COMING FULL CIRCLE

Posted on April 28, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

a7c42a5230c38d03c94e30f8edabdf38

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

At first I took a pencil in my hand,

And etched words onto a lined tablet,

Penmanship was still alive,

And cursive script soon covered linen pages,

As time passed,

My fingers learned to fly,

Across a manual typewriter,

I felt exhilarated by the speed,

I then began a long relationship with

Electricity and white out,

I met a word processor,

We became an item,

No more white out, simply back spacing,

An oversized hard drive and screen was next,

Until I met my laptop,

I’ve come full circle,

My words now tediously typed with stylus on tablet.

The tools change,

But the words have just become more embellished,

Thanks to a built in Thesaurus.

 

Posted in art, Humor, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on COMING FULL CIRCLE

JULIE’S FRIDAY FUNNY

Posted on April 28, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

attach-799569

Poor, dear, Yoda.  Not only speak he cannot, spelling his worse nightmare is.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 28, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

60404_568906389795022_1619523588_n

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

MIND WHAT YOU SAY TO YOUR KIDS

Posted on April 27, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

parenting-list

 

Do you ever stop to think about things that were said to you when you were a kid?  The words we say can really impact them in one way or another, or at least conjure up ideas that go way beyond what was said.

For example – when I was a child, I struggled with my weight.  A malady that continues to plague me to this day.  Someone once said, “Don’t eat so much.  You’re going to explode!”  Well, obviously it didn’t stop me from eating, but it sure stirred up images of little pieces of ME falling all over that person.

One of my elderly relatives was always telling us not to sit on the concrete or we would get piles.  Piles of what?  I had visions of a giant mountain of concrete growing out of my backside.  Not a pretty picture.  I later learned that piles were really hemorrhoids, but that didn’t really change a thing.

That same relative constantly reminded us that if Grandma So-and-So was still alive, she’d be rolling over in her grave.  I often wondered how anyone could roll over in their grave, not to mention the thoughts of being buried alive!

There was another one, which I hope is non-existent in this day and age, but it sure scared the bejeebers out of me.  “Don’t eat so many sweets.  Your teeth will fall out.” or “You’re going to get worms!”  That one really sent me reeling.  I visualized worms crawling in and out of my eyes, ears, nostrils and my mouth – filling the empty spaces which once held my teeth.  Horrible images, I know, but it didn’t stop me from eating sweets.

When they told me to clean my plate because kids were starving in China, I wondered how that was going to help them.  They would still be starving and my stomach would ache from eating too much.

When they said it was so hot you could fry an egg on the sidewalk, I wanted to try it.  When they said never, never touch a metal pole with your tongue when it was below zero – that was just the incentive I needed to get me going.

Most of those old sayings have passed away, (I hope) but some of them remain.  When we say something like, “Stop it, or else …” what does that mean?  Or else what?  How about when we say, “Don’t cry.”  Are you kidding me?  Am I just going to turn off the water works just because you said I should?

OK, that’s enough of this nonsense.  I will close with these words:

“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”  Mark Twain

Posted in Children, Christian daily devotion, parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

NO MORE DARKNESS

Posted on April 27, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

37db3c241e24cc9008eeda27f6156d31

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

A world shrouded in darkness, enveloped in an everlasting haze,

Closing in with its heavy cape of weight and anxiety,

Never ceasing to control us,

Holding tightly as we sink further into the bottomless pit,

But even in our darkest hours,

Our times of hopelessness,

Our days of helplessness and fear,

One brilliant light remains,

A light that leads from the depths of despair,

An energy that enfolds and protects,

A force that can capture you from infinite disaster,

It is the face of God,

Leading you back to Him.

Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on NO MORE DARKNESS

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 27, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

401368_584850381533956_1716596126_n

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WRITERS’ FUNNIES

WHY BLOG?

Posted on April 26, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

benjaminfranklin1

When I started blogging three years ago, I never dreamed it would become such a time consuming endeavor.  I’ve always felt strongly about certain issues, yet never felt comfortable confronting them face to face with others.  Writing has allowed me to express some of those thoughts without having to confront.

My intention was to share my belief in God with others – to let them know there was a way out of depression, anxiety and hopelessness – to show, by example, some of the miraculous ways God has affected my life – to share God’s love for me and the entire world.  Selfishly, I love to write.  I love making people laugh sometimes and cry others.  I enjoy getting a reaction, but I don’t enjoy stirring up controversy.

Occasionally I will receive a negative comment on my beliefs and it naturally makes the hair on the back of my neck bristle.  I go into defensive mode and my claws often come out, but it isn’t what I want to do.  I’d much rather express my opinion on this forum and hope that someone might have a positive reaction to it.

