Visions of Poetry

Wednesday July 6 2016  A BIT OF NOSTALGIA

Thank you to those who gave me favorable comments on yesterday’s blog.  Maybe I hit a bull’s-eye topic.  And today I have no topic.  Perhaps not enough has happened in my day yet.  My week is a bit discombobulated due to Monday’s holiday so I must work out on my usual WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY DAY OFF.   That will take place later this afternoon after I do some more work.

Each day shows improvements in the garage.  My car is packed to the ceiling again for another Goodwill drop off.  I am truly hoping we can have our house totally back to order in one year.  Sounds like a big job.  And it is.  I’m still letting go. 

For my faithful readers you may remember my comment about my finding one true treasure when I was scavenging through the house for the garage sale.  Here is a synopsis of what I found.  I had books tucked into many shelves, cupboards, bedside tables, and in boxes in closets.  Remember, there were lots of closets, lots of boxes, and lots of books.  I looked at each title and probably kept about 15 out of the entire kit and caboodle.  I found one book that I almost didn’t open.  But it interested me so I opened it up to read some of the questions I knew would be inside.  The book is 5 ½ inches by 4 ½  inches and quite thick.  It has a thick card stock cover with a spiral binding.  The title is, “MOM, Share Your Life With Me…”.  The inside cover page reads, “A Memory-A-Day Series, For Special Folks written by Kathleen Lashier, published in 1993.  I thought it would be empty.  I opened it up.  There on the backside of the cover was taped a picture of me when I was in the second grade.  Knowing the published date tags my mom at being 75 or older when she answered the questions.

The book consist of 366 pages of questions with a small pace left blank below the question for the “MOM” to write down her message, fact, or story.  There on the first page was my mom’s handwriting in answer to the question of her birth date.  Each page had a question.  I held my breath as I thumbed through the book to see if she had actually filled it in.  The questions were written for modern day answers.  Quite a few of the questions were not pertinent to the era when my mother lived.  But all the ones she could answer, she did. 

How my mother answered some of the questions spoke louder than the words written on the paper.  What she said in one sentence evoked so much emotion because I could hear the answer she didn’t (or couldn’t) say.  She seemed to find many of the questions quite “stupid”.  I could tell by the way she answered in such honesty and disbelief that such a question could even be asked.  I discovered a lot of pain in her life of which I had not been aware of at the time I was a child.  I believe I experienced some of the deepest sorrow I have ever felt while reading her words.  And it was seldom because of what she said, but rather, by what she left unsaid.  For the first time I realized how much of life my mother never experienced and yet I always felt that she truly did want me to experience a greater life.

Now I realize that there was a great deep sadness in her of which she could never speak.  I look back now and realize she did not want for her children the life she lived.  My mother was a product of her abusive environment, her lack of education, and the era in which she lived.  She was born in 1918.  Things were extremely tough for her family as she grew up.  Mama worked from the time she was five years old.  She took care of babies that came like clockwork every 18 to 24 months, she made biscuits from the age of five years old.  As she grew older she picked cotton for hours in the hot sun, plowed behind a mule, milked, canned, worked in the garden, and went to school after all the cotton was picked and everything was harvested and preserved.  If one of the children under her charge misbehaved it was my mother that received the beating. 

Her history opened my eyes to the reasons she did what she did as we grew up.  No hugging, no “I love you”, and lots of work for us to do.  It wasn’t quite as harsh for me and my younger sister as it was for my older sisters who were 6 to 9 years older than me.  My younger sister was born 6 years after me and my brother was born about 16 years before me.  

A few things I read made me cry, and even as I write I feel the tears stinging my eyes.  I so loved my mother.  I have never understood her quite as well as I do now after reading her handwriting on those small pages.  I remember giving her that book years ago but I don’t remember when she returned it to me.  I must have tucked it away planning to read it “someday”.  I look back now and realize how busy each phase of my own life has been.  I was too busy to read what she had written.  That alone broke my heart.  I wish I had read the book when I received it because it certainly opened up a lot of questions I now would like answered.  She is gone now.  All the hard toil of her life is over.  And I take comfort in knowing she found solace in her garden during her later years.  Her flowers were colorful and prolific and grew to heights above her head.  People would stop alongside the highway and walk into her gardens to photograph her and her flowers.  No one ever went away empty handed.  Mama’s clippers, always in one of her ubiquitous pockets, would come out and she would snip a bouquet of exquisite beauty.  She was up with the sun tending her garden and when she sat down for breakfast later she always had a beautiful fresh vase of flowers in the middle of her dining table.  When I visited with her I would need to scoot it aside so I could see her across the table.

My mother lived with her sister at that time and people were always stopping by for some reason or another, usually just to say hello, or to drop off something they cooked up the night before and had more than they could eat.  Neighbors were neighbors where she lived.  And whoever came by first always went home with the fresh flower bouquet sitting on her table.  It gave her a reason to go out and pick another spray of flowers.  She told me once that the more flowers you cut your flower, the more they will bloom.  And it was true.

Just a note of interest:  My mom was quite the sight to behold in all her gardening garb.  She never ceased to amaze me with the concoctions of clothing she wore.  First, she put on a headscarf.  Then a wide brimmed hat covered her head.  Her blouse or shirt always covered her neck, was always long sleeved, and adorned with large pockets of some kind.  Her gloves came up over her sleeves.  She wore polyester pants that came down to her ankles covering her high-tops.  And she always carried a hoe in her hand.  This hoe was honed to knife sharpness.  Once, when visiting her when she lived with my grandparents, I walked out behind my grandparent’s home and hanging on the barbed wire fence next to her garden were three, very long, lifeless rattle snakes.  Each had their head chopped off.  That is why she always carried her hoe.

 

A BIT OF NOSTALGIA

By Kathleen Martens

July 6, 2016

 

A bit of nostalgia,

A few tears shed,

As I remember words

My mother once said.

 

She was a doer,

That mother of mine.

And she knew how

To make me tow the line.

 

She had lots of practice

As the eldest of a dozen,

And later that resulted

In lots of cousins.

 

Mama was resourceful,

As well as fierce.

And as she called my name

Her voice would pierce.

 

I didn’t talk back

Because I knew she could paddle.

Even when I walked

She could make me skedaddle!

 

She could sew and bake,

And stretch a dollar.

And like I said before,

She could really holler.

 

And though she couldn’t say

“I love you”,

Deep in my heart,

She loved me, I knew.

 

She taught me to love Jesus,

And made sure I was in school.

