Visions of Poetry

Monday August 10 2015  THE HUMMINGBIRD

No reason at all to title to today’s date “The Hummingbird”, except for the fact that as I write the date, I look up and out my window is a little hummingbird hovering right in front of me on the other side of my window pane.  I am on the main floor of my house in the sunroom which looks out to the back yard from the advantage point of a second floor height.  Our lower level is a full level walkout.  When I look outside all I see is the forest.  Well…since I have really seen what a true forest looks like, perhaps I should call my view—looking out at the woods.  It is a beautiful woods.  Most of the back and end of our house is windows which creates a feeling that we live in the trees.  The trees are very tall in places and we cannot   see the tops of the taller trees when we look out.  This side of the house faces west, and even so, our yard becomes dark very early.  There are large trees in the front also that lend us the loveliness of shade on hot summer days.  The sun is now setting but still hits the tops of the tallest trees. Leaf raking in the fall is an amazing task!

I just went around to some of the windows in the house and took some photos of what I see out my windows.  Some have glass glare but it still gives you the idea of where I live.  The little red house is a playhouse in our back yard.  I used it as a backdrop in my outdoor studio for senior portraits.  It was also the home of our pet pig named Sheeza.  Her last name was Pig.  The metal fencing that you see is an enclosed terrace that has outdoor stairs that take you down to that level.  When looking over the back railing it is still quite high off the ground as we are on a slight hill.  The enclosed area was originally a 38’ X 18’ diving pool, 12’ deep with diving board and slide, enclosed in the wrought iron fencing due to the regulations that pools must be fenced.  Once the kids outgrew the desire for the pool we had a company come in and install drainage out to the woods and had it filled in as a septic area would be drained.  We had to do it that way so it wouldn’t become a bog due to our heavy spring and summer rainfalls.  It is now a garden and a place for mosquitos.  We wish it were screened in.  We have dreams, so who knows…maybe in the future.  I find that I am never too old to dream and plan for the future.

It is already the time of the year when we start preparing for fall because winter is never far behind.  This year has been quite discombobulated for me with my long absence.  I left in the snow, came back in full summer, and these past weeks have been so packed with all that has been going on that it seems like the whole year is wrapping up before me.  We still have another trip planned that will take us away during a crucial time of putting our land to bed.  There is a lot to do when you have a yard bigger than  city blocks . Especially with THOUSANDS of leaves coming down.  But it is so beautiful.  I would be happy to live out the rest of my life looking out these windows.

This has been a quiet day.  After working out this morning I cooked the strata I concocted last evening, worked on wedding work, ate lunch, worked on wedding work, worked on about a thousand emails, I now am in the 4,900 count, down from over 5,000 and something.  Found some interesting emails, long overdue, that I answered.  Worked some more on the wedding, talked to our daughter, and ate again.  And now I am here.  When I prepare the food Dave almost always cleans up the kitchen for me.  That is a great help as far as my time goes.  Dave has several projects going right now and it seems his time is being eaten up with just the little things it takes to keep a house running.  He actually fixed a toilet’s innards today.  That was a good thing to do!  Tomorrow he hopes to get all the rocks of one planter washed and put back in the area they belong.  Rocks are heavy, but in this environment they must be cleaned due to all the road dirt and tree debris that collects on them.  I would just buy new ones but he is not wasteful, so thus, he cleans them instead.  He is a hard, diligent worker.  He always finishes what he starts.  That is a good trait to have.  I do so appreciate my husband and his qualities.  Like I said in my blog once before, I have never known a man of such integrity as my husband.  And that is not a biased statement.  Just how many people could truly say and know that to be true about the person they have lived with for 42 years? I would venture to say, not many.  I don’t think I would fall into that category.  I have too many shortcomings.  But I know I am still loved unconditionally by God just as he loves you the same way.

So, this day is coming to a close.  My poem is yet to be written.  Lord, I ask that you will bring something to mind that I need to write in order to touch another’s life.

SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A HUMMINGBIRD

By Kathleen Martens

August 10, 2015

Something as simple as a hummingbird

Can give pause to create a blog.

A simple little hummingbird

But an exquisite creation of God.

If man would just stop and listen

And open his eyes to see,

Perhaps the world would open before him

And set his captive heart free.

For all that is beauty around us,

Comes from the Creator for our pleasure,

But so many don’t take the time

To enjoy the gifts of God’s great treasure.

Open the eyes of your heart

That internally you will know

All the magnificence this world holds

Made by God who will willingly show.

He will fill you with peace that comes

From experiencing beauty within

When he takes your shattered life

And forgives you of all your sin.

All you must do is ask

And God will shower you with Grace,

His mercy is unending

When he takes you to that place.

So look around and see

All that God does each day.

Not only has he made heaven and earth,

He desires to show you the way.

The way to a place of joy

Where He will restore your soul.

Though this earth is His beautiful creation,

He wants heaven to be your goal.

I am going to end this blog by copying a short piece from “LIFE, LIVING INTENTIONALLY FOR EXCELLENCE” by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward.  Oops!  At least I had intentions of writing it here until I read the copyright statement:  “All rights reserved:  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying , recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of Obstacles Press, Inc.”

