TESTING MY FAITH

Posted on June 13, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART AND POETRY BY PAUL AND KATHY BOECHER

Our world is full of tragic news and heartfelt disconnection.

We struggle to find good in all the strife and insurrection.

The devil uses all these things to tug within our reasoning.

He twists and turns our very 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 to forage for their meal,

But never will he find surcease for God will always heal.

The day will come when victory will come 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.

Posted in aging, Encouragement, Faith, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

GARAGE SALE OBSERVATIONS, FRIDAY THE 13TH & SINGING IN THE RAIN . . .

Posted on June 13, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

The title for my post actually sums up what’s been going on this past week along with months of planning and digging and pricing things that to us were treasures. To most it might just be a reminder to clean out their own trash. Having a sale of this magnitude is an adventure in itself. From sorting through a storage locker to sifting through years and years of possessions that you’ve hung onto for decades. That, along with admitting you don’t need any of this stuff sounds like an intervention.

Sitting at a garage sale, watching people is quite interesting though. You have the eager young couple looking for baby clothes and items to fill their nursery. There’s the book lover that walks away with a dozen books you should’ve donate them to the +church. Then there’s the guy who must frequent every garage in town. To him (apparently retired) this is how he passes the time of day. He has a million stories to tell and has a captive audience. Someone spots the entire bin of hunting clothes and scoops them up at a real bargain. Another has a story about how he will have to spend a fortune shipping all these items back to his family in another country, as his reason for not being able to spend so much on an item. After about an hour of this conversation, he walks out with most of the free items and returns the next day for more.

We’ve gotten rid of a small portion of the goods; however, each day has also brought its share of rain showers. Yesterday a canopy was set up to protect things outside, but the wind swept it up and onto the roof of the garage. It was a remarkable sight – like a hot air balloon lifting off for its maiden flight.

To top everything off, today is Friday the 13th. I am not superstitious, but things have not been looking good so far. I have not contributed much as far as being a helper at this event. I have a lot of items in it, but I’m limited because – let’s face it – I’m going to be 83 next week. I have been able to look after my great grandbaby a little, but as far as being involved, I just ain’t got the get up and go I once possessed. Besides all this, we’re contending with unfit air for old folks and babies. It’s raining again today and is expected to continue through the next few days. I guess all we can do is sing in it.

As with most of my posts, I like to conclude with some inspiration. All I can think of when it comes to this is a Bible passage that speaks about hanging onto things.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Posted in aging, perseverance, treasure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

MISSING MY DAD . . .

Posted on June 12, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

This Throwback Thursday article was first posted on 06/14/17.  The photograph is of my dad on his wedding day.  He was only twenty years old. He died at the age of 61 – a short life, but one filled with more love in his heart than he dared to show.

My dad taught me how to tie my shoes.
He grieved with me when my box turtle fell off the ledge
of our fourth floor apartment.
He came with me to the five and dime to return a trinket I had stolen
and made me apologize for not paying for it.
He caught me taking one of his cigarettes – A camel without a filter.
He then taught me the proper way for a lady to hold a cigarette.
I was probably fifteen.
My dad taught me the difference between right and wrong
And let me know that I would always be accountable for my actions.
When I became a teenager, he was the one who told me the facts of life.
It really made him squirm.
He always “interviewed” my dates.
They had to pass his inspection, but their opinion of him didn’t matter.
He would be at the door to greet us when we got home.
I tried my best to live up to his expectations, but I never felt I could.
His words of praise were few and far between,
But I relished each one and held it tightly in my heart.
He worked two jobs so I could attend a private high school.
He wanted so much more for my sister and me –
More than he ever had.
He must have thought we needed extra attention.
He had a beautiful tenor voice and always sang loudly in church.
His Irish heritage boomed on St. Patrick’s day as he sang “Danny Boy”
And raised another glass. He could drink more beer than the rest
Of them and it didn’t affect him in the least.
Time passed and I fell in love. My dad went a little crazy for a while.
He put the newspaper in the refrigerator
and the bread down the clothes chute.
He became an emotional wreck.
He held my arm tightly as we walked down the aisle to meet my husband,
I could see tears glistening in his usually stoic eyes. He was so proud.
He died at sixty one – a long time smoker – he suffered with lung cancer.
He clung tightly to life – maybe feeling he wasn’t
quite ready for what lay ahead.
Maybe he hadn’t yet made peace with God for his past sins.
Finally knowing that he was forgiven allowed him to give in.
It gave him comfort.
I wasn’t at his side when he passed. We were driving to be with him.
As I looked at the brilliant blue sky, a cloud appeared and took on the
Form of a dove. It quickly floated high above and dispersed into heaven.
It gave me comfort.
I look forward to seeing him again so I can let him know
what a great impact he had on my life.