And I knew to follow

All of her rules.

 

I miss her still,

These past six years,

But it’s been a while

Since I’ve shed any tears,

 

Because I know her reward

In heaven received.

And her legacy to me?

That in God I believe.

 

And though we are separated,

It is just for awhile.

Because I’m getting closer to heaven

And will again see her smile.

 

Thank you for allowing me to do a bit of reminiscing.  I think it does my heart well.  Though it saddened me to read a few of her entries I am glad I now have a better understanding of what an amazing and remarkable woman she was, despite all the hardships she endured.  It was just so sad to know what deep pain she suffered.  It gives me pause to stop and think about all the thousands of pages I leave behind filled with my own words. 

Thank You God for the treasure I found, I really do cherish it.

Thank You Father that You are my heavenly Father and You provided an amazing person to be my mother.

Thank You Lord for all my sisters for they each contributed in making me who I am.

Thank You for the joy I have in You.

Thank You Lord that I was not overworked when I was a child.

Thank You too for the gift of my children and instilling in me to say the words to them daily, “I love you”.

Thank You for bringing my mother’s book to my attention.

Thank You for sweet potatoes.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.

I do hope I have not been too melancholy.

 

P.S.  I just remembered a poem I wrote several years ago for a family reunion we had.  It was about my mother.  Here it is if you have it in you to read another poem about this little old lady.

 

My Mama

January 2010

 

My precious dear mama.

 

A young person

Never allowed to be a child.

A student

Never allowed to pursue her dreams.

A wife

Doing without and sometimes not loved as she deserved.

A mother

Broken for her children.

A woman

Who survived by her fortitude and resourcefulness.

A grandmother

Who didn’t know how to say I love you.

 

But…she survived.

 

She grew to an adult

Without first being a child.

Life experience

Was her education.

She outlived her husband

And became free.

She gave her children to the Lord

And buried two sons.

She survived

By doing for others.

And she even learned to say

“I love you”.

 

Deep inside her…

 

She had dreams and hopes

And she trusted in the Lord.

Deep inside her she saw beauty

And planted a garden.

Deep inside her she loved others

And took care of their needs.

Deep inside her she had gentleness

That blossomed as she aged.

And deep inside her,

Her spirit was beautiful

For God had made her that way.

And when she left this world,

The world was a little less beautiful.

 

Now…

Her deepest yearning,

Her deepest needs,

Her deepest prayers

Have been met.

 

She has met her Creator.

 

The Great Physician

Counselor

Prince of Peace

 

And she will reign in His presence for ever.

 

She stored up her treasures in heaven.

 

She is now  a child…

A child of God.

Her dreams are fulfilled.

She is loved beyond measure.

She lacks for nothing

And is loved as the bride of Christ.

Her chains have been broken

And her crown is laden with stars

For her tireless giving

And  her administrations.

 

She is at peace

All hope fulfilled.

 

I’ll see you again someday mama

 

Love, Wanda Kathleen

 

Tuesday July 5 2016  TIME AND MONEY

If you’ve read my recent blogs you may recall the one when I wrote about the fact that it takes a lot of time to be old.  And as true as that is, I also want you to be aware that it also cost a lot of money to be old. 

For one thing, your body parts need a lot more care.  And that computes into cost.  A few of the mentionable items are orthotics for the feet, drops for the eyes, treatments for dry skin, expensive sturdy shoes, salve to treat dry corneas, possible dentures, and at the least, repair work on old warn out teeth.  Dr. Scholl’s bunion pads and corn removers are just a couple more items to get used to.  You may also need a cane, then a walker, or even a porta-potty close at hand.  And there may even come a time when you need a hospital bed.  Oh, and I must mention braces for elbows and knee replacements and Medicare Part A, B, and D, not to mention the government dipping into your bank account each month  for their automatic withdraw to pay for Part B.  And don’t forget hearing aids, eyeglasses, and all the doctor appointments for every other mentionable and unmentionable thing you might require.

Walking into the bathroom of the aged is like walking into a mini-pharmacy.  It starts small and each thing you add just shrinks the counter space even more.  And remember, those pills and vitamins cost money too, at minimum the co pay.  Oh yes, don’t forget the pressure stockings.  You must have an open leg wound for Medicare to cover the cost.  The knee highs only cost $59 a pair and the waist high pair will set you back $91.  And don’t forget to have Ben Gay on hand.

And you may ask yourself, why in the world is Kathleen writing about such a topic?  First and foremost is because I had to go to the dentist today and my mouth is still numb.  And because of this visit and the exorbitant cost of dental work I just let my mind drift to all the other maladies I either already have, or can look forward to.  And I thought you just might like to know.  And actually I even left one thing out because I am too embarrassed to admit it.  So, I’ll tell you anyway.  I must put salve in my eyes at night to keep them moistened due to the fact that my eyelids will not stay closed tightly when I sleep.  And what I didn’t want to mention is the fact that I must also wear goggles over my eyes that bulge out like an Amazon bug.  And they are green!  The circumference that touches my face has a foam type texture which seals all room air from coming in contact with my eyes.  Inserted in the pop-eyed, bug-like goggles is more foam-like material soaked in hot water which keep my eyes damp with moisture all night long.  Yes, I do wear this goggle all night.  Since I began using them there is a marked improvement in my corneas as well as in the comfort of my eyes.  But, you guessed it, that little contraption doesn’t come free.  And of course everything you can buy over the counter isn’t covered one iota by any insurance.

So to those of you who are young at present I am sorry that you read this before your advanced years.  I think it is a good thing to be UNAWARE for your first half century.  Enjoy your young body.  Wait until you are older before looking at the reality of your later years.  Besides, some of you may not live so long and you will never experience what I describe and then you will have worried for naught.  Personally, for me, I enjoy living so much (at least right now) that I am just thankful that I have the where-with-all to care for all my needs.  At least I’m healthy!

So, my unasked for advice today is, plan ahead by treating your body with respect in regards to health.  Watch what you eat, exercise, get proper rest, and save lots of money during the first half of your life.  You may need it for the second half.

 

YOUR GREATEST WEALTH

By Kathleen Martens

July 5, 2016

 

Money in, money out,

Just remember not to pout.

You’ve been forewarned

You’ve heard me out.

 

Study hard

Learn the rules

They will become

Your best tools.

 

Eat well and exercise

Then get lots of sleep

And chances are

Your health may keep.

 

Do not squander

Your greatest wealth,

All your life

It is your health.

 

Thank You Father that You created self healing bodies.