GULP!  I guess I have already transgressed this since I have put in little one liner points of wisdom in previous blogs from this book as well as other.    Maybe I will go to jail.  I certainly hope not!  Nothing like admitting it online! Maybe the name of their publishing company should have scared me away!  Oh man, I am so sorry that I can’t quote page 93.  I just hope I don’t get caught for what I have quoted.  What I was going to pass on to you is was so good!  Maybe it seems extra good because it is totally in line with my beliefs and I have actually spoken in public about this very topic.  You’ll just have to buy the book!  I wonder if that means I cannot quote from any book.  So many times in books I have read references to another author and the title of the book along with a statement or paragraph from the book.  Many times I have gone out and purchased the book for myself because I was so impressed with that little insert in the book I was reading.  Oops! I just revealed another one of my shortcomings!  I’ll just have to go out and solicit wisdom from real live human beings who don’t mind being quoted.  I did it all over the country so I’ll just continue to do so here in my home state and just keep all the wisdom I learn from books to myself and not share with anyone else.  Now if you call me on the phone I might read it to you!

I just read the copyright in other books and they all pretty much say the same.  Well, I hope that you feel free to share what I write with others (except today’s blog where I am admitting a crime).  I always thought if I gave identification to who wrote the book and the book it came from it was not illegal to share it with others.  I hope if other people ever read my books (still yet unpublished) and they find something interesting and worth sharing that they will share the words I wrote and pass on that which might help another.

I hope you have a great night.  I have a little praying to do.

Well, I just scrutinized my little Amish Calendar and I see no copyright jail threats so I will give credit where credit is due and give you my Amish Calendar Wisdom for August 10^th:

I sometimes think that friendliness…

Is like a cheerful song…

It makes the good days better,

And it helps when things go wrong.

God bless all of you!

p. s.  Even the Bible has a copyright. Hummmmmph!

Sunday Sabbath August 9 2015  READJUSTING

RETIREMENT.  READJUSTING.  Two words that are one and the same.  I thought I learned a lot on my trip but perhaps not quite enough.   I’m a do-er.  It is hard for me to sit still, sit down, lie down, or take a moment to do nothing.  And I certainly do not want to take a nap during the day!  Dave and I are opposites.  He informed me of that tonight.  He asked me to remember that Sunday is a day of rest.  Resting to me is working in the kitchen, creating new recipes, cooking, and preparing for the week.  What I need to remember is that I am supposed to be retired and have the rest of the week to do all that.

Well, I don’t feel retired yet because I still have two weddings of which I must finish the post production design.  Only then will I actually be RETIRD!  And even then I will be on call for Meriter Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and U.W. Children’s Hospital to photograph for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.  So I’ll still have some work pending until finished and delivered to the client.  But that is not as time consuming, or as stressful as doing a wedding from start to finish.  I’m looking forward to when I will be finished.   Then will come my studio prop sale and converting my studio back into a living area.  Now that will be fun.  Maybe I said this already but I think I am excited about it because we plan to move my small, over crowed library into the larger area!  How awesome will that be!

As I cooked today I gave thought to what Dave had said regarding the fact that for the last 100 years he has worked Monday through Friday and only had weekends to keep up the yard.  He wants to get all the house and yard work accomplished on the week days and have Saturday and Sunday (for me Saturday, for him Sunday) off with no work of any kind.  Hmmm…I think I kind of like that idea.  So we are retired and we are readjusting.  Both of us.  We love being together but just not all the time.

We are going to make a new day to go to Costco.  No more Sunday afternoons with a big cooking day following.  I must admit, I do like my cooking time.  My cousin has told me that I am “obsessed with food” and maybe I am.  I am obsessed with raw, fresh, organic, beautiful veggies and fruits and all the things that can be concocted from them.  I like to touch them, handle them, cut them up, smell them, cook them, look at them, take pictures of them and then eat them.  The eating part of it is good but the fun part is the beauty of handling such exquisitely designed works of art.  Live food is so beautiful!

Life is just beautiful to me.  I’m sometimes sorry I can’t just get over it and take it for granted.  But, I cannot.  Every day is a gift to me from God and I accept it and use it as such.  I never tire of saying thanks to God for all He has given me, all He has done, for who He is, for His love for me, for His grace, for His joy and peace he instills within me daily.  And I especially thank Him for the awe and wonder he has placed in my heart.  I wonder if I will ever grow up.  I certainly hope not.  Sorry sister Velma.  I know you have hoped I would all my life.  But if push came to shove I suppose I just don’t intend to do so.

I don’t know how I got off on the above topic but I guess I’ll leave it in.  Sometimes I write words but don’t publish them for public consumption. Maye I’ll leave this glimpse of me in print.

Today was another wonderful day.  Perhaps my last Sunday to use as a cooking and prep day for the week.  It is my joy to create a harmonious retired household.  I have a book about Sunday Sabbath, Restoring the Rhythm and Rest to You Soul.  I can’t remember if that is the exact title but it is something like that.  I read it years ago and still remember some of the wisdom that the book offered.  I think I shall find the book and quote some of its wisdom for you.  Not today however, as I have earned to be tired with all that I did today.  We did attend church as we do each Sunday, went to Costco afterward, and then home to cook.  I will say that I did rest a bit before I started cooking but only because I am supposed to do so for my surgical recovery.  I have been trying to make that a priority each day.  It is a bit like torture but I think I could get used to it.  I read during that time and it is what I love to do even more than cooking.