Posted in Family, Father's Day, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

SEEING HIM FACE TO FACE . . .

Posted on June 11, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

These two paintings were part of a collection of animal paintings Paul did for his grandchildren. The thing I like most about them is the eyes. They seem to be staring right at me. Looking at someone face to face and eye to eye has become a lost art. I look into the eyes of my great grandson, and he still has the ability to look right back at me. I find him often staring right into my eyes too. This basic tool of communication is one that requires the use of our eyes. When it comes to our prayers and talking intimately with our God, we don’t have the benefit of that gift. Someday we will see Him face to face. Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

I look into your eyes and what do I see?

Am I the sweet reflection that you wanted me to be?

I know that you are wise in all that you do.

I can’t begin to realize how little I know you.

I know that love me as your own dear child.

You’ve spread your grace upon me with your Son, most undefiled.

When death comes near, to end my days, I won’t fear.

I’ll see you face to face that day and see your eyes so clear.

The world is dark, you bring the light of your Son,

You’ve taken all my sins away. Perfection has been won.

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

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS . . .

Posted on June 9, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

The photo I’m using today was taken about a year ago. Paul and I knew that time was running out and we would spend this last year doing things together as much as possible. We made a habit of taking little road trips to beautiful county parks that weren’t far from home. It was just enough to hang on to as a perfect memory of a treasured time. So, we stopped at one of those parks, got out and had a picnic together. We enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine. The quiet away from the noise of the city was impenetrable. Only the sound of a bird or two – maybe a frog croaking noisily in the distance or some insects sending out signals to their cohorts. Paul picked up the cap of an acorn and placed it on his finger and it made me smile. It’s the little things.

Many years ago, our oldest daughter remembers a time when we were going through a rough patch. We’d just purchased our first home. We had two little mouths to feed, and income wasn’t sufficient to cover all our needs, so Paul took an extra job as a night security guard. Armed with a flashlight as his only defense, he would patrol the building fearlessly. When he came home later that night, he’d greet me at the door and then make a beeline to the children’s room to kiss them goodnight. Our daughter recalls him placing a half a stick of gum under her pillow. He kissed her on the forehead and tucked her tightly into her covers. Our son got the other half. It’s the little things.

Our lives are made up of many little things that tug at the heart and leave an indelible impression. All those memories are designed to bring us comfort as we grow older. They fill our minds with thoughts of different times and different places. When we look at these little things as blessings, we can draw on them when troubles come our way. We can see how God was with us through the good times as well as the bad. We can shed a tear as we remember and lighten the weight of all the other tears yet to come. It’s the little things.

Life is complex and complicated at times, but when we place our thoughts and feelings on what God has planned for us today and in the future, we can draw on those little memories as a cushion to get us through the muck. Many times, we have to search hard for those moments of nostalgia, but God provides for that too. He did the biggest thing for the human soul that could possibly be done by any of us. He gave His life, so we could inherit His holy kingdom. He overcame the world, the devil and our sinful flesh so that we could live too. That’s no little thing!

Posted in aging, memories, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

HOW’S YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

Posted on June 8, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & INSPIRATION BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

My grandmother had a great way of dealing with frustration. When it became too hard to cope with the memory of losing five children to untimely death; managing a farm; nursing a husband who survived 2 massive stokes – she went to the woods.  She’d sit there for a while and look at the beauty of God’s creation, focus on it for a while, cry a little and then return to her life with a new outlook. She’d use that quiet time to communicate with her heavenly Father to get her back on track.

Frustration is a feeling of disappointment, exasperation, or weariness caused by goals being thwarted or desires unsatisfied. We all go through times like this.  There isn’t a person on the planet that hasn’t been frustrated at some point.  It can be a very debilitating emotion, or it can be used as a tool to get out of that negative frame of mind.  We can let it get the best of us, or we can look to God and His omnipotence and get refreshed and recharged.

