A SHORT STORY . . . RESTORATION

Posted on August 4, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART FROM THE SKETCH BOOK OF PAUL BOECHER – FICTION BY KATHY BOECHER

This story is a result of sitting in front of my computer screen and trying to fill my time.

The small town was filled with a putrid smoke.  It lingered in the air for more than a week.  The sounds of death resounded from the quaint village of Murphy’s Valley. Time stood still for a while as bodies were transported in a hearse that might not endure the journey to the cemetery. Tears were not lacking.  Life was taking a vacation while this untimely virus invaded city after city.  It wasn’t long before the disease was referred to as an epidemic. People were required to quarantine. Memories of a past plague poured into the minds of each surviving citizen.  Maybe someone had committed a grave sin causing the germs to merged into the homes of the unsuspecting. This unexplainable hazard was different than the last somehow.  Each breath was met by a mask.  It had been five years since they last had to do that.  Many refused as others accpted the requirement.

The air remained stiff and unmovable into the next month.  Fifteen more had their lives taken from them.  There were some who had not even begun to live.  Seven children, two teens and six adults was the latest count in this town with a population of 536. It was dropping further each day.

John and Mary McDermott had just become husband and wife a week before this demon reared its ugly head.  Mary couldn’t endure the toxic air and fell victim to its long spindly arms as they choked the life from her.  John was beside himself.  He had waited for 35 years to find the right woman to marry and now she was gone.  It was probably the shortest marriage on record for Murphy’s Valley.

Each of the stories connected to these events were carved like chiseled scars into a tree.  Sapping the life from each and leaving behind emptiness unknown to them. The virus didn’t discriminate.  The young and old were affected.  Those they left behind would face years of grieving over a brand new form of death.

Jay Barber walked from his home to the town hall in hopes of receiving a vaccination to fight against the disease. He was told they had not discovered any kind of treatment for this horror.  Sally Harmon, drove around town trying to locate masks for her family.  Others stocked up on essentials that would get them through the next month.  The shelves were almost empty and no shipments were expected for another few weeks. It was a grave reminder of five years ago as goods were stockpiled for the COVID19 Apocalypse.

The familiar, broken down hearse from Jennings Funeral Home, made its way up the hill to everyone’s surprise.  This would add to the population adjustment.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months.  No word of a cure.  People grew tired of staying inside. They needed face to face contact again.  They needed to see body language and hear real words spoken.  Phones and pagers were discarded.  Computer screens went black.  This wasn’t going to be a rerun of five years ago.  Determination and grit became the words of the day as people tempted their own destiny by reaching out to others.  The single church in the center of town was filling up, even though they weren’t supposed to gather.  People hugged.  They cried.  They sang hymns of praised and prayed long hard prayers.  They slept in the church that night.

The sun began to burn off the everpresent haze.  Death stopped as new life was invigorated into the people.  The virus was unworldly. No one had ever experienced this horrid disease that knew no boundaries. Maybe it wasn’t a virus at all.

Posted in ART & FICTION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER, ART & POETRY BY THE BOECHERS, pandemic | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on A SHORT STORY . . . RESTORATION

I WANT MY MOMMY . . .

Posted on August 4, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Today’s watercolor shows the bend of a river as it flows gently through a treed landscape. It gives me a sense of comfort, as all of Paul’s art does. Focusing on the beauty in life is not only helpful, but it also becomes a necessity as daily problems arise. Those issues don’t give us warning. They just happen. You park your car on the street and get sideswiped. The damage is minimal, but the driver’s door refuses to unlock or open. You must rely on others to get you where you need to go. You hear in the Sunday sermon about the treasure of heaven and not placing your trust in things of this world as your bank account is slowly draining. You try to keep busy, but the air outside won’t allow you to because of smoke drifting in from Canada. There are chores to be done inside, but you’d much rather be working in your garden. You feel alone, even though you aren’t. You wander through each day, trying to cope but you don’t. You could easily fall into depression, but God tells you not to.

Each of these scenarios could sap your energy to the point of giving up, but your mind drifts back to your younger days, when mom always had the right words.

My mother was a wonderful lady who had to endure so much loss and pain in her life.  She was sister to seven others and lost five of them in her lifetime to tragic accidents or terminal disease.  Her father suffered terrible strokes.  Her mother wore out and gave up life at 76.  Her husband died at 61 of cancer.  He hung on for two years of chemotherapy and unbearable pain.  She married again and had to endure the death of that husband as well.  She always maintained a positive attitude in all her circumstances and was a great role model for my sister and I.  When she finally faced her last hours, she was ready to die, but she still clung to it until the very end.  I still miss her every day.

There is great comfort in having someone special to go to when things just aren’t going the way they should. Now that I’m having to rely on myself to make the right decisions, I would just love to have one more conversation with mom. I know that God will be there too, but there’s something about talking face to face with someone.

I wonder what my mom would say if she could see our world today.

She wouldn’t fret or cry  or sweat.  She’d say, “Some things you must forget.