I met a new couple at church today.  Stacy and Pat.  Oh dear, maybe it was Tracy and Pat.  Please forgive me for not remembering.  I’ll ask her again next week.  Anyway, she had some interesting wisdom for me.  I asked her if she had some wisdom and she said no.  Then she went on describing why she doesn’t have wisdom, however what she said seemed very wise to me.  I asked her if I could write it in my Blog.  She said yes.  Now the big question is, can I remember the meaning she got across to me.  Here is Pat’s wife’s wisdom:  “I want to have an open mind and not judge people or circumstances.  I want my mind and heart to be accepting of others.”  She said so much more and so much more eloquently than I can quote here.  I didn’t record her and I wished I had because she said it so beautifully.  When our hearts are grounded in Jesus I think that what she told me is exactly what Jesus would want us to do.  Isn’t that what He did with all those He came in contact with?  He accepted each one that came to Him and poured His healing and love over them.  What a better place our world would be if more people followed that example.  We are never to sit in the seat of judgement.  Isn’t it awesome that that is not our job!

It is after 9:00 p.m.  Time to go to bed.  But first, I must write a poem.  There are a lot of poems in me I would like to write but some take more thinking than others and by this time at night my thinking cap has slipped a bit.  So let’s see what I can come up with.  Hey, I have an idea, if you are reading this, go to contact tab on my blog and shoot me an email and give me some suggestions for some upcoming poems.  Just give me a topic, or a sentence or paragraph of what you would like me to TRY to concoct for you.  Sometimes I ask Dave to just give me one word that I could write a poem about.  It is fun to come up with something.  Anyone else out there write poetry?  Send me one.  I’d love to read it.  I actually have an afternoon pending where a new friend and reader is coming over with his family so we can share our poetry with each other.  How awesome is that!  I’ve already read many of his poems and they are wonderful.  It is always best to hear a poem from the lips of he or she that composed it.  It is when the heart and soul of the poem is felt.  I have done poetry recitals in the past and would love to do another one when my life becomes a bit more “routine” and “organized”.  I don’t know for certain if those words are synonymous with me since I have returned from my trip.  My routines of the past seemed to have disappeared.  I’m trying to rediscover the ones that will now work for me. READJUSTMENT!  There’s that word again.

RETIREMENT AND READJUSTMENT

By Kathleen Martens

August 9, 2015

Retirement is just a word

But boy does it mean big things.

Living together twenty four seven

New encounters it brings.

Waking each morn without alarm

Creates a leisurely tone.

And every day is Saturday,

Until the calendar is shown.

Learning to give and to receive

Must be learned all over again.

And learning to know the older other

Is like discovering a new friend.

There is a time of adjustment

Because there are a lot of changes,

And we must stretch ourselves further

To handle the many ranges.

So many new things to think about,

And so many more new choices.

We must realize we two are one

As we respect our separate voices.

Retirement and readjustments,

Two things I look forward to.

It’s as if I’ve been given the gift

Of a life that is wonderfully brand new.

So that’s my final answer and I’m sticking to it!

Goodnight!  10:12 p.m.

Saturday August 8 2015  MY BIG WONDERFUL DAY TODAY!

I said a statement today that I almost didn’t live to regret.

Yesterday’s blog was a simple poem and borrowed wisdom!  Today I had a great big wonderful day as I had planned, and an even better ending!

Dave and I woke up early and readied ourselves for our day at the lake at the Redder’s home in Pardeeville.  A quiet, simple, beautiful community.  It is also Amish-land.  So many beautiful farms, road after road.  Clothes in abundance hung on the clotheslines whipping in the breeze.  All hung in precision of size and gender and garments.  And each yard had many rows of very long lines of hanging space.  Had there been safe places to pull over I would have taken photos.    There were gardens laden with a profusion of vegetables.  Road side stands laid out in wagons and tarps in front yards with a jar beside the produce to accept your money.  I bought a baker’s dozen ears of corn for $2.00!  A beautiful home grown cantaloupe for $2.00.  Green peppers for 50 Cents.  A huge kohlrabi for $2.00 (which is one of my favorite vegetables).

As we drove down a little country road I noticed an Amish wagon by the road with several little Amish children sitting serene and stock still on two rows of seats up high in the large wagon.  The children were toddler age on up to about 4 or 5.  There was, who I assumed to be the mom, working in the vegetable garden off to the side of the wagon and in close proximity to her there were four or five other children ranging in sizes of about 5 or 6 years of age, to maybe 12 years old.  All were bending, harvesting, weeding or doing whatever else you do in a garden.  We drove past, commenting on the children so patiently waiting on the seats.  I thought maybe they were packed up there because they were going to be going on a trip but had to gather the veggies first.  We passed them on our way to the Amish country store.  Dave and I were in the front seat with me driving, and two friends who came with us in the back seat.  About an hour or so later we finished our shopping in the country store and headed back down the country road.  There was the buggy again.  The little ones still sitting docile and serene just as they had been over an hour ago.  The older children were still working with their backs bent, noses to their tasks.  The wagon (a large one that is normally drawn by two horses) had been turned and was now half way down the rows of the vegetable garden, wheels in the spaces between the vegetation.  It was a very large garden.  In the back of the wagon were piles of produce.  As I drove by I wondered how long those babies would have to sit so still and how long the older children would work.  Probably until lunch.  We went by at about 9:30 a.m. and back by closer to 11:00 a.m.  The little ones were not watching an Ipad either, nor did I see any toys.  Just thought you might like to know.  I marveled at the wonder of seeing that scene in this chaotic world we live it.  I wondered what was the motivating factor for such compliancy.

The four of us arrived at the lake location a while later.  It was a perfectly beautiful day.  A bit overcast, warm, but not hot.  A slight breeze that seemed refreshing and such a beautiful lake to view.  The food was delicious, the company was enjoyable, the pontoon ride was relaxing and it was over too soon.