The situations that caused our frustration aren’t going to change, but the way we deal with them will.  Some folks ask God why He’s doing this to them.  Others try put on a happy face but still harbor negative feelings within.

Positive and negative energy have one thing in common.  They’re both forms of action.  Choosing the negative is only going to lead to a defeatist attitude, self-reliance and never getting anywhere.  If we decide to go the other route, we can become energized, push forward and never give up.  Turning our attention to the only power source, will allow us to become fully recharged.  Our Creator knows what’s best for us. After all, He has promised us that He has a plan for our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Posted in art & inspiration from the Boechers, God's plans, purpose | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

EARLY SUMMER SIZZLE . . .

Posted on June 7, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

Today’s painting is one of the latest finds while going through Paul’s massive collection of work. I believe this was painted in Stillwater, MN, where paddle boats continue to fill their ship with passengers enroute to a tour of the St. Croix River. The boat departs and passes rugged sandstone bluffs which have withstood the sands of time. The chatter of the passengers, the constant whooshing of the paddle cutting through the water and the shouts from the captain to his crew. cut through the silence of a quiet summer day.

The sun lifts its weary head and opens its sleepy eyes,

Casting shadows upon the lake with diamond fireflies.

Water is still, ships stand tall, the air is heavy with mist,

This early summer morning now by heaven has been kissed.

Before the waves show up again, before the fish awake,

A single sail arises and begins to cross the lake.

The peace and quiet solitude will last a little while,

Soon sailing crafts and motorboats will capture a big smile.

The paddleboat waits eagerly for passengers to board,

But when they do, the sounds they make will strike a noisy chord.

When you live in Minnesota, the land of many lakes,

You relish every second of the time that summer takes,

It’s simply a brief whispering of nature’s magic spell,

When God is in the midst of it, we know that all is well.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, summer, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

SQUIRRELY TALES – HIGH DRAMA

Posted on June 6, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART FROM THE SKETCHES OF PAUL BOECHER – HUMOR FROM HIS WIFE KATHY BOECHER

The pencil drawing is more than a sketch. In fact it is a constant reminder of the squirrels that dwell in our midst. They are very active right now, especially when it comes to the midnight raids on the bird feeders. I can’t help but remember a funny story that occurred many years ago. We had just settled into our new home. I was observing all kinds of wildlife from outside my window, and I’m not talking about the neighbors. What I thought were huge pheasants, turned out to be turkeys. The squirrels were the main attraction. I shared this story before, but in lieu of my squirrely tales, I thought it deserved a rerun.

I patiently resupplied the feeder for about three or four days, but there is just so much one person can take before they lose it completely. I don’t consider myself a violent person. I’ve never intentionally hurt anyone or thing in my life, but something snapped in me, turning me into one fierce, fighting force impossible to control. I knew my husband had a pellet gun, so I made it my quest to find it and merely put the wrath of Kathy into that furry little creature. I had no intention of actually doing harm to it.

The next day came. I was determined. The pellet gun rested on the kitchen table at the ready, the bird feeder filled to overflowing. There he was. He wrapped his four scrawny legs around the pole and scooted to the feast that waited at the top. I admired his coordination. He could have made a fortune as a performer in the circus. All he needed was a pair of extra small tights and a little tutu. He maneuvered his way around the periphery – nibbling and gobbling every last seed he could get his mitts on.

I slowly opened the patio door. He did not hear a thing. He was far too busy gorging himself to notice anything. His eyes were glazed as he feasted on every last morsel. I took aim, pumped the gun, pulled the trigger, caught my finger in the pumping mechanism causing myself extreme pain. The gun went off and a little pellet made its way directly at the squirrel. It took only a fraction of a second. He reeled. He grabbed his chest and spun around. He then did a perfect swan dive off the bird feeder and fell to the ground below. It was a most dramatic death.

I immediately felt a knot in my stomach. My knees were shaking. I felt complete remorse for my actions, but it only took a moment for my grief to turn to joy as the gutsy rodent pulled himself together and dragged his poor, stunned body into the woods. I overcame my feelings of guilt knowing that my original plan to simply scare him had worked. That night as I lay in bed, the thoughts of the day came back to haunt me. As my sleep took me into dream land, I envisioned myself sitting on top of that bird feeder. My hands and feet were bound. There, at the base of the pole, were several squirrels circling with their beady eyes focused on me. In their paws each held a little pellet gun and they were aimed at me!

