Wednesday September 30 2015  A QUICK NIGHT

Time went by too quickly today with all I had to do.  But I am here now and intend to just check in on my blog site for a few minutes and then get to bed as early as possible.  I have a big day tomorrow.  I will leave the house about 6:15 a.m. and not be home until evening.  I have the honor of watching my grandsons for the day.  The oldest will be in school for part of the day but Xander and I will hang out together.  He is such a super little boy.  Actually, quite amazing.

Since his ear surgery, while I was away, he has done remarkably well.  He had hearing loss in both ears, 30% on one side and 40% on the other side.  His diction is improving and he seems to respond more readily to conversations.  I am just so thankful that his situation was discovered early in his life.  He will be four years old next month.

My metal table is dry and is ready to be brought indoors.  The problem is that it is very heavy and Dave is not supposed to lift more than 10 pounds at present.  We can’t park in our garage until we get the table and base into the house.  Hopefully someone will show up who is just so desiring to carry a heavy, cumbersome, antique tobacco starting table and its base into our house.  We need a Mr. Muscleman!  We need a miracle!

Actually, I need a miracle to get to bed on time.  So here goes.  I’ll try to make my miracle happen.  I was thinking a lot about TIME this morning as I sat in the Lord’s presence.  I decided to look TIME up in the dictionary.  TIME has many connotations attached to it.  Is is a noun.  As I read the dictionary I recognized a poem was coming, I confiscated the words that the dictionary used for its definition and created the following poem.

 

TIME

By Kathleen Martens

September 30, 2015

 

A non-spacial continuum

With irreversible succession.

An interval separating,

As well as duration.

 

A collection, as of years,

Minutes, or days

Representing separation,

That knows its own way.

 

Or a similar number

Representing specific points

Of an arbitrary past

Our memory anoints.

 

Thank you for your “TIME”. 

Good night and God bless you.

 

You know I can’t close without a P.S.  

So, P.S.

I will add a few poems below for those who like to read poetry.  These were written in past years.  

 

Time With Self

By Kathleen Martens

May 14, 2013

 

Spending time with self,

What value may that be?

Do you enjoy your time of solitude

Or is there someone else you’d rather see.

 

Are you interested in thinking,

In quiet time alone?

Or rather be on Facebook,

Or perhaps talking on the phone?

 

Are your thoughts important?

Do you remember how to think?

Or must you have someone to occupy

Or connect with on Twitter’s link?

 

Are you thoughtful, well read and curious

Or consumed by what others say?

Do you believe you have interesting thoughts

That help you throughout your day?

 

Alone with self, what a privilege,

No hustle, bustle or race.

Do you know what your spirit looks like?

Do you recognize your own face?

 

 

Do you like who you are?

Would you choose YOU as a friend?

Perhaps that’s a question you should ask

For its YOU you’ll be with till the end.

 

 

MY FAVORITE TIME OF DAY

By Kathleen Martens

July 29, 2013

 

Oh to awaken

To a brand new story

The beauty and sounds

Creating morning’s glory!

 

My favorite part

Of each day’s birth,

When the rising sun

Kisses the earth.

 

Noontime comes

Ever too swift,

And the brilliance of day

Causes my heart to lift.

 

It is the very best

In my 24 hours,

By light and energy

I’m renewed with power.

 

Then afternoon comes

With cooling breeze

And the melodic lull

Of the honey bees.

 

My most ideal time

For a cup of tea,

A most welcoming place

I choose to be.

 

And then the evening

Bringing day’s end.

Each hour the day gives

Is My Favorite Friend!

 

I love them all!

Every moment I Iive,

Each moment that passes

A new gift it gives.

 

And then the next

That I like best

Is when it’s time

For bedtime rest. 

 

All are favorites

When in joy I receive,

For each moment God gives 

In Him I believe.

 

 

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN TIME AND SPACE

By Kathleen Martens

July 15, 2010

 

Oh Lord, just take me off

To that wonderful place,

Somewhere between

Time and space.

 

Take me into

The realms You know

Where there is freedom

Where ever You go.

 

Your spiritual world

Where no time dwells,

Where there is no influence

Of that place called Hell.

 

Just existence,

Secure in God’s arms,

Shielded forever

From outward harm.

 

Your presence and knowledge

Just part of being;

And Spiritual eyes

Given for seeing.

 

If I could but exist

For just one hour

In Your presence

Consumed by Your power.

 

I don’t think 

I could ever come back,

Too much of You

I would surely lack.

 

Someday it will be time

To walk through that door,

And then I’ll be with You

Forever more.

 

Until then I’ll dream

Of that wonderful place.

Somewhere between

Time and space.

 

Good night again!

 

 

 

Tuesday September 29 2015  HEARING GOD’S VOICE

 

It is always interesting to receive feedback from a blog I have written.  I have been informed that more than one reader believes I am a bit off my rocker in reference to yesterday’s topic.  I do hesitate to share my personal journal because if a person reads it who does not understand where I am coming from, they may very well think that what I write is unusual.  Hearing the voice of God has different meanings to different people.  I personally refer to the impressions I receive from the Lord as my HEART SOUNDS.  “Heart” is often referred to as the inner self where deep feelings originate.  I think it is a place that some may refer to as their spirit.  For me it is my inner quiet self that feels the deepest and connects with the spiritual aspects of the Holy Scriptures and with God.  It is the inner place of my integrity that connects with God. 

I believe that as the Bible teaches, when I accepted Jesus to be Lord and Savior of my life, the Lord placed His Holy Spirit within me.  My spirit, my heart, communes with the Holy Spirit of God.  Some may refer to this as “the Lord has enlightened me” or “I awake with wisdom from The Lord” or “have received better understanding”.  I choose to refer to that which others may describe as having been enlightened, or receiving words of wisdom, or a better understanding, as my HEART SOUNDS.  I also refer to this experience as hearing the voice of God through my thoughts.  I just happen to go one step further than most and write down the words of enlightenment.  Some may ask, does God really speak to those who follow the teaching of His Son Jesus?   Can we, mere mortals, really commune with God in the quiet of our hearts?  After searching the scriptures, I believe the answer to be yes.  Below I will copy part of I Corinthians chapter 2.  Read it very carefully to fully understand the concept of how the scripture is written.

I Corinthians 2: 9-16

^“But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”^[c]

^“10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. ¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

¹³ These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy^[d Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. ¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. ¹⁶ For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?”^[e] But we have the mind of Christ.”

Even reading the above scripture may sound foreign to those who are not familiar with the Bible.  I have been a student of the Bible for several years and there is always something else for me to learn.  It is the most amazing book I have ever read.  When I sit down to read and study I always pray that God will open the eyes of my heart and bring the scripture alive to me, giving me discernment to understand His Word as I read. 

I also stated in yesterday’s blog that I love to spend time in the morning, sometimes for several hours, with God.  This time consists of quiet reflection, listening to praise and worship music, reading God’s word, praying, thanking God for what He has and is doing for me, writing in my journal, listening for His HEART SOUNDS to me, writing poetry, and worshiping Him.  I use study guides or books to gain a better understanding of His scriptures, listen to learning CD’s or sermons , and sometimes I just finish my mornings reading for my own pleasure and enjoying my solitude. Every once in a while I set aside an entire day to do all that I described above.  It is like a mini vacation to me and I come away from my day refreshed in the Lord’s love, filled with peace and joy.  This is how I live.  I would hope that this insight into my spiritual life will not discourage people from reading my blog, but rather, make you curious to find out the validity of what I am sharing with you.  I promise you that I do not participate in a cult, but rather, I am a follower of Jesus Christ who is described in the world’s best selling book of all times, THE HOLY BIBLE.

If anyone has any questions or comments please go to my contact page and send me an email.  I would love to hear from you.  Oh, by the way, have you ever prayed?  If so, then you too speak with God.  Just listen carefully and you may be impressed with thoughts that you have no idea where they came from.  They just might come from God.  I just happen to write down what I am given in the still quiet of my heart.

I don’t know if any of you have ever heard of Sarah Young, author of many bestselling books.  One of her most popular books is “JESUS CALLING”.  It is her experience of learning to hear the voice of the Lord and then writing it down.  It is truly an amazing devotional.  What is especially eye opening is reading the introduction.  It explains a lot about why she sits before the Lord to hear “His voice”.

Thanks to those who contacted me following yesterday’s blog.  I hope my response in this Blog gives you pause to think and ponder and look up the scriptures in the Bible about all the times God spoke to those in the Bible.  One of my favorite search engines is www.biblegateway.com  Enter in the word(s) you are interested in reading.  I put in the word “HEART” tonight and I was delighted that I had hundreds to read.  Give it a try.

Just so you know, God enlightened me again this morning.  His words are always awesome for me to wake up to.  I will not share the words I received but I will share the poem I received this morning.

 

SHOW ME LORD

By Kathleen Martens

September 29 2015

 

Show me Lord

How to be more like You.

To say what You say,

To do what You do.

 

Teach me Lord

Your compassion and grace,

And make Your light

To shine from my face.

 

Instruct me Lord

That in obedience I follow

My days assigned in Your Book

That my steps not ring hollow.

 

Use me Lord

That Your plan is fulfilled

That my days you have fashioned

Will be walked as you willed.

 

Finished my painting tonight.  I may be able to bring the table in tomorrow.

Good night and God bless all of you. 

P.S.  Just thought you might be interested that I have taught classes on “Hearing God’s Voice”.  If anyone is interested I could post the teaching references and book used for the class.  It is an interesting study.

 

 

 

 

Monday September 28, 2015  BECOMING MORE AWARE

 

I actually have some thoughts already in my mind as I type this first line of my blog.

And the above first line is the only line I was able to write before I was called away due to a duty that had to be done when the timer went off at about 5:30 p.m..  It is now 7:50 p.m. and I have just this moment returned.  

I have been painting a pedestal and table throughout the afternoon.  It was planned to be done this morning but my husband’s friend called yesterday and informed him that his mother had just died.  She was 90 years old and in a care facility.  This friend has not missed a day attending to his mother in the care facility for the full seven plus years that she was there.  Dave is a very close friend to this person and was asked by his friend to come to the viewing today before she was cremated.  I think he needed Dave there for spiritual and emotional support.  I was asked to come as well.  That is why our plans did not go quite as planned this day.  So I am behind in what I planned, but in the scheme of life it is not a big deal.  Going with Dave and helping support his friend in his grief was much more important.

Overall, this has been quite an interesting day for me.  I shall back track a bit here and refer to my trip again.  Before I went on my trip my life was quite regimented.  Up to my departure I was usually up and out of bed between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m..  Then I spent time in my Library meeting with God, praying, worshiping, and meditating in His presence.  Then time for exercise, lunch, work (photography), housecleaning, and whatever else needed to be done, and back in bed by 9:00 p.m..  Dave was not yet retired so my days were a bit less busy, in that I wasn’t cooking lunch and preparing breakfast for him, or using up time talking and going places together, not to mention lying in bed each morning for an hour or more after awakening to listen to sermons together, or just talk, etc…  (I’ll leave the “etc…” to your own imagination.   

Needless to say, my routine was derailed from my then normal routine and we have settled into a bit of a new normal for us since Dave and I are both retired now.  There has been one great thing that I have missed tremendously however, and that is the time I always spent in the Lord’s presence in the quiet and tranquility of early dawn, sometimes for two or three hours a day.  I have been listening to sermons each day at the gym while I exercise, I still love the Lord and try my best to be obedient unto His scripture, but I was beginning to feel a “lack” in my life.  It has been gnawing at me because I knew what was missing.  It was my intimate time in His presence daily in the secret quiet place of my heart.  Lately I have been burdened by this and I knew it was the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life calling me back to this important time of intimacy with God.

Lately it has been hit and miss.  Sometimes I could get up early enough to have my quiet time, but most times it was not possible due to how busy I have become with “life”.  I can see why people go through fast food lanes.  But that is something I choose not to do.  Since I’ve been home, Dave and I have eaten out two times and one was Friday night when we took Lana and Tim to dinner.  I can also see why people hire house cleaners.  That is something I wouldn’t mind doing.  But, I found spiritually that “hit and miss” was not doing it for me. 