However, life isn’t that easy.  There will always be the skeptics, those who think you’re foolish, those who can’t wrap their minds around your concepts.  I know it isn’t within my power to change minds – only God can do that.  I know that my example for life hasn’t been perfect, so if I try to set myself up as such, I’m also setting myself up for failure.

So why do I blog?  Why does anyone write?  Why do we put ourselves out there, on display, for all the world to see?  There are days I ask myself those questions.  Maybe it’s addictive.  Maybe I can’t control myself.  Maybe, like my husband who needs to paint every day, I need to share my love for God through my words.  Whatever the reason, I hope that my original intent of sharing God’s Word with others will give even just one person peace.

LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR WORD!

Posted in Christian daily devotion, Faith, Uncategorized, writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

GOD LIVES

Posted on April 26, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

549256_2088268343360_1921955870_n

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

You were there when the mountains were carved, when life exploded,

When rivers were formed and when man was created from the dust.

You fill men with courage, honor, conscience, love, peace, endurance, faith,

You danced upon the heads of the apostles as they became filled with you.

You hold the hearts of those who die defending your name,

You lift us when we feel defeated.  You energize us when we grow weary.

You inspire us, enlighten, fill us with hope through all trials,

When we wonder where God has gone – when we lose confidence in humanity –

When we  have no where else to turn – You are there.

You’re unseen, but we know you are in our midst.

Your voice comes in the stirring of the wind,

Your touch can be felt when that same wind embraces us.

Your breath inspired men of God to write down your plan for our lives.

Each word penned points to our redemption, salvation and forgiveness.

You hear our prayers.  When we open our hearts and minds to speak to you, you listen.

God of heaven, three in One – Father, Spirit and the Son,

Live within us every day – give us courage as we pray,

Though our minds don’t comprehend, still you help us understand,

The mystery of your trinity, in faith we learn to trust in thee.

 

 

Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Poetry, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on GOD LIVES

GRR

Posted on April 26, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

grrt-shirtbanner1

Last night I happened to see a piece on the news regarding abortion rights and protesting.  I try to tune the news out as much as I can, but I thought it was interesting that a group of women were protesting for the right to abortion and most of them were my age or older.  It made me wonder why grandmas would be out there calling for the death of the unborn.  Are they getting sick of babysitting their children’s children?  I can’t imagine what their motive is.

I did a little research and discovered that an organization called GRR to denote Grandmas for Reproductive Rights, was founded by an 82 year old woman named Judy Kahrl.  Her father, Dr. Clarence Gamble, was a crusader for reproductive rights before that term was ever used.  He was also involved in the eugenics movement.  He set up birth control clinics which eventually became Planned Parenthood.  I suppose Judy grew up with this all her life and never thought there was an option.

I don’t wish to judge anyone in their opinions, because I am definitely not one to preach or sound holier than thou, but I simply don’t understand why there is a need to kill the unborn rather than making them available for adoption. It seems more “convenient” to get rid of it before it happens.

It appears that Judy’s group is growing by leaps and bounds and grandmas across the country are using their spare time to hold up signs and try to convince young women to abort their unborn and use contraception.  Maybe they should turn that around, with the contraception coming first.

Maybe young women need to be told by older women that sex isn’t a casual thing that you do on a whim.  Sex before marriage has become the norm and whose fault is that?  Maybe many of us grannys didn’t bother to tell their daughters to wait until marriage – to respect the act enough not to give it away to anyone and everyone.  All of this leads to STDs, emotional problems, guilt and so much more.

May I suggest a group of Grandmothers willing to stand for adoption and better sex education from a religious standpoint.  We’ve all become afraid to speak out on this very acceptable way of life for our young women.  It doesn’t have to be this way.  Life is precious on both ends of the spectrum.  To end it before it begins or before it ends is against everything that God holds dear.

 

 

 

Posted in Children, Christian daily devotion, Family, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 26, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

10376138_1488890151358234_2155154507551405017_n

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

MY BASEMENT IS A DUNGEON

Posted on April 25, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

thAXIKQ45D

(This is not actually our basement, but looks sort of like it.)

We moved from the city last fall, into a farm house which was originally built in 1875.  This little treasure was almost completely destroyed during the tornado of 1945, but part of it remained and was rebuilt over the top of the cistern which is our basement.  It’s large enough to house all the mechanicals.  The walls are made of bricks.  It’s remarkably dry and clean.  My husband has even thought about making it into a wine cellar and using it for days when he needs to get away from everything.

