Wednesday October 21 2015  GOD ONLY PAINTS ORIGINALS

Regardless of what I do I just cannot keep up with the hours.  They pass too quickly and then the days seems to fly by.  But it is a good feeling getting things accomplished.  There is just always more to do.  After arriving home last evening I spent the evening unpacking.  I finished today.  Now I am washing laundry.  I don’t really feel as if I am finished until I get all the clothes clean, ironed, and put away.  I only iron a few of my things so that doesn’t take very long.  Ironing is one thing I really enjoy doing.  It is such instantaneous satisfaction.  I started ironing when I was eleven years old.  My mom gave me exact lessons on how it should be done.  If you remember back to the fifties and sixties most garments were made out of cotton and had to be ironed, if you were respectable that is.  The pastor’s wife at our church actually hired me to do all her little girl’s fancy, flouncy dresses AND PETTICOATS, all their pillow cases, and her husband’s shirts.  So I must have done it well in order to be hired repeatedly.  I made the grand sum of $.50 per hour.  I usually had about 4 to 6 hours of ironing each week.  Those dresses took a long time with all their ruffles and frills.  I sometimes became tired, but I never got tired of ironing.  And…I still like to do it.  An ironing board and iron stands in our dressing room at all times, with the iron just waiting to be plugged in, and used when needed.  I actually still like to hang clothes out on a line too, but no longer have a line outside since it wore out.  Nothing better than sun-dried towels, stiff and crisp when you dry off after a shower. 

I accomplished my goal of making certain Dave did not do much more than walking today.  He is supposed to keep walking as much as possible so we went to the gym.  He walked on a flat treadmill and I did my first REAL workout in over two weeks.  I’ve done little ones here and there on the road but not like today.  It was exhausting.  Afterward we had several stops to make.  We needed fresh produce since our fridge was empty, there were gifts to buy, school order forms to drop off at the school I’ll be photographing next week, plus a few other errands.  Dave did help carry in light little bags but that is about it.  He is out tonight with his weekly Wednesday night meeting as a Stephen Minister.  It is volunteer work that he does.  I no longer do it as I stepped down from Stephen Ministry and several other volunteer ministries I did before I left on my trip this year.  Other than doing volunteer photos for NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP at the hospitals, I am retired at present. 

We have one more day before his surgery, and tomorrow I intend to do what Dave had hoped to do before he is laid up.  He will point and direct. (And Dave is inserting this comment, “GOOD LUCK WITH THAT”)*  I am so thankful that I have the strength to do some physical labor.  It feels so good to feel good.  And I must admit, work almost always makes me feel better.  I would rather be up on my feet working at physical jobs than sitting down typing a blog.  I love to write but it is more of a discipline I do because I so crave doing it.  However, my body feels better up and moving around.  I think that is why I do not watch television much.  I actually borrowed a movie to watch on our Branson trip but could not sit still to watch it.  I tried and only watched a few minutes of it before I was up doing something else.  One cottage we stayed in actually had six televisions.  One in each bedroom, one in the living room, and one in the lower level family room.  I did not even turn one on in that cottage.  It was in the smaller cottage when we were alone that I tried to watch the movie.  Dave watched parts of a couple of football games in rooms where I wasn’t, and I think that is all that the time any T.V. was on. 

And now I am home and have not time to watch anything anyway.  I think I am going to turn off life in the outside fast lane for the six weeks that Dave is recuperating.  However, I will exercise and volunteer for my photo job.  I am obligated to do the photos next week for the school because I forgot to tell them last year that I was retiring.  I won’t forget this year.  I intend this to be my last session (especially for schools).  It takes a lot of time in post-production.  I am one step closer to finalizing everything.  When I have every single thing done, I will tell the world and you can celebrate with me as you read my blog!  Then, I will begin my photo work for my projects.  The first being hand-made  (not electronic) albums I am doing for my sister.  I have already put hours of work in removal of all old photos from albums as well as organizing and sorting scores of old photos for mounting in the albums.  These will be done with a creative touch known as scrapbooking.  It has been a while since I have worked with fine motor skills doing the cutting and such, so it will be interesting to see how all goes with my crippled hands.  I look forward to the end product.  I already have all the papers and doo-dads I need to create beautiful albums.  I have three albums waiting to be filled, but I don’t yet know exactly how many will be used.  I am making these albums for my sister Faith.

When our mom died five years ago one of her greatest desires was that none of her children would fight or argue over anything of hers that was left to share.  My oldest sister used great wisdom when she gave each of us a piece of paper (5 sisters, 4 present), and asked that we each write down what the first item we would want if we could have it.  If no one else wrote that item down then we were able to keep what we requested.  One sister present had instructions for the absent sister to request certain items for her in her absence.  We did turn after turn, and until the very end, when it was just little inconsequential items left, did anyone ask for the same thing in the same round.  And even then there were no fights or hard feelings. Instead of one sister always having first choice, everyone had first choice over and over.  One of my sisters did not ask for anything.   My mother’s wish was fulfilled.  There were no arguments and to my knowledge no hurt feelings.  The treasure I asked for was for all of my mom’s correspondence and all her journals.  She had a lot of journals.  Maybe I inherited the love of writing in journals from her.  They are still yet to be read.

My sister Faith asked for the photo albums.  When I look at the photos I could see that the albums were not archival quality and the photos were slowing being destroyed over time.  I asked her if I could take them out of the albums and make them into a heritage album for her.  So that is what I will be doing.  And as you can see, five years later the project is not yet finished.  It is my goal that it will not be long before I can again get started on it.  It will be fun for me to see it blossom.  First, I must close my business down.  And that is getting closer.

Well, I guess I did a little reminiscing today.  Maybe being with my Aunt Esther has set my “REMEMBER-ER” to remembering.  I loved hearing her reminisce and watch her going through her photos.  I will have the pleasure of doing all that and even the greater pleasure of not having to store them on my shelves when I am finished.  It will be my gift to future generations.

The other “behind the scenes project” I want to finish are the books I hope to have published, some written, some partially written, some scattered throughout my journals that will need to be gathered and edited, and some are still ideas in my head.  And some I haven’t even lived yet.  No matter how old I become, I always hope I am dreaming of the next thing I plan to do.  It may not even be important if everything gets accomplished.  I just don’t ever want to arrive at the destination in my life, that what I have dreamed about doing, is no longer important for me to do.  In the meantime, I will live in the present and do what I enjoy and accomplish as much as it is possible.

Tonight it is important for me to get to bed on time so I can rise at first light.  Who knows what tomorrow’s sunrise will look like?  I know one thing for certain, God only paints originals.  Every day is new.

GOD ONLY PAINTS ORIGINALS

By Kathleen Martens

October 21 2015

Every day is new when I arise at dawn.

The sunrise that I see

Will not be like yesterday’s,

Nor tomorrow will it be.

God only paints originals.

His sky is but a canvas.

What joy he must have

As He decorates just for us.

There is always something special

That He has written in the sky,

Clouds and colors, the miracle of light,

Are always flitting by.

So behold and lift your eyes

To see creation at its best.

Look east to see the sunrise.

And for sunset, remember, to look west.

Sun has set.  It is time for bed.  Remember to behold the creation of God each day.  Remember that you are part of His creation.  And remember, that you too are one of his “ORIGINALS”.  (My wisdom for this day).  I hope you are smiling.

Good night and may God bless you with many more sunrises!  Never take one for granted!

P.S.  The inspiration to write the above poem came from the lines in my blog that I wrote just before I wrote the poem.  It doesn’t take much to inspire me. 

P.S.S.  Just a post note to tell you that Dave accomplished his goal (I did not) to arrive back home weighing no more than when he left for vacation.  Well, he did more than he thought he would.  While he was on vacation eating very heartily (but portion control in action), he came home weighing 8 pounds less than when he left.  So far, since July, he has lost 56 pounds.  And the best part is, his blood sugars have all been EXCELLENT!   He takes his blood sugar test every single day (and sometimes more than once a day).  He has been spot on.  Just thought you might like to know. 

*  I asked Dave what he meant by “Good luck with that”?  Here is his comment back to me, “How much luck have I had in the past trying to direct you?”  Oh well, at least I am making myself available.  I just have my own ideas!

Tuesday October 20 2015  FIRST LIGHT * LAST LIGHT

We are home.  And there is no place like home.  It’s as if when I walked through the back door into the kitchen, it just gave me a big hug.  I felt as if I was being caressed by a long lost friend.  Everything was so neat and tidy and empty feeling.  At least it was that way until we unpacked the car.  Needless to say it felt good to be home again.  When I am away from home I don’t seem to miss it because I am so wrapped up in all the excitement of what I am doing.  However, the moment I walk in the door I realize how much I love being home again.  I know I’ve said this before but I think I feel that way because wherever I am is where I love being.  I just love being alive!

We left this morning at 7:00 a.m. at first light.  We watched the sunrise come up over the Ozark Mountains, showing off the most beautiful and miraculous colors I have ever had chance to see in a sunrise.  I was driving so I could not take any photos.  Dave summed it all up when he looked at it in awe and said, “THAT, is a cathedral”.   First light is always like a gift to me.  I love sunrise and the first kiss of light.  So soon it was over but not before it gave us a spectacular show of colors that only God can paint.  We arrived home at 6:00 p.m. eleven hours later at last light.  Wisconsin was covered in low hanging clouds and the sun was barely visible.  There was a beautiful aura of soft white light that shrouded the city in mystery.  So different than this morning, but unique with a beauty all its own.

I give God thanks for our safe travels.  It was very sobering to read the overhead highway signs broadcasting the number of how many have been killed so far on the state’s highways in 2015.  Illinois’ death toll was 850.  Wisconsin’s death toll was 403.  Illinois has 12,881,000 population.  Wisconsin’s population is 5,760,000.  I think about all the shattered families of those who were killed.  It gives me more reason to drive safely, be courteous on the road, and to not be in such a hurry.  And more reason to pray for continued protection every time I get behind the wheel.  I am just so happy to be home safely.

Dave has strict orders from me not to do one thing until he has his surgery on Friday.  His hernia keeps getting larger and I am concerned about the outcome of the repair if it keeps on growing.  This will be a little bit of a different winter for us with him a bit under the weather.  I guess this is one of those things that comes with aging.  We hope to get him up and running over the next couple of months so we can plan to go on another trip.  We would love to go down to Florida and visit our daughter for a while.  She and her husband have invited us to come for the Holidays or any time after the first of the year.  We’ll see how things go with Dave, think about whether we would want to fly or drive, and figure if it will work out with all else we have on our agenda.  I can see how easy it would be to just get carried away and go and go and go and then not accomplish all that must be done here.   But we sure do want to go.  It will take serious consideration, especially if we plan to go east next fall for a few weeks.  A year to us goes in the twinkling of an eye.  I have many things on my private agenda that don’t meet the public eye.  I may need to block off part of the year to accomplish what I need to finish.  More about that later.