Thank You for the beautiful creation of my physical body.

Thank You too for all the knowledge science has made available to me.

Thank You for all the improvements I have experienced these past three years.

Thank You God for the physicians who truly care about helping us to maintain health instead of just treating symptoms.

Thank You for cherries.

 

GOOD EVENING AS I SIGN OFF AND MAY GOD MAKE KNOWN TO YOU HOW BEAUTIFUL, CREATIVE, AND USEFUL IS THE BODY THAT HE DESIGNED FOR YOU.

My prayer today:

Dear God I ask for special care over those who are suffering in body.  I know there are many that are in pain and torment throughout the world, as well as are some who read this blog.  I pray for a miracle of healing.  Even though we can do our best to care for our bodies there are so many health issues beyond our control.  Touch each person and let them know that You care and are concerned for all their pain and suffering.  I ask that You would relieve their pain and restore them to health.  I thank you Lord for Your mercy and Your grace. 

 

Monday July 4 2016  TOO MUCH SUGAR!

Whoa!  I had way too much sugar today.  I didn’t plan to eat the home made peach pie but one finger pinch test and I was hooked.  And, I had one scoop of ice cream to go with it.  Not a good choice for me.  Then, on the way home Dave saw two little girls selling cookies and asked if I wanted a cookie.  I said no, but then thought perhaps he wanted one so I said okay.  Dave even doubled backed around the block so we had a place to pull over.  I dutifully got out of the car, crossed the street and purchased two sugar spice cookies.  I offered Dave a cookie but he declined and said they were for me.  I pinched off a small taste test and it was very good.  And pinch by pinch both were soon gone.  And then I crashed.  Almost as if I was drunk.  My words slurred, and I could not gather my thoughts.

My confession may illicit comments from my sister, so let me say it ahead of time, “I know I shouldn’t have done it”.  But I did and must now live with the consequences.  I had actually forgotten how bad I feel when I eat sugar.  I’m going to let this July 4^th lesson be a reminder to me for a long, long time.  It is not worth it.  All I want to do now is sleep.

Years ago, about 1993, I had to quit drinking any kind of soda (I was addicted to diet coke), coffee (which I had everyday), and tea (which was also my daily routine).  I quit cold turkey.  My kidneys were in bad shape due to a strep infection that caused a sepsis to damage my kidneys.  I don’t remember ever being so sick.  Since all of my above vices were removed at once, I had a headache that lasted over two weeks.  Since that time I have not imbibed in any of the above, EXCEPT a non caffeinated herbal tea I drink on occasion.  Since I do not imbibe anything with caffeine and hardly ever have processed sugar, I rarely  experience any kind of highs or lows in energy, temperament, or brain function throughout my day.  I wake up full of energy, go all day, and only after days of intense labor and not enough sleep does my body fatigue like it did recently due to the garage sale.  The fatigue I feel after working hard is so different than the exciteotoxin fatigue I experience when eating foods with additives or sugar.  Exciteotoxins, the misfiring of the synapses in the brain, happen to me after I have anything processed (like store bought cookies) or excessive sugar.  And today I had both. 

At the end of the blog I have included some information gleaned from the web to allow you to read for yourself what science has discovered.  Read at your discretion.  Today was a good reminder for me as to why I am so diligent in what I eat.  I guess I just like feeling good.

 

SO MANY CHOICES

By Kathleen Martens

July 4, 2016

 

So many choices

To make every day,

From what goes in my mouth,

To the words I say.

 

I must be diligent

And thus decide first,

Do I want to feel good?

Or just feel worse?

 

But sometimes I stumble

And seem to be wooed

By eating too much

Of the wrong kind of food.

 

But it is so good

As it goes down.

It is only afterward

Is causes a frown.

 

And that’s what I did

On this celebration day,

I had so much fun

As I partied and played.

 

What’s happened has happened

And now I must suffer.

And tomorrow morning

I’ll be a bit puffier.

 

But I thoroughly enjoyed

Each and every bite.

And perhaps being tired

Is worth the fight.

 

And so I get up,

Dust off my regret,

And just ask God to help me,

That I no longer fret.

 

It is not healthy

To berate myself,

Or take remorse

Off the shelf.

 

But rather enjoy

A day blessed with new friends,

And cherish this moment,

For time never lends.

 

Thank You God for allowing me to learn from my mistakes.

Thank You God for the enjoyment of this day.

Thank You Lord for the bounty of Your everlasting love.

Thank You God that I arrived home safely on this holiday weekend.

Thank You God for creating dogs.

 

GOD BLESS YOU ON THIS DAY OF CELEBRATING OUR COUNTRY’S 240^TH ANNIVERSARY.

 

The following information was taken in part from the website:  https://experiencelife.com

 

Excitotoxins

“What is an EXCITOTOXIN?

Excitotoxins are a class of chemicals (usually amino acids) that over stimulate neuron receptors. Neuron receptors allow brain cells to communicate with each other, but when they’re exposed to excitotoxins, they fire impulses at such a rapid rate that they become exhausted.

Fair warning: If you are drinking a diet drink, munching on chicken-flavored crackers or enjoying a fast-food lunch while you’re reading this, odds are good that you’ll toss them out by the time you finish the article. Why? Because many low-calorie sodas, highly flavored snacks and processed foods of all kinds contain substances known as excitotoxins – substances that could very well be doing a serious number on your health.

Excitotoxins are a class of chemicals (usually amino acids) that over stimulate neuron receptors. Neuron receptors allow brain cells to communicate with each other, but when they’re exposed to excitotoxins, they fire impulses at such a rapid rate that they become exhausted. Several hours later, these depleted neurons die. Scientists have noted this effect particularly in the hypothalamus and temporal lobes – the parts of the brain that control behavior, emotions, onset of puberty, sleep cycles, and immunity.

But brain cells aren’t the only parts of our bodies that are being revved up. Excitotoxins also do a very good job of exciting our taste buds. And that makes them very attractive to the food industry. The chemicals in excitotoxins stimulate the taste cells in the tongue, causing the flavor of the foods we eat to be greatly enhanced. Soups, snacks, sauces, gravies, many low-fat and vegetarian processed foods – manufacturers often pack them with “flavor enhancers” in an effort to make them taste irresistible.

Although excitotoxin poisoning has gotten much of its recent publicity under the rather misleading title, “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome,” the fact is, American processed foods – from McDonald’s to Weight Watchers to Campbell’s soup – are just as likely to contain excitotoxins like mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) and aspartame (NutraSweet® or Equal®). And according to many experts, these same foods are just as often to blame for the headaches, water retention, skin problems and other health complaints that some consumers experience.