I, on the other hand, have not yet been down there.  There is some room for storage, but the thought of having a dungeon below our primary abode is a little disconcerting to me.  The day may come when another tornado spins through this part of the country and I will have to seek refuge in that place, but unless that happens, I will remain on terra firma.

I have visions of bats, spiders, rats and other assorted critters and frankly they all scare the bejeebers out of me.  I imagine weird things going on in that space at some time and it curdles my stomach.  Too much “Criminal Minds” thinking.  The thought of dungeon stirs the imagination to times when criminals were shackled to the walls and left to die – or instruments of torture were set up to execute justice.

Actually, I have too vivid of an imagination, so I will simply avoid that place and enjoy the rest of my “new” old house.  So far the only relics on the property are my husband and me.

 

Posted in courage, fear, Humor, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 25, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

11070188_1574539786126603_84343995658670946_n

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WRITERS’ FUNNIES

LET’S TALK

Posted on April 24, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

Communication_cartoon.png

The cartoon reminds me of a situation when my husband owned his own business.  He was dressed in his grubbies, painting the lettering on his front door, when a salesman arrogantly pushed him aside and asked to speak to the owner.  Needless to say, he didn’t sell anything that day.

The cartoon also speaks of how we miss opportunities because it’s too much work.  We like the easy way of doing things and now with so many new avenues in communication, we don’t have to work as hard anymore.  We can ignore emails, texts, even personal phone calls.  If we don’t feel like confrontation, we avoid it like the plague and it doesn’t matter, because everyone else is doing it too.

I had the honor of teaching public speaking skills to children from 5-8 grade in my career.  As time progressed, I could see a lack of confidence in this area, because it was no longer necessary.  Unfortunately, so many problems could be solved in this world if there was more face to face discussion.  It’s really a lost art and it is laborious.  Why is it that progress often gets in the way of the most logical way of handling things? When there’s a way of making things easier, we often opt for that way.

I have  friends who can’t seem to get over this past election.  They use social media to express themselves, over and over again, regarding it.  I wonder if they would be so vocal if they had to actually say the words in front of others.  We have come to rely on electronic communication to voice our opinions, without thinking how others might respond.  When you can’t see a face reacting to your words, you’re doing nothing more than spitting out opinions.

Maybe all this “knowledge” we’ve gained through technology should be put to the test.  Instead of using a phone, the internet or any forms of social media, we should make it a point to talk face to face with someone this week.  I think we’d be pleasantly surprised at the outcome.

Posted in Encouragement, inspiation, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 24, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

10805548_1528003630780219_6711177766165115726_n

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

MY GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD

Posted on April 23, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

wallpaper____awesome_god_by_katesblackvelvet

My God is an awesome God. He can be seen everywhere. His breath is in the wind, His voice is the powerful sound of thunder in the midst of a storm and the quiet sound of raindrops as they fall gently on the roof, His majesty, power and strength are displayed in the heights and solid rock of the mountains. His glory radiates in the light of the sun. He shows His face through the people who love Him. His arms surround us like giant eagle’s wings, with protection and care. His eyes are always on us.  We cannot hide from Him. He knows our wants and needs and provides as He sees fit. His love for us is evidenced by the sacrifice of His only son for our forgiveness.

I will praise Him for all the days of my life and call on Him in every need. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Posted in Christian devotion, God, praise, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 23, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

10689746_1491327917781124_783995884645084629_n

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

PROM TIME

Posted on April 22, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

(This is my grandson, Josh, who will be graduating from high school next month.)

Scrolling through Facebook, you can’t help but notice that it’s spring and young men’s fancies turn to thoughts of . . . well, uh, er, you know.  I don’t remember prom, because we never had one when I was in high school.  Dancing was forbidden at the time – for whatever reason.  I think it had something to do with those thoughts young men’s fancies turn to.  My first two kids had to suffer the same indignity, since they went to private Lutheran high school and things don’t change much in the Lutheran Church, until my third child became a Junior.  At that point, some bolt of lightening must’ve come out of the sky and declared that dancing was OK and proms were OK too.  She was the first in our family to attend prom.  Most families’ claim to fame is when a child is the first to graduate from college.

Looking at pictures today of these young adults who are no longer the kids I taught drama and public speaking skills to, makes me wonder where the time has gone.  As parents we look at our kids all gussied up in tuxedos and formals and wonder who they are?  We’re so used to seeing them in basketball or soccer uniforms, smelly sweat shirts and flannel pajama bottoms.  When they appear in this adult garb, it’s well, uh, er, you know … weird!

Kids surprise us everyday, but when they actually surprise you by becoming adults, its amazing.  You wonder how these kids jumped from insecure, shy, fun loving, daring, to sophisticated, glamorous and grown up,  How did that happen?  All of a sudden, they’re so much more than you ever dreamed – so confident – so polished.  Somewhere in the high school years, this transition takes place.

