Life After Retirement

2009-06-21 Driving on Empty

2009-06-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

Today is Father’s Day and there was a carry-in dinner at the church. I got a good recipe for Cream Cheese/Cool Whip Pie with fresh Strawberries. Yum! Yum!

After I returned home I decided to drive some back roads with the pick-up and photograph any old barns I might encounter. I changed into a blouse & slacks and drove East out of town. My plan was to drive parallel to 54 Hwy to Nevada, Mo and buy gas once I got there. Soon, however, I came to a T in the road and since I didn’t want to drive on the paved highway, I chose to take the road away from the highway. It was a while before I was able to turn in the right direction. After a bit, I had to make another turn. I was in unfamiliar territory, but I felt I was traveling in the right direction. How I wished for a map. At least I was on a paved road which indicated it was “K” highway, but I wondered if indeed I was going in the right direction. Why, I could be traveling South toward Pittsburg, but there was no indicator where I was, except for the sign that proclaimed “K”.

The engine sounded a warning ping, letting me know it was low on gas. “Oh dear!” If I ran out of gas, I guess I could call 911 on my cell if need be. I had just gotten a new phone and did not have the numbers I needed stored in it. I sure felt foolish at the position I had let myself get into. I resolved to not tell anyone of this situation. I could stop at a farm house and ask for help, but most places looked as though the residents were gone. I couldn’t help but think of the weird circumstances I would encounter if I chose the wrong place. Then, I determined that if someone was mowing their yard, weeding the garden or whatever…I would stop and ask them without getting out of my vehicle, but I saw no one!

I turned off this main road thinking I had gone far enough and I wasn’t headed East after all. I only knew I needed to get to a town soon. I carefully watched the gas gauge as it crept ever closer to the empty mark. After a couple of miles, I found myself at a highway. It turned out to be the highway I needed. I breathed a prayer of relief and am so glad the God watched over me.

Clay Balls

2009-06-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could....
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person..
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE
THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!
Pass this on to another Clay Ball!!!

Do not ask the Lord to Guide your Footsteps if you are not willing to MOVE your Feet!

Author unknown

It Was a Mulberry Tree

2009-06-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

It Was a Mulberry Tree

I’ve spent most of this morning down loading and printing directions for a Basset dog in Pastels, that is the current dog we’re working on. I don’t like the looks of their big saggy eyes. There’s more to come on it as it’s the current work.

I also downloaded (complete) the directions to do a Chihuahua, I don’t care for their looks either, but will try to do a pastel of it and see how it turns out.

I went out to the garage to see what I could use for a Mahl Stick,
http://lindateachesart.typepad.com/linda_teaches_art/2005/12/mahl_stick_make.html
which is a stick I would use to rest my hand on while painting, in the midst of some work or other, so as to not smear what is already there.

Well, I got side tracked as usual! LOL I saw the pruners and found some gloves, no spiders lurked inside, and proceeded to cut down what I had thought was a Rose of Sharon, but discovered it is a Mulberry tree. I hacked it down. The trunk is about 3 inches in diameter, so I left most of it for someone else. I piled the branches up and figure I’ll direct my yard man to put them into the back of the pick-up. Whew! The temp is 82° and I seriously needed to catch my breath.

Oh yeah! My mission…I almost forgot. The mahl stick. I found a yard stick in a square shape, but soon discovered a long handled windshield scrubber. Just about the right length to use for a mahl stick and I think I won’t even have to discard the scrubber part.

Now, back inside to rest and cool off. I poured a glass of ice tea, but it has a little wrong taste to it. I’m not liking the flavor. It’s the second time I’ve had to pour out a whole pitcher of tea. Yesterday, I rinsed the jug out with bleach water, confident the next batch of tea would taste better, but it doesn’t. I wonder if I should just throw the tea bags away or use a new pitcher? Darn it!!! I want some GOOD tea!

Texas Blue Bonnet Quilt

2009-04-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

For about a year now, the ladies in our churches sewing group have been working on a quilt to auction off to raise money for Fort Scott Christian Heights School here in Fort Scott, Ks. It is finally finished and just in time for our yearly Country Store. I may have contributed a stitch or two, but I usually concentrate on embroidering tea towels to sell in our booth at the Country Store.
I should have taken a photo of the "signature block" on the back of the quilt as this was my own creation. The little signature block is similar to the one on the quilt. I'll share how much money it bought at auction this Saturday, May 2nd.