One such consumer is Tom Kleffman. A graphic artist who lives in Navarre, Minn., Kleffman was in college when he ate a piece of cheddarwurst that made him sick. Hoping to make him feel better, his roommate fixed a bowl of ramen noodles. Soon after, Kleffman’s heart rate spiked to 220. He passed out and was rushed to the emergency room, where he was referred to a food allergist who diagnosed him with a reaction to MSG.

At the time, Kleffman didn’t understand how much his sensitivity was going to change the way he lived. In addition to avoiding the offending cheddarwurst and ramen noodles, Kleffman now eats no processed or prepared foods and rarely dines at restaurants because so many of them use MSG. “I had to learn how to cook,” says Kleffman, who now subsists on a much healthier diet of fresh foods.

Most people aren’t nearly as sensitive to excitotoxins as Kleffman, but many people do experience headaches (including migraines), rashes and “hangover” symptoms after consuming foods that contain them.

The problem is that if you regularly eat at restaurants, munch on chips, or toss back diet drinks and other commercial sugar-free treats, it’s quite likely that you regularly consume significant quantities of these substances, so you may not be aware of which specific foods or drinks are causing your reactions. The other problem is, excitotoxins are so prevalent in modern industrial foods they’re almost impossible to avoid.”

I included the above article to simply inform those who may be unaware of what happens in the brain due to what we eat.  In no way do I pass judgment on what other’s eat.  I have noticed the older I become the less tolerant my body is to processed foods and just thought I’d pass the information along. 

 

Sunday Sabbath July 3 2016   STUFF HAPPENING

Too much stuff happening to concentrate on a blog.  Probably too much stuff happening for anyone to read a blog.  So this will be short and sweet.

 

CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE

By Kathleen Martens

July 3, 2016

 

The Fourth of July comes every year

And is a day to commemorate and rejoice

The Independence from Great Britain’s rule

By the continental Congress’ voice.

 

Legal separation of Thirteen Colonies

A memorable moment in the history of our land.

Through the Declaration of Independence

The United States of America would stand.

 

A great anniversary from the founding fathers

To celebrate devotion to *God Almighty,

As well as with parades, games, and guns,

Solemnized, and never considered flighty.

 

So much history lost through the years,

Second hand information never best.

Let what is written in the annals of time

Speak the truth with zest.

 

Our country was founded by those who believed

Our country was to be founded on God

Through the years those principles changed

And most do not even think it odd.

 

So as you enjoy and celebrate

The freedoms we still have intact.

Pause a moment and give thanks to our Maker,

For God is real! And that’s a fact.

 

My prayer for our country:

Thank You God for the freedoms we have experienced in this country.  I pray that Your continued presence would be over our land.  Please protect the freedoms that our ungodly leaders in the secular world are trying to take from the citizens of our amazing country.  Allow Your presence to awaken anew and become alive in those who lead this country that we would stand strong and mighty as the Christian nation upon which were founded.

HAVE A GREAT FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION!

*The following is an excerpt from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia.  I copied this from the website.  Please see the words highlighted in RED ink in regards to what I have written in my poem about God. 

“During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declaring the United States independent from Great Britain rule.  After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

‘The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.’

Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day”.

 

HAVE A GREAT INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION REGARDLESS WHICH DAY YOU CELEBRATE!  I AM CELEBRATING TODAY, JULY 3^RD AND TOMORROW JULY 4^TH.  I AM GETTING READY TO DEPART TO A NEIGHBORHOOD CELEBRATION PARTY!

 

Saturday July 2 2016  A LONG WEDDING DAY

Arrived home a short while ago, put all my equipment away, ate a snack, and turned my Iphone on for the first time since I left home this morning.  And there on my phone was an email informing me that I had no blog published for today.  And you know what?  I hadn’t even thought about it once today and I would have gone to bed without bidding a hello and farewell had it not been for that email!  So, here I am.  No topic yet so I am just making small talk.  However, I do have a very interesting story to tell about something that took place yesterday but cannot do it justice until I have a rested brain. 

It was quite a successful wedding session.  It went smoothly, was extremely long, and quite involved with all the stops for photos between the ceremony and reception.  Michelle seemed happy with my work and I was certainly happy for all the post production work I DO NOT HAVE on my agenda.  So, we were both happy. 

 

NO CARDS TO DOWNLOAD

By Kathleen Martens

July 2, 2016

 

A wedding celebration

Lasts but one day.

But for the photographer

Work won’t go away.

 

The bride and groom

Happy and thrilled.

The photographer thinks

Their future hours all filled.

 

Late night work

With hundreds of clicks

As our fingers work keyboards

Lickity Split.

 

And oh, I was happy

To just say goodbye.

My work was over.

I heaved a big sigh.

 

It confirms my belief

I’m ready to sell,

To bow out gracefully

I’ve decided to tell.

 

So glad I’m the assistant

And no more late nights.

And no more frustrations,

For me to fight.

 

And now off to bed

No cards to download.

And I’m looking ahead,

At an entirely new road.

 

Thank You God for the opportunity to work today and be with someone I love working with.

Thank You Lord for Your favor and blessings on this day.

Thank You also that all our equipment worked perfectly.

And God, thank You for toilets!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU THIS LATE NIGHT.

Friday July 1 2016  THE PHOTOGRAPHER HAS AWAKENED

Today I am back in the photographer mode.  My day has been, and will probably be, used up entirely with the task of preparing my equipment for the wedding I am assisting at tomorrow.  My daughter has cautioned me that in today’s world I should not refer to myself as “a second shooter”, but rather as the assistant to the primary photographer.  So, since I don’t want to get arrested or be put on a NO-FLY LIST, as of now I am an assistant photographer, photographing a wedding, not “SHOOTING” a wedding!

I had forgotten how time consuming it is.  With all else that has been going on at our place today is the only day I set aside to prepare everything.  And since I haven’t used my equipment for awhile I must check every single function on my equipment that I will need to use, as well as refresh my memory and fingers to recall all the functions.  I will not be responsible for taking all my lighting equipment but some of the attachments I will need so I can function with the equipment my friend has.  We use a remote lighting system and each camera must have its own attachment.  If even one small piece is left out of the equation it can call a halt to the entire shoot.  (Oops!)

