Visions of Poetry

Tuesday December 1 2015  WHERE DO I START?

PREFACE:  Please note that the body of my blog is actually quite short today.  If you scroll down you may think it way too long  to read.  At the end of what I wrote I have included part of a website with more information about the topic that I discuss, briefly due to some wise words a woman told me today.  Please read if you find it helpful, otherwise after I say good night, please skip the rest.  However, if you start reading it you may find it very stimulating and interesting!

 

MY BLOG:

If I were to try to tell you all that Dave and I did today I would be here until midnight typing.  So, I will suffice to say we were busy and on the go from the time we awakened this morning until sitting down at this computer at 7:41 p.m.  Our errands for the week are done.  Perhaps not a good idea to jam them all into one day because Dave’s stamina went downhill rather quickly there at the end.  We won’t try that again.  It is just that we live so far out from everything that when we go to town we try to get everything done in the area we go to in order to save time and gas. 

The dishwasher sounds like music to my ears for it means the end of the day is being put to bed.  I certainly wish I could hear the sound of the vacuum drone but that is not to be until we are both signed, sealed, and delivered so to speak.  I have two more weeks of limited arm use and Dave has at least three more weeks before he can return to light duties.

I intend to write a very short blog tonight as I still intend to try to fulfill one of my December goals.  That goal is to watch a Christmas Movie every day.  Perhaps not a great aspiration to aspire to but one, none the less, I’d like to try to put under my belt as an accomplishment.  Needless to say that my dream of taking the entire month of December off has not started yet.  Maybe tomorrow.

 

A GIFT TO MYSELF

By Kathleen Martens

December 1, 2015

 

Maybe tomorrow will be a better day

With empty hours when I can play.

Because today was all about work

None of which I might shirk.

 

Every day builds for tomorrow

Which I must not lend to sorrow.

I did today what had to be done

Even if it was not quite fun.

 

But I think, I can still squeeze

Two hours that will greatly please.

If one movie I can get through,

Then tomorrow I’ll watch number two.

 

To stay awake will be my aim,

And my goal will not be stained.

No matter how hard it will be,

I want to do it just for me.

 

It is my gift to myself

To watch those movies on the shelf.

And then again after next year,

In December, I’ll hold them dear.

 

While I was at the gym this morning I met a lady named Anne.  We had a small conversation about exercise and how it helped our bodies stay limber and work better.  I then asked Anne my latest question:  What one thing caught her unaware as she started aging?  Her answer was quite interesting and beautifully spoken.  I am grateful for her permission to share it with you here.

“JUST AS WE’RE SHARING ABOUT KEEPING OUR BODIES NIMBLE, I FEEL LIKE YOUR INTELLECT AND YOUR SPIRIT, YOU HAVE TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE THAT TO KEEP IT NIMBLE, OTHERWISE YOU CAN GET STIFF.  I FOUND MYSELF GETTING STIFF IN THE INTELLECT, AND THAT WAS A BIG SURPRISE.”

I found Anne’s remark quite interesting and insightful.  Statistics show that cardio exercise on a regular basis is extremely helpful for our brain power, as is reading, engaging in conversations, having friends, eating healthy, doing crossword puzzles, power thinking, meditating and a host of other things as well.

I just looked up a website to see if I could find a bit more information about keeping your brain healthy.  I am going to post what one site suggested to do.  It is quite lengthy so just read what you want and know that I will sign off here and pray that you have a wonderful night.

Good night and God bless you!

 

Here is the website name for the information below. It is not a direct link  you can click on but if you would like to further investigate it, copy the address and then paste it into your web browser. Everything from here to the end is from the site mentioned below.  I make no claims on what is said from this point on.  Anything you try at home is at your own risk.

http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/100-ways-to-keep-your-mind-healthy/

 

Brain Power: 100 Ways to Keep Your Mind Healthy and Fit

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Staff Writers — February 26, 2013
Whether you are 25 or 75, it’s always a good time to think about ways to keep your mind healthy. People with strong minds live a richer and more fulfilling life. The following list incorporates plenty of mental, physical, and nutritional ways to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime. Keeping your mind sharp is also a great way to help you be successful.  You are sure to find some great ideas you can start doing today. 

 

Get plenty of mental exercise

The brain can atrophy just like a muscle can. Take the following suggestions to give your mind a mental workout every day.

1. Use your brain. There is a lot of knowledge up there, so put it into action. Doing tasks such as thinking through problems or avoiding the calculator for simple arithmetic is one way to exercise your mind.
2. Crosswords. If you get the newspaper, work the crossword puzzles each day. They usually get progressively more difficult as the week goes on, culminating in the most challenging puzzle on Sunday. If you don’t get the newspaper, you can find many free crossword puzzles online.
3. Scrabble. Play Scrabble with friends in person or play online. Scrabble is a great way to get your brain thinking.
4. News. Keep up with current events. Whether your interest is politics, world news, or your local small-town gossip, staying current with the news stimulates your mind.
5. Read. Read anything…books, magazines, the back of cereal boxes. Reading keeps your mind pumping, and you learn new things at the same time. It’s definitely a bonus if your reading material has some depth to it, though.
6. Puzzles. While working jigsaw puzzles, you must think about how the shapes and colors match up. The problem-solving skills of working puzzles help keep your mind sharp.
7. Movies. Watch a thought-provoking movie. Movies like The Fountain,Jacob’s Ladder, and 12 Monkeyscan leave your brain pondering what you watched for days afterward.
8. Word puzzles. Solve brainteasers such as anagrams, logic problems, or rebuses. You can have fun with these puzzles any time you have a few extra minutes.
9. Video games. Who said video games are a waste of time? Some video game playing can help fight Alzheimer’s.
10. Hobbies. Start a new hobby or take up an old, forgotten one to get your creative juices flowing.

