Visions of Poetry

Friday December 8 2017  OH SO SWEET

 

In the past I have diligently tried to have all the business of the Christmas season completed before December begins.  If I am putting up a tree I want it trimmed before December 1^st (and sometimes as early as October) so that I am free for all the events and festivities that spring up during the last two months of the year.  With all that has taken place during these past few months I decided several weeks ago that this would be a year when all the extra decorating, cooking, parties, and such would be set aside.  Not because I am a party-pooper, but because I needed to have a period of rest and quiet in my life. 

 

My pace is now slower as I am not forging forward at a hundred miles per hour each day.  Instead I am indulging in experiencing retirement (my definition of retirement) for the first time.  I am getting up when I want (which is between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.), spending as much time as I desire studying God’s work and having my quiet time with the Lord, going to the gym at whatever time suits me each day, and being more open to connecting with friends.

 

Up to this point retirement meant doing more than twice what I did when I worked.  I actually do not know how I even had time to work when I was running my photography business because after I retired I was still busy every single moment of each day.  When I worked at my job I stayed awake way too late (trying to get more things accomplished), and then always rushing…rushing…rushing.

 

I keep thinking I may actually be able to watch some Hallmark movies this season.  I did watch one and I must admit it was not any easier to sit still for the duration of the pre-recorded movie than it was way back when I was a busy working woman.  There is always something I’d rather do than watch television.  But, I may just try again.

 

So, no Christmas tree or holiday lights around the house.  But in my heart there is a light that shines brighter and brighter each day.  It is the connection I am forging with my Savior whose birthday we celebrate this season.  My time is focused on relationship and knowing God personally through His amazing Word.  It is time well spent.  If I am still living when another Christmas rolls around I may consider decorating once again.  But right now, I am adorning my heart with a deeper understanding of who GOD IS.    It says in the scripture that we are to engrave His Word on the tablets of our heart.  Even though my house is not decorated, my heart is being chiseled and embellished by HIS WORD.

 

And now I have time to watch the sunrise each morning.

 

OH SO SWEET

Kathleen Martens

December 8, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Night is over – rest complete

Darkness of morning

A special treat.

 

Window view – black as night

I stand in reverence

To witness the light.

 

Ever so quiet – in stillness born

The morning dawn

From darkness torn.

 

Hint of change – silhouettes stare

Through pink and orange

Now are there.

 

The hush – as blackness falls

Morning’s glory sweetly returns

Once again answering God’s call.

 

All the wonder – magic of creation

Speaks in secret

Instilling elation.

 

Oh, so sweet – to witness again

The miracle of God…

A new day begins.

 

Thank You God for each miracle You show me each day.

Thank You God that I can see in color.

Thank You God for stilling my heart.

Thank You God that I can be a blessing to others.

Thank You Father for loving me so perfectly.

 

Good night and God bless You!

 

P.S.   For some bonus poetry keep reading:

 

FIRST SNOWFLAKES

Kathleen Martens

December 7, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

First snowflakes of the season

Frolic in the breeze

Languidly testing their freedom,

Learning to float with ease.

 

Cold and crisp winter winds blow

Laughing at what’s to come,

Reminding the earth it is time to sleep;

Short days and little sun.

 

TO KNOW MORE OF YOU

Kathleen Martens

December 6, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I love You Lord

Even when days are askew.

I know You are with me

All the day through.  

 

But I long for quiet;

An interlude with the King of kings,

a time of personal intimacy

That sets my heart to sing.

 

And in these quiet moments

Mysteries of You revealed

As I long to know more of You

When in Your presence I kneel.

 

Scroll down to view my final bookshelf that is now in it rightful place.

 

 

 

 

Saturday December 2 2017  AN EMAIL BLOG

Nothing like plagiarizing myself to write a blog.  I sent my sister an email a couple of days ago.  She responded back on the page I emailed so I re-read my email and thought I might use part of it as my blog as a way of letting my readers finally hear what is going on in my life.  Here is sister’s email (in part):

I didn’t know I could still be so busy without writing a blog.  I do intend to start up again but this time of the year is exceptionally challenging.  I do find myself doing more things I have wanted to do.  And as I age I realize I am getting a bit slower and more deliberate as I do tasks.  It is actually a more enjoyable way to live. 

 

I’m spending more time journaling in the morning (it includes my time with the scriptures), trying to do less cooking by eating more from the freezer, staying home all day on Wednesday as my “DAY OFF”, and slowing getting things back to order that have been neglected the last few months.  We are not trimming a tree this year as we had one last year and Christmas comes around way too quickly to do it each year!  However, we do celebrate the birth of Christ with great attention!

 

I have enough to do to keep me busy for the rest of my born days.  And I am thankful for all I have to do.  And I am so thankful that I can do what I do. 

 

I have missed emailing you and hearing from you (written to my sister and now including my blog readers). One thing I do not do is go to my computer but once or twice a week.  I’d just as soon give up all social media, (computer, telephone, iPhone, etc.) and just go back to the slow paced way of life decades past when mail was the highlight of the day.  But I’m sure life was just as busy and complicated then as it is now, just in different ways.

 

(Question to my sister referring to the photo albums I delivered to California) Have you had a chance to look at any additional albums?  I haven’t even opened the boxes packed with photos from your house.  It won’t happen until next year with all that we have on our agenda.  We’ll have the boys the week of Christmas because Court and Amy must work and the boys are out of school.  It will be fun, tiring, and greatly enjoyed.  So I must get things ready for them.  I asked if they could just stay here instead of going back and forth.  Don’t know for certain in that will work out for them (they miss the boys when they don’t see them).