After all the cleaning, checking, and packing, when I prepared for a wedding I actually had a check list to go through to make certain that no item was left behind.  Something as simple as an attachment the camera needs for the tripod can cause a glitch.  I packed at least two of each items and for some things I had more.  That meant two cameras, two flashes, two light systems, two cords, extra light stands, backdrops, and all the little things like the transmitters and receivers.  Formal sessions are done with studio lighting, the ceremony with natural lighting.  Often the rooms are dark and tripods must be used so the camera lens can be set to stay open longer to allow more light into the camera.  Lots of flash used in other venues and at the reception.  I usually go through at least $60 worth of Lithium, fast firing batteries per wedding.  Some weddings (such as the 10 hour weddings) would use even more.  Tomorrow’s event is only an 8 hour working contract but that means about an eleven hour day from leaving the house to my return.

And now I am in my office going through camera cards and preparing them for tomorrows use.  What I am doing takes time on another computer so I thought I would use this time to do my blog, which isn’t really a blog.  Remember, I am supposed to be on a self indulged sabbatical as far as writing blogs until July 4^th.  But, I just thought you would like to know how it is I keep busy.

 

WELL, WHAT DO YOU DO?

By Kathleen Martens

July 1 2016

 

I thought life would be easy

Once I retired.

I’m not down for the count

But rather refired.

 

When I say I am busy

I’m asked, “Well what do you do?”

I’m perplexed to answer.

Oh, if they only knew!

 

Never a day happens

Not filled to the brim.

No one would believe

What I could tell them.

 

So I just write my blog

Cook lots of food,

Go through closets galore

And be in a happy mood.

 

I workout at the gym

Wash toilets and laundry

Dig in the soil

And collapse on Sunday.

 

I learn new programs,

And edit my work

Water my gardens

And try not to shirk.

 

Occasionally I sweep

The floors in my house

And clean the traps

With a dead mouse.

 

Knock down cobwebs,

And mop my floors

And once a year

Scrub each door.

 

The windows right now

Are simply left undone.

I haven’t had time

To do something that fun!

 

I prepare three meals

Each and every day

So we can stay healthy

And have energy to play.

 

But as it happens

We have no time to romp.

So we work real hard

And occasionally stomp.

 

I even shower

And wash my hair,

And iron the clothes

That I wear.

 

And there is so much more,

Like appointments to keep,

Dentists and doctors,

And orthotics for feet.

 

And Medicare and insurance,

Funeral arrangements too.

And all the financial

We must be careful to do.

 

“Just exactly what is it I do?”

Probably the very same things

Which you discovered

That YOUR retirement brings.

 

For you see

The only ones who ask

Are the young who “work”

At one simple task.

 

Like Dave said

A “real job” he needs,

So he can escape

All the household deeds.

 

But the one thing we love,

Is to set time aside

To be with our grandsons

With arms open wide.

 

That is the favorite

Thing that we do.

And even those moments

Are always too few.

 

God, thank You for the years I’ve lived that has allowed me to retire.

Thank You that I can still do what I love to do.

Thank You God for each and every moment I live.

Thank You Lord that I am busy and have purpose.

Thank You for my husband.

Thank You too for walnuts.

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY AND GOD BLESS YOU!

P.S.  I’m ready for the photographer to go back to sleep.

Thursday June 30 2016  SO SOON THE MONTH IS OVER

Such a beautiful month June has been and now is its last day for the year 2016.  As much as I enjoy the short days of autumn and winter, I also love the month of June for being the month of the longest days.  The longest day of my calendar year has passed here in Wisconsin and the days are already beginning to shorten.

When doing outdoor senior portraits in our yard I had to be much attuned to the appointment times of my clients as the calendar progressed throughout the summer.  In order to have the light exactly as I desired, it was necessary to be extremely aware of the sun’s shifting in order to capture beautiful backgrounds.   Appointment times varied throughout the season in order to take advantage of the sun’s preference in the sky.  And still, even though I am retired, I am ever-aware of the changing light of the evenings.  Wherever I am light enhances the beauty that surrounds me.  It makes me more aware of life.  And it is the light that feeds my insatiable appetite for nature’s astounding beauty.

My encouragement to you today is to stop and smell the roses.  Notice what is around you.  We have such a limited time to enjoy all the creation of God’s handiwork.  Try not to take it for granted.  Enjoy the moment and location of where you live.  Search for the beauty that is waiting to be discovered. 

 

YOU WILL EXPERIENCE NEW LUXURY

By Kathleen Martens

June 30, 2016

 

Life has a way of moving too quickly,

Be ever aware of your surrounding beauty.

Take a deep look at what is before you,

For inner peace let it be your duty.

 

Purposely search for what is unseen

That you will not miss new chance for joy.

Be not timid, but rather be bold.

When searching for splendor, never be coy.

 

Rather be diligent, anticipating much,

For what you anticipate is what you will find.

And you will become so much more aware

That this moment’s magnificence, is but one of a kind.

 

So take a closer look, observe what you see.

And discover new life, hidden though it may be.

And the more you realize all that you’ve missed,

You will experience new luxury, and forever it’s free!

 

Thank You God for Your amazing creation.

Thank You God for allowing my life to be filled with light.

Thank You Jesus that You came to be a light to the world.

Thank You Lord for filling me with the gift of wonder.

And thank You too for all the beauty You show me each day.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU.  AND MAY GOD OPEN YOUR EYES TO BE EVER AWARE OF ALL THE BEAUTY THAT SURROUNDS YOU.

P.S.  And just throw your watch and cell phone away and you will be amazed at how wonderful life can be.  (Well, maybe just leave them at home.)

P.S.S.  Just to let you know, each month in which I live, is always my favorite month.

GOODBYE JUNE!  THE YEAR IS HALF OVER!

Wednesday June 29 2016  REFRIGERATOR SOUP AKA “STONE SOUP”

My wonderful day off!  The day I plan to accomplish great feats.  And so I did.  I cleaned out my refrigerator by making soup, “Refrigerator Soup”.  And this time I wrote down all the ingredients I used.  Remember, the ingredients used today are only used because that is what I had left in my fridge the day before my Food Box is delivered.  There was absolutely no space for one more box of vegetables and bulky greens.

So, you are to be recipient of the recipe of this one-of-a-kind soup.  My husband likes bland food, I enjoy spicy.  So I make it palatable for him and spice it up in the bowl for myself.  Jalapeno slices from the jar usually do the trick along with a teaspoon or so of the liquid.

