Tag: A Patient’s Story

Creative Notes, Poems, and Photos

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One day this winter, Karl and I went to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. This has been on our list for some time. We enjoyed our visit and the people working there were so helpful.

Another visit to Mead Public Library in Sheboygan is also on our list.

And our Oostburg Public Library “A Little Library Growing Everyday.”

A note of gratitude: as I think over the years, my heart is touched by the kindness of people as I have grown older and experienced some health challenges. Some poems from my archives reflect this theme.

autumn in the air
young people
open doors for me
at the library

autumn leaves
the caregiver finds time
to rest

“autumn leaves” was the Daily Haiku for August 14, 2019.
Charlotte Digregorio’s Writer’s Blog

how quickly
another generation
grows
seems I only
looked away
for a moment

how good their work
how beautiful their art

Tulips from a store – February 9, 2016

April 7, 2017

May 2, 2016

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 5: 7 (KJV)

Notes, poems, and photos are by Ellen Grace Olinger.

warmth on a cold day

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warmth on a cold day
sweaters and blankets
from thrift stores

warmth on a cold day
books and poetry journals
on shelves and a new book
on the kitchen table
from yesterday’s mail

One of the nice aspects of blogging is that I’ve learned of books by poets that are not always sold in stores – and we only have a few bookstores in our area. I also have ordered books recommended by notes and reviews in poetry print journals. Time Of Singing and WestWard Quarterly are two examples. Both journals have published poems from my blogs, and I am grateful. All works together.

I no longer review books, yet am grateful every day for the books on my shelves and by my chair. It is nice to have interests – blogs and books – that I know can stay with me through the years. When I have not been able to read, my heart has been full.

Ellen Grace Olinger

Orange Flower Border is by Margaret Armstrong
and courtesy of Reusable Art.

the light of many new times

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This week, I wrote:

November morning
I learn the light
of a new time

And I am thinking about this on many levels. I have learned to see the art, beauty, light, faith, and hope of many new times. Sometimes I may not realize during a difficult time just how much I am being blessed. When I was in the hospital in June 2018, by God’s grace, I was not afraid and I said thank you to all who were helping me. Some things about my health are much better, and some are a work-in-progress. I accept this.

After the hospital, I thought, where did I learn how to do this? And I thought of my mother, and times with her when she needed the care and I was there as her daughter. Now sometimes too some of the medical professionals who help me are a generation younger, and I honor and respect the latest science and technology, along with daily practical advice. I can receive direction. And again, I think, where did I learn how to do this?

And again, my mother, most of all. And many other artists and writers, here and in print, over many years. Grateful for all, and all the generations.

Lots of life chapters, by God’s grace, and new light to learn always. Daily dedication and small steps. So much gratitude.

In many ways, I have always been an old soul, and so am comfortable amidst life’s challenges. I work to be independent – with so much support from Karl – and if I need more care some day, some year, I will look for the light there as well.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psalm 23: 1–2 (KJV)

Thank you,
Ellen

Image credit: wpclipart

Good Morning

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I sit and read past issues of WestWard Quarterly as I look forward to their new Fall issue. The colors are few outside my study window. Grey sky and evergreens. The gold of the birch tree leaves seems more quiet. For a moment, light reaches the tall old trees.

My goals are simple – everyday work around the house. Follow instructions from my health care team. I remember when I was a teacher and then drove to the Milwaukee area every week to help with my mother’s care. I like that this discipline is a part of me, and I feel the support of past work, as I continue with gratitude.

Great progress, and my new path shines with joy, contentment, and hope. One step at a time. One post at a time.

Photos by Karl
Garden Journal
July 5, 2019

Ellen Grace Olinger

Acrostic Poem for PSALMS

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P  romises of
S  erenity
A  nd
L  ove
M  editations and
S  trength

The Psalms have been with me for as long as I can remember. I wrote the acrostic in 2010.

The Psalms are ever-new – they apply to whatever life is asking of me – yet also are comforting because I have been reading a long time.

Thou tellest my wanderings:
put thou my tears into thy bottle:
are they not in thy book?

Psalm 56: 8 (KJV)

Thy statutes have been my songs
in the house of my pilgrimage.

Psalm 119: 54 (KJV)

The Psalms inspire me to write poems.

reading Psalms
in the sunroom
fragrance of daffodils

rereading Psalms
colors of leaves
a deeper gold

Wait on the Lord:
be of good courage,
and he shall strengthen thine heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord.

Psalm 27:14 (KJV)

The image is from Crafter’s Cornucopia and courtesy of Dover Publications.

Ellen Grace Olinger

Creative Notes: Turning the Page

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Poem, Bible verse, and thoughts from a post in September 2014:

turning the page
of an older book
the age in my hands

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation . . .  Psalm 71: 18 (KJV)

I wrote the haiku awhile ago.  I’ve always been an “old soul” and always felt my gifts with the language arts would take a long time to begin to grow.   When I read verses in the Bible that encouraged me to take the long view, I had no idea blogs would be the answer.

And creative notes today:

I have a few drafts of chapbooks in progress, with my poems from our blogs. And I’ll add photos. Many ways to create, and each book can be different. I am still happy with Quiet Christmas Poetry, from 2014.

As I work through this process, the posts here with dates and any publication credits help a lot. I also save emails and letters from editors and have a few shelves where I keep print journals and books. Grateful to the editors and all readers for their encouragement.

Ellen Grace Olinger

These are two of my favorite photos by Karl from our recent visit to The Sheboygan River at Kiwanis Park. We saw many butterflies.

a walk by the river

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a walk by the river
butterflies and wildflowers
memories of being there
this time last year
after medical appointments
in Sheboygan

I said, “Hello, old friends”
when I saw the trees

Ellen Grace Olinger

Karl took these photos last year. I thought, “It is healing to walk by the river.” Then I realized the river is healing too. Later today, we will review photos from yesterday and share here the next few days.

Kiwanis Park
Sheboygan, Wisconsin