FIRST LIGHT

By Kathleen Martens

October 20, 2015

First light of early dawn

Reaches earth with a tender kiss.

Unbeknownst to many,

Because morning they always miss.

Morning light creates cathedrals,

That very few seem to share.

Rarely early do they rise,

Because they don’t seem to care.

What you miss that you do not know

Holds no special place in heart.

But if you rise and once you see

A new ritual you will start.

Morning sunrise is God’s gift.

His light for the day ahead.

But if you miss the spectacular display

On His beauty you are not fed.

So make an effort to come and see

The FIRST LIGHT of the day.

It will nurture your heart,

Lasting throughout your day.

Thank you for spending the time to read my heart.  My hope each day is that each one who reads any part of my blog will be blessed by at least one thing I have said.  I especially love writing my poems to share with you.  For me, it is as if I am given a gift each day to unwrap and share with someone else.

Good night and God bless you!

P.S.  I am including a photo of my CALENDAR WISDOM.  Please note in the background that one of my watermelons made it home safe and sound.

Monday October 19 2015  MY BEST FRIEND

CALENDAR WISDOM

OCTOBER 19, 2015

EVERY TIME WE TURN

GREEN WITH ENVY WE

ARE RIPE FOR TROUBLE.

Getting away is always a fun adventure.  I would not be honest with myself if I did not say that getting away changes things for me.  Even though there is much I enjoy, there are always things that I miss from my normal routine.  Two such things stand out blatantly on this trip.  The first being the combination of eating too much food and not enough exercise leads to weight gain, and the second is my quiet time with the Lord seems more and more difficult to carve out during the day.  It is a bit easier if I am on a solo trip.  I like being with people and if people (in this case Dave) are around, it seems there is always something to do and talk about.  Right now is about the only “alone” time I have had and what do I do?  I write my blog.

We headed toward home yesterday afternoon.  Our original plan was to spend a night in Branson as a layover to help us be closer to home for the long drive.  As most of you know Dave is having surgery Friday for an inguinal hernia repair.  Well, the last few days it has progressively grown worse.  He is in bed resting, and we are still at Branson.  We plan to stay one more night and hope that some of the protrusion he is experiencing will go down some.  It has not happened yet.  I am writing my blog in the late afternoon so I can hopefully go to bed very early and get a good night’s sleep so we can leave by 6:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.  I plan to do most of the driving.  I usually know when he feels under the weather because it is only then that he relinquishes “his turn” at the wheel.  If you remember us tomorrow, Tuesday, please pray for our protection on the highways.

It has purposely been a slow day.  We have not left our facility here in Branson.  I had enough provisions to make certain we didn’t starve.  I hope Dave sleeps okay tonight after napping and resting today. 

Early this morning we called the doctor’s office and they suggested I take him to urgent care but he refused to go.  If he gets worse at all you can bet we’ll be in the emergency room.  He has minimal pain at present and that is a good thing.  He was also told he could do minimal exercise of walking on a flat treadmill. While he walked on the treadmill I did a workout.  It will be good when we get home as long as he doesn’t overdo.  He is intent on putting the patio furniture to bed before he goes in for surgery.  We’ll see.  If I must, I will do it myself to keep him from doing it.  The raking of the leaves and cleaning of the gutters will be hired out. 

We did play a couple of card games this morning.  The first one I boxed myself into a corner (through Dave’s aggressive maneuvers) and after two rounds of Nine Whole Golf there was absolutely no way possible for me to dig myself out of the hole I was in.  I conceded loss.  The second game was Hand and Foot and it is a four round game.  I WON!  Yeah!  At least I won something.  I failed to mention that Dave had already won a few other games he played with me last week.  I don’t know if I want to play any additional games.  I don’t know if I could handle another loss.

Dave is my very best friend.  We were talking about that while we played cards.  We feel so fortunate that we each have a best friend in the other.  It is awesome that it just happens to be our spouse.  Not only do I love my husband dearly, but I like him too.  I know that no one else in the world knows him like I do and I think what a sad lot that is for the world.  He is kind and patient (most of the time), courteous and long suffering.  He is smart and is full of knowledge but never tries to show it off.  He has deep wisdom and gives excellent counsel.  He is tender and loving and even romantic.  And he treats me like a lady.  Actually, he treats me like a queen.  How could I not be in love with him for over 43 years?  I loved him the moment I laid on eyes on him and I didn’t even know his name.  I think I have told the story in a previous blog of how we met so I won’t retell the story here.  For some reason all of these feelings just came up as I sat here writing my blog, thinking about him having surgery on Friday, and being concerned for his safety.  Dave helps me proofread my blog at the end of the day and he will probably be embarrassed to read these words I have written about him.  He has asked me not to write much about his personal information regarding how he is losing weight and working out and his surgery and so on and so on.  So I try not to write too frequently about him (quite unsuccessfully), but tonight I just had to say what I had to say.  When you love someone you want others to know. 

As much as Dave is just the right person for me, I do realize he is not perfect, but neither am I.  The only thing is I just keep learning more and more things about just how imperfect I truly am.  God is still working on me and working fast.  Wherever I go, whatever I do, it seems I just have things pointed out in the most unusual ways.  Dave may read out loud a little something out of the newspaper or an email and WHAM-O, there it is in print and I see myself in a new light.  And it seems like the Holy Spirit just points things out that I am to listen to and learn.  And I am trying.

Uh-oh.  Dave just came down the stairs and says he hopes I have another card game in me.  I think I am somewhat at a disadvantage.  He has rested and slept and I have been busy talking to my daughter on the phone and writing this blog.  I still have a poem to choose off the shelf (the shelf in my heart where they are stored until God helps me put them in writing).

MY BEST FRIEND

By Kathleen Martens

October 19 2015

I guess you could say

This has been a nothing day.

No great events,

No money spent.

Peace and quiet,

Great without riot.

Subdued and sweet,

Really a treat!

But there is left,

Without bereft,

One more round

On which to expound.

Challenged to play

At the end of the day

One more card game

To catapult me to fame.

So I agree,

To fly free,

And do my best

Without rest!

At his request

I will do his behest.

But I hope I win

My very best friend.

Good night and God bless you.

Sunday Sabbath  October 18 2015  DOMESTIC BLISS

CALENDAR WISDOM

OCTOBER 18, 2015

You can’t do a kindness

Without a reward,

Not in silver nor gold

But in joy from the Lord.

We drove to Branson today to cut the last leg of our trip shorter.  Domestic bliss is ringing in my ears.  The dishwasher is howling (quite loudly), the washer is swishing, and Dave is watching a football game.  That is domestic bliss.  The dishes will be clean in the morning, we will have our compression stockings freshly laundered for tomorrow, and my husband is delightfully happy to be watching football.  See what you learn, when you read my blog?  Now you know that we BOTH wear compression stockings.  If you have problems with swelling in your legs I highly recommend them.  They are expensive leggings but well worth it.  A little tricky to put on though.  It is almost unbelievable as to how much more energy I have when I wear them.  Also, I have less leg and foot pain after a long day on my feet.

Our final farewell seemed to go better than I thought it would.  It was hard for us to leave Aunt Esther because no one else was left behind with her.  And she used every ploy to get us to stay just a little longer.  She even tried to get her Christmas decorations out so we could see them.  We gently encouraged her not to.  Our goal was to arrive in Branson before dark and we accomplished that goal. 

We begin a busy week ahead.  We will be heading back with winter looking us in the face.  Dave is limited as to what he can lift, as well as some other limitations so his work will be cut to a minimum.  He is having surgery on Friday to repair a large inguinal hernia.  It has become worse this week.  He is taking it easy between now and Friday (according to me) but according to him he plans to finish putting all our patio furniture away.  We’ll see.  Please pray that all will go well with his surgery and recovery.

Sunday must be Aunt Esther’s favorite day.  She talked about Sunday all week and how much she looked forward to us going to church with her.  She was excited as a child on Christmas morning when she woke up and knew it was Sunday.  She loves the Lord so deeply that she just loves to be in the house of God.  I love to hear her pray.  When she prays to bless the food she prays and prays and thanks God for so much as well as spends a little time in Praise to the Heavenly Father.  And the prayer ends.  It is only later that I realized she usually fails to thank God for the food.  I think God in heaven must be looking down upon Esther, smiling His biggest grin as she prays her sincere and loving prayer to Him.  I feel so blessed to be in the presence of such an earnest lady.  She is truly a woman of God.

I tried my best to remember all the little things that touched my heart so deeply; the things Esther said, watching her go through her treasure box full of memories, sorting through the refrigerator, one of her favorite things to do, (especially with all my food in there too), being so excited about going to church, listening to her prayers, and watching her take all the kitchen scraps out to the garden to feed the birds and nourish the land.  Even though her garden is no more she still respects the earth and in her own little way is doing her best to give back all it has given her.  There was a time when her garden fed her family, friends, and other relatives through the winter.  Nothing quite like eating her creamed corn in the off season.  I wish we could have stayed a lot longer.

On Thursday when we traveled through the mountains I mentioned the beautiful colors of the trees.  Today was even more spectacular.  There was an unbelievable climatic buildup of fall color that presented itself.  The difference in just a few days was astounding.  We traveled in the later afternoon sun and the light made the colors burst as if a magic wand was sparkling the leaves with glitter.  The shades of yellows, golds, reds, rusts, and amber became alive with animation as the light caught the facets of the leaves as they were kissed by the brilliant sun.  Again, I was driving and couldn’t view all I wanted to see but at least when I arrived in Branson I was not seasick.  Unless I am driving the winding roads I am attacked with vertigo.  Not a happy condition to be in because I never know how long it will last.  My son, as a young person, always became extremely sick on trips and it took us a few years to figure out that he didn’t always get the flue on vacation, but rather he became carsick in the back seat.  It was our daughter who figured it out.  Simple solution…he had to ride in the front seat on the winding roads just like his mother, (which would now be illegal).  It was a simple solution to not having the mess all over the back seat.  I could tell you about some horrendous vacations!  But I won’t.