The world will always be this way.  Tomorrow is another day.”

She’d talk of days of long ago and how they were the same, you know.

She’d say, “It’s best to look ahead instead of crying for the dead.

We still are living, breathing souls – we must go on amidst all foes.

Our Savior will protect us!”

I’m 83 years old. I still want my mommy. I feel alone. I trust in God’s constant attention to my needs and life. I will wait on the LORD. He will calm my fears. He will help me focus on the good things He has given me. Many of those who have influenced my journey are now in heaven, but I know that I am not alone.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Christian daily devotion, fears, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

CHURCH – YES OR NO . . .

Posted on August 3, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The number of excuses for not attending church is unending.

  • Everyone acts one way in church and another every other day of the week.
  • I’ve got a meal to prepare.
  • I don’t have time.
  • Church makes me feel uncomfortable about myself.
  • I don’t like all the formality of worship.
  • I can worship anywhere.
  • It’s a beautiful day and I’ve already booked my tee time.
  • I deserve one day to sleep in.

Add these

  • I study my Bible every day.
  • I don’t need to make an outward show of my beliefs on Sunday.
  • I have accepted Jesus, I don’t have to do anything else.
  • I lead a good life.
  • I don’t need to hear how bad I am.
    • Church is filled with hypocrites.
    • It’s too ritualistic.
    • I can watch the service online when I have time.

When we try to come up with reasons why we should be there, it’s more difficult.

  Start with this one

  • I want to thank God for getting me through another week.
  • I want to praise Him for helping me through difficult times.
  • I want to be with others who believe what I do so we can encourage each other.
  • My life is packed with so many things to do, I should be able to give my God at least an hour of my time.  ‘
  • When we turn things back to God, rather than ourselves, it’s easy to see why we should be in His house.

He loved us so much that He gave His Son to carry the sting of death which we should have endured.  The least we can do is give Him one day.  Praise Him, thank Him, ask for His blessings on your week, share your love for your fellow believers, encourage each other, lift others in prayer – WORSHIP!

“Come to me you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

NEVER WALK ALONE . . .

Posted on August 2, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This painting was done during the plein air competition in Hudson, WI several years ago. It reminds me of the days we visited this lovely area on the St. Croix River. There was so much to paint – beautiful scenes like the one pictured – original buildings made of brick and mortar and still standing tall – people enjoying the beauty of the water. This competition continues every year in Hudson. This year, Paul will not be painting. He’s busy consulting with the angels on the shades of the rainbow. Two of his past paintings will be on display, along with another artist who passed away this year. Tom Dimock and Paul Boecher were part of the original founding group of four when it first began. Pat Undis and Susan McLean Keeney comprised the rest of the team. I feel he would be very honored and humbled to be part of this show again.

A couple years ago, Paul was determined. His German heritage made him more so. His eyesight was beginning to fail as macular degeneration closed in. His paintings were becoming muddied. The brilliant colors of past works were diminishing. Still, there was no stopping him. He set up his easel near the water. There was a class of young sailors just entering the harbor. They noticed Paul and immediately gathered around and watched as he laid colors on the canvas and talked about his younger years, sailing on the water. He could strike up a conversation with everyone he met – whether he knew them or not.

The 2025 Plein Air in Hudson will hold the Awards Reception at the Seasons Gallery, Monday, August 11, 6:30pm-8:30pm – 401 Second Street – Hudson, WI.

OUR ROAD TOGETHER

Sun slowly sets, leaving glistening rays upon the still water,

We hold hands and think about tomorrow,

We plan,

We dream,

We pray for answers,

For wisdom, discernment, dependence on our God,

Some days we seem to approach a wilderness,

No plans,

Shattered dreams

Seemingly unanswered prayers

It appears that God is no where to be found,

But then the glow of His presence is felt in the skies,

The water,

The trees,

The reflections,

We can be still and know,

That He is there,

That He is God,

THAT HE’S GOT THIS!

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Inspiration, Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

FREAKY, FUNNY FRIDAY – PARENTING

Posted on August 1, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

THIS IS A TRUE STORY – I’M NOT SAYING I’M PROUD OF MYSELF – BUT HERE GOES.

Funny things happen to me all the time. Either that or I’m not all there and everything just seems funny.

My youngest daughter brought an assignment home to finish for her art class. It was made of paper mâché and when it dried completely, she was able to paint it. She was very proud of her work. She put extra effort into making it extra special.  It was worthy of a good grade.

Everyone turned in for the night and the little paper mâché dog sculpture sat unconcerned on the kitchen counter.  It was one of those nights when I semi-woke up and wandered aimlessly into the kitchen. I wasn’t fully conscious. This wasn’t unusual since I was often found sleepwalking. The house was dark. There wasn’t a sound to be heard except the growling coming from my stomach. Even though I was in a dream state, I felt the pangs of hunger.