 

REFRIGERATOR SOUP

Concocted by Kathleen Martens

June 29, 2016

 

Preface to the soup:  I make my own chicken broth ahead and have it stored in the freezer.  I use containers with no lip so I can heat the container under the hot water faucet and then put the frozen broth in a large pot and defrost it as the burner warms on low.  I also cook my black beans the day I make the soup.  I use two cups of dry black beans, cleaned and rinsed, then use about 8 cups of WATER, cover and bring to boil.  I LOWER BURNER to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour.  Beans are set aside until needed.  Rinse and drain beans through colander before adding to the soup.

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS IN A LARGE POT:

10 cups homemade CHICKEN BROTH (unsalted)

1 small can TOMATO PASTE

2  15 oz cans of FIRE ROASTED STEWED TOMATOES

8  ounces of MEXICAN FLAVORED SALSA

3  medium sized DICED ONIONS  (I used two red onions and one white onion.)

2  large stalks of CELERY

3 TBS of diced jarred GARLIC

½  of a head of BOK CHOY (remember I used what I have)

5  large dried BAY LEAVES

½  head of CHINESE CABBAGE (the kind with ruffled leaves) (any kind will do)

1 ½   TBS of SPICE: BLEND-IT-UP SOUTHWEST SEASONING  (I tried to include pictures below but I have no service.  If I get service later I will add the pictures but they will be at the beginning of the blog instead of following the blog.)

¼  tsp black pepper

½  tsp sea salt

1/8  tsp cayenne pepper

PUT ALL OF THE ABOVE IN POT, BRING TO BOIL AND TURN DOWN TO SIMMER.  SIMMER APPROXIMATELY 20 TO 30 MINUTES, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY.  CHECK FREQUENTLY BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANT THE VEGETABLES TO BE COMPLETELY COOKED BEFORE YOU ADD THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS.

BEFORE THE INGREDIENTS ABOVE ARE TENDER ADD THE TWO FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS:

*3 or 4 ears of FRESH RAW CORN SCRAPED FROM THE COB  (If using canned corn add corn later when you add the beans)

6  peeled and thickly SLICED CARROTS AND CONTINUE SIMMERING UNTIL CARROTS ARE COOKED TO YOUR LIKING

NEXT ADD:

THE COOKED AND RINSED BEANS

*15 oz CAN OF DRAINED CORN would be added at this time as canned corn needs no cooking time.

BRING EVERYTHING BACK TO A SIMMER, STIR WELL AND TURN POT OFF

LET COOL BEFORE BOTTLING

TODAY’S BATCH MADE ABOUT 24-26 CUPS OF SOUP.  FREEZES WELL BUT REMEMBER TO ALLOW EMPTY SPACE IN TOP 2-3 INCHES OF GLASS CANNING JAR BEFORE FREEZING.

Please let me know if anyone tries the newly made-up refrigerator soup recipe.  I come up with some pretty amazing concoctions, varying my spices and herbs according to the vegetables I use.  I normally begin with either a chicken or tomato base.

Because I plan my meals to meet Dave’s requirements due to diabetes, I do not add rice or wheat products until the soup is served.  I also add diced chicken in serving portions when soup is served.  I pour the soup portion required by Dave over the rice and carbs and heat.  Then I know the meal is balanced.  Usually the soup is served with a salad and fruit.  If no rice is included in the soup then proper amounts of crackers, whole grain bread, or healthy chips are substituted. 

Just as an update, after eating differently and exercising for the last 12 months Dave has no signs of his Type II diabetes as of February 2016.  His blood work must be perfect for two years before he is released from diabetic care.  This progress is amazing when you consider that last year at about this time he was fighting for his life when his diabetes caused a septic infection in his blood.

I just want my readers to know that this recipe has taken me longer to write than it normally takes for me to write an entire blog!  I hope you try it.

 

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO CREATE POETRY

By Kathleen Martens

June 29, 2016

 

Creating recipes becomes my poetry

As I clean and peel and dice.

I start with an orderly kitchen

And when finished it still is nice.

 

Just to touch the fresh food

Brings joy to my heart.

And eating what I prepare

Lends our day a healthy start.

 

And there is also satisfaction

To know there is no waste

Of the generous contents of my box,

As I prepare without haste.

 

I go from one task to the next

With a spirit that is calm.

I receive such peace with food prep,

My synchronized rhythm a balm.

 

I plan ahead for what must be done,

Have it ready and waiting in line,

So when it’s time to add to the pot

It’s always just the right time.

 

And it is so beautiful

To see what grows before my eyes.

Food so nourishing and tasty

Which would be impossible to buy.

 

So much joy just in knowing

The pleasure it was to prepare,

The bountiful food I’m so privileged to have

And I never take it for granted it’s there.

 

As we sit to partake together

Across from each other every day,

We hold hands, close our eyes,

And bow our heads and pray.

 

“Thank You God for our blessings

Allowing us such bounty to eat.

And Thank You Lord for your provision,

As all of our needs You meet.”

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Tuesday June 28 2016  RUNNING ON EMPTY

 

RUNNING ON EMPTY

By Kathleen Martens

June 28, 2016

 

My body feels okay. 

My head feels empty. 

To not write a poem

Seems so tempting.

 

However the desire

I yearn for each day

Is to use my gift

And to always pray.

 

So I will ask God

Which poem to choose

From His shelf in heaven

So today I won’t lose.

 

This day not captured

If I wait till the morrow,

Because from yesterday

I can never borrow.

 

And tomorrow hasn’t happened

And too great would be the cost,

Because if I don’t write today

This poem would be lost.

 

So I come with salutation

And pray God will bless you,

As I take a vacation

Since no blog is due.

 

And since I did not write a blog today you have a bonus of TWO ORIGINAL POEMS ON THIS DATE!

 

MY “THANK YOU” IN RHYME

By Kathleen Martens

June 28, 2016

 

Thank You God for Your gentle peace.

Thank You God Your love does not cease.

That You Heavenly Father that You abide in me.

Thank You Lord that You have set me free.

Thank You God for my husband’s proposal!

And thank You God for garbage disposals.

 

GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE.  GOD BLESS YOU.

 

Monday June 27 2016  ONE MORE COMMENT

Just one more comment regarding the garage sale.  I promise the topic is coming to a close.  If I ever say I am having a garage sale again please remind me that I herby promise to never have another garage sale!  I must still hold my photography equipment sale but that will be in-house where the equipment is.  I do believe the job of cleaning up and clearing everything out after a garage sale is every bit as tedious and time consuming as it was setting up.  We are aiming to have it all gone by this Friday!  I’ll give one more update to let you know if our plans have succeeded.