We are settled in, dinner is over, appliances are now quiet with eight stockings hanging in the downstairs bathroom.  Dave is still watching the game in the downstairs bedroom but the door is closed so all I hear now is the constant humming of the refrigerator and the buzz of ringing in my ears that never lets up.  Sometimes I am used to it and sometimes I am not.  Tonight I am not.  Which means I am probably extra tired.  So I shall write my poem (whatever it may be) and go to bed.

ROMANTIC GETAWAY

By Kathleen Martens

October 18, 2015

The night is young,

My body old.

The warmth of day

Replaced with cold.

Romantic getaway

With just us two,

But it’s difficult

When football woos. (Dave wants me to change this line to: “WHEN MY BLOG WOOS”.)

I’ll go upstairs

All alone

With just me

And my phone.

And be so glad

That I can sleep

And perhaps my man

Won’t make a peep.

I hope Dave thoroughly enjoys his football.  He has been long without it.  Thanks honey!

Good night world.  Sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite!

P.S.  Last night after I published the blog on my Aunt’s Wi-Fi I decided to check my emails.  I had opened a couple and then poof, the Wi-Fi disappeared.  Esther’s son told me he had cancelled it and it would be turned off at any time but I could use it until it was turned off.  Well, the timing was absolutely perfect.  I wrote my blog earlier than usual, Dave and I proofed it, and then thinking nothing of it I worked on my emails.  AND THEN IT DISAPPEARED!  How is that for timing?  I consider it God’s timing.  

Saturday October 17 2015  TIME KEEPS MARCHING ON

CALENDAR WISDOM

SATURDAY OCTOBER 17, 2015

CHILDHOOD IS LIKE A

MIRROR WHICH REFLECTS

IN AFTERLIFE THE

IMAGES PRESENTED TO IT.

Time cannot be held back.  As much as I would like to do so I cannot make it go slower.  Nor can I make it go faster.  Tomorrow we leave those we love behind.  One by one we are saying goodbye.  And over the years one by one there are those who are no longer here when we return the next time.  Some I can remember when I was with them last, others I cannot.  This time I am back and my cousin Janey is no longer with us.  Janey was my Aunt Esther’s daughter.  Actually, she still is, she just lives in heaven.  So much of life seems to be lived in the “was”.  So much seems to be lived in the “when”.  The best place for me to live is in the now. 

Today was a “now” day, to be savored moment my moment.  All day long we were surrounded by family.  When once our family were many and rambunctious, now out family is few and elderly sedate.  And, oh how I love these old folks.  After all, I am one of them (I just don’t quite know it yet). 

The highlight of today was to be with my sister Scarlett for most of the day.  I love my aunts and wish I could be here longer with them.  I even had the opportunity to visit with my cousin Loretta.  And I know I already said this, but it was just so awesome to actually be able to converse with Scarlett.  Several times I would forget that she could hear me and I would use hand motions and mouth enunciation to communicate.  Of course I caught myself and she understood and didn’t make me feel bad.  It is just so fun to have her included in conversations. 

Scarlett came over early.  I was preparing lunch to take over to Vela’s house.  Vela lives on the mountain close to where many of our family members are buried.  Scarlett wanted to go and see mama’s grave so we decided to drop the lunch off at Vela’s house, go to the graveyard, and then come back and eat.

The trip to Bowden Cemetery on Crow Mountain is the resting place for my grandparents, their young daughter Helen, my mother, and Vela’s husband Kenneth who died last year.  There may be others related to us but these are the graves of the people I knew.  It has been five years since mama went to heaven.  I have no pain in my heart for I know where my mother’s spirit resides.  The tombstones were cleaned off, we shared some memories, and slowly returned to Vela’s.

 Vela’s daughter Loretta who also lives on the mountain joined us for lunch.  I cooked, we all ate, and Loretta cleaned up the entire mess that I made.  It doesn’t get any better than that!  Thanks Loretta.  I’m sure glad you came for lunch but I certainly wasn’t expecting you to clean up.  It was greatly appreciated however.  We sat and talked and talked and talked after the meal.  Round tables make for easy conversing.

Soon it was time to part.  First Loretta left and we hugged.  I love my cousin.  I remember her as an infant and toddler and it brings back happy memories.  Then I hugged my Aunt Vela, twice, because she forgot I had hugged her the first time.  I didn’t mind another hug.  Aunt Vela is only about six years older than me so she has always felt more like a cousin than an aunt.  Dave, Scarlett, Esther and I took our leave and drove back down the mountain through Center Valley.  One more goodbye left to do.

Scarlett stayed as late as she possibly could.  She does not see well at night and must be home before dark.  Though our time was short we were able to talk and talk.  At least I talked and Scarlett listened.  She followed the conversation intently and I could see that she understood.  She occasionally asked me to clarify something I had spoken, but she followed our dialogue and banter very well.  I am still amazed!  I will never take her hearing for granted again.  Be thankful if you can hear.  I am so thankful for the miracle that God has worked in my own hearing.  And I am so thankful that our Grandson’s hearing loss was discovered early and that he was helped by a surgical procedure.  Hearing is so precious.  Scarlett is so precious.  And again, I had another farewell.  As she drove away from Esther’s driveway in her little red car, the window rolled down, she turns and laughingly smiles and hollers out the window, “I know I’ve said this before, but just remember you are so lucky I love you!”  And I heard her laugh.  That was the best gift she could have ever given me.  As she drove away her eyes were sparkling.

And I am lucky.  And I am blessed.  Being with my sister this weekend was like renewing a long lost friendship.  It was as if we both opened our hearts to each other and our spirits embraced.  Scarlett is a hard nut to crack, she doesn’t like to show emotion, and it took her years for her to say “I love you”.  I will tuck that love in my heart and remember the twinkle in her eye.  I receive it as a beautiful, priceless gift.   I love my sister too.  I truly am lucky.

Since I am living in the moment I will not let my mind wander to tomorrow and what it has in store.  I have said enough farewells today.  Tomorrow is a new day.  I will enjoy Aunt Esther while I am still here.

WHEN SOMEONE SAYS I LOVE YOU

By Kathleen Martens

October 17, 2015

When someone says “I love you”,

Never ever take it for granted.

Let the words grow deep in your heart

So they are deeply planted.

Care and nurture what it means,

Accept it as a priceless gift.

Allow it to sooth the times

When there may be stress or rift.

When someone says “I love you”,

Remember how the words ring true.

Allow your heart to sing the song

Forever I’ll love you too.

It has been an interesting evening sitting at Esther’s table writing this blog.  She sits close by, looking through a treasure box of memories that she holds on her lap.  She occasionally gives me something to read.  One item was an original typed excerpt, typed in 1979, of the first chapter of Aunt Annie’s book “A BAKER’S DOZEN”.  She then hands me a small book written by her daughter when she was eleven years old about “MOTHER”.  I read the entire handwritten, paper bound book.  It was so sweet.  If I had such a book written by my children, I too would still cherish it 50 years later.  It has been an easy, delightful time in Esther’s presence, glancing over the articles she gave me to read from years and years ago, reading letters from a sister written in 1998, and showing me pictures of bygone years.  Memories.  That is what Aunt Esther has.  Sometimes jumbled, but I believe most of them are delightful to her.  She is so remarkable.  One of the things that makes her so remarkable is she also has had events in her life that are not wonderful memories.  She chooses on which ones to dwell.  She dwells on that which is good.

 I wonder what I should reveal about other people’s lives so I hesitate to delve deeply into what they might think is personal information.  So I will hold my pen.  I just wish my readers could know this amazing person like I do.  I guess what it boils down to is that I come from a remarkable collection of people who have overcome odds you might not believe even if I told you.  And there is probably more that I don’t even know than what I do know.

Today is another day to remember.  I will cherish these moments long after I am gone from this precious house.  Thank you Aunt Esther for giving me so much love over the years.  Your love will live in my heart through eternity.  God was sure good to me to give me you, one of many unique and awesome aunts.  I have been blessed and like Scarlett said, “Just remember, you are so lucky…”

I know I am.

Good night and God bless you.

Friday October 16 2015  A DAY FULL OF SURPRISES

CALENDAR WISDOM

FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2015

MAN WEIGHS YOUR ACTIONS

BUT GOD WEIGHS YOUR

INTENTIONS.

 I am sitting here at Aunt Esther’s table waiting to become inspired.  This has been a day filled with so many things that it is actually difficult to go back and remember all that happened.  I will try to reclaim some of the highlights.  I think a day that is filled with laughter just seems longer and sweeter than days when no laughter occurs.   I love to laugh but it is not as spontaneous for me as it is for some.  Today Dave captured one of those laughing moments on camera.  It makes me smile to look at myself laughing.  Immediately my mind drifts back to last week when every day seemed to be filled to over flowing with laughter.  Our almost eight year old grandson has about the greatest laugh in the world.  It is so quick in coming and so joyous in its sound.  It’s almost as if he can’t stop the laughter from coming.  We even tried an experiment where we all stood in a circle and just started laughing and didn’t stop until it all turned into “real” laughter.  Mostly we were laughing at each other trying to laugh.  It’s one of those situations where “you just had to be there”.

Hmm…I’m still not inspired.  Okay, I’ll go over my day.  Lots of talking this morning (oh, I’m beginning to get my inspiration) so we left later than we intended, to go over to visit my uncle Buddy.  My uncle is 90 years old.  He is quite remarkable in my book.  He was in World War II and was in Japan after the atomic bomb went off.  After the bomb settled he slept on the ground in the fallout debris.  As my aunt stated, he was never quite the same after that.  He has health issues that no one should ever have to live with.  It is difficult for him, but with some help coming in with food and housekeeping he is able to stay in his own home.  I believe that is very important to him.  His greatest handicap is that he is hearing impaired and cannot hear at all.  I had my computer with me as I had stopped on the way to his house and sat on the closed library steps bootlegging Wi-Fi from the atmosphere in order to publish yesterday’s blog.  I used my computer screen to type my side of the conversation and he would speak his side of the conversation.  Very easy way of communicating instead of writing long hand. 

While at Buddy’s house a visiting nurse came in with lots of questions and concerns.  I asked her if she would like me to type what she asked, so Buddy could read the text, and then he could answer verbally.  We worked in tandem like that for about one hour.  The nurse said it was extremely helpful and she was very grateful.  I will not discuss anything that was spoken in that conversation except one sentence of wisdom that came out of my uncle’s mouth.  He told the nurse “IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR ME TO JUST DO NOTHING”.  It was said so innocently and not to be funny.  It was funny.  Funny because it is so true!  I have felt that way about some of my days.  I just didn’t know how to express what was happening (or not happening).