 

We had such a grand time in Branson.  I took a lot of craft supplies down and we (the boys and me) had a grand time creating artwork of various kinds.  They are both creative and made things (3 dimensional) with recyclables from the trash.  Plus I had lots of colored paper, scissors, glues, glitter, buttons, and a myriad of other means with which to create.  We ate too much, went to a lot of places and I had ice cream THREE TIMES!  We went to your (my sister’s) greatest nightmare (an amusement park).  AND…on the day after Thanksgiving!  It was wall to wall people.  AWFUL!!!  I separated from the group and went my own way.  Dave, Court and Zach played together because Zach is tall enough to go on adult rides.  Amy took Xander to the kiddy park.  I went to two show productions, ate my bag lunch sitting on a stone wall watching people, and thoroughly enjoyed my predicament.  I had my eyes full just watching the people and what they ate!  It was truly amazing.  I couldn’t even recognize most of the food.  We did not buy our food at the park and believe me it was a good thing we brought our own food.  What I saw being eaten was atrocious; coated in thick batters glistening and dripping with fats.  It was actually quite an experience to sit back and watch the spectacle taking place around me. 

 

Well…enough of my escapades.  Must go to bed and I am already late (written on the night I sent email).  See what the computer does to me.  I’ve been in bed by 9:00 a.m. most nights and tonight I have blown it all because of trying to get caught up on all the computer things that needed to be done.  As computers become more complicated (with the pretense they are being simplified) it becomes more difficult for us “old folks” to learn new programs as our brains do not quite re-program as easily as they did years ago.  But, I finally accomplished what I needed to do (computer-wise).  And you should see my messy desk; no, on the other hand. You SHOULD NOT SEE MY MESSY DESK.  Oh well, “after all, tomorrow is another day…”  I hope I live to see it!

 

The above is the end of my revised email to sister.  Easiest and quickest blog I’ve ever written.  Today is actually Saturday and it is not yet 10:00 a.m.  I was up at 4:00 a.m. (which has now become my usual wake up time).  Being up so early makes my day awesome.  It is dark and quiet; and I feel like solitude wraps around me like a down comforter.  Perhaps that is so because as I sit down in the darkness of morning I actually do wrap myself in my royal blue velvet down blanket.  It is awesome!  I have had the pleasure to witness some of the most beautiful sunrises recently.  And I usually have the joy of the late afternoon sunsets in spectrum of reds, blues, and whites.  I love the shorter daylight hours!

I have missed blogging tremendously but have enjoyed the hours in the mornings writing in my journal.  I think my poetry is more thoughtful and I so enjoy writing it by hand.  However, I am months behind now of transcribing my journal poetry into paper copies for my binders.  That is yet to come, but I will do it. 

Below is the poem I wrote this morning.  Short, but meaningful to me.

 

IN ALL THAT I DO

Kathleen Martens

December 2, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry .com

 

I awaken each morning

Acknowledging God’s love.

I bask in His presence

That flows from above.

 

I live in God’s glory

But there is more I desire,

That my mission would be…

Others see God in me.

 

I choose to live each day

As I seek to follow His will,

That His outpouring love

My heart will fill.

 

That my purpose for living

And all that I do

Proves to others

That God is true.

 

The above poem was inspired by Jonathan Cahn’s book THE BOOK OF MYSTERIES Day 54.

 

Following is the poem on wrote on November 30, 2017.

 

Random Thank You(s)

Kathleen Martens

November 30 2017

www.visionsofpoetry

 

Thank You God

For the beauty of each hour,

Your magnificence and power,

For Your mysteries yet to come,

Amazing grace through Your son.

 

Thank You God

For Your protection through the night;

The beauty of an eagle’s flight.

The delicate flutter of butterfly wings…

And the joy my heart sings.

 

Thank You God

For raspberries, grapes, and honey,

Your creative beauty, days that are sunny.

And the wind and rain

Giving life; for earths gain.

 

Thank You God

For music dancing in my ears;

For Your voice my heart hears;

For Your song sung deep within;

For redemption from sin.

 

Thank You God

For mercy and grace and peace of mind

And being a God so loving and kind.

With unending compassion you call Your own

That we will gather around Your throne.

 

Thank You God!

 

Have a great day!

GOD BLESS YOU!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 9 2017  LESS BUSY

Hi Blog Friends:

Thought I’d just pop in to say hello and give you a little update on what is happening.  

When I delivered the album project that I worked on for the past years I didn’t know how it would change my life.  I felt a new freedom that I had not yet experienced in retirement.  My entire photography years were filled with continual commitments and deadlines.  Everything I did was measured and not a minute was wasted.  I was so looking forward to having the freedom of retirement but did not feel the release with a promise in my heart which I made to my younger sister.  And I didn’t feel the release until I delivered her albums.  

I am truly unable to explain the freedom I felt when my promise was fulfilled.  I think I may have even gone a little overboard with the freedom.  I had no intentions of not publishing a blog on a daily basis like I have done for almost three years.  But…I read a book, “How Did I Get So Busy”  by Valorie Burton and it set me on a different orbit.  It was a 28 day workshop, one chapter per day for 28 days.  I had a lot of personal assessment to do.  I did it faithfully, answer all the questions as accurate as I could and worked on that which I needed to accomplish.  It dealt with some deep issues and had some serious topics for me to discuss with me, myself, and I.  

The 28 days are over and I have a clearer perspective of myself and the reasons I strive to always do more.  I won’t go into details but I will say I believe the book caused me to be more aware of my actions, motives, and my need to constantly be overbooked.  I’m still working on changing some old habits.  And for those who have peeked at my blog know I wasn’t using my time to write.  Well, that is not quite true: instead I chose to journal early each morning and spend more time in studying God’s Word. I spent many hours journaling.  My poems were written in my journals and now I have the task of transcribing two months’ worth of poems (not to mentions several years worth from past journals). 

I plan to try to get caught up with September, October, and November and then stay current.  So in the meantime I will choose some of my favorites to include in my occasional blog however until I am caught up the poetry will have been written on random dates depending on which one(s) I choose to publish.  I hope you enjoy today’s selection.

 

A CHANGE IS COMING

Kathleen Martens

October 28, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Just as seasons happen

Year after year

And life changes accordingly

Time has no fear.

 

Seasons come, then swiftly gone

As with life I must confide,

Just as each year has its seasons

Our years change like the tide.

 

We try to make things happen

But that’s not always the thing to do;

When life’s season is truly over

Realize a change is coming too!