I want to share my conversation with the Lord this morning.  Remember, I do not hear God speak in a booming voice, rather I hear Him speak in a quiet thought that comes into my head as I write furiously to capture it.  God is very patient with me.  He puts the thoughts in my head in spurts and I write them down, then He continues.  It’s as if there is a fluidity of thoughts that just comes to me.  I pause occasionally to respond, or ask questions, and then the flow begins again.  Well, this morning is an example of such a conversation.  But the reason I am sharing this with you is because of what happened the rest of the day in regards to what I wrote this morning.  After my morning time with the Lord I went to the gym to work out.  I listened to a session from a series I’ve been listening to regarding INTIMACY WITH GOD.  I was so amazed as I heard the speaker use some of the very phrases that I received from the Lord this morning.  Over and over again there was a repetitiveness from the speaker of what the Lord had impressed into my heart this very day. 

Now, let’s fast forward to this afternoon when we arrived home from the funeral.  Dave brought the mail in and there was a letter in the mail from a Minister, Dr. Charles Stanley, that I receive each month.  I enjoy reading his letters because they are always so right on with the scripture and very uplifting to read.  I opened and read it, and there again were the same phrases and connotations that the Holy Spirit and delivered to me this morning.  It was as if God himself was emphasizing the importance of what He trying to get across to me.  So…I will once more create a “new normal” for my retirement days.  I believe that I must return to the practice of meeting with God each and every morning.  My time with the Lord is my most favorite time of the day and it is something I must reclaim.  Here is my conversation with the Lord in regards to the matter discussed above.

“Lord, how do I best use my time, though so short, with You?”

HEART SOUNDS:  “Come into My gates with thanksgiving in your heart and enter My courts with praise.  I await to hear your voice lifted high, rejoicing My name.  Open your heart that I may restore your soul and that you will again come boldly to my throne of grace.  I never stop calling your name.  Come close and take my hand.  It is only through perseverance that you come daily into our intimate secret place to seek My face.  I long for you to come.”

“Lord, refresh the fullness of Your Spirit within me.  I desire more of You.  Restore to me a double portion, so that I may be used to minister unto others.”

HEART SOUNDS:  “Ask more of Me.  I desire to bless My children.  I am your strength and refuge.  I am your help in time of trouble.  When your spirit is troubled, ask for restoration and I will flood you with My living water which will pour through you to overflowing.  Our relationship is a daily, ongoing intimacy.  You cannot live on yesterday’s abundance.  Your abundance is for this day.  Ask and you will receive. 

Rejoice in this day for yesterday’s blessings were for yesterday.  I want you to understand that I desire to give you good gifts daily.  Joy comes in the morning and fills you throughout the day.  You must wait until tomorrow for the joy that will come with tomorrow.  It is DAILY THAT I RESTORE YOUR STRENGTH AND FILL YOU WITH JOY, PEACE, AND LOVE.  Ask, and you will receive enough that you will be filled to overflowing, so you will have plenty to share.  When I overflow through you, My presence touches each person you come in contact with.  Also, continually ask for the infilling of renewed strength and power.  It is Mine to give.  I watch and listen for My children to desire more.  DAILY IS THE KEY.

Open your day with the awareness of My presence, and then you will be more sensitive to My presence as well as hearing the words I speak to you, throughout your day.  My Holy Spirit lives within you, and beckons and woos you to come daily.  Do not grieve My Spirit, rather turn and run toward me.  I wrap you in My loving embrace.”

“Lord, thank You.  I know I am too busy.  Please give me direction as to what to cut out of my day.

I love You Lord.”

I wrote the following poem immediately following the above dialogue.

 

SEEK FIRST GOD’S KINGDOM

By Kathleen Martens

September 28, 2015

 

Every day has twenty four hours

For all that must be done.

I really do think God intended

We work our hardest, yet have some fun!

 

Our morning time is our first fruits,

Best designed to walk in God’s presence,

And when we purposely follow this course

Our day will be lived in His essence.

 

Seek first the kingdom of God

And He will add all else we need.

But we must first dwell in His presence

And on His Holy Scriptures feed.

 

Worship first in dawn’s early light

That you are planted firmly upon His road.

Daily God will renew our strength

And He willingly helps lighten our load.

Matthew 6:33:  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

I give my thanks to those of you who have read these words, as you are allowing me to share my personal handwritten journal with you.  I don’t do it very often, but I thought today was quite special because I have felt the Lord calling me back to my quiet time with Him.  Then to have it confirmed three times in one day seems awesome.  He has certainly made me more aware that He is calling me to return to our morning time together.  I hope you too set aside time daily to become better acquainted with God.  Remember, we serve an AWESOME GOD!

Now back to a capsule of today.  This afternoon I was able to spray several light coats of paint on my table and its base .  I have one more coat to apply but will not be able to do so until 6:00 p.m. tomorrow evening due to the instructions on the paint can.  Hopefully, that will be my final coat, otherwise I will need to buy one more can of paint.  I look forward to seeing it in the light tomorrow.  I have it in the garage and it was getting dark before I finished today’s final coat.

The picture of Calendar Wisdom is set next to the table’s pedestal. 

I would love to write more but it is now bedtime, so good night and God bless you.

Sunday Sabbath  September 27 2015  WORDS THAT YOU SPEAK

 

WHAT TO WRITE?

By Kathleen Martens

September 27, 2015

 

I sit at the keyboard and think, what to write?

Nothing at all seems to come to mind.

So I ponder a little bit longer

Hoping that somewhere in my brain I find

A story to tell, a thought to say,

Hoping some bright idea explodes alive,

But nothing seems to come my way.

 

I think I need more time to read

To feed my soul with wonderful words.

To be filled with new experiences,

And recollecting all I’ve heard

So I can share new things acquired.

And others too will be refreshed

Rather than feeling tired.

 

Ah ha!  I just thought of something to tell you!  I met two new out of town visitors today at church, David Michael and his daughter EL.  I asked them both for their wisdom and I will share it with you.

David Michael’s wisdom: “Never underestimate your influence on others.  The good words that you speak to them go deep into their hearts and change their life forever.”

EL’s wisdom:  “Keep smiling”.

I thought both contributions were extremely significant.  We sometimes forget the power of our words.  Our words can make or break a person.  Our words can tear down or build up.  Which words do you choose to deliver to others?  Better yet, ask yourself, which words would you rather have spoken to you? 

Just as important as the words you speak, or the words you receive, are the words you speak to yourself.  I have talked about this in the past, but I think  it is worth mentioning again.  The power of the words you speak to yourself actually dictates what you believe you can or cannot accomplish, your self-worth, how you perceive who you are, and so many other aspects of who you believe yourself to be.  Stop and take a listen as to the kind of self-talk you do.  Listen to the speech others say to themselves, especially listen for all the negatives with which we address ourselves.  Things like, “Oh, you are so dumb”, “That was a stupid thing to do (say)”, “I am just so clumsy”, “I can’t do that”, or a host of many other negatives.  When you change your self-talk you will see changes in what you can do and that you really aren’t “clumsy” but just bumped something and it is no big offence.  We seem to be hardest on ourselves. 

The book that I read a few years ago “Talk Sense to Yourself, The Language of Personal Power” by Chick Moorman was well worth reading.  It is amazing to have your eyes open to all the things you say to yourself and the affect it has on your entire life.  It’s worth the read and can be purchased very reasonably on Amazon half price books or on half.com (website).  The other book I recently referenced in my blog is, “You Don’t Have the Luxury of a Negative Thought” by Peter McWilliams.  It too is worth reading.  The last book I will mention is one I just started reading, “The Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient” by Norman Cousins.  I haven’t read too much yet due to the fact that I only have a chance to read when I am eating alone, and that doesn’t happen very often now that Dave is retired.  However, what I have read is very insightful to the workings of our self-talk and beliefs and how they affect our health. 

The words that David Michael spoke to me this morning have already shown how true his wisdom is.  Just the words he said to me in the quote above went deep into my heart and actually gave my memory a jog as to what I should write my short blog about tonight.

This day is winding down and so am I.  I wish all of you a wonderful night and a tomorrow that is filled with positive self-talk.  And oh, by the way, try giving a word of encouragement to another.  Not only will it lift their spirits, it may very well lift yours.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  Here is a poem I wrote in 2012 about God’s Word to us.

 

In the Garden of God’s Word

By Kathleen Martens

June 9, 2012

 

God’s Word is alive and well

In our secret place I stop to dwell.

Verse by verse, line by line

No other words quite so fine.

Over and over I read the same

And so many verses say my name.

As if written just for me

Offering knowledge to set me free.

Words of comfort for my pain,

Refreshing as a summer rain.

Words that convict the ere of my ways

Giving direction on which path to stay.

Words that enlighten my soul’s yearning,

So hungry am I for daily learning.

Words warning of what’s to come

I face with confidence for I know God’s Son.

The words of salvation, God’s great plan

For those who believe, for every man.

I learn how to praise through the Psalms

And I worship freely without qualm.

History that teaches me not to dread

For Revelation explains what’s ahead.

And Proverbs gives instructions for today

So that I will know God’s perfect way.

And no matter how often I read,

In my heart God plants His seeds

Of fresh insight not understood before

That seems to open brand new doors

In new places in God’s garden of words

For faith comes by what I’ve heard.

I eat and drink and devour what is said

From these pages on which I’m fed.

God’s garden of words alive and well

Where each day I choose to dwell.

 

Good night again!

 

Saturday September 26 2015  HEARTFELT THANKS

 

Next Thursday, Oct 1^st, I will have been home from my trip for three months.  These are the fastest three months of my life.  So much has happened since I’ve been home that I actually haven’t had my feet hit the ground much.  On the flip side it seems as if it has been a time of forever, as if time has stood still and at the same time a whirlwind swished through my life causing so much to happen that I can’t keep it straight.

Today has been a day to remember.  This is the first day I have had since I have been home that has not been scheduled.  And that is only because I didn’t sign up last week for an event, which took place today, and that I look forward to attending each September.  So what did I do with that time?  I promptly fell asleep on the couch when I laid down to rest for a few moments. 

I’ve worked hard, played hard, cleaned hard, talked a lot, spent time at the hospital with a sick husband, had the grandkids overnight, cooked incessantly, had overnight guests, planned another upcoming trip, and a myriad of other situations, including writing my blog each evening.  Finally, today I had a few unscheduled moments, and I FELL ASLEEP!  It felt good!

I said all that to say this:  I would like to take this opportunity to once again thank every single person who hosted me as I traveled cross country this spring.  It is amazing all that must happen in one’s life to prepare, plan, rearrange one’s schedule, entertain, clean, and cook for someone to come and spend the night.  I want everyone who did that for me to please accept my heartfelt thanks once again.  I know many will probably not read this blog but I wanted to write it perchance there are those who are still reading it.  I offer the hospitality of our home to you as our guest if you ever have a chance to be passing through our area, or even if you want to make us your destination.  My friend Lana who was with me the last three days hosted me on two separate occasions on my travels.  What a blessing she and her husband were to me when they opened up their home, served me delicious meals, took time off to visit and drove me to special sights.  It was such a pleasure for me to be able to reciprocate even a fraction of what they did for me!  It was such a joy to be with Lana but it just didn’t seem like it was long enough.  Is any part of life ever long enough?

Many thanks to my nephew Eric and his wife Karen for treating me to lunch on my first day on the road.  Thanks to Karen’s aunts who hosted me for my first two nights of travel without ever having met me.  It was so good to see my Aunt Gracie and Uncle Bob as I traveled through Rolla.   Many thanks to my longtime friend Kathleen and her husband for opening their home to me in Willow Springs Arkansas.  Thanks to my cousin Rita and her husband for allowing me to spend several nights with them in Branson and taking me to Springfield to see my cousin Janey and her family.

I would especially like to thank my Aunt Esther for opening her home once again to me as a headquarters in the Russellville Arkansas area so I could visit with her as well as see my sister Scarlett and my Aunt Vela and Uncle Buddy.  Thanks to my cousin Janet and her husband for opening their home to me as a stopover on my way to Austin Texas.  And even though I disturbed them due to the sounds I made being up so late while writing my blog they even allowed me to come back again.

Thanks for longtime friends Dave and Peggy in Texas who hosted me for several nights.  They are two of the most significant people in our entire lives.  It is because of them, allowing God to use them in their ministry of finding homes for adoptable newborn babies, that we have our daughter Rebecca.  It was after this visit that I returned to Euless Texas to stay once again with Janet and her family.  Thank you Janet for all the work and any disturbance I may have caused.  She made it possible for me to also see her sisters Nora and LaFawn.  Nora, I thank you with a deep heart for taking time off work to go with me to the gardens in the Fort Worth area and President George Bush’s Library in Dallas.  Also thanks for the trip to Old Fort Worth.  That was awesome!  One of the things I really loved was our shopping spree!