The realization I really had about this whole encounter with the nurse and Buddy is realizing that I am so close to his age and that what is happening in his life and aging process, is similar for millions, me included.  His conversation was full of surprises.  At the end of the conversation it was as if I had my eyes opened to another dimension.  The dimension of “old age” and what it truly means.  He is a bit more than 20 years ahead of Dave and I in the aging department.  Believe me, I had my eyes open today to a new reality.  Aging is happening, slowly but surely.  The older I become the quicker it seems to happen.  Some of what I learned today on the personal level, I will share at a future date (when the inspiration hits).  I think that we all, at one time or another, need a dose of reality.  I was certainly surprised with all the features that come with aging.  Stay tuned for future expounding.

Dave and I left and went shopping.  While we were out we searched for magnetic buttons at the request of Uncle Buddy.  Believe it or not we did find some (another surprise), but they were not appropriate for what he needed.  We went back to Buddy’s house to pick up Aunt Esther and ended up staying quite a bit longer.  On the way home we stopped by the gym that I worked out at in March while I was here.  And what a surprise when I walk in and see 6 foot 9 inch Matt Hall sitting behind the front counter.  I met Matt previously and had my photo taken with him only to find out later he was a football player who was recovering from an injury on his right triceps.  At that time he was playing for the Indianapolis Colts.  He was asked to play for the Denver Broncos but decided to retire due to the possibility of another injury to his arm that could result in permanent disability.  We had a nice chat and went on our way.  It was fun to see him again.  I am including a picture that Dave took of us together.  

My biggest surprise had not yet happened.  This evening after our meal was over I was informed that my cousin Dale, who just happens to be Esther’s son, was stopping by for a visit and to take Esther to the store.  It was really a great surprise.  Dale and I are very close in age and played together under our grandparent’s front porch steps each summer when we were young kids.  I have always dearly loved my cousin.  I was probably just a pain in his side but he seems to like me okay now.  We see each other so infrequently, and then, there are usually a lot of people around to sidetrack any and all conversations we might have.  Not so this evening.    We had a nice visit.  I probably learned more about his life tonight than I have in all the rest of my life combined.  He actually talked.  He is a man of few words!

Dale just retired a few months ago.  I asked him what he would like to tell others who are looking at retirement.  Here are Dale’s words of wisdom:  “Plan for your retirement early while you are still young.  Don’t depend on anyone else.  For the kids coming up now I think that is important!”  I am so happy that Dale was one of my surprises!  I was hoping to see him this trip but since he lives quite a ways away I didn’t know if it would happen.    I was sorry that his wife was unable to come with him.  Thank you Dale for coming.

IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME

By Kathleen Martens

October 16, 2015

Tongue in cheek is but a phrase

But for the old, the mouth is a maze.

Where sits the tongue when mouth is closed?

Take a look, you might be amazed.*

What does the hand?  Gnarled and worn?

When the body is forlorn?

What to do when you’re all alone,

And all your loved ones you now morn?

All the things one used to do

Takes much longer before you’re through.

You accomplish little and that’s a fact.

As moments of day become so few.

And you discover in all your huffing,

IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO DO NOTHING.

This poem was inspired by my Uncle Buddy’s words of wisdom: “IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO DO NOTHING”.  I think those words have great insight and are full of wisdom.  I am glad that we spent our time today with him.  I am also glad you spent these few moments reading about my delightfully, surprising day.  It was one of those days to be remembered!

May God bless and keep you!

P.S.  Dale informed me that Esther does indeed have Wi-Fi.  He recently cancelled it but didn’t think it had yet been removed.  He checked and it was still in operation.  Thus, I was able to get this blog published without going back to the Library steps.  That was a nice surprise!  So there you have it, my day full of surprises.

Thursday October 15 2015  THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS

CALENDAR WISDOM

OCTOBER 15 2015

HAPPINESS RESIDES NOT IN

POSSESSIONS AND NOT IN GOLD.

THE FEELING OF HAPPINESS

DWELLS IN THE SOUL.

We have only three days and three nights to be here in Arkansas.  So every moment counts. The terrain we drove through today was breathtaking.  Autumn color has arrived to the Ozark Mountains.  As many times as I have come to Arkansas I don’t believe I have ever traveled through the mountains this late in the season.  It was simply spectacular but of course there were no places to stop on the winding, narrow mountain roads to take a photo.  It was afternoon as we came through the peak color areas and the sun was shining brilliantly through the rusts, ambers, and golds of the recently turned leaves.  I was doing the driving so I couldn’t just gawk as much as I would have liked, but I could not help but be enthralled with the colors that caught my eye.  For quite a way we were in a caravan of slow moving cars following a semitrailer truck up the laborious, snaking road.  It made it easier to see the wonders around me a bit better without someone honking the horn behind me (which did happen today).

We arrived at Aunt Esther’s by 3:00 p.m.  The back door was unlocked and no one was to be found when we walked in.  I checked every room and came across my sister Scarlett sleeping peacefully like Snow White.  I had called out when I arrived but she didn’t hear as she had her cochlear implant magnet unconnected.  She later awakened and reattached her magnet to the implant site so she could once again hear.  It is so amazing to be with her and be able to carry on a conversation with her.  Though I was with her a few days in March when I stopped by on my trip, I am still not used to her being able to hear and follow a conversation.  It is awesome!  We talked and laughed and ate together.  My aunt Vela also came so there were five of us.  Dave was outnumbered, 4 to 1.  But, he did his fair share of talking.

Dinner is over, the guests are gone, auntie is in bed, as is Dave, and I sit here writing a blog that I cannot publish tonight.  I will go to the library in the morning and hook onto their website in order to publish.  Can’t promise I will be able to do that every day since the library is closed on Saturday and Sunday.  We will be leaving on Sunday afternoon and I should then be back in the land of electronics and Wi-Fi.  Oh my, how simple life was before.

Life is different in this part of Arkansas.  If you were to ask me why I don’t know if I could really pin point the exact reason.  It just seems different.  In some aspects it’s like going back in time.  Houses are simpler, life seems slower, and less complicated.  It is popular for T.V. shows to demonstrate how to do a fixer upper and then decorate in the “country style”.  All I have to do is walk into one of my relative’s homes and I get that same warm cozy feeling of “a little bit of country”. The only thing is, their “little bit of country” is the real thing.  And even more than that, it is both inside and outside.  The houses are old, the furniture is old but has that aged comfortable look, and everything is authentic.  And…to make it even better…IT HAS NO WI-FI, no cable TV, no smart phones.  What it does have is lots of time for loving. 

I look up across the kitchen and see a beautiful photo of my mother taped to the wall above a photo of her brother.  Both are siblings to my aunt Esther and both are now in heaven.  Yet, their faces are on the wall as a reminder of the love my aunt still carries in her heart for her brother and sister who are no longer with her.  My mind wanders back to the day I snapped that photo of her in 2005 when I was staying with my mother here in Arkansas so my sisters could have a time of rest.  They were the primary caregivers, living with mama and caring for her through her years of dementia.  It was not an easy task but even though mama no longer recognized them or me, we knew who she was.  There was a lot of love and sacrifice my sisters gave through the years they tended her and I shall be forever grateful for their love and concern for our mother. 

I walked outside with a dishpan of cut up watermelon rind to scatter out in the field that once was a beautiful garden with both vegetables and flowers.  Aunt is 87 now and the garden is no more.  But, she still feeds the earth with the organic matter that comes from nature’s bounty.  Those rinds will decay and feed the birds and the insects.  Again, I was struck with nostalgia and a bit of melancholy at the same time.  I could still picture in my mind’s eye, on this very same garden plot, my mom walking down freshly turned soil with the rows ready to accept the seeds of purple hull peas she had in her pocket.  She walked slowly dropping a seed on the new mounds of dirt and then tamping each seed down with the blunt side of her ever present hoe.  Row after row she did the same motions over and over as if she were dancing to a tune in her heart that was in synchronization with Mother Earth.  My mom had a way with gardens.  Wherever she lived a garden area was always created.  I have written a story about her gardens but it is not edited as of yet but I will search for it when I get home and see if I can clean it up a bit and get it on the blog for you to read.  It is a sweet story.  My mother lived here with Esther for several years before dementia set in.  While here she primarily lived in the garden.  This place holds lots of memories that connect me with my mom.  Not only do I come home to Aunt Esther, but it is like coming home to my mother.

All too soon these days will be gone and Dave and I will leave.  I will leave my Aunt behind.  I will leave my sister behind.  I will leave tears behind.  But in my heart I will take the memories and love with me.

MEMORIES TUCKED IN MY HEART

By Kathleen Martens

October 15 2015

Memories and love, they have a way

Of being right where they are supposed to stay.

Tucked in my heart that follows my trail

So when I call them they never fail.

They never fail, but comfort give.

They offer joy wherever I live

And love overflows and makes room for more

And allows my heart to open its door.

When I recall, a sacred time,

My memory always tows the line.

I see the moment as if it is

It’s prompting perfect without quiz.

My treasure chest opens so I see

What’s in my heart that desires to be free.

And a little tidbit of yesterday’s pleasure

Is filed away for tomorrow’s treasure.

And then my memories I call by name

And they come to play their game.

Good night.  Cherish your memories.  Make new ones tomorrow. Live in the moment. (My wisdom)

Wednesday October 14 2015  A TIME OF REFLECTION

CALENDAR WISDOM

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2015

LIFE IS LIKE A 

PICTURE–

SO PAINT IT WELL.

Today was another one of those action packed, busy, wonderful days in Branson.  We have had the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from so many different places.  It appears that Branson has a pull on the lower 48 states.  I feel as if we live so far away to travel here just to relax and be entertained but it is nothing compared to what a lot of others drive.  I am also fortunate that Branson is on the way to my extended family who live in Arkansas.  And that is where we are headed tomorrow.

I have two aunts, one uncle, two sisters, and scores of cousins and their family that live in the Russellville Arkansas area.  There was a time when the family who lived there was the hub of all the excitement that happened in our extended family.  It seemed as if everyone was drawn there to see grandparents, the plethora of aunts and a couple of uncles and numerous cousins.  My mother, the eldest of twelve children who lived to adulthood, is no longer living, as well as four of her other siblings.  There are six surviving aunts and one surviving uncle but only three who still live in the Arkansas area.  They are aging and not as active as they used to be.  It now seems as if the older folks primarily get together with their living children.  Many have even lost their own children to death.  Of my mom’s descendants, my sisters and I are the “older generation”.  That is quite an eye opening truth. 