 

WHY DIDN’T I LISTEN?

By Kathleen Martens

June 27, 2016

 

Oh, why didn’t I listen

To my sister’s advice

To be more selective

To avoid avarice?

 

My home is a refuge

To all the little things

Which I collected for fun,

Now consternation they bring.

 

To separate is difficult,

But I’m getting better,

At letting stuff go

So I am no longer fettered.

 

Hopefully my head

Is screwed on straight.

Never again will clutter

Be my fate.

 

No comments dear sister,

I can hear your thoughts.

And I’ve learned my lesson

As through havoc I’ve fought.

 

Just smile in satisfaction

And just know that I know

The words you want to say

Is “I told you so”!

 

God, thank you for sisters and their advice.

Lord, thank You for Your advice.

And Lord, thank You for coconut oil.

 

God’s advice:

Matthew 6: 19-20

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

Sunday Sabbath June 26 2016  IT IS OVER…(THE GARAGE SALE, THAT IS)!

But, actually it is not over!  Not by a long shot.  The more we sold the more I wanted to see gone.  I put a few things back in the house because I had a bit of remorse.  After the sale I took those things around to where I thought about using them and if they did not fit in I took them right back out to donate.  And now I want to go through everything I already went through to see what more I can dispose of.  So, two steps forward and one step back.  Pretty soon it will be three steps forward!  The garage sale may be over but St. Vincent’s here I come!

Realizing that “stuff” is just “stuff” is a big part of letting go.  My memories of the stuff will die when I die.  No one else needs my old stuff to remind them of me when they have no memory whatsoever about the “thing” that I cherished.  When I finally came to that realization it was easier for me to let go of some of my mother’s things (that only she knew why she kept them) as well as Dave’s inherited items.  It was only with Dave’s approval however that I disposed of anything belonging to his side of the family tree. 

Everything that is removed from the premises only makes me feel better.  We can actually see the back wall of the shop.  Do I have a lot yet to part with?  Indeed I do.  But at least we now have a plan, and it is in motion.  Who knows, we may yet downsize enough that we would be able to live in a more compact dwelling.  I would love to live here until the end of my life but we both know that the upkeep would probably kill us both sooner than later.  See how wise I am becoming sister? 

When I turned 60 years old my physician of many years explained to me that I was entering a period of life where there would be many losses.  And the way I figure it, leaving our family home of 30 years could impact us as a great loss if we allowed it do so.  However, I want to leave our much loved dwelling on my own terms, with joy in my heart, and with joyful anticipation as I enter the final phases of my life on earth.  Regardless of the trials I have been through, as I look back over my years of living, I view my life as an awesome “turn”.  As you read these words, realize that you too are living your turn, and someday it will be over.  That is the reason that it is so important to learn to live in the moment, enjoying each moment, hour and day as they come.  Live not with regrets, nor with anxious anticipation, but rather learn to live in this moment that exists now.  I think that is what eternity will be like; it will always exist as the “NOW”.

Allow your legacy to those you love be wonderful memories of how much you love them and how precious they are to you.  Let your legacy be remembered as your kindness and patience that lingers in their heart long after your turn on earth is over.  Let not your legacy be only that which you leave behind in the tangible. 

 

WE EACH HAVE BUT ONE TURN

By Kathleen Martens

June 26, 2016

 

We each have but one turn

To get it right in this journey called life.

Though we suffer pain and sorrow,

Choose joy instead of strife.

 

We walk this road but once in time,

Don’t squander or use is for naught.

Choose each day to bless another,

And share what you’ve been taught.

 

As years accrue, so will wisdom,

And that is a gift worth giving.

So leave behind what you’ve learned in life

For those who will still be living.

 

Trinkets and baubles will decay and rust.

Love remembered will not pass away.

So lovingly nurture future generations,

So that your love in their hearts will stay.

 

God I thank You for the Amazing Wonder of who You Are.

Thank You for my turn in allowing me to live in Your beautiful creation.

Thank You for all You have done so that I have the choice to spend all eternity in Your Presence.

Thank You for last night’s rain.

Thank You for cabbage.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ON THIS LOVELY SABBATH DAY OF REST.

Saturday June 25 2016  BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, AND NOT AGAIN!

 

WOW!  What more can I say.  Perhaps I am realizing for the first time in a long time that I can’t really expect my body to do what it used to do.  That is an eye-opening moment. 

 

HISTORY WE CANNOT MEND

By Kathleen Martens

June 25, 2016

 

A three day garage sale is a saga,

A story best left untold.

When I take to account my age,

Tackling this endeavor was bold!

 

So much work it was to prepare

The tables, the boxes, the displays,

And now that it is over

My garage is in total disarray.

 

It is a sight to behold,

As if a hoarders live at this address.

I just hope company doesn’t stop by

Because the entire house is really a mess.

 

This coming week is to rearrange,

To pack up and donate it all.

If this old body will endure

Packing up hundreds of dolls.

 

I’m just thrilled the sale is done.

Three days seemed like such a long time.

Now I desire to get rid of more stuff

So that my life will be more sublime.

 

Oh to do over, the things of our past,

Those years cannot be lived again.

There is so much I’d do differently,

But history we cannot mend.

 

All we can do is go forward,

Learning from the mistakes we’ve made.

And perhaps the memories of this harrowing time

Will someday in the future fade.

 

Thank You God once again for your protection over us and all the people that came to our garage sale today.

Thank You Lord that I was able to keep my stamina through the intense heat.

Thank You God for working miracles in the little things.

Thank You Jesus that I was able to share Your love today with others.

Thank You Lord for goat cheese.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Friday June 24 2016  A QUICK GOODNIGHT

 

SO NOTHING IS LEFT BEHIND

By Kathleen Martens

June 24, 2016

 

How soon a day is over

When something must be done.

How long a day becomes

When it’s not about having fun.

 

And yet, to be truthful,

I enjoyed doing what I did today.

I didn’t need to go any where

And people just came my way.

 

Lots of interesting stories,

And wonderful people to meet.

Maybe I should set up shop

And have a garage sale every week.

 

But then again, on second thought,

I must remember I am retired.

I’ve so much to accomplish,

Before my end date is expired.

 

So I will pick up all the pieces

Of the junk left behind,

Get my house back in order

Before I lose my mind!

 

No magic wand can make it happen,

So I must put my nose to the grind.

And pack it up and then donate

So that nothing is left behind!

THE END

 

I didn’t really know if I was finished with the poem but I decided to end it anyway so I can get my beauty sleep. 