It was during the next interlude that I stayed with Lana.  Intermittently along the way I stayed in Air BNB’s.  I am so thankful for the Air BNB families who rent rooms in their own homes to strangers who are traveling through their cities.  I had a respite time with Lana and then took off for Denver to stay with my “other” adopted daughter, Cynthia.  Thank you Cynthia and hubby for your hospitality and the love I felt while in your home.  Cynthia had a newborn baby waiting for me to meet.  Her oldest son was also a delight.  He calls me “grandma”.  I will never forget going to Red Rock with Cynthia and Chris.  It was amazing!

And then I drove back to Albuquerque to stay at Lana’s for several more days!  Twice in one trip.  And she still came to see me!  She left last night and I am already missing her.

After I left Lana’s I stayed with someone else very special, a friend from church who moved to Arizona with her husband when he retired.  The drive to her house was one of the most magnificent drives I have ever seen.  I drove through the Tonto National Forest.  It was worth the entire trip.  Seeing JoAnn and her family was also worth it.  I felt like was living in a dream at her place.  She lives right in the middle of the most beautiful desert I have ever seen.   I never realized how beautiful the desert really was.  She treated me like royalty and I felt as if I slept in a queen’s bed every time I climbed the steps to reach the mattress. 

From Mesa Arizona I drove across Southern California, almost to the coast, to a little town in the San Diego area.  There I visited with friends whom my husband I met right after we first married 42 years ago.  She and her husband lead a quiet, very private life on top of a mountain in the middle of an avocado ranch.  That too was an amazing stay!  And what an amazing story their life is.

I am concerned that if I mention any more places I stayed in tonight’s blog no one will continue to read.  So, I will continue at a later date until I thank each and every person I stayed with along the way.  What these friends, family, and strangers did for me, and with me, will never be forgotten.  Simple words seem not enough.

 

WORDS SEEM NOT ENOUGH

By Kathleen Martens

September 26, 2015

 

Simple words seem not enough

To express my thanks to you.

All because of friends and family

My one wish came true.

 

My actual dream was to see

Once again all those I love.

It was my joy to visit each,

But your love went far above.

 

Each and every place I stayed

In memory I hold dear.

Wonderful thoughts I will hold

To reminiscence year after year.

 

Thank you for such hospitality

That you so freely shared.

Your time was like pure gold to me

And showed me that you cared.

 

And now nostalgia rears its head

As I think about the recent past,

With hope that my thanks to you

In your heart will forever last.

 

There are still so many places to remember along my way.  I will finish at a later date to give my thanks to each and every one who had a part and made it possible for me to visit those I love.  There were so many I did not have opportunity to see for various reasons and that will forever be a loss to me.  I am just so thankful for all that I did have chance to visit.  Thanks for letting me relive my travels in this evening’s blog.

I shall now see if I can salvage this day and “feel accomplished” before bed time.  Perhaps I shall take another nap.  Now that would be an accomplishment.

God bless you, and good night. 

Friday September 25 2015  CALM OR CHAOS

A long day, so a short blog.  My friend Lana and her husband are safely settled in their new housing situation in Columbus.  Dave and I picked up Lana’s husband at the airport at 4:30 this afternoon and then drove over to Olbrich Botanical Gardens to enjoy the summer evening before going to dinner.  That didn’t last too long because the buildings in the garden were closed and there were no available restrooms.  With two women, that ended the garden session.  So we went to dinner.  A place in downtown Madison called Tubbs Tacos.  It has been there for years and I have never noticed it before.  It was absolutely amazing.  The selections were delicious, reasonably priced, with fresh local organic produce and fresh meats with a wide variety of picks on the menu.  I highly recommend it if you enjoy Mexican cuisine.   Very interesting menu.

Our day started out early with a workout at the gym and then a trip to St. Vincent’s in Madison.  We had a great time shopping for our one of a kind apparel.  We all left very hungry and went home and had lunch.  We all cleaned up and then took off for the airport and the rest of the day described above.  It all sounds so simple and not very long to do.  WRONG.  Everything uses up time so quickly.  And now I am at the end of the day trying to stay awake at the computer while I type.  Tomorrow I hope to sleep in.

While at St. Vinney’s I met a delightful lady, and you guessed it, I asked her for her wisdom.  She gave me some great wisdom and when I asked her if I could quote her in my blog she said no.  I finally received her permission to use her wisdom as long as I didn’t use her name.  Here is her wisdom:

“CALM…

OR…

CHAOS. 

YOU CHOOSE.”

I found this wisdom to be quite personal for her.  As I thought about her statement I realized her choice of words went strong and deep in her life.  As she spoke her words she lifted first her left hand, looked at it, and spoke forcefully “CALM”.  Then she lifted her right hand and emphatically said “CHAOS” and then looked me in the eye and strongly spoke her words, “YOU CHOOSE”.  I wish I knew the rest of her story.    I so choose the “calm”.

 

CALM OR CHAOS, WHAT DO YOU CHOOSE?

By Kathleen Martens

September 25, 2015

 

Calm or chaos, what do you choose?

It’s your response that will win or lose.

Slow to anger is a good sign

That with calm your spirit aligns.

 

And when you stay calm

Tranquility ensues

With peaceful rest

That is always renewed.

 

Disorder the fruit when chaos reigns,

And to others you may cause pain.

Confusion and bedlam rears its head

Until inside, your heart feels dead.

 

So what is best when you must decide?

How to self do you confide?

When undergoing turmoil and all its commotion

Choose peace, and sweet emotion.

 

Think not on self but on the Provider of Peace

Who calms troubled souls with sweet release.

Allow confusion to depart from your day,

As cool composure settles in to stay.

 

CALM…OR…CHAOS…

WHAT

DO

YOU

CHOOSE?

 

Tonight I will stay calm by allowing my bed to lure me into peaceful slumber.  I choose CALM.

 

THANK YOU ANONOMOUS LADY FOR YOUR RICH INSIGHT AS TO THE CHOICES THAT ARE OURS.

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  I enclosed a photo of Dave and I taken today at Olbrich Gardens.

Wednesday September 24 2015  ALAS, I AM NOT PERFECT

 

I am not perfect.  Never have been.  Never will be while on this earth.  But someday I will be perfect.  That will be the day I enter into heaven.  Until then, I will make mistakes, bad judgments, things won’t always go as I planned, but I will tell you one thing.  Even when those things happen I will try to remedy the mistakes, learn from them, make better judgment calls in the future, and try to plan more accordingly to what I am capable of doing.  Especially, now that I am aging.  I am like a toddler going backwards.  While a toddler is learning to walk he/she gets back up over and over and tries again.  Eventually, the child will learn to walk and go on to even greater achievements, little by little as they will test their boundaries and try new things.  Do they always make the best decisions?  Not really, but they keep at it until they can accomplish what they set out to do.  For them it might mean climbing on a chair, or greater heights, like the kitchen counter.  They keep on, keeping on.

As a “toddler going backwards” it means that there are things I’d like to do but no longer have the ability to do.  Do I just cave in and decide to quit?  No.  I keep on, keeping on, until the day comes when I can no longer accomplish what I set out to do.  I don’t let one misjudgment of time, or intensity of work, cause me to sit down and go no farther.  No, I press forward to see what I CAN do.  But someday the time will come when I may not ever again be able to climb as high as I used to, or walk as far as I used to. And that is when I slow my pace a bit.  Regardless of what I must give up along the way, I will keep pressing forward to ensure that I can no longer do it before I give up trying.  The toddler presses forward.  Old age hangs on to the tug of war rope for as long as possible until the opponent of time pulls them across the line.

Yes, yesterday was a bit helter skelter as far as amount of things I needed to accomplish and my timing limitations.  It happened in an unintended way.  And when things started mushrooming I decided I could muster what it took for the challenge, rather than let the day get the best of me.  And besides, what happened was really no big deal when I look at the scheme of what it means to my entire life.  So today I rested.  Well, at least for a while.

This day has been a blessed day.  A time to share with my friend as I hosted a luncheon for her and her friend.  Lana’s friend offered to give Lana a foot massage before lunch.  They went into the sun room for a time together as I prepared lunch.  Lana’s time here is so limited and today was planned so she could visit as many friends as possible.  When I found out Lana was coming I wanted this to be a pampering time for her.  Lana has been fighting breast cancer for several years and her cancer reared its head again a few months ago.  She has been working about 20 hours a week with therapies, both physical and nutritional to shrink the cancer marker numbers and the tumor.  The numbers are lowering and she can now have the surgery she needs.  Her numbers should be low enough by November for her mastectomy.  She has been under a lot of stress and pain.  Please pray for her total recovery.

Lunch was awesome (I will say no more) and afterwards I prepared for the open house that started at 3:00 p.m.  Lana had a wonderful turnout of friends, and once again had the opportunity to visit with those she loves.  We closed up shop at 7:00 p.m.  We had dinner and she is now tucked in bed as I sit and type at 9:51 p.m.  Dave is reading in the next room as he patiently waits to help me proof read this blog.

Though I have no great words of wisdom tonight I did ask one of Lana’s friends, Diane, what her wisdom is.  She quickly responded: “Enjoy your parents while they’re around.”

I thought this was very sound wisdom.  My parents are no longer living.  My father died when I was 17 years old and my mother died in 2010 at the age of 91.  There are times when I so wish I could call my mother for just one more time to talk.  One thing I know for certain, I will enjoy my children while I’m still around!  AND MY GRANDCHILDREN!!!  And even my granddogs!  I just truly hope that they will enjoy me.  You never get too old to desire being cherished.

 

A PARENT’S LOVE

By Kathleen Martens

September 24, 2015

 

A parent’s love for their newborn child

Is a love that never parts.

It only grows more each year

Deeper in their hearts.

 

Children grow and walk away,

Loving parents the best they can.

Only when they become mom or dad

Are they really able to understand.

 

It is then that they experience

How deep a parent’s love goes.

They see mom and dad with new eyes

Because now they really know.

 

The above poem was inspired by the words of wisdom from Diane.

 

Another short blog.  My husband is fortunate.  Not too much to proof.

God bless and keep you in your tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday September 23 2015  ME AND MY IDEAS

It would be such an easier life if it wasn’t for some of my ideas.  I am always interested in so many things and so many people and so many books and so many new recipes and so many, so many, so many, etc…etc…  And they are all wonderful at the time.  What I forget to remember, is that if I take on something new, then I must give up something I already do.  I don’t seem to have learned that yet.  I just keep trying to do it all.  Somehow it all gets done, but sometimes it takes a mighty long time.

I’m still working on my metal tobacco table that I purchased in early August.  I finally realized that I did not like the looks of it after I scraped the paint and the rust off.  So I perceived the bright idea of having it sandblasted.  Remember me mentioning that our life here in Wisconsin is predicated by the season?  I knew I had to get this table done this week or at the latest, next week, due to the weather changing soon.  So, I called Stripmaster Sandblasting Company yesterday, and yes, it could be sandblasted, and it could be done tomorrow (which meant today September 23^rd).  Also, remember that I told you my friend was coming in at the airport this afternoon and I was to pick her up and then make a dinner for her and a friend she invited.  The man at the sandblasting business said if I brought it in early it would be ready by midday.  No problem I thought, I could just pick it up next week.  WRONG.  When I dropped it off (my alarm woke me at 6:00 a.m. to take it in) this morning the man told me he would have it finished for pick up later and he would call and make arrangements as to when I could be there to pick it up.  I didn’t understand that I didn’t have the option of another day, just the option as to what time I would pick it up before noon today.  He then informed me that I would need to have the primer coat on the metal before nightfall or the steel would oxidize and immediately start rusting again.

So, best laid plans flew out the window.  I had a lot to do in a little time.  Went back home, broke my fast, and picked up the copies of time-sensitive legal material that needed to be mailed today and another batch that needed to be dropped off at a destination across town.  I then left the house to go to the gym for a short workout.  Then I proceeded on my rounds, stopped at one store for an item which I forgot yesterday that I needed for company dinner tonight, then to the hardware store to pick up the rust-oleum, next the carwash, then on to Costco, and then to drop off the legal papers, and barely made it back to the Stripmaster Sandblasting Company before they closed at noon..  And you got it!  When I arrived home I had to then clean the two pieces of metal and start spraying rust inhibitor on everything.  I did three coats on one side, went to the airport to pick up my friend, came home and while I was preparing the guest cuisine, finished spraying two coats on the opposite sides of the metal.  Now the pieces that started with an idea are safely tucked in my garage, comfortably coated with primer to protect their 150 year old designs.  And I didn’t even mention all the last minute details that had to be accomplished when expecting an out of town friend and then a number of her friends the next day.  Well, to be truthful, not exactly everything was accomplished.  But that’s okay, my friend still loves me.  Oh yes, I don’t want to forget to mention I rested today also, for fifteen minutes!