I go because I want to see my sister Scarlett, my Aunt Vela and my Aunt Esther and my Uncle Buddy (my mom’s last surviving brother).  Esther’s home to me feels like a home away from home.  She has lived in the same place since I was a teenager.  I cherish all the times we were there enjoying her company and hospitality.  There is no one in the whole world who is like my aunt Esther.  Does she have faults?  Yes, because she is human, but she has been dubbed “the angel of our family”, and I believe she truly is.  Each time I see her I cherish the time as if it is the last time I will see her here on earth because someday it may be true.  But it is a sweet thought to know we will be together forever when we both get to heaven!

I believe that every time we are with those we love we should cherish that time as special and even somewhat sacred.  I try to stop and purposely store up the memories of being with them, what they said to me, what we did, how much I enjoyed being with them, and as many other little things about them as I can.  It’s as if my heart has a special memory box full of treasures.  Snippets and bits of conversations I have tucked carefully away to bring out at a later time.   All my family is special to me.  I don’t always believe it is reciprocal, but that is okay too.  I tend to get under the skin of a few of my cousins and they don’t hesitate in letting me know.  That’s okay, I know I am sometime difficult to be around because I talk too much, or would like to do too much, or always have opinions on everything.   But from my perspective I’m just happy that I am me and not them.  I just don’t tell them so.  And I keep right on loving them.  One of the best things that ever happened in my lifetime in regards to the large family I come from, is that I moved so far away.  Wisconsin is just the right distance.

Yesterday The College of the Ozarks was mentioned in my blog.  Dave and I went back today to have lunch.  I wish I had taken photos of the inside of the dining room.  It was a beautiful work of art.  The ceilings were large sheets of beautiful copper.  The support system for the heavy beams were actual full size tree trunks so huge a man could not reach around them.  The chairs were made of raw wood with the bark still on the legs and backs.  Very beautiful. 

We were told that all the labor to make that huge building was constructed by the students working off their tuition.  It would have made me very proud to have shared a part of my labor to create such a beautiful structure built to last for many, many years.  We were very impressed with the campus.  We went to the lookout site on campus and viewed the area for miles.  I will include a few pictures of what we saw as we looked down the mountain side.

I am including an excerpt from the web regarding the Keeter Center and the College of the Ozarks that I think you may find extremely informative:

“The Keeter Center opened in 2004. Approximately 250 Students help build it, under the direction of Master Craftsmen. Most of the hickory furniture was made here in the Ozarks. The huge logs that support the three-story lobby and are used for the walls came from Montana. (From fallen timber, no trees were cut!) C of O students did about 70% of the construction.

The Keeter Center houses the Program of Hotel/Restaurant Management.  More than 2,400 students have worked in The Keeter Center in seven different workstations over the past 10 years. Students have cleaned approximately 20,000 beds since opening. Dobyns Dining Room has served approximately 5,000,000 cinnamon-craisin biscuits in the past ten years! Another important program at Keeter is the Community Convocation Series. Lady Margaret Thatcher, Colin Powell, President Gerald Ford and Tom Brokaw are some of the well-known individuals who have spoken there. A fully accredited college, C of O students do not pay tuition; instead they work 15 hours per week in one of 80 work venues on campus, from the computer center, to the mill, to the greenhouses, to the dairy operation.”

After our self-guided tour through the campus Dave and I took off for the Sight and Sound theater where the three million dollar production of JONAH is currently being performed.  We saw the show last week but went back today because we wanted to go on the behind the scenes tour.  Oh, it was bigger than life.  Simply spectacular.  The stage itself was over 26,000 square feet.  The storage area behind the stage was built to the dimensions of Noah’s Ark, 450 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high.  To stand in a room that size with all the over-sized props was absolutely mind boggling.  In case you can’t visualize that size of an indoor space, let me just say it was overwhelmingly large and impressive.  If I remember correctly it seats 2,238 people and has 105 toilets in the building.  I was impressed!  (Especially with the amount of toilets).  Jonah has been running for two years and will soon close.  Next year the performance will be MOSES.  I do hope we have the opportunity to come back and see MOSES in either 2016 or 2017.  The productions run for two seasons starting sometime in March through sometime in November.   

While having lunch today we spoke with the waitress named Shelby, currently a senior at College of the Ozarks.  She graduates in December.  I asked her if she will graduate free of collage debt.  She said yes, and totally debt free of all debt.  I suggested that she buy Dave Ramsey’s book about living debt free and she informed me that she had it.  One of the classes required there for debt free living actually uses Dave Ramsey’s book as part of the curriculum.  I was pleasantly surprised and amazed all in one.  For once, a college that is actually preparing young people to live economically responsible.  I asked Shelby for her wisdom.  She was very prepared and forthcoming with what she wanted to say.  Her parents should be extremely proud of the young lady they have raised.

Shelby’s wisdom:

“Coming from my life the biggest thing for me, especially the most recent thing, is coming to the understanding that an exact plan doesn’t always have to be in place.  I am a planner.  I always want to adhere to a strict plan I have planned for myself and when you do that you can miss opportunities that you don’t plan for and that you don’t expect.  Opening myself up to God’s plan for me has been a really big thing to me.  So many things have turned out different than I had planned.  I think it is important to not get too stuck on your own plan for your life and be open to God’s plan.”

The above words say a lot about Shelby, and I also believe they speak highly of the influence of the education she has received from a collage, based on Christian principals, and the Word of God.

Overall, I was impressed with the caliber, courtesy, and respect of the students I spoke with while on campus.  I did not see anyone on a cell phone and the greatest pleasure was that they were well informed about anything we asked and more than willing to speak with the “older folks”.  There was a courtesy and consideration they exhibited that seems to be lost in most of those in their generation.  (Again, just speaking my opinion).  I WAS THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED!

HOME TO REALITY

By Kathleen Martens

October 14, 2015

A late night is getting later.

The time to rise is getting sooner.

This blog must come to a close

Before I sleep a nooner.

Early alarm will beep me up,

My retreat will soon be o’re.

We must then pack and go

And our holiday will be no more.

On to life to visit kin

To laugh and love and remember

So few days to make memories

That are sweet and tender.

Then off to home and reality

And all that must be done.

And once again settle down

To a life that’s on the run.

Good night.  God bless you.

Tuesday October 13 2015  A DAY TO REMEMBER

CALENDAR WISDOM

IN THE CONFRONTATION BETWEEN

THE STREAM AND THE ROCK,

THE STREAM ALWAYS WINS,

NOT THROUGH STRENGTH

BUT BY PERSEVERANCE.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

By Kathleen Martens

October 13 2015

Certain days are to be remembered,

And this is one of those.

A day unplanned, so beautifully displayed,

Like when you stop to smell a rose.

Simple pleasures sweet as a blossom

That uncurls just because,

And when it blooms it is perfect,

Without wrinkle or flaws.

Such was today, discovered each hour,

No plans to thwart our day.

Like a leaf being blown by the wind

Creating new ways to play.

The hours unfold bringing pleasure

That happened in sequential song.

Unencumbered by constraints or time,

And to the hours we seemed to belong.

Very rarely do I title a poem before I write it.  The poem usually comes first and then I figure out the title.  However, today’s title was written first as if I no choice as what to write.  The poem describes the day so accurately.  We had a day open before us and on the spur of the moment we just followed our hearts.  We discovered some interesting places to go and things to see. 

I don’t know if any who read this blog knows about the COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS in Hollister, Missouri near Branson.  I’ve often read its roadside signs as I have traveled these highways for the past 29 years when I went to see my family in Arkansas.  I never gave the signs a second thought.  Well, what we discovered is that this is a college, like no other college we’ve ever heard of.  Its roots began back in the early 1900’s when a missionary came to this area and realized there were no high schools and not much education happening in “these here” Ozark hills.  A high school was formed which later became a Junior College and then later a four year accredited Liberal Arts College.  Following is an excerpt from a website that tells about the college.  I think you will find its concept quite interesting.

“Christian values and character, hard work, and financial responsibility comprise the fundamental building blocks of the “Hard Work U” experience.  At a time when there is much talk about what is wrong with the nation, College of the Ozarks exemplifies what is right with America.

C of O is committed to its founding mission of providing a quality, Christian education to those who are found worthy, but who are without sufficient means to obtain such training.  Instead of paying tuition, all full-time students work campus jobs to defray the cost of education.  Upon complete participation in the Work Education Program, the College guarantees to meet the entire cost of education for students, allowing them the opportunity to graduate debt-free.  The College openly discourages debt by not participating in any federal, state, or private loan programs and leads by example through having no institutional debt of any kind.

 “Hard Work U” earns numerous accolades yearly, including…”

One of the “business” ventures that the students are involved in is working in a restaurant on campus in the Keeter Center.  It is huge and cavernous, more like a beautiful over sized barn. All the food is grown on the premises, farmed by the students, prepared and served by the students.  We decided to have lunch only to find out that the only way you eat there is through reservations and they book up way ahead.  We made reservations for lunch tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.  You take what you can get when you are only going to be in town for two more days. 

We did a little exploring in the Keeter Center and then left to eat lunch elsewhere due to Dave’s schedule of eating.  We plan to get up early tomorrow so we can walk the campus and do some more exploring.  The campus is situated on a mountain top and it is absolutely beautiful.  There is much to see and discover.  After lunch we dropped off our lunch leftovers at our cottage and took off for the movie theater which Dave had discovered earlier in the day.  The movie we wanted to see was “90 Minutes in Heaven” based on the true story of Don Piper who died in a horrendous head on collision with a semi-trailer truck.  After being pronounced dead for one and a half hours he was prayed over and came back to life.  It is an amazing story.  I recommend reading the book (same title) before you see the movie.  The movie was done well but a lot of the details in the book had to be left out due to limited movie time.

When the movie was over Dave and I went directly to the Starlight Theater on the Branson Strip for the one event that we had previously planned.  We went to hear “THE TEXAS TENORS”.  They were awesome.  I think they rank number one show of all that we have ever seen here in Branson (except those in the Sight and Sound Theatre).  I have never watched the T.V. show “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” so I had no prior knowledge of who they are.  This was the show that led to their stardom.  All three were having a difficult time making a living and one of the men was the instigator in forming the group so they could try to get on the show.  The grand prize was one million dollars.  They made it to the finals and won the million dollars.  I can see why.  They are awesome!  If you are ever in Branson or have the opportunity to see them on the road when they travel I encourage you to treat yourself to a wonderful evening of exceptional entertainment.