 

Thank You God for all the wonderful stories I heard today.

Thank You for bringing so many people my way who are strong believers in You.

Thank You Lord for a husband who worked so tirelessly and painfully to accomplish all he did for the garage sale.

Thank You for Your protection over this day.

Thank You for yogurt and bran buds.  They makes such a nice easy dinner.

 

GOODNIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

Wednesday Junes 22 2016  UNBELIEVABLE MESS

Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings…that describes how exponentially my mess has gotten away from me.  The garage is full to overflowing, both kitchen and formal dining room floors cannot be maneuvered, piles of that which is no longer needed sit dejected, waiting their turn to  be taken to their final resting place on this premise.  The garage is the chopping block, so to speak.  If you make it to the garage, YOU ARE HISTORY!  And believe me, everything is priced to sell. 

Ads are out, signs are made and will be put in place by 6:30 a.m. tomorrow, and I am exhausted with much more to do.  Some things will come out as others leave and make room.  We will also spread out into the driveway once we are certain the rains are gone.  Yes, rain forecasted for today, tonight, and until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.  So we roll with the punches. 

We had hoped to have an auction instead but were told that we did not have enough stuff and that what we had (mostly antiques) were not selling very well at present.  It seems the coming up generation is a “throw away” generation and do not have tastes for the antiques of the world.  We’ve asked our children if they wanted certain things but only a few are they interested in.  So, out it goes. 

I also found out today that dust can become a solid.

SUCH DIRTY DIRT

By Kathleen Martens

June 22, 2016

 

Delving deep in the closet

Above, beyond, and out of reach

I discovered a dirty secret

One I just can’t keep.

 

In places that I never see,

Or think to vacuum or dust,

Is a place that should be cleaned,

And it really is a must.

 

My short arms could barely reach

From the top rungs of my ladder.

But I was able to get those cobwebs

That hung like wispy tatters.

 

But oh to my great surprise,

The dust on boxes draped

In solid mass across the top

And actually had to be scraped.

 

Such dirty dirt I’ve never imagined

Sneaking in when I couldn’t hear.

The top shelf was strictly for storage

For the past thirty years.

 

But inside, the box was pristine,

As were my hats from years gone by.

All passed my minute inspection,

So I decided to keep them until I die.

 

Actually, after I had everything laid out in the garage that I could possible fit in, I decided to attend my garage sale and shop.  And a few things made it back into the house.  Not much, but a few!  Maybe I’ll have the nerve to take a photo in the morning so you can see the immediate cacophony of “things”.  Perfect synonyms for the word “cacophony”, “dissonance and disharmony,  because that is what it is.  But, except for the things I must place and price tomorrow morning, is quite orderly and organized (for a garage sale).

Tomorrow is more than just a garage sale to Dave and I.  Tomorrow is our 43^rd anniversary.  So of course I am a bit nostalgic as I reminisce to our wedding day.  My sister Velma was my constant companion, friend, and helper during the days proceeding up to June 23^rd.  And 43 years later I would like to again say to my sister a heartfelt thank you for helping and guiding me through those days and months leading up to my wedding day.  Some of your advice took and some I am just beginning to grow into.  Thanks for not giving up on me through all these years.  I may not have ever grown up like you think I should have, but at least I’ve grown old.  And just so you know, sister dear, not growing up is much more fun than is growing old.

Today, buried in a cubby of our dresser I discovered a little wooden plaque that had a poem decoupaged  on it.  It was written to me from Dave.  He wrote it before we married.  I would like to share that poem with you.

(There is no title)

By David Martens

Written a short time before we were married on June 23, 1973.

 

If time made a sound

What would I hear?

Would it be like the soft

Breathing of someone asleep?

Or would it sound like

A swift current in a river?

Oh No, That couldn’t be.

Instead, it would sound

Like a strong heart beat.

That heart could be my heart.

And my heart beats for only you!

 

How sweet is that?  Thank you sweetheart!

 

Thank You God for 43 years with the man You brought to me.

Thank You Lord for giving me the strength I needed to prepare for this garage sale.

Thank You Lord for all the beautiful memories I have relived over the past few weeks. 

Thank You for my life

And thank You for hot, running water.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND SLEEP TIGHT WITH THE LORD’S BLESSING UPON YOU.

 

 

Tuesday June 21 2016 PEOPLE VERSES THINGS

 

The countdown has begun.  One more day to go before the GARAGE SALE!!!

I never realized how much a book could influence me to get rid of so much.  Before I read the book, “Downsizing the Family Home”, by Marni Jameson, I had gone through most rooms and was able to release quite a few items.  After reading the book I took another look deeper into each room to see what I might have overlooked.  Oh my goodness.  If I hadn’t known I had already gone through things, I would not have believed that the rooms had been touched.  I thought I had a lot of “stuff” before.  Now I know what “stuff” really is.  And it grows and grows as I release it from the confines of boxes, drawers, closets, and cupboards.  I just hope I have our bed cleared away before bedtime so we have a place to sleep.

So tonight there really won’t be much more than this as a hello and goodnight.  Below is one of my “oldies” for you.  It fills me with peace when I read it so I thought you might it enjoy it also.

MORNING OF SOLITUDE

By Kathleen Martens

November 17, 2012

 

Oh, beautiful morning hours,

Quiet, hushed…

As if in reverence

For the new birth

Of another day.

 

Each hour a gift

Veiled in the mystery,

As yet,

Undisturbed.

 

The sound of solitude

In a dark world

I sit alone,

Private and sacred

In the presence of God.

 

Oh, such beautiful

Morning hours!

 

And now I’ll see what comes to me quickly for today’s poem. 

 

“THINGS” ARE NOT MEMORIES

By Kathleen Martens

June 21, 2016

 

There is still so much to do.

Crowded places

In all my spaces.

 

Alas, but it is I

Who must dig

Through piles so big.

 

Memories scattered everywhere,

On the floor,

In closets more.

 

And to “THINGS”

I say goodbye

And find no need to even cry.

 

Soon every box

In the garage

Will become a mirage.

 

And my load

Becomes much less

As out the door goes all the mess.

 

 

And then I realize,

Joy remembered are not things.

Joy is what people bring.

 

Thank You Lord for all the wonderful memories I hold in my heart.

Thank You for this time of purging that you are allowing to happen in my heart as I realize all that is no longer needed.

Thank You for the encouragement of friends and family.

*Thank You Lord for the treasure I found today!

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU

*More about this treasure when I begin writing my full blogs on July 4^th.