 

 

REJOICING IN THE LOVE YOU GIVE

Kathleen Martens

October 30, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Listening to music proclaiming God’s love

Nourishes the depth of my soul.

Being in God’s presence awakens my spirit

As He cleanses and makes me whole.

 

Every morning a new experience

As I’m renewed in God’s mercy and grace.

As if my being is nourished and filled

Keeping me balanced to run the race.

 

The road is narrow; the righteous are few.

Lord, keep me focused to walk your path,

That I will enter the narrow gate

And experience your love; not wrath.

 

Oh Lord!  To look upon Your face

On that day that is yet to come!

Your glory will fill my entire being

To be in the presence of God AND His Son!

 

You are the music that dwells in my soul;

The harmony of salvation when crucified.

You gave Your life that I might live

And through Your suffering; death defied.

 

Thank You Father for Your unending love,

My goal to be ready every second I live

That I will be in Your eternal presence,

To love You fully!  Rejoicing in the love You give!

 

Inspired by Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it.”

I am less busy and ever so grateful.

Thank You God for the lovely hours I have with You each day.

Thank You Father that someday I will live outside of time.

 

Welcome back!  GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

Thursday October 25, 2017  POETRY DAY

Hello readers:  

A friend called to ask for the following two poems so I typed them out for her so I could email them and then decided that I would also publish them.  

I have been writing early in the mornings in my journal.  As I told you before I am taking a breather from the busyness of my routine but I didn’t realize how long it would take to prompt me to write my next blog.  So here it is in condensed form and on the spur of the moment.  

I have been faithful to writing, but alas, nothing is typed into the computer except for the two poems below (which I just typed).  I plan to get caught up on getting the past two months logged into my computer and will send you the ones I enjoy the most.  

 

The first poem was inspired when I read from the book of Ecclesiastes which was written by Solomon, David’s son.  Solomon was considered to be the wisest man ever to live but when he looked back on his life and recounted the way he lived he gave a rather forlorn account of how he viewed life.

Ecclesiastes 1:9

“What has been will be again, What has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the son.”

 

Ecclesiastes 4:2-3

“And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.  But better than both is the he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.”

THERE IS ALWAYS MORE

Kathleen Martens

October 14, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Even though what I experience

Has been experienced many times before,

I am so thankful for the opportunity

To walk through life’s door.

 

Every golden sunrise is new to me.

The wonder of creation causes my heart to soar.

Every scarlet sunset takes me by surprise.

No matter what I discover, there is always more.

 

Every poem I write most likely already written,

But I enjoy the endeavor; for with words I am smitten.

And to know the Creator makes life so worth living.

He is a God of gracious love…and continually life He’s giving.

 

But a question even more important…

Does the Creator know me?

When I stand before God will He say: “A job well done”?

Or demand from His presence I flee?

 

This second poem was inspired by a book I am reading “THE BOOK OF MYSTERIES”  By Jonathan Cahn

This is a book which I highly recommend if you are interested in knowing more about God and the Bible.  It is written in quite an interesting slant but each of the mysteries are truths dating back to the original language meanings when written.  A very interesting insight into the scriptures.

 

THE MIRACLE OF EXISTENCE

By Kathleen Martens

October 22, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

So many times we take for granted

The mysteries of our lives.

Our very existence depends on a heartbeat;

Every second we live…we strive

 

The heart keeps beating in all that we do,

Whether doing bad or doing good.

We can waste our days like drifting sand,

Or accomplish what we should.

 

Our body fights to keep us living

Through care, neglect, or abuse.

We can build our foundation on solid ground

Or scatter it about as if a ruse.

 

We often fail to honor the miracle

Of the miraculous way we are made.

And we often fail to honor the Creator

Whom to man, His own breath He gave.

 

All the good that comes our way

Is a miracle from God above.

Every breath is a gift from God

Because He created us to receive His love.

 

And when God’s love is understood

We no longer live our days in vain,

But live with purpose to share His love

That others too will be rid of shame.

 

Our existence becomes the treasure

Received through the beat of our heart.

But the miraculous gift given by God

Is an eternal existence which will never depart.

 

But there is a decision we each must make

As to where eternity we choose to dwell.

By accepting God’s gift of salvation

We can choose heaven… instead of hell!

 

Thank You God for giving us a way to enter into Your heaven!

Good night and God bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday October 12 2017 HELLO

Hello everyone (that is if anyone is still out there):

For lack of a better explanation for my daily absence I will confide with my readers that when I returned home from our trip two weeks ago I needed to decompress and gather myself back together.  The past two years have given me no breathing room.  I was occupied with deadlines from the time I awakened each morning until I fell into bed (sometimes in the wee hours of morn).  Let’s just say I had a lot on my plate and I blame it on no one but myself.  

When Dave and I arrived home I hoped and anticipated that life would be different.  The photo albums I worked on for over two years were delivered, the Vietnamese speech translation was accepted and delivered, my testimony was written and delivered, the cover page for the hand written Bible was given to another artist to do, the library relocation was completed, and a couple of other commitments were finalized.  Indeed, I certainly hoped life would be different!

We had three family members die within a short period of time.  My aunt fell and hit her head and it killed her.  Our nephew had a stroke and then a heart attack which cause his demise.  My cousin was a victim of Katrina having contacted mold in her lungs due to her home being flooded.  This caused years of suffering, culminating in her death.  Needless to say, August was a sorrowful month.

As we traveled last month we happened upon a couple of book sales.  As packed as the car was, and despite the fact that my library is overflowing, I still bought a few (13) books to bring home.  Once we arrived home I perused each book and decided which one to begin first.  I chose to read “How Did I Get So Busy?  The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule, and Reconnect with What Matters Most” by Valorie Burton.

I have been faithfully reading one chapter a day as the author suggested.  Today I will read chapter 13.  It’s as if God gave this book to me as a personal gift.  As I read it I realized this book is a tool that God provided for me at just the right time.    At the end of each chapter there is a daily challenge, a topic to journal, and a scripture meditation.  I have taken each challenge seriously.  I have been feeling that God was dealing with me regarding my overbooked schedule.  I have been praying He would give me guidance on how to pare down and help me decide what I could remove from my busy days that would allow me time to “LIVE”.  And it is becoming clear to me.

