2017

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Michael and I went to an art opening at the Honolulu Art Museum last night entitled Abstract Expressionism Looking East from the Far West. We were "invited" after becoming a supporting member of the museum. I had planned on doing basic memberships for Michael and I but after adding up the cost of two memberships and the admission costs to this particular exhibit it made sense to go with the higher membership level.

We also went to Waimanalo Beach yesterday. It was one of those perfectly clear days that made me grateful to live on this beautiful island. When we rounded the curve by Haunauma Bay, several of the outer islands were visible.

I have concerns about hurricane Irma and hope Kathy and Hal are not overly impacted. I tried to call Kathy this morning but it sounds like she is busy with work.

I decided to do a quick synopsis of my recent trip so that down the road when I put together my 2017 Photo Book I won't be searching for dates and locations.

2017 ROADTRIP

Sunday, 08/13 Drove to Gettysburg, MD

Monday, 08/14 Visited the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Antietam National Battlefield. Both are very sobering places to visit when you consider all the young lives that were lost during the Civil War. Additionally, this was about the same time people were tearing down southern Civil War monuments, which both parks are full of. It made me really think about how crazy our country has become. Drove to Harpers Ferry, WV.

Tuesday, 08/15 Visited the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, which includes the Harpers Ferry Lower Town Historic District. In addition to some historical sites, many related to the John Brown raid, there are also shops and restaurants. I inquired and there are about 300 residents that live in what is essentially the National Park. I’d like to add that this is a very scenic area located where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. Drove to Virginia Beach, VA.

Wednesday, 08/16 Watched the sunrise and took a walk on the boardwalk on Virginia Beach. I loved seeing all the surfers and paddle boarders out just as dawn was breaking. Butch and April also reported seeing a pod of dolphins. We also went to the Virginia Beach Aquarium before leaving the area. Drove to Pittsboro.

Thursday, 08/17 Drove to Fayetteville, NC to visit my mother’s grave at the Campground United Methodist Church. It was the first time I visited her grave since her burial and it was nice seeing her gravestone along side her other family member gravestones. We spent the afternoon in Seagrove, NC checking out all the pottery places. I had hoped to find some small bowls to replace a few that I’d broken but didn’t really see anything I just had to have.

Friday, 08/18 Checked out the Orchid Gallery in Pittsboro, NC. April and Celina each purchased a small orchid.

Saturday, 08/19 Shopping/errands. We also packed Joe’s van with the equipment for the eclipse in preparation for an early start on Sunday morning.

Sunday, 08/20 Drove to Lebanon, TN. Fortunately, we did not run into any eclipse related traffic jams enroute.

Monday, 08/21 ECLIPSE DAY at Don Fox Community Park in Lebanon, TN Absolutely spectacular!!! Afterwards our very tired group met my sister, Kathy (she was working in Nashville) for dinner.

Tuesday, 08/22 Visited the Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville which included beautiful gardens, the Cheekwood Manor, and more. A bonus is that there was a Downton Abbey costume exhibit in the manor. We met Kathy for dinner at Judge Beans, a barbecue restaurant close to her hotel. It was really nice being able to spend a few hours with her.

Wednesday, 08/23 Went to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. Unfortunately all cave tour tickets were sold out but we were able to go on a self guided tour through one of the caverns. Alas, no stalactites or stalagmites. And yes, I managed to bump my head. We also visited the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park (also in Kentucky). They were about to close when we arrived so we didn’t have an opportunity to do a lot of exploring but the exhibit and log cabin replica were both very interesting.

Thursday, 08/24 Drove to Louisville, KY and visited the Thomas Edison Butchertown House. It was staffed by two older women - one of which got a little cranky if you didn’t keep up with her “tour.” We also went on the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. The tour guide was really funny and I regret not being a bourbon drinker during the sampling. Drove to St. Mary’s, OH.

Friday, 08/25 Toured the Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, OH. This turned out to be really interesting and a lot of fun. I would highly recommend going there. Drove to Pittsfield Township, MI.

Saturday, 08/26 Visited family in Redford Township, MI

Sunday, 08/27 Visited my father’s grave at the Great Lakes National Cemetery with my brother Butch and my sister Tricia.

Monday, 08/28 Errands and packing

Tuesday, 08/29 Returned home to Michael and Kali in Honolulu

Monday, September 4, 2017

I was not satisfied with last night's season finale of Twin Peaks, the Return. The ending would have been okay with me if there was another season in the works but it left more questions than answers. After investing weeks watching I guess I wanted a more tidy wrap-up of story lines. But then I remind myself that this is what makes David Lynch's films edgy - the uncertainty and unanswered questions. And it was a good ride while it lasted.

We have a big bunch of bananas from one of our plants that I'd like to find homes for before they all ripen. Not a bad problem to have. I can see myself making more banana bread in the near future.

Michael is currently working on a surfboard/SUP carrier. He found a jogging stroller someone had put out on the curb and is trying to convert it into something he can use to carry a couple of boards down the street to Maunalua Bay. I see a possible outing in my future.

Sunday, September 3, 2017

Michael's sister Joann invited us to a lovely pot roast dinner last night. Joann and Michael caught up on family gossip and reminisced about family history. It was nice to relax and enjoy not only a home cooked meal but also an opportunity to spend time with a family member. Something I really think Michael misses and needs.

I am still about two hours out of whack. I nearly fell asleep around 8:00pm last night at Joann's - lulled by both the conversation and the comfy chair I was sitting in. And then this morning I was ready to get up at 3:30am. I read for awhile and then just chilled for a few hours with Kali purring away as she tried to lick my face and neck. Somewhat successfully... Eww...

I may try to tackle some more leaf pick-up today. I worked on the Kawaikui facing part of the yard yesterday but noticed a few big leaf piles on the Halemaumau side that Michael raked up that seemed to be calling out to me. "Me next, me next..."

Friday, September 1, 2017

My dad would have celebrated his 89th birthday tomorrow. He was an interesting complex man. The father/husband the family saw was not the same man the organizations he volunteered for after he retired saw. And that always mystified me a little. If someone asked me if he was a good husband or father I'd have some difficulty answering. He was controlling and a bully at times especially to my mother. But when his children or grandchildren were in financial need he would often assist them. I am not naming anyone but I can remember him referring to different family members over the years as not having "a pot to piss in." I never asked him for money so I can't say he would have offered me any financial support had I asked. But you never know.

The chairs Karol recovered for me look great. It was a bit of a pain lugging the seats and backs to Michigan and then back to Hawaii on the plane but it was well worth it. Michael placed one of the chairs by his guitars in the living room and has been using it as a place to sit while he plays. It will be a bit tight but I plan to place the second chair in my office. It will be nice to have additional seating on the rare occasions we have guests in the house.

We spent a few hours at the beach today. The surf is currently pretty big on the south shore so there were a lot of surfers in the Waikiki/Diamond Head area. Including Michael who was wishing he had taken his Weber instead of the board he had with him. It sounds like we may go to Murphy's in downtown Honolulu tonight for dinner. If it were more conveniently located I suspect it would have quickly become our "place." Over the years of living in Ann Arbor, we seemed to always have a favorite fallback restaurant for our Friday date nights starting with La Piñata. When they closed we switched to Cottage Inn on Washtenaw (which also closed) and then we floundered for a bit until settling on Casey's. All places where the staff recognized us when we showed up. Our fallback here seems to be Kona Brewing - which even after going to on a regular basis for 2 1/2 years there is little recognition from the staff. Which is disappointing...

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Michael and I went to the beach for a few hours today and I thought as I listened to the ocean how lucky I am to live so close to the water. I am in the process of adjusting to the six hour difference in time from Michigan. I still maintain that because you gain hours as you travel west, the adjustment is far easier than when you travel east. That said, I forced myself to stay awake until 9pm last night only to wake up at 11:11pm thinking it was morning. Unfortunately after waking up, I was restless the remainder of the night and now at 6:15pm am somewhat sleepy. I suspect in part that not having any caffeine today may also be a factor in my sleepiness.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

I am home. There is something comforting on the drive to our neighborhood from the airport when we get on Kalanianaole Highway. I find myself looking for glimpses of the ocean.

I've unpacked and washed and/or put away clothing. It's all the other stuff that's in piles all over my room - paperwork, park brochures, receipts, power cords, etc. I'll start organizing and putting away these items tomorrow. I also went through the mail that accumulated at the house in my absence but haven't acted on the keepers. Hopefully by the weekend my life will be back to normal.

I was gone long enough that Kali seems a little unsure of me but she is coming around. And of course, it is nice to be back with Michael again. Apparently he took advantage of my being gone to starve himself. I need to do the same after three weeks of non-stop eating. It will also be good to get back into an exercise routine. Because this vacation was a road trip, I was sitting a lot more than I normally do.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

I connected with a few family members today and yesterday. Butch, April, and I went to Redford yesterday and had lunch at Big Boys, one of Mom's favorite restaurants. We were joined by Donna, Aimee, Elizabeth, Marilyn, Stephen, Christopher, and Joel. We also saw Shannon and Darrell briefly when they dropped Joel off for Marilyn to babysit while they did something derby related. Today, Butch and I picked up Tricia on our way to visit Dad's grave at the Great Lakes National Cemetery. We had a nice chat with her and had drinks at a bar/restaurant in Brighton. It's always nice to see family but I never feel like we share anything substantial. But maybe just seeing them after all this time is enough. It looks like my next opportunity will be next year in Chicago when Sean and Rose get married.

Last night, Butch and April treated me to a very delicious and very early birthday dinner at Knights. I am going to miss my traveling buddies. A lot... One more day then home...

Friday, August 25, 2017

We arrived back in Michigan this afternoon. We spent the morning at the Bicycle Museum of America in New Bremen, Ohio. It's worth visiting. The museum's collection is really extensive. I also liked that they had a few pieces that you could "play" on.

Yesterday, we spent time in Louisville, KY visiting the Thomas Edison Museum and the Evan Williams Distillery. I am not a bourbon drinker but did enjoy the tour. At the end of the tour, they had a tasting of some of their bourbons which Butch and Celina seemed to appreciate. And I am sure Michael would have liked sampling their bourbons as well had he been there. He's mentioned drinking the Evan Williams brand.

Have I mentioned how cold I've been on this trip It's been jacket weather for me everywhere except North Carolina and Tennessee. It was only in the 40's this morning. Brrr...

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Yesterday we spent the day at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens in Nashville. There was plenty to see. In addition to many differently themed gardens and the Cheekwood's former mansion, there were also two exhibitions. The Downton Abby exhibit displayed several of the costumes from the series. The intricate beading on many of the gowns was incredible. There was also a classic car exhibit. It only consisted of two cars but they were really fun to look at. Last night we joined Kathy for dinner at a restaurant close to her hotel called Judge Bean. It was a real BBQ joint with brisket and ribs. It was nice to see Kathy again and I suspect it was a treat for her to have family visit her in Nashville.

Today we headed to Mammoth Cave National Park. Unfortunately we were unable to make reservations for any of the cave tours but did manage to go on a self-guided tour through a portion of Mammoth Cave. It was pretty impressive but didn't contain any formations which I'd like to have seen. We also stopped at Abraham Lincoln's birthplace. We got there shortly before their closing time but I enjoyed looking at the exhibits and the grounds are really nice.

Tomorrow, I believe the plan is to visit one of the distilleries in the area and then head to the Thomas Edison Museum in Louisville. So far my family adventure has been really good for me despite a few m hiccups. I miss Michael but we've kept in contact throughout the trip. I continue to feel really fortunate to have such a great family. A big thanks to Butch, April, and Celina for letting me join them on their vacation. And to Joe for organizing the solar eclipse portion of our trip. He really added to my eclipse experience and getting to actually participate by helping with one of the cameras was a huge plus.

Monday, August 21, 2017

I feel really fortunate to be a part of Eclipse 2017. I spent the day with family (Joe, Butch, April, and Celina) at a local park in Lebanon, TN to view the eclipse. We got up early, helped Joe pack his equipment in his van, and had a spot staked out at the park by 5:30 am this morning. Joe spent the morning setting up two telescopes and four cameras. When the eclipse began at noon, we took turns assisting with the cameras and the secondary telescope. The viewing glasses worked great and I was completely in awe when totality occurred. I found the image of the sun blocked out by the moon incredibly beautiful. And it was fun to be somewhere with several other people to share the moment with. I wish Michael could have been there as well. I think he would have been blown away by the imagery.

We met Kathy for dinner tonight at a restaurant about halfway between Lebanon and Nashville. I believe we are planning to drive into Nashville tomorrow and spend the day playing tourist. It will also give us another opportunity to see Kathy. Joe plans to return to Pittsboro tomorrow morning. I feel really fortunate to have been able to spend some time with him. Butch, April, andi Celina will be putting up with me for another week. I return to Honolulu on Tuesday of next week where I am looking forward to seeing Michael.