My hands reached out in the darkness and landed on the dog art. Slowly I lifted the innocent victim to my lips. I opened my mouth. It looked like dark chocolate, but it didn’t smell like it. It didn’t smell like anything. My pearly whites wrapped themselves around the morsel and bit down.

It was one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever tasted. I immediately woke up, spit the tidbit into the garbage, rinsed my mouth out with water and went back to bed. Remember this.  I was not aware of any wrongdoing.

The next morning, I was sharply awakened by screams coming from my youngest child. I ran to see what happened and there she was with the decapitated dog in her hand.  She was devastated.  Suddenly, the events of the night before began to unfold before my eyes.  I couldn’t do anything but confess my guilt.

I had a hard time explaining the truth to my family and to her teacher that I had eaten her homework, but looking back, it was one of those funny things that stays with you for the rest of your life.  Finding humor in unlikely situations can make you look like a real idiot, or it can help you keep your sanity. Or both!

Posted in Family, Humor, parenting | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

STAGES OF GRIEF – ACCEPTANCE . . .

Posted on August 1, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

This piece of pastel art expresses the light at the end of our suffering. For those who are going through the grieving process, it doesn’t seem you’ll ever get better. Your memories are sustaining you. Your family and friends are checking in on you. Those you associate with you are giving you encouragement. Most of all, God has been through the entire process with you; covering you with His mighty wings; rebuilding the losses you’ve endured; guiding you through each day; making your own path to heaven possible.

Jacob is a good example of this. In the book of Genesis, we read how he physically wrestled with God. He had a life of struggle, but he usually wound up on top. The problem is that he was a con man and used untruths to get ahead. His time in the desert led to meeting God in the darkness of night, wrestling with Him, eventually surrendering but not without injury. In the process of grieving, we too are in a battle with God. It’s not easy to surrender, but a necessary part of the process. During Paul’s final year of living, we talked a lot about turning things over to God, and how our pride and sinful nature lead us to think we can control our destiny. The ability to let go, be still and know that He IS God and capable of anything, is that final test which will give us eternal peace

When we reach this stage, we’ve decided to stop feeling sorry for ourselves.  We determine to believe our circumstances are real and begin to live with them.  Not everyone will go through these steps of the grieving process, but one thing we must learn from any kind of loss is that we’re not alone in our struggle. The scars from grief are many. Eventually they will fade away. Our memories will keep our loved one alive until we join them in eternity.

GOD HAS THIS!

When bruised and injured we do fall, before our Father’s throne
And look upon the lamb once slain for all sins to atone,
Our pain is nothing next to His, our wounds are all but naught.
The blood He shed, His torturous death were all with insult fraught,

But still the Son of God went forth in dignity and strength,
He took our place and bore the cross until His dying breath,
Three days went by.   He shunned the grave and rose to life again.
He did this so I too could claim a life in heaven with Him.

Sweet Jesus you have walked the road that I deserved to go. You did this oh so willingly, You knew just what to do. So, when I’m feeling battered and pulled in many ways. Remind me of the walk you took and please accept my praise.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, grief, life after death, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

STAGES OF GRIEF – DEPRESSION

Posted on July 31, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART  & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

When fears and worries are so real,
We sometimes wonder why we feel,
The pangs of deep depression.

The weight’s extreme – we lose all hope,
Our hearts grow sad – for strength we grope,
To lighten this progression.

We look within and try to cope
There are no answers in our scope
It now becomes oppression.

We try so hard to rise above,
We search in vain for any love.
To deal with this obsession.

We cannot do it on our own,
We need one advocate alone,
To bring our full confession.

God takes our hand and leads us out,
Relieves our pain – our fear – our doubt.
He is our best possession.

His love is great – it sees us through
When there is nothing we can do.
Our words hold no expression.

He lifts us from the pit of death.
He died for us to give us breath.
To wipe out our transgression.

When we lose someone to death, there’s an immediate sadness.  We worry how we’ll survive, how we’ll pay for funeral expenses, how we’ll live without the deceased.  In this situation we all could use a big hug, but even that doesn’t make the pain go away.  We must keep ourselves occupied, busy and in some sort of state of normalcy.  One of the signs of depression is escaping into the world of sleep. This place of refuge seems the most logical, because for the most part sleep eats up time that we would normally be using to mourn. With sleep dreams come. They may be about the departed. They may leave you even more depressed. So, how does one escape this downward spiral. It becomes a dark rabbit hole that could ultimately lead to suicidal thoughts. If you thought you were vulnerable at the beginning of this process, it appears even worse as time goes by.

For me, personally, I have felt this way from time to time. I can usually overcome feelings of depression by finding something to keep me busy. Lately, I’ve been going through the motions of living. I rise early in the morning. I do all the necessary things to get ready for the day. I sit down in front of my computer and think about what to write for my daily blog. Most of my morning is spent doing household chores. The afternoons have been swallowed up lately with dangerous air quality. My breathing issues make it almost impossible to go outside, so I stay in trying to keep my mind occupied with menial tasks. After dinner, I retreat to my chair and watch television until it’s time to go to bed. I think this step is probably the hardest because I begin to feel alone, even though I have my grandson living with me. For these many past months there has been a plethora of activity. Now there is none. This is the time to set aside those lonely feelings and reach out to those who care about you. You may think you can handle everything on your own, but you can’t.