 

Don’t forget physical exercise

Whether you want an all-out, five-day-a-week gym workout or you just want to keep from being a couch potato, physical exercise will help keep your mind as well as your body fit. Exercise increases blood-flow and oxygenates the brain, so get moving.

11. Yard work. Mowing the lawn, raking leaves, or just picking up the twigs that have fallen on the yard are all great ways to get exercise.
12. Walk the dog. Getting Fido and yourself outside for a walk improves both your mood and your health — which both lead to a stronger mind.
13. Swim. Jump in the lake or take a swim at your neighborhood pool for a great form of exercise.
14. Bike. A leisurely bike ride through a park or down a dedicated bike trailis not only good for your body, but you will enjoy the scenery too.
15. Yoga. Practicing yoga is an excellent way to get your body and mind moving any time of the day.
16. Tai chi. Learn this ancient form of graceful movement and stretching for a super way to start each morning.
17. Hike. Put on some sturdy shoes and get moving. Hiking can be as easy as exploring a city park or part of a more elaborate visit to a state or national park.
18. Dance. Take dancing lessons. Learn to tango or do the latest line dance and put your body in motion. You’ll age betterand feel better.
19. Tennis. The mental and physical stimulation of this popular game will have your brain health in top form.
20. Golf. Enjoy a leisurely round of golf for both exercise and social benefits that will help keep your mind fit.

 

Challenge your brain

Learning and experiencing new things is a great way to challenge your brain. Going beyond just a daily workout, these ideas will give your mind a real chance to exercise as well as add a whole new dimension to your life.

21. Learn. Be curious about the world around you. If you hear an unfamiliar word, look it up. See a flower you don’t recognize? Find out what it is.
22. Music. Learn to play a musical instrument, learn how to read music, or take a music theory class.
23. Language. Study a foreign language. Maybe you can revive that high school Spanish and prepare yourself for a visit to Mexico.
24. Art. Learning a new art form doesn’t require that you have talent, just an interest to learn. Study the art of photography, learn to paint, or find out how to throw pottery.
25. Switch hands. Try using your less dominant hand for simple tasks like eating or writing. Changing hands really stimulates the brain.
26. Chess. Learn how to play chess or find a chess partner if you already know how.
27. Career. Is your career meeting your need for fulfillment or damaging your health? If it’s the latter, think hard about making a switch.
28. Travel. Whether you’ve always wanted to travel the now-defunct Route 66 or wanted to explore Mayan ruins, take a trip. Exploring different cultures and breaking out of your routine sharpen the mind.
29. School. Go back to school for that degree you never got. Studying at college is a great brain challenge.

 

Eat healthily

The connection between what goes in your body and how your brain performs is a strong one. All of these nutritional tips will provide you with delicious and brain-healthy ways to eat.

31. Antioxidants. Eating foods that are antioxidantscan help improve focus, problem-solving, and memory. Supplements can help, but food with antioxidant properties work best.
32. Fish. The ultimate brain food, eat fish a few times a week for a healthy mind. Try to avoid mercury-heavy fish such as swordfish and stick with safer fish such as salmon.
33. Avocado. Avocados have monosaturated fat (the good fat), which increases blood flow. Increased blood flow equals a healthy brain.
34. Fruits and veggies. Your mama always said to eat your vegetables. She was right, and you’d be stupid to ignore her … literally.
35. Whole grains. Two and a half servings of whole grains a day can significantly reduce your chance for a stroke and other chronic diseases.
36. Olive oil. This miracle elixir has been shown to break up clots in capillaries and generally help with blood flow. Consider replacing your other vegetable oil with a good quality olive oil.
37. Onions. Onions have antioxidant enzymes that may help block damage to the blood-brain barrier. Just don’t breath on us.
38. Superfoods. Ever heard of Goji berries? What do they have in common with blueberries? They are both part of the new group called superfoods. These are the best foods to eat for the most nutritional punch.
39. Cooked food. Raw food is all the rage when it comes to healthy eating, but recent findings show early man developed much faster after he discovered the joy of cooking.
40. Breakfast. It may be known as the most important meal of the day, but it is now considered the best meal for your brain too.

 

Supplement your diet the brain-healthy way

Supplements don’t just have to come in pill form. Find out how each of these supplements to your diet will help promote a healthy brain.

41. Omega-3. Omega-3 amino acids are one of the best brain supplements you can take, helping stave off Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and depression.
42. Green tea. Drinking green tea is great for a healthy mind because it is full of antioxidants. Steep a cup and know you are helping your mind stay strong.
43. B Vitamins. A vitamin B complex will give you your daily requirements of thiamine, riboflavin, biotin, and more that help you metabolize foods, keep you from getting sick, and slow the aging process.
44. Water. Staying hydrated benefits your body and brain by keeping you detoxified and oxygenated, so drink lots of water.
45. Kombucha. The benefits of drinking this raw fermented tea may have been overblown a bit, but it has been shown to improve liver function, at the very least.
46. Vitamin E. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that is beneficial to brain health. Take it to give your brain a boost.
47. Vitamin C. Used in conjunction with vitamin E, this supplement may help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.
48. Matcha. This stone-ground, powdered form of green tea is a super-concentrated version of the green tea that comes in tea bags. Buy the highest quality for a super blast of brain health.
49. Grape seed extract. Studies have shown a connection between taking grape seed extract and preventing the onset of dementia, as well as fighting colorectal cancer on its own.
50. Lecithin. Not only does lecithinimprove brain function, it breaks down bad cholesterol and helps blood pressure, to boot.