Lana’s in bed, I’m writing, and Dave is still out on the town (it’s Wednesday).   I too hope to be in bed soon.

 

SO SOON THE DAY IS OVER

By Kathleen Martens

September 23, 2015

 

So soon the day is over

And it seems to go so quick.

And all that I did becomes a blur

Especially the words I pick.

 

All I actually desire to do

Is write a little poem for my blog.

But my thoughts say I am too tired,

And my brain seems to be in a fog.

 

So I will wish my friends good night,

And say have a great tomorrow.

Try to live each day to the fullest,

And never from the future borrow.

 

Use up today for all its worth,

For it expires all too soon.

Think of these 24 hours

As its own personal room.

 

Tomorrow can never again recall

What was yesterday left undone.

So use each day that is the present

By utilizing all its fun,

 

And then when you say goodnight,

You will have no regrets

Because you did all you could

And you have no need to fret.

 

And that says it all!

Good night and God bless you.

P.S.  Need I say that I used up my day, every minute of it?

 

 

 

Tuesday September 22, 2015  BLOG OR JOB?

 

I should be working.  Simple statement. Big job.  But…I would rather blog first.  So, since I am a woman of reason I decided to do what I like to do first because I know for certain that I will still have to do the “job” and will somehow get it done.  If I do the job first I may run out of time or energy to blog.

So what is the BIG JOB?  It is the one job in my house that I like the least.  If I ever win the lottery ticket I will pay someone else to do it for me.  We have lots and lots of tiled floors in our house and it takes a long time to clean them.  That is what I must do, TODAY.  My friend Lana is coming tomorrow and I must have my floors clean and sparkling before she arrives.  So now that you know what my job is, let’s get down to what I want to write.

I actually do not know what I want to write.  I’m just stalling for time to see if anything pops into my head.  Nothing yet, but let’s see what I can come up with.  It has been a busy day, every moment taken up with something, but not a great day of accomplishments. I just now went downstairs to put a second rise on my shower curtain that is in the washing machine.  I need to get that rehung so Dave can take a shower in a bit.  So that will be at least one accomplishment.  I always wash the shower curtain before overnight company arrives. 

Dave and I had a conference call this morning regarding legal matters and that took up a portion of our morning.  We then went to the gym, then to the store, and home for a later than normal lunch.  Since then time has just disappeared. 

 

WHEN TIME DISAPPEARS

By Kathleen Martens

September 22, 2015

 

What to do when time disappears?

How do you hold it in place?

No matter how hard you try,

 How do you beat the race?

 

Work has a way of piling up,

Always so many better things to do.

And time just keeps marching on

As if it doesn’t care about you.

 

If I could put time in my pocket

And pull it out whenever I need,

It would be like living in paradise,

If I could make time heed.

 

But alas, it has a mind of its own

And keeps running when I sit,

And all that needs to be done,

Cannot be accomplished quick.

 

So I ponder to work it out,

What exactly must I do?

Then I have it figured clearly,

Just have no clock in view.

 

Well to be truthful I did get a few things done.  I’m just not allowed to mention it.  Oh yes, I do have something worthwhile to tell you.  Remember the metal table I purchased a while ago?  Well, I worked and worked at scraping and scrubbing and trying to clean it up.  The more paint that I removed, the less I liked it.  I finally sat down and called to find out how much it would cost to have it sandblasted so I could start over with a near new finish.  The price was very reasonable.  Now remember how heavy I told you that table was (and still is).  I knew Dave should not help me lift it.  I asked the lady next door if she would help me get it in the car so I can deliver it to the shop tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.. She came over and we two muscle-women put it in the rear of my car and it is ready to go.  I haven’t told Dave yet because I have no time in my pocket right now and he is out mowing and I am in here keyboarding.  I’ll try to remember to tell him before he proofs my blog and finds out by reading it.  I already made the mistake of perturbing someone else because they found out a certain bit of information via the blog and I had failed to call them.  Or at least they think I failed to call them.  We did call and leave a message but I suppose it didn’t get to her.  I certainly do not want to make anyone upset with me about anything I write.  I’m saving that for my next blog that I will be posting next year.  The name of that blog is:  The Opinion You Did Not Ask For.  My son asked me what I was going to put on the blog.  I simply said, “My opinion, of course”.  I figure that may irk a few people.  But I will force no one to read my blogs.  I think I will have open forum on the blog next year.  (I just hope I’ll be able to get it done by next year).

Well, my floors await.  I know that this is a short and uninformative blog but please know that I just wanted to come and say hello.  Sometimes if I get my blog posted too late I have comments about people being worried about me because of past health issues.  Please do not worry.  There may even be days coming up that my blog will not be posted due to my traveling plans.  Even if I can’t write an essay I’ll try to at least say hello and good by on each day so you’ll know I am still kicking.

I shall go now and do my back breaking labor.  Sometimes a small house would be such a delight.  And I mean that from my heart!

God bless you and good night.

 

 

 

 

Sunday Sabbath September  20 2015  REMEMBER THE SABBATH TO KEEP IT HOLY

 

I like that verse in the Bible that says to remember the Sabbath and to rest on the Sabbath.  I haven’t always been faithful to the resting part but I do believe the Sabbath is a Holy Day.  It is a day when my heart is turned to God so that I will always be reminded of his love and protection over me.  It reminds me that God loves me so much that He sacrificed His Son to atone for my sins.  I so desire to know more and more about the character of God.  It says in Isaiah that the entire universe fits in the span of God’s hand.  Can you imagine a God that big?  I am still studying the prophecies in Isaiah and find them totally interesting and fascinating.  What is so interesting to me is the way the speaker (Damian Kyle from Calvary Chapel Modesto) presents the verses as well as verifying the facts from the prophesies to situations that are now happening in the middle east, down to the geopolitical moves that are currently transpiring.  There is no fear for me when I study the scriptures regarding all the things yet to come.  I realize that God is so in control and I do not need to fear.  Actually, so many of the prophecies have already been fulfilled.  There are still many more to come.  If I did not know the God orchestrating the coming events I would be quaking in my boots.  But, like I said, I need not fear.  God has already promised and fulfilled my eternal salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross.  HOW AMAZING IS THAT.  I know I have said this before, but if you have ever wondered about the prophetic scriptures yet to be fulfilled, go to Isaiah and Revelation taught by Damian Kyle that I mentioned above.  Go to the “THRU THE BIBLE” tab.

So today is the Sabbath and I choose to keep it Holy.  Today I will rest and tonight I will attend a beautiful concert our church is hosting to sing and give praise to our Father above.  Thus, I am writing this blog extra early so I may come home and go to  bed.

Dave and I just played a card game called 9 Hole Golf.  Just thought I would tell you that I won!  We are practicing for our Ladies verses Men tournament in Branson.  I cleaned his clock today if you know what I mean.  Now I am not being proud or anything, just stating the facts.  (Husband is proof reading for me and this is his comment regarding my last sentence, “Yeah, right!” (Spoken with a growl).

I have nothing else planned for this day (God may have surprises for me) except to lie down a bit and rest my back.  I was hoping this “old age stuff” would just pass me by but it doesn’t appear it will happen that way.  I think I need a little bit more education to see how it is supposed to be done.  Actually, I think it would be a great thing if women would get together in groups, based on age, in order to mentor those younger.  Everyone’s teacher would be someone who is 20 years older than themselves.  All the secrets would be revealed, all the “unmentionables” mentioned and a bit more education of what it is like to be 20 years older.  We could then in turn be teachers to those who are about 20 years younger than ourselves.  I know we all age a bit at varying rates according to our genetics and lifestyle, diet, drinking, smoking, exercise, and attitude.  I still think a general study of what is physically changing in our bodies, minds, and psyche would be an excellent place to start learning so we could prepare for what is to come.  The problem being, is that a lot of women may be too much like me, and need to live the experience in order to learn it thoroughly.  I learn best by experience and hands on contact.

Even though I learn by experience, I did know enough a few years ago to prepare for my aging.  I knew I needed repair on several parts of my body.  I put it off for as long as possible and then decided the time had come.  I had both rotator cuffs repaired.  I had major foot surgery on one of my feet because I could barely walk and doing weddings was extremely difficult.  I had a breast reduction because I was tired of my back and shoulders hurting me so much.  I suffered through a most agonizing and difficult recovery of a thumb/wrist joint replacement because I had so much pain in my disintegrating bones of my left hand.  That surgery was absolutely the most painful thing I have ever experienced (that is until I remember when I had to have my jaw bones operated on and my mouth wired shut for six weeks).  After the wrist replacement it took about six months of grueling therapy to recover the use of my thumb.  The jaw surgery about two months.  I often wondered if the jaw surgery was so painful because I couldn’t speak for six weeks.  I also needed repair work on the outside edges of my eyes because I no longer had peripheral vision because of a fold of skin that drooped and covered he outer edges.   The surgery wasn’t painful, but because of the surgery I had to have a second follow-up surgery that could have cost me my life or the removal of my left eye.  I ended up with a drug resistant bacteria in the wound and was extremely ill for quite a while.  All the above was done in order to improve the quality of my life as I aged.  I knew once I entered into Medicare years the above surgeries might not qualify for payment.

I also needed bunion surgery. I had my surgery date and went in for the preoperative appointment, had an x-ray, and then was told I couldn’t have the surgery.  The x-ray showed that I was missing two bones in each foot and there would be nothing to anchor the bones to after the bones were realigned.  Because of all the things in my body that have fallen apart my husband likes to tease me that when God made me he saw a pile o f “seconds” that had been tossed aside and decided He could make me out of them.  When I came home and told him about the two bones missing in my feet he looked at me and said in all seriousness, “Wow, I knew you were made out of “seconds” but I didn’t know that God had run out of parts”.  So we laugh at the analogy.

Well, my retirement years are greeting me with bells and whistles.  It’s as if your body knows when you retire and when Medicare begins and then just starts crumbling, slowly for some, faster for others.  Well, I am doing everything I can to push back a bit.  So far I have lost weight, eat healthy, exercise, meditate, have a great attitude about life, go to bed earlier, and now I have decided that I must now rest during the day.  I rest, but not because I want to, and on most days don’t even feel as if I need to, but I try to do it anyway.  I realize however, that resting is accumulative.  It is sort of like being a baby again.  Remember back to your parenting days with infants and toddlers.  Every once in a while a nap could be skipped without too great a repercussion.  However, try to skip two days in a row of napping and you have a melt down on your hands.  And that is how it is as we age.  I can go and go and go and then I crash.  My crashing consists of becoming dizzy and my heart being out of rhythm.  I am seeing a bit of a pattern and I realize now that RESTING DAILY is essential for me, just as is was for my babies.  It might not be what I want to do, but…it is a necessity. 

I will close, leaving you with the above wisdom to do whatever you so like.  If you are twenty years younger than me, then enjoy these next twenty years or so.  If you are twenty years older than me, send me some insight as to what it will be like for me when I’m approaching 90.  If you are only 10 years older you can just tell me what is happening to you now but spare me the gruesome details.  Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

If I live long enough, I guess I’ll just find out for myself.

So…enjoy this day, regardless of  your age or health or size or attitude.  FOR THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE AND I CERTAINLY DO NOT WANT TO WASTE IT!  I’ll go rest now.

I almost forgot to write my poem.  I can rest my body but it is nearly impossible to rest my thoughts.  I hope I can think for a long time to come!  Today I am going to post a poem I wrote in 2011. 

 

YOUR LIFE YOUR CHOICE

By Kathleen Martens

March 23, 2011

 

As you walk

Down the road of life

You’ll encounter joy

And you’ll encounter strife.

 

Decision made

Consequences yours,

Reaping benefits

Or settling scores.

 

What you do

Is your choice,

To be silent

Or give word a voice.

 

What do you desire

To accomplish in living?

A life of selfishness?

Or a life of giving?

 

The struggles you live,

Do strength impart.

Wisdom of life

Instilled in your heart.

 

Without temptation

No growth made.

And part of you

Would only fade.

 

Under trial

Self control grows,

Walk tall in God’s sight

And your maturity shows.

 

The easy road

Not always right.

It may lead to darkness

And not the light.

 

With best foot forward

Hand in God’s

Your steps will be firm

Upon this sod.

 

To live is Christ

To die is gain.

He’ll take the sorrow

He’ll cover your pain.

 

God is the answer

Through all we live.

Surrender to Him,

As your life you give.