And now we are back at the cottage and I am enjoying my day all over again just writing about it.  I think what makes a day such as today so pleasant is the peace that Dave and I share doing things together, without the stress of work, and no demands on our time.  All the riches in the world cannot replace peace.  I am truly one of the most fortunate people in the world to be loved like I am by a man as wonderful as Dave.  And what makes it even better is that I have Dave to love in return.  It is a day such as this that makes it a day to be remembered.

Good night and God bless your tomorrow that it will be a day to remember.

P.S.  Below are some photos taken on campus of The College of the Ozarks.

Monday October 12 2015  THEIR DESTINY AWAITS!

CALENDAR WISDOM

OCTOBER 12, 2015

ONCE TO EVERY MAN AND NATION

COMES THE MOMENT TO DECIDE,

IN THE STRIFE OF TRUTH WITH FALSEHOOD

FOR THE GOOD OR EVIL SIDE.

This was a day we needed.  No one here, no appointments, no shows to see, no time schedule to follow.  And I woke up at 5:50 a.m. and that was good.  We were in bed last night by 9:30 p.m.  That was like a little bit of bliss for me.  I enjoy going to bed early so I do not miss morning.  Morning is truly one of my favorite times of the day.  I listened to a sermon from Calvary Chapel Modesto as Dave slept next to me.  Such a peaceful, relaxing time.  These are the moments of retirement that I love.

We prepared for the day, ate breakfast, Dave took off for the gym and I took off on a hike around the grounds where we are residing at the present.  It is very hilly.  I have walked every street, every hill, up and down, and sometimes backward.  Well, today I decided that I would climb “THE HILL”.  As you drive onto the premises of this resort you are at the top of the hill with an astounding view.  It is a long way down and I found out later, an even longer way up.  I walked the hills around the cottages and then the challenge of “THE HILL”, beckoned me.  I took off not knowing if I could really master it in one fell swoop.  I just kept walking and I made it to the top.  It was actually not as difficult as I thought it would be.  My legs had already gone through the conditioning of walking the shorter hills which had toughened up the old thigh muscles a bit.  I walked up, took a picture of the flag on top (sort of like my glory shot) and walked back down.  Then I turned right around and did it again.  I think the second time might have been a bit slower but not much.  I returned to the cottage by going the long way and walking some more of the hilly streets and by the time I arrived back I was pure perspiration.  I think it was actually the best heart healthy workout I have ever done.  At least I didn’t pass out! 

I must admit, it was not quite the same as climbing the rock face that I climbed in Washington State but it was just as exerting if not more so.  It wasn’t quite as dangerous though.  Tomorrow I hope to do it three times in succession.

Watermelon is my favorite melon.  I am always a bit sad when the season is over and there are no more.  When we arrived in Branson over a week ago there were still some available.  I bought one.  It was delicious.  It is almost gone now so Dave and I went to the store in hopes of finding another one.  It was not the Walmart Supercenter where we had purchased the first one.  We went to a closer store which was the Country Market (right in the heart of the city) and they did have a few left.  So I decided to buy a couple.  When I checked out I realized that one was $12 and the other was $13.  So I did not buy them.  I felt that was too much to pay for watermelons.  I went to the manager and asked why they were so costly, as I thought that was an exorbitant price.  It was because they were the last of the season.  We left the store.

I suggested we go back to the Walmart Supercenter which was quite a distance, and since we weren’t concerned about time that is what we did.  There in the same little bin where I picked out my last one were some beautiful, end of the season watermelon for $5.48 each.  We bought two.  One for me to eat and one to take to my aunt Esther in a few days.  They are very healthy looking watermelon and now have seats of honor on our little red stools, in our little red cottage.  

MY LITTLE GREEN WATERMELONS

By Kathleen Martens

October 12, 2015

In the little red house

On the little red stools

Sit my little green watermelons

That soon will be cool.

The end of the season

More priceless than gold.

At least at one store

That’s what I was told.

So I looked elsewhere

Until I heard two cry,

“Take me”, they clamored

“Before I die”.

“I must fulfill my purpose

To give life to the living.

Unto the very last bite

I promise to be giving.”

So I picked up those two

With a glad heart,

And promptly put them

Into my cart.

And now they are here.

Their destiny awaits

To fulfill my pleasure

And my hunger sate.

Thank You God for watermelon!

In a few days we will be going to Arkansas.  My aunt does not have Wi-Fi. I plan to go to the library and use their Wi-Fi to publish.  The library is not open on the weekends so I may not have blogs up over the weekend.  I will if I can.  Just thought my sister might want to know as she is concerned when she doesn’t hear from me as I travel.  Thanks Sister.  It is nice to know that someone is looking out for our well being.

Before I must write a P.S., I’ll just tell you one thing we did accomplish today.  We had the oil changed in my little Silver Fox.  I’m still under warranty and my Kia Dealership in Madison Wisconsin will reimburse me for oil changes away from home.  They reimbursed me for all the oil changes I had when I traveled earlier this year.  We have a great warranty with them.  (This note is actually for my information should I need to remember later).  I am not currently able to both blog and write in my journal as I travel, so must get my IMPORTANT facts in so I can remember them.  Now wasn’t it important that I talk about watermelons?  No comments please!!

Good night and God bless you and keep you safe.

Sunday Sabbath October 11 2015  GOODBYES ARE NOT FOREVER

CALENDAR WISDOM FOR OCTOBER 11, 2015

TAKE THE SAVIOR’S LOVING HAND

AND DO NOT TRY TO UNDERSTAND,

JUST LET HIM LEAD YOU WHERE HE WILL,

THROUGH PASTURES GREEN,

BY WATERS STILL.

Why is it that you plan and dream and prepare and imagine the far off time when you will be together with those you love, and when it finally becomes a reality, the days just fly by and are over?  And that was today. 

We have looked so forward to being with our family as a complete unit and then it goes so quickly and nothing you do can stop the moments from speeding by.  Living in the moment is all that is available to us.  So soon the moments flee and we must say goodbye.  Our son and his family live close by us and so we visit throughout the year.  Our daughter and her family live about 1,244 miles away.  We are fortunate to see each other once a year.  And it is never easy when we say goodbye.  Today was doubly hard.  Our son and his family left very early and took the boys out to the car sleeping and didn’t wake us up before they left as they wanted the boys to not be disturbed.  It worked.  They slept until about 10:00 a.m.  Even though I will see them again soon it was a bit sad to not be able to say goodbye after such an incredible week with them.  I got over it quickly.

Rebecca and Neil on the other hand were a different story.  They came by shortly after 9:00 this morning on their way out.  Our goodbyes were long and drawn out because no one wanted to part.  It will be quite a long time before we are together again.  We enjoy our time together (perhaps because distance makes the heart grow fonder?) but it never seems to be enough time.  I just received a message on the phone from Rebecca that says it so beautifully.  “…This was such a lovely week and still seems like we weren’t able to talk enough.  We have to see you soon.  We love you so much xoxo…”  How could anything sweeter be said?  What she doesn’t realize is that I too feel as if I were not able to talk enough.  But for me that’s an everyday occurrence.  I always have many more words in me than I have someone available to listen.  Oh well, God always hears when I talk to Him.

GOODBYES ARE NOT FOREVER

By Kathleen Martens

October 11, 2015

Our tears are dry, our hearts are full

Memories linger in sweet refrain.

So seldom are we all together,

This a dose of medicine for all bane.

The sweetness of each moment captured

To be remembered in our sated heart.

So full are we of loving each other

Though physically separated, we are not apart.

All the words and sweet affections

Last long after the week is done.

A bit of my children live in my veins

Even when they are grown and gone.

Thank you Rebecca for your kind words.  We too enjoyed the evening with you and hubby.  It was a quiet interlude following such a busily packed, rambunctious week.  Every day was special!

I send my thanks to my blog readers who may be following the daily publications about my family escapades.  I write them down so that I will be able to look back and be reminded of what happened, with whom, and when and where.  I am actually looking forward to having time to go back and read my trip blog.  So much happened so quickly that I purposely placed each day on the shelf when it was over so I could go on to the next adventure.  I want to go back and remember a little bit better.  Time has a way of distorting our memory.  I want to write while everything is fresh in my mind so I can capture the true feelings of each experience.  Thanks for sharing these moments with me.

Good night and God bless you one and all.

Saturday October 10, 2015  MY FAMILY CAME FIRST

When Rebecca became a young teenager she would sometimes come crawl in bed with me, always late at night after a busy day and all I wanted to do was go to sleep.  Instead of sleeping I would listen to her voice in the dark.  Dave usually stayed up a lot later than me so we two “girls” would have a private time for sharing.  She always talked best in the dark.  I would listen intently until I sometimes I fell asleep and she would leave.  I figured that it was more important for me to hear what she needed to say than it was for me to get my much needed sleep.  I found out that some things change, but not everything.

Tonight she had some things to discuss, and of course it would be late into the night!  The difference being, this time I was not in bed and Dave was with me and it was not in the dark.  We were together all day and she waits until about 9:30 or so to start talking about what was on her heart.  So we listened.  We both knew I planned to come home, write my bog and get to bed early as we must be up early in the morning to prepare moving to another cottage and they have a long driving day ahead tomorrow.  Rebecca has always had a lot of insight and wisdom about life since she was a very young child, and tonight she again said something that I agree with.  As the hour grew late and my blossom faded, she looked at me and said, “Mom, what will happen if you don’t write your blog for one day?  Just open it up and write, “MY FAMILY CAME FIRST”, and then say, “Just email me if you don’t like it”.

I’m smiling.  I hope you are.  It is past midnight but I did want to say hello to those that are following me as I travel.  Dave and I are still in one piece and holding our own.  Remember, this week we were up against one daughter, one son, one son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, two grandsons, and two grand-dogs!  AND WE SURVIVED!

MY FAMILY COMES FIRST

By Kathleen Martens

October 10, 2015

Nothing can take the place

Of the time you spend

With those you love

Who are family, yet friend.

So tonight I lingered

Past the midnight hour

To build our relationship

And infuse it with power.

I’ve learned a great lesson

As I’ve walked this earth,

Taking time to listen

Has such valuable worth.

My family comes first,

The motto of  our heart!

And it is NOW we are together,

For tomorrow we part.

So if I am tired

As comes the morn,

I’ll have a smile inside

And not be forlorn.

For I will have listened

To what daughter has spoken,

My body may be tired

But our love won’t be broken.

I have a word of wisdom for you today.  This is something I have counselled parents about for years.  As your children grow, especially into adolescence and teen years (and beyond), keep them talking AND KEEP LISTENING TO WHAT THEY ARE REALLY SAYING.  I could write an entire piece just on this topic and perhaps one day I shall.  Tonight is not the night. 