 

Take these only in moderate amounts or not at all

Some things are just better left out of your body or only introduced in small doses. Find out what you should limit or eliminate to help keep your mind in good health.

51. Fast food. The saturated fats and generally poor food quality of fast food is not something you want to keep putting in your body. Reducing fast food as much as you can will help keep you mentally fit.
52. Heavily processed food. The preservatives, artificial ingredients, and high fat content of processed foods are not good for the body. Try to eat foods as close to their source as you can. A slice of cheddar cheese is so much better for your brain than a slice of processed American cheese.
53. White sugar. Refined “table” sugar creates strong fluctuations in blood-sugar levels, which results in a whole host of health problems, including cardiovascular and cholesterol issues. Stick with a more natural sweetener such as honey, cane sugar, or agave.
54. Hydrogenated vegetable oils. The oils found in margarine and other processed foods hold a direct link to higher cholesterol, which in turn, leads to less blood flow to the brain.
55. Caffeine. Reduce your caffeine intake. But don’t worry about eliminating it altogether, as studies indicate a little caffeine may be beneficial to your brain.
56. Alcohol. Keep drinking to a minimum — one or two drinks a day at the most. Heavy drinking is directly linked to memory loss.
57. High fructose corn syrup. This artificial sweetener may be worse for you than sugar, tricking your brain into making you think you’re hungry when you’re not.
58. Saturated fat. Replace saturated fat from animal products with monounsaturated fat from healthy vegetable oils.
59. Environmental pollutants. The toxic effects of pollutants is not healthy for the body, and especially the brain. If you live in a heavily polluted city, you might want to consider moving.
60. Heavy metals. Heavy metals disrupt the protective blood-brain barrier and are not easily flushed from the body. Two sources of heavy metals are mercury found in many fish and lead found in places such as some job sites, in certain dishware from Mexico, and lead pipes in older homes.

Be safe

Protecting your brain from injury is a great way to promote a fit mind. Brain injury can debilitate the brain’s functioning. Learn how to protect your head from injury with this list.

61. Sports helmets. Protect your head when doing certain physical activities such as bicycling, skiing, or rollerblading by wearing the appropriate helmet for your sport.
62. Smoking. Smoking robs your body of oxygen, and oxygen is essential to a healthy brain. Also, studies showthat Alzheimer’s is twice as likely to occur in smokers as in non-smokers.
63. Heat stroke. Avoid heat stroke for a healthier brain. If you plan to be out in the sun, always wear a hat and stay hydrated with plenty of water. Keep in the shade as much as possible.
64. Driving. Practice safe driving habits. Becoming a defensive driver reduces your chances of getting in an accident.
65. Handrails. Use handrails on steep stairs or any stairs if you are in bad weather. Wet or icy stairs can cause you to fall easily.
66. On motorcycles. Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or scooter to protect your head in the event of a wreck or loss of control.
67. Drugs. Dare to be drug free, bro. Some drugs can diminish brain capacity, and overdosing on certain street drugs can cause permanent brain damage. Just don’t run this risk to your brain.
68. Repetitive injury. Any repetitive head injury considerably elevates the chances of long-term brain injury. Sports such as football, soccer, and boxing all run a higher risk of repetitive injury, so take caution if you participate in sports with higher risk.
69. Seatbelts. Always wear a seatbelt when you are in a car — front or back seat. If you are in a car accident, your chances of sustaining a head injury while buckled up are much lower.
70. Home safety. Practice smart safety around the house such as using a sturdy ladder rather than a rickety one or just stacking items on a chair to get items out of reach.

 

Reduce stress

 Not only does stress help keep your body healthy, it also improves mental health. Use these suggestions for ways to find stress relief and relaxation for your life.

71. Emotions. Keep in touch with your emotions. Pretending you don’t have certain feelings such as anger, sadness, or loneliness will just push these feelings down until they come back out in less than ideal ways. Identify your emotions and accept them for what they are.
72. Bath. Soak in a hot bath to feel the stress just melt away from your body. After a 15 minute soak, your body and mind will both feel refreshed.
73. Meditation. For improving focus and stress relief, meditation can’t be beat. It can even permanently impact your brain for the better.
74. Breathing. The deep, relaxing form of breathing used during yoga practice can bring benefits to your brain as well. Not only will this deep breathing serve as a form of relaxation, it also oxygenates the body, which keeps the brain healthy.
75. Relaxation exercises. Try some of these relaxation exercises, and you will teach your body how to feel calmer, thereby reducing your stress levels.
76. Fun. Have fun in life. Take time away from work and family responsibilities to just enjoy life. When you can’t get away, learn how to find the joy in all you do.
77. Yes!Think positively and you will discover that your approach to life is one of much less stress. You will feel empowered to make things happen and to appreciate what you’ve already accomplished.
78. Smile. Smile and laugh often. Not only will a happy demeanor help you feel better, it will also affect those around you.
79. Sleep. Getting enough sleep and sleeping well contribute to a reduction in stress levels. Find out how to get a good night’s sleepwithout a sleep aid.
80. Get a pet. Pet owners show fewer signs of stress and are less lonely. Think about going through a pet rescue organization to help find a home for a needy animal and helping yourself too.