God has been with you during this entire time. He will continue to walk with you and guide you through the plan He has designed for your life. Don’t ever forget that. Also, this is the time to reach out to those closest to you. Your family and friends can be a great source of encouragement. Don’t let your mind shift into dark places. The Light of the World is your best friend. He will never let you go.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, depression, grief, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

STAGES OF GRIEF – BARGAINING & GUILT

Posted on July 30, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

Several years ago, Paul went on a retreat with one of his old high school buddies in Wisconsin. This was a time of fellowship, renewing old memories and painting plein air. The artists were asked to paint various elements of nature. The first day – sky, Day 2 – land, Day 3 – water and on the 4th day they would paint all the elements together. These were painted on window shades, so the size and majesty of each painting was evident. Paul’s work always inspires me. I know he was in love with God. His work shows that. He knew he was forgiven and he would be with His savior forever. How can I feel guilty about that?

The third step in the grieving process is bargaining and guilt. When our loved ones are at death’s door, do we bargain with God? Do we pray for easing of pain and suffering and even sometimes ask for God to take that person home to heaven? Do we wish that it had been us instead of them? Do we feel guilty for thinking that way? Guilt is hard to admit. We have, however, been forgiven from all our sins. Because of our gratitude for God’s greatest gift, the rest of our days should be spent thanking and praising Him. Each Sunday we confess our sins. We repent. We receive God’s forgiveness. Our guilt acts as a reminder of the necessity to put God first in our lives. It also shows us our need for a Savior. The beauty of being sanctified comes by continuing to live life with a purpose. To serve Him, to care for others, to pray for them, to share your love of God with them and to reach out with the good news to everyone you meet.

My life on this planet is merely a breath,

There isn’t enough time it seems,

No work that I do here will help me face death,

The love of the Christ child redeems.

 His sweet little hands reach up from the manger

To touch the face of His mother,

One day those hands would be subject to danger.

Giving His life for His brothers,

We thank you, dear Jesus, for loving us so,

We praise you for what you have done,

You reclaimed our salvation and we can go,

To paradise which you have won.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, grief, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

STAGES OF GRIEF – ANGER . . .

Posted on July 29, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The second step in the grieving process is anger. Anger is an almost uncontrollable emotion. It can eat away at our very souls and destroy us if we let it. Most of the time it will cause us to become anxious or depressed. Maybe this step is the hardest one for me. I haven’t really experienced it yet. Yes, I am angry that Paul isn’t here to help me through some difficult decisions. I’m angry that I wasn’t the first to find peace in heaven. I’m angry that my husband will not be here to see his grandchildren marry and have children. I’m angry that he isn’t here to make me laugh when I want to cry – encourage me when I feel I’ve failed – inspire me to do the best I can. He was my soulmate. I loved him with all my heart. It might not seem fair. I may want to blame someone. I could even believe that God is testing me again. I guess I have experienced it. Like I said yesterday, each one of us will go through this grieving process in a different way and even on a different time line.

In the watercolor painting today, we see three bison on the edge of the cliff. They look down and see the end of their lives awaiting them. A whole herd of bison are running behind them, there is nowhere else to go. Maybe this is the anger we experience when someone we love dies. It may seem that life will end for us soon. It may be that the weight of the world will finally be conquered. Instead of anger, I think what I’ve experienced is frustration. Yet, even in those darker days of resentment and anxiety, there is the assurance that we are not alone.

Through the darkness and the shadows, God is with me all the way,

Even when the road is cluttered, with the cares of every day,

When I’m lonely or downhearted, fears surround on every side,

When the path is filled with danger, He will always be my guide.

The world attacks and arrows pierce, death will overtake and win

Still the breath of life will conquer, Jesus washed away my sin,

Here on earth there will be trouble, but in heaven no more fear,

Still He watches and protects me, grace He adds to every year.

Every day is such a blessing, when we walk with God’s own Son,

He brought peace to all the living, and in death our souls are won,

Thank you, Jesus for your passion, for your grace and love so true,

The gates of heaven now open, when we just believe in You.

Posted in anger, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, life after death, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

MUG SHOTS . . .

Posted on July 28, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & STORY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

If you’ve ever had to look at mug shots at a police office. let me tell you, it’s not an easy task. I had the experience when I was working for a loan company at the age of 21. This is a true story, but before I get into it, take a look at all the above studies of various animals and one fellow put in for good measure. Pretty easy to determine what’s what. Paul had a keen eye for creating paintings, sketches, watercolors and wood sculptures that looked pretty much like the real thing. He was a gifted artist who made a career through his art. It wasn’t a hobby for him, though in his later years, he spent almost every day with a paintbrush, pencil or chisel in his hand.