I just remembered I left something out.  On the way through the little downtown area of Pardeeville earlier that morning I spotted a parking lot full of booths selling their wares.  I spied some chairs that looked interesting and asked the others if they would mind if I stopped.  No, they did not mind as it was a great adventure to them to be so spontaneous.  I think Spontaneous is my middle name.  The chairs I had noticed were not what I was looking for but I saw a table and chair set that I thought might have some potential.  I did not want the table, but the chairs, five regular dining chairs and one captain’s chair, looked pretty good.  Old chairs from 1943 made by Leath Furniture Company.  They were painted a soft white and then finished with a distressed look.  Sort of the shabby chic look.  The vendor would not separate the chairs and table.  That is, until I convinced them it was the right thing to do.  So, I bought the chairs for my “new” dining room table.  Distressed table—distressed chairs!  What a great combination.  So here is my dilemma.  Six chairs about 60 miles from my house, two grown women sitting in the back seat of my LITTLE Kia and no way to get them home.  Oh well, I knew it would happen one way or the other so I didn’t worry about it.  So we go on about our day, did all the above, had a great time and I’m still thinking about how to get the chairs home without having to drive all the way up to Pardeeville this week.  Besides, I didn’t know if 6 chairs would fit in my car even with the back down.  Now I do know I was able to get  an awful lot of STUFF in the back of my Silver Fox while I was traveling, but I am a master at stuffing stuff in little spaces if the stuff will cooperate.  Chairs do not cooperate.

As the day progressed, lunch was over and we were all sitting around I asked if anyone had a van that would hold six chairs and if so would they mind taking them to Madison for me so I could pick them up at their house.  Immediately someone volunteered.  They went with me right then to the street vendor, packed them up and toted them to their home after they left the party.  After emptying my car of the back seat passengers we drove over to their house, put 5 chairs in the back with the promise of picking the captain’s chair up from their van tomorrow morning at church, and left for home.  And what happened next is what made for MY TRULY BIG WONDERFUL DAY!

Earlier in the day when we were getting on the pontoon boat someone said that nothing ever exciting happened.  I responded, well something exciting has to happen with me around because I need something to write about every day in my blog.  Just a passing comment, meant in jest.  If you read my blog every day you can testify that my days do not prove very exciting here on the home front.  But in my heart every day is exciting and fulfilling just because I am alive.  However, today something did happen.  Perhaps that something was more nerve wracking than exciting but when it was all over I was very excited because I was alive and intact!

After picking up the chairs from our friend’s house we discussed how to go home.  I thought I’d go home the back way so as not to need to get on the freeway with the load in the back.  Then I reconsidered and I decided I would take the freeway, so got over into the right turn lane.  When I approached the right turn curve to get on the highway a truck came from the opposite direction, turned left to go onto the same on-ramp.  My entrance and his entrance were separated by a triangular curbed berm.  In a split second I noticed he was coming way to fast, went up on the berm, lost control of his truck, went to the left side of his enclosed lane, barely missing the vehicle coming up behind him, swung violently and speedily across the front of my travel, spun around and was facing me in an almost head on  position  just feet away from my car when he stopped and I stopped.  Actually, had I not seen him out of the corner of my eye approaching the turn so erratic and fast, I would have probably have plowed into him.  I had started breaking fiercely the second I saw him jump the curb.  His back tire was totally off the rim.  He backed up, straightened up his truck and took off like a light.  I tried to get his License number but could not due to his surprisingly quick escape.  So we called 911 and reported the “almost accident”, and followed him onto the freeway.  He exited at the first available exit,his trail of rubber debris giving  proof to his direction.  I was speaking with the 911 dispatcher giving her the streets he was turning on.  Soon I lost sight of him.  For a while I was able to follow the debris of rubber left behind by his disintegrating tire.  When the tire debris ended we could no longer give directions as to his avenue of escape.    He really wanted to get away.  He looked wild when our eyes met through the windows of the up close and personal position of our vehicles when we were facing each other on the freeway on-ramp.  AND THAT IS WHEN I KNEW I HAD A TRULY BIG WONDERFUL DAY!  Not only did I find the chairs for my dining room table, I was going to have the opportunity to go home, whole and healthy and carry them into the house.  Remember, every moment we have to live is truly a big wonderful day!  I am so thankful for two things.  One, that I decided to travel home via the freeway.  Had I not turned there I would have been in the exact path of that truck when it made the turn and very likely would have been hit before he entered the freeway on-ramp.  Secondly, after it was all over, there I was behind the wheel, totally sound and safe with my husband safe and sound beside me.  How awesome is that?  So, I guess it really was an exciting day after all.  My adrenalin rush will attest to that.

Most of all, I thank God for his protection over me this day.  IT REALLY WAS A TRULY BIG WONDERFUL DAY!

A TRULY BIG WONDERFUL DAY

By Kathleen Martens

August 8, 2015

Thank You God, for being You

Vigilant in all you do.

Watchful over me each hour,

Your strength is my power.

In my weakness You are strong,

Wherever I am, to You I belong.

You give me wisdom, signs to heed.

Your protection is all I need,

You guard me both day and night

You shield me with Your guiding light.

You are my shelter in time of storm

My days numbered when I was born.

You are my protector through all my days,

And You whisper sweet thoughts that say

What it is you want me to know,

So I’ll know which way to go.

Thank you God, that Your hand is on me

That you will show me what You want me to see.

I know someday I’ll see Your face.

In Your timing I’ll be in Your place.

And if had been Your timing today

These are the words to You I’d say.

Thank You God for bringing me home

This is THE BEST, WONDERFUL DAY I HAVE EVER KNOWN!