A Letter in the Mail

2009-04-12T17:59:00.000-07:00

A Letter in the Mail

Do you remember, before the advent of computers, and cell phones, with their instant methods of communication, the excitement you felt whenever a letter came to your mailbox? Besides the telephone, which was regulated to local calls only, the daily mail was eagerly anticipated.
Now, I’m not talking about periodicals or seed catalogs, although each of those had their ranking, but a newsy letter from a close friend or family member far away? How special did you feel when a letter had your own name on it? Why, you were on top of the world! You eagerly tore open the letter and retreated to a quiet spot to consume it’s contents. Afterward, this letter was put in a special place to be re-read later for a special pick-me-up that usually rejuvenated your whole being.
Today’s form of instant communication, with it’s accompanying instant disposal, leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth. Letters are no longer received in the mail to be bundled together after being enjoyed, tied with a pretty ribbon, and put in an old trunk to be opened and read again on a rainy day. Rather we rely on the computer and/or cell phone to leave quick messages that after wards are lost in cyberspace forever.
Sometimes the older ways turn out to be the best after all.

Kathleen Durbin May 11, 2006

A Story About Spring

2009-04-12T17:52:00.000-07:00

A Story About Spring

I was lying dormant in the ground, unaware of the bitter cold around me. My life force had retreated to it’s smallest capacity to survive the winter months.

Starting in the fall, I had soaked up the sun’s golden rays and I had absorbed all life giving nutrients from the soil to become larger and more healthy in order to endure the bitter weather .

Soon, I could feel stirrings within my central being. I started to feel a small breath of warmth around me. I knew that soon I would swell with life and burst forth from my winter prison. Days passed, and slowly the warmth spread throughout my being. I could wait no longer. I knew the earth worms had started their work of turning the soil making it soft and easy to traverse.
I could feel the sun growing stronger with each passing day.

Now, the time was at hand. I grew even larger and a central stem pushed forth from my bulb into the warm soil, and soon I was reaching toward the sunlight and warm breezes.

I burst from the soil with gay abandon. The sun warmed me daily and the gentle rains nourished my whole being. Cells divided and grew into leaves, and soon my blossom came forth from an unlikely green stem. I was whole and radiant with my lovely blossom and sweet scent. I was joined by others of my kind until we had spread a colorful carpet of blooms and filled the air with our pleasing fragrance.

Who am I? My name is Daffodil and I am perfect in the sight of my Creator.

Kathleen Durbin
© March 2006

A Mother’s Kiss

2009-04-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

I wrote this one time while my mother was still alive and I returned home to another state, still with the memory of her kisses.
A Mother’s Kiss

A Mother’s soft, sweet kiss is first felt when we are newborn babes. These kisses
continue to be bestowed on us throughout our lives. There are always plenty to share
with others in our family.
When we are infants, we delight in her kisses of affection..
As toddlers we are too busy exploring our world to have much time to accept these kisses.
Then we are school age and are just tolerant of her attempts to cuddle and give us kisses.
As we become teenagers, too many times we feel ourselves too worldly to receive
these displays of affection. Then we are young adults & have moved away from home
and her kisses are too few and far between because of distance. We may grow up and
have children of our own and then we are the ones bestowing kisses on an ever
changing young person. All too soon our Mother depends on us to give our kisses to
her. She may be far away and in a nursing home and she clings to us when we visit,
stealing kisses to cherish when we are gone. The cycle is complete. We leave her,
tasting her soft, sweet kisses for the remainder of the day. If we are lucky, we keep a
special place in our heart filled with kisses to bestow on her when we next see her.
A Mother’s soft, sweet kiss: a memory to cherish always.

© Kathleen Durbin September 2000

Dedicated to my mother: Pauline Wordehoff

Rock Climbing

2009-04-07T11:11:00.000-07:00

(Photo of Kelly Cudworth climber)

Holding on by Your Fingertips

As I watched a video on rock climbing with just one’s fingertips, I was inspired to relate this activity to life in general. This event took place in the desert with friends who had similar goals.

I noticed determination coming from within the climbers, but also a strength and relentless pursuit of their goal which was to attain the top of the boulder using nothing more than their hands, feet and fingertips and their own inner strength.

There was a quietness to this activity, although the silence was interspersed with calls of encouragement from others. No opposition was noticed, but always support for each small goal attained and applause for the end goal attained.