First and foremost I must allow myself to have “down time”, which I have not experienced for several years.  I felt as if my deadlines must be met, my promises kept, my commitments fulfilled.  It has become clear that I must consider carefully before I make any future commitments.  It is quite easy for me to just step up and volunteer to do something when it is left undone.  I need time to be “UN-BUSY”.  One challenge was to list all the “busy” that kept my days so full.  My blog was right up there on top. 

As I gathered my remnants back around me I had to decide what I could do in a day and what I could give up in order to have down time.  And my eyes were opened as to how much time I spend writing the blog.  I had traded that for my personal time with God and my personal journal entries.  I felt empty and it was if I once again needed to search for my true self.  I so enjoy blogging, and journal writing, but I now realize that my time with God must take priority each day.  With a pen in my hand my poetry pours out of my pen with ease, my heart is renewed, and my spirit is rejuvenated.

These past two weeks I have let go of routine and have allowed my body to once again dictate the rhythm that works best for me.  Early to bed and early to rise.  I was awake by 3:40 a.m. this morning and confined myself to the bed until 4:00 a.m.  I am freshest in the morning and love to come into my library, read my Bible, pray, write, and read some more.  It will be my priority to start my day with God. 

This morning I felt the longing and necessity to write a blog, thus I am doing so.  I do not intend to stop writing blogs, but…and it is a big BUT…I will do so sporadically; aiming for one or two blogs per week.  I felt as if I owed it to my readers (especially those who have been contacting me to see if all is well) to bring you up to date on what is happening in my life.  Thank you for your concern. 

All is well.  Once I get myself gathered back together, physically, mentally, spiritually, and any other which way I will once again be online.  I so thoroughly enjoy writing the blogs and poetry that I am not willing to give up either one at this point in my life.  Besides, I have entirely too many words inside me that I need to express.  I look forward to sharing a bit about our trip too.  The places we drove were spectacular!

 

HOW DID I GET SO BUSY

Kathleen Martens

October 12, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

So how did I get so busy?

Just one day at a time!

I added one more thing to do

Until time was no longer mine.

 

And now I must decipher

How to retrieve my hours.

My days just seem to disappear

As busyness seems to devour.

 

And so I ponder and contemplate

The importance of what I do,

And one that is most important

Is connecting with friends like you!

 

One of my challenges each day is to connect “heart to heart” with a friend and family.  It can be with a phone call, personal contact, a card sent in the mail, and any other way you can think to do so.  I have been making that overture with my friends and hopefully it will allow me to renew friendships and contacts that have been neglected far too long.  So just understand; I won’t neglect my blog readers either.  Thanks for your support and comments.

 

Thank You God for the books You bring into my life.

Thank You God for helping me get my life back in balance.

Thank You God for friends.

And thank You for my sister who will be disgusted with me because of this topic!  It seems it takes more than once for me to learn the lessons I need to learn.

 

Since it is only 5:41 a.m. I will not say “GOOD NIGHT”

INSTEAD:

GOOD MORNING!  HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

Saturday September 23 2017  FOREVER FRIENDS

 

FOREVER FRIENDS

Kathleen Martens

September 23, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Sounds of life surround my space

A far distance from my home.

Friends of youth busy with life,

Though aging of time is shown.

 

Years are gone when we danced and played

Our children have children too.

But our memories of the past

Seems as if years are few.

 

Our hearts young, our spirts soar.

It’s as if time has stood still.

No matter how far apart we live

Love, our hearts fill.

 

And our love is forever sure

Though our bodies now grow old.

Memories that we hold dear

Forever our hearts do hold.

 

 

A bit melancholy thinking that we will leave our friends in the morning.  Who knows if and when we will ever cross paths again.  However, we are hatching up some future plans to do some traveling together in the future!  Only God knows, but it is a wonderful dream.  Somehow there are is nothing quite as comfortable and serene as the time we spend with long-time friends.   Time and distance separates our visits, but when we once again come together it is as if time has not separated us at all.

Becky and Eddie, we will leave behind, but the memories of yesteryear and now will live in our hearts regardless if our paths do not across again while on earth.  Someday we will be rejoicing together at the throne of our Savior.  I just wonder what we’ll remember about our relationship on earth.  Oh, well…no need to worry.  Today is today and I’ll live it to the fullest!

 

Thank You Father for bringing friends into our lives that stick closer than a brother.

Thank You that someday we will all be together!

 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!  GOD BLESS YOU!

Friday September 22 2017  NO PLACE LIKE HOME

 

Eight days is quite long enough to go between writing blogs.  Tonight is actually the first opportunity I have had to write since my last published date. 

This has been a trip of accomplishments! First, we accomplished arriving on time for the day of Dave’s nephew’s funeral.  It was a beautiful memorial celebrating his life.  He leaves a great void in the lives of those who knew him. 

We arrived in Northern California in enough time for my older sister to make needed appointments to accomplish some important business she has been trying to complete.  I will not go into detail about someone else’s business but it has been something she wanted to accomplish and needed our help to do so.  My sister is hearing impaired and it is difficult to make appointments by using the telephone.  There was more we might have done had we more time to stay but the most important business was accomplished.

Another awesome accomplishment (at least for me) was delivering the five completed photo albums to my younger sister.  That in itself is my own greatest personal accomplishment.  The part I enjoyed the most was sitting with her as she turned each page.  It was quite emotional for her to finally receive the photo albums.  She said there were times she cried because she feared I was never going to fulfill the promise I gave to her seven years ago.  When our mom died the photos were requested by my sister.  I told her I would put them in an alum (ended up being five albums) for her as soon as I could.  I had no way of knowing it would take so long for me to finally retire.  Once I arrived home from my travels over two years ago I began the album saga.  I had no idea there would be so many pictures nor that the journey would take such a long time.  But…I have fulfilled my promise and it feels so good!!!  I do hope Faith enjoys the albums for years to come!