Sunday, August 20, 2017

We left at 5am this morning in hopes of beating the crowds and encountered no real traffic backups in our trek from Pittsboro, NC to Lebanon, TN (close to 500 miles). On our way, we stopped about 100 miles east of Lebanon to check out a potential viewing site in the event the weather deteriorates in Lebanon. We also checked out a few sites in Lebanon after checking in at the hotel. Joe plans to make a determination at 3:30 am tomorrow morning. I am hoping for clear skies for Joe because he's invested a lot of time, energy, and finances in this event.

Friday, August 18, 2017

After many weather checks, it doesn't look like the forecast is favorable in Tennessee but Joe has decided to forge ahead and make the best of it. He picked up a rental van today and the plan is to pack up all the equipment, etc. tomorrow for an early morning Sunday departure. So we are on track for now. The hope is that we will be able to hook up with Kathy in Nashville. One thought for something to do following the eclipse is to spend a day in the Nashville area playing tourist. And then play it by ear as we drive back to Michigan.

We visited the Orchid Gallery today. It's a greenhouse on the outskirts of Pittsboro. Celina and April each bought an orchid so the selection must have been good. We also wandered around downtown Pittsboro and visited a few shops. I believe the temperature this afternoon was 90 degrees plus so it was another hot day.

And I am happy to report that I did get up early to walk. The first half hour was in the dark and I managed to walk into a few big spiderwebs that weren't visible. But I also saw quite a few deer when I was out. I plan to walk again tomorrow - this time maybe toward downtown.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Per Joe, we are still on track to head to Tennessee on Sunday for the eclipse. Joe rented a van to carry his telescopes and photographic equipment. We are all keeping our fingers crossed that the weather cooperates and it doesn't rain or get cloudy during the eclipse. We are expecting crowds, food and gas shortages, and plenty of traffic back- ups.

This morning I went for a walk with Joe around his neighborhood in Pittsboro. It was nice to get back to my typical morning walking routine and I am hopeful I will be able to get out for a walk tomorrow morning as well. We went to Fayetteville this morning to visit Mom's gravesite. Someone else in the family must have been at the cemetery recently as there was a pea pod on Mom's gravestone. Ma Pea Pod was one of her nicknames - she was the pea pod and her eight children were the peas. I don't know who left it but it was certainly a nice gesture and made me smile. From the cemetery, we drove to Seagrove to visit the many pottery shops in that area. I was tempted to buy a few items but nothing really called out to me. Today turned out to be extremely hot and humid so I have to admit I was enjoying the A/C in the shops we visited.

I am not sure what is on tomorrow's agenda. Joe picks up the van in the morning and at some point we will need to buy groceries, etc. in prep for the eclipse adventure.

By the way, in this posting "we" refers to Butch, April, Celina, Joe and me.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Yesterday we walked around Harper's Ferry (the lower town which is part of the national park system). It's a very scenic location. The town is nestled in a mountainy area between the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. From there we drove to Virginia Beach for the night. I can see the appeal as it's a large expanse of sand with a boardwalk. I went for a walk along the boardwalk early this morning and was surprised by the number of surfers and paddleboarders. Butch and April mentioned seeing a pod of porpoises which had to be pretty exciting to see. We stopped at the Virginia Beach Aquarium before leaving the area and then headed to Pittsboro. It is really nice seeing Joe and we are looking forward to the eclipse. Joe has been keeping track of the forecasted weather and will decide by Friday where we will go.

I am happy to report that I slept soundly last night and woke up feeling refreshed this morning. A big relief for me.

Monday, August 14, 2017

Butch, April, Celina, and I arrived in Gettysburg last night and spent today checking out the monuments on the battlefields. It turned out to be an all day activity and something I believe Michael would have really appreciated. He is somewhat of a history enthusiast. More so than me although I must admit I found the experience very sobering. Even though it was late afternoon when we left Gettysburg, we made a side trip to Antietam on our way to Harpers Ferry. We arrived shortly before the visitor center closed but fortunately the park was accessible until dusk so we were able to drive through and see the battlefield. Again a very moving and sobering experience. We are at a hotel in Harpers Ferry for the night and plan to visit the Harpers Ferry National Park tomorrow.

I am still having sleep issues. It's mostly an inability to fall asleep and then once I do stay asleep. I think the unfamiliarity of not being in my own bed and sleeping in the same room with three other people probably are factors. I am hoping I'll adjust over the next few days because I have been feeling tired during the day and my energy level is really low. Yawn...

Friday, August 11, 2017

I arrived in Michigan yesterday and am staying at Butch and April's house. Adjusting to the six hour time difference is a bit of a bitch. I forced myself to get up early this morning and walked four miles in an effort to adjust to the Eastern time zone. Sean and Rose arrived late this afternoon and we went to the Red Hawk for dinner. I also had my hair cut. It was nice to see Paul again and I do have to say no one cuts my hair as well as he does.

And after all my seesawing about having Karol reupholster a couple of chairs, I brought the seats/backs with me and dropped them off this morning at her new house. It was nice catching up with her and she gave me a small lightweight quilt she made years ago. I feel so fortunate to have such kind good people in my life.

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Three years ago I listened to Mom taking her last breath. In a way it was a relief - after her aneurism she wasn't really able to communicate and it wasn't clear if she was cognitive enough to know who was with her or what was being said. I'd like to think that she had some awareness and could hear us but I really don't know. I find some comfort though that her last days were in a calm, peaceful environment (Angela Hospice) and that she died with dignity. And her children, I and my siblings, have gone on living our lives. Mom will always hold a special place in our hearts and memories. I miss you, Mom.

Sunday, August 6, 2017

I am going through clothes trying to decide what to pack for hot days and cool nights. I tend to overpack so am trying hard not to succumb to the temptation. In the end though I suppose it comes down to what will fit in my bag. I am still thinking about bringing the chair seats and backs in hopes that Karol will have time to recover them for me before I return to Honolulu. But they do take up a fair amount of room. And there is a part of me that really thinks I should tackle covering them myself and then that part says "nah".

We went to Waimanalo Beach on Thursday. It was an incredibly clear beautiful day. Days like Thursday remind me why we live in Hawaii. We spent Friday at Best Buy and Apple buying a few electronic gadgets for my trip. I decided to leave my laptop at home so bought a keyboard for my iPad mini. I found myself asking myself why I didn't get one sooner. I also bought a flash drive for my phone so I can store photos on it. Adult toys...

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

It is hard to believe it is August already. The dog days of summer are upon us.

After chatting with Butch, it sounds like some overnights in a tent might be in my future. And of course that got me wondering where the Dove camping supplies are. Small house, stuff can't be that hard to find (or so I thought). The tent has evaded detection and I presume will eventually show up when we are searching for some other missing item. Michael did, however, find his sleeping bag and three therma-rest mats. It sounds like Butch has supplies he can share but I will check to see if I should bring my own mat.

Moving on to Kali cat news... I normally buy the 7 lb bag size of Iam's cat food because I only give Kali 1/3 cup per day and it lasts forever. On a recent shopping trip, the stores I checked only had the 18 lb bag size so I ended up buying a small bag of Science Diet cat food instead. And now I find myself a bit concerned that she may not eat it. It's mixed with what little Iam's was left. Keeping my fingers crossed...

Tent update - Found it! It was inside a duffle bag that I thought I might use instead of my normal suitcase because it would take up less room in the Pedit family car on our road trip. The tent is bigger than I remember so I do not plan to bring it but it was good to locate it. I should probably get a plastic bin to store camping stuff in so it's all in one place.

Sunday. July 30, 2017

I made a bean sprout, shredded chicken, jalapeño pepper, and cilantro stir fry for dinner tonight. I always feel a little virtuous when I make this meal because the ingredients are pretty healthy. Of course, serving it over rice probably negates some of the health benefits. Now if I only had a slice of chocolate cake with some vanilla ice cream on the side life would be complete.

Another for the most part lazy Sunday. Other than making breakfast and dinner and doing a half-ass clean-up job in the bathroom, I spent the day reading the paper, doing the crossword puzzle, reading on my Kindle, and playing on my iPad. I also did a trial run on packing for my trip. Karol (our neighbor in Ann Arbor) agreed to reupholster a few dining room chairs someone threw out and I wanted to see how much space the chair seats and backs took up in my suitcase. The wood was heavier than I thought it would be but I think I'll be okay as long as the final weight doesn't exceed 50 pounds once I add clothes, etc.

Oh, and Delta changed all of my flights AGAIN - this time they didn't notify me so I was glad I checked. Fortunately, the seat selection was okay on three out of the four flights and I was able to make a change to an aisle seat on that one so all is good for now. Deep breaths...

Saturday, July 29, 2017

The three year anniversary of Mom's death is only about ten days from now on August 8. If someone had told me three years ago (before Mom's aneurism) that both she and Dad would be gone in less than seven months, I am not sure what my reaction would have been. The pain of their loss has lessened with time but there are moments when I see or hear something that brings it all back. And I wish it were possible to have a few moments with them again just to hear their voices. Sometimes when I look at photographs, I find myself tracing their faces with my finger. So here's to Mom and Dad, wherever you might be - love you, miss you...

Time it was, and what a time it was. A time of innocence, a time of confidences. Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph. Preserve your memories, they're all that's left. (Bookends, P Simon)

Thursday, July 27, 2017

I started experiencing a recurrence of foot pain and sciatic pain a few weeks ago. The tread on my walking shoes looks a little worn down so I bought a new pair of shoes today. I hope they do the trick. I walk again on Saturday (Friday is a gym workout day). It's hard to believe that there was a time I could walk miles in flip flops or barefoot with no pain. You have to love the worn out "parts" that come with aging. And life goes on...

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

I thought about Donna this morning when I went in for my annual mammogram. It's hard to believe that it was only a year ago that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Life moments like hers remind me of how important it is to live our lives as fully as possible because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

After months of surfing the Internet, Michael finally made a decision and purchased a new surfboard from the Surf Garage on South King. I smiled when the Japanese shop owner not only bowed to him but also gave him a hug following his purchase. A nice moment...

And I am really looking forward to visiting family. Just two weeks to go...

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Michael and I went to Carol Akana's 90th birthday party last night. Carol is a long time family friend and is especially close to Michael's Aunt Wanda.They worked together years ago for United Airlines. The party was at her niece, Paula's house in Kapolei. Paula just happens to be a news anchor on KITV, which I think is kind of cool. It was a nice get- together of family and friends. They served Hawaiian food which neither Michael nor I are great fans of but everyone else seemed to enjoy it quite a bit. The best quote of the night was when Carol looked at Michael's somewhat sparse plate and said "you eat like a girl."

I have to admit I sometimes enjoy going to other people's houses because it makes me feel better about my own. They have the same storage issues and for the most part their homes look lived in.

I am making crock pot stew for dinner and it sort of looks done even though dinner isn't for another 4 hours. I have it on low...

Saturday, July 22, 2017

I spoke to Bern on Thursday and his recovery from surgery seems to be progressing in a positive direction. In my own experience, it always seems like how you imagine the first few weeks following an invasive procedure is rarely in synch with the reality of the discomfort and pain you feel. You can't find a comfortable sleeping position, the pain medication causes stomach distress and even worse constipation. And the list goes on. So Bern has my sympathy because I believe the next couple of weeks are going to be challenging for him.

Michael and I went to see Dunkirk yesterday. It is an extremely intense movie about survival and I found myself feeling really unsettled as I watched it. The Hans Zimmer soundtrack is phenomenal. At the point of crisis, at the point of annihilation, survival is victory.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Michael and I went to an Advanced Directive clinic this morning at Queen's Medical this morning and lucked out as we were the only two participants. Our advance directives are halfway filled out - we just need to complete a few more sections and get our signatures notarized. The facilitator suggested we make copies to distribute to family members. The scenarios she described as our possible future selves were pretty grim. Dementia, strokes, and worse - no thanks, just get a pillow and smother me, please...

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Bern, Bern, Bern - wherefore art thou? I have been waiting for my brother to post his post knee surgery synopsis (or a longer version). I am hoping he is not in some drug-induced stupor because of pain. I prefer a scenario in which he is resting easily but is mobile enough to stumble around on is own. Mostly I just want to know how he is feeling.

Monday, July 17, 2017

They live among us... At about 3:30am this morning, a large bug walked across my foot in the dark when I got up to use the bathroom. It makes me wonder if I need to start turning on the light. All I could think about was that large cane spider I saw on the bathroom wall last year. And then a few hours later, I killed a cockroach with my flip flop in the kitchen. One has to ask why it didn't try to save itself and make a run for it. It had plenty of time. Must of had a death wish.