Life should be this way. We should have a purpose and a fierce determination to attain our objective. We need friends and their encouragement to help along the way.

Sometimes in life we are just holding on by our fingertips, and may fall back, but if we pick ourselves up and attack the problem with renewed vigor and encouragement from our friends, we can attain our goals and feel jubilant with our success.

© Kathleen Durbin
March 23, 2007

Good bye Friend

2009-04-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

This is regarding the loss of a fellow writer and former co-worker.

Good bye Friend

We said good-by to a friend today. The songs were played, prayers were said, memories were shared and the service ended.

It is not as simple as all that, for her memory lives on in my head. I shall take this recollection and tuck it away in a secure place. From time to time I will take these treasured memories out and examine them and be comforted by them.

Sometimes it will not be purposeful, but there will be instances when memories spring unbidden to the forefront of my consciousness. In the beginning I will be startled by them, but as time passes, and I grow accustomed to their presence, I will acknowledge their company and smile at this reflection. My heart will be warmed by happy memories of times gone by and I shall treasure each moment I recall.

Memories sustain us throughout our lives and I’m glad to have pleasant and comforting memories of my friend. To be sure, there were enough sad times, but I will let these disappear and only hold on to the good ones. Good memories that will complete my consciousness. For this is the way it was meant to be.

© Kathleen Durbin

Just Last Month

2009-04-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

I was still hurting from the loss of my husband and eight days later wrote this selection:

Just Last Month

Just last month we spent time together,

Just last month we said “I love you” to each other,

Just last month we had hope,

Just last month we could smile.

Now this month, our time spent together is in my mind,

Now this month, you are quiet while I profess my love,

Now this month, I know that hope has left,

Now this month, I only cry.

Perhaps tomorrow I can remember the time we spent together,

Perhaps tomorrow, I can say “I love you” without crying,

Perhaps tomorrow I will know that there IS hope,

Perhaps tomorrow I will smile again.

©Kathleen Durbin June 24, 2007

My Breaking Heart

2009-04-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

I'm going to get this posted and out of the way. It brings heartache once again to me. I wrote it when my husband was dying of cancer. I couldn't believe this was happening, but I was aware of the diagnosis. Eleven days later, his time on this earth came to an end. Oh, how I cried!

My Breaking Heart

My love is leaving me
and I can not follow.

My love is leaving this world
and I shall remain behind.

My love is leaving
and my heart is breaking.

My love moves forward to another place,
but my time is not yet.

I wear his ring upon my finger,
an ever present reminder of our life.

My love is leaving this world,
and I shall remember him always.

My tears remain ever present
ready to fall with each passing minute.

My heart aches and is breaking
but he will wait for me,
and we will be together once more.

In time, in time…

© Kathleen Durbin
June 5, 2007

Staying Motivated

2009-04-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

I wrote this once trying to encourage someone who needed it. As I read it today, I think this could be appropriate for each day and not only for special days.

Staying Motivated

It’s hard to stay motivated when we are sick. It seems like such a struggle just
to get through our day, let alone to be active and responsible, too. Do one step
at a time. Do your exercises anyway. Perhaps you don't feel like doing them,
and you don't have to do them with vim and vigor, but get through them and
you will feel like you have accomplished something. And perhaps you don't
have to do such a complex set of exercises...maybe just a shortened version.
A smaller set of exercises won't be as tiring and demanding and will let you
feel somewhat victorious at having completed something. Maybe, we need to
have a plan for when we're not well and down in the dumps. Maybe we need
a shorter exercise plan, and something that is not so demanding of ourselves.
Do this set of shorter exercises and reward yourself with some down time
with your book or watching a favorite TV program. Give it a try.

© Kathleen Durbin

Living near a mental health institute

2009-02-23T18:39:00.000-08:00

I sang in my school’s choir and one winter, we went to the near-by mental health institution to sing Christmas Carols. I was excited to go and do this, but I was scared as all get out. I don’t know what I thought would happen, but nothing did.