 

Stimulate Your Senses

An experience that incorporates one or more of your senses serves to stimulate brain activity and help keep your mind sharp. The following activities will provide you with plenty of sensory experiences you will enjoy while strengthening your mental acuity.

81. Sculpt. Pick up some modeling clay and play with some simple sculpting. You don’t have to be Rodin to enjoy the feeling of the clay in your hands.
82. Aromatherapy. In reasonable segments, aromatherapy sessions can do wonders for your stress levels.
83. Massage. Get a massage and enjoy the tactile sensation of a professional working out the stress and tension in your muscles. Massage therapists typically use essential oils in their massage oil, so you also have the added benefit of a pleasing scent.
84. New food. Try a new type of food, especially if it is a different ethnic food than you are accustomed to eating. Thai food and Indian food both utilize a wide range of herbs and spices that will stimulate your sense of taste, smell, and sight.
85. Chai. If you haven’t experienced the sensation of chai, give it a try. This tea infused with a variety of spices and blended with milk or a non-dairy milk substitute will awaken your tongue and mind as well.
86. Garden. Reach your hands into the earth and plant some herbs and flowers. Gardening is a great multi-sensory experience, as you feel the soil, hear nature and the neighborhood around you, taste herbs you’ve grown, and appreciate the color and beauty of the flowers you nurtured.
87. Sex. Enjoy sex with your partner. Not only will it stimulate your senses, it has also been shown to sharpen your mind through itscardiovascular benefits.
88. Concert. Listening to music, whether it’s a small chamber music ensemble or a full-out rock show, will stimulate your brain.
89. Bake cookies. The feel of the dough, the smell of the baking cookies, and the taste of your finished product is a great multi-sensory experience.
90. Yarn. Play with yarn or thread as you learn to knit, crochet, or embroider. Not only will you love the tactile sensation of the varying types of textiles, but you will also challenge your brain to a new learning experience.

 

Be Social

Having a strong social network reduces isolation and stress and stimulates the brain through shared learning experiences and emotional connections. Even if you already have a good group of friends, you will likely find some great ideas for strengthening those social connections with these tips.

91. Email. With the widespread usage and popularity of email, there’s no reason not to keep in touch with old and new friends alike. Be sure you actually send a message, though, and don’t just forward jokes.
92. Letters. Rediscover the lost art of writing letters. Don’t just type it up, either. Find a beautiful stationary and hand-write a letter to an old friend.
93. Clubs. Join a club. With everything out there from the Elks Lodge to a nature conservancy group, you are sure to find a group of folks with similar interests as you.
94. Volunteer. Volunteering can be a great way to meet people, stay social, and be making a difference.
95. Phone. In this age of electronics and heavy scheduling, the art of a leisurely phone call to a friend can become lost. Pick up the phone and talk to someone.
96. Dinner group. Start a dinner club with six or eight people. Have each person bring one dish and alternate homes for hosting.
97. Book group. Combine reading with the social aspect of discussing your book to gain two benefits to brain health.
98. Cooking class. Taking a cooking class will not only get you out and meeting new people, you will be learning how to eat more healthily, too.
99. Cards. Playing cards is a fun and social experience. Find some card-playing partners and set up a weekly or monthly card date.
100. Online. Join an online discussion group. Find a topic about which you are interested in learning or you are already an expert and join in a discussion.

Monday November 30 2015  WHERE HAVE ALL THE DAYS GONE?

The last day of the month in what seems like the blink of an eye.  Is it just me, or does life seem to accelerate as you get older?  Well, come to think about it, I’m not alone because I remember my friend giving some wisdom pertaining to that just a week ago.  How do we slow the days down?  Is there way?  Maybe the government needs to do a multimillion dollar study on that issue.  By the time it was finished I would probably be past the point of no return.  Maybe I’ll just have to learn how to live each day slower.

I have discovered that it really does take me a lot longer to accomplish things than it used to.  I keep hearing my sister’s words ringing more true in my ears.  She is feeding me fodder for getting my life in order.  And, believe it or not, I am thinking a lot about what she has been “whispering” in my ear.  Never underestimate the power your words may have in someone else’s life.  She mentioned in an email recently that the older you get the harder it is to make changes.  I check that statement as being true in my life.  One of the situations Dave and I vacillate on is whether to “stay in place” or pack up and move.  We’ll take the first step and just downsize our possessions.  That alone will be difficult enough.  I think I have enough “stuff” to open my own museum and the “stuff” is probably all old enough to go into a museum.  So if you think about praying for me in the coming year please pray that it will be easier for me to rid myself of unnecessary baggage, (you know, like all my kids baby clothes).  Come to think of it, my children’s clothing may just fit into the category of VINTAGE by now.  Perhaps I should rethink getting rid of them.  JUST KIDDING!  But I am not kidding about the prayer.

Today is Monday.  I almost said ‘today has been a TYPICAL Monday, but then I changed it because I don’t really know what a typical Monday is, much less any other typical day.  What is typical?  I do not know.  Every day is different.  I think that is my new reality.  I love to be able to just change my plans midstream and readdress the day in whichever way I think it will work best for the week.  I do not look at just one isolated day to decide my schedule, where I should go, or what errands I should run.  I first look to see which days are heaviest scheduled, such as Thursday when I will be gone all day.  And that will make a difference as what I do on the other days.  I know I have a lot of cooking to do on Friday for a large church dinner and will need to pick up the items on Wednesday since Thursday is unavailable to me.  It is important to have all the ingredients purchased before I begin cooking or the  day and event will not work for me.  So, for me, my typical day is always untypical. 