It is late.  Good night and God bless you!

P.S.  Years ago I gave my sister one of the Amish calendars from which I quote my daily wisdom.  Since I left my calendar home she emailed me and asked if she could send me the sayings on each day.  So Velma, please continue to send them and I will post them.  Thank you for thinking of doing this for me.  Below is Calendar Wisdom for October 10, 2015:

THERE ARE TWO LASTING

BEQUESTS WE CAN GIVE

OUR CHILDREN…ONE IS

ROOTS,

THE OTHER IS WINGS,

Thursday October 8, 2015  “THE UN-GROWN ONES”

So much is happening around the table that I can’t wrap my head around it.  I think this blog will be short tonight.  We have a lot of different opinions being spewed back and forth around the table regarding family portraits which will take place tomorrow.  I will not go any further tonight with that discussion, but if we are still together as a family tomorrow I will tell you how it turned out.

Today was a delightful, spur of the moment adventure.  Son, wife and kiddos went to an amusement park.  That left daughter, husband,  Dave, and me on our own for the day.  Neil has never been to Branson and wanted to see the area.  Rebecca and Neil had a destination in mind which I had never heard of.  So we went exploring to find “Top of the Rock” a bit south of Branson.  Its actual name is “Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail.”  It is a privately owned natural habitat, golf course, with lodging, restaurant, tours, museums, and amazing caves and waterfalls.  Its location is referred to as Top of the Rock.   It is located in Lost Canyon.   Neil and Rebecca treated Dave and I to a beautiful lunch at the restaurant, which is housed in a magnificent barn.  The barn was disassembled by the Amish from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and reassembled at the TOP OF THE ROCK resort area in 1987.  The barn was originally built in 1852.  It is an amazing hand hewn structure of great proportions.  Some of the barn’s interior timbers are over 46 feet long and over 250 years old.

After lunch we were also treated by Rebecca and Neil to a tour of the lost caves. .  It was a self-guided tour via a golf cart.  Everyone voted that I was not to be the driver.   Hmmm…for the life of me I can’t figure out why.  Actually is was quite nice because I didn’t need to concentrate on driving and could pay more attention to all I wanted to see.  So, we were all happy.

We returned home to have dinner and game time.

Now everyone is settling down for the night.  The first quiet we have experienced since arriving home this evening.  Whew!  My head is spinning.  I sometimes don’t know how Amy stays sane.  I think she really likes her job.

THE UNGROWN ONES

By Kathleen Martens

October 8, 2015

My head is spinning

From all the sound,

From all the commotions

Spinning around.

Laughter and clapping,

Bantering and song.

No sound that could be made

Could possibly be wrong.

My smile inside

Just grew bigger

As I listened intently

As laughter triggered.

Two little boys

The pride of our lives

And of those present

Who are husbands and wives.

Grandsons and nephews,

Sons and brothers

And out of all the world

I’d rather have no others.

Today was a happy day for a lady I’ve never met but only talked to on the phone.  Earlier this week my daughter-in-law found a beautiful piece of jewelry.  She and Courtland asked the neighbors if anyone had lost a piece of jewelry.  No owner could be found.  It’s a long story but to make it short I will just say that the owner was found.  Both Courtland and I were actually able to speak with the owner of the heirloom diamond ring on the phone.  She was ecstatic.  She had been crying off and on since she had lost it.  I am so happy that we were able to help her have a good ending to her story.  I hope she has a very peaceful sleep tonight. 

This has been a fast week, a long week, a too short week, an exciting week, and a fun filled week and even a few minutes of “spewing”.  Too soon it will be over.  The kids (the grown ones) may actually be happy when it over.  The two kids, (the un-grown ones) probably hope it lasts forever.  Who wouldn’t like six adults doting over them, no school, wonderful meals (which they don’t really appreciate), videos, board games, loud laughing parties, later bedtimes, amusement parks, birthday parties, treasure hunts, two dogs to play with, and book tapes to listen to?  It’s fun for them.  It’s fun for us!

Good night faithful reader.  May God bless your night.

Wednesday October 7 2015  Jonah and the Whale

SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE in Branson Missouri is an awesome place.  Going there was our highlight of the day.  It sits atop a high hill like a beacon in the night.  SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE offers presentations of fabulous musicals with the stories taken from the Bible.  As of today, Dave and I have attended three productions presented there.  We first saw Noah, and we thought no other production could ever top the scope and magnitude of that presentation.  Then we attended the musical, Joseph, and it was equally as spectacular as Noah. Today we attended the production of Jonah.  What a beautiful experience it was for our entire family to experience this together.  SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRES is the nation’s largest professional Christian theatrical company and one of the highest attended live theatres on the East Coast and in the Midwest.

The stories come to life as you watch and listen to the performers tell the stories from the Bible.  They are always bigger than life.  Today was no exception.  If you are ever in this area I recommend taking the time out to attend a performance.  The  Noah production will be performed through the end of 2015.  Next year the presentation will be MOSES.  What I find most interesting is that at the end of the show the M.C.  came out and told the audience that the performers would be up front to pray with anyone who would like to come up and be prayed for.

We had a family day of playing games together, talking, preparing and eating meals together.  It is late and I must not write too long tonight.  I know I have friends and family who read me daily so I continue to write a little something, even while on vacation, so that everyone will know I am alive and well. 

GOD’S GIFTS TO US FROM OTHERS

By Kathleen Martens

October 7, 2015

Oh, how fortunate we are

That we might give our talent away,

For God presented each a gift

That we bless another’s day.

Today I was the joyous receiver

While I sat watching the play

Of gifts bestowed by others.

Through actions and words they say.

Thank you God for sharing

What You give to others around

That they too can share their gift

And with their heart expound.

How so very fortunate am I

To be recipient of such great pleasure.

It is just another jewel You give,

Like a little nugget to treasure.

I have another little nugget to treasure also.  It is from a lady who I met in the lobby of the SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE.  Her daughter took the family picture of my family standing in the lobby in front of the Jonah sign.  I do not remember her name.  Here are her words of wisdom.

“I love the Proverb in the Bible about the husband who sits on the edge of the roof because the wife nagged.  I lost a husband due to nagging.  So I would say DON’T NAG.  I would say it is about the worst possible thing you could do. God has given me another wonderful husband WHO I DO NOT NAG and I have a much better marriage because of it.”

So…ask yourself, wife and HUSBANDS, “am I a nagger”.  Step back and take a good self-look!  If so, choose to change.  Think it first, then put it into action.  You may be pleasantly surprised to see the outcome.

Good night and God bless you.

Tuesday October 6, 2015  DAVE GOT A TATOO

Well, like I said yesterday, today was going to be an interesting day.  Perhaps a better word to describe the day would be “A FUN DAY”.  Lots going on here in these two cabin condos in Branson Missouri.  Between grandparents, auntie and uncle, and mom and dad, the boys are bounced around a bit.  They spent the morning at Rebecca and Neil’s place while mom and dad destressed in the gym room.  Then I went over to Rebecca and Neil’s to help them complete a surprise.  We waited until the boys were picked up by mom and dad and then we went to work. 

Rebecca had a surprise birthday party planned for Zachariah and Xander.  We also wished happy birthday to Neil as his birthday is also coming up soon.  Once clear of the two little pirates we got to work.  Courtland and Amy were not privy to our plans.  We zoomed into action, Rebecca ever ready with all the trimmings, started hanging décor around and a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIGN across the windows.  The theme of the party was PIRATES, even to the attire.

Once the décor and theme was in place we started the fun part.  We had purchased a lot of little gifts for the boys, which we has previously wrapped, and we planned a pirate’s treasure hunt.  If I had saved the clues my poem would have already been written.  But alas, I did not think of that and the clues were discarded after the treasure hunt.  The clues consisted of little rhymes that gave instructions as where to look.  Some clues were quite difficult, some were a bit too easy, and some were very educational because we used words they did not know.  That made for a time of teaching, which is always my intent.  Neil and I worked diligently to hide all the gifts, put the clues in the right places, and hoped we wouldn’t forget where all the gifts were hidden.  But, they were all found. 

Before the party began we all “had tattoos”, even grandpa Dave.  I confess, even grandma had one!  I’ll show you the photos…of Dave’s.  This is something we never thought we’d do.  Well, I thought they would wash off.  Well, guess what, they actually last for a few days.  I’ll see just how hard I can scrub.

The two birthday boys had a wonderful time searching.  It went without a hitch.  No meltdowns, no one got hurt, and both boys had a great time unwrapping their bounty of treasure.  I shall include a few pics for you to see.  Zach touched a chord in my heart when he turned to his mom and said, “This is the best birthday party I’ve ever had”.  Believe me, he has had some pretty awesome birthday parties so that was quite a compliment.

It was a half hour of quiet interlude as I wrote the blog above.  The doorbell rings and my little munchkins are back from the pool.  Guest are arriving soon for dinner.  I have a cousin and her husband who live here in Branson and it is always a highlight when we have a chance to visit with them while in Branson.

THE MEMORIES I’LL CHERISH

By Kathleen Martens

October 6, 2015

The day has been full,

Used to the hilt.

Fun for us all

Without any guilt.

Time from the usual

Gives mind a rest.

When we resume our duties

We’ll be at our best.

Life does not stop

Even when you’re old.

But there are some things

I wish I’d been told.

Like two grown children,

Two dogs and two grands,

Creates a vacation

With lots of demands.

But all is worth it

Every moment together,

For it bonds our hearts

And creates a tether.

So regardless how strenuous

A day can become.

The memories I’ll cherish

Will be all the fun.

I wrote half the poem when I started this evening before company came and the last half after everyone left.  It is done.  I am done.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  I must relate a rather funny story that my cousin told me at the dinner table.

Last week I called my cousin Rita and left a message on her answer machine that we would be coming to Branson and I would love to have her over for dinner and to be sure and bring Jerry.

Several days passed and I had not heard back from her.  I mentioned it to Dave and tried to call her back but couldn’t get my connection to go through.  Well Rita told me tonight that she had texted me and after doing so I had never returned her text.  Well, I never received the text.

Now for the rest of the story.  Come to find out, I had not left her a message on her answer machine.  Rather, I had left the message on her sister’s answering machine, who is not married, and definitely not married to Jerry.  Her sister Retta does not live in the Branson area but was excited that I had called her and asked her to come to Branson to visit but was a bit surprised when I asked her to bring her sister’s husband.  She finally put two and two together, called her sister Rita and clued her in that she thought the message was for her, thus Rita sends me the text (which I did not receive). 