 

Just in case I don’t get back to you I will say have a great rest of your day (no pun intended) and a wonderful tomorrow.

 

9:48 p.m.

I’m back.  It is past my bedtime and I thought to write a little poem today on my Sunday Sabbath to honor my King

 

YOUR SABBATH PLAN

By Kathleen Martens

September 20, 2015

 

Thank you Lord

For Your Sabbath Day

I’ll follow Your plan

For I like Your way.

 

I will rest

And give honor to You.

As I praise Your name

And Your plan ensue.

 

God Bless you.

 

 

 

 

Friday September 18 2015  TOMORROW REALLY IS SATURDAY

 

EVERY DAY IS SATURDAY

By Kathleen Martens

September 18, 2015

 

Remember, when you are retired every day is Saturday.

The only day that is different during the week is Sunday.

Saturday skips Sunday and then it’s Saturday Monday.

Oh how wonderful when every day is Fun day.

 

All the days seem to run together

Faster and faster as each week goes by.

How do I slow the rapid pace

When each hour seems to fly?

 

I wake each morning with all my plans

Of everything I intend to get done.

Then the day gets gobbled up

When I’m on the run.

 

And even when I am no longer running

It seems I go in circles.

What I really seem to need

Is a few great big miracles.

 

I would like to own a magic wand

That would cook and clean on demand,

So I could have everything accomplished,

All that is on the list I planned.

 

All the “stuff” I need to do

Constantly stares me in the face.

Actually, the only thing that needs to be done

Is to have everything in its place.

 

But that is where the problem lies

For there are no more places to fill.

And besides when it is Saturday

Work is not what I will.

 

And Sunday Sabbath is a day of rest,

A time that I spend with my Lord.

I just wish these Saturdays’

Would quit trying my time to hoard.

 

Then I would have Monday to do the wash,

And Tuesday to work even more.

And Wednesday I could dust the house,

And Thursday scrub the floor.

 

And Friday I would do all else,

So Saturday I have would have nothing to do.

But since every day is always Saturday

My work never seems to be through.

 

Oh my goodness!  I guess I am telling on myself.  To be serious, it is a bit difficult at times to remember which day it is, but it seems regardless the day I am always busy, always on the go, always with one more thing to accomplish.  How was I gone for four months and not do all this “stuff”?  Well, for the most part, it just didn’t get done.  I am digging out from three years of chaos in the house.  About three years ago we had a water valve break and water leaked between our top floor walls and floor area to the ceilings below.  Oh, what a mess when that was discovered.  We had to move everything out of five rooms of our house.  The rooms we moved out of consisted of our master bedroom, my photography office (a major undertaking), two bathrooms upstairs and one downstairs bathroom.

Within two days following the discovery of the damage you could stand in our lower level, look up through the ceiling of the office, through the master bedroom floor area that no longer existed, through the walls of the bathrooms, through the bathroom ceiling to the attic and see the roof rafters.  Almost every room in the house was impacted.  The spare bedroom had to be emptied to accept our master bedroom furniture. My prop room next to the laundry room had to be rearranged to accept two tables of computers and printers and photography equipment and orders and so on and so on.  The only room that was sacrosanct was the photography studio.  I still had clients coming for photos.  After a few days we realized we couldn’t live in our house while it was under reconstruction.  We had no working bath or shower.  The only other bathroom upstairs was far away from the bedrooms and only had a toilet and sink.  We moved into a local temporary hotel suite designed for short term living with the bare necessities in the kitchen. 

Every day I drove from the hotel to my studio and worked in my temporary office with all the electronic equipment cords taped to floors and walls, down hallways, around corners and into the room where my makeshift office was set up.  This happened in March.  Our house was not finished until February the following year.  We lived out of boxes and things became quite disordered.  And…there are rooms that are still in disorder.  Even more so now.  I have since retired and dismantled my studio so I could truthfully tell clients that I no longer had a studio to work in.  I took off for an odyssey and had an amazing four months.  Now I am back and reality is rearing its head.

My initial homecoming was not quite what I thought it would be.  I thought I would come home, unpack, get my house back in order, finish my orders from last year and buckle down to finish editing the books I am working on.  Well, that didn’t happen.  If you just joined the blog family, go back to the beginning of July and read what has happened since I arrived home.  I won’t repeat it here.  Needless to say, I have not accomplished diddly squat. Since I am confessing all, please be informed that I have not hand-washed all the clothes I had on my trip that must be hand washed.  Summer is almost over so I guess I just won’t get to wear them again this season.  Nor have I sorted through all the keepsakes I brought home or the gifts I bought to give others.  Everything is piled on the coffee table in my former studio just waiting to go to their rightful homes.  Nor have I gone through the many piles of books I purchased on my travels.  And this is my most favorite thing to do.

I say all the above to say this.  Things will need to change and change soon.  I have my friend from Albuquerque arriving next week and the week after she leaves Dave and I are leaving for a trip.  We will need to cut our trip shorter than we planned because Dave is scheduled to have surgery the week we will arrive  home.  The doctor said he will have a 6 week recovery period when his activity will be very limited.  He will not be able to lift, exercise, or do anything strenuous.  Well, nature doesn’t wait for a man to recover.  When it’s time to drop leaves the leaves will drop.  We only have a few hundred trees to clean up afterward.  Well, maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit but we have many, many, many, BIG, BIG, BIG, trees to clean up after.  And these trees have BIG leaves.  I guess this is the year we’ll hire someone with a tractor to come in and do the yard work.  When you have the kind of yard we have you absolutely cannot leave the piles of leaves on the lawns or the lawns would be damaged beyond repair next spring after the snow melt.  We also have many flower beds that must have piles of leaves raked on them in order to insulate the gardens.  So, this is not a good time for surgery!  But, what must be will be. I may have to hog tie Dave to keep him from getting out there and working and I will if I must.  I just want him to get well.

Even though I have not accomplished what I thought I would accomplish when I arrived home I have been able to succeed in keeping life and limb together.  I have recuperated well from my surgery in July, I am back to exercising, I am doing my best to keep up the living area of the house (somewhat) and I’m working diligently to help Dave with his necessary diabetic nutrition.  He has now lost about 42 pounds.  I am so proud of his commitment to himself. 

Even though I still have much to do I have enjoyed every hour I have been home (perhaps not when I was dizzy) and look forward to the future to see what I can accomplish.  I am learning to slow down a bit, thus the reason I am not accomplishing my “to do list”.  But that is okay.  I will not beat myself up over it.  I have decided it is time to really enjoy life.  And to enjoy it without rushing!  I do not like to rush. (INSERT:  Dave’s comment, “Boy, isn’t that the truth.”)

I am so thankful for these later years in my life because it has been the most intimate of times with my God.  I think God gives us old age so we can get to know Him better.  There is a scripture in Proverbs that says: “White hair is a crowning glory and you’ll find it most among the godly.”  I don’t know the reference right now but will look it up later and let you know at some later date.  I haven’t made it quite to a full white head of hair yet but someday I hope too.

Enjoy every day because so soon they are past.  And remember, only what’s done for Christ will last.

P.S.  Dave found the reference: Proverbs 16:31  which reads in the NIV translation: “Grey hair is the crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness.”

There are several different versions.  I can’t remember which version my quote came from.

 

Good night and God bless you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday September 17 2015  SHORT AND SWEET

 

I have titled today’s blog SHORT AND SWEET for a reason.  It is to be a reminder to me that this is what my goal is for this blog today.  I am still recuperating from yesterday’s bed rest and a bit low on energy.  I am doing some better and accomplished a visit to the doctor with Dave for his surgery consultation for his Inguinal Hernia.  His surgery is scheduled next month.  I also accomplished a few other stops around the area to prepare for tomorrow’s tasks.  We have an all church picnic we would like to attend on Saturday and each family is to bring a dish to share.  That will be Saturday’s task.  Tomorrow is a task day all its own.  If you have read this blog before then you know what Thursday is all about and what must take place afterward.  But I cannot mention it here.  I am just seeing how long I can go before I slip up and say the “you know what word”.

I had a lovely visit with one of my sisters on the phone today.  She is a wonderful talker, full of knowledge and wisdom, loves to share it with me, (which I love to hear) and she was even able to understand a bit of what I said to her.  Velma is hearing impaired.  She can still use hearing aids that helps her a bit but it is difficult for her to hear in person and even more so on the phone.  It is great that I can hear her. 

My timer is going off.  I must attend to my duty.  Back in a bit.

I’m full and that is all I’m going to say!

 

SO MUCH TO SAY

By Kathleen Martens

September 17, 2015

 

Why is it I have so much to say,

And never enough time to speak?

It seems the words bubble up from within,

And my thoughts just verbally leak.

 

Sometimes they come out before I think

And that is not a very good thing.

So instead of talking so much

I just hum and sing.

 

Or sometimes I just sit down

And let my mind be free to the wind.

I listen closely to what’s inside.

For to myself I’m a very good friend.

 

It is fun to explore my world,

Where words are waiting to explode.

And when no one else is around,

I write poetry and sometimes prose.

 

My journal is patient and oh so quiet.

It never minds at all what I tell.

It sits on my lap and patiently awaits

All the words I will spell.

 

And when I am finished it brings relief

To know that my thoughts are captured in ink.

Because deep in my heart now I know

With my past, I will have a link.

 

When events are told fresh from the mind

More accurate are the facts.

For time has a way of fading memory

Softening what the present tracks.

 

I guess it really comes down to this,

I have a voice and it wants to be heard.

But perhaps I should think before I speak,

And allow wisdom to limit words.

 

I will let my poem today be my words of wisdom.  THINK BEFORE I SPEAK and ALLOW WISDOM TO LIMIT WORDS.

I wish you could hear what I am hearing now.  A few moments ago as I sat here typing my blog I heard something quite loud happening outside.  Our house is all brick and has dual pained windows so  we don’t hear many sounds outside if the windows and doors are closed.  I opened the window by my rickety table desk and I hear the most beautiful sound of a summer squall.  What a great word SQUALL is.  Its synonyms are:  “storm, windstorm, gust, tempest, shower, gust of wind”.  Perfect description of what is going on right outside my window.  And the smell is fresh and wet and beautiful.  Sort of what I imagine heaven will smell like.  I think I shall challenge myself to write a poem using all the synonyms I wrote above.

SQUALL

By Kathleen Martens

September 17, 2015

 

Storm of night is ever dark

As the windstorm beats against the pane.

As if the tempest rears its head

Without ceasing to wane.

 

Showers fall in gust of wind

As lightening penetrates the sky.

And then in lingering fragrance of rain

Its anger begins to die.

 

And it leaves in my heart

A smile, knowing it was God,

Who chose this amazing way

To give nourishment to our sod.

 

Thank You God for our rain.

 

A very light and easy to write blog.  Sweet dreams.

Good night and God bless all of you.

 

P.S.  I was looking through my external hard drive and googled “rain”.  Here is an older poem that came up that I wrote a few years back about another night storm.

 

Night Rain

By Kathleen Martens

June 15, 2013

 

How to describe

Falling rain

Sound in the night

On gentle breeze

Soft and fragrant drops

Dance on fluttering leaves.

The sound of patience

As earth drinks

Its offering

Of heaven’s tears.

 

One more P.S.  The following is just a bonus I happened upon in my older external drive.  I thought it might fit in to this day’s blog and one I wrote in the last few days.  Read it only if you are interested in reading something taken right out of my hand written journal with no intention of anyone ever reading it but me.  I just felt compelled to share it here.

 

 

Continued from Secret Friend

Journal Excerpt

By Kathleen Martens

May 24, 2013

 

Lord, I feel so full of poems today.  Thank You again for my hearing.  Listening to my music is like reading a good book, over and over.  Just the beauty of an author’s prose or a composer’s score speaks to my inmost being, comforting my senses, knowing what is to come, yet anticipating the beauty of what is ahead.  And I see and imagine the heart that would be filled with such emotions to create such insight and beauty through their art.   And I wonder what struggles and lessons they too had to experience to bring to life what speaks to me.  What did it take for them to come to this place in their journey to be able to offer this sacred part of themselves to the world. 

 

How does one imagine such melody?  I see the music in my heart as a beautiful sculpture being formed.  The artist circling the stone, and design forming in thought as the rough edges are chiseled away and the beauty of their dream translated to sound.  Gentle, sweet sound that swirls around the creation of that which is being honed through experience and the deep need to express, and share, and create, and write, and compose, and draw, and paint, and define, and dance, and sing, and sculpt, and create poetry.  IT MUST COME OUT, for an artist’s heart is always full to overflowing.