I woke in a cold sweat. I ran to the window to see if it was real or a dream and there they were. A whole slew of squirrels were helping themselves to breakfast.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, art by Paul T. Boecher, Dreams, humor | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

PERAMETERS . . .

Posted on June 5, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & P0ETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This painting stirs the imagination. We see the city skyline in the background and countless box cars lined for miles in an inner city setting. The colors have some significance too. Rusty sienna engulfs the entire image, indicating age and wearing out. As we congratulate our graduates this year, it might be good to point to these thoughts: During the educational years, they may not see the value in what has been taught. They may become cynical in a country that seems to be divided and off the tracks. The job market isn’t as sweet as they may have thought it would be. They may become sidetracked, and all that education has been for naught.

In life, we experience all of these things. Never knowing what tomorrow will bring. Not being able to figure out our futures. Feeling hemmed in by the parameters that hold us tightly in their grip. There will be positive wishes for these young adults, but God gives us His best advice in His own words of the Bible.

Philippians 3:13-14 “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Our lives are often filled with goals too hard for us to reach,

We dream big dreams and reach so high, we lose the things we breach.

As time goes by and dreams become a whisper in the wind,

It may seem so impossible, you’re likely to rescind.

To step outside that little box, is harder than you think,

To widen the parameters can mean you swim or sink.

Don’t limit life to smallness, you could be on the brink,

Of reaching for the best of things – and putting things in sync.

Have faith in God and trust His will. He has a plan for you.

He’s promised to be there with you in all that you will do.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Setting Goals, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

DISCOVERING MORE ART . . .

Posted on June 4, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

As I am working my way through things to add to my daughter’s garage sale next week, I’ve happened on some hidden treasures. It’s funny how some of the things we save actually do hold more value than we think they do. For example, I found a little tin box, which was saved to hold a piece of crystal jewelry. The necklace was broken and only the stones remained. It looked like I had uncovered a box of diamonds. Of course, my parade was soon rained upon, when I realized they weren’t. Just for the fun of it, I looked up the tin box on the internet and it was worth more than the contents. I continue to find treasures like that in Paul’s artwork. This particular painting was done while He was presenting his character, Hawkeye, to students in our area elementary schools. The presentation included what an artist might see in the 1800s while painting outdoors. It was tucked away in a portfolio case along with sketches he would use as a demonstration. As each of these “new” canvases reveal themselves to me, I feel like I’m discovering something brand new about this extraordinary artist. He does live on through his art and it’s such a comfort to know he’s continuing to use his talent in his heavenly home.

An empty canvas, white and pure, transforms before your eyes,

Through brush strokes and experience a painting does arise,

Our lives are so much like that board, we start out fresh and new,

We stumble down the path we take, we see our troubles through,

There’s nothing we can say or do, to add to God’s splendor,

The only One who can do that, is Christ, our Defender,

We’re born conceived in sinfulness, needing reparation,

But Jesus came in righteousness to win our salvation,

The masterpiece is almost done, the brush is put away,

Our life is drawing to its end, we’ve reached our final day,

But hope remains for all of us if only we believe,

That Jesus shed His blood for us, so with Him we could live.

Posted in aging, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Heaven, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO SUCCESS?

Posted on June 3, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

With all the graduations taking place right now, there will be an equal amount of motivational speakers giving out advice on the secret to success. The above quote by Colin Powell, states that there is no secret at all. It’s a matter of hard work and preparation, which only comes from those early years followed by more years of education.

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 muddled, it was far from the truth.  (Actually pretty much like today’s news anaad 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 can’t read either.) 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 – and there isn’t 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? As far as true success in life is concerned, we can find the solution in the Christian manual for successful living, the Bible.

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.  Our desire for paradise is beyond the grave.  Until then take advantage of the treasure available in the Holy Bible.  Blow the dust off of it and begin to actually read it. It contains the real secret to success.