I do believe it would be a bit easier to have a typical day of retirement if I was a man.  I look at my husband and he seems to be so free in what he does and how he does it.  He doesn’t see what I see that needs to be done.  Don’t get me wrong, he is a great help, even in his limited capacity during his post-surgical recovery time.  But, men just don’t figure in all the little things, cooking, shopping, cleaning, toilets, floors, etc..  For me there is always something else to do, something else to put away, another meal to prepare, something else to scrub, not to mention the desire to read which has been put on the back burner for the time being.  I’m not complaining, just stating the facts ma’am.  So, for the month of December I am going to act like I am retired!  Dave suggested he have a day off.  So I agreed as long as I could have a day off.  A day off to me means that he does all the meal preparation, the clean-up, and anything else that must be done on my day off.  Sounds like fun!  And I would do the same for him.  The only difference is that on his day off I would just do all the same things I usually do every day anyway!  Hey, there I have found it.  My typical day!  My typical day is that I am just always DOING!  I look forward to my untypical day!

I know that when someone reads what another has written, sometimes it is taken differently that the writer meant.  After all, you cannot hear my voice inflection, nor see the twinkle in my eye, or my mouth twitch in a half smile.  I begrudge nothing I do, regardless if it is for me or for my husband.  And I know my husband’s attitude is the same.  But it will be fun to really not do anything on my “do nothing day”.  He said he is game.

I have just a few moments before I am leaving for a Monday night rendezvous at a friend’s house to view an old Jean Arthur movie.  We went last week for the first time and both enjoyed it immensely.  Dave may very well be home tonight due to the fact that he is quite dizzy today for some reason.  If the roads are not icy I will go alone.  We’ve actually had some rain last night and today.  Right now Dave just gave me a reading of 37 degrees so I should be okay.  However, I don’t really like driving at night.

 

RUSHED FOR TIME

By Kathleen Martens

November 30, 2016

 

Rushed for time is what I am

I must leave, so in a hurry.

Just a short poem to finish my day,

As I am in such a flurry.

 

Off to enjoy a movie of old,

And fellowship with our friends.

And as usual when you are having fun,

So quickly the evening will end.

 

So good night, my fingertips say

To those who are still tagging along.

I love to greet you each and every day

At the computer my heart belongs.

 

Tomorrow is another day

And I shall embrace it as such.

Should I live to awaken the morn

It will be appreciated very much.

 

Good night and God bless you.

Farewell November!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Sabbath November 29 2015  ARE YOU AWAKE?

The alarm sounded this morning.  After being up very late for the last four nights, I was quite disappointed that the alarm was ringing in the middle of the night.  Well, at least it was still dark.  Dark, and very cold outside of the covers.  What is so unusual about hearing the alarm is that I am almost always awake before any alarm can go off.  Actually, I had awakened at 5:30 a.m., went to the potty room, and crawled back between my warm covers knowing full well the alarm would go off in a few moments.  Well, when it did ring I was already in never-never land, sound asleep.  It was as if I couldn’t move.  I was still and quiet just hoping that it was a bad dream and it really wasn’t time to get out of bed to get ready for early church service.  I hear a quiet voice coming from the other side of the bed saying, “Are you awake”?  “Yes”, I slowly responded.  “Oh, I didn’t know,” my husband replied back.  “You know why I didn’t know”, not waiting for a response he then said,  “It’s because you weren’t talking”.

Well, that comment made me burst out in laughter!  In other words, he was insinuating that if I am awake, THEN I AM TALKING!  And you know what?  He is probably right, especially in the morning.  That is usually our most talkative time. INSERT: (MY HUSBAND HAD TO ADD A COMMENT AS HE PROOF READ…”THAT IS ONLY SECOND TO ALL THE OTHER TIMES”). I love those times but it just came too early for a sleep deprived body.  You know what one of my favorite things I love about my husband is?  Well, of course you don’t, so I’ll tell you.  I love that there is never a day that goes by that he does not make me break out in laughter.  So that is how my day began, with an outburst of laughter that I couldn’t contain.  If you don’t laugh much you should try it sometime, even if you have to just start out with fake laughter until you sound so ridiculous to yourself that you just start laughing at yourself.  An excellent book to read on that subject is “ANATOMY OF AN ILLNESS AS PERCEIVED BY THE PATIENT” by Norman Cousins, written in 1979.  It is still pertinent in today’s world.  Laughter is one of the best things you can do for yourself each day.  Try it, you might like it!

So, today is Sunday.  A beautiful Sunday Sabbath, blue sunny skies, green grass and 19 degrees outside.  The snow is all melted and it looks like autumn again, but with winter’s temperatures.  Winter is now officially less than a month away.  On this Sunday Sabbath Dave and I once again realized we needed a break from “doing”.  (I could get used to this.)  Today I took it literally and decided after fixing lunch that I would do just that.  So I did the only sensible thing to do, I immidiately got undressed and slipped into sweater pants (stretchy waistband), a long sleeved soft knit shirt, my fuzzy socks, and decided if I was going to do nothing I would do it very comfortably.  And then I remembered!  Oh dear, I have a client coming over this afternoon to pick up their wedding album.  So…I am still in my comfortable clothes.  Our time is open ended so I called and left a message that they are to call me before they come.  It is supposed to be around the 5:30 p.m. time frame.  So, hopefully they’ll call first and give me time to change.  It just feels too good to change before I must.