 

And God is the master creator and He created us in His likeness and so we too are made to create.  And out of the abundance of our heart we speak.  And we all speak in different ways.  We speak with words and actions.  We speak through giving and we speak through our art.  And we even speak with our silence.  Out of the heart the soul speaks.

 

Thank You Lord for those who use their gifts to give peace and joy and beauty to others.  Let my art speak Your word from my heart.  Let my art praise You and show You my thanksgiving.  Let my art be a reflection of You.

 

POST SCRIPT:  I GUESS MY BLOG WASN’T SO SHORT.  I HOPE IT WAS SWEET.

 

Good night again!

 

 

 

Wednesday September 16, 2015  AMBULANCE TO EGG

 

Today’s title heading has a meaning.  One I know before I begin writing.  I spent a bit of time yesterday planning what I was going to do today to make my week, and my month, work for me.  Today Dave had blood work done at 8:40 a.m.  We planned to go from there to the gym to workout.  Then our plan was to make a quick run out to Costco so I could pick up all the ingredients I would need to finish up making all the f_ _d (I don’t want to say the “F” word) I need to make.  Well, it didn’t happen.  It is amazing how quickly your plans can turn on a dime.

While working yesterday I began to feel light headed.  As the day progressed it became a bit more noticeable until I began to feel dizzy.  I was able to eat dinner but not do the cleanup.  Dave took over the kitchen for me and I hurriedly put myself to bed.  By that time my world was spinning and I did not feel well at all.  I knew my heart was beating erratically, but I am somewhat used to that.  Everything progressively turned worse after that.  Dave was sleeping peacefully next to me and I was still unable to go to sleep.  It was 11:00 p.m. when I realized my heart was really in trouble.  I thought I should at least wake Dave and make him aware of it in case I became even worse. 

Dave called the nurse on call and because of my condition, by this time I was losing body heat and shivering and going into shock,  the nurse felt we needed to call 911.  And so the ambulance came.  When my heart is in Atrial Fib it causes my kidneys to over work and I am constantly making trips to the bathroom.  This is not a good thing because it is difficult for me not to pass out.  The fire department came first and I was still out of whack.  I soon began to feel better and by the time the ambulance came I knew I was a bit better.  I was all packed up and in the ambulance ready to leave when I asked if it was really necessary to take me in since my heart had converted from A Fib back to my normal ABNORMAL heart rate.  What I mean by that is the fact that my heart is rarely in a regular rhythm, but it does have sort of a regular, abnormal rhythm.  The paramedics monitored me for a while longer in the ambulance, did a couple of EKG’s, and blood pressure checks.  My pressure was elevated but that too was going down.  I just did not want to go to the hospital!  So, since I felt better, Dave and I decided that I would not go. 

Before you get your dander up Sister, know I felt it was a well informed decision since my EKG was on the right path and my blood pressure was dropping back to normal.  I would have gone had I felt the way I had before they came.  What caused this episode to come on, I cannot say for sure.  Perhaps it was from working too hard (that seems like the noble thing to say), eating a gram too much fruit, not eating enough of something, or just that I am old and my heart is wearing out?  The worst part of the ordeal was the dizziness.  I do not think there is anything I dislike more than being dizzy.  I finally fell asleep, and awakened at 8:30 a.m..  I ate breakfast and was back in bed by 10:00 a.m. and did not stir until almost 2:30 p.m..  I then ate lunch and rested on the couch the rest of the day.  No exercise, no work in the kitchen, just plain old laziness!  I am not quite back to 100% but I am doing much better.  Now, I am planning my tomorrow.  (Sister, remind me again about slowing down.  I think I need to hear it again.)

Now, let’s skip to the egg.  Think of the egg as just a product of the chicken (not f_ _d).  Remember I am not saying that word anymore.  I opened a carton of farm fresh eggs we buy and my eyes popped out.  Eleven normal size eggs tucked neatly in the carton and one egg that stuck out like a sore thumb.  I imagine there was something else quite sore after laying that egg.  Look at the picture below.  Dave asked if it was a goose egg.  I will say, it was a good egg! Just thought you might like to see how big it really was.

It pains me to admit it, but I think this blog must be short tonight as I am feeling a bit peaked.  I do not like admitting that I don’t feel well or am tired because so seldom do I feel that way.  I suppose my body might just be trying to tell me to slow down a bit.  Perhaps becoming that “recluse” I talked about yesterday is sounding better and better.  The one thing I do know is that we all need to learn to listen to our bodies.  As we age we can no longer get away with the long nights and hard working days.  Slowing down is one of the greatest losses I will feel in the aging department.  When I turned 60 my doctor of many years sat me down at my physical and commenced to telling me that I was entering the time of loss in my life.  He explained that I would be giving up certain things, like energy and vitality, perhaps my spouse in death, my hearing, my astounding memory, driving, and on and on he went.  He was serious and thought it important enough to give his “aging patient’s this pep talk” that he presents to his patients on their 60^th year.  Well, you know what?  He was right.  But I didn’t want to let him be right.  What he didn’t know was that I already had a host of “giving ups” I had already experienced.  In a later year I took a poem to him that I wrote and read it to him.  Some of the things he spoke about were included in the poem and I also included several things that he had failed to mention.  If I can find it on my hard drive I will include it at the bottom of this blog.  It truly is worth reading.

I learned a new word today.  It is elegy.  Its synonyms are:  “poem (sad poetry about one’s life), requiem, dirge, composition, and funeral song”.  So I guess my poem is an elegy.  I enjoy new words.  I have dictionaries placed all over the house so that wherever I am reading I can look up new words I do not know.  The more new words a writer gives me to look up, the more I enjoy the book.  It seems I remember and understand the word forever after that when I look them up.  I wonder what my poem will be tonight.  I honestly never know which poem will come to me before I begin.  So here goes.  I will let my mind wander and see what it comes up with.

 

JUST GIVE IT A TRY

By Kathleen Martens

September 16 2015

 

Sometimes I wish that others

Would write a poem or two

So I could look inside their mind

And see how their thoughts brew.

 

Poetry is nothing more

Than writing what one thinks.

So many think that it is hard,

But it is just an open link.

 

An opening to who you are

And how you view the world.

You may find it fun

As your thoughts freely unfurl.

 

If you know not where to begin

Just write whatever comes to heart.

It seems to be the very best place

For your words to  start.

 

Be not afraid to open up

And show who you really are.

You may certainly surprise yourself.

Your words may take you far.

 

Take you to places yet undiscovered.

To places deep within.

Words that will then make sense.

And words will become your friend.

 

So much can be said

In little spurts of letters.

A new you may emerge

That you may even like better.

 

Never underestimate your value

Or gifts that are tucked inside

When you write a poem or two

IT’S IN YOURSELF YOU REALLY CONFIDE!

 

Hmm…I think I like that one because it seems so true.  Sometimes we are too afraid to explore areas yet unexplored.  Take a chance and do something different.  If poetry doesn’t suit you, write a letter to yourself telling yourself about what you like about yourself and things you wish you could improve.  I write letters to God quite often.  And He writes them back to me.  Of course they come through “MIND MAIL” but that is okay, because I am an excellent transcriptionist.  I sometimes just can’t decipher my writing afterwards.  Give yourself a chance and just see if you could write a poem.  It may be fun.  Remember, it doesn’t need to rhyme.  Just break up a sentence into short phrases and put the short phrases on separate lines and sometimes it will make an awesome poem.  I’ll give you an example.  Take the second sentence in this paragraph which I just chose and see how I break it up to create a bit more meaning.

 

TAKE A CHANCE

By Kathleen Martens

September 16, 2015

 

Sometimes

We are too afraid

To explore

Areas yet unexplored.

 

Take a chance

To go

Where your heart

Beckons.

 

(I just made up the last stanza to go with the above sentence.)

 

There.  You have a poem.  A poem makes you concentrate on the phraseology of the line and brings out more meaning in one’s mind.  Now that is probably a poor example of what I want to get across to you but I will make up a poem now that does not rhyme.  On what subject?  Who knows?

 

WORDS

By Kathleen Martens

September 16, 2015

 

Words

Are but letters

Arranged by choice

To create thoughts

Which need to be

Spoken.

 

Give it a try.

Well, so much for a short blog.  I guess I started feeling better.  At least I am not dizzy.

Well, here is the poem I promised to share that I wrote to my doctor.

 

 

I Have Some Words To Say 

By Kathleen Martens

 

I had a visit to my doctor

Just the other day.

Sit down He said to me

I have some words to say.

 

It’s all about

The experiences of life,

Listen to my wisdom.

Perhaps you’ll have less strife.

 

Each year progresses

With age appropriate experience

And what I speak to you

Please understand the seriousness.

 

Time has a way

Of opening its door,

With new developments,

Each year offering more.

 

While strong and stalwart

No time used for reflection,

Each milestone just happens,

No time for inspection.

 

 

Adulthood happens,

Children are born.

Life seems forever,

The future not scorned.

 

And then one day

We seem to see

And wonder what’s happening

To spouse and me.

 

The body creaks,

The mind slows down.

What once was important

Now brings a frown.

 

We often view

Ourselves younger

And for those days

We still hunger.

 

Social Security by check comes

And we think we’re still forty,

But our movements

We start hoarding.

 

And unexpectedly we see

In a mirror true

What time has done

To both me and you.

 

It’s better to accept

Just who we are

On this journey called life

Now we’ve traveled so far.

 

“You’ll be more content”,

Are the Doctor’s words.

What he doesn’t realize

How much unsaid I’ve heard.

 

Life has a way

Of teaching each one

That every day

Is not always fun.

 

Even with age

Joy is alive and well

Though you have more episodes

When you’re sick a spell.

 

There are aches and pains

You just keep to self

And after tending all

You place them on the self.

 

To the young

Listen to words of warning:

I must soak my hands

So fingers move each morning.

 

And when I arise

I am so slow,

Joints must pop in

Before they’ll go.

 

Warm compresses

On my eyes

To awaken oil ducts

On which my vision relies.

 

I scrub my scalp

And soak my head

So my skin is healthy

When I’m dead.

 

I cover my bunions

Put drops on my corns

Insert my orthopedics

For feet that are worn.

 

Put Vitamin E 

On my latest scar

In hopes the old body

Will show less mar.

 

I must sit just right

So broken tailbone won’t shout

And there is much more I could say

Without a doubt!

 

I must be so careful

To put things away,

Otherwise I can’t find them

Because they skitter away.

 

Skin becomes dry

And easy to tear,

But you learn to accept it

Because it’s given much wear.

 

The hearing diminishes,

Not bothersome at all.

What others say

On deaf ears fall.

 

The T.V. is louder,

Discourages guests,

But that’s okay

Gives you more time to rest.

 

So much advice

From one younger than I

But no need for thought

Before I comply.

 

Such sage wisdom

Experienced through years

With aging patients’

Grumblings and tears.

 

Doc’s seen the losses

That take their toll

As each year passes

And His patients grow old.

 

So thanks for your insight

And not saying that I am fat.

As far as the rest?

Been there!  Done that!

 

I know growing older

Is a gradual perishing,

But my spirit renews each day

For it is life I am cherishing.

 

But if I may ask

A question or two

I wonder who will say

All these words to you?

 

Thanks for caring Dr. B

 

Have a great night and a wonderful tomorrow.  Just don’t get dizzy. 

 

God bless you and good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday September 14 2015  FOOD OBSESSION

My cousin says I have an obsession with food.  Synonyms for obsession: “mania, fixation, passion, preoccupation, thing”.  I wonder which one best describes the meaning of obsession for me?  I would rather use the word ENJOY to describe my “thing” regarding food.  Yes, I love to eat it, after all food is not something we can live without, but even more so, I ENJOY the beauty of food.  I ENJOY the smell of fresh fruits and vegetables and the textures I feel when working with them.  I ENJOY figuring out new recipes and foods that will and will not work with each other.  I ENJOY the aroma of fresh herbs picked from the herb garden and the warm cozy feeling one gets inside when you walk into a kitchen that has something baking in the oven.  And…I ENJOY color and food presentation and the flavors of well prepared meals.  I actually ENJOY preparing and cooking.  So, I suppose “PASSION” would also describe my obsession.  And the thing I get the most satisfaction out of is the way I feel after I have eaten a well-balanced, delicious (to me anyway), and satisfying meal.  What I eat truly does affect my physical output.  When I don’t put the proper foods in, I cannot expect my body to perform to its highest performance level.  Performance to me is having energy, feeling well as I go about my day, having a bounce in my step and enthusiasm in my spirit.  I don’t want to feel like I need a nap after I eat a meal.  After eating should be when I have the most energy and vitality to enjoy life.  I don’t want to be constantly thinking about the next time I can eat.  I want to be satisfied, sated, physical needs satisfied and on my way. 