Earlier in the day while in the food line for lunch I asked the host of our party if he had any wisdom for me.  This is what Darrel said to me: “Trust in the Lord forever”.  I said “That’s it?”.  He replied  “That’s enough”.

Well, for me today, THAT WAS ENOUGH!

Good night.

Friday August 7 2015  AN EASY BLOG TONIGHT

TOMORROW COMES VERY EARLY

By Kathleen Martens

August 7, 2015

Slept in until 6:00 a.m.

Lazed around before getting up,

In languid light so dim

Feeling as frisky as a pup.

Showered and beautified all I could do,

Ate breakfast and went to gym.

My exercise is but a few

My stitches keep me hemmed.

Did some errands but what’s new

Came home to prepare lunch

But Dave had something else to do

He would eat later was his hunch.

Laundry and computer was my busy day

But a card game was in order.

First the work, then the play,

And Dave won, well…sorta.

Cooked up a storm for tomorrow,

A day to spend at the lake.

Food to take without shame or sorrow,

Because everything is delicious I make.

On the Phone with Joyce awhile,

She too is quite opinionated

In my heart was a great big smile

As my blog patiently waited.

And this is it on a Friday night,

I do so want my bed.

For tomorrow comes very early

When I must raise my head.

How’s that?

Love to family and friends.

P.S.  Wisdom from book “LIFE,  LIVING INTENTIONALLY FOR EXCELLENCE” by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward:

P.70  “Hide behind nothing.  Face your destiny and charge after it with all you’ve got.  You’ll never feel better, have more fun, or make more of a difference any other way.  After all, you’re supposed to be all you can be!  Nothing less will do.”

P.71: “LIFE HAS NO REWIND, BUT IT IS BEING RECORDED”

P.71: “Stop trying to think your way into new actions and start acting your way into new thinking.”

(I just couldn’t leave you without any wisdom for today.)  Now I am going to be wise and get to bed for my big day tomorrow.

Remember…God is good…All the time!

How’s that?

Love to family and friends.

Thursday August 6 2015  I AM GOING TO WATCH T.V.

At this time, I have no title to this page. No theme or even any thought as to what I should write.  I had a productive and fun day so there is no reason to not have “something” to write.  It’s just that I wonder if my life will seem dull and uninteresting to those of you who are still reading it.  Are you out there Joyce???  There is never a day of my retirement that goes by that I do not think of all I learned from you when I was at your place of residence.  And today I had a confirmation of just what I did learn from you.  I’ll explain in a bit when I get to that part.  For those of you who might not remember, Joyce is my OLDER cousin who retired a few years ago.  She made a commitment to herself that when she retired she would do what she wanted, when she wanted, IF she wanted.  That was her plan and for her it works!  I like the idea and have even adapted a few strategies as such but to a much lesser degree.  The one thing Dave and I have done, and plan to do for the next year, is to not accept any new responsibilities outside our home for at least one year following retirement.  His retirement started July 7th, mine hasn’t really begun until I finish my wedding work and sell the contents of my studio.  So I think I’ll put the date to start our agreement after my last “i” is dotted and “t” is crossed and I have reclaimed the lower level of our home.  Then I will believe, and live, as if I am retired!  I also learned this piece of wisdom from a lady at church who didn’t accept any invitations for one year after her retirement.  The reason she gave was that she said it would take that long to just recover from working for so many years.  Good reason.  My sister Velma was the other person who gave me her opinion.  Velma is sort of like me, she gives her opinion even when you don’t ask for it.  (Remember the name of my next blog I’m working on is “THE OPINION YOU DID NOT ASK FOR”)!  Velma told me that once you are retired people will try to use your time up for you.  There will be so many things to join, church duties, jobs to do, favors asked, engagements to attend, that it is best to just excuse yourself from life for a year and and recover from working so many years.

Now, as for my opinion, I believe there is one situation that doesn’t count in the equation of withdrawing from life for a year.  That is when your family needs you!  And besides how could I say no to the offer below.  Our son Courtland sent this email to us a few days ago.  When couched in his words, we had to just jump as fast as we could for the opportunity he offered.  Please read:

“Dear Mothers (Shari & Kathleen),

Amy and I have gap in child care coming up in the next couple of weeks.  Zachariah and Alexander have summer care until August 14th.  That being said, the two weeks between the end of care and the start of school (new child care), we will need some help to make sure the kids are watered and fed.  Thankfully, we have two great mother-in-laws and a great grandpa who might be up to the challenge.  The following days are available for quality time at our house.  That’s right, you get to spend an entire day or more, if so desired, with your grandkids !  You can thank me later.   Amenities include, nearby walking paths, parks and all the modern conveniences such as Costco, Woodman’s, Marcus Palace Cinema and many more!  Additionally, the Martens’ Villa includes workout equipment and a state of the art in home theater along with a vast array of quality Scooby-Doo and Disney Movies the entire group can enjoy.  

Days available for quality time with two great kids (7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.) are:

August 17

August 18

August 24

August 25

August 26

August 27

Space is limited and time is running out so act now to reserve your special day(s) with the boys!  Food and beverages are complimentary as well as the occasional tall tale, LEGO kerfuffles and nap time meltdowns.

Until Next Time,

Courtland Martens”

Of course we HAD TO CALL as quickly as possible to not miss out on such an outstanding offer.  Offers like this don’t come along very often and of course the price was right.  It didn’t cost us anything (YET)!  We did negotiate however that Mom and dad and boys come over for Sunday night dinner on August 16^th and that the boys be able to stay on our premises until pick up time on Tuesday evening.  Shari actually said she would be able to watch them all the days but Dave and I felt it our “duty” to accept this offer.  They will also be staying the nights with us for the August 26^th and 27^th dates also.  Now what better deal could we get than this?