Posted in Uncategorized, aging, Bible, Success | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

WHAT DO YOU MEAN HINDSIGHT IS 20/20

Posted on June 2, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

Mondays are always good do-over days. It’s a great day to start a diet, to set goals, to fix what you messed up last week. You get the idea. The beginning of a new week seems the logical point to make amends for past mistakes and jump start your future. Well, it doesn’t always work out that way, does it? For example, a few years ago, I greeted Monday with great enthusiasm. I got out my garden tools and began the task of pruning some dead branches. In my enthusiasm, I pulled one back that had no intention of leaving. Instead, it whacked me in the face. I immediately saw stars and thought it was curtains for me. The result was a huge shiner which couldn’t be covered with any amount of makeup.

Later in the day while taking a bath, I reached for a wash cloth.  As I sat back down, the non-skid mat slid from under me and I slipped back into the water, knocking my already bruised head against the ceramic soap dish.  A huge bump ensued and again I thought this was my final swan song.

We often have days like that, which generally fall into the Murphy’s Law category.  As we age, the odds get even stronger. Every mishap is deemed a lack of control and a sign of growing older. As I age, I forget simple things, especially when trying to multi-task, which I wasn’t particularly good at in the first place.  I leave one room on a quest for something and by the time I reach the next room, I’ve totally forgotten what I was going for.  Maybe it has something to do with all the head banging I’ve inflicted on myself through poor judgment. Some of the best lessons we can learn have to do with that old adage, “Hindsight is 20/20.” We can learn not to do those things again. More importantly, we can move forward rather than looking back.

God is giving us a second chance by placing those obstacles in our way. Instead of blaming Him for our situation, we should be thanking Him for leading us down a different path. That path leads to Him and His perfect plan for our lives. The first do-over was done when He sent His own Son to earth to save us all from the grip of sin and death. His sacrifice was perfection. His way is also perfect. Hang on to that good news and move into this week with new gusto. God has watered the desert of our hearts with living water. It’s time to quench our thirst and move on.

Posted in aging, change, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

SUNRISE/SON RISE . . .

Posted on June 1, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

I snapped this picture of a hazy sunrise at about 6:30 this morning. It almost looks like the sun is resting between two wires. A cloudy mist fills the sky around it, failing to reveal the majesty of a colorful sunrise. Smoke from the northern parts of Minnesota and as far away as Canada fill the space and almost dismiss the sun from view. Eventually, it will be all but swallowed up by the haze. Just when you think that will be the case, the sun’s rays pierce through the smoke and the orb comes to life again.

When I think about sunrises, I’m reminded of the many songs that have been written about them. “Sunrise, Sunset,” “The Sun Will Come up Tomorrow,” “I’ve Got the Sun in the Morning and the Moon at Night,” all talk about the effect the sun rising to light the day.

It’s been only a short time ago since we celebrated Easter. A time when the Son of God rose from the dead. That had to be an amazing Son rise. Imagine, seeing the risen Savior – alive after suffering a tortuous death. His blood-stained body was no more. The marks from the scourge no longer visible. His flesh restored. His radiance immediately noticeable. It wasn’t surprising that His disciples were not convinced of Mary’s news that Jesus was alive. The Son rose on that day, to prove to all humanity that He was who He said He was – the true, living, Son of God.

Sunrises will come and go. Some days we will never get a look at them, but as we draw our last breath, we can be sure that we will rise also, with the Son.

“Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar the Lord of hosts is his name: If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the Lord,
then shall the offspring of Israel cease.” Jeremiah 31:35-36 ESV

Posted in aging, Jesus, life after death, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

PHOENIX RISING . .

Posted on May 31, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & INSPIRATION FROM PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

This painting is one that doesn’t really scream PAUL T. BOECHER. Paul’s mind often went outside the box with his art. This unique style probably came from his years of being in the advertising industry. It’s difficult to determine the species of bird, so I’m just going to assume it’s the mythical Phoenix who was supposedly consumed by flames and then rose up again from the ashes. A story of perseverance, staying the course, pushing on in spite of all obstacles.

When I see this bird, I have thoughts of the 911 tragedy and how the people rose up out of the ashes and came together as a strong nation, to fight those who would terrorize our country, I think about all the wars we have been involved in, which often are nothing more than politics as usual. Lives were lost, changed and destroyed by those who fought for the cause. The battlegrounds which were once institutions of learning, having become places to vent a deranged mind.

