beautiful and rich, but I am choosing to expound on true life situations of where I am today.   Secondly, it is the knowledge that I have achieved something I long ago dreamed. That dream was to have Dave by my side until we were old.  Well, we have achieved that portion of my bliss.  True, we have our physical challenges at this age, but we also have the precious years that we have lived which many much younger than us will never achieve.  We are never promised tomorrow.

When I look at the young I do not do so with envy and wishful thinking, rather I hope that they too will have the years that have been granted us.  But there is no guarantee.  So I cherish the years that have been, and have learned to live in the moment, enjoying what I have now. To me, that is bliss.

Time alone with God is also true bliss in my book.  As much as I love my family, being alone with self to enjoy God’s presence is the ultimate bliss.  All I need is a journal, a Bible, a few dozen good books, some music composed by David Hollandsworth, and I am in a true land of bliss; that place of ECSTASY, a bit of HEAVEN on earth, as if I am in my own PARADISE which creates so much ENJOYMENT and HAPPINESS in which I DELIGHT because I receive such PLEASURE and HARMONY within myself when I am alone with my Lord.

When I pause to be thankful for all the blessings God has bestowed upon me, true bliss answers my call.  There is so much for which to be grateful; the blessings of life, and love, and a husband, son, daughter, grandchildren and grand-dogs.  Another blessing is living in a beautiful place surrounded by trees and flowers and good neighbors, as is the joy of a wonderful church family and good friends.  Bliss is wherever I am, whatever I am doing, whether sick or well, whether rich or poor.

Most of all, bliss is realizing how much God loves me and my knowing how to love God and myself so I can love others.  Bliss is getting along with myself, having learned not to fret and worry.  Bliss is realizing that life on this earth won’t last forever and that I will someday meet Jesus face to face.  And the greatest bliss of all will be to run the race God has set before me, that I will be seen as righteous in the eyes of my Lord and Savior, and that Revelations 3:5 will pertain to me when Jesus said,  ^“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”  NOW THAT, WILL BE TRUE BLISS!

Thank You Jesus that you intercede to the Father on my behalf.

Thank You for our children who have grown up to be responsible adults who love You.

Thank You for this blissful time away to have time to share in our daughter and son-in-law’s daily lives.

Thank You for the smile on my face.

Thank You for my shoe inserts so I can walk comfortably.

Thank You that I am retired.

Thank You for letting me grow old with Dave.

Than You for the smile in my heart.

REMEMBER TO WRITE SOMETHING IN YOUR THANKFUL JOURNAL TODAY!

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU. 

P.S. What is YOUR meaning of true bliss?

Thursday March 31 2016  A HOT DAY IN PARADISE

85 degrees today!  That is a bit hot for this northern girl.  It makes me realize why we usually travel to Florida in the winter!  The last day of March (so almost April) and it is already way too hot for me.  When our kids try to get us to move down here they always assure us that it really isn’t bad at all in July, August, and September.  But, when we are here in March and the temperature soars to 85 degrees AND the air conditioner conks out, then all of a sudden it’s a bit much even in March!  No one will ever convince me that Florida is the place I should live.

First of all, it is flat!  I do not enjoy flat landscape mile after mile.  Secondly, there are far too many people in the populated areas, and it is virtually impossible to live in the unpopulated areas due to lack of amenities and roads.  Thirdly, well, I can’t think of the “thirdly” right now but I am sure another reason will surface when I have time to think about it.  Oh yes, HURRICANES are a good third reason! 

Now Florida does have one positive situation going for it.  Florida has a long growing season so the produce can be purchase locally and fresh for many months out of the year.  If you purchase at the Produce Stores it is actually quite reasonable.  If you purchase at the grocery stores it cost way more than it does in Wisconsin.  We shop at the produce stands, but at the same time, I wonder if any of it is organically grown?  I suppose if I must wonder about it being organic, then it probably is not.  The more I learn about how pesticides can harm the body and brain, the more organic produce I buy.  But, while I am in Florida I am enjoying the best that the local Produce Stores provide. 

Time to leave shortly to take my car in for an oil check.  My little Silver Fox is now over 4 years old and I have driven almost 50,000 miles.  She has performed well and is so comfortable to drive and ride in.  I know the Kia Soul appears to be small from the outside, but most people are always so surprised at how roomy they are on the inside, both in the front and back seats.  Mine has a supercharged engine so it has quick pick up.  I have to be careful or I am accused of having a lead foot.  It is not that my foot is heavy, it is just that the little car has a quick acceleration.  It is fun to drive.

Oh by the way, the air conditioner in the house is working again today after a service man arrived bright and early this morning.  But the unit is still tentative.  If it will last two more weeks I will be quite happy!  I find that I must wear a jacket in the house and sometimes a neck muffler.  It makes me feel right at home.

WISCONSIN: HERE I COME

By Kathleen Martens

March 31, 2016

A hot day in March

As the wind blows,

Sunshine and heat

Fair skin’s perfect foe.