Now to my story. It was the end of the workday. I was excited for the day to end because I was going for a fitting of my wedding dress after work. I quickly tallied the contents of my cash drawer and locked it up and was about to add the checks to be deposited. Just as I heard the click of that key, a couple of men entered the office wearing face masks and carrying guns. They focused on me mainly, because I was closest to the cash drawers. They told the other two employees to get down on their knees close their eyes.

All kinds of thoughts went through my mind. I was supposed to get married in a few weeks. My life was just beginning. My early years rushed through my mind as I imagined I wasn’t long for this world. One of the men came to me and told me to open the drawer as the other held his gun on the others. I tried as hard as I could to open the drawer, but it wouldn’t open. The more I tried, the harder it seemed to resist. Finally, the man told me to get down on the floor and count my blessings. Then there was an eerie silence. It seemed like time stood still for a while. There was no sound – no movement – nothing. In those brief seconds, I prayed that God would spare us any injury or even death.

At last, one of the other employees spoke. “They’re gone! They went out the back door. Get up and someone call the cops.”

Apparently, the nightmare was over, but was it? The police dusted for fingerprints and interviewed me, since I was the only one to interact with the thieves. They said I’d have to come to the station and look at some mug shots. I wondered how that was going to help, since I saw neither of their faces. Still, I agreed. When I got there, I assumed it would be like those lineups on TV which show a few people under blinding lights, line up with no ability to see who was looking at them. The witness would look through a glass one way window to see if any of the people looked familiar. It wasn’t that way at all.

There was no way I could recognize either of these guys. They were all about the same size. There was no glass window, nothing separating me from them. When the lights went out, they all filed out, right in front of me.

I told the police the perps were wearing masks, but they said they were more interested in the body size, weight any tattoos, color of hair and things like that. It was impossible to imagine what they looked like under those face masks. One voice sounded like the manager of the bowling alley nearby. Not being sure about anything made me an unreliable witness, so they sent me home. The next day there was an article in the newspaper about the robbery – along with a photograph of me (that looked like one of those mugshots I had viewed) along with my address, age and name.

I had escaped death, by the grace of God. However, I still felt terribly vulnerable due to the fact that the robbers would most likely see my mugshot in the newspaper and come after me. My soon-to-be husband rescued me and took me to his family’s summer home where I stayed until the heat cooled off.

The robbery was unsuccessful so there was no more police involvement, but like most things that are done for personal gain, someone will be affected, and I was. It took a long time for me to go back to that job, but I did. Not to mention I’m still here to tell the tale.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!

Posted in armor of God, art by Paul T. Boecher, fears, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

STAGES OF GRIEF – DENIAL & ISOLATION

Posted on July 28, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The promises of streets of gold and no more tears to shed,
Hope for peace and quiet times – no fear of falling dead,
The feast that goes on day and night and never fails to please,
A life of independence and of everlasting ease.

It has been almost seven complete months since my husband went to his heavenly home. During the early days of grieving, I was given many books to read about the process of facing death and what to expect with the outcome. It seems that everyone goes through this at different times and in different ways. This week, I’m going to delve into those steps each day and try to pass along what I’ve discovered along the way. The first step in the process of grieving is denial & isolation. Personally, my experience isn’t the same as everyone else’s. It doesn’t make sense to put people into pigeonholes, but sometimes it’s helpful to see how others deal with grief, so we know how to cope.

Denial & Isolation – When we first experience loss of any kind, we go through a period of denial.  Losing someone dear to most isn’t easy. We don’t want to admit our feelings of loss, so we isolate ourselves from others and pull deeper within.  We don’t want to listen to the words of comfort, because we don’t believe them.  We grow further away from those who cherish us. Even when the one we lose has gone through a long battle of illness, we try to convince ourselves that it’s for the best. Those words of comfort aren’t going to mean much to someone who has just experienced the death of a loved one. We’re stunned by the magnitude of the situation.  Emotions are numbed by feeling we should be prepared for the unknown. In my case, I felt a certain relief that my husband had entered the heavenly realms. That his pain and suffering were over, but at the same time I wanted to hang onto him for the rest of my life.

My family was a great help during this time of grieving. They made sure I didn’t retreat into isolation. I pushed myself too. Instead of hiding, I continued to write each day. I discovered inspiration from Paul’s many paintings for my daily blog. I felt connected to him by doing so. Acceptance wasn’t really an issue for me, because I knew that death isn’t the end for those who love God. I knew where this man was going, because of what both of us believed. I also know that Jesus wept when he heard that his dear friend died. When we allow those tears to fall, we are releasing endorphins. In turn those endorphins get rid of the stresses that set in. We can’t hold back tears, but keeping busy allowed me to focus on other things. Looking back at special times we shared together was also a comfort. I learned that in the last year of our journey. One important thing to both of us, was to create memories of those last days and how they were spent.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, everyone is different. We don’t all grieve in the same manner or at the same time. These are simple guidelines to help us along the way. Knowing that God is with us through everything we encounter in our lives, gives us great peace and comfort.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, grief, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER . . .

Posted on July 27, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The art of observation is a talent in itself. I looked at this one and saw a cobblestone walk in a wilderness environment. It set my mind to wondering if someone may have lived on the edge of that river. What happened to his home? Apparently, he made a place to shelter himself, complete with field stones surrounding it. Did he have a family? Was he a loner, making a new life for himself in the west? My imagination swelled as I looked deeper into the painting. I immediately had a whole different story to observe. It could have been a lake loaded with lily pads. I could almost hear frogs croaking in unison as their chorus welcomed the day. The way we look at things can change in a second. The mystery that Paul created in each of his works is evident in this one. The morning sun, rising over each crevasse of the mountain range, sifting through magnificent pines, gives a peaceful feeling to this painting. What do you see?

THE BITTER THINGS IN LIFE,

SADNESS, LONELINESS, FEAR, DEATH, TRIALS, INDIFFERENCE, HATRED,

LEAD TO

ANGER, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, FRUSTRATION & EMPTINESS.

BUT WHEN OUR HEARTS ARE FILLED WITH JESUS,

WE FEAST ON THE WORD OF GOD,

THE HOLY SPIRIT ENTERS OUR SOUL,

WE TRANSFORM,

WE’RE JOYFUL,

PATIENT,

LOVING,

COMPASSIONATE,

CONTENT,

EMPTY DAYS, LONELY NIGHTS, EMPTY HEARTS BECOME FULL,

WE BECOME THANKFUL, GRATEFUL, FAITHFUL, PRAISE FILLED.

WHEN WE ARE DRAWN TO THE LIGHT, WE RECEIVE GRACE –

AN UNDESERVED GIFT FROM THE SON OF GOD.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, creation, Jesus, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on EYE OF THE BEHOLDER . . .

DOWN IN THE VALLEY . . .

Posted on July 26, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

So many songs have been written about the mountains, streams, valleys. All of these describe a perfect oasis – a refuge from the crushing noise of civilization – a sanctuary where you can be alone with God and express your greatest needs to Him in prayer. You have access to the Almighty.
Artists’ renditions of these remarkable locations can almost transport you to them. Words cannot sufficiently verbalize all the beauty that these places contain. The above painting comes from the mind of a talented man, who loved nature – found solace there – had a special connection with God – photographed these places in his brain for future reference. Being there is the only way to feel the contentment God intended for our pleasure. Being there through the art my husband created takes me there. Thank you, Paul.

Where do you find contentment when all around seems lost,

In city streets so dimly lit, at an expensive cost,

In valleys green where water pours through rivers pure and clean,

In waters deep, that wind and creep and keep the valley green,

In the darkness of the soul within, is that where you find peace,

In a sanctuary built of stone, where your problems you release,

Do you see it in the people that you greet most every day,

Is it in the quiet laughter of a child alone at play,

Is it in the calm serenity of music, art or dance,

Or does it come from looking at your love’s sweet, smiling glance,

Don’t search in darkest corners, you’ll never find it there,

The light that shines from heaven, has vanquished all your care.

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
    the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;
or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you;
    and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
    and the breath of all mankind.

Job 12:7-10

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

FREAKY, FUNNY FRIDAY . . .

Posted on July 25, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

I started out bald. I looked pretty much like a billiard ball until the age of one. It was then that hair actually appeared on my little noggin. Eventually it grew long enough for mom to curl it into rags and make beautiful, golden locks from it. Shirley Temple was all the rage when I was a little girl, so I fit the mold perfectly. As time went by, my hair turned a little darker until finally when I entered high school it was referred to as dishwater blond. Who wants to be stuck with a color like that? So, I found a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in the medicine cabinet and thought I’d give it a try. The change was gradual, which is precisely what I wanted. My mom never understood why she had to keep replacing the peroxide. Maybe she thought I was using it on my teeth.

Those high school years led to various rinses that would enhance the color of my hair. Nothing too damaging and certainly not as bad as pouring peroxide on my head every day. By the time I graduated, I had platinum blond hair. Years passed. I got tired of the Marilyn Monroe look and opted for a different color. By then I was married, and my husband had married a blond. I proceeded to experiment with different shades of blond. I even tried darker colors – dirty blond, ash blond, strawberry blond, honey blond. Who knew there were so many shades of one color?

After the birth of three children, I started to branch out even further. One week, in fact, I turned from blond to redhead to brunette and finally green hair. My husband told his friends he had gone to bed with a blond, redhead and brunette all in one week. When it turned green, he said nothing.

When my youngest daughter went to cosmetology school, I was lured into trying a plethora of new hair colors. I finally decided on the highlighted look and stuck with it for many years. It was a good choice. The colors blended well with the new natural gray tones beginning to appear.

Then I retired at age 75 I decided it was time to let nature take its course. It was getting expensive. It was one way to cut down on unnecessary costs. Within months, I still had highlights running through my crown of glory. Here I am, eight years later and I still have highlights. Maybe I should’ve saved myself a lot of money and lived with what I had. Maybe I should’ve done that with all the mistakes I made along the way.