Other than expecting them today I am so hoping nothing else will happen.  I still want to watch that Christmas movie I have been longing for this past week.  Dave even found a string of movies on a religious channel that all seemed to be the wholesome kind of movies that I like to watch.  He scheduled a whole list of them to record for me.  I guess I am now set with enough movies to watch at least one a day.  Remember, the month of December is our month off.  I have dreamed of a month like this for years.  When I was working it was almost impossible to find the time to spend watching a television show, much less a two hour movie.  So, I just never took the time to watch any movies except at Christmas time.  Dave will hopefully be recovered by Christmas and able to go back to his workouts, and hopefully my elbow and shoulder will have recovered sufficiently for me to use fully. 

When I hurt my elbow almost 4 weeks ago I think I also damaged my right shoulder.  The elbow still gives me pain if I do things I shouldn’t be doing.  But it is the shoulder that is causing me the most consternation.  Very limited in movement but I do the exercises I was instructed to do every day to keep it mobile.  If the shoulder doesn’t heal I will need to have it looked at further.  I have already had a rotator cuff repair on each shoulder.  That is not something I would ever want to go through again.  I was glad I only had two shoulders.  I never gave it a thought that I could hurt one again.  Oh well, maybe it is just old age and it will eventually go away.  However, it does not seem like old age goes away (at least not until we draw our last breath).  So you see, there is always hope for a good ending!

I truly hope you are having a wonderful, restful, God inspiring, Sabbath.  I shall take seriously the words that God has commanded.  REST ON THE SABBATH!  It makes for a guilt free rest time. 

 

A TIME OF SURRENDER

By Kathleen Martens

November 29, 2015

 

A day of rest to free the spirit

The body and the soul.

A time of complete surrender

On Sabbath should be your goal.

 

Yield to the needs of body

To replenish, renew, and rest.

One day in all the week

To do what is fully best.

 

What an absolute wonderful God

To give such a command.

He knew that are bodies would tire

And rest they would demand.

 

So take to heart and use it well

This Sabbath that God created.

For His word is ever true

And should not be debated.

 

Fifty two times in a year

We have permission to just be.

No expectation to perform

That body and spirt be free.

 

So I shall do such a thing

As God has told me to.

And on Monday I will rise,

Rested, relaxed, renewed.

 

Good afternoon.  Praying you have a wonderful and fulfilling week ahead.  And remember, take time to rest on the Sabbath.  God bless you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday November 28 2015  A DO NOTHING DAY

 

Today was one of those rare days when both Dave and I decided it was a day to choose to do nothing.  For me “to do nothing” is great!  AT LEAST FOR A HALF HOUR.  So I chose to do nothing and watched a half hour T.V. program.  But that was only after I decided to put something away, and when I looked in my cupboard I was utterly disgusted.  So I decided to tackle a few shelves, and get them organized and that was after I first cleaned a drawer out which had become too cluttered with pens and pencils and clothes pins (which we use to keep bags closed).  Of course when I finished, not everything would fit back in the cupboards.  Some was food I wanted to keep, some was food to give away, and some was food to throw away.  I so dislike allowing food to expire before being used.  So, after all was done I rested on the couch and watched my half hour program and a bit of news. 

Of course the rest gave me impetus to then get up raring to go!  NOT!  But I did get up anyway because I had made a commitment to myself to go to the gym.  I always feel so much more energized after a good sweaty workout.  While I was gone Dave actually gave up some of his precious, do nothing day, to peel and chop vegetables for me.  You see, I had more broth from yesterday’s turkey, no place to put it in the freezer, and I needed to use it up.  So of course I made more soup.  You see, the soup can go back into the containers that the broth was in and then we can eat it up, have company over, or give it away.  It is just the making of it that I enjoy doing.  And believe it or not, that is what I wanted to do on my “to do nothing” day.  It always makes it so much more fun when there is nothing pressing in on my time and that was the wondrous part of the day.  I love my grandkids, but boy it sure makes me realize what freedom I have after they have been around for a couple of days.  I loved it when I was parent and seemed to get everything done that needed doing.  Now, it takes a little longer to do just the necessary and kids add a bit more “necessary” to do.  Needless to say, Dave and I were quite happy to have a do nothing day.  Can’t wait until we have them over again soon.  Maybe they will be able to come over during the Christmas break (which is now referred to by the schools as the winter break).  I love having them over midweek because it just sort of emphasizes and reminds us “HEY, WE ARE RETIRED”!  I like that phrase!

So, my do nothing day turned out very well.  I did nothing I HAD TO DO and only that which I chose to do.  Dinner is now over, the beans just finished cooking that I will be adding to the soup, the soup is still on the stove cooling off and the dishes are almost finished washing in the dishwasher.  The laundry is working diligently to do what we could not do while the boys were here, and it is not even 8:00 p.m. as of yet.  A pretty good do nothing day I would say!  Oh, by the way, Dave chose to start all the yearend tax organizing so that we will be ready to have our taxes done after all the necessary documents arrive in the mail.  He likes to have taxes done as early as possible.  This will be a big year of organizing and calculating due to retiring and finally closing the business down. 