Actually we have been wanting to have the boys over for some overnight jammy parties but didn’t have a weekend free so this works out even better.  Another reason to postpone working on wedding work!  Oh well, tomorrow is another day!

Now, back to today.  It is Thursday.  Food day.  I needed some items from a couple of stores that I knew wouldn’t be in our food box so I could make food tomorrow for an event we are attending all day Saturday.  So I add grocery shopping to my already long list of errands to do.  Won’t go into to detail as to all the places I went.  Aren’t you lucky?  But back to the grocery store.  Mostly I needed some produce and a few other items that I can only get at this one store.  So I spend considerable time shopping, run down an aisle to pick up a red and green pepper, only to come back to where I parked my cart at the end of the tomato aisle and, to find to my chagrin, it is not there!  Not only is my cart gone, but all my food too.  Oh Man!!!  I looked all over for my cart thief but couldn’t find one with my assorted groceries.  There was another cart where mine had been, but mine was gone.  After I looked and looked for it I decided to take my red and green pepper and put them in another cart and start all over.  These were specific recipe items I needed.  So that’s what I did.  I also lost my grocery list in the shuffle and couldn’t remember all I needed.  Just on chance that my cart was back where I left it I went back to the produce department.  It was not there but it did remind me that I had purchased raspberries and so I went to purchase more from the shelf only to find that they were all gone.  I went back to the mysterious location of my cart’s vanishing and there was that same cart.  It had some cloth bags in it along with groceries and a little portfolio that appeared to have coupons in it.  And there on the bottom layer of the cart were two boxes of beautiful raspberries and several other things that I had put in my cart too and some I had not.  I could see how the person mistook mine for theirs but it baffled me that they didn’t notice there were no bags or portfolio in it.  So, I looked around and realized the cart was abandoned and snuck the raspberries out of the cart out and put them into my cart.  Just as I did that a man walks up to the cart and to my horror I asked him if this was his cart (thinking I had just stolen his raspberries).  He said yes, it was.  He also then pulled another cart along with him WITH MY GROCERIES IN IT along with other items I now did not recognize.  It took him awhile (about 20 minutes) to discover he was pushing someone else’s groceries around.  He was profusely apologetic and sorry.  I was smiling, laughing actually, because I had already done all my shopping again.  He started putting his items into his cart and proceeded to give me my cart.  I gave him back his raspberries, took mine from cart #1 and told him I didn’t need the cart back as I had already re-shopped.  He then felt really bad.  I assured him all was okay but he insisted on putting all my food back into the bins and shelves where I had taken them from originally.  And he did, after I left.

But of course I didn’t leave right away.  I asked him for his wisdom, or what he wished he had learned earlier in life.  He was a very pleasant man in his early 70’s who had retired about three or four years previously.  His name is Ron.  I introduce him on my talking phone as “here is Ron, my cart thief, and Ron is going to share his wisdom.  Here is Ron’s wisdom:  “The biggest mistake I ever made since I retired is that I didn’t really do a great amount of planning as far as activities.  I worked so hard all my life that for 3 or 4 years I really didn’t do anything.  And I got to the point of being so bored, now I didn’t know what to do because of no preplanning.” 

Well, I had some plans he could do.  I gave him some suggestions, some books to get, some ideas to think about and some other things to ponder.  We had a lengthy discussion and he did not seem in any hurry to exit.  We talked about his wife and her poor health, nutrition, exercise, and of course God.  He was very receptive as he too has a love for the Lord.  He said to me as he left that he didn’t think our meeting was by accident.  I agreed and said I guess he was supposed to steal my cart after all.  Yes, it did not happen my chance.  After hearing his story I knew that was true.  Ron, wherever you are in this great big world I will pray for you and your wife.  He didn’t not take my blog address so he will never read these words, but I will hold them in my heart.  But don’t you think that God might been a little easier on me than making it necessary for me to have to shop twice?  Even the grocery store is a mission field, a place to touch someone’s life, if we just go with the flow that God is continually breathing into our hearts.

When I meet someone like Ron it makes a day extra special to me.  I thank God for each person He brings in my path to witness and pray with.  And I think it will be even more special  because I have another box left to use or give away.  No refrigerator space so I will pass most of it on.  I might keep the tomatoes and maybe the corn so I can make some more corn chowder.  I always leave the boxes out for one hour past the pick up time just in case someone comes late.  Last week I had given a box to the neighbor when I looked down the driveway and saw someone drive up.  I had already taken it into the house but I went inside and retrieved it for them.  I called my neighbor back and told her it had just been picked up.  I’m always glad when everyone picks up their boxes.  It seems that there is usually one of the families who is on vacation each week.

So what shall be my poem.

I AM GOING TO WATCH T.V.

By Kathleen Martens

August 6, 2015

Tonight is a night I must hurry

And put this blog to bed.

I have a reason to scurry

For a political debate is ahead.

Ten of seventeen candidates

Will have a moment to talk

All hoping to seal their fate

Of a two term presidential walk.

And this is something I need to know

To find out what is up their sleeve.

It is important where the country goes

Before inauguration’s eve.

But there are two sides I must study,

But only one will debate their plans.

All politicians seem a bit muddy

So I want to hear each man!

Good night everyone.  Oh yes, I might upload a couple of photos I forgot to put on yesterday of Betts.