We then headed for home with a few stops along the way.  Currently we are in Northern California as guests of friends who we have known since 1973, the year we married.  We have kept in touch off and on all these years and it is such a delight to have a few days respite in their home before we begin the last leg home.  We have many hours of driving between here and home!  And who knows, we may still take a couple of side-trips along the way.  We have our eyes on a couple of Presidential Libraries and a couple of state capitol buildings we have not yet seen.  It may not seem exciting to some but it is extremely interesting, and eye opening, to learn the history behind the buildings and those responsible for our country’s leadership in the past.  Dave and I both enjoy history, architecture, and the experience of viewing artifacts first hand.

Two years ago I visited Ronald Reagan’s Library and Museum in Simi, California.  This trip Dave and Rebecca also had the opportunity to enjoy the experience of seeing it for the first time along with viewing Nixon’s Library in Yorba Linda, California.  From this point on we have no idea what we will see.  We plan to take each day unplanned and see where we end up.

We have focused on having quality time with friends and relatives.  What we see along the way is just a side bonus.  I do believe our hearts are yearning to be home so we can enjoy autumn before winter makes her debut.  We both love and enjoy this time of year.  We so enjoy traveling but when we are absent from home we grieve a bit inside knowing we are missing part of whatever season we are absent.  After 31 years of living in Wisconsin we are truly Wisconsinites through and through.  There is truly no place like home!

 

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Kathleen Martens

September 22, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The heart of our souls still linger fair

Across the miles to Autumn’s lair.

Crisp and clear, blue skies reign,

As our hearts grieve, unable to feign.

 

Peaceful memories home windows speak

With deep longing to complete

The desires of home that live within

For our family and close knit friends.

 

A nomad life but for a while,

We now rejoice mile after mile.

We love to be wherever we are

But homeward bound our shining star.

 

Home sweet home; our lullaby of love.

Foxes and squirrels and mourning doves.

Wood smoke wafting from neighbor’s place

As we look forward to our favorite space.

 

So many miles we’ll leave behind

As our home once again we find.

This time so soon will be gone

While leaves fall obliterating the lawn.

 

HOME SWEET HOME we look ahead

No place like your own bed.

Until then I’ll enjoy each hour

But looking forward, my ongoing power.

 

We are ready to no longer roam

Because there is NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

 

Thank You God for all the protection You have provided on this journey.

Thank You God for the opportunity to be with my sisters and daughter.

Thank You God for the beautiful weather we have experienced.

Thank You for the friends we have been able to visit.

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Thursday September 14 2017  FAR, FAR AWAY

 

FAR, FAR AWAY

 

Kathleen Martens

September 14, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

There is something about Wisconsin that calls my name

As far, far away it seems I’ve roamed.

Lost are the quiet peaceful roads

And the graceful fields well-combed.

 

The glistening sunshine peeking through green

In the rustle of whispering wind

No longer lingers amidst the drone

Of traffic which drivers must fend.

 

Serenity of beast languishing in fields

Alongside blooming country roads

Are now but memories tucked in my heart

Amongst crowded city-street noise.

 

Gone is the solitude of quiet moments,

The serenity of books surrounding my view.

Where is the calm that visually feeds

My heart and makes it anew?

 

Where are the bird-calls I long to hear

As I drive through lush green fields;

And the chirping coming from giant trees,

City streets no longer yield?

 

Nor are there deer lingering alongside

Hills ripe with autumn’s bounty.

Instead there are buildings covering the scape

Driving from county to county.

 

No end of city is in sight

As towns blend into the next.

Fraught drivers rushing by

Often seem quite vexed.

 

Wall to wall lanes and slow moving lights

Crowd every sight in my view.

Oh how nice it will eventually be

When with Wisconsin my acquaintance renews.

 

But I have once again discovered

Wonderful people are found everywhere,

Offering time, home, and food to eat,

Willing of selves to share.

 

Need I say more about missing Wisconsin?  We have been traveling for two weeks now.  The contrast driving from state to state is so amazing.  We have come across deserts, mountains, rivers, canyons, petrified forests, little towns, huge sprawling cities, dry barren land, fire pocked hills, bolder mountains, sprawling forests of green, fields of golden brown, acres of flowers, dry flatlands, smoke from acres burning out of control, marshlands, and smog.  We have experienced unending skies so blue that the color is intoxicating.  We have observed cloud formations that have taken our breaths away due their magnitude and glorious shapes coming alive as the sunshine peeks through. 

Driving is relaxing to me.  I don’t fight the traffic and I rarely ever speed.  It is comfortable for me to pace myself with other drivers who too are obeying the law than constantly maneuvering myself to be in front of someone else.  When Dave is driving he always agrees to stop when I need to take a break and that makes being a passenger more enjoyable (and comfortable)!

I’ve often been accused of living “outside of time” and when I drive I do just that.  Time has no bearing.  In the moment is where I stay.  I enjoy my time behind the wheel because I realize there will come a time when I am no longer able to do what I can do now.  And I love my time as the passenger because I visually feast on sights afar which I can’t focus on while driving.  There is no past nor future, I simply live in the “now” of timelessness. 

As I sat down to write for a few moments my mind drifted back to home, I then realized that even though I miss Wisconsin for all that it offers to my soul, I am truly enjoying the now of where I am.  I am far, far away!  We are living one day at a time and have no plans in place, as of yet, as to where we will be next.  Hope to see all my friends again someday when we finally find our way back home!  In the meantime, far, far away suites me fine.

 

P.S.

We are currently in the vicinity of San Francisco.  And the only regret I have is that our friends who are babysitting our house are enjoying all my ripe tomatoes.  My report yesterday was that there are more than they can eat!

Tuesday September 5 2017  TIME CHANGES JUST DON’T MAKE SENSE

 

My computer just clicked to midnight.  My husband’s watch says it is 11:00 p.m. and our phones say it is 10:00 p.m.  We are in Arizona.  Arizona does not change to Daylight Savings Time.  So we go through New Mexico and when we cross over the Arizona state line we lose an hour because New Mexico abides by Daylight Savings Time.  And we already lost one hour when we went from central time to Mountain Standard Time.  So it is 11:00 p.m. where we were yesterday, 12:00 midnight from where we started from in Wisconsin, and 10:00 p.m. in actual time in regards to where we are right now.  Tomorrow when we cross over the California state border there will again be an hour’s difference as California is on Pacific Daylight Time verses during winter when they are on Pacific Standard Time.