Posted in aging, humor, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

IF BIRDS COULD TALK . . .

Posted on July 25, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This painting shows how birds communicate. You can almost hear this one screeching to another hawk to warn them of oncoming danger. Yes, they do have a language all their own. Not in words that we know, but a complete vocabulary that speaks to their own species – helps them select a mate – warns of dangerous situations – calls for help – even uses his voice for comforting. Isn’t it great how God gave each creature – great and small – the ability to converse with those sounds emitting from their mouths?

No matter what language we use, we are also warned to think before we speak. Words spoken in anger will stay with us forever. They will affect those to whom they are spoken. We can’t erase them no matter how hard we try, but we certainly can ask for forgiveness for saying them. When we’re in danger, we cry out for help. When we’re searching for someone who is lost, their name is shouted out in hopes that they will be found. When we need a friend, a word of comfort, a hug, or just can’t find the right words, God is there to provide them. The Bible is the source of God’s voice. He speaks to us directly through His Word. There is no language barrier. Communication doesn’t always seem logical, but it’s supported by other words within the same book. It has been a number one seller for centuries. It’s been available to just about everyone through translations that fit the language. God breathed the words into the pens of His and gives them to us at no cost. What a blessing from God.

Psalm 91:1-6 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”  For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

I hear my Father’s loving voice in every single word,

He speaks them to me with wisdom, beyond what I have heard,

His voice rings true, His love does too, it will not be deterred,

His perfect plan is written there so we can be referred,

To God’s own paradise above, our souls will be conferred,

Because of His own precious Son, salvation has occurred.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Bible, Encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

HE LEADS ME . . .

Posted on July 24, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Today’s watercolor shows a depth of color using only earth tones. The deer is feeding on lush grasses as the trees protect her from predators. You can see the light dancing through the branches as she fills her tummy with nourishment. A taste of morning dew adds to the meal. It is so comforting to know that the God who created all things makes sure that they are well provided for and protected. If he does so with the creatures of the forests, how much more will He provide for the ones He created in His own image. Blessings every day, even when we don’t honor and thank Him for them. Thank you, Jesus, for another day.

Encased by brush and branches there, the safe refuge holds you tight,

The world is oh so far away, you’re hidden from its sight,

The fear you hold within your mind, adrenaline will excite,

But comfort still you harbor there, it prevents you from all fright,

So quietly you stand at bay, you hang on with all your might,

The clouded, purple skies of above, retreat into endless night,

You know you can’t hide forever.  Your dreams fade and lose delight,

He knows your every single move.  From heaven He sees your plight,

He sent His Son to die for you – and eliminate sin’s bite,

He changes hearts and human minds.  He’s returned dark into light,

Your life is in His strong right hand, your future is looking bright.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, God, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

THE WONDROUS PELICAN . . .

Posted on July 23, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

WATERCOLOR ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER

This lovely watercolor shows the great beak of a wondrous bird, the pelican. Today I’m foregoing my own poetry for that of a man named Dixon Lanier Merritt. It is often credited to Ogden Nash, who wrote many limericks and humorous poems. Today, we set the record straight.

Paul and I took many little road trips together and especially enjoyed a wildlife refuge in Sherburne County, MN. All sorts of birds gathered in that place. It wasn’t unusual to find Sandhill Cranes, Trumpeter Swans, Eagles, Ducks of many types and Pelicans taking advantage of this wonderful sanctuary. A driving trail leads through the park, highlighting areas where these many species gather at the same watering hole. Not unlike us human creatures. We too can take advantage of God’s beautiful creation, because He made it for our pleasure.

A WONDERFUL BIRD IS THE PELICAN, BY DIXON LANIER MERRITT

A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican,
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I’m damned if I see how the helican!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a built-in refrigerator attached to your face, where you could store enough food for a week? Especially if you’re flying somewhere and don’t know what kind of grocery stores you might encounter on the trip. God certainly knows how to plan for all of us.

Posted in art by Paul T. Boecher, Humor, Nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

DON’T HOLD BACK . . .

Posted on July 22, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

If you’ve ever taken a family vacation to the western states, the above painting is a familiar sight. Yellowstone Falls is a mainstay of photographers, sight seers, campers and artists. It’s one of those places that sticks in your memory for a long time. I have a much larger version of this work in my foyer. It brings back so many memories. Do you have a special place that clings to your heartstrings? Paul and I revisited Yellowstone after our children were all grown up. This time our camping was done in the back of our pickup truck. No fear of bears invading the food supply, only the sounds of nature and a million stars filling the sky. It was time to turn in for the night. Paul remained for a while until the campfire was almost gone while I headed back to the camper to get ready for bed. For some reason – maybe the altitude = maybe my resistance to camping – perhaps the fear of someone or something pouncing on me in the darkness. Maybe it was mountain sickness or my fear of small places. Whatever it was led to a most embarrassing moment. The walls began to close in. My head was spinning. The darkness was indelible. Paul entered the camper. I began to scream like a wild woman. “Leave me alone. Get out of here. My husband will take care of you.” Well, it didn’t take long for the entire campground to come to life. It so happened that our site was located right next to the manager. Needless to say, we spent the rest of our trip in motels. Paul thought I did an excellent job of acting in order to get my way.