As I sit here watching Michael raking his rather large mulch pile, I find myself pondering how much he must love the chaos of his yard. And I rather envy him because I am admittedly a bit in the other direction. Although the number of weeds and leaves in the beds I "maintain" would suggest otherwise. I find myself gravitating more toward container gardening for that reason. I can at least pretend to have some control.

I let the doctor talk me into going to an Advanced Directive clinic on Thursday downtown at Queen's Medical. I know it's for the best and Michael and I really need to be more conscientious about having paperwork on file "just in case." You'd think the experience we had with my parents would have motivated us to do this sooner. That said, we haven't updated our very outdated wills and POA's either. All were created when Sean was still minor child. Sigh...

Saturday, July 15, 2017

No more news from Diane on how Bern is doing. I am hoping she finds time to send me a short update later today. If all goes well, he is supposed to be released from the hospital today and she plans to have him stay at her house for a few days.

We tried a new restaurant last night in Kaka'ako called MOKU. I really enjoyed the food. Michael ordered fish and chips and I ordered three small plates - roasted squash ravioli, stir-fry green beans, and pork potstickers. A nice bonus is that all the small plates were half off because it was happy hour. We even splurged on haupia cream pie for dessert. Big yum. Michael tried to order a cup of Kona coffee to go with the pie but the wait person misunderstood and he ended up with a small cup of Kona coffee gelato instead. <grin>

Thursday, July 13, 2017

I got a good soaking while I was on my walk this morning and ended up heading home before I got my mileage in. I also shorted my walk on Tuesday because of a doctor's appointment. I am well aware that I could go back out now and walk a few miles to make up for these shortages but like Michael often says, I feel like that window is closed. Does this make me a slacker?

Bern is scheduled to have his surgery today. I wonder how it is going for him. He is lucky to have his friend Diane - she has been so supportive of him and I imagine she provided him with transportation to the hospital today. Hopefully there will be a progress report later today.

I ordered a National Parks Senior Pass today - the price is going up to $80 next month and with shipping added I was able to purchase one on-line for $20. Seems like a pretty good deal. It may not get much use but you never know. A grand tour of the western states' national parks could be in my future.

It hit me this morning that I will be in Michigan four weeks from now.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Sometimes I feel like my life is like driving 40mph on a 35mph road with cars whizzing by me. Something that really happens - in fact this morning a school bus passed me.

Butch and I chatted yesterday about summer plans and other fascinating topics. I really miss him and look forward to the opportunity to hang out with him next month. I guess I should start thinking about what clothes I may need to bring - shorts, tank tops, a pair of jeans, flip flops, sneakers, and a jacket and/or hoodie come immediately to mind. But I am notorious for over packing. Sigh...

We had a large tree branch fall in the front yard yesterday. Sort of ironic timing because we paid someone to trim a different tree last Sunday. Michael and I spent an hour or so cutting and piling up the branches and were discussing the different options for getting rid of the debris when a truck pulled up from a company that does tree trimming. Michael hired them to trim the tree (mostly the branches overhanging the street), which they took care of yesterday. They came back today and are currently chipping all the tree limbs they cut yesterday. Michael plans to keep some of the chips for the yard. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they are doing what Michael wants. Stay tuned.

Saturday, July 8, 2017

My nextdoor neighbor is doing a project that's generating a noxious chemical smell that I'm not too fond of. I laughed though when Michael thought it was me using bleach to clean the bathroom because I have been known to get a little carried away. If I die, however, from some lethal gas in the air, please direct the police to my blog.

We are going to a Thai restaurant in Kalama Valley for dinner tonight with Michael's sister Joann. Apparently it is one of those BYOB places which I am not really comfortable with. I see Michael is having a drink now and I am wondering if I should follow suit. We are also going to drop off an anthurium I potted for her new place. She doesn't have a balcony but her entry door opens to the outside.

I had a brief chat with Bern yesterday and if he passes all the pre-surgery tests, his knee surgery is schedule for Thursday. I have to admit I have some concerns about him not having someone to help him at home post surgery but hopefully he will be mobile enough to get around. I realize it is not the same but I do remember how frustrating it was to perform some basic tasks trying to maneuver on crutches after my ankle surgery.

I still need to touch base with Butch to see how the One Hellavu Ride went. He's looking fit and happy. I enjoyed the few times I participated in this event, which was at least a million years ago...

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

My sister, Donna, just learned that the company she works for was sold and the office she works in is closing. Ugh, I know from experience how stressful applying and interviewing for jobs can be. Especially if you are older and some young whippersnapper is the interviewer. I am hoping she may be fortunate enough to find a decent office position through someone she knows. Once again though I find myself questioning the universe about the fairness of life because my sister seems to have endured more than her share of setbacks.

For myself, there have been times in my life that I have felt so overwhelmed that I've fantasized about someone stepping in (even for a few days) to give me a break from my responsibilities. And I get that this fantasy is not realistic. But I have been fortunate in that my husband and other family members have stepped in several times to make my life less stressful. They may not have been aware but something as simple as offering to take over driving and/or provide me with company were really appreciated. That said, I wish I could be there for Donna in some capacity.

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Happy Independence Day! I just tried to add a photo only to be advised that I have exceeded my storage limit at this site and need to delete something if I want to add something. So I guess I'll be saying goodbye to my 2013 postings fairly soon. So much for my independence. Sigh...

For the second time since we have moved back, I overheard Michael telling some guys that dropped by the house in a pickup truck looking for jobs that he would hire them to do some work. The first were the Tongan guys that put in our driveway last year. And they did a wonderful job. Today it was some guys that trimmed a large branch off the mango tree (on the side facing the house). To their credit they hauled away all the branches and raked up the debris. Payment by cash only, of course. And I loved that the guy in charge, Junior, kept calling Michael uncle.

We have no holiday plans today. The neighbor across the street kindly invited us to their annual 4th of July barbecue but I am in a quandary as to what to contribute. I feel like I should be in the kitchen concocting something...

Sunday, July 2, 2017

I hate when I struggle with the Sunday crossword puzzle and end up "cheating" to finish it. There were foreign words and African city names in today's puzzle that completely eluded me. Sigh...

I am also forcing myself to do housework. So far I have cleaned the bathroom including the bathroom louvres and am now working on the windows in our bedroom. This is being done with frequent breaks so progress is extremely slow but I hope by 2pm to be sitting on the front lanai with a good book and an icy beverage.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

I went to the library this morning to catch up on my assigned task of going through the stacks of "withdrawn" books to determine their fate as either donations to the Friends of the Library Book Sale or to the dumpster behind the library. And as usual, after three hours of sorting, more ended up in the dumpster than I care to admit. It's too bad there isn't a place that dumpster (damaged, stained, or worn-out) books could go that would allow the public to take them for free. But libraries are not well funded and do not have the resources, space, or personnel to manage a "free" book locale.

We had a big retail day of shopping yesterday that included both Target and Costco. There were a few items we normally get at Target that either weren't available or were double their normal price, which was a little disappointing. But Michael did buy an 8' lightweight foam surfboard from Costco for $90. He thinks it will be fun to have for when we are going to the Waikiki area and it's also always nice to have extra boards when we have mainland guests (which I guess is rare, but you never know).

Last night we ate dinner at Chili's and there were a few glitches - slow kitchen, incorrect order, and an inattentive waitress. None major but I was a bit uncomfortable when the wait person saw me filling out the on-line survey (which I always complete when I pay using the tabletop kiosk) and commented rather loudly as she walked by our table that I was going to get her fired. Really? I am thinking that with that attitude, she doesn't need my input to make that happen.

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Michael pointed out last night that all four of my brothers have been to Hawaii since I moved back but not one of my sisters has visited. I thought it was an interesting observation.

We were at our usual beach spot on Monday and a man visiting from Japan struck up a conversation with Michael. He travels to Honolulu annually and I believe he said he and his wife are normally here for six weeks each time they visit. He's chatted with Michael before and we always acknowledge each other when we see him. Like Michael and me, he is a creature of habit and always sets up his beach chair in the same area. It got me thinking about how many other repeat visitors we've seen at the beach in the few years we've been back. Surprisingly there are quite a few. Another interesting observation about life in Hawaii...

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Jerry and Marilyn returned to Michigan yesterday. I am glad I had an opportunity to see them while they were here. They were pretty open about providing updates on their kids, which I appreciated, and it was good to hear their perspective on the family. I don't think Michael fully understands my occasional need for family contact but I like the feeling of belonging to something bigger than just my immediate family. And it's hard feeling like you are always on the periphery.

Sunday, June 25, 2017

I spent yesterday doing fun things like changing out the kitty litter, mopping floors, and vacuuming - stuff I've been procrastinating about doing this past week. I also prepped all the ingredients for tonight's dinner - shredded chicken and bean sprouts stir fried with jalapeno peppers and cilantro over rice. Last night, I drove into Waikiki to have dinner with Jerry and Marilyn at Chuck's Cellar. Leslie bought us a round of drinks - gotta love her. It was nice chatting with them. And yes, they did rent scooters and they rode out to the Blowhole. They were both sunburned from their adventure. Scooters, a helicopter tour - call me impressed. And a big bonus is that I didn't get mugged walking alone to the car, which was parked at the Waikiki Shell. Not that it was a likelihood but it did cross my mind as I passed by a lot of homeless, many panhandling.

Saturday, June 24, 2017

There is too much negative energy going on around me right now and it is exhausting.

On a more positive note, Michael very kindly picked up Jerry and Marilyn yesterday and we did some sightseeing that included Tantalus/Round Top, the Pali Lookout, and the Byodo-In Temple (Valley of the Temples Memorial Park). Hopefully they were able to find a nice place for their anniversary dinner last night. They mentioned renting scooters today to do some sightseeing on their own. I don't know if they followed through but I jokingly told them if they ride by Niu Valley to give me a call so I can run down to Kalanianaole Highway to photograph them as they go by.

I haven't mentioned Kali lately - you would never know that she is the same cat that hid under the bed for three months after joining our family. And she is probably the most affectionate cat we have ever had live with us. I endure my daily licking with good humor.

Thursday, June 22, 2017

I am going to regret this posting and will probably delete it because it is an indication of just how petty I am but Bern's FB postings sometimes hurt my feelings in an Orwellian way. And I am being intentionally cryptic.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

My brother Jerry and his wife Marilyn are in Hawaii for a long overdue vacation. And I have really enjoyed the time I've spent with them. We went out to dinner last night and they met me at the beach for an hour or so today while Michael surfed (in front of Queen's Surf). Tomorrow morning, they are going on a helicopter tour which should be fun. Hopefully, Jerry is able to get some good aerial photos of the island. Depending on their schedule, we plan to meet them afterwards to drive up to the Pali lookout and perhaps also drive up Tantalus to the Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park. I just spoke to Marilyn and she also wants to come by the house to do laundry.

I've decided to try going to the gym twice a week instead of three times and perhaps use the weight machines to work out both my upper and lower body each time I go instead of alternating days. If it turns out to be too much, I can always switch back to alternating days again. I felt pretty good after yesterday's workout but we shall see. I can't honestly say I look more buff after working out these past two months but I do feel stronger. Especially my upper body although I am still lifting only ten pounds on most of the machines. Who knows though, maybe someday there will be some muscle definition in evidence.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Happy Father's Day, Dad... And Michael, too...

We had a little excitement today while we were doing yard work. The police pulled over a young woman with a small child that apparently blew through a few stop signs. It turned out she was driving her baby daddy's car and did not have a driver's license. Eventually there were four police vehicles on the scene. And female cops. I wondered if child protective services was involved. The fellow she was visiting in the area showed up (assuming she called him) and it ended without her being taken into custody so I guess that's a good thing.

Donna called me yesterday and we chatted for a few minutes. It is always nice to hear from her because I admittedly am a little hesitant to call her - she seems to have a lot going on between work, the hospital (Aimee), etc. Life can be pretty complicated at times.

On Friday, Michael and I took Joann (Michael's sister) to lunch at Buzz's. It was Leslie's last day. Leslie has been frustrated with the owner's management style and when you add on the long drive to Kailua, it seems like a good decision for her. Plus Chuck's Cellar has hired her full time with benefits. This will give her more time to work on her ceramics and other projects so a win-win.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Michael and I are celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary today. It's been a long but satisfying journey. So here's to you Mr. Dove.

Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I told you there's no one above you? Fill my heart with gladness, take away my sadness, ease my troubles, that's what you do. Oh the morning sun in all its glory greets the day with hope and comfort too. And you fill my life with laughter. You can make it better. Ease my troubles that's what you do.