If I haven’t confused you by now I’ll tell you the rest.  I plan to publish this evening September 5, 2017.  However, since I have decided to not reset any of my time pieces my computer will read that it is two hours later than it actually is and will thus publish what I write on the 5^th as if it is September 6^th.  I have too many time pieces to mess with the upheaval and figure that when I arrive back home all will be well once again.

I wrote a blog in the car a couple of days ago and it would not transmit from my iPhone to my computer so I lost it.  I suppose I lost the poem as well as I spoke everything into my phone and now it is gone.  I won’t even try to recall that which I wrote two days ago due to all the new adventures I have encountered since.

Though this trip is being made quickly, somehow we always seems to find time to meet new and interesting people along the way.  We met Andy yesterday at the Tucumcari, NM hotel in which we stayed.  He is collecting for the disaster relief for the victims of Harvey.  He will also be going down to work among those who lost everything the hurricane.  This is something he does through his church organization and it was quite interesting to listen to his inside stories.

Yesterday afternoon we met two men from Argentina visiting a friend who is now a resident in Florida.  The one living in Florida spoke English and it was amazing to hear all about their trip around the United States.  As of now they are following the old Route 66 Highway.  And that is where we are parked for the night, old Route 66.  I had forgotten that Interstate 40 follows part of the old 66 Highway.  Before he left he did an awesome selfie including Dave and I as well as his two buddies from Argentina.  We could have talked a lot longer but we promised ourselves that we would arrive before dark to our destination still several hours away. 

Today we met three additional people.  I thought they were all together but only the man and woman were traveling together, the third was a lady on the solo mission of moving herself from the east to Southern California.  We ended up exchanging stories and making connections so as to stay in touch via email. 

This afternoon we met two musicians who are traveling with a group.  Extremely interesting to hear about their lives, one was from Incline Village by Lake Tahoe and the other in the Tahoe area as well but on the California side of the lake.

What I found interesting in all these encounters was that when I was ready to leave at least one in the party held out their arms to me and asked for a hug.  And of course then all the others in the group wanted a hug as well.  You know what, it felt good to talk to “strangers” and walk away with a depth of comradery between us.  It mattered not that our colors, nations, languages, and histories were not the same, there was a connection; an inherent, inborn desire to be accepted by others and in return fulfill their same innate need.

When we arrived at our hotel this evening we met two young men from London who are also on an epic journey through the United States.  They actually spoke English but I could only decipher a bit of what they said.  Their English sounded like a foreign language to me.  They were the only ones that did not offer me a hug!

Dave is tucked into bed and my poem is not yet written.  I just thought you might enjoy hearing about our travels.  Oh yes, I now remember what I wrote on Monday which was lost in cyber space.  I will expound BRIEFLY.

We spent Sunday night in Oklahoma City, OK.  We wanted to see the state Capitol building even though it was not open for guided tours.  We had called ahead and knew the building would be open.   It was eerie because the downtown of a Capitol City was uncannily quiet due to the holiday.  We had no idea where we could park because they were all reserved for the House Members and the Senate members.  I spoke to a policeman and he told us to go right up to the door that was open and park in one of the closest parking places.  We parked within a few feet of the building.  We still had to empty our pockets as we went through security check.  There were more officers present than there were visitors.  We only saw two other parties touring, each with two people.  We met a father and his young son who were from the area and learned quite a bit about the Capitol from the father.  He even showed us how to get into the Legislative Room.  It was awesome!  It is a beautiful Capitol undergoing renovation.  It will take several years to complete.  It is amazing when we read the statistics of what would be replaced.  I took photos but they are on my real camera and I am unable to send them.

We left the building later than we had intended but still arrived in Tucumcari NM before Dark.

 

MY THANK YOU POEM

Kathleen Martens

September 5, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Lord, thank You for wonderful days

As we journey across the land.

Thank you for the people you bring,

So more of life I understand.

 

Thank You Father for Your protection

Through miles of highway roads.

And thank You for stamina and strength

And for a car to carry our load.

 

Thank You God the Creator

For the sights, sounds, and smells

Refreshing beauty fills my soul

And does a body well.

 

Let me never take for granted

That which You allow me to hear.

Open my heart to those who come

Whom You are drawing near.

 

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

 

 

 

 

NOTE TO READERS:  

Today is actually September 1, 2017 when I publish today.  I have not written a blog today but I am including the one I wrote on the road yesterday while Dave was driving.  I will write when I can and I will post when I can.  Have a great week!

 

Thursday August 31 2017  ALMOST IS NOT ENOUGH

Well I said I am on the road again and here I am.  I started driving at 7:00 a.m. and now it is 11:41 a.,.  I just read a sign in a gas station that listed several cities and how far away they are.  Just so you know, we are 1950 miles away from Los Angeles.  We plan to arrive in in Orange County sometime Thursday.  Rebecca flies into the LA Airport later that evening and Courtland flies in the next night.  Courtland will stay three nights and Rebecca will leave for home on September 19^th.

I suppose you have surmised by now that Dave is now driving.  We are 152 miles north of St. Louis, the “Gateway of the West”.  I will drive through the city when we arrive.  I like taking the short cut right through downtown so I can see the St. Louis Arch.  It is beautiful, both inside and out!

Once we get through the downtown area I always feel as if our destination is right around the corner.  In actuality we are barely half way to our final destination for this day.  We will be arriving at my Aunt’s house after dark.  She lives on the top of Crow Mountain, with twisting, winding roads and I hope our GPS will pick up a signal.  Once we arrive I hope to get my blog sent.  Oops!  I just remember, Vela (my aunt) doesn’t “do” computers.  There will be no signal.  Perhaps this evening when we stop for our big splurge, (SUBWAY) I will have access to a signal.

As long as we are on the road I should be able to compose a blog while Dave is driving.  When I am with people I may not have time to do so.  If we have the opportunity to do something exciting I’ll be sure and pass it on.

As I said above, we left the house at 7:00 a.m. sharp!  However, to accomplish that great feat was the fact that our alarm went off at 3:30 a.m.!  And the car was already packed…almost.  Take it from me, “almost” is not nearly being ready, but, at least we are on the road! 

We will be leaving my Aunt’s home Sunday after church.  She attends a small country church.  I wish I could bottle the atmosphere, singing, and beautiful simplicity of the congregants.  It is like walking back in time to the little church in a “LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE” episode.  The outside looks similar (to my best recollection) but the people are quite unique.  Remember, this is the Deep South.  Need I say more?  I so enjoy the flavor of life here.  It is back woods, quiet, remote, and slow paced.  My kind of living: even though my life is in direct contrast.

Every time I travel it seems my eyes see more clearly as my heart opens up to receive new knowledge and experience.  Experiential knowledge is the best teacher, at least for me.  And my experiential knowledge has reminded me that typing on a laptop computer at 72 miles per hour is not the easiest way to write a blog.  At least I’m not the driver.  And oh yes, now I know why “they” are called laptops!  It sounds better that leg tops!

 

WHAT I SEE MY HEART HEARS

Kathleen Martens

August 31,2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

The sunny cast through white glare

Small puffy clouds shout to the sky.

Mr. Sunshine look at me!

Mr. Sunshine set me free.

 

Tassled corn in unending rows

At attention as they grow.

Dance and sing in golden song

Wafting colors all belong

 

Gold and yellow

Sheens of rust

Hues unnamed

Like sparkling dust.

 

Bright and subdued

And patches of green

And I hear

Sounds in between.

 

Since I am being lulled to sleep by the quiet and swaying of the car on the road  I shall say Good night.

 

Thank You God for your protection on this day.

 

HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON AND GOD BLESS  YOU!

Wednesday August 30 2017  WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

 

SHAKING MY MARBLES LOOSE

Kathleen Martens

August 30, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry

 

I wrote my poem and now it’s packed

So I’ll make this short

For early rise

I surmise.

 

We’re “hitt’n the road Jack”

“Our bags are packed

And we’re ready to go”

And not once

 have I slacked.

 

And in the “sweet by and by…

I guess “I’ll fly away”!

And with Gods “amazing grace”

I’ll see his face.

 

I just get “another day older

And deeper in debt”

Luckily I don’t “owe my soul”

“To the company store”!

 

And soon it will be Christmas

And I’ll sing

“Silent night, holy night

All is come, all is bright!”

 

And so now the tune

“So long, farewell”

“ALVETAZANE GOODBYE” (phonetic spelling)

“Good…..bye…..”

 

Don’t be worried folks.  I haven’t lost my marbles, just having fun with words from songs streaming in my internal soundtrack.  Remember, I am not supposed to be writing a blog!

And I thank God for our friends who so faithfully take care of our place while we are gone.  And this year we even had two different families willing to do so!  But one got here first!

 

GOD BLESS YOU!

Tuesday August 29 2017  IT IS FINISHED!

 

NEWS ALERT:

As of 11:52 p.m. on Monday August 28, 2017 THE ALBUMS ARE COMPLETED!  And I want to shout it from the rooftops!  I’M ready to pack them up!  My commitment is not completed until they are delivered!  Hopefully that will happen soon and I can have the spare bedroom usable once again.  Right now there are 5 large, heavy album binders displayed across half the bed.  All total the page count is well over 300.  Each book has  12”X 12” pages.  The covers are 17”X14” and they are 4 or more inches thick.

Remember this is not a blog!  However, I could not let this news go undocumented.  Two years of diligent work is something to celebrate!  I might as well celebrate with my readers!

 

TIME TO CELEBRATE

Kathleen Martens

August 29, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

When it’s time to celebrate

We should let it rip!

No need to be quiet

Just send out a blip.

 

Two years of toil

And now I’m free;

Spare moments actually

Might come to me.

 

Oh I do hope

For another morning as this

My time with the Lord

I surely have missed.

 

A renewed zest

In morning’s quiet,

I had time to reflect

Unrestrained from time’s diet.

 

And it is good

To be so pleased

When a job is well done

And my day is eased.

 

Thank You God

For this opportunity

To show love to my sister

And share our unity.

 

Thank You for restoration

Of memory’s bank;

High on my list

This experience does rank.

 

And now for a break

From being on the run

With freedom from pressure

To experience guiltless fun!

 

GOD BLESS YOU!  HAVE A GREAT DAY!

 

MONDAY AUGUST 28 2017  ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

 

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

Kathleen Martens

August 28, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

My journey was long

And time not enough.

I thought I’d be finished

But the road has been rough.

 

This album won’t quit

Having one more thing

Requiring my time

More pages I bring.

 

So I will hush now

To finish the last

And fold up the details

About the past.

 

This poem a pittance

But it sums it all up.

Will I ever be finished

So I can sup?

 

I vow to complete

And will not slack!

I’m at the end

And soon albums I’ll pack!!!!

 

 

 

Sunday August 27, 2017  I DID IT

The following poem was just written after the end of an exhausting day.  In essence the project of working on the albums for my sister is completed.  I must insert the labels on the binding of each album and put in two more pages!

 

I DID IT!

Kathleen Martens

August 27, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

WOW!  99.9% COMPLETED

In less than two years!

After labels and title pages

I’ll collect my wages…

 

To be free from the load

I know not its weight.

And for that matter

I neither know its fate.

 

Almost two thousand miles to go

Before it rests at home.

I wonder just how many places

In the future will it roam?

 

Five volumes of photos,

Pages jammed to the hilt!

And I am totally spent

Actually almost “kilt”!

 

But in truth I rejoice

For all the time well spent;

A tangible reward I can see

I wonder not, where my time went.

 

I hope the albums bring joy

To generations yet to come;

And not become an albatross

That one would rather shun.

 

They are heavy that’s for sure,

And a bit bulky too!

When sister sees what space they need

I don’t know what she’ll do!