There are so many of these stories within the last century of life in America. Being the cockeyed optimist I have almost always been, I will continue to believe that the people of this country are basically good and the tide will eventually turn. Out of the ashes of wars, hate, anger and unrest, we will see new life rising. Young lives that will come to the rescue. Hope that this will not become so normal that it becomes the new normal.

For those who believe in Christ and the work He came to do on earth, there is hope. He was crushed by his peers. He suffered humiliation. He was wounded with the scourge and whip. He was hung on a deadly cross to die. He breathed His last. He was laid in a tomb. Death would not defeat Him. His body was restored to its original form. Only a few scars remained to prove it was Him – truly returned from death to life and risen to eternity. That incident would change the world forever, because through it, we too have the promise of a renewed life and spirit after death.

Mythical creatures like the Phoenix are limited. They are not gods, but visions concocted by man that have no merit. We are blessed with a living God who will never die. He is, was and always will be the only One to direct the path of every life here on earth.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE GREAT WALL DISCOVERED . . .

Posted on May 31, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

You may have noticed that I wasn’t present yesterday. The day before had started me on a quest for China and all my digging finally paid off. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Great Wall I had anticipated. Just a huge brick retaining wall, which has become a permanent backdrop, placed by the highway department to deaden the sounds that emulate from said highway. What do you do with a garden spot that no longer has trees or birds? You improvise. If any of you have ideas that don’t cost a fortune, please let me know.

Posted in aging, perseverance, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on THE GREAT WALL DISCOVERED . . .

GARDENING WITH ZEAL . . .

Posted on May 29, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

One of my happy places is right in my own backyard. For me, pulling out a ten-foot-long weed is very fulfilling. It has been a long, learn as you go experience. Living in apartments buildings most of my early years, meant having a pot outside next to my pet turtle, which eventually took a nosedive off the 4th floor apartment. or was thrown overboard by my somewhat naive little sister. To be fair, maybe she thought turtles could fly.

Anyway, gardening eluded me until after I married and settled down. It became a sort of sanctuary for me to dig in the dirt as if I was working my way to China – a common mistake for beginning gardeners. As time went by, I overcame that problem, but bit into more than I could chew when I attacked our hill garden. You see, it was all grass at first. I feared that my husband would wind up as roadkill in the street as he made his way down with the power lawn mower. So, I made it my mission one Mother’s Day, to create a garden out of it. I used perennial plants, which I knew nothing about. The ground cover plants would fill things in nicely, but I didn’t realize they would also invade everything else I planted.

So, armed with only a small shovel and two different sized spades, I felt I was about to conquer Mt. Everest. It turned into quite a showplace after about five years of digging. What I didn’t anticipate, was having to maneuver across this garden wall to remove the weeds. My neighbors would stand in front of their windows with little scorecards to rate my performance.

I still love digging in the earth. There’s some therapeutic about mud. It gives me a lift to release the hold of creeping Charlie or the infamous dandelion. It kind of reminds me of getting to the heart of my sinful nature. It is a lifetime battle to weed out the icky stuff in our lives, and truth be told, there is absolutely no way we can erase the hold of sin. There is a solution, however. God provided a Savior to take that horrific, invasive tangle of sin to the cross and die to remove it. He also gave us the promise that we would continue on after death in His perfect paradise.

Thank you, Jesus for removing the sting of death and providing a garden beyond all human comprehension.

Posted in Humor, Inspiration, sin, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

MISSING YOU . . .

Posted on May 28, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

It has been 147 days since you left this earth and awoke in paradise. I miss you so much. I found this photo from one of our road trips. It’s an empty bench in a park near the Coon Rapids Dam. We stopped there one day to sit and watch the lake. In the distance there was walking/bike path where an occasional human form could be seen. We talked about our lives together. We reminisced about how we had grown so much since our days of dating in high school. Who knew that those days would turn into a lifetime filled with highs and lows, sickness and health, moments of disagreement, times of loss and times of success?

The bench is empty now. You are no longer here to share my sadness. You will not hold my wrinkled hand any longer. You will not encourage me when I need to press on. Your wit and laughter live on in my memories. The memories we made on those short road trips will be a constant reminder of the last year we had together.

My love for you will never die. Little things like that empty bench stir a sense of emptiness in my life now. Tears escape from my eyes as I remember. I know this is a temporary situation. Ours was a beautiful love story that will not soon be forgotten. I know that we will be together again. There is no doubt in my mind. For now, I grieve, but soon we will begin again.