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Butch called out of the blue today and I have to say I really enjoyed catching up with him. It was nice to hear how well Celina is doing. Galesburg will be her home for at least another year as she researches and eventually applies to grad schools. She has a part-time on-campus job and plans to look for other work to supplement her income. It sounds like she is taking on the responsibilities of being an adult. Not that there is some invisible line we all cross at some point. I have to remind myself, however, that I was a working married lady at her age, taking classes at MSU, and fantasizing about being an actress - while Michael was earning his Master's degree. Which reminds me, it has been nice seeing him spending time in his studio these past few weeks. He has also framed a few of his finished pieces. Very nice...

Friday, June 9, 2017

I just read Donna's heartbreaking post on Facebook and I am feeling pretty useless about my inability to relieve even a small bit of the stress she is currently enduring over Aimee's declining heath. Her comment that it was just like Mom and Dad all over again made me tear up. I find myself asking the cosmic void out there about the fairness of life. I know bad things happen to good people but it's wrong when they keep happening to the same person. I love my sister dearly - she was my little sidekick when our family lived at Fort Ruger. You might say she started dating early as I often took her with me when I went out. Michael was especially accommodating about going to Disney movies at the Waialae Drive-In. But I digress. And words fail me because they can't change the events in my sister's life that are the source of her stress. And I worry about her. Lots...

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Bern may secretly be one of the Hardy Boys. He has been doing some sleuthing on-line and we believe Ted is living with his daughter in Boise. And while I am curious about his life and whether or not he eventually redeemed himself, I accept that internet searches are not going to provide much more information than addresses, names of relatives, etc. Just the facts, ma'am. It's time to move on.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

I picked up copies of my police report yesterday. A lot of the pages were either too dark or too faint to read but enough is legible to understand the narrative. There were a few details in the report that don't match my recollection, especially in regards to the timing and way he showed me his gun. Because he denied knowing what the police were talking about, there were not many details of what he said when questioned. Surprisingly, reading the report did not cause the gut punch I thought might occur. I survived and I am okay. In fact, I considered sharing part of the narrative but found myself questioning my own motivation to do so. Maybe I'll write a short story some day. I still would like to know what happened to him after 1969.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

After reading through the police files for the two other women that were assaulted by the same man as me, I find myself really angry at a system that in 1969 allowed police officers to ask victims detailed questions about their sexual history. How many partners they had, etc. And to add insult to injury, in the end this violent man was given what amounted to a slap on the wrist. Five years probation, a $1,000 fine, surrender of his gun, and "psychiatric help and other services which may be deemed necessary in his rehabilitation." Despite charges of rape, attempted rape, abduction, and assault, his final conviction was for intermediate battery. It's unbelievable and it makes me nauseous just thinking about it.

I spoke again this morning to a very helpful woman at HPD Records and she is going to see if she can access the original files related to my case. Her department does not have immediate access to the old archives and she explained it will take some time as she will need to travel to another building to research my request. After reading the files for two of his other victims, however, I am hoping this doesn't turn out to be a case of "be careful what you wish for." I suspect if the file is found, it's going to be a difficult read for me.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Michael spoke to his Aunt Wanda a few days ago. She has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is scheduled to start daily radiation treatments in addition to taking medication. Of note is that she is 91 years old. Her question to her doctor is how much more time will undergoing radiation give her vs. not undergoing treatment. I think this is going to be a tough call for her and her family as there is also a "quality of life" consideration. I am not a believer in God but if he did exist, I would find myself asking why now. I remember thinking the same thing when Michael's 95 year old mother was diagnosed with gastric cancer. It had advanced enough that the doctors estimated that she only had about six weeks left. She died six months later but was bedridden and endured a lot of pain and discomfort in those last months. It confirms my wish that when my time comes, I go to sleep one night and pass away peacefully. With my luck though , I'll be having a dream where I am lost and someone is chasing me...

On a more fun note, Malia Obama was in the Aina Haina Library yesterday. I didn't see anything about her being in Hawaii on the Internet but I am pretty sure it was her. I was going to sneak a photo but it just didn't seem appropriate to invade her privacy. She's only eighteen and I guess the mom in me felt it wasn't right.

Monday, May 29, 2017

I am reminded that Memorial Day is about honoring the men and women who have died serving our country. Nevertheless it is also a three day weekend for many people so I wasn't surprised to see how crowded the beaches were today with families having barbecues, etc. Michael and I drove down to Queen's knowing full well parking would be an issue and ended up grocery shopping instead. I enjoy sitting on our front lanai so I was still able to relax with a good book and icy beverage this afternoon. We enjoyed a dinner of hot dogs, watermelon, and a few salads. So all and all a good day.

And I just wanted to thank Butch for his thoughtful email. My frustration and disappointment over the damaged police files related to my case has been difficult for me. To the point that I am finding it difficult to read through the other two case files. What happened to me and the other two women I have reports on is gut wrenching. I can only hope that if I am ever able to find out what happened to the man who did this that somehow in the end he paid for what he did to the many women he assaulted.

Sunday, May 28, 2017

I try to relax on Sundays which is actually funny in the sense that I can pretty much relax most any day. In this case, it primarily means I don't get up early to workout. That said, I am doing laundry today and did make a half hearted attempt to clean the bathroom (I sprayed Chlorox cleanser on stuff and did a quick wipe down). Yesterday, Leslie and I helped Joann unpack the 60 boxes she had shipped here. This included also tearing down and flattening all the empty boxes, putting them in the elevator, and then lugging them outside to the dumpster. Several trips later, Leslie and I were both dripping with sweat. When I got home, I was exhausted. My stomach was also upset which eventually led to a few urgent trips to the bathroom. I have no idea on cause but fortunately I woke up energized and feeling pretty good this morning. And after a rainy night, we are enjoying a beautiful breezy day.

Friday, May 26, 2017

I picked up the copies of the police reports from the HPD this morning and as luck would have it, the major file related to my case was missing. There was a note explaining that the microfilm had mildew on it and they were unable to make copies. Maybe this is the universe trying to tell me something but I am really disappointed and feel let down. I was given copies of the reports regarding other women he assaulted and will read through them when I'm in a better frame of mind. Right now, I am feeling really frustrated by this turn of events.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Michael's mother, who we all called Nanu, passed away fifteen years ago today. She was 95 years old. Sadly, she spent the last six months of her life bedridden and in pain. It always perplexed me that her family didn't gather after her death to honor her life in some way. She was a complex woman with a lot of secrets. It seems like Michael knows very little about her life growing up on Maui. And he never visited his grandparents - in fact he was surprised to find out they were still alive when he was younger.

Anyway - this reminded me of the need to live one's life and do more of the things that make us happy. Most of the obstacles we bring up are of our own doing.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Michael and I went to the records division of the Honolulu Police Department this morning so I could make a deposit for the copies of the files I requested. So within the next few weeks, I'll finally see the police reports from 1969. When I walked out of the office, I felt like crying. It doesn't seem real.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

I had a sleepless night. After two hours of lying awake I got up at midnight and read for awhile. The last time I glanced at the clock it was 2:22 am. I must have eventually dozed off only to wake up at 4:30 am when Kali pounced on me. To my credit I mustered up enough energy to go to 24 Hour Fitness at about 6:20 am. And while I feel pretty good about my upper body workout, I have to say my cardio workout on the bike was a snoozer (but I did get in ten miles). And now I am binge watching Elementary and Madame Secretary before I head off to volunteer at the library. Yawn...

Sunday, May 21, 2017

I am trying to get enthusiastic about making something for dinner and am regretting not planning ahead. There is meat and fish in the freezer but not a lot of variety of fresh veggies or salad ingredients other than lettuce, cabbage, onions, carrots, and celery. Time to get creative...

It's been a lazy stay at home day today. I got a lot of my "chores" done yesterday. So far I've done the Sunday crossword and finished reading a book sitting out on the front lanai. After a couple of days of Kona weather, the trades seem to be back. So I am enjoying sunshine and a nice breeze.

Friday, May 19, 2017 Phone rings. I answer.

Caller: Is this Cecelia Dove?

Me: Yes.

Caller: This is Iris from the HPD.

Me: Yes?

When Iris explains why she is calling I tear up. She is from the Records Department of the HPD and has been researching the request I mailed for information on my old case. She asked me to come by the police station in person to make a deposit for copies of the files. I am feeling a little anxious and excited at the same time.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Family - it's a word that has the potential to evoke a lot of different feelings. I am watching Michael struggle with his relationships with his siblings and other relatives. I believe he feels like an outsider most of the time. I see his hurt when he is not included in family get-togethers. And I can feel the pain he experiences when dealing with his brother's animosity. Michael says that I am lucky to have the family I have. And that he feels lucky to be a part of it. That he has felt an acceptance by the Pedit clan he hasn't always experienced with his own flesh and blood. And you know what? He's right. I do have a wonderful family. We may not always agree with each other and I am sure there are resentments and hurt feelings cropping up all the time but we stick together, especially through adversity. Look at the number of times we've grouped together in hospital waiting rooms for Mom, Dad, and Jeremy awaiting updates when their health was in crisis - often late into the night. We were there not only out of concern for the loved one that was hospitalized but also to be supportive of each other. And I like that family members share not just celebrated moments like pregnancy or engagement announcements but also news about ongoing health concerns on social media (like the Pedit Family and Extensions site on Facebook). And as the family has grown, that sense of caring has been extended to spouses and partners as well. We are an inclusive, loyal, and caring group and I feel very fortunate to be one of the Pedits. I recognize this is my slant on our family and that the views and opinions I've expressed are not necessarily the sentiments of other family members.

Monday, May 15, 2017

Donna's post on Facebook today about Aimee's decision to discontinue surgeries on her arm made me realize how disconnected I have become. While I am aware that Aimee has been hospitalized several times and has had multiple surgeries for various issues, I can't honestly say that I know or understand what her current medical condition is. And the reference to Aimee's court case caught me off guard as well. And so I find myself asking myself what else I don't know. Is Tricia still dating Larry? Do Elizabeth and Celina have boyfriends? How did David come to live at Donna's house? Is anyone in our family truly happy? Big, big sigh...

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Happy Mother's Day - and yes I received a very nice phone call from Sean this morning. Thank you very much... It sounds like he and Rose are looking for a date in May for their wedding. And yes, Michael took me out for breakfast this morning to my favorite breakfast spot. I love McDonald's bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits. I was a bit surprised, however, to see that it looked like all their Mom employees were working instead of the usual gang of teens. And I might add it seems like despite how busy they were orders were coming up quickly and efficiently. Mmm...

Saturday, May 13, 2017

Tomorrow is Mother's Day - a day that I never felt was about me. It's always been about my mother, who did seem to care that she somehow be pampered a little on Mother's Day. After all, she had eight kids. And I made an effort to spend time with her. We went out for meal or I or one of my siblings would have a brunch or barbecue at their house. And there were cards and flowers. And now that she is gone, I am flooded with memories this weekend and feel a renewed sense of loss. Much love on Mother's Day, Mom, wherever you are.

Friday, May 12, 2017

Closure is an interesting concept. One in which I find myself questioning if you can ever achieve a sense of resolution on some life events and does it really matter if you don't. I find myself seeking answers about something that happened to me years ago. I feel like my memories have been compromised by the defense mechanisms my mind put in place to block the mental trauma associated with this event. I want to read the police/court files but I suspect at this point doing so may be impossible. I'd also like to look at the old news articles regarding this event, which I understand I may be able to access via microfiche at the downtown public library. And I want to know what happened to the man involved. There is a part of me that feels like I should just let this go but this renewed need for answers 48 years later, tells me otherwise. This is the beginning of my search. I hope I find what I am looking for. But even more, I hope to find acceptance if I am not successful.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

Yesterday, instead of going to the beach, Michael and I shook things up and went to Ward Warehouse and then to Kaka'ako for lunch. And we even bought stuff. I added a raku pot to my collection and Michael finally bought a new guitar. He has spent hours at Island Guitar over the past few years looking and playing various guitars and finally said yes to a Taylor after a little encouragement from his wife. After our shopping expedition, we went to a place called Hank's Haute Dog for lunch, which really hit the spot. The block that it is on is called Salt at Our Kaka'ako and it is being converted into a cluster of shops and restaurants. It seems to have attracted a lot of young creative people and I felt like the area was giving off a great vibe (is that a thing?). And there is parking - always a plus. We want to try a restaurant called Moku Kitchen next. It looks like a nice place for a Friday night dinner date, which we are still doing after 46 years.

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

I am not sure if it is from riding the stationery bike at 24 Hour Fitness yesterday or just an old age thing but my legs felt really stiff when I walked this morning. The first mile was a bit slower than usual.