P.S. I will proof read tomorrow.  TIME FOR THE DEBATE!

Wednesday August 5 2015  A COME DOWN DAY.

I have been home for a little over one month now.  This time has absolutely flown by as every single moment of every single day has been full to overflowing…until today.

I have had a few moments of rest here and there since I’ve returned but for some reason today seemed like the first day of real rest.  Maybe it’s because I didn’t do much.  Even right after surgery I was feeling so energized that I didn’t seem to stay down for very long at a time.  Since I have been home one thing after the other has taken place, Dave’s illness, carpet cleaning, window washer, house cleaner, all of which took a lot of work on our part to get ready with furniture moving, decluttering, and working right along with the workers.  And then my friend Betts arrived.  That’s one reason I wanted to have the house cleaned so readily.  It also needed it desperately!

My time with Betts was worth every moment.  Never enough time, never enough words.  There was so much more visiting I wanted to do but we literally did not have the time to do so.  Betts is a very intriguing person.  She has lived a long life, acts like she is about 30 and walks so fast I can barely keep up with her.  Her mind is sharp and she is very pragmatic, and well-travelled.  She has published her Memoirs, “SHADOW OF MY FOOTSTEPS” by Betts Rivet PhD.  I have the book but have not read it yet.  I suppose I will find out all the little details when I read her book.  I asked her if there was any place in the world where she has not been.  She thought a moment and then said, “a few places is South Africa”.  She taught at a University in China for twenty something years after she retired from working as a psychologist.  She came back to the states during the summer and for the past nine years she has come up to Wisconsin to visit with us.  It has been our pleasure to get to know her more each year.  I feel honored that she puts us on her list to visit.  We were reunited 9 years ago when we found Rebecca’s birth mother through Betts.  It is an amazing story.  I asked her why she came to see us each year.  She simply looked at me and said “Well, you’re family”.  And that was that.  Her statement said it all.  And that is how we feel too.

Betts left today.  She is on her summer journey.  She will be in Wisconsin awhile yet as she plans to visit friends and family before heading east.  We stood out in the driveway and waved as she drove away in her rented car which she drove from Chicago.  Betts has inspired me since the first time she came to see us.  I was so amazed with her stamina, her mental sharpness, and her activity and constant go power.  She works out with me at the gym when she comes.  When I was in California I worked out with her for about two weeks when I was in her area.  She has an awesome gym to workout at.  I was so impressed.  She currently lives in Orange County California.  I was actually so inspired by a woman heading toward 90 and living like she lived that I decided I too wanted that kind of stamina and vitality when I was her age.  Because of my health issues three years ago I had some major decisions to make about my future.  I would think of Betts and decided that I too wanted that kind of a lifestyle as I aged.  I know it was God who taught me what to do and helped me achieve my goals, but it was Betts who inspired me by the walk she walks.  We all need people like that in our lives.  Betts didn’t even know she was inspiring me.  I have since told her.

After Betts left Dave and I went to the gym, came home and had lunch.  Dave left for a doctor appointment and rested (went to sleep for about 90 minutes).  Just thought  you’d like to know that cousin Joyce!  The only problem, it took me about 4 hours to get rid of the groggy feeling that hung over me.  So I guess I really needed a come down day today.  So thus, I label this day as “A COME DOWN DAY”.  My first day when I am not expecting or preparing for something to happen.  All the months of travel and hectic lifestyle since returning all just went down the drain today.  It was like someone pulled a plug on me and let all my “spinach drain out”!  But now I am awake and it is 10:37 p.m.

Dave was gone for the evening and so I have had a time of beautiful solitude.  Worked on the computer, answered as many emails as I had time for (only have about 5,000 to go (literally).  And now I am writing when I don’t really have a lot to write about.  I am hesitant to delve deeper in my brain because I know there is lots I’d like to talk about, discuss, hash out in my mind, but tonight I will not do it.  I would like to write a poem and give you some wisdom from one of the books on my desk.  I am still going through Proverbs.  Today I re-listened to what I listened to yesterday.  It’s as if I can’t retain all I want to retain.  I like listening over and over.  Remember, you can find this study at Calvary Chapel Modesto.  Go to Media and then to “THROUGH THE BIBLE”.  It is so worth it.

Zig Ziglar’s “INSPIRATION”:   “Well done is better than well said” (August 5) quote by Ben Franklin.

And two quotes from “LIFE, Living Intentionally for Excellence”:  “Character is doing what is right regardless of what you want.”

And: “Don’t squander your difficulties; wring every possible lesson out of them.”

WHAT IF I COULD LIVE ALL OVER AGAIN?

By Kathleen Martens

August 5, 2015

Once around seems not enough

Except that life is really touch.

If I could, would I live again

A new life from beginning to end?

What if I could live all over

And live to be much, much older?

Would I live it all the same,

Or would I start a whole new game?

Just exactly how would it be

If the future I could see?

How would that change my world

If the future was unfurled.

Would it take the joy away

Of my living just for today?

Would the freshness be all done?

Would my life be any fun?

Perhaps my contentment should be,

To live now, to live free.

And anticipate the unknown,

As to me each moment shown.

I like my life and don’t intend

Even one moment to expend

Worrying about when it ends

Because then I’ll be with my friend!

So once around is just enough

For my energy to be tough.

I will be thankful for each day

And in God’s presence choose to stay.