It so happened that we lived on a farm that adjoined the mental health institute. We rode the bus home and once when I got off the bus, there was a woman walking. I thought her car broke down, so I invited her into the house to use the phone. My parents, who had both worked at the institute, recognized right off where she belonged. Mom kept her busy while Dad phoned them to tell of her 'walk off'. COL

2008-08-10T06:31:00.000-07:00

January 5, 2008
This winter, I had forgot to drain & coil up my long, long hose. I did have it disconnected from the outside faucet, so on a warm break, I stretched it out in the yard so it could drain. Then, it got very cold and I didn’t get it coiled up. We’re having such nice temperatures today, 64°, so I pulled on the hose and started coiling it up, when to my surprise the end had no coupling! It was gone and the end of the hose frayed.
I’m guessing what happened was that it got mowed off when the neighbor’s son-in-law mowed my yard the other day blowing grass and leaves away! Whee! No raking this year! LOL
I can’t hardly chew him out as he is so kind to mow my yard when he does his mother-in-laws, but I guess that will teach me not to leave things lay hap hazard in the yard! LOL I walked the yard, but did not see the other end. Oh, well, I can’t look a gift horse in the mouth. I need to be more careful in the future.
He came by later & confessed to mowing the hose…he just didn’t see it. He has offered to fix it for me some time.
He even offered
to (sometime) to fix my flag that is hanging by one end. I think a blustery wind tore it off. I've since taken the flag down and believe I'll just not fly a flag for now.

A Desperate Situation in Iowa

2007-01-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

For some reason, I am reminded of a time when we were visiting family in Iowa. We were on Hwy 380 heading North into Cedar Rapids to visit my late mother. We had to take two cars and we women were in the second car. We happened to notice a car stopped on the edge of the four lane and in the ditch was a man just pulling his pants up and heading back to his car. We got a full mooning in broad daylight! LOL
After we arrived at our destination, we were relating the story to the men folks who were in the lead car. The guys told of how they saw a man leaping into the ditch pulling his pants down practically in the same moment.
It was obvious that he had an immediate need to relieve himself. We howled with laughter at the poor guys predicament.

The Beginning

2007-01-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

I think I'll post a few of the stories I wrote about when I was young.

Past Memories
Here are a few stories of when I grew up in a small town in Missouri. We lived at the edge of town and I had moved here with my parents and brothers after the war was over. My parents were trying to resume their life and support their family.
One of my earliest memories took place in 1944. We had moved into a nice little house, but I had never before seen a home with a hallway that connected all the rooms, enabling one to go in a complete circle through the house. Round and round my brothers, and I ran, trying to catch the one ahead of us. What great fun, but Mother and Daddy soon put a halt to our festivities with a few stern words.
Our next discovery was of the stairway light that could be turned on or off from either the top of the stairs or the bottom. These were the type of switch that could be pushed to control the light. My brothers and I were greatly entertained by pushing the lights on and off while we giggled in delight. These antics caught our dads attention and was quickly stopped, and we had to return to helping carry our belongings into the house.
Once, at this same house, my Mother was ironing clothes and her old frayed ironing cord caught fire at the outlet in the wall. Mother was yelling at me to unplug the cord, but of course, there was NO way I was going to touch that sparking, fiery contraption. Someone must have pulled the cord out of the wall, but you can be certain it wasn’t me!
We had a very large strawberry patch in the field behind the house. It was too large for Daddy and Mother to pick alone, and I can remember pickers coming to help harvest the plump, juicy fruits. I also remember accompanying my father while he transported many flats of strawberries to the train depot in Pierce City to be taken elsewhere.
Behind the strawberry patch was a pasture where we kept our milk cow, Bossy. I was somewhat frightened of her and I can remember once going to the back pasture to explore and found the barb wire gate open and laying on the ground. I ventured further into the pasture, and Bossy decided to investigate her new visitor. When I saw Bossy ambling toward me, I panicked and immediately started running toward the house. I had forgotten about the barb wire gate on the ground and proceeded to trip on the gate and wound myself up in the barb wire cutting my legs in several places. I jumped up and disengaged myself and ran like the wind to the house and safety. I never did tell anyone that I had injured myself because I had heard stories of being “sewed up with a big needle & nothing to kill the pain.” I still have the scars to this day.
There are more memories to be recorded, but these will have to do for now. I could probably elaborate and perhaps some day I shall, but now have to return from the past into everyday life.

Life After Retirement

2009-06-21 Driving on Empty

Clay Balls

It Was a Mulberry Tree

Texas Blue Bonnet Quilt

A Letter in the Mail

A Story About Spring

A Mother’s Kiss

Rock Climbing

Good bye Friend

Just Last Month

My Breaking Heart

Staying Motivated

Living near a mental health institute

A Desperate Situation in Iowa

More Stories of my Youth

The Beginning