A haze encapsulated sky sheds a minute dose of light,

Upon the river’s edge,

Capturing reflections,

Dispersing shadows,

Displaying an array of natural color,

Until only a few short months ago,

The ice retreated from the glacial lake,

Which once was a frozen mass of crystal shards,

Now replaced with a new beginning,

A new day has dawned,

Light dances across the water,

To a symphony of brilliance,

Performed by an orchestra of birds,

Bullfrogs,

Crickets,

The dance will not end until night falls,

The waters have returned,  God’s finger has opened them,

This is a time of transition,

Time to sweep out the cobwebs of discontent,

Time to lift the veil of anticipation,

And look ahead to coming days,

To reach heights never dreamed of,

To find renewal,

To live.

In our efforts to conform, we often hold back from trying something different. When our circumstances change, we adjust and adapt. Life goes on. God wants us to enjoy every area of His creation. Don’t hold back. Live!

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, God, grief, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

THE FORGIVENESS TREE . . .

Posted on July 21, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

WATERCOLOR ART BY PAUL BOECHER & SHORT STORY BY KATHY BOECHER

There are days when forgiveness seems impossible. Someone has wronged you and made you feel insignificant or useless. Their words and actions have left you empty. Forgiving a person for hurting you in such a way is difficult, but God commands us to do so. Paul’s watercolor painting seems to fit the short story that follows.

I guess I was about five when I realized I could climb up that maple tree in our backyard.  Dad said, his father planted it when he was just a young boy.  I grew up in my grandfather’s house, you see. He died before I was born, but I could feel his presence each time I pushed my way through the aging branches of his tree. 

There was a swing, attached by heavily woven rope which had endured the years of storms and weather.  It was still there when I came along.  I guess my dad couldn’t bear parting with it because of the memories it held.  Grandpa died when he was only 56 years old, leaving my dad in charge of the family business. Grandma didn’t take any of it very well. Eventually she passed away too. Dad was well into his 30s before he met mom.  The old timber frame house became dad’s.  He carried mom over the threshold when they married.  He hustled her out the front door to make it to the hospital in time for me to be born.  Two more babies would come through that front door after me. 

Dad showed me how to straighten bent nails so they could be reused. A lesson in patience I guess. Yet there were times I didn’t understand dad. He was strict. Never hurt me, mind you, but a glance of disappointment would burn like a scalding branding iron.

I was thirteen when dad went to heaven. It’s hard to believe I made it through that time. For a while I blamed God for taking him away from me when I needed him most. I was angry that He didn’t let him attend my wedding or meet his grandchildren.

Why did he have to die? I wanted to die too. My life was a mess. I’d spend hours in that treehouse.  I remember sitting there during a terrible rainstorm.  The wind was blowing. The walls began to shake. I thought this might be the end of the simple refuge in grandpa’s tree. Dad’s words whispered in my ear. “If you have a good foundation, you can count on a sound building.” 

Things began to deteriorate. I got mixed up with the wrong crowd, starting using drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of losing the most important man in my life. I saw how my behavior was affecting my mother and my siblings, but nothing seemed to wipe away the tears that burned in my heart. I missed my dad, even that steely glare he’d send my way.

Eventually nothing would heal the pain. I hit rock bottom. I remembered the words of my mom after dad died. “God will never leave us, even in our darkest times.” I didn’t put much stock into those words, but as days turned into nights and life reeled into darkness, I heard her words again. Once more I retreated to the safety of the tree. I knelt down and asked God to be with me. I couldn’t go on living the way I was. In that moment I realized that God had been with me through it all. He never gave up on me. In spite of my resistance, God forgave my drifting from Him and He still loves me as I’m sure my own father did. Now it was time to forgive myself.

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

MORNING VISITOR . . .

Posted on July 20, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This morning view of a peaceful forest, with a mighty white-tailed buck is fodder for another painting. The sketch is a mixture of colored pencils and watercolor. Paul’s happiest place was in the woods, whether it was painting, hunting, or just observing God’s beautiful creation. My happiest place was with him. I can still feel his presence through his amazing collection of art. I am so grateful for my life with this amazing man.

The beauty of the morning mist – the trees by sunshine have been kissed,

Each day that dawns gives life anew – brings light amidst the sparkling dew,

The creatures of the forest wake – a breakfast free for them to take,

The needs of every single one – are blessed by God through morning sun,

Like panes of stained-glass windows glow – He’s everywhere that life does grow,

His breath revives, restores and lives – His bounty for His creatures gives,

And when that final breath I take – a brand-new life with Him He’ll make.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, God, Nature, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments