HOLD MY HAND
You hold my hand my heart goes all a flutter.
Each time in our lives that you continue this simple yet intimate gesture.
I feel safe – loved – comforted by your touch. It is my connection to you.
You are my strength, my peace. Your fingers entwined in mine, the pulsing of your heart – I am wrapped in your love.
At first,when you gave your hand to me I felt a plethora of emotions, all the way from friendship to complete and utter passion.
With each passing decade those feelings have turned to trust, dependency, peace, comfort, lifting up and the simplicity of everlasting love.
As time flees from us and each additional day is a blessing,
I will look in your eyes and never forget our first touch.
If my eyes grow dim and my memory falters,
I pray we will still hold tightly to each other, knowing that together
we will once again feel that comfort in our Father’s hands.💕💕
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MAN I LOVE
“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk,” was stated by one of America’s greatest inventors. He was a stately man, who wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves and dig into solving various kinds of problems through his inventive mind. He numbered most of his friends as those who wore overalls and spent the majority of their lives doing hard labor. The man was Thomas Edison and he was born on this day in 1847.
Almost 100 years later, in 1942, another man made his way into the world, with the same kind of inventive spirit and what became a stellar work ethic while still possessing a genuine concern for his fellow man. He has grown into the man he is today by looking at every pile of junk as an opportunity to make something amazing.
He has been a steadfast student of God’s Word and now in his later years, He’s able to draw on that wisdom in times of trial, disappointment, fear, hope and delight. He has been a fine example to his children, to his friends, to his church and especially to me. He’s the one who showed me God’s true grace.
He is the man I fell in love with and spent the majority of my life growing to appreciate and be thankful for. Happy birthday, Paul Boecher. May we have many more years together sharing the blessings God continues to give us day by day.
JEWELS OF DE NIAL
Well here it is, the first episode of “Jewels of de Nial,” the project I’ve been collaborating on for the past year. Since we did this mostly throughout the time of the pandemic, we went from a stage production to editing it for a radio show. This venture started with three women, aged 68, 78, and 83. All three still alive and very much kicking. There were obstacles along the way, as there usually are in a collaboration, but the result was nothing but fun.
We shared our life experiences and some of the challenges of growing old and how we deal with those issues. The first episode is linked here and you can purchase a ticket by going to the link for $10. All the material is original, including commercials. The greatest part about this endeavor is that it gave us something to think about other than being held in isolation. When you grow old you don’t have to give up, give in or fold. The good Lord has placed us all on this planet for a purpose.
The first episode has to do with online dating – totally appropriate for this time of the year, with Valentine’s Day at hand. All three women are widowed, but the one in her sixties and the one in her eighties are still willing to venture out. The middle one (me) maybe not so much. She’s hard of hearing and not yet over the loss of her husband – 12 years ago. Three more episodes will follow during the course of 2021.
It actually is almost appropriate that these women would appear on a radio show, since we all began life with the radio being a part of our entertainment. The days of the Green Hornet and the Shadow have returned, only this time it’s “The Jewels of deNial.”
Baby, it’s cold outside!! Why not sit back, grab some hot cocoa and listen to a radio show! Entirely written, produced, and performed by Jewels of DeNial, Northern Starz’s 55+ acting troupe. What is senior life like in the new millennium? Do you wonder what it would be like to date, on-line, after the age of 55? Tune in today as episode one premieres in our Jewels of DeNial series: “The Dating Game” for some great belly laughs!for tickets, go to https://northernstarz.org/shows
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Tagged acting for seniors, AGING, COVID19, humor
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NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN
Think of what it was like in the 16th century, before the printing press was invented. Folks had to rely on word of mouth for their information and by the time they got it, it was so distorted, it was far from the truth. (Actually pretty much like today’s news and information services.)
In those days, people were concerned about having enough food to eat. They relied on the sweat of their brows to get the work done. They feared invasion by warring nations. Most of them had never read God’s Word. Most of them didn’t know how to read. (Sad to say some of our high school graduates have slipped through the cracks and reap the same result.) The rich got rich and the poor got poorer (also something like the news of our day.)
There were no great health care facilities. Doctors were few and far between. The average life expectancy was 40 years of age and if you were wealthy you might live ten more. We are now living longer, have superior health care, but still don’t know how to contain communicable diseases – nor is there a cure for the common cold.
Have we made progress? If you’re a history buff, you will soon see that it continues to repeat itself. The passage of time often reveals that there is nothing new in the world. Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to address that very thought. Time goes swiftly by, but nothing really changes.  There will always be battles between good and evil. There will always be wars and rumors of wars. We face difficult weather, painful diseases, loss of money, jobs and some of our freedom.  We have Bibles in our homes and on our I-pads, but how often are they opened?  Is there any hope for a brighter future? Are we simply going through the motions of living rather than experiencing the joy of doing so?
Those who are connected to Christ, will go through the same problems others face in this world, but they have hope in the future life after death. That doesn’t mean we have to wait until we die before we achieve fulfillment or joy. God wants us to succeed here on earth. Our success, however, is based on His plan for our lives.Â
Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. True paradise does not exist on earth. It can only be attained after our death. While we muddle through life, we can take great joy in God’s love for us and His constant intervention when we call on Him. When we go to His Holy Word, the Bible, it’s His voice speaking to us. Through it we reap the true secret to success.
HALLMARK LOVE STORIES
The Hallmark logo has been around for a long time – at least as long as I can remember. It signifies caring enough to send the very best. I’m not sure who came up with that sentiment, but it stands to reason, because Hallmark cards have a tradition of being one step above the rest. Back in the 1950’s branding was becoming that nature of the advertising beast and Hallmark got it right the first time. Over the years, Hallmark and Valentine’s Day have almost become synonymous. With the popularity of that branding, came the Hallmark movies about love and romance, which continued to feed the appetite of those longing for the perfect relationship.
I think because of the nature of women, we need to dream of happy endings, partly because God created women to be nurturers, caretakers, tender and loving. He knew women would have the strength to carry children. He knew men could gain good counsel and encouragement from women. We are not the weaker sex. In my opinion, we’re an extension of man – created from him – part of him – a helper for him and someone to share our love with.
The Hallmark movies always have a similar theme. A woman is engaged in a successful career – she needs more to fulfill her existence – she meets a guy – there is an attraction, but there’s always something standing in their way. In the end, she gets her man and they live happily after. Sounds like another “Cinderella” story to me. But what happens when Prince Charming discovers that she has housemaid’s knees and callouses on her hands from physical work? What if she finds that he has a wandering eye and because of his royalty, he feels entitled to live like a prince and put her on the back burner? In other words, when reality sets in, the happy endings only occur if there is a lot of give and take.
The Proverbs 31 woman isn’t one who is perfectly manicured, bathed in oil, beautifully coiffed. She’s a hard worker. She gets up before the rest of the family to make plans for the day, which always include them. She isn’t self serving. She’s virtuous and God fearing. Not an easy task, is it? All of the elements of the perfect role model are pretty hefty and often unattainable, but when love is behind her actions and God is leading them, they are not insurmountable. Just like the Hallmark movies are an example of what true love could be, the Proverbs 31 wife is one we should strive to be, but be willing to accept it if we fall short.
The reality of life will get in the way of perfection. We need to remember that when we enter any kind of partnership. Be willing to accept flaws and work through them. Be willing to forgive, forget and move forward. Jesus was the perfect example of what love is. He left His heavenly throne to live among us. He suffered pain, humiliation, brute force, torture and death because of His great love for us. He died. He came back to life and returned to heaven to prepare a place for those who believe in Him. That’s love.
FAT LIP MANIA
I know I’m old, but can someone please tell me what’s attractive about fat lips?
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TWO HEARTS BEATING AS ONE
We sat, just the two of us, looking out upon the still waters,
You held my hand in yours with strength and love,
Two bodies, yet one,
We’ve grown together from children into old age,
Still the touch of your hand excites, brings comfort and peace,
Our minds have matured like fine wine,
Our hearts have melded together through our common faith,
Love will not die even when life ends,
We will always be together.
Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, love
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Valentine's Day
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LOVE MEANS GETTING INTO ANOTHER’S SHOES
“First of all,” he said, “if you can learn a simple trick, Scout, you’ll get along a lot better with all kinds of folks. You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view […] until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” Atticus Finch, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
I imagine if I were to count all the shoes I own, it would pale in comparison to my husband’s. He has shoes from 25 years ago. He has shoes that will carry him into the woods; allow him to stand on concrete for a number of hours; work out at the gym, climb rough terrain; ride a horse; walk in the water and so much more. The point is he has a shoe that fits every situation in his life.
Our shoes get dirty, they need attention, they need repair and they often need to be tossed and replaced. Often they get kicked off when we enter our homes. They get shoved into a corner and beaten up. Sometimes the dog will get a hold of one and that’s the end of that. We need our shoes to protect us from the rocks in the road; inclement weather; from stubbing our toes. Does all of this sound remotely familiar?
We’re a lot like shoes, aren’t we? We go through life needing attention from day one. We require love and nurturing. It’s part of being a human being. When it’s lacking, that’s the first scuff we receive. When we receive negative comments from someone, our ego suffers and we begin to need repair. Depression can take hold and there comes another scrape to our leather. If we’re bullied, we’re getting kicked by our peers and shoved into a corner. More depression. When our love is unrequited, we receive another bump. When we lose our jobs or suffer financial loss, it’s like a giant chunk has been carved out of us. When we suffer the loss of a loved one, we might feel we can take no more and give up.
Thinking about it even further, our shoes take a beating as we wear them. The same is often true of our relationships. True love allows us to walk in someone else’s shoes and understand where they’re coming from. When we don’t want to bother with repair, we often give up and throw the shoes away in deference to another pair. This is where the rub lies. We can’t just toss our relationships aside. We need to work at them in order to repair them.
There is One who knew what it was like to walk in our shoes. Jesus didn’t hesitate to take on human form and experience life as we know it. He is empathetic, sympathetic, compassionate – all emotions that we find hard to emote, because we’ve become so concerned about ourselves. Many of us focus on what we want and what we need, that we forget the needs of others. We all have problems – some more than others – but isn’t it nice to have someone to share those troubles with – someone who understands and has been there themselves?
When things are bad and we can’t seem to find answers for our problems, we can turn to our Savior, God and be assured that He knows what we’re feeling. In the meantime, we should be on guard to not judge others if we haven’t experienced their pain. We don’t know what they’re suffering, but we can take the time to sit with them – to say “I care,” or “Can I help?”
There are many people who need to have a compassionate friend. Many of them don’t own a pair of shoes. Many may not want to share their situation. Be their friend anyway.
PERFECT LOVE
His love is like none we have ever experienced here on earth.
His love is beauty beyond our wildest dreams.
His love is precious, merciful, compassionate.
His love is given freely without question.
His love doesn’t look at our past mistakes.
He is blind to our transgressions.
He loves in times of anger, hatred, self-pity, depression.
He loves it when we love each other.
His love is a gift – more precious than diamonds or gold.
His love is the greatest love ever known or experienced by man.
No kiss or caress can compare with the touch of our Savior, God.
He cuddles us in His strong protective arms. He shields us with His strong wings.
He lifts us up when we fail.
He encourages us when we think we can’t go on.
He inspires us to go the extra mile.
He walks with us through all the joy, bliss and excitement of life.
He carries us through all the trials, burdens, hassles, fears and frustrations.
His love is like no other – it endures forever and ever!
COMING ATTRACTIONS – LOVE WEEK
It seems this little month lacks in number of days, but there are plenty of things to celebrate.  It’s been designated National Heart Month, Black History Month, National Weddings Month and it boasts of such celebrations as Ground Hog Day, Mardi Gras, Presidents Day, Valentines Day and believe it or not – Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day.
Sharing your love with another person is something unrestricted to one day or one month out of the year. It should be an every day occurrence. Unfortunately, we have days when we don’t always feel that soft, warm and fuzzy, Hallmark kind of love. Some days there are bills to pay and not enough money to cover them. Some days we get upset over little things, like how the toothpaste is dispensed from a tube or dirty laundry laying on the floor. Some days we get tired of the same old stories, the silly jokes, the ridiculous demands and the rut we seem to have created for ourselves.
Love has to do with sharing time, thoughts, plans and goals, dreams, words, a special touch, a kiss, a hug and time. It isn’t easy. If you look at God’s advice on love in the Bible verse 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 you will soon realize that it takes a great deal of work. We often don’t think of it that way when we first fall in love. Our thoughts are on how we feel rather than the other person’s feelings. This often carries over into our relationships as they grow and we come to realize that being selfish is the most important trait to get rid of if you’re to succeed.
Love takes patience, which requires us to put the other person first. Love takes time to develop. Love at first sight rarely happens, but even when it does, it must be nurtured along the way. Love requires kindness and caring for the other person. This doesn’t mean we put them on a pedestal, but we share in the relationship – each bringing their own special seasoning to the table. Love cannot let pride get in the way. When that happens, we’ve lost track of the other person and their needs and put ourselves on a pedestal. Love does not keep a record of wrongdoings. If so, the relationship would soon crumble and fall apart. We need to work through the wrongs and the good times together.
However it’s more than a partnership. Love was first shown by God when He created this earth. He made perfection out of nothing and then created man to take care of it. The woman was created from man and was designed to be not only a companion, but an extension of himself. When we place God at the head of our relationships, we have the true meaning of love. He loved us first and continues to love usthroughout eternity.
STANDING STILL
ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
Our lives on earth are temporal – a whisper hushed and still,
We’re placed here by the Father’s hand and through His mighty will,
He guides us through the depths of pain, He takes our hand and leads,
He washed our every sin away and cares for all our needs,
When faced with darkness, fear and loss, He lifts us in His arms,
Protecting us from Satan’s wiles, his misery and charms,
When life becomes to hard to bear, He takes our cares away,
He gives us hope, He shelters us, to see another day,
So turn to Him upon this day, when all seems lost and gone,
Rejoice in His unending love, replenished every dawn.
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE A HUG
There is nothing in the world like a hug. It’s the only thing you get back the minute you give it away. To be cuddled in someone’s embrace is a wonderful feeling. When we are lonely, when we hurt, when we feel loss or hopelessness a hug can lift us up out of those sad places and give us a reason to go on.
As the past year has shown me, I really miss the hugs. Being separated from those we love and care about, it’s been as though a piece of my security has been erased. When we don’t have the luxury of experiencing that personal touch, we feel cheated in a way.
Every day we are promised that kind of comfort from our Lord and Savior, Jesus, Christ. He is our protector, our healer, our guardian, our source of love and confidence. In this month where so much emphasis is placed on love, let’s look to the one who gives it unconditionally.
 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16
WHAT IS IT YOU SEE?
In the heart of the forest, what is it you see,
The death of the bush or the loss of each tree,
They die for a while, and rise up again,
Spring pushes each bud, giving life deep within.
Our days undefiled and sins now washed clean,
The pure life of Jesus, will help us convene,
The darkness of winter can leave deep remorse,
We wander away and relinquish our course.
The coldest of days will be warmed through the night,
Our Savior will comfort and holds each one tight,
He won’t let us go, if we trust in His Word,
Our souls are renewed and our steps undeterred.
RUNNING AWAY DOESN’T WORK
The room begins to close in on you. You feel suffocated in your inner most being. Your heart begins to race – your mouth is dry – your hands begin to tremble – your breathing becomes heavy and almost chokes you. The hair on the back of your neck bristles and you feel faint. This is how you feel when you experience fear.
I think I first began to fear small spaces when I was about the age of five and was locked in a linen closet by my one year old sister. I don’t recall what mischief we were up to, but I know the bathroom door was locked and I had locked it. Now I was trapped! All five years flashed before my eyes in an instant. I was convinced that my air would soon run out and I’d die in that closet – entombed in a casket of towels and wash cloths.
My mother tried to no avail to pick the lock, kick the door in, whatever she could think to do, She finally resorted to calling the police. A fire truck was dispatched and a giant fireman squeezed his way through the minuscule window – terrifying my sister. I’m sure she had dreams about monsters in red hats for a long time.
It was a heroic deed as he rescued us from certain death. Facing two screaming little girls who had no idea who he was and a hysterical mother on the other side of the door deserved the Medal of Honor.
At the same time in my life, I found it easier to face the difficulties of life by running away from them. When things got tough, I packed my little suitcase and threatened to leave. You would think after all my 78 years of living, I wouldn’t still feel that way, but I do. I have learned to turn to God for the big stuff, but I still like to think I can handle the little problems that surface each day. When I can’t I continue feel the need to run away.
Life can close us in when we have fear. The uncertainties we face every day are enough for some to require straight jackets. How do you handle your fears? I’m still in the process of figuring that one out. I know I should have faith that God has my back in all circumstances, but sometimes even that isn’t enough. Prayers can help, but fear will once again rear its ugly head.
Everyone on this planet has something that eats at them. Our fears don’t just magically disappear when we become Christians. Sometimes we face even more of them. It’s a tough journey. Life can pull, tug at us, push us around and cause us to give up. The only thing to alleviate those anxious moments is turning to God’s Word. Within those pages we can find comfort, peace, patience and God’s plan for us.
WINTER WONDERLAND
Sparkling facets of frost are scraped from our windshields so we can get a clear view of the road, but do we take time to really inspect the beauty of that frost?
The tiny patterns etched into ice by the finger of God Himself are just one example of His majestic power.
Each snowflake has it’s own pattern and becomes a kaleidoscope of intricacy.
We hurry through life without often noticing the many gifts given to us through nature.
The sun casts a wintry glow upon frozen lakes, the sound of crunching snow crackles beneath our feet. The chill in the air enlivens every nerve in our bodies. All the senses are aroused. It’s winter.
Soon it will be gone. Enjoy it while we can.
Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Inspiration, Winter
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ORDER IN CONFUSION
Our world is full of tragic news and difficult decisions.
We struggle to find good in all the strife and dark divisions.
The devil uses all these things to tug within our reasoning.
Manipulating all our thoughts, with his own special seasoning.
But God’s power is much stronger. He’s crushed the serpent’s head.
He took the devil’s strength away when He rose from the dead.
That evil creature walks the earth, in shadows and in darkness.
He preys upon our weaknesses. He thrives upon our starkness.
He lurks about like lions prowl and forage for their food,
But never will he find surcease for he can do no good.
The day will come when victory descends from up above.
When God will come to judge us all with justice and with love.
Lord, give me wisdom from your Word. Protect me with your arm.
Keep me within protective wings that shield me from all harm.
You’ve conquered death and so will I, as long as I trust You.
You’ve taken all my sins away. There’s nothing I can do,
Except to spread your Word of truth and love as you loved me.
Now shield me from all evil and set my spirit free.
DEJA VUE ALL OVER AGAIN
I don’t know about the rest of you, but Ground Hog Day has become the norm for the past year. You wake up, same time every day, go to the bathroom mirror and see the same face, brush the same teeth that have been sitting in the same cup every night prior – and wonder what would have happened had you not gotten out of bed. Before you even open your eyes, you know that you have been given another day to live and experience.
We are in a Ground Hog rut. It started when the pandemic hit. Each day has been running into the next and eventually we have an interesting result – the same crumby day, over and over and over again. We try desperately to add something new to the mix, but it doesn’t change things. We try to get our creative juices flowing, but we still see our shadows and there will be at least six more weeks of isolation – again and again and again.
I never placed much stock in the groundhog. They make an appearance in our neighborhood occasionally, but they’re just another critter, hoping for spring to bring its glow and promise of a brand new day. Still, like that furry little fuzz ball, not much changes, so we go back into the routine which has become almost oppressive lately. Like hamsters on a wheel, we keep plugging away and get nowhere.
Some days hold more promise than others. We see a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel. We look forward to witnessing the sunrise in all its glory. We pray for social interaction. We find communication electronically is nothing like face to face connection. Words are misinterpreted. Thoughts are unknown. The voice isn’t enough. Yikes, I think I may be depressed!
There is hope, in spite of all the yuck around us. If I didn’t have that knowledge, I’d be doomed for a life in the pits. God is my hope for tomorrow. He has planned all of my days and knows what will become of me in the scheme of things. I know His plans are perfect and I have to trust that He knows what He’s doing. It’s hard to turn this over to God, but He tells us to do so. He offers His back to carry our burdens. He extends His hand to lead us through all of them. He has provided us with the hope of an amazing future in eternity.
BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!
SCREAMS IN THE NIGHT
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have used my time in isolation to watch old movies – mostly of a mysterious nature. I’ve kind of run out of the usual like, “The Maltese Falcon,” “Casablanca,” “North by Northwest,” “The Double Man,” and so many more. I love stories that I can get involved in, like putting the pieces of a puzzle together to find a solution. There are also a ton of television series that have appeared over the years, such as “Columbo,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Magnum, PI,” all the Sherlock Holmes stories – each one presenting a crime to start and then taking the steps necessary to put everything into perspective.
I’ve recently gotten into a British series called, “Midsomer Murders.” I love the English language, but have had to resort to closed captioning to understand the words more clearly. That alone can lead to some interesting stories. Anyway, the series takes place in a group of villages which make up the county of Midsomer. I’m not sure what the population is of this area, but with all the murders going on there, I’m quite sure it’s getting smaller by the minute. In every episode so far, at least three or four victims are done in.
The pandemic has left me with a change of sleeping habits. I used to go to bed at about 9 PM every night. Now I have difficulty falling asleep, probably because I’ve been doing little except watching the tube. It might have something to do with the content of what I’m watching, but nonetheless I take my nightly rest closer to midnight. As I remain glued to the television, my husband is sawing logs in our bedroom, which is upstairs. He makes a couple trips down the steps each night and has often wondered what I’m watching, with all the eerie music and sound effects. I think he may believe I’m gathering methods for a mystery novel, or even his own demise. Of course, that’s just plain silly. Although stranger things have happened.
In the meantime, my brain is on overload. I need to find an outlet for this creative spurt. Perhaps I should write a series of murder mysteries that take place at a gym. I could use my I-Pad to store ideas as I get in a few miles on the treadmill or rowing machine. I could spend time in the pool devising a plot for death by drowning. I could go to the weight room and watch others flex their muscles, while I come up with a story that would instantly deflate them. Of course if I used a gym as a setting, I’d have to actually work out, wouldn’t I?
On to plan B.
MOSAIC
ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©
A composition consisting of color, hard edges, shadows and thick paint,
Many faceted strokes of the brush, gliding across the canvas,
Laden with motion, texture and spirit,
Each piece of the painting is a painting in itself,
Yet joined by a master – scrumbling, pushing,
Racing to catch the light,
Gliding across the once empty space,
With brush strokes blending, embracing,
Loving and molding,
As we are many pieces,
We stand alone on a blank canvas or in a chunk of clay,
Alone, we have our assets, our own beauty, our capabilities,
As part of joint effort, the art becomes complete,
Each piece fits into the mosaic of unity,
When we join together – combine our talents and ideas –
Forget our differences – see how we compliment each other,
The work of art – the masterpiece – the pounded clay,
The fractured pieces – the restoration –
All coming together, joined tightly,
Working as one.
Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher
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