Since Dave must eat on a strict schedule I have become more attuned to getting into the kitchen early enough to prepare food before his blood sugar crashes.  So therefore, I have to think about food more frequently as to when and what I have prepared for his next meal.  That is one reason I enjoy making large batches of recipes so the food is prepared and ready to serve up.  I always have prepared vegetables of some sort ready to eat, as well as protein that can be easily used in concoctions, rices and quinoa salads prepared ahead, and fresh salad greens ready for cutting up.  It makes each meal a bit easier to get on the table sooner.  So, I spend a couple of days cooking and preparing and then for the next several days we eat off of that and never seem to have the same meal twice because I always mix and match and pull protein entrees from the freezer to make different concoctions.  I buy Costco rotisserie chickens and cut the meat into cubes and freeze in serving size portions to add to soups or salads.  The more things I can create, the more I enjoy it.  It makes eating fun, and it makes the prep work seem like less work.  And to even make it more interesting, I don’t really know what we’ll be eating until I receive my food boxes on Thursday and then see what Aldi’s sales are for the week.  We eat seasonally and I design our menus around the sale items and the food box.  When fresh berries are on sale I buy them in flats and come home and freeze berries and cut up fruits on cookie sheets so the berries do not stick to one another.  That way we can just reach in and add whatever fruit we want on our cereal or salads or fruit smoothies. 

So now you know why my freezer is full and why my cousin says I have a food obsession.  I love reaching in and pulling out bags of beautiful raspberries and blueberries and strawberries and mangos and pineapple and many more varieties during the winter months.  And the bonus is, I get good fruit for less cost, especially when you consider winter costs.  Come next spring and summer I again will have more space to fill in the freezer.

So, maybe I should quit talking about food so much.  Perhaps then I wouldn’t have much else to talk about.  I’ll go a few days and see what I come up with.  That is, after I tell you what I have cooking for tonight.  Another Strata bakes as I write this blog and then I will bake the carrot cake muffins when the oven is empty.  If you like carrot cake just let me know and I’ll be happy to share my recipe.  The recipe is actually for a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting but I make the batter into muffins instead and do not use frosting.  Every time I take my muffins someplace to share there are ladies who ask for the recipe.  There is a secret ingredient in it that makes it the cream of the crop.

So enough about food.  I’ll see if I can refrain from saying one more word about food until I can’t.  I’ll see how long that takes.

Today was one of those perfect, end of the summer, days.  Cool morning, blue sky, gentle breeze and up in the mid 70’s for most of the day.  Bright and clear and so enjoyed.  My feet are itching to hit the road again.  I think I could go for another few months.  The only thing is, I wish I could retrace my steps more slowly to the places I have already been.  I know the time of year is different so the weather and scenery would be different, but it would be awesome to see some of the places in a different season.  I am still in love with Montana and Wyoming.  If I could, I would go and spend each summer just exploring those states.  But alas, I must settle down in my old age and finish my memoirs and compiling my other books if I am to finish them before I get too old.   I have looked ahead and figured out that I may have an additional 18 good years left with a brain that functions fully (I HOPE).  Perhaps that is being pessimistic but actually I am trying to be realistic.  Things start happening when you get my age.  I don’t want to say too much just in case there are younger people reading this blog.  I do not want to make you think of reality too soon.  Sometimes ignorance is bliss. 

My wisdom for this day is to enjoy each and every moment you have to the fullest.  Do not allow negative feelings and thoughts to crowd into your space.  Love life, lift up your hands and twirl around in the sunshine.  Do something that you are far too old to do!  Run and hop and skip and jump!  Lie down in the sunshine and watch the clouds drift overhead while imagining all the cloud shapes into faces and animals and flowers and trees.  Read a child’s picture storybook and really look at the pictures and remember when you were little and what it felt like to be held in someone’s lap.  Then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and become an adult again, renewed with joy and a sense of wonder.  Never get too old to enjoy the moment you have.  It is over all too soon.

P.S.  And eat well!

Psalms 103: 1-5

Bless the Lord, O my soul;

And all that is within me,

bless His holy name!

² Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

³ Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

 

LIVE LIFE WITH CHILDLIKE WONDER

By Kathleen Martens

September 14, 2015

 

With childlike wonder deep in your heart

Allow each day to fully start.

See the amazing that greets your eye,

Stop and experience a butterfly.

 

Smell the roses that waft in the breeze,

Every moment fully seize.

Hold tightly to joy that it escapes not,

Enjoy beauty that cannot be bought.

 

Hear the song of the little bird,

Open your imagination to understand its word.

Let the song penetrate deep,

It is these moments you want to keep.

 

See everything new, each and every day,

Let not the mundane creep your way.

Your road is fresh with dawn’s new birth,

More valuable that gold, is its worth.

 

Let not one hour, pass without love,

Lift your eyes to the God above.

From God comes, all good things

Our heavenly Father, the King of kings.

 

Be grateful for each breath you take,

Choose on this day, to make it great.

Your attitude sets the course of your life.

Choose joy instead of strife.

 

Love yourself as God made you,

So that then you can love others too.

Give from your heart the joy that God gives,

And live to the fullest the life that you live.

 

Good Night and God bless and keep you.

 

 

Sunday Sabbath September 13 2015  PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD ALONE

Popcorn time!  That is one of my favorite times.  A big bowl of popcorn, air popped, then smothered with coconut oil and a tiny bit of salt.  Mushroom popcorn is my favorite.  I buy it at an Amish store.  It is a very large kernel corn and pops very large and is shaped like a mushroom.  I sit here typing in the sun room with the bowl on my lap.  Dinner is over.  We ate very light tonight and I just felt the NEED to satisfy my popcorn urge.  I had room in my tummy so I said, “Go for it”.

I think we all need to have these little “vacation moments” periodically.  Sunday is the day I love to do a little vacation time, a little something that differs from what I do the rest of the week.  Today I actually rested a couple of hours.  When I go and go and go and do and do and do I finally get to a day when I need to rest.  That was today.  I rested for two hours by actually watching a couple of one hour programs of a show my son told me to watch.  It is on HGTV and it is called “FIXER UPPER”.  It was very interesting and entertaining.  I think I could get used to this TV watching if I let myself.   Maybe I fear getting used to it and that is why I stay away from TV in general.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  There is another show I would like to watch if I could remember the channel it comes on.  I saw some of the shows at my cousin Joyce’s in California and it was called something like “America from the Air” or close to that name.  Joyce, if you are reading this please email me with the TV call letters, the name of the show, and the day it comes on if you know it.  I would really appreciate it.  Anyone have any other good shows to recommend?

After my rest reprieve I jumped up, raring to go.  It is really difficult for me to sit down or lie down or be still for any length of time.  I would rather be standing, walking, or moving in some other fashion.  My library time in the morning and my blog time in the evening, along with meal times, are about the only moments you will catch me sitting.  I think I had to sit for so many long hours behind computers, working on photos, that it drove me nuts.  Now I am going to have to settle back down to computer time when Dave and I return from our trip.  It will be time to get serious about the compilation and editing of the books I am working on.  I have hours of transcribing to do.  I haven’t found anyone one who can read my writing so I must do the transcribing myself.  Sometimes I can’t even read it.

When Dave and I went out to eat last week the waitress gave me a recipe for a potato and bean soup.  I have so many potatoes from my farm box and they are piling up on me.  Dave rarely eats potatoes because of the high carbs and high glycemic level.  Well, I figured out he can have one cup of soup and stay within his carb count.  The soup is delicious and he is happy to have a cup of soup, some vegetables, and protein for dinner as we both like to eat light dinners.  Our midday meal is our bulkiest meal, all within the right levels of each food group for the diabetic.  He is doing wonderfully with his fasting blood sugar level each morning.  We sat down and figured out that since he began eating differently after he was released from the hospital he has lost on average, one half pound per day.  He has reduced almost 40 pounds since he started eating only the meals I prepare for him.  We did go out the one time last week but the rest of his meals were eaten at home.  He has gone down three pant sizes. 

Well, back to the soup I made.  I have one problem.  I have about 16 cups of soup in two containers in the fridge and I have no more jars to fill for the freezer.  I know I can buy more jars, but the real problem lies in the fact that there is absolutely no more space in the freezers.  I also made another vegetable strata (Dave’s favorite) which fortunately will live in the fridge until it is eaten.  An even bigger situation for me is the fact that I still have one more 9X13 dish size casserole to make and freeze for our trip.  And…a big pot of chili to cook and freeze.  I think we will need to do a little rearranging in order to get it all in.  The good news is, once I take everything with me to Branson there will be more room in the fridge when I return.  I will have two winter delivery boxes coming filled with a plethora of winter vegetables; squashes, a pumpkin, turnips, beets, onions, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbages, daikon radishes, parsnips, and whatever else the farm may be producing this year.  There have been as many as 6 boxes delivered per delivery for the winter share.  It takes me the entire two weeks to work up all the food for drying and freezing and soups and current eating or to give away.  At the end of the two weeks I then get another delivery and must do the same thing again.  We eat out of the freezer for the winter and spring until all the fresh foods start arriving again.  Of course I still must do some shopping for protein foods and fresh salads and fruits.  It’s a nice way to eat in the winter. 

I will publish a photo I took the other day of the lunch I prepared.  This is our largest meal of the day and it is filled with all good things.  I could not eat it all.  What I usually do is save what I am unable to eat and snack on it later.

I guess by now you can tell I do not plan to talk about any world matters or matters of the heart.  My heart is breaking for what I am seeing on the news.  I know I have something brewing in me but I’m just not yet ready to write about it.  I think the emotional toll is too great for me right now.  My heart also goes out to all the families in California who are in the paths of the fires that are burning out of control.  So much pain and tragedy happening every day.  I do pray that all of you will be safe.

 

PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD ALONE

By Kathleen Martens

September 13, 2015

 

How can we close our eyes

To the pain of another?

So much tragedy taking place,

For mankind claims no brother.

 

If all, could but accept

Our differences are not wrong,

That each desires to live life

Singing their own song.

 

But evil seems to rear its head

Creating tragedy and loss.

Because beliefs so differ,

Many pay a deep cost.

 

So many slaughtered, pushed aside

As Satan spurs his wrath,

Urging men to kill and maim,

Doing the Devil’s task.

 

This is just the beginning

Of what must come to be

When tribulation takes its hold

Allowing no one to be free.

 

Put your hope in God alone

Though you may die for your beliefs,

This world is not your home

But a home in heaven you will receive.

 

Put your trust in God alone

Believing in your heart

That no matter what man may do

He can never make God depart.

 

Romans 15:13

Saturday September 12 2015 SCHEDULE?  WHAT SCHEDULE?

 

A wonderful Saturday.  Started early.  Awake at 4:30 a.m., up at 5:20 a.m. and by 6:30 a.m. finally situated comfortably in the place I was supposed to be.  I’m recycling!  Trying very diligently to be in bed by 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so my body wakes naturally between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.  SO TOUCHDOWN!  Today it finally happened.  I was as happy as a clam.  Let’s see if I can make it happen two days in a row.

The place I am “supposed to be” (according to me) is downstairs by 6:30 a.m., showered, dressed, and breakfast eaten, to spend time with God.  It is my favorite time of day.  It was still dark with just a hint of shadowy outlines of trees.  A beautiful, magical moment.  Just me and the Lord.  It’s as if I can feel the Lord waiting for me there.   I know God dwells within me at all times, but there are times when I need to position myself in a still, quiet place to hear His voice.  And when I do just that He is always willing to speak to me.  He speaks to me in my thoughts.  New thoughts come to mind and I just start writing them as quickly as they come.  He has a beautiful way of speaking.  He tells me how much He loves me.  He bids me to come and rest in His presence.  He gives me words of encouragement, never condemnation.  Oh, sometimes He will bring up things that I need to work on, but it is always spoken in love.  I do not hear the future revealed, nor words about others.  When He speaks to me, He speaks to my situation and not someone else’s.  I marvel at His words to me.  It is so amazing to commune with God, the Creator of the universe.  I am in awe, and reverence, and delighted, all at the same time.  I talk to Him as if He is right there in my room sitting beside me.  Sometimes I can even picture Him in the room with me.