An umbrella needed

Without the rain,

To cover my lily white skin

So blisters will abstain.

A jacket in the house,

Sweating out of doors.

At least two wardrobes needed

To protect my delicate pores.

Sun glasses shield my eyes,

A hat covers my head,

So the sun cannot kill me,

Otherwise I’d be dead.

Oh so happy to know

That to Wisconsin I will return.

And I can go outside again

Without a persistent burn.

But while here I’ll enjoy

The hours when not home.

Few things I love more

Than being able to roam.

So, I’ll take the heat,

And enjoy my grand-dogs.

And look forward once again

To Wisconsin’s cooling fog.

Thank You Lord for this time away.

Thank You Lord for the opportunity to travel.

Thank You Father for watching over me every day.

Thank You Jesus for preparing a place for me in heaven.

GOD BLESS YOU.  BE THANKFUL FOR WHEREVER YOU ARE.

Wednesday March 30 2016  SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT THING

Life has a way of teaching, even when you don’t necessarily want to learn.  So is working in the domain of another’s kitchen.  I have cooked in a myriad of homes. It is my pleasure to concoct wonderful dishes, but it is a bit of a challange looking for what you need in a foreign kitchen.  “Foreign” in this instance has a definition of words found in the thesaurus to mean: “distant, far-off, extraneous, alien, external, and remote.”  There are several other definitions but these are the ones that best refer to cooking in another’s  territory.  It’s one thing if the owner of the home is present verses when they are not on the premise.  Pros and cons for both.

If the owner is close by they are usually helpful in finding a tool you cannot find.  Everything from spices, to graters, to certain pots and pans.  When they are not available for help a lot of rummaging must be done to locate (or not) the item for which you are searching.  The really negative side of not having knowledge of where everything is located, is the possible necessity of taking everything out of the lower cabinets and upper cupboards and then not having a clue how it all fits back in.  So that was my dilemma today.

For the last couple of days I have carefully spied Rebecca as she worked in her kitchen and tried desperately to memorize exactly where everything lived in her meticulously organized, perfect for her, kitchen.  Until you must get everything out of the cupboards to find what you are searching for, you have no idea of how much stuff can be “organized” into such a small area.  And for some reason it just doesn’t all seem to fit back in.  I assure you, even though I did get everything put away and out of sight (thanks to putting a lot of the dishes in the dishwasher), I know for certain that I probably didn’t get it all organized to Rebecca’s specifications.

I did the best I could.  Maybe she’ll read this blog eventually and give a little pity to her “old” mother.  Besides, maybe she’ll even like it better the way it is now.  But I doubt it.  Oh well, the dinner is baking in the oven and I know it will be delicious.

Rebecca’s kitchen showed me a parallel to life.  Every day that I live it seems that I learn at least one more lesson.  I must draw on past experiences in order to deal with what comes my way.  When you really think about it, living each day is like living in a “foreign” kitchen.  When a dilemma comes along you must use past knowledge to put all the pieces together in order to concoct a solution for pulling your life back together. So it was with Rebecca’s kitchen today.  It was simple to get everything out (except for the weight of her heavy pots and pans), but once everything was scattered all over the kitchen it took all my organizational skills from kindergarten’s stacking lessons to all the puzzle solving methods I’ve learned over the course of my lifetime.

But, in the long run, I was certainly glad that neither Rebecca nor Neil were home during today’s escapade.  It is now 6:47 p.m. and Neil just came home.  Whew!  I was able to have everything looking serene and peaceful before he walked in the door.  I told Dave, “I’ll do the cooking, but I won’t do it if they are home”.  I’ll be safely asleep in bed before Rebecca arrives home.  Maybe she won’t look in the cupboards until tomorrow while I am working out at the gym.

KITCHEN DILEMMA

By Kathleen Martens

March 30, 2016

Pots and pans

And dishes galore.

Wherever I look

There are more.

Just the right skillet

Is a must

To make certain

There is no fuss.

The perfect size,

The perfect cup.

Everything measured

On what we sup.

A recipe is but

A science experiment,

But it takes precision

To make it coherent.

A little bit of this

A little bit of that,

And nothing will work

If ingredients lack.

So the mad scientist

Scours around

The entire kitchen

Until perfection is found.

But then there’s the mess

When all is done.

And putting everything back

Is rarely fun.

Everything multiplied

And now there’s no room

To put it all back

Before disaster looms.

But when it is finished

Not quite like before,

The counters are clear

As I close the cupboard door.

Now if the food

Turns out great

Perhaps my ending

Will have a better fate.

Thank You Lord for the food You provide for me to cook.

Thank You Lord for the oven to cook it in.

Thank You for my daughter’s home.

Thank You Lord that she still trusts me enough to allow me access to her beautiful kitchen.

Thank You Lord for pots and pans even if they weigh a ton!

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

P.S.  I’ll let you know how it all turns out tomorrow!