Rita finally called me and said yes, she and her husband would love to come for dinner.  And so tonight they did.  We all got a laugh out of what Rita told us that Retta had put on her facebook page.  She said her cousin had invited her to come to dinner but to be sure and bring her sister’s husband with her.  Oh well, it could have been worse.  She might have showed up with her sister’s husband!

It was nice to see Rita and Jerry (right wife and husband) tonight.  And I hope I will be able to see her sister Retta when I am in Arkansas.  Tonight was a good night!

So, good night again.

Monday October 5, 2015  TIME IS PASSING TOO QUICKLY

MAKING MEMORIES

By Kathleen Martens

October 5, 2015 

So much we’ve done,

So much to do.

These days are precious

But oh, too few.

I live each moment

To the max.

So much to do,

No time to relax.

Day’s end comes

In the twinkling of an eye

Because the hours

Just seem to fly.

So I measure each little thing

To remember when past.

The hours soon will end.

Memories, are what will last.

And on that day 

When we must part,

My arms will be empty,

But not heart.

Though the week is early I must admit I feel a bit of melancholy trying to creep in.  I believe that is because I know our week together as a family will all too soon come to an end.  Because of that, we are packing it full of fun things.  This was a slow moving, peaceful day.  Cool weather but very enjoyable. 

Today was part shopping, part sightseeing, part Condo time.  Now it is bedtime and again, (sounding like a broken record), and I am tired.  We are currently in Branson, away from all the work that looks you in the eye when you are home.  No work to do here except some laundry AND COOK.  Though I assembled most of my recipes at home it still seems that I am in the kitchen quite a bit.   I won’t go there, just wanted you to know that it seems a woman’s work is never done.  Oh well, I enjoy working. 

Before this blog becomes work I shall close.  Rebecca and Neil will be leaving soon for their condo and I want to get ready to sleep.  Another busy day tomorrow.  I’m leaving out many of the details of the day but just wanted everyone to know that I am alive and well.

Tomorrow is a very special and exciting day.  I promise to tell you about it after it takes place.

Good night and God bless you.

Sunday October 4, 2015   A Time of Sweet Reunion

A TIME OF SWEET REUNION

By Kathleen Martens

October 4,2015

We are here exhausted.

Ready for our beds

So soon it will be time

To lay down our tired heads.

A long day of driving

Mesmerized by constant song

When driving erases all quiet

And the day becomes so long.

But now I hear a pleasant surprise

Come knocking at my door,

It is my traveling daughter

And rest will be no more.

A time of sweet reunion

With our little girl now grown,

As well as with our beloved son

None better could I have known.

So we stay up in all the chaos

With two grandsons who ice our cake.

No better time of family love

Could we ever make.

Too soon I will be asleep

Alone in all my dreams,

But no imaginings could be better

Than what reality seems.

Our daughter arrived much later than expected and it was quite a day of travel with two little dogs.  Her husband was exhausted when they arrived and went to their cabin to settle in before coming here.  He decided not to come as the dogs were quite beside themselves after such a day. Rebecca decided to come over even if the hour was late.  It was worth it.  Our week is booking up rapidly.  I think that we will be very pleased that we extended our stay after our children and their families leave for home.  Because Rebecca and Neil live so far away it will be hard to part.  Dave and I miss her and Neil so, so much. 

We stayed at a Comfort Inn and Suites in Pacifica Missouri last night.  I was very impressed with how comfortable, clean, and accommodating the facility was.  We have not always been pleasantly surprised.  While at the hotel I noticed a little message framed on the bathroom sink.  I thought it was amazing.  I will post it at the bottom of this blog.  Read it all, I think you may like it.  I think the message makes a lot of sense,

I forgot to bring my calendar wisdom with me on the trip.  I don’t know if I could have made room for it.  Our little Kia Soul was packed!  Probably about as much as I had on my long trip.  A lot of what we brought will not be going home with us.  Court and Amy do not know it yet, but a lot of what we brought will be going home with them.  All the meals I planned were not refrigerated in transport, but because of the way I packed them they were still frozen solid when we arrived at our destination 24 hours later.

Tomorrow comes early.  So I will say good night.

God bless all of you!

Saturday October 3 2015  A LATE NIGHT

A late night for two retired people.  We finally were packed up and on the road by 3:45 p.m. this afternoon.  We both went to the gym this morning to get a good workout in before we headed out for today’s adventure on our rears.  We only stopped three times so we made good time.  Illinois is beautiful this time of year.  It was a beautiful clear day with low clouds and lots of wind.  The sunset was brilliant red and piercing as it lowered the shade of light.  Darkness comes so early now.  The sun set about 6:41 p.m. and it made the day seem so late. 

We are in Missouri, safe and sound in our hotel, praying our belonging and car are safe in the back parking lot of this busy highway.  We booked the last room in this hotel.  We called several hotels in this area and all were booked up.  I asked why?  This hotel told me there was a dog show locally, we are close to Six Flags, there was a large wedding they were hosting, and there was a skeet shoot competition scheduled for the weekend.

 We had several phone chats with our daughter as we drove to our destination.  We personally do not text or use the phone when we drive but since there was one of us not driving it was convenient to have the non- driver manage the phone.  It seems we never have enough time to talk to Rebecca and her husband so it was nice to chat back and forth as we both traveled.

Siri, (the talking voice on my phone) informed us that we drove 397 miles today.  Our estimated drive tomorrow according to Siri is 219 miles.

I must keep tonight short as I am ready to go to sleep sitting here in the chair.

EXIST NEVER MORE

By Kathleen Martens

October 3, 2015

Sitting in the chair

Keeping my eyes awake,

Seems an unending task

My body has to make.

My body just desires

To spread out on my queen

And then in the morning

I’ll glow a healthy sheen.

Slumber land welcomes me

To cross its silent door,

Where all the cares of the world

Exist never more.

But the never only lasts

Until dawns early light

When the sun will shine again

And is it no longer night.

Good night and God bless.

P.S.  I wrote this for you sister dear so you would know I was still alive.

P.S.S.  It is 11:47 p.m. and the hotel wifi will not allow me to open it for some reason.  I cannot upload my blog so will try to do so again tomorrow.

Friday October 2, 2015  THE TABLE IS FINISHED

Dear Friends, Family and all the Others who do not know me:

Pretend this is a letter to each of you.  Actually, it is an email letter to bring you up to date on what is happening around this place.  Both lots and not much.   The people who will be attending our house while we are gone will be here tomorrow so Dave and I are hitting the road.  It is good to know that I have two such capable people here to do all the things that need to be done while we are gone.  Since we have our farm boxes being delivered each Thursday we had to have people here we could depend on.

I am in the midst of prep work for packing the car.  We find it easiest to leave midday rather than early mornings.  We do not put a time factor to when we leave but we do put a time factor on how much sleep we get the night before we begin driving long distance.  We will wake up at our normal time, without an alarm, and finish the last minute packing and then hit the road.  We’ll travel until about 10:00 p.m. and finish the drive the next day.  It makes for a much easier and safer trip for us.  We probably will not leave until early afternoon.

I’m taking lots of frozen dinners and must put them in the car at the last last minute.  Everything is frozen and packed so tightly that usually most of it is still frozen 24 hours later.  It helps that the weather is cooler.  It is truly fall where we are and  Wisconsin knows its seasons. Like clockwork, the calendar said autumn had arrived and the temperature minded its P’s and Q’s and dropped considerably.  We actually already have our down comforter on the bed over our light summer quilt.  On my side of the bed I also have three additional blankets to ward off the night chill that blows its way through our open window.  Dave has one extra blanket.  In the cold of winter we have two down comforters on the bed and I have a few extra quilts piled on top.  We do close our windows when the ice starts forming but we do not heat the back zone of house where the bedrooms are.  I said all that to say this, since it is so cool now I am not concerned about the frozen entrees we are transporting.

So, life is on track for the time being.  Our daughter is not quite so fortunate. She and her husband will be delayed from leaving Florida as planned, due to a tornado that is just 80 miles away from where they live.  Originally they were not thought to be in its path but per chance that it changes direction tonight, they will need to board up their windows and batten the hatches before they leave.  They have an outdoor room that is covered with a thick canvas roofing.  Many times they have had to unlace it and take that down as well.  Lots to tie down when you live in hurricane country.

Dave and I did accomplish one of the things we hoped to accomplish with the help of our neighbor today.  We were able to bring in our table that I have been painstakingly painting.  It turned out very nice.  It is very heavy and we could not have moved it into the house without help.  And now the garage will be available for cars while we are gone.  I took a few photos of how the finished table looks in the house.  Remember, it is not a conventional dining room table, especially for a formal dining area.  But all said and done, we all agreed that it looks quite nice.  It is sort of whimsical and elegant at the same time.   I have already made a display in the well area of the table.  I’ll publish a few pics for you to see.  We set 4 of the chairs around it to see how it looked.  The seats have not yet been reupholstered but everyone that sees them has told me not to do so as the color on the seats go well with the table.  It feels good to be finished with this project before we leave and before winter sets in.

A NEW LIFE GIVEN

By Kathleen Martens

October 2, 2015

Such satisfaction is a job well done

When all the work complete.

To know the labor of love put in

Really makes it quite sweet.

Just a vision in my thought,

I figured it could be done.

But it’s always a lot more work

Than it is a lot more fun.

And to know I salvaged a piece

Destined for the garbage heap.

An old battered rusty table

That is now a treasure to keep.

Over a hundred and fifty years past

This table has lingered long.

I wonder at all the places it’s been

And to whom it may have belonged.

A new life given to something so old,

No longer discarded or rejected

It was an old tobacco table,

Which no one has suspected.

And now it will stand prim and proper

Under a chandelier the color of gold.

It’s been given a new purpose

And it no longer looks so old.

And instead of tobacco plants,

In its well are a display of books.

My very favorite one in the world,

Scroll down to take a look.

(INSERT POST PUBLISHED)  I published the photos as I promised so they would be at the bottom of this blog.  However I had to remove them as pertinent information showed on the display that I was not at liberty to to publish.  Due to that I will not have the photos where they should be.  You need to scroll up to see the ones I could publish.

I will sign off now.  Thank you for reading my letter to you.  I will miss you while I am gone.  I may or may not be writing my blog.  I’ll play it by ear as to what is happening in the moment.  We have a lot of exciting functions planned and lots of things to see and do.  I’ll try my best to write a little something, even if it is a simple poem.

Sincerely,

Your blogger friend