When I volunteered at the library yesterday, I couldn't help but notice people seemed more on edge than normal. People visit the library for more than its books. A fair number of adults use the computers on a regular basis to access the Internet. And a few people use the library as an office, which is what most of the commotion in the library was about yesterday. A man was conducting business on his cell phone and Vivian (who comes in regularly to use the computers) shouted more than once for him "stop talking." The library security officer advised the man that cell phone use was not allowed in the library and asked him to step outside to use the phone. Which he did but when he returned to his seat, his phone rang and he took the call, prompting Vivian to go into a very loud rant. I should mention that I have seen Vivian ranting at the Post Office as well over some trivial matter. The moral of this story is that adults do not behave any better than the middle school kids that use the library to wait for their parents after school.

Another beautiful day here...

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Michael and I had dinner with his sister Joann last night at Kona Brewing in Hawaii Kai. She sold her home of many years in Florida and moved here a week ago. I have to give her a lot of credit for this move - particularly when considering she is 81 years old. It was nice to see Michael and her talking about family history. She related a lot of memories about the family before Michael's Dad and Michael came into their lives. One thing of note that amuses me is that she has not informed her son Marc that she is now living in Hawaii.

I am really tired today. I think it's a result of not sleeping well, working out early this morning at 24 Hour Fitness, and then working a few hours at the library. I tried laying down for a bit this afternoon but never actually dozed off. I did, however, get a good face licking from Kali...

Thursday, May 4, 2017

I got my monthly Target fix this morning. Michael and I are now well stocked with toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, kitty litter and more. And I spotted two people shopping with their red vested dogs - one was a cute little guy curled up in the front of the shopping cart, owner was not in sight. I know I just need to let this go but it bugs me.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

One of my pet peeves... I am seeing more and more dogs wearing little red vests in restaurants and stores and am pretty sure many aren't true service or emotional support dogs. It seems like a lot of dog owners are shopping the Internet for vests and tags for their "comfort" pets just so they can take them in places animals aren't normally allowed. I would think this puts businesses in an awkward position. And I do not like seeing dog owners taking advantage of the system. Of course, I also hate dog owners that do not clean up after their pets. Sigh...

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

I walked by the greeting card section at Longs the other day and the rows of Mother's Day cards made me realize how much I miss mom. There will always be reminders but with Mother's Day less than two weeks away, I feel like I should be planning something for her. I can still recall her voice but there are times I can't see her face as clearly as I used to. I have photos but they are little compensation for the inability to talk to her, to touch her again. And it makes me wonder what comfort if any visiting her grave might bring me. I guess I may find out in August when we are chasing the sun.

Monday, May 1, 2017

Happy May Day! And as a reminder, May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. And when we went to the beach today, the 90th Annual Lei Day Celebration was in full swing at the Kapiolani Park bandstand. The beach seemed really busy today with young adults making me wonder if a lot of universities are between terms.

So it turned out that the temperature yesterday morning was 61 degrees, which is a record low for April 30. All I know is the house was quite chilly and I had to put on socks. It didn't take long for the house to heat up today, however, with temperatures currently in the low 80's. The ceiling fan is on...

I went out to breakfast with Ellen this morning. She returns to Arizona tomorrow. Her colleagues gave her a wonderful retirement party and it sounds like she was thrilled that so many of her former students were in attendance.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

It has been cool and rainy the past few days (high 60's) which I don't mind but I suspect if I was visiting the islands I wouldn't be too pleased. But it is why I am making crockpot stew. I am kicking myself though because I forgot to get biscuits when I was out today. I am pretty sure I can ad-lib somehow...

Friday, April 28, 2017

I try to do at least one "chore" every day. Today it was cleaning the refrigerator. As I was scrubbing away all the usual gunk from the shelves and bins, I discovered a dead gecko stuck to the surface behind the vegetable bin. I have no idea how it crawled in there but I couldn't help but wonder how long it was chilling before its demise. Death by refrigerator.

After a long break, I started the slow process of scanning old photos again for my photo book project. I am working on 1999 images right now and it occurred to me that I have another 30+ years of photos to go. I have all my old photo albums in chronological order on my book shelf and the sheer volume makes this look like an impossible task. But I have the rest of my life to work on what I like to think is the story of my adult life. So I'm going to keep plugging away. Who knows, maybe eventually I'll try to write out what I remember from my childhood - or at least create a timeline. I don't know if any of this will ever be of interest to Sean or his potential children but I found it sobering that when both Mom and Dad died, a lot of their history died with them.

Michael has been busy lately painting and drawing in his studio. I can see him working through the back room window - something I find strangely comforting.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

I had dinner with Ellen last night at the Maile Thai Bistro in Hawaii Kai. She completed her retirement paperwork today for an effective date of August 1. She is then planning on going on a European cruise in mid-September so is starting off retirement in style. It sounds like Cat continues to do well at Nintendo and is part of one of their more elite teams. She also mentioned that Cat's name is in the credits for the Zelda game, which has to be exciting.

I am on week four of my adventures at 24 Hour Fitness. I don't know if it's a placebo effect but I do feel like my arms look a little more toned. It has been hard for me to adjust to the reduction in miles walked weekly though. At one time I was walking 30 plus miles/week. That dropped to about 20-25 miles when I started having leg and foot pain about six months ago. And now that I have cut back to walking only three days a week, there has been a further reduction in miles to half of that. On the other hand, however, I am biking now and have logged close to 100 miles so far at 24 Hour. So there is a trade-off. Oh, the mind games we play with ourselves...

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

I was at 24 Hour Fitness this morning and ended up getting an unsolicited earful from a chatty guy about how dangerous Muslims are. Lordy!

I finally forced myself to make a decision about starting distributions from my TIAA account yesterday. The paperwork is nearly completed - I just need to add few contingent beneficiaries and Michael needs to get his signature notarized on one of the documents. So Michael and I are now tapped into all our available sources of retirement income including social security, two annuities, and a small pension payment from Bank of America (from my years working for Michigan National Bank). It is by no means a lot of income - in fact less than what we made working but unless we get wild and crazy, Michael and I should be okay. And not having a mortgage payment helps a lot. Something I owe thanks to Michael's parents for.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Michael and I went to Kailua yesterday for dinner at Carol's house. Gregg and Barbara are visiting this week. And Art (Michael's calabash cousin) and Maria (Art's wife) stopped over in Hawaii on their way home (San Diego) after spending time in Australia. Courtney and Clancy were also there, and of course, Aunt Wanda. Wanda apparently had a small stroke a few weeks ago - fortunately the only outward signs something had happened is her speech is a little slurred and one side of her face droops a little. Watching her trying to get around reminded me a little of Mom on one of her bad days. And Wanda is 91. I think, however, that this latest health scare has made Wanda's children face the reality that they may not have much more time with her. And that has to be hard.

I am taking a break from mopping the floor - letting a portion dry so I can move enough furniture to get the next section done. I've said this before but there sure are a lot of gecko dropping stuck to the floor. Eww...

Friday, April 21, 2017

Michael apparently had the dentist appointment from hell yesterday. The dentist was working on a cavity in one of his wisdom teeth. When he gave him the shot of anesthesia it must have hit a nerve leading to Michael's eye because he experienced a sharp pain behind his eye. And for several hours following his appointment, one side of his face was droopy. The dentist was concerned enough that he called Michael last night to make sure he was alright. I really felt badly for Michael because he dreads going to the dentist for any procedure including cleanings. This experience did not help...

I got my Hep A shot yesterday as well. Surprisingly I haven't felt much discomfort and was even able to lay on my arm last night when sleeping. So I am all set for life on this particular vaccination. But there are plenty of other nasty things out in the world just waiting for me.

And I noticed at dinner tonight that Chili's added calorie counts to their menu items including the alcoholic drinks. Talk about throwing a wet blanket on ordering. Psst, there are 1,360 calories in a bacon cheeseburger. Just saying. ;)

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

OMG, McDonalds is no longer selling Mac Juniors. I really hoped they would become a keeper. #disappointed

I regret not keeping one of Mom's demo aprons. She had given me a couple - one not surprisingly was from her Dove demo. Foolishly when I moved, they ended up in the Goodwill bag with all my winter clothes. Of course, I am also kicking myself for not packing my rolling pin, bundt pan, flour sifter, pizza pan, and a bunch of other kitchen gadgets I am constantly searching for.

I spoke to Bern this morning. After a visit to his doctor, he learned that he may be able to have his knee surgery as soon as July. He sounds optimistic. He also shared some other health issues - a few I didn't really know about (or I had forgotten about). One in particular is the chlamydia pneumonia virus which he suspects he contracted during his "agricultural" endeavors in the 70's (maybe 80's) if I have my dates right. I am still reading up on the virus but its effects sound pretty serious.

And I received a call from Long's today to let me know my Hep A vaccination (second dose) is finally available. Guess who is getting a shot tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017

I love it when the weather guy talks about a cold front coming on Hawaii news. My workout this morning at 24 Hour Fitness seemed to flow smoothly. It was almost like I knew what I was doing. I think some of my jiggly arm fat is getting firmer but I suspect that is from doing planks and working out with light weights since mid-January, not my recent efforts at 24 Hour.

I think I may have threatened Kali this morning. At 3:30 am, she decided she wanted to groom my hair, which involves some head biting. I do not know why she is so attracted to my hair but her relentless assault on my being just isn't welcome -especially at 3:30am. She also likes to sit on me and it doesn't matter whether its my chest, back, or side. It's a good thing I like her. Sigh...

Monday, April 17, 2017

I apparently have a pot problem. Every time I see a nice ceramic pot for a good price, I feel compelled to buy it. What I am leading up to is that I just bought three more pots at Ross this morning. On the plus side, I already have plans for what I am going to plant in them. Michael has a couple of plumeria tree cuttings and I have a couple of ti plants that are looking for upgrades to nicer containers. This is my excuse and I am going to stick to it.

It's been raining on and off all day so I am trying to catch up on paperwork and some other indoor chores. Michael is working on a painting. Just another day in paradise.

Friday, April 14, 2017

The house across the street is for sale for a whopping $960,000 and it is being sold as a tear-down because of extensive termite damage among other things. When you consider there is another home in the valley on the ridge that is not only bigger but also newer construction and well maintained for $1,200,000, I'll be surprised if my neighbors gets their asking price. But you just never know.

From what I am reading in the local paper, there is uneasiness about the situation with North Korea. If they have a missile that can hit Hawaii, we are screwed because the islands currently are not equipped or prepared to deal with a missile attack - especially if it is a nuclear warhead. I am hoping Trump doesn't provoke an attack because I can't see a positive outcome.

Thursday, April 13, 2017

So this is my life... Thoughts I had while gazing out at Koko Marina while pedaling away on the indoor cycle at 24 Hour Fitness this morning at 6:15am.

I feel stronger and fitter than I have in years despite the struggles I continue to have controlling my weight. I plateaued a few years ago and know that the only way to move the number on the scale is to change the way I eat. You know the old adage - you can't keep doing the same things over and over and expect to get different results (much to my amusement this is also how Einstein supposedly defined insanity). But the gist of all this is the best way to get a desired result when what you are doing isn't working is to change what you are doing. And a change in eating habits worked well for me in the past but I have to say that success was more related to the lack of easy access to food when I was working than will power on my part. In my current situation, the kitchen is only a few steps away so unless I am physically away from the house, it's way too easy to snack. Sigh...

Interestingly, I find it easier to change my fitness routines. I've just started going to 24 Hour Fitness and am replacing three days of walking with indoor cycling and weight training. Once I feel more comfortable with this change in routine, I plan to address my lack of flexibility issue. Tai chi didn't turn out to work that well for me so I think I'll look to see if any of the classes offered at 24 Hour have to do with stretching. And there is always yoga...

Monday, April 10, 2017

I went out with the Millers today. They are a couple I often walk with mornings. We went to Kunia Country Farms first, which is a sprawling nursery fairly close to the Wheeler Air Field. They had a lot of palms, fruit trees, and other plants. I always find walking around nurseries calming and this one did not disappoint with its beautiful mountain backdrop. Our next stop was Kapolei, which is referred to as Oahu's second city. It's a planned community in the Ewa Beach area on the west side of Oahu. The Millers gave me the grand tour of the new shopping centers and schools. And yes, there is a Target. The FBI headquarters, family court, and newspaper offices have all relocated to Kapolei. We ate lunch at Denny's. From there, we headed to Kiso's, which is a landscaping store in Waipahu that I have been wanting to check out for a long time. I found a reasonably priced pagoda for the yard. So all in all a very fun day of exploring for me and a big thanks to the Millers for including me in their outing. It sort of reminded me of going out to run errands with Butch when I lived in Michigan. He often took the "scenic route" when we were out and about, which I used to love.