Oh yes, we also have our tree decorated already too.  We just haven’t decided exactly where we want to put it this year.  It is perfect for us.  It is fifteen INCHES high and sits on a table.  It has an electric cord that lights up all the little lights on it.  That will be the sum of our holiday décor.  Please don’t think me a scrooge.  There was a time when we went all out.  At one place we lived we actually had fresh cut trees that were fifteen FEET high.  We anchored them to the upstairs balcony that looked down over the living room.  Those were fun, magical times when our children were young (and so were we).  But now, well, we are just content without all the extra things to do.  Perhaps I will decorate one more time some year, but this isn’t the year.  Too much happening this year and we will just enjoy our son’s big tree that his family put up yesterday and decorated today.  We’ll get to enjoy theirs when we go visit them.  I love it when life just sort of simplifies itself!

 

ONCE UPON A TIME

By Kathleen Martens

November 28, 2015

 

Once upon a time

In a long ago land.

There was a mother and father,

A woman and a man.

 

There was a boy and a girl

Three years apart,

A brother and a sister

Both very smart.

 

They loved all the hoopla

Of decorating a tree,

Waiting in anticipation

For Santa to see.

 

They would set out the cookies

Make sure the chimney was clear

Knowing Santa Clause

Soon would be near.

 

As for the mother and father

It was their delight

To prepare all that was needed

For their Christmas Eve night.

 

The children now grown

And moved away.

And the tree unimportant

In a sad little way.

 

Where there was once noise

And excitement galore,

It is now too quiet,

For the kids are no more.

 

And the mother and father

Sit quietly at home,

Remembering the joy

They once did own.

 

Oh, but alas!

There is more to this story,

For they now have two grandsons

And life is not boring.

 

For now all the work

Belongs to another,

But they still get to enjoy it

This father and mother.

 

They pack up their gifts

And drive across town,

And never is there time

To wear a frown.

 

What lights up their day

Are these two little boys,

Who are the treasures of their hearts,

And bring them such joy!

 

Oh it is fun

To be getting so old.

To some it may be sad,

But to us it is gold!

 

We are looking forward to the Christmas season and we hope you are too.  Remember, I have a goal for the month of December.  Actually, two goals.  The first, is to watch a Christmas movie every day of the month, and the second, is to eat entirely from that which is in the freezer!  Maybe I won’t cook for one month.  I may have some withdrawal pains but I think I would survive.  Just don’t hold me to it. 

You know what the bad part is about the fact that my husband helps me proofread my blogs, it is that he always reads what I write, AND HE MIGHT HOLD ME TO IT!  On the other hand, probably not.  He likes his fresh salads now too.  But he still won’t eat Brussels sprouts.

Good night and God bless you.

 

 

 

Thursday November 26 2015  THANKSGIVING DAY

I so cherish every single day.  And some days even more.  I am not naive enough to think that life will always be the same as it is now.  There are so many variables with all that is taking place in our world at this time.  Yes, today was special.  Very special because we celebrated the 8^th birthday of our oldest grandson.  Such an awesome and tender age is eight.  However, I couldn’t help but wonder what the world will be like when he eighteen or twenty eight or if the world as we know it now will even still be in existence.  As I sat down to eat I looked around and saw all the families together at other tables in the restaurant.  Families enjoying the day, the abundance of food, the resources to eat out, no worry as to what is coming tomorrow or if they will have enough to eat.  And then I thought of situations in the world that are just the opposite.  So many thousands not knowing if they will even have food to eat tomorrow.  It is in moments such as these that a deep sadness enters my heart and I wonder if there isn’t more that I could do.

I am so thankful for all the abundance that is in my life.  I choose to never take it for granted.  Yes, I also choose to live in the moment so as not to put myself in situations where I worry, but my eyes are still open to that which is taking place globally.  Even though life should be lived in the moment be certain to know and understand what is taking place around you, in your own inner circle, your city, your state, your country, and abroad.  Do not ever think that you are immune to what is taking place in the Mideast.  Our very way of life is being threatened and everyone needs to be aware of what is taking place and how vulnerable we are to having our own lifestyle altered due to the ramifications of so many others losing their freedoms.  Evil in the world and is marching forward, getting closer and closer to affecting the quality of life we live in the United States.  Do not take your freedoms for granted.  Fight for your freedoms and be thankful that we still have many more freedoms than most countries.  But be aware.  The world is changing.  We never know if we will ever have another day like today.  Be thankful for this day, for the abundance of food, for water, for clean air, for groceries on the shelf, a car to drive, a job to go to, and the freedom to worship at a church of your choice.  Today is the one day of the year to pause and give deliberate thanks.  Perhaps we should deliberately pause and give thanks for every day of the year.

I do not know why a blog such as this would pour from my fingers today.  I meant to write something upbeat about my son’s birthday party and it just went down another avenue.  I am revealing another level of who I am.  I think it a good thing to do once in a while.  It doesn’t mean I am melancholy.  It just means that I look at life realistically.  Things are happening in the world.  Be aware.  Live in the moment.  Put your trust in God that you need not ever fear.  We may not be able to change the world or wipe out hunger but we can make a difference in the lives around us.  Be open to the plan that God has for your life and do your best to reach out and make the world a little bit better for those you come in contact with.