Well, today was no exception.  He met me in the quiet of the morn.  Oh how I have missed my quiet mornings.  Hopefully I will be able to get settled into a routine now.  The changes that happened when I arrived home were quite remarkable.  Here I was, home from 4 months of travel, a few days later I had a very sick husband in the hospital for several days, then lots of running to infusions and doctor appointments, both his and mine, surgery scheduled for me, Dave getting sick again with the return of the infection, more antibiotic transfusions, monitoring blood sugar, trying to settle in and make a routine, creating a new eating program for Dave, cooking and preparing meals and menus, staying up too late writing my blog at night, and the list goes on…But today was the first day that I thought perhaps a routine would work again.  AND I LOVED IT!  Getting back in my library early in the morning to be with God was the first giant step to my normalcy.  Dave might beg to differ.  I can just hear him saying, “Normal? Nothing you do is ever normal”.  Does he know me, or what?

In one aspect things are slowly getting back to normal.  I had two calls for helping others with photo shoots they could not do today.  One was to photograph a wedding and the other, a large family photo session at Olbrich Gardens.  Before I left in March I was always receiving calls from people needing some sort of photography service.  That was one reason I had to escape Wisconsin when I did in order to break the tie of me always saying yes.  Well, today I would have said yes to both had it been possible.  However, I was already booked with a previous engagement with company coming to my home for the day.  We had a wonderful lunch, a time for sharing and then time to spend together talking about the Lord.  It was a long, wonderful day. 

Oh, by the way, I do want to mention that I did get my two lasagnas put together yesterday.  All total it took almost 5 hours from start to finish.  The larger one is now in the freezer awaiting its trip to Branson.  In a glass dish.  I will take it frozen, along with a stack of other frozen foods, packing them as insulators for each other that they remain frozen during transportation.  Maybe I won’t need to cook anything while I’m gone.  Maybe I won’t have to do anything at all when I am gone???  I guess that will not be.  Dave has been diagnosed with a large hernia and cannot lift or stress the hernia.  He has a surgery consultation this week and we’ll see what is to happen in regards to our trip.  Hopefully, if surgery is needed he will be able to have it on our return.  That means I’ll be doing the packing and lifting.  I guess there goes our “routine” (of one day) if he does need the surgery.  I hope he is able to have it so it will not continue to open larger.  He is still able to do most normal activities.

 

THE LORD DETERMINES MY STEPS

By Kathleen Martens

September 12, 2012

 

Predictable and unchanging? 

That is not our typical day.

The synonym of ROUTINE

Is not showing the way.

 

Every day different

Than the day before.

And time is gobbled up

Before I can score.

 

I just never know

What news may pop up,

Or where we’ll be

When it’s time to sup.

 

Sometime it’s E.R.

A world of its own,

As if the word “routine”

In my vocabulary unknown.

 

So each day comes,

No two are alike.

 I might as well give up

And go take a hike!

 

MAYBE THE UNKNOWN IS MY ROUTINE!

So I must tend as if it is.

By being prepared for the new

And making everything my biz!

 

It is never boring,

And there is always surprise

When each day when I awaken

And open my eyes.

 

But I can still dream

And hope for the best

And that’s just what I’ll do

After my daily rest.

 

PROVERB 16:9:

“IN HIS HEART A MAN PLANS HIS COURSE,

BUT THE LORD DETERMINES HIS STEPS”

 

Hope your Saturday was as wonderful as mine.  Being with a friend is what made mine so special!

God bless you.

 

Friday September 11 2015  REMEMBERING 14 YEARS AGO

 

Today is the kind of day that one remembers exactly where you were, and when you first heard the news of the tragedy of the collapse of the Twin Towers.  Probably like it was for the people who were alive when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor or the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  I was not yet alive on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed but I vividly remember the Kennedy assassination.  And I will never forget Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001.  It was the day our country changed forever. 

It was a day when true evil of the world reared its head, and unfortunately, it has never gone back to sleep.  I am studying the book of Isaiah in the Bible and for the first time I am understanding the part that evil plays in the end times when God judges the earth and its inhabitants.  I see all the pieces of the end times coming together and understand more fully that there are certain situations that must come to pass before Jesus returns to earth to greet the righteous in the air.  I certainly want to be ready for that day if it happens in my lifetime. 

There is so much that I could expound on here but I feel so inadequate not knowing and remembering the scriptures in detail and I am concerned that I would not be able to get the story across as the Bible lays it out.  If you are interested, I recommend you go to the web and google “Calvary Chapel Modesto” and click on “THRU THE BIBLE” and take a peek at the book of Isaiah and Revelation.  Actually it would be to your advantage to listen to the entire series so you will really know what is coming down the pike.  It is about the most interesting story of both history, and of the future, that I have ever read.  I wish my brain was big enough to take it all in and remember all I have read or listened to.  I will just leave this topic with the comment that as long as I live, and do not suffer from dementia, I shall never forget the horror of this day fourteen years ago, and all the sorrow so many families and millions of Americans suffered because of another’s evil hatred.   And the saddest part is, that that evil and hatred has grown exponentially over the years.

 

IN MEMORY OF 9/11

By Kathleen Martens

September 11, 2015

 

A time of grief and so much sorrow,

A pain that lingers in all tomorrows.

So long ago, but yesterday to some,

To those who’s loved ones, forever gone.

 

The road of memory paved with pain.

So many people never regained.

Sons and daughters, moms and dads,

The deepest sorrow that can be had.

 

A grief so deep and forever raw,

A constant pain that forever gnaws.

And one day silently, it is put away

Just to survive for one more day.

 

My heart feels such deep grief

For all the hearts that need relief.

So many scars of injured souls

From the disaster so long ago.

 

No words I say can ever heal

The deep sorrow I know you feel.

So I grieve for what you’ve lost,

And wish I could share your great cost.

 

Just know that the world has not forgotten,

Your parents, loved ones, or your begotten.

Your pain is also ours to bear,

Just remember, your sorrow we share.

 

After writing the above poem all else that I accomplished today or thought to write in my blog, pales in comparison to how I feel right now.  My pain is deep and my sorrow is real for the families who suffered so greatly in this great terrorist act remembered on this day, the 14^th anniversary.  Tears sting my eyes and my heart cries for what that day did to so many lives, both those who were killed so needlessly, and family members left behind to grieve such a horrendous loss.  And my heart is so saddened by what has happened and is still happening in the world to so many others all because of evil and hatred of man toward man.

I will close as I can no longer see through my tears.

I pray God will be with you at the close of this day and in the tomorrows to come.  I pray that he will lead you beside still waters and restore your soul and though we all someday will walk in the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil for God is with us.  I close with Psalms 23:

Psalms

23 The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell^[a] in the house of the Lord
Forever.

 

 

Monday September 7 2015  COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE! COMMUNICATE!

 

Take a look sometime when you are in public and observe just how many people are on their telephone, either talking, face booking, texting, or looking up information.  It seems that personal communication doesn’t exist much anymore.  I have a hunch that the people of the present generation believe they are communicating even more so than the previous generation.  I would beg to differ.  They might know more about a person’s comings and goings or their plans for the weekend or who they are dating and on and on about facts of their lives without ever talking personally.  And that is where the breach begins.

Synonyms for breach:  break, hole, crack, fissure, rupture, gap, obstacle

I sometimes wonder if it is not all the electronic communication that has caused the fragmentation of communicating in person.  The synonyms for “breach” really does seem to best describe the current communication situation with the younger generation.

I see “friends” in congregations, each with their cell phones, heads bowed, texting or facebooking.  When I was at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas earlier this year, there were six or seven young men all sitting on a long bench texting or on the phone talking.  I walked down to the end of the row and there was one young man that did not have a phone in his hand.  I had my camera with me so I acted like I was going to take a picture of something and slowly turned toward this group and took a “candid shot”.  I let the camera drop around my neck and walked nonchalantly by the group.  When I walked past the last young man without the phone I was about 15 feet in front of him and he called out to me “How did we turn out in the picture?”  Gulp, I was caught!  I thought I had been so incognito.  He was the only one that noticed.  I just thought it was such an interesting photo with so many on the same bench using their phones and one lone figure without one.  They were a group that came to participate in a shooting competition and were all friends.

I was called out for snapping a photo of the group on the bench when I hadn’t intended anyone to know I had taken it.  I decided I couldn’t ignore the young man’s direct question without really looking bad, so I picked up my camera as I said, “well let me take a look and see.  Hey, you guys turned out really good”, and a conversation ensued.  At the end of the conversation I asked the phoneless young man what wisdom he would offer for his generation (he was 23) and he said without hesitation:  “Get rid of the phones”.  I was impressed that those words came from someone so young.  And I agreed with him!  I see that scenario more and more frequently.

Today I gave scrutiny to myself.  At the dinner table tonight, mine and Dave’s conversation drifted to this topic.  I do have a Facebook page but only go there about once a year (literally) due to time constraints.  I have a cell phone but I am not much of a phone user, again due to time constraints.  I do carry it with me and take pictures when the right opportunity presents itself to me, mostly for my blog.  I began analyzing the time I take writing my blog and wondering if this media is robbing me of communicating with those I love.  I think while I was traveling on my trip it did cause me to lose some valuable time I could have visited personally.  I have learned since then to write at times when I would not normally be around others so as not to let it intrude on our time together.  And here I am, at home, no trip to write about and I’m still writing it.  So I pondered that question for a bit.  Would I be more productive with my time by interacting with others personally, or does my writing have a purpose?  I’m sure some probably think the purpose is finished if it was designed specifically for my travels.  So I thought about that for a few moments and come up with the following conclusion.

I have figured out that my writing is done because I need to do it.  When I look back and think of all the emails I have received that have given testimony to me about how my words have helped them, it is then, I know that my time is more valuable writing the blog than going to bed on time. I am touching lives I would never be able to touch in such a way as I do with my words.   I too discovered, that when I write I am leaving behind a legacy of who I am, how I think, and how I love.  I suppose it is that deep need in so many of us to have our voices heard.  As I’ve said before, even if no one reads this blog I will continue to write because it is something I want to leave behind for my children.  I know they don’t read the blog now that I am not traveling due to their busy schedule.  I hope someday they will read these words, and others I’ve written, and they will realize that I wrote so that the voice of my generation would be heard.  Values change over the years and I want my values to be heard in the future when perhaps they are no longer present in the current population.  The  world is going to hell in a hand basket, so to speak, and I want them to remember a time when it wasn’t always like that.  Yes, there have been wars and disasters and tyrants all throughout history, in every generation.  However, I desire my children and other’s children to realize that love and joy and peace really was possible, and actually existed in some lives.  And it exists in mine and I want to share it with the world.  If my blog will make a difference in even one life, all the writing I do will have been worth it.  Someday, I hope my children will read between the lines and see me for who I am today.  I am a child of God, a woman, a wife, a sister, and not see me as just their mother.  Remember, sometimes mothers really don’t know all that much.  But that is okay.  And just because I write a blog doesn’t mean I know all the more, but the thoughts of my heart will be shared in print to those who may find them encouraging, a comfort, or even occasionally wise, and I will faithfully print off a copy so they will be available to be read at a later date, if they choose to. 

The world is changing.  I’m hanging on to the important parts that existed in my past and I just want to share them through my words to any who will be interested in hearing what life was like in mid-century 1900 to however long I shall live.  If you want to see the changes going back even further, just pick up a book written around the turn of the 1800 to 1900’s and read the simple, beautiful, elegant prose of along ago writers.  It may bore you to tears, but at least you’ll definitely be more aware of the more gentle tones of the past in comparison to the harshness of the present.  Every day the world changes just a little bit more, kind of like looking in the mirror every day of your life and always looking like you did the day before.  So if that is true, what has happened, and when did it happen, that I look like I do now?  It is so subtle that the changes sneak up on you and you except it as your present reality.

 

IN YOUR HEART ALWAYS BELIEVE

By Kathleen Martens

September 7, 2015

 

Speak words that need spoken,

Give comfort when comfort needed.

Touch a heart that is broken

Do what must be heeded.

 

Learn to live a life you love

Become the best you, you can be.

Allow God in heaven above

Teach you how to be free.

 

Look deep inside to find your heart

Give your soul wings to fly

That joy and peace will not depart,

And that your love will never die.

 

Love yourself as God says to do,

Then your love with others share.

And every day love will renew

Because you really know how to care.

 

As you give, more you receive,

So practice every day.

In your heart always believe

That more love will come your way.

 

I leave you with this thought.  Take time today to TALK with someone, even if it is a stranger.  You’ll find that people are truly starving for conversation.  And be prepared to listen to what they have to say.

Good night and God bless you!