Friday, April 7, 2017

I've always considered myself a light sleeper but Butch sent me an article about REM sleep which suggests otherwise. The muscle paralysis I experience in my dreams might be an indicator of deep REM sleep. It does make me wonder about my sometimes very scary dreamworld. I guess I should count my blessings that my "awake" world is relatively benign.

Because REM is a mixture of encephalic (brain) states of excitement and muscular immobility, it is sometimes called paradoxical sleep. It is generally thought that REM-associated muscle paralysis is meant to keep the body from acting out the dreams that occur during this intensely cerebral stage.

Thursday, April 6, 2017

I got up early this morning and went to 24 Hour Fitness. I rode the bike for 45 minutes (7.4 miles) and then headed to the weight machines planning to do an upper body workout I found on the Internet. I believe I found five of the six machines listed on my workout sheet but am unsure because the names weren't always the same. And I ended up substituting the rotary lateral machine for the lateral pull down machine. So I spent maybe 15 minutes on the actual machines and 30 minutes walking around in a daze looking for the damn machines. What the hell? And I lost my pencil and had to go down to the desk to borrow a pen so I could log my reps and weights. And I kind of have a stiff neck right now. Not the greatest start but I shall persevere and eventually figure this all out. On my next visit, I plan to do a lower body workout and am hoping it goes a little more smoothly.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Michael and I spent a few hours at Queen's beach today and lucked out on parking as there was close to 3 hours left on the meter. Free, I like free...

I spoke to one of the pharmacists at Long's yesterday about my Hepatitis A shot. I had my first of two shots six months ago and am due for the second dose. Apparently Longs is concerned that I am allergic to one of the ingredients in the batch they received based on other drugs I have had prescribed. Apparently this is related to the adverse reaction I had to mango sap last August. So I am on hold until they receive a different formula. Much to my surprise, Andrew (the pharmacist I spoke to yesterday) called me today to talk to me further about my allergy and the availability of the other formula. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised at someone taking the time to do a follow-up call but it just seems like we live in a world where people don't normally go the extra mile. And I appreciate that Andrew did.

Monday, April 2, 2017

We had a very nice day yesterday with Michelle and Eric Macke, who are vacationing in Hawaii. Michael took them on a small tour that included Sandy Beach and Makapu'u. We then had dinner at the Side Street Inn in Kapahula and of course I ate and drank far too much. My excuse is that the food was incredibly ono and it was beyond my control to stop eating. I am glad we had an opportunity to spend some time with them. Michael coached both of their daughters and they are a wonderful family. And I am the first to admit that in addition to catching up on their family's activities, it was also really nice to hear about what's going on in Ann Arbor.

I forgot to mention that Tuesday night, we had dinner with Leslie at Assagio's in Hawaii Kai. It was a very belated birthday dinner. She mentioned a few things that are going on with Michael's family that we hadn't heard about. One is his sister Joann sold her home in Seminole, FL and is moving to Hawaii in May. She plans to stay with Carl while she looks for an apartment. And Sione and Chelsea made an offer on a house in Kahuku. I do not know what the status is on their offer but it does mean they are actively looking for a home. I am wishing them the best of luck and hope they find a place that meets their growing family's needs.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

I had weird dreams early this morning. The kind where your legs don't work. Michael and I were on a monorail and needed to get off to change trains. Michael got off and I followed but when I got to the exit door my legs wouldn't work well enough to climb down the steps. I somehow got to the platform but by that time Michael was long gone. I woke up then dozed off again and dreamed (or dreamt) that I was on an early morning walk. At some point I suddenly realized I was carrying the sheet and quilt from my bed. And once again there was a moment when my legs wouldn't move. No one was chasing me (thank god) but I was lost. Fortunately I had my iPhone and was able to use the GPS to figure out my location. And then "I woke up, fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head," and went out and walked for real - with my iPhone, of course. You can never be too prepared.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

A good night's sleep has never been my "thing" but the last few nights have been better. It's funny, but the last time I remember sleeping soundly was at Butch's house in his guest room when I stayed there in December 2014 after the Chesterfield house was sold. I suspect exhaustion and stress followed by major relief may have been a factor.

Michael and I went to Geobunga today to buy decorative stones. A one word summary is that stones are expensive. Michael bought two 40 lb bags of good sized river stones. I bought a bag of small multicolored pebbles called jelly beans that I plan to use in some of my potted plants. I filled a few mason jars as well thinking they might make nice decorative pieces but am not sure where to put them.

Monday, March 27, 2017

I'm so tired, I haven't slept a wink. I'm so tired, my mind is on the blink. I found myself still awake at 1am this morning. I think I may have consumed too much caffeine yesterday and also my leg was aching. I finally got up, took an Aleve and read for about half an hour before going back to bed. I finally dozed off only to have Kali decide I needed a bath at 4 am this morning. I am really dragging and feel out of sorts. I am hoping sleep doesn't evade me again tonight. Yawn...

Sunday, March 26, 2017

On yesterday's post, I wish I had said "Bless me father for I have sinned, it's been seven days since my last confession." It's a Catholic thing...

I spent today doing laundry, yard clean-up, the Sunday crossword puzzle (which was a real struggle this week), and reading a crime drama on my Kindle. I also prepared and cooked both breakfast and dinner and am now looking forward to a shower and later watching TV (Madame Secretary and Elementary).

Saturday, March 25, 2017

Wow, I am surprised to find it's been a week since my last post. This week apparently has been pretty much the status quo. That said, yesterday we went to Ala Moana Beach Park so I could paddle around, which I really like. I think I just missed seeing a big sea turtle as there was a big splash behind me but when I turned around to look all I could see was water ripples. We made an attempt to go to the International Auto Show yesterday as well but foolishly left the house around 3:30pm and got caught in traffic around the Ala Moana shopping center. The contra flow lane was open so we were unable to make a left turn on Kapiolani Bvld. After about 30-45 minutes, Michael's stress peaked and we headed for the cool, darkness of Chuck's Cellar in Waikiki instead. A few drinks later, all was good again with the world.

Michael and I joined 24 Hour Fitness in Hawaii Kai midweek and I went in today so one of the trainers could show me not only a few of the weight machines that would help me work on my core strength but also some stretches needed to eventually eliminate the sciatic nerve pain I have been experiencing. I have an appointment on Monday to get an assessment so am hoping to pick up some more information before committing to going 2-3 times/week. I think I may alternate between walking in the valley mornings and going to the fitness club. In addition to using the weight machines, I'd also like to start biking again for cardio. Who knows, eventually I may even start taking a few of the fitness classes they offer. I am trying to ease into this in hopes I find it something I enjoy rather than trying to do too much and feeling stressed about it.

Saturday, March 18, 2017

I finished watching Twin Peaks last night and did not like the ending. I completely forgot it ended that way. Audrey and Pete both possibly killed in a bomb explosion at the bank? Agent Cooper possessed by demonic Bob? The creepy way he said "How's Annie?" after smashing his head into the mirror. No like!

Thursday, March 16, 2017

After spending a beautiful day at Waimanalo Bay swimming and enjoying the beach, I found myself a bit sun burned when I got home. I don't worry too much about it when Michael and I go to Queen's as we usually sit in the shade and I rarely go in the water. But today I apparently threw caution to the wind - interesting only because I am usually pretty careful about excessive sun exposure.

I got my hair cut yesterday but decided to delay getting the color touched up. I want to see what it looks like naturally although I suspect until I get to the point that there is more gray than brown, coloring makes sense. Miki (the woman that cuts my hair) mentioned that I have a lot more dark hair on the back of my head than the front. We shall see...

I am still binge watching Twin Peaks. I have five more episodes to watch. It's hard not to get caught up in the show's humor and seeing David Duchovny in drag as Denise made me laugh out loud.

And I continue to feel fortunate to have made friends with other early morning walkers in the valley. Especially with the Millers and Arlene - their generosity, quick wit, and sense of humor make me smile every day. The Millers gave me a small ficus today and some more tilandsia. I loved filling our yard in Michigan with plants family and friends shared and it's wonderful to have that happening here. It makes me feel good to look at a plant when I step outside and be able to associate it with a kind neighbor.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

I have been thinking about loss and how much that one small word encompasses. Over the years I have lost keys, my cell phone, my wedding ring, earrings, clothing, money, and much more. Countless hours have been invested in searches resulting in some items being recovered, some being replaced, and some being lost forever. My wedding ring, for example. But my losses also include trips to destinations I've wanted to visit and never acted on and missed opportunities to spend time with family. And with these losses I do have regrets. But the biggest losses I have experienced are the deaths of Mom and Dad. They cannot be replaced. I am grateful for all my memories but it pains me every time there is something I'd like to ask them or I realize I will never see them again. And especially with Mom, I would give anything to sit on the front porch with her one more time to talk, listen to her stories, or flip through a magazine with her. I miss doing ordinary things with Mom and Dad and the realization that these moments are lost to me forever is something that saddens me.

Monday, March 13, 2017

So according to Spicer, if you use quotation marks when making a remark, what you say doesn't literally mean what you said. If only Bill Clinton had used air quotes when he said "I did not have 'sexual relations' with that woman." And yet Trump seems to continue to get away with it. It is beyond comprehension.

I am binge watching Twin Peaks on Netflix. I am currently on episode 11 of season two. And while I remember most of the characters, I am amazed at how much I don't recall of the storyline. But the important thing is how much I am enjoying the series the second time around.

Saturday, March 11, 2017

We splurged on dinner at Roy's last night. They do not take reservations for seating on their patio which is kind of nice because you can take your chances and just drop in. Which is what we did. And I have to admit there is a difference in both food quality and service at a place like Roy's vs. a place like Kona Brewing. But then you are also paying more.

I got a surge of energy and did a lot of yard clean-up today. I also repotted a couple of ti plants into the planters we purchased from Geobunga. By 3pm I was sweaty, dirty, and exhausted. The coolish shower I took felt pretty good.

We rented Hacksaw Ridge tonight and it was a really intense movie. It was difficult to watch at times but I'd highly recommend this movie.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Hawaiian Dad said today: "I wish the psychedelic hippie days would come back." He said a couple more things but I can't remember them right now. He might need an intervention.

We went to the Honolulu Biennial today. It's an art exhibition in what used to be a Sports Authority location and it exceeded my expectations. There were several really impressive works by various artists from Hawaii, the Pacific Islands, Australia, and New Zealand. The most thought provoking exhibits for me dealt with representations of Pacific peoples. All and all, a solid show.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

I am trying to determine if today is going to be sunny or rainy. Out of the blue (literally), it just rained for about 30 seconds and now it is sunny again. Kali is perched behind me on the back of the couch and I am beginning to think this is her new fave spot when Michael or I are sitting on the couch. She spent the evening with Michael last night in this very spot. I am sure he was absolutely thrilled and I have to admit it's pretty darn cute. I believe this may mean she's abandoned her sleeping spot in my office's closet but you never know.

On Monday, Arlene (Seattle) and I walked around Kapiolani Park and then had lunch with her husband, Bill, at the Hau Tai Lanai restaurant (located in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel). Beautiful beach location and great food - so a thumbs up from me as a destination for lunch. One of the things I like about Bill and Arlene is how easy it is to hang out with them. You know how sometimes you feel like you are being judged when you are out with someone - not so much with them. Although maybe they are secretly judging me - I am aware that I do sometimes make awkward remarks. Anyway... they are returning to Seattle tomorrow and as always I am happy that Arlene found time to see me while she was in town.

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Michael and I are looking into joining a fitness club as a free membership through Silver Sneakers is a benefit of our health plan. We looked at 24 Hour Fitness in Hawaii Kai Friday night and plan to check out Honolulu Fitness in Aina Haina next. I have a feeling that we'd use Honolulu Fitness more because it's closer to our house (and McDonalds) but I think it may come down to whether or not they have an erg for Michael. There are so many decisions to make when you are retired...

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Occasionally I have dreams that involve hiking or driving and without fail the trail or road leads to some narrow pathway with a cliff on one side. And being close to a cliff edge without a railing make me really anxious. I am not one of those people that crawls over a barrier to get a better view. But I find myself asking why I am still having these kinds of dreams. I don't believe that I am currently on "edge" or have any life and death decisions to make. But at the same time I do believe that dreams have meaning so there is something that is nagging at me that just hasn't surfaced yet. Sigh... Oh, by the way, in last night's dream I was hiking on some scary rock formations in Utah.

Michael and I managed to get a few hours at the beach today in between rain showers. It's the first time this week the weather has been nice enough so it was nice to get out for a few hours.

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

The much anticipated rain hit early this morning and has continued on and off all day. Which made it a good day to go to Ala Moana with Arlene (Seattle). We went to several shoe stores in search of the perfect pair of sandals. I tried on about six pairs of shoes and was tempted but think I'll hold off as none were exactly what I am looking for. Sketchers came the closest but the color choice they had in stock was limited. As much as I love wandering around stores with Michael, he wouldn't have had the patience and good humor Arlene had so I really lucked out that she happened to be in Honolulu this week. (She lives in Seattle.) I may have to schedule my mother of groom dress shopping for when she is in town. <smile> We had a nice lunch at CPK following shopping and will try to get together again before she leaves next week.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

After a week of funky weather (mixture of rain, wind, and sun) we are enjoying a calm sunny Sunday. It would have been a good beach day but we don't normally seem to go to the beach on weekends. Michael has been working on his pathway - we've been to City Mill twice in the last few days to buy bricks, pavers, and sand. One more trip and he'll be done. And it really looks nice which is always a plus.

I am happy to report that Kali has apparently been playing us in regards to the scratching post. The last few days she has been scratching away. Of course there is always the possibility that she is using the post in addition to the couch, rug, etc. It's always nice to have options.

I am making char sui pork, rice, mac salad, and broccolini for dinner tonight. And I wonder why we always seem to gain weight on the weekends...

Thursday, February 23, 2017

It's always an uncomfortable moment when you wake up to the cat making a barfing sound on the bed and you wonder did she or didn't she. She didn't last night but she did a few nights ago. Big eww... Kali, by the way, has shown zero interest in her scratching post. I tried putting a little catnip on it, still no interest.

We are just puttering around the house today like two old retirees. We made a quick trip to City Mill so Michael could buy some bricks for his ongoing pathway project. I bought some glue to glue the soles back on my favorite pair of sandals (which I should probably throw out but I like them too much). While there, we tried Jersey Mike's which is a new sub place that opened recently in the shopping center. I thought the sub was pretty good - dare I say better than Subway?

I repotted a few ti plants this morning but have some concerns that the spot I chose for the container may be too windy. I am going to leave it there and reassess in a few days. If the plants are at an angle, I'll have my answer.

Sean and Rose will be in Seattle next week for the Emerald City Comicon (March 2-5). Hopefully Cat will be able to make it into Seattle at some point to see them. At least I know she knows Sean will be there as she responded to one of his posts about the convention.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Today is the two year anniversary of dad's death. Sometimes I wish there had been a way of knowing how much time he had left before I moved. Maybe I would have waited. I hope that family continued to visit him regularly in the weeks leading up to his death. For all his faults, I did love him. And there are still moments that I find it hard to believe that both he and mom are gone.

Do you ever make deals with yourself? Like I'll buy an item but only if it is under a certain price and/or comes in a certain color. Or I'll do "X" only if certain conditions occur. Last night I told myself that I would commit to plane tickets for my August trip to Michigan but only if I had enough award miles for my flights. In all honesty, based on some searches at the Delta site last week, I was pretty certain I would not meet the condition I set. Imagine my surprise when I spotted a few flights within my mileage range. And a deal is a deal...

Monday, February 20, 2017

Windy day today. We ended up going to Ross and Costco. I found a couple of inexpensive ceramic pots at Ross - the larger of which I plan to use for a couple of ti plants. And the smaller I think will make a good container for succulents. We also bought a scratching post for Kali. It will be amusing to see if she uses it when there are so many other attractive things to claw in the house like rugs, chairs, and the couch. I haven't tried catnip with her so I don't know if putting some on the post will make it more interesting but it's worth a try if it encourages her to use it.

Marilyn contacted me about her and Jerry possibly visiting Hawaii in June. I am not sure if they are planning to stay with us or find a hotel. Regardless of whether it's Hawaii or someplace else, I think Marilyn could use some time away after how rough things have been post her car accident and resulting injuries.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

I am crashing someone's vacation and am hoping I do not become a third wheel. But the best part is I don't even care that I don't know where we are going. I am looking forward to an adventure.

Yesterday, Michael and I went shoe shopping. I am looking for some nice comfortable sandals, which you think would be in big supply in Hawaii. There are a lot of flip flops in the stores but it seems like most of the sandals on the shelves are more about fashion than comfort. By the way, I did come home with a pair of shoes - more of the dressy variety.

I spent today doing laundry and yard work including repotting a few plants. We had a pot of small palms that was a centerpiece at Michael's 50th high school reunion that I put in a big ceramic container. I also have some ti cuttings that I rooted a few months ago that are ready to be planted or repotted. We haven't had a lot of luck though with the ti plants we have put in the ground so far which has been disappointing. I think it might be poor soil quality.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. Michael and I don't do much to celebrate other than exchange cards. And I must admit I used to look forward to Michael's artistic endeavors as he's made some pretty amazing cards in the past. That kind of effort has waned over our many years together and while it's a little disappointing, I accept it's not all that important to him. Yesterday morning his reaction to the card I gave him was something along the lines of "oh, crap" (and I grimaced a little). But when I got home from the library later in the day, I found a card from him on my desk. It was a nice gesture but it made me a bit uncomfortable because I feel like he felt pressured to make a card. Which kind of sucks for him. Sigh...

In the end, I remind myself that I'd rather have sustained love over romance but every once in awhile a girl dreams for both.

Monday, February 13, 2017

I thought we had come through the torrential rain on Saturday unscathed until I realized I had left my car window open. I spent a few hours Sunday cleaning out pooled water, vacuuming the rugs, and throwing what I could in the dryer. Fortunately it was a clear day and the sun did its magic drying out the seats and floors. I suppose in a serendipitous way, the interior of the car hasn't been this clean in months. Last night we went to the Chart House to celebrate Michael's birthday. We took advantage of their sunset special which included a caesar salad, an entree, a starch, and a dessert all for the bargain price of $34 each. It was smaller-sized portions which suited us fine although the two slices of key lime pie we ordered looked like half of a pie. And we were treated to not only a beautiful sunset at the harbor but also the staff of the restaurant singing happy birthday to Michael.

Today we went to Waimanalo Bay and it unexpectedly turned out to be pretty windy but the water was surprisingly calm. There is usually a pretty good onshore break. The film crews were there filming a crossover Hawaii 5-0/Macgyver episode so part of the beach was closed off. It's supposed to air on March 10. I guess I'll add it to my got to watch list.

Friday, February 10, 2017

We went to Target this morning and as usual spent a lot of money. It seems to be a pretty easy thing to do. But the cupboards are full, Michael bought a new DVD player, I bought a couple of nice journals, and the list goes on...

Tonight we went to Chuck's Cellar for dinner and had a really nice time eating, drinking and listening to music. The group that was playing were singing a lot of oldies and Michael was showing me his moves. He reminds me of his dad who used to show off his dance moves when I was dating Michael. It's hard to believe he's been gone 45 years. And I feel fortunate to have a lot of wonderful memories of him. He was a really good guy.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

I just splurged on two pendants - one says "resist" and the other says "nevertheless, she persisted." I am hoping they will help remind me that there are things worth fighting for and they don't necessarily need to be political.

I attended the Hawaii State Public Library Institute Day today. It was a pretty good conference - the keynote speakers were interesting and engaging. However, I must admit I didn't care for the lunch - they served Bento boxes and I got the vegetarian option and did not like it at all. Even the rice had some kind of sea weed flavoring that left an awful after taste. Not my thing, apparently. I would have killed for a piece of plain bread or an apple. I'm way too haole, I guess.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

I made freshly squeezed orange juice this morning with oranges a neighbor (also a morning walker) gave me. It was pretty good and I still have a few oranges left. I also came home with a lemon from another neighbor's tree. I love getting fresh produce from the neighbors.

I finished my 2016 photo book and after several attempts was able to download it to the Apple Store. I love the quality and how Apple's finished books look but I also really think there are a lot of glitches in the program including frequent crashes, which I mentioned in a prior rant. I told Michael I am going to write a letter to Tim Cook - who I am sure personally reads all letters addressed to him and will take immediate action to remedy the issues once I've brought them to his attention. Or not...

I also cautiously e-filed both our federal and state tax returns last night and got a message that both have been accepted. I am always paranoid that I screwed up somehow so sending them in this early is a pretty bold move for me. A neighbor that seems to be pretty tax savvy told me I am such small peanuts in the world of finance that I shouldn't worry so much. But when you are a worrier like me...

I woke up at 1:30am this morning with pain similar to what I experienced when I had a UTI last year. I had a difficult time trying to empty my bladder but feel fine now. I am still concerned, however, that I may have an infection. Which will not make me happy.

Michael went to his new doctor yesterday and reported that he was "okay." Our doctor at Queen's Medical left to go to Kaiser because of changes in HMSA's payment structure. She also didn't like that HMSA was second guessing every test she ordered. With the high cost of medical coverage (and it only seems to be getting even more costly), it seems like the care itself has become more restrictive. I am curious to know what if anything will change with the Republicans in control. I read an article that suggested that health care plans for seniors on Medicare and Advantage plans are going to see rising costs. And this after Lil Donnie tweeted plans to "come up with a healthcare plan that really works - much less expensive & FAR BETTER..." I am not holding my breath.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

I just enjoyed a very delicious dinner prepared by my husband - macadamia nut encrusted mahi-mahi with a fresh vegetable relish and roasted potatoes and green beans. I've known for a long time that I am outclassed in the food prep department and am pretty much a cooking hack. Which is okay...

The wind shifted here and is blowing from the west. We went to Queen's this morning and it was a little too windy and cool to be comfortable. The water was also really choppy so it surprised me to see tourists paddling out for surf lessons.

I am thinking about rewatching the original Twin Peaks but it would be a big commitment. I am watching the pilot right now and had forgotten how much I liked it. It's hard to believe it's been over 25 years since it originally aired. And everyone looks so young.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Happy Groundhog's Day!

About the time Punx Phil was embarrassing himself in Pennsylvania, Makani da Mongoose poked his head out of a storm drain in Kaka'ako and saw a gecko, meaning that Hawaii will get seven more weeks of mauka showers, vog, and high gas prices. If Makani had seen a cockroach instead of a gecko, it would have meant four days of heavy snow in Kalihi. So we were lucky there. And if he had seen his own shadow... well, let's just be thankful he didn't see his shadow. When a mongoose sees his own shadow on the second day of February... that's extraordinarily bad juju. Nostradamus ain't in it. (Borrowed from a Honolulu Advertiser 2010 article by Charles Memminger)

I did four planks today, two regular and two modified, 30 seconds each. I can do this...

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

We went to the beach today and I had my windbreaker on almost the entire time we were there. It was in the 70's and I was behaving like it was in the 50's. I am officially a wimp. I do have to admit though that I really like walking in this weather - it's cool in the morning till about 8-9am. I barely work up a sweat.

When Michael was out on his morning bike ride yesterday, Hawaii 5-0 was filming in the Hawaii Kai Skatepark. He stopped to watch for a few minutes - something I would have liked to have seen. They were filming in Niu Valley last month and I missed that too. Oh well, maybe someday I'll be in the right place at the right time.

I am done with PT at Queen's Clinic. I really liked Della, the therapist I was working with. I am not completely "cured" but my sciatica pain is much improved and I am optimistic that if I keep up with the stretches and exercises she gave me I'll be walking eight miles again, wink, wink... I have been working on my core and am doing 3-4 modified planks for 30 seconds each now with plans to increase the duration and eventually graduate to regular planks. The modified planks are with my arms in the position you would use to do a push-up. Della suggested I try mixing it up by doing at least one regular plank when I am dong the modified ones. Fun, fun, fun...

Monday, January 30, 2017

I am someone who stays on the periphery. I am one of eight children and have never done anything to distinguish myself. I am about as ordinary as ordinary can be. Even when I feel strongly about something, I usually keep my thoughts to myself. Whether my silence is due to self doubt, fear of failure, or an unwillingness to bring attention to myself, I sometimes feel a little ashamed of my reluctance to take a more public stance. And I don't see myself changing any time soon. But I can't help thinking that maybe it's people like me that contributed to the current state of affairs in the United States. The silent majority...

Friday, January 27, 2017

Instead of going to the dealer, we decided to get our oil changed at a neighborhood gas station (Union 76 in Aina Haina). While we were waiting, we walked over to McDonalds and I tried the new Mac Junior. I believe it might be my new favorite sandwich at McDonalds. Oh, and the service center at the gas station worked out pretty well too.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

I love that the young mothers on our street really seem to like Michael. When I'm in the house I can hear him outside gossiping with them. Today we had a little drama after the neighbor across the street called the police because a man that has been hanging around another neighbor's house was back banging on her door and peeking in her window. When the police showed up, he was questioned but not arrested. Michael spoke to the neighbor who was being harassed and apparently the guy is her daughter's ex-husband and he wants her address. So of course the next thing I see is Michael going over to share what he found out with the neighbor that contacted the police. Nothing like a little excitement in the neighborhood. I was kind of hoping Hawaii 5-0 would show up but it wasn't meant to be.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

I met Ellen for breakfast at Zippy's Hawaii Kai this morning. She was on her way to the airport to return to Arizona. She's been here for about a week for work related stuff. There is a chance I might not have seen her at all had we not both been shopping at Safeway yesterday morning and ended up in the same checkout lane. She looked tired but I expect between teaching and meetings she was pretty busy while she was here. She mentioned she plans to retire in August. Perhaps I am not supposed to mention this because it may not happen but she is thinking about going to Anchorage with her daughter later this year for a weekend so Cat can see her dad.

It was not a very productive day for me today - I did some housework but didn't tackle a number of things I have pending. I just couldn't get motivated.

On a more positive note, I am still waiting for a couple of tax forms but am otherwise pretty close to finalizing my federal tax form. I've been e-filing using FreeTaxUSA for about five years now and like that it is user friendly. I have also been working on my 2016 photo book. I had a bit of a scare when Photos seemed to be acting up again like it did last year but after updating Sierra it now seems to be okay. I do have to say, however, that making books in Apple's Photos can be a bit frustrating. It crashes a lot when I am adding text and it has this annoying habit of adding letters when I type - typically the last part of the word duplicates. I do a lot of proofreading as a result.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Michael went to the DMV this morning to transfer his Michigan driver's license to a Hawaii one. His experience was completely different than mine. Everything has been streamlined so that there is no more standing in multiple lines. You can now go online to get a number that puts you in queue. They then announce your number and what window you should report to for service. But best of all, taking the written exam is no longer required for transfers. When Michael realized he didn't have to take the exam, he was definitely doing the happy dance in his head. So one more thing has been checked off our to do list. I believe an oil change might be next.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

The wind continued through the night sometimes gusting to 50-60 mph. We lost power around 6:30pm for about five hours. Fortunately, dinner was over and I was cleaning up the kitchen when the lights went out so not a big deal. We woke up this morning to a yard covered with branches and leaves. A family across the street came over with their five children and rakes to help Michael pick up all the debris. I was overwhelmed by their kindness. I feel really lucky to live in such a great neighborhood.

Saturday, January 21, 2017

I had an interest in participating in the Women's March in Honolulu this morning but realized I didn't have a lady friend to go with and didn't want to go alone. Sigh... The news reports of women marching all over the country actually brought tears to my eyes.

So I am going to tackle ennui (pronounced an'wi) instead - as in "I succumbed to ennui and despair." I wince a little every time I hear someone say that they are bored. Even in retirement, I may be occasionally restless but I am not bored. Between walking, the beach, reading, volunteer work, my photo book project, housework, yard work, etc. my mind is engaged most of the time. There is always something to do.

It's extremely windy today - the yard is littered with limbs and branches. It's the kind of weather that I am sure will keep me up all night as I listen to the windows rattling, strange sounds of things hitting the roof, and other wind related noises. Despite the louvres being closed, the wind is whistling through blowing the curtains every which way. And you just never know if a big mango tree branch is going to crash through the roof and crush Michael and I.

Friday, January 20, 2017

The inauguration of Donald Trump took place today. And I can't think of anything appropriate to say other than Melania's ensemble was stunning.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Bern contacted me last night via FaceTime. There were a few connectivity and latency issues but it seemed to work okay otherwise. It sounds like his mobility issues have increased and while he expressed some concern that he will need a wheelchair eventually, he also mentioned that a knee brace might be a solution of sorts. He has also been encountering the universal issue of not being able to access his primary health care provider without long delays for appointments. As I listened to him, it made me wonder how much control we have over health issues, especially those related to aging like arthritis and memory loss. I find I am grateful that despite the sciatica I have been experiencing that I have not been told by my healthcare providers to stop my sometimes long morning walks. I think I would go nuts. By the way, so far so good with the new shoes.

We spent a few hours at Queen's yesterday. Now that the holidays are over, it seemed like there were a lot of seniors at the beach so we fit right in.

Micheal is planning to finally apply for his Hawaii driver's license - the fact that his Michigan license is expiring is a big motivator. <grin> He's been studying the Hawaii Driver's Manual and much laughter has ensued from reading the questions aloud and laughing at what the correct answer is versus what most drivers actually do.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

I went to Running Fit this morning and bought a new pair of walking shoes (Saucony Guide 9). I'd say I am hoping they are the solution to my leg and foot pain but am far too realistic. One thing I like though about the store that I purchased the shoes from is that they have a 30 day return policy if the shoes do not work out for some reason - like my feet and/or leg hurt more. Nothing is worse than buying shoes that don't work out that can't be returned because they were worn. Like the pair of Nikes I own that turned a few toe nails black that have been sitting in their box for nearly a year now.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Michael and I spent the MLK holiday at Waimanalo Beach and have to say you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to be at the beach. There were a lot of people that apparently had the same idea as the shoreline was dotted with families enjoying the day. We even saw the family that lives across the street from us. The kids had giant swan and Pegasus inflatables and were trying to ride them on the waves. I couldn't help but think of Rose. While she was here, we saw a woman floating around in the ocean on a giant watermelon inflatable and Rose got pretty excited about the possibilities.

Donna mentioned to me that reading my blog gives her insight to who I am and I suddenly found myself a tad bit unsure of myself. I guess I can only hope that after reading my ramblings she doesn't think I am a complete idiot.

Friday, January 13, 2017 Happy Friday the 13th...

I went to PT this morning. This time at the Hawaii Kai Queens Clinic for the sciatic nerve pain on my left side. I've always understood how important it is to stay flexible and really worked at it when I was younger. But then "life" took over and I started spending more and more time at jobs that required a lot of sitting at a desk staring at a monitor and a lot less time stretching. And poor posture habits haven't helped either. I rather wish I had made staying flexible more of a priority because I am really paying for it now. And it doesn't help that aging does a number on your spine and joints too. My body is an unyielding mass. Immediately after my walks in the morning, for example, I am so stiff that bending down in the driveway to pick up the paper takes some effort. I do recover but really? I am hoping it is not too late to remedy the "sins" of my past. So I guess my long overdue New Year's resolutions is to work on increasing my flexibility and posture. Who knows, maybe I'll eventually master the Asian squat.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

I have been thinking about all the negative or damaging reports on Trump and am trying to be careful about what I believe is credible and what may be a twisting of facts. It is easy when you distrust or don't like someone to think the worst. And I can't help but feel that is why so many people bought in to believing Clinton was either crooked or couldn't be trusted during the elections. I just remember how much it disturbed me when I read all the nasty name calling comments "friends" posted on social media. It actually made me feel differently about a few relatives supporting Trump and I don't want to be like them. In general, I try to keep my political and religious views to myself, especially on social media.

Despite the vog, it's another beautiful day in paradise. Michael and I spent time at Queen's today. He went surfing while I loafed in my beach chair. Surf's up, so there were a lot surfers out on the water. When I think about all the reports of cold weather, snow, and ice in the areas I have family, I feel pretty darn lucky. I also came home from my walk today with a bag of lemons and a bag of oranges that one of our neighbors gave me from trees in the valley. Lucky, indeed...

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

It turns out that the old insurance policy I checked on was redeemed in 2002 for $487 so case closed.

I caught part of Obama's farewell speech when I got home from the library. It made me even sadder to see his presidency end. He and his family seem to be genuinely good people and I truly believe Obama cared about this country and its people. Such a contrast to Trump (in my humble opinion). Sigh...

Even after all these years, I find myself still in awe of Hawaii's beauty. The sight of the mountains in the back of Niu valley, glimpses of Diamond Head in the distance when we are out and about, the spectacular views when you round the curve on the road just past Hanauma Bay, the Waianae coast, and much, much more. It's not that I didn't find Michigan beautiful too but it was often a more subtle beauty. Ice covered trees, mist rising over rivers and ponds, beautiful autumn colors, the magnificent shorelines, and again much, much more. Makes me feel grateful just thinking about it.

Monday, January 9, 2017

I decided to start getting ready to do my 2016 taxes by putting together a spreadsheet today. I'll wait until I actually receive the end of the year paperwork before going online. So far, I have only received social security reporting so not much of a dent.

I came across an old insurance policy that dad took out on me in 1951. I sent an enquiry to the insurance provider this morning to find out if the policy is even active. If it turns out it is and has cash value, I suspect the check will be made out to dad's estate which could pose a problem. Donna mentioned the insurance paperwork she has on a policy Dad took out on her was a bust so I expect the same could be true on my policy as well.

We spent a few hours at the beach today. It was a little cool unless you were sitting in the sun (says the person who lives in Hawaii). I also heard on the news that we will be having vog and haze for the remainder of the week which will bring in extra humidity so I guess I should be more thankful for the cooler days and nights we have been experiencing.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

We spent a quiet day at home today doing stuff around the house and yard. In addition to routine cleaning, I took down all the Christmas decorations and packed them away. And then returned all the pottery, etc to its proper place. I also finally finished washing all the bedding Sean and Rose used. Michael spent hours today reorganizing and cleaning his office space. We are considering replacing the two twin mattresses that are currently in his office with a full bed. We think it could be a lot more versatile when we have company. This is not a high priority, however, as we have only had visitors a few times a year since moving.

The weather has been perfect the past few days - light winds, clear skies, and warm without being hot and/or humid. We ended up abandoning house projects yesterday and going to the beach for a few hours just to relax.

Kali seems a lot more relaxed since Sean and Rose left. And very affectionate - as if to say, you guys are all mine now.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Sean and Rose returned to Chicago today. It's always hard to say goodbye. We had a lovely day yesterday on the North Shore. After spending a few hours at Waimea Bay, we had lunch in Haleiwa at a restaurant called Uncle Bo's. From there we headed to Mokuleia to the trailhead for Ka'ena Point. Several years ago Michael and I stayed overnight at one of the cabins at Camp Erdman (YMCA), which is in this area. We hiked along the coast but I don't remember if we actually hiked as far as Ka'ena Point. I recall though that the coastline was ruggedly beautiful. I am thinking this is a hike we should consider on a future visit.

The house seems really quiet and empty tonight. Michael has already rearranged the furniture in the room Sean and Rose used and so far I've cleaned out the refrigerator and washed towels. And life goes on...

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Today was an arts and culture day. We visited both the Hawaii State Museum of Art and Iolani Palace. It was my first visit to Iolani Palace and I found it really interesting but also quite sobering. The imprisonment of Queen Liliuokalani after forcing her to abdicate is a shameful moment in U.S. history. We also went to Ward Warehouse and hit up the food court for lunch and then browsed the shops.

And last but not least, this morning I hit the 4000 mile mark on the Nike app I use to track my mileage. Unfortunately, I suspect there is a correlation between this milestone and the leg and foot pain I have been experiencing. I am not sure what the solution is but my plan is to just keep trekking. I believe new shoes and good shoe inserts will help but am painfully aware that I seem to be dragging my feet on going to a running store and making this happen.

Monday, January 2, 2017

We spent time today paddle boarding at Ala Moana Beach and I realized the last time I was there was on Christmas day more than a year ago with Butch, April, Celina, Sean, and Rose (and Michael, of course). Good memories of a memorable day. There are always times in our lives that stand out and that Christmas was one of them. The news of Sean's and Rose's engagement is another moment that will always stand out for me. These moments in our lives are like bookmarks.

We ended our day with dinner at Chuck's Cellar. I like that despite Chuck's being in the middle of Waikiki, as soon as you walk down the stairs into the dimness of the restaurant you are transported a little bit to an older time. And the food and drinks are really good.

Today would have been Mom's 86th birthday. It is still hard to accept that I will never see or talk to her again. There is a small part of me though that finds some relief in her death. I think it would be stressful to be here in Hawaii if she were still alive. I would worry about her constantly.

Sunday, January 1, 2017

The story that is 2017 began today with a huge announcement. Sean and Rose are engaged. Sean planned a nice evening out with Rose in Waikiki last night to pop the question. The hotel they stayed at upgraded them to a junior suite when they checked in that had a fabulous view of Diamond Head and the ocean. They celebrated their engagement with a nice dinner in downtown Honolulu and then brought in the New Year watching fireworks. I couldn't be any happier for them. I am so glad that Sean found someone to love that is intelligent, kind, beautiful, and much, much more.

Today the Kailua side of Michael's family was here for a New Year's get-together. This included his Aunt Wanda and her two daughters, Courtney and Carol, and a family friend. I channelled my inner Nanu and made Beachcomber ribs and noodles. It was a nice relaxing time with family.

And I am still pondering New Year's resolutions.

Happy New Year to all!