So, let’s go back to the birthday boy.  I never want to miss the opportunity to celebrate even one of his birthdays with him.  My friend and neighbor, Carolyn, gave me an insight as to what a birthday celebration really means. From the time I first knew Carolyn she brought over birthday presents to celebrate my day.  She has given me birthday parties inviting people she didn’t even know because they were important to me.  This was so amazing to me.  When she found out that Dave and I didn’t really celebrate our birthdays she put a stop to that.  Birthday parties were not the norm in our family.  The only family birthday party I remember for myself was when I turned twelve years old.  I remember how grown up I felt.  I truly did think I was grown.  My sister Velma lived in Oakland in an apartment and the one and only time I ever went to her apartment was on my 12^th birthday.  She actually gave me a little birthday get together. I felt so special and she made me feel so grownup.  She gave me a gold Seiko wristwatch with a little tiny clock face.  It was just like the ones that the grownup ladies wore.  I can’t even begin to tell you what it did for my self-esteem and even my self-worth.  Probably a bit too much!  I actually think I still possess that little watch.  I wore it long after it wore out and didn’t work anymore because I so loved the feeling of importance it gave me.  Like I’ve said before, we didn’t have much so I made the most of what I had.

I hope someday Zachariah and Xander will look back on our family birthday parties and remember them with joy.  I hope it will instill in them just how important their life is.  One of the best things we do at each birthday party is to go around the table and each person tells a story about the birthday person.  That always seems to bring up stories about the others who are also present and we laugh and tear up and forget the time.  Tonight as I watched Zach, I could see how very special he felt, how happy the stories made him, and realized just how much he was learning about himself.  His mom told the story about him being three months old when she laid him down on the bed for just a second and he rolled off and fell on the floor.  She told all that followed and his eyes just glistened with the mystery of the story being told.  He laughed his amazing laugh and it made my heart sing to be with him, watching his enjoyment of learning new things about himself.  My one goal in doing this is to instill in him how important he is to our family and how his life is special enough to celebrate.   

And so is your life important enough to celebrate.  Actually, the greatest celebration you can do is to daily thank God for the life he has given you. 

To show you how my mind skips around I am going go off on a “rabbit run” thought.  It just popped into my head but seems to be pertinent for this blog.  Year ago I heard our minister, Pastor Jack Hayford in Danville California, talk about how our lives affect the generations in our family.  He informed us that studies have shown that each generation will have an influence that goes down to the fifth generation.   I really gave some thought to that.  My grandfather, my mother’s father, was a cruel man in many ways.  His physical abuse really affected his 13 children in so many different ways.  My mother was never told that she was loved, thus she never told her children.  I was one of those children.  Did my mother’s parenting influence me?  Yes.  Being one of six children I could also see how it affected my siblings, each one in a different way.  I will not share what I observed in my siblings but for me it was a bit different than their perspective and choices.  I looked at my mother and decided that I would do things just the opposite as to how I was raised.  For a starter, when our daughter was born I told my husband that for the rest of her life, if I was with her she would hear me say “I LOVE YOU”.  From the day we brought her home from the hospital I spoke my promise.  As a child I never heard my mother day “I love you” to me.  Years later I taught her how to receive those words from me and to say them back to me.  It didn’t come easy for her.  But somehow, I always knew she loved me deeply.  When I told my husband my plan he looked at me in all seriousness and said if you are going to say that to her then I am going to say it too.  And to this day, if we are together or speak on the phone there is never a time that goes by with telling her “I love you”.  We did the same with our second born as well.  I just have opportunity to say it to him in person more often that I do with Rebecca because of his close proximity.

My mother’s parenting, affected by her parent’s parenting, influenced my parenting.  My parenting (and I include my husband in all these “My’s”), influenced our son’s parenting and his parenting will influence his sons.  Even though I have not been cruel to my children like my grandfather was, it was his influence on my mother that cause me to make the decisions I did.  Our grandchildren will have no memory of either my grandparents, or my parents, but none the less, they are recipients for what was passed on and will be influenced to pass on how they were parented.  Hopefully, the love that we pour into our grandchildren will indeed go on down another five generations but hopefully the influence of my grandfather will no longer affect the generations that come after them due to them being the fifth generation following in his lineage.

If you are interested in reading a very insightful and intense true story about the grandfather I speak of there is a very interesting book you can read.  It is self-published so you would need to contact me for information on how to obtain a copy.  The title is “A BAKER’S DOZEN” by Anne Chaney.  When you start reading it you won’t be able to put it down.

I thank God for every single day.  You may get tired of reading these words over and over but I will probably keep writing them anyway. 

FOR EACH DAY IS NEW

By Kathleen Martens

November 26 2015

 

No day is ever the same

As it was the day before.

Each day is unto its own

In knowing how to score.

 

When it is over

It will never return.

From yesterday’s moments

There’s no more to earn.

 

And tomorrow is not promised.

So today is the total sum.

And it is only in the passing seconds

That it even comes.

 

So be thankful to hold dear

The moments allotted you,

And never try to live in the past

For each day is new.

 

Oh my!  I just put the kids to bed for the night.  I stayed up late with them so we could keep on celebrating by watching a Curious George DVD.  Very enlightening!  But it was worth every moment of snuggling with Xander on my lap.  I think that Zach thinks he is too old to snuggle.  I don’t think you are ever too OLD to snuggle but I will admit that He might be a bit too big to fit on my lap. 

Isn’t it awesome to know that we will never outgrow God’s lap?

It is almost 11:00 p.m.  Way past my bedtime.  So I will say goodnight and sleep tight!

P.S.  Look below and view the picture of Zachariah at the end of his big day of celebration!