 

But I will never regret the fun

Of touching each and every print

As I walked down memory lane

Meandering; never a sprint.

 

Except today I was under the gun

Because time is of the essence!

Lots to do before we leave

To deliver this lovely present.

 

But the greatest gift will be

Not for the one who receives.

But MORE TIME to pursue my dreams

Will be the personal gift I perceive!

 

I hope future generations

Will enjoy these old faces

Of a time long past

As are many of the places.

 

 

Saturday August 26 2017  HOME STRETCH

Note this is not a blog.  Just a poem!

 

I’M ON THE HOME STRETCH

Kathleen Martens

August 26, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

A day without a blog is hard to do

A job needing done I had time to ensue.

But I long to write each and every day

So This poem a balm along the way.

 

Still working relentlessly on “THE BOOK”

Five volumes of pages is what it took!

Now for the bio’s, poems, and accolades.

Now are printed; I start a new phase.

 

Title pages to insert: families to distinguish

Must be completed before energy extinguished.

Fat big albums they turned out to be

Just can’t wait for my sister’s to see!

 

They are what they are for future generations;

Quite lengthy, creative innovations!

A long journey, and quite a road,

And I’m happy to pass on such a big load!

 

Friday August 25 2017  IMPORTANT NOTICE

There is a lot going on in this household at present: too much to do in too little time.  If you are current with my blogs you are aware that our family has experienced two deaths in the past week, both out of the area.  We were unable to attend the first funeral due to distance but since we have a bit more time to arrive at the second Memorial Service we do plan to attend.

A lot of loose ends must be tied up, projects to finish, people to contact, and so forth.  I will be unable to write blogs for a period of time due to my schedule.  My poetry will stack up in my journal instead as I must use every moment available to prepare for all that is coming due.

Thank You for so faithfully for reading and commenting on my blogs via email when a topic strikes your fancy!  I enjoy hearing from each of you.  Our house phone voice mail is not working at present so I will not be able to receive messages from those who call.  You may check back periodically to see when I resume writing.

 

AND I NEVER KNOW WHEN

Kathleen Martens

August 25, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

Life has a way

Of setting its pace

But there are occasions

When all is a race.

 

Too much to do

In so little time

Creating chaos

That makes me whine.

 

So rather than complain

About such overload

I’ll set some baggage

Beside life’s road.

 

I’ll do what I can;

What I think is best,

And hopefully allow

Adequate time to rest.

 

So thus I refrain

By giving up a pleasure

To spill out of my heart

Words without measure.

 

So now is a time

To take a break

That will be open ended

For my health’s sake.

 

But you might want to check

Every now and then,

The yen to write comes

And I never know when.

 

Thank You God for giving me the strength to refrain from writing.

 

GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU!

Thursday August 24 2017  IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE

 

I REMEMBER A LITTLE BOY

Kathleen Martens

August 24, 2017

http://www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I remember a little boy

So tender and sweet,

Being around him

Was always a treat.

 

He had a tender heart

And a brilliant mind.

He was truly

One of a kind.

 

He loved to be loved

And nestled with me

And I could envision the man

He’d someday be.

 

He was quite the debater,

Had a mind that raced,

He could always out fox

With words swiftly in place.

 

And we loved this boy

Though we lived far away.

Over the years

In our heart he stayed.

 

And though so much younger

Than either Dave or I

He took off toward heaven

And away did fly.

 

His body depleted

With a deadly stroke;

And the heart attack

Was the final stake.

 

Now he is released

From earth’s confines!

Rejoicing in heaven,

No barriers to climb!

 

And though we

Shall wipe away tears

In our hearts we rejoice

With our loved one so dear!

 

He will be missed.

Our hearts will feel grief.

But again we sing joy

That he has such relief.

 

We love you Wade

And will miss your quick wit!

Yet we will see you again

In just a bit!

 

Dave’s nephew was received into his heavenly home yesterday, August 23, 2017.    Though I know I’ll see him again I grieve for the loss of his presence on earth.  I grieve for his mother and for those who are left behind to mourn.  But for Wade, I rejoice in his release from pain and the confines of his body.  With heartfelt sympathy I send my condolences to his mother, aunt, uncle, cousins and friends. 

 

My prayer tonight:

Heavenly Father I ask that You send Your Comforter to Wade mother’s and extended family.  Please bring peace and healing to their broken hearts.  It is always so difficult to let go, yet it comforts our hearts knowing Wade loved You and was filled with faith.  He knew where he was headed.  Thank You God for the years Wade walked upon this earth and gave joy to others.  We know that we will see Wade in just awhile.

 

IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE

Kathleen Martens

August 24, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

In just a little while

With loved ones embrace

But the best part will be

When we see Jesus’ face!

 

In just a little while

We’ll be dancing with Wade

And all the pain and sorrow

Of history will fade.

 

In just a little while

With loved ones rejoice

And it will be amazing

When we hear God’s voice!

 

In just a little while

We’ll all be home

Never again

This earth to roam.

 

Thank You God for Your plan that made a way for us to be with you.  

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!

Be sure and say “I LOVE YOU” to someone today.

Wednesday August 23 2017  I HAVE A DREAM

 

I HAVE A DREAM

Kathleen Martens

August 23, 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

 

I sit in quiet

Amongst shelved books;

All around me

Wherever I look.

 

Patient friends

All waiting turns

To be the next

Place I learn.

 

Never complaining,

Simple beauty adorn

Though others shabby

And even torn.

 

Each has a story

So willing to share;

Sitting on my shelves,

Patiently there.

 

How to choose

Which is next?

The task of choosing

Seems quite complex.

 

I have a dream!

A fanciful hope

That before I die

I read each book.

 

And time marches on

I know not what will transpire. 

I live simply each day

Because someday I’ll expire.

 

And my books will live on.

My notes other will see.

No charge for my comments!

They are always free.

 

Thank You God for all the research scholars do to write such amazing books.

Thank You God that I have been privileged to read.

Thank You God for every book I own.

And most especially, Thank You for Your astounding Scriptures; THE GREATEST BOOK EVER DICTATED!

 

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE BOOKS TO READ!