Well, I think right now I am content to live the life I have.  But sometimes I think it would be fun if I could be born a baby and know all that I know now.  I think I would do a few things differently and some I would do the same.  I would hope for three things.  I would hope that God would  again instill enthusiasm, awe, and wonder in me once again. For those traits I am grateful.  I can’t imagine how life would be without them.

Good night to all.

10:56 p.m.

Tuesday August 4 2015  A LITTLE SIN

Quote from August 4 Calendar: “(A little sin adds to your troubles, subtracts from your energy, and multiplies your difficulties.”

6:43 p.m.  Just sat down at my rickety table desk and read my wisdom on the August 4^th Amish Calendar.  I thought it such a great piece of wisdom I would write it as the cover title.  I’ve done my fair share of sins and I can attest that this wisdom is so true.  Think about what you do BEFORE YOU DO IT!  Especially if it is sin.

9:03 p.m.  Had to stop to prepare dinner, eat, get ready for bed, and now I’m back.  I just sent a few pics of mine and Betts’ day together.  Hope you enjoy them.

Betts had an engagement with a friend for lunch today so she spent the morning there and came home about 2:00 p.m.  Dave and I had a visit with Dave’s primary physician and he had a good report.  Blood sugar levels are doing wonderful and he is on his way to recovery in many different areas.  Very happy with the report!  Afterwards I went to work out and met Betts back at the house at 2:00.  We had plans to see the Madison Capitol together.  It had been a long time since I had taken the tour and Betts had never been in the Capitol building before.  She graduated from the University of Madison in 1953 and did her Doctorate degrees in California.  Although she lived in Madison for several years attending school she had never once gone into the capitol building.  She seemed very impressed with how beautiful it was.  It truly is a beautiful place.  It cost seven million dollars to build in 1906 after the previous capitol building burned down.  It took about 120 million dollars to renovate in 2001.  We were told that it would cost in excess of TWO BILLION DOLLALRS TO REPLACE but many of the contents would be irreplaceable because there is no more marble available in the sizes that were used in the original mining for the 1906 building.  Of course I say this without bias, but…I do believe that the Madison Capitol building is the most beautiful of all the capitol buildings that I toured during the past several months.  And believe me, I saw some absolutely beautiful buildings.  If you have never taken time to tour capitol buildings, especially the capitol of your own state, take time to do so.  A lot of history to be learned in the hour you are there.  I think the second most beautiful capitol building that I toured was the one in Austin Texas.  Every one was beautiful in its own way.

Of course today, while at the Wisconsin Capitol I had my divine encounter.  This was with another woman named Arliss and her 10 year old son Tray from North Dakota.  They were here because Arliss’s husband came to Madison for a special surgery.  Through our conversation I learned that God is an important part of her and her family’s lives.  I could tell she was very pleased that her 18 year old recently graduated daughter was on her way to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip.  Her story about it was awesome.  I asked Tray if he had any wisdom and he was emphatic that he had none.  So…I asked the mom!  And she emphatically did have some.  Some great wisdom if I may say so.

Arliss’s wisdom: “My grandmother told me this wisdom two years ago after she turned 100 years old.  She passed shortly afterwards.  She said that family is always first, all those things that you think you are getting self-worth from, all the organizations, activities, and things like that will come and go.  You need to keep in mind how important your family is and the things that you do with your family and the memories you make are the most important.  Your family is who sticks with you.”

That wisdom is oh so true!  I was blessed for having heard Arliss’s story.  There was so much more that she shared.

Betts and I left the capitol building shortly afterwards and went to Babcock Hall.  Taking all our guests to Babcock Hall is a tradition that we started many years ago.  If you have been here you  may remember what Babcock Hall is.  Babcock Hall is on the UW campus.  It is where they sell the ice cream that they perfect to perfection.  When we first started going there 29 years ago you received huge, huge cones or cups full for $1.50.  And it truly is the most delicious ice cream concoctions you will ever taste.  I had the smallest one and it was still much more than I should have eaten.  Did I save any?  Yes, I did.  I put it in a cup to take home …and…then before I got out the building I ate the rest of it.  I will pay for it tomorrow when I wake up with big bags under my eyes!  Oh well, remember, I live in the moment and that moment was a beautiful one to live in.  I enjoyed it without guilt!

Home to make dinner!  It was delicious and quick and easy Salmon, rice, and salad!  We didn’t need any dessert!

And now I am here.  Almost too tired to write a poem but at least I remembered I did not write one.  So let’s see what I can come up with now that I have droopy eyes.  Betts is packing, Dave is getting ready for bed and I’m half way sleeping in place.

REMEMBER TO TAKE STOCK

By Kathleen Martens

August 4, 2015

Take a look around you,

Who is by your side?

Through thick and thin, ups and downs,

It is family that abides.

In your heart is space

For many that you know

And to whom is the affection

The greatest that you show?

Is it friends who come and go?

Or to cherished items you cling?

Who is it that walks in a room

 That causes your heart to sing?

Friends from school are special

And some that you meet at play.

But do you have time for family?

Or do they seem to be in the way?

Sometimes those who are closest

Are the ones we over look.

How is that sometimes our families

Are the very ones forsook?

When you look at your life’s path

And see the places that you’ve been,

Who is it that is always there?

Is it family, or is it friend?

Friends come and friends go,

And some you just out grow.

But your family is always there,

It’s THEIR love you will always know.

So on your journey through life,

Remember to take stock

Of the priceless treasures that surround you,

YOUR FAMILY WHO IS YOUR ROCK!

I must thank Arliss for the inspiration for this poem.  Her grandmother’s wisdom is so true.  Love and cherish your family because they are the ones that will be there for you in the end.

Good night!