Posted in aging, grief, life after death | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

THE SOURCE OF ALL LIGHT . . .

Posted on May 27, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER

The days are getting longer in case you haven’t noticed. The light reaches the end of the day at almost 9 PM in my part of the world. That gives us so much extra light that we should be able to get much more accomplished in a day than we did three months ago. Today’s painting is a good example of how our streetlights can be most helpful when the days return to being shorter. Have you ever experienced complete darkness? What if all those artificial lights went out due to a power loss? The experience can be daunting. Your entire street is dark, making you feel vulnerable.

Even in our darkest times on this planet, we tend to feel completely helpless and alone. Our Creator God has made it possible for us to see, even when there is no light. We can be sure He will be at our side to lead us on the right path. He is with us every step of the way. God is light. He is the Creator of it and the only true source of perfect light. Even when the world’s power source goes dark, we have assurance from God that He is the light of the world.

These dark days of winter swell into an endless swirl of emotions,

We can’t seem to pull ourselves out of sadness, depression or anxiety,

There is only one way to eliminate those destructive feelings,

But how do you harness the sun and capture the magnificence of its light?

God is the source,

Some have tried to manage the physical light that encompasses them,

Some struggle to bring illumination back into their lives by setting goals and dreaming dreams,

Some never find it,

Some are filled to the brim with it,

Some will continue to spend their lives searching for it,

God is the source,

He created light from darkness – it was His first creation,

Separating the night from day – setting time into place,

He controls the sun, the moon and stars,

He lights the world with His radiance,

He is the source,

When the world seems so ugly and dark,

When it seems that nothing will ever be bright again,

When the darkness of sin has penetrated every aspect of our daily living,

Turn to the Creator,

His light shines brightly through His Word.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, God, light, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

THE COST OF FREEDOM. . .

Posted on May 26, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The painting you see today was taken from one of Paul’s sketch books. He did these quick paintings as reference for a larger finished canvas which would be created later. The magnificnt egret has found his freedom from the nest and is testing the waters. Like us, our freedom comes at a great cost. He may be hunted by predators or lose his way from home, but he accepts this gift of freedom as we should. With faith and trust in our Creator. On Memorial day we honor those who have given their lives for our freedom. Christ gave His life, to take away the wages of sin. He was the perfect sacrifice. So today let’s honor the men and women who gave their lives s that we could live in a free country. and not forget our loving God.

DECORATION DAY By Kathy Boecher

They called it Decoration Day so many years ago,

We’d dress our bikes with crepe paper to let our neighbors know,

Our pride was in the best place yet for all of us to grow,

Though times have changed and so have hearts, we still can live with pride,

We can’t escape the price once paid, with lives that now have died,

Those precious lives preserved our own, along with eyes that cried.

So, stay with us, dear Father, God and guide our country’s way,

Protect her from all tyranny and never let her stray,

Defend this country, keep her safe, God bless the USA.

Posted in America, Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, freedom, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

LOST IN A FIELD OF ROASTED MARSHMALLOS.

Posted on May 25, 2025 by atimetoshare.me

ORIGINAL ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

This painting is a typical scene on an early morning in the country. What a feast for the does that is visually tasting the treat that lays before her. America will celebrate those who have gone to war for our country and never returned. They are feasting at the table of the LORD where hunger no longer exists. Thanks to them, we can enjoy the freedoms that we have.

A misty, early morning, among the bales of hay,

New life appears and spreads its wings to welcome in each day,

The atmosphere with crystal glow is dusting every bale,

With morning mist and precious dew, with love it does avail,

A tranquil breeze, a breath from God, exhales as it inspires ,

Awakening every living thing, each flower He attires,

With beauty far beyond our view, with colors never seen,

He gives new life to everything and gives it pure and clean,

A drowsy doe arises and sees the waiting feast,

That lingers in the misty morn, to soothe the savage beast,

A bounty there beyond her scope, to last her for the day,

There’s more than she can handle, but that won’t get in her way,

A misty, early morning, among the bales of hay,

Where living things will wander and in its bounty play.

Posted in Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, Memorial Day | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on LOST IN A FIELD OF ROASTED MARSHMALLOS.