At times it seems they’ll never grow up.  There are the disagreements, the discipline issues, the hormones raging and well, uh, er, all that other stuff that goes along with the teen years.  You can pretty much count on not knowing much about anything in your teen’s eyes until they turn age 30 and realize that somehow you became really intelligent along the line.

Remember that the ground work you’re laying with your teens is going to last them a lifetime.  They are counting on you to be good role models, give them the tools they need to live, set boundaries for them.  Even though they think they know it all, they still need you.  Don’t let them down.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Posted in Christian daily devotion, Family, parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

HE MADE IT!

Posted on April 22, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

1dacaf072ba4a952ea759beca18f43d8

Oh come, let us sing unto the Lord …

Today is Earth Day.  Words will be spoken about man’s responsibility to take care of it.  There will be those who expound upon how we’re accountable for climate change, pollution and overpopulation.  Those words are nothing in comparison to the One who created this planet and every other orb in the universe.  He placed each one in perfect alignment, with the utmost care and perfection.

It is true that man is responsible for the decay and degeneration of our planet.  It started shortly after creation, when man desired to be equal with God and disobeyed Him.  It continues today for the same reason.

God created perfection.  Not one rock was out of place.  The earth was precisely watered by His own hand through a canopy which covered it.  Each molecule, each cell, each atom contained a design that could only be mastered by the divine.  Geometric shapes and mathematical equations are in all of it – not because of some man made engineering feat, but because God made it.

Even when the earth was covered with the great flood, God’s finger carved beauty within the landscape – cutting through mountains, creating caverns, canyons and valleys – preserving remnants of hidden civilizations within it’s belly.  Even when man pushed his way through the countryside, destroying prairies and forests, building factories, railroads and highways – God left beautiful vistas and landscapes in its wake.

It is our duty, as children of God, to preserve this planet as best as is humanly possible, but, as children of God, we also know that God is still in control even when we make a mess of things.  Our prayers are still heard.  For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.

Dear, Father, God, thank you for continuing to care for the earth, in spite of our mistakes and foolishness.  Help us remember that you can calm the seas and smother fires with one breath – that you are in control of rebirth and renewal.  Help us to trust in your almighty providence and keep our planet in your hands.  Amen!

Posted in Christian daily devotion, earth day, God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WRITERS’ FUNNIES

Posted on April 22, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

10686951_1491944494386133_8189949705701084361_n

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on WRITERS’ FUNNIES

LEAP OF FAITH

Posted on April 21, 2017 by atimetoshare.me

my-leap-of-faith

Who’d think that someone in their seventies would embark on a new challenge? Our current president, for example, has taken a round about turn in his career to see what he can do to make America great again.  Michelangelo, the artist, became Michelangelo the architect in his 70s and was commissioned to design St. Peter’s Basilica.  There are many who wait until their later years to shine and actually find their true calling in life.

Last summer, my husband and I took a giant leap of faith.  We’d lived in the same house for 24 years and it had become a drain on us financially – causing both of us to continue to work  We drastically downsized everything.  Things that we never thought we’d part with, became fodder for the thrift stores and junkyard.  All outside work came to a stop by the beginning of fall.  Careers that had been built out of love and hard work were set aside so that we could focus on a modest lifestyle with less expenses and thus more time together.

At the time, the whole process terrified me.  Retirement was never going to be an option.  I love what I do.  In an instant it was all gone and I was left with a feeling of emptiness and fear.  With the constant encouragement of my spouse, I soon learned that we could actually survive just on our social security.

Then came the expenses of buying an old house.  New wiring, new plumbing, new storage space, fencing for the dog, and tons of little things that ate away at our little nest egg, soon made us realize that employment of some kind was still necessary.

God knows what He’s doing with us.  It’s taken me a long time, but I’m finally beginning to get it.  We now live in a small community that loves the arts.  We spoke with some folks yesterday about a newly formed art center and will be getting involved there – teaching classes and helping in other ways.  We are slowly finding out what this town has to offer and how we can use our talents here, and maybe even make a few extra bucks without killing ourselves.

The point of this post is that we shouldn’t be afraid to take a chance – even when you’re way beyond big decision making years.  Remember that God is in charge of your life.  He’s mapped it out from beginning to end.  Sometimes the hardest door we have to open is our own, before we discover what lies beyond.  Putting our faith in Him has never disappointed us.  Being in our seventies isn’t the end of things. It’s just the beginning of a new adventure.

Posted in aging, Faith, God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments