It's my birthday. 67. Wow.....
But my main thought today is that I want some changes made.
I want to live long enough to see my country - this truly great and blessed land - take back her pride, take back her direction, her honesty, her faith and get on the right path.
Before you read further - if you should choose to do so, turn off the regular music at the bottom so you can experience another sound, and inspiring sound that is to come.
Yesterday, our town buried a young man (a child, really - ask his mom) of 22 who went to war to fight those forces who do not respect life. His dad died a little over a year ago. Now that leaves mom and two younger sons to deal with their grief.
There were hundreds who turned out to show respect for this boy....to give support to his overwhelmed family.
And the police department was inundated with calls COMPLAINING ABOUT TRAFFIC DELAYS!
One man, upon being told what the delay was about said, "oh, well, he's dead and that's a shame. But the living go on and my 10 minute trip took 30 minutes!"
Twenty minutes out of his lifetime.....lost in traffic.
A young man's entire lifetime....lost in war.
Our souls - lost - to what?
Please do watch the following....watch it, listen to it and see if you don't think, as I do, that we each need to make a change....make a change for right, for justice, for conscience, for our children, for our future....and if you will.....please do it while I'm still here to see it.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Maui - Last Word
Our last day, Friday – we can’t believe the week is over. Let alone the luxury of the Hyatt Regency, and they do go all out, for sure, Maui has been so splendid. Her natural beauty, friendly people, constant glorious surf, birds everywhere, flowers, it has been like a dream.
Our server at our last breakfast knew what we were feeling and encouraged, “just don’t go. Stay.” We’ve met many who have done that! And as we were departing the restaurant another server said to Lar, “well, just look at the flight home as time to plan your return trip to Maui.” We will.
Some last pictures of this heavenly place. Especially favorite- our breakfast place open air, swans, water....we'll miss it so.
Our server at our last breakfast knew what we were feeling and encouraged, “just don’t go. Stay.” We’ve met many who have done that! And as we were departing the restaurant another server said to Lar, “well, just look at the flight home as time to plan your return trip to Maui.” We will.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Bucket List More Maui
We had a restless sleep only to realize upon awakening that we had not showered before bed. Having been in all that great outdoors, hiking through thick and thin foliage , we were no doubt full of pollen and once during the night I’d awakened choking with a croup-like cough. I still haven’t confessed to Lar that I’ve forgotten my inhaler.
For breakfast that morning I decided on miso soup with all the extras, also fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, granola and yogurt. After, I took a lot of video in and around the lobby, the nice restaurant in which we had dined, and some of the grounds.
We read a bit and then went to the gym. We had a 25 minute workout, treadmill and weights, and then went up to check out the spa. It was unbelievable! Lovely locker rooms, bathrooms, amazing spa area. Then, when the spa time is done, they have cozy robes and slippers available in which to go to the relaxation room – lounges facing the open sea – the entire front wall is open – fresh fruit, teas and flavored waters. It has been free to us every day and I don’t want to miss another day!
We headed for the beach and as I bent to remove my sneakers, Lar left my side and went over to speak with a young man who turned out to be the parasail guy. He discovered that as rain is predicted for the next few days I may have missed the boat (pun intended). It seems I DON’T WEIGH ENOUGH to go alone with the bad weather. In fact, he says, what I weigh is just at the breaking point of going alone, even on a perfect day. He encourages Lar to go with me, but he is having none of it. We get their number, I request he put in writing “I don’t weigh enough” ( might never hear that again in my lifetime), and we continued our walk along the beach. We gathered some lava rock for Jessica (we generally bring her back bits of rock from our travels and when we were on the black beaches we were warned that the gods would punish anyone taking rock from there…no such warning at the Hyatt!), and found some nice sea glass.
Later, we went down to the pool and found almost no one else there, so the best seats were available. Lar went to the bar and got us each an exotic drink, his had ice cream in it, and we sat peacefully reading. Happy Hour was to be over at 6 and neither of us needed nor wanted a large meal, so we went over to the bar and I had a beer battered fried fish taco, Lar had an angus burger and we watched the spectacular sunset. Of course, I took more pictures – I hate the thought of forgetting the colors!
After dark we swam a while, then we gathered up our things and went back to the room.
This evening we watched The Proposal with Sandra Bullock….a cute movie.
At about 3:40 AM each of our cell phones began buzzing and the room was lit up with them. I jumped up and tried to sort out in my mind what was happening. It was my first thought that a swarm of bees, accompanied by a swarm of lightening bugs were attacking. Then in seconds I understood it was our phones. I found one of them and read the text message from son Patrick at home (at 8:30 AM their time) “It’s a girl!” The baby he and his wife Amy are expecting was discovered to be a girl on their scan. We were filled with happiness for them, and fell back to sleep smiling.
Wednesday Nov 11 – my brother Chick’s birthday. I called him, left a message. Completed the book Stone Cold, David Baldacci.
I took my shower, planning the day ahead of us – but when I came out, Lar reported that he had called and set up a parasailing session for me. The bad weather has not developed so I will be able to go. Lar says we will go to breakfast, to the gym and then head back up to change and my parasailing is set for noon. He says he will not go, but I can go ahead and check off another Bucket List notation! I am excited!
When we got to the beach, I find that there are only two others going out with me – a very young couple from Louisiana, just married. We get into a rubber boat and travel out to a boat from which we will sail. The boat takes us out so far I can no longer see the shore. Lar has the movie camera and the still one, and I am hoping he can see us at all. When the young couple prepares to go up, the captain informs us that he will take a card of photos of us, unless we wish to have him use our own cameras. The newly weds opt to have him use their camera. We chatted while they were up and then, before I knew it, I was being geared up….life jacket, harnesses and I was sitting on the prow of the boat ready to be whisked up and away. The crew asked the young groom if he would accompany me for free and he agreed. Thank goodness, because I might not have been able to go otherwise. I had myself set for a much more physically trying experience, but in truth, the canopy gently filled and I was sitting on the boat and then cradled in air, raising with almost no sensation at all until the boat was a tiny speck below, we were at the end of a 1,200 foot line….the world was quiet, the earth lay below, there was little sense of being attached….and I was enthralled with the new and lovely sense of other-ness…..the only interruption being the fact that the young man with me seemed to feel he should chat – I’m sure he felt a bit uncomfortable….I just wanted to say to him “shush…be still, just enjoy” – but of course, I didn’t. He was sweet, and during the chatting he said, “I just cannot see my MaMaw doing this kind of thing – no ma’am! You are amazing!” We got hit with a few bursts of wind that showed me why they hadn’t allowed me to go alone.
Finally our time was up and we began our descent. They misjudged for a minute and almost dipped us and we prepared ourselves for wet bottoms, but then they corrected, we were back up, and then, we were sitting on the boat once more. I was a bit disappointed that the captain had not taken any photos, but that was nothing compared to the exhilaration I felt at having had this opportunity.
We rode the rubber boat right up on to the beach, right in front of Lar who had been clicking and filming away. It is a wonderful thing to have accomplished something you’ve wanted a long time to do. And it is a wonderful thing to see your husband smiling and being so pleased for you.
( The first picture is of the rubber boat going out - the second...if you use a magnifying glass and look for a tiny yellow dot in the center of the sky - that is our canopy! The only fairly decent pictures are on movies. But who needs proof? I was there!)
Today my hopes are to get to the gym, go to the spa which we’ve not yet checked out, and I’d like to see about the meditation time they offer. Want to walk on the beach – get my feet in the Pacific and just sit and read by the pool.
For breakfast that morning I decided on miso soup with all the extras, also fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, granola and yogurt. After, I took a lot of video in and around the lobby, the nice restaurant in which we had dined, and some of the grounds.
We read a bit and then went to the gym. We had a 25 minute workout, treadmill and weights, and then went up to check out the spa. It was unbelievable! Lovely locker rooms, bathrooms, amazing spa area. Then, when the spa time is done, they have cozy robes and slippers available in which to go to the relaxation room – lounges facing the open sea – the entire front wall is open – fresh fruit, teas and flavored waters. It has been free to us every day and I don’t want to miss another day!
We headed for the beach and as I bent to remove my sneakers, Lar left my side and went over to speak with a young man who turned out to be the parasail guy. He discovered that as rain is predicted for the next few days I may have missed the boat (pun intended). It seems I DON’T WEIGH ENOUGH to go alone with the bad weather. In fact, he says, what I weigh is just at the breaking point of going alone, even on a perfect day. He encourages Lar to go with me, but he is having none of it. We get their number, I request he put in writing “I don’t weigh enough” ( might never hear that again in my lifetime), and we continued our walk along the beach. We gathered some lava rock for Jessica (we generally bring her back bits of rock from our travels and when we were on the black beaches we were warned that the gods would punish anyone taking rock from there…no such warning at the Hyatt!), and found some nice sea glass.
Later, we went down to the pool and found almost no one else there, so the best seats were available. Lar went to the bar and got us each an exotic drink, his had ice cream in it, and we sat peacefully reading. Happy Hour was to be over at 6 and neither of us needed nor wanted a large meal, so we went over to the bar and I had a beer battered fried fish taco, Lar had an angus burger and we watched the spectacular sunset. Of course, I took more pictures – I hate the thought of forgetting the colors!
After dark we swam a while, then we gathered up our things and went back to the room.
This evening we watched The Proposal with Sandra Bullock….a cute movie.
At about 3:40 AM each of our cell phones began buzzing and the room was lit up with them. I jumped up and tried to sort out in my mind what was happening. It was my first thought that a swarm of bees, accompanied by a swarm of lightening bugs were attacking. Then in seconds I understood it was our phones. I found one of them and read the text message from son Patrick at home (at 8:30 AM their time) “It’s a girl!” The baby he and his wife Amy are expecting was discovered to be a girl on their scan. We were filled with happiness for them, and fell back to sleep smiling.
Wednesday Nov 11 – my brother Chick’s birthday. I called him, left a message. Completed the book Stone Cold, David Baldacci.
I took my shower, planning the day ahead of us – but when I came out, Lar reported that he had called and set up a parasailing session for me. The bad weather has not developed so I will be able to go. Lar says we will go to breakfast, to the gym and then head back up to change and my parasailing is set for noon. He says he will not go, but I can go ahead and check off another Bucket List notation! I am excited!
Finally our time was up and we began our descent. They misjudged for a minute and almost dipped us and we prepared ourselves for wet bottoms, but then they corrected, we were back up, and then, we were sitting on the boat once more. I was a bit disappointed that the captain had not taken any photos, but that was nothing compared to the exhilaration I felt at having had this opportunity.
Once all the gear was stowed, we started back in, with the young bride at the helm. She got such a kick out of “driving” the boat and we got a kick out of her. After a bit of time, they slowed and suggested we all have a swim, and we all jumped in! We were very far out still, but the water was so clear that the bottom looked much closer than it was. I dove down to see if I could get to the bottom, but never got near!
Finally we all got back on board and continued in to the rubber boat that would take us to shore. Riding in the rubber boat the young couple were chatting and then the girl said, “you know, we think your grandkids must really love you! You are so FUN!” I loved it!
( The first picture is of the rubber boat going out - the second...if you use a magnifying glass and look for a tiny yellow dot in the center of the sky - that is our canopy! The only fairly decent pictures are on movies. But who needs proof? I was there!)
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
New Years' Musings - 2010
Ask me how to define myself and I will probably respond "wife, mother, grandmother." Ask me what things I like to do and my reply will no doubt be "read, quilt, scrap, cook and bake."
The first reply would be quite accurate.
The second would be just as inaccurate!
I do, no doubt about it, love to read, and do read. I don't like to be without a book anywhere, anytime. In fact, I am usually in the middle of two or three books.
But the quilting? The scrapping? The cooking and baking?
No, the more accurate description should be "collector."
Like my mother before me, I accumulate recipies. Recipies that are healthy, some that are not. Recipies that sound wonderful. Recipies that will fulfill me when I make them.
Recipies that have never been made. And may never be.
I am a "quilter" who "collects" fat quarters and yardages of gorgeous fabrics into which I may never cut!
I am a scrapper and a card maker who "collects" yummy paper and embellishments which I may never use.
I have ideas in my head for all of those collections. But I have days full of activities (like work, tv, sleep, piano) that keep me from pulling those ideas out into the light of day.
So perhaps I should simply reply, "I am a reader with ideas."
Or, perhaps 2010 will be the year I begin to express myself with needle and thread, with paper and glue - along with reading and learning the piano. Oh yes, and getting back to the gym, getting back to working out.
Perhaps 2010 will be a year with longer, fatter hours, longer luxurious days.
Last night I actually pulled the dusty quilt in a frame over to my chair and quilted for much longer than I have done in a long long time.
It felt good!
And yesterday I gave a friend a handmade thank you card that made her smile and say "you made that especially for me, didn't you?"
And that felt good too.
The first reply would be quite accurate.
The second would be just as inaccurate!
I do, no doubt about it, love to read, and do read. I don't like to be without a book anywhere, anytime. In fact, I am usually in the middle of two or three books.
But the quilting? The scrapping? The cooking and baking?
No, the more accurate description should be "collector."
Like my mother before me, I accumulate recipies. Recipies that are healthy, some that are not. Recipies that sound wonderful. Recipies that will fulfill me when I make them.
Recipies that have never been made. And may never be.
I am a "quilter" who "collects" fat quarters and yardages of gorgeous fabrics into which I may never cut!
I am a scrapper and a card maker who "collects" yummy paper and embellishments which I may never use.
I have ideas in my head for all of those collections. But I have days full of activities (like work, tv, sleep, piano) that keep me from pulling those ideas out into the light of day.
So perhaps I should simply reply, "I am a reader with ideas."
Or, perhaps 2010 will be the year I begin to express myself with needle and thread, with paper and glue - along with reading and learning the piano. Oh yes, and getting back to the gym, getting back to working out.
Perhaps 2010 will be a year with longer, fatter hours, longer luxurious days.
Last night I actually pulled the dusty quilt in a frame over to my chair and quilted for much longer than I have done in a long long time.
It felt good!
And yesterday I gave a friend a handmade thank you card that made her smile and say "you made that especially for me, didn't you?"
And that felt good too.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
The Road to Hana
After breakfast we packed up and drove the “Road to Hana.” It seems a big deal to do this, to go to Hana. I had read that one is advised to have a full tank of gas – good advice – there are no gas stations for miles. We topped off our tank and wisely, it turned out, rented a GPS tour for the car. The Hyatt had given us a coupon for 10% off and they rent for about $40. There are also cds that you play in your car to guide you, but the GPS can tell “real time” where you are and what you may be seeing. As there are virtually no signs to identify where on the road you are, nor detailing what you should be stopping to see or to hike to, the GPS becomes invaluable. The only identifiers along the way are the mile markers…many of which have become overgrown.
On the screen of the GPS, the road ahead often resemble intestines! The pink, undulating road ahead turns in what seem to be 360s and then back upon themselves! While Lar is a really good driver, and usually was very confident, the sudden appearance of the occasional driver coming the other way around a sharp curve, in our lane and going way too fast was disconcerting to us both.
The drive is through an amazing rain forest. One passes rainbow eucalyptus trees – trees that appear to have been spray painted. And then come the bamboo forests. Thick and taller than your mind can absorb. Flowering trees of so many colors. Trees heavy laden with fruits that fall to the roadway to be crushed into the sweetest perfumed air.
We stopped at one rest stop where we observed what appeared to be a family of feral cats living amongst a flock of chickens and a rooster. They appeared to be a peace with each other and I wondered, might the cats own a flock of chickens? Or the other way round? Or might they have discovered the secret of actually living in peace?
On we drove, intending to at least reach the black beaches. Much of our advice received had been, “if you go no further, at least get to the black beaches.” We walked out to the blow holes and then down a steep and covered pathway to the caves. The walkway covering is of bushes and trees full of large flowers with a heavy honeysuckle smell, and the only sounds are of the lapping waves and dripping water of the waterway feeding the falls. The beaches there are a surprise in their ebony beauty. Lava rock has been ground down to the finest sand over years of the pounding of the sea. I did get some nice pictures there, but none of the cave and walkway…only movies, and I still haven’t seen them!
Lunch was a banana, some sun chips and water. And then to the restroom.
Ladies – we were on top of a volcano in the Pacific and there was still a line! Five of us standing there….laughing….does the line perhaps follow us?
Lar continued driving, I am sure I might have been able to do some, but it would surely have taken twice as long….those blind curves would have had me doing 2 miles an hour with my foot on the brake! The speed limit is marked at 15 mph and I would never have been guilty of speeding.
We did make it to Hana, but had little time to spend as nightfall was threatening and one is advised to be back before dark or to stay in Hana.
The GPS was packed up and slipped through the mail slot at the home shop, and although we had hoped to stop at K-Mart for me for a couple of items, and at Costco to transfer pictures, we were exhausted, so we returned to the hotel.
I was thinking of just staying in our room, having a glass of wine, perhaps some cheese and checking our pictures on the tv….just relaxing and unwinding. Had no appetite for dinner, seems I’ve been well satisfied with two meals a day this vacation, especially with the amazingly satisfying breakfasts we been having. That day I’d had the best croissant I’d ever eaten, some granola and fresh fruit, nuts and seeds. But Lar never loses sight of his appetite! He claimed to be very hungry and wanted to go to the outdoor bar for a drink and then later a meal. When we got to the bar, the young waitresses were astonished we had done the road to Hana. One of them kept saying to me “You are so strong!” I said, no, that Lar had done the driving, but she responded “it’s much easier to drive!” Ha! That may have been true prior to some of our treacherous drive in the Highlands of Scotland, but I have come to know that Lar is a wonderful driver and I have every confidence in his ability. And anyway, I was so busy snapping pictures, running video, ooohing, ahhhing and smelling the sweet air to be, as they tell me most are, dizzy. Another of the servers admitted, “I am Hawaiian and have lived here all my life and I have never been brave enough to go to Hana.”
We did end up having dinner, Lar had a gigantic Angus burger, I had pulled pork tacos with guacamole and black beans and three kinds of sauces I couldn’t get enough of. I realized the banana and chip lunch had not really sated. When I finally licked my fingers and sat back to finish a glass of pinot noir (Lar was with his Bikini Blond!) my plate was clean! We sat and enjoyed the guitar playing singer and finally wandered back to the room in the dark, broken here and there only by torch light.
We discovered that the TV would not play our pictures, so we opted for a movie Julie and Julia which I had wanted to see in the theater. We opened a Fetzer Valley Oaks Cab Sauv 2007 – each had a glass and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I am now interested in reading the two novels upon which the movie was based. I am also tempted to delve into Julia’s recipies…we’ll see if that temptation makes it to NJ.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
More Maui - Ch 6
On the way back to our room, we sneaked a peak at the luau going on, took one blurry picture, but we know we’ll get some good ones when we go later in the week. Upstairs, I sat on the balcony a while just trying to believe we are there. Lar totally and thoroughly crashed and I watched a bit of TV until sleep crept in.
Up before dawn, we sat with really horrible in room coffee on the balcony and watched the rising sun burn away the misty cover over the mountain before our eyes.
It was nice to move everything out of our cases and put it all away. Once that chore was done we quickly showered and ready to work out. We walked to the nicely outfitted gym for a 20 minute stint on a stationary bike and had some fruit infused water. We helped ourselves to a second cup which we carried as we strolled in amazement to Swan Court for a breakfast buffet. The walkway was stunning with magnificent flowers, waterways and black swans and flamingos.
Even Lar could barely do justice to the buffet! I enjoyed a bowl of yogurt and muesli, covered with walnuts and dried mango. Next trip I got some excellent cheese, fresh fruit and a small scoop of scrambled eggs, toping it off with an apple blintz. We’ll need a couple of more visits to the gym each day if we continue to eat like this!
After breakfast, we returned to our room, changed into swim suits and walked leisurely to the pool. We took a few dips throughout the day, lay in the sun and through a couple of short sun showers – or “spritz’s” actually, and read, slathered in sun screen. Funny how a little melanoma can take the fun out of laying in the sun! We met and chatted with a nice couple from Alberta – he is in the Navy, having one more year before retirement. When they noticed us reapplying sunscreen, they offered very kindly to switch seats with us, theirs being more in the shade. We took them up on it. However, the heat was building up, and I suggested we head up for a shower. It was about 3 and we had 4:30 reservations for the luau.
We took a slow pace back to our room, taking pictures and window shopping through the hotel. Once back in the room, I was showering while Lar was sitting on the balcony. Suddenly a rainbow appeared over the mountain and he took a picture of it, but suspected it wouldn’t turn out as the camera died immediately. Over the next hour we sat and watched as the first rainbow dissolved to be replaced by another down the mountain chain, one after another, coming out of the mists that were rain clouds studded along the way.
We dressed and went down through the hotel to attend the luau. The lobby is just amazing to me…..there are few places throughout that are not opened at some point to the outdoors. I adored every walk through we made, and it never got old. One area is a long room with various seating arrangements, one wall is a water wall, lighted and soothing.
The luau was much different than those about which I used to read. But it did feature the traditional roasted pig and poi. There were music and dancers, stories and fun. We shared our table with two young newly wed couples, one from Japan and one from Michigan. The Japanese couple took a real shine to Lar and insisted on pictures taken. They were sweet. Afterward, we walked in the dark and sat a pool side. The sky was like black velvet with millions of holes punched in for light….seemed close enough to touch. And the ever present soft background of Hawaiian music, whispering, lulling.
Sunday, up at 7 – again, overcast skies with heavy mist on the mountain tops. Made a pot of truly hellish in-room coffee – heavy taste of iodine, but containing the much needed caffeine. Although I have not missed computers/internet at all, Lar decided I should try to get on line on the TV (as advertised). I was able to reach the right place, but the keyboard was unresponsive. He suggested I use the phone to call down for assistance. I picked up the phone, dialed “O” and nothing. Dead line. I then tried the hand set by the bed. Nothing. By now, Lar decided I had to be kidding. After all, maybe I do have an occasional problem with computers, but I am usually able to use the phone!
Finally found a third phone which worked and they promised me another keyboard immediately. The main reason Lar wants to connect to internet is to see if we are able to upload our pictures onto my Costco account…ensuring their safety.
After the entire day, getting a replacement keyboard, speaking with someone with no knowledge of computers at all, we have only a non-responsive split screen. We can see partial words that tell me I have e-mails…but can’t get to them.
We were however able to get Costco’s number, we called and found they are unable to put my pictures onto my account…can only do so via internet – which I do not have.
At the hotel they want $9.99 per cd to save pictures. Costco says they will do for about $2.99 so we put that on the list with the scrap book store for places we want to go. I am very anxious to get into the scrap book store….where better to get the things I need for scrapping this wonderful trip?
After Sunday breakfast at Swan Court, we took another stroll, read in our room for while and then set out for the super market. It was about 1 and ½ miles away, an easy drive. I was fully expecting outrageous prices, in as much as everything has to be imported, but in reality wine was about the only item we found much higher than what we expect to pay at home. We bought bottled water, chips, snack bars, hard candy, yogurt and cheese. And three bottles of wine. Also picked up some post cards. Riding in the convertible was such fun in the beautiful weather!
Later we mailed our postcards, strolled with the camera – you don’t get far…photo ops at every turn! Our travel package included a free dinner at the restaurant of our choosing, so we checked out the one we’ve chosen Cascades – good thing! As we discovered they are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday one of which we would have gone. So we decided to go that very night. While Lar made the call on the hotel phone for reservations, I stepped into the Hawaiian Quilt Shop. We met and talked with the manager, teacher, Germaine for quite a while. She was originally from the Pittsburgh area. Some twenty years ago she was in AZ teaching needlepoint and in a short span of time she lost her mother, had to put down her 17 year old dog and discovered her serious beau was not only cheating on her but was also actually engage to another. She experienced what she calls a “meltdown” and came to Hawaii on a whim with nothing. She was, at first, nearly at the point of sleeping on the beach. But after 20 years it is obvious to see what living in Hawaii has done for her in her peaceful, centered countenance. She seemed sincere in her wish that we would move to Maui, enabling me to become her student of the lovely, intricate art of Hawaiian quilting.
Once back in our room, I called “O” again and they said they would send an engineer up to help with the internet. When Arne got to the room, I was relieved. Our problem would be solved and we would actually have the service for which we were paying. And then he said, in broken English “I know nothing computers.” He says there was a storm that blew out all the connections and that they haven’t fixed them all. He will have the charge cancelled and will have someone come to fix it all tomorrow.
We arrived at Cascades early, thinking to sit in the outdoor lounge with drinks, reading until time for dinner. However, the maître d' informed us the best table in the place, on the point, was open and we should be seated before someone else took it. What a table! What a view! We did take some pictures, but as it was quite dark, they have not done it justice…we hope to return to take some photos during the day. We ordered a bottle of Razors Edge Shiraz – So. Australia and very much enjoyed it. Our meals were the seafood mix – one of the recommendations of our server – and it was just delicious! A Maine lobster tail, a piece of fresh mahi that tasted llike no mahi I’ve had before, two large prawn – so large I cut 3 full pieces off each before finishing the last from the tail. Also two scallops that were actually scallops, tasting the way scallops tasted back in the mists of time when I adored them. There was also a round of perfect rice and a very light, almost sweet touch of sauce on the plate around the rice. I meant to go back another time to check the menu for description or name of that sauce…never did it. Added to all of that luxury were warm whole grain dinner rolls, a constantly filled water glass and total relaxation. We reminisced about our trip so far, what we’ve learned about wines, how much fun we could be sharing with friends and family. Lar then said exactly what I was thinking, “it would be so wonderful if we could take each of the grandchildren on trips like this!” Then came a competition of each thinking where in the world we would take each one. Some of the ideas (like taking Ian – who bounces – somewhere with rubber trees!) got us really laughing.
Several times during our stay in Maui, I thought of our mothers and how much I wish we could share it with them – very different ladies, they would each so thoroughly have enjoyed it in very different ways. We vow to take a lot of pictures for Lar’s mom and he will go and tell her of our time here.
Up before dawn, we sat with really horrible in room coffee on the balcony and watched the rising sun burn away the misty cover over the mountain before our eyes.
It was nice to move everything out of our cases and put it all away. Once that chore was done we quickly showered and ready to work out. We walked to the nicely outfitted gym for a 20 minute stint on a stationary bike and had some fruit infused water. We helped ourselves to a second cup which we carried as we strolled in amazement to Swan Court for a breakfast buffet. The walkway was stunning with magnificent flowers, waterways and black swans and flamingos.
Even Lar could barely do justice to the buffet! I enjoyed a bowl of yogurt and muesli, covered with walnuts and dried mango. Next trip I got some excellent cheese, fresh fruit and a small scoop of scrambled eggs, toping it off with an apple blintz. We’ll need a couple of more visits to the gym each day if we continue to eat like this!
After breakfast, we returned to our room, changed into swim suits and walked leisurely to the pool. We took a few dips throughout the day, lay in the sun and through a couple of short sun showers – or “spritz’s” actually, and read, slathered in sun screen. Funny how a little melanoma can take the fun out of laying in the sun! We met and chatted with a nice couple from Alberta – he is in the Navy, having one more year before retirement. When they noticed us reapplying sunscreen, they offered very kindly to switch seats with us, theirs being more in the shade. We took them up on it. However, the heat was building up, and I suggested we head up for a shower. It was about 3 and we had 4:30 reservations for the luau.
We took a slow pace back to our room, taking pictures and window shopping through the hotel. Once back in the room, I was showering while Lar was sitting on the balcony. Suddenly a rainbow appeared over the mountain and he took a picture of it, but suspected it wouldn’t turn out as the camera died immediately. Over the next hour we sat and watched as the first rainbow dissolved to be replaced by another down the mountain chain, one after another, coming out of the mists that were rain clouds studded along the way.
We dressed and went down through the hotel to attend the luau. The lobby is just amazing to me…..there are few places throughout that are not opened at some point to the outdoors. I adored every walk through we made, and it never got old. One area is a long room with various seating arrangements, one wall is a water wall, lighted and soothing.
The luau was much different than those about which I used to read. But it did feature the traditional roasted pig and poi. There were music and dancers, stories and fun. We shared our table with two young newly wed couples, one from Japan and one from Michigan. The Japanese couple took a real shine to Lar and insisted on pictures taken. They were sweet. Afterward, we walked in the dark and sat a pool side. The sky was like black velvet with millions of holes punched in for light….seemed close enough to touch. And the ever present soft background of Hawaiian music, whispering, lulling.
Sunday, up at 7 – again, overcast skies with heavy mist on the mountain tops. Made a pot of truly hellish in-room coffee – heavy taste of iodine, but containing the much needed caffeine. Although I have not missed computers/internet at all, Lar decided I should try to get on line on the TV (as advertised). I was able to reach the right place, but the keyboard was unresponsive. He suggested I use the phone to call down for assistance. I picked up the phone, dialed “O” and nothing. Dead line. I then tried the hand set by the bed. Nothing. By now, Lar decided I had to be kidding. After all, maybe I do have an occasional problem with computers, but I am usually able to use the phone!
Finally found a third phone which worked and they promised me another keyboard immediately. The main reason Lar wants to connect to internet is to see if we are able to upload our pictures onto my Costco account…ensuring their safety.
After the entire day, getting a replacement keyboard, speaking with someone with no knowledge of computers at all, we have only a non-responsive split screen. We can see partial words that tell me I have e-mails…but can’t get to them.
We were however able to get Costco’s number, we called and found they are unable to put my pictures onto my account…can only do so via internet – which I do not have.
At the hotel they want $9.99 per cd to save pictures. Costco says they will do for about $2.99 so we put that on the list with the scrap book store for places we want to go. I am very anxious to get into the scrap book store….where better to get the things I need for scrapping this wonderful trip?
After Sunday breakfast at Swan Court, we took another stroll, read in our room for while and then set out for the super market. It was about 1 and ½ miles away, an easy drive. I was fully expecting outrageous prices, in as much as everything has to be imported, but in reality wine was about the only item we found much higher than what we expect to pay at home. We bought bottled water, chips, snack bars, hard candy, yogurt and cheese. And three bottles of wine. Also picked up some post cards. Riding in the convertible was such fun in the beautiful weather!
Later we mailed our postcards, strolled with the camera – you don’t get far…photo ops at every turn! Our travel package included a free dinner at the restaurant of our choosing, so we checked out the one we’ve chosen Cascades – good thing! As we discovered they are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday one of which we would have gone. So we decided to go that very night. While Lar made the call on the hotel phone for reservations, I stepped into the Hawaiian Quilt Shop. We met and talked with the manager, teacher, Germaine for quite a while. She was originally from the Pittsburgh area. Some twenty years ago she was in AZ teaching needlepoint and in a short span of time she lost her mother, had to put down her 17 year old dog and discovered her serious beau was not only cheating on her but was also actually engage to another. She experienced what she calls a “meltdown” and came to Hawaii on a whim with nothing. She was, at first, nearly at the point of sleeping on the beach. But after 20 years it is obvious to see what living in Hawaii has done for her in her peaceful, centered countenance. She seemed sincere in her wish that we would move to Maui, enabling me to become her student of the lovely, intricate art of Hawaiian quilting.
Once back in our room, I called “O” again and they said they would send an engineer up to help with the internet. When Arne got to the room, I was relieved. Our problem would be solved and we would actually have the service for which we were paying. And then he said, in broken English “I know nothing computers.” He says there was a storm that blew out all the connections and that they haven’t fixed them all. He will have the charge cancelled and will have someone come to fix it all tomorrow.
We arrived at Cascades early, thinking to sit in the outdoor lounge with drinks, reading until time for dinner. However, the maître d' informed us the best table in the place, on the point, was open and we should be seated before someone else took it. What a table! What a view! We did take some pictures, but as it was quite dark, they have not done it justice…we hope to return to take some photos during the day. We ordered a bottle of Razors Edge Shiraz – So. Australia and very much enjoyed it. Our meals were the seafood mix – one of the recommendations of our server – and it was just delicious! A Maine lobster tail, a piece of fresh mahi that tasted llike no mahi I’ve had before, two large prawn – so large I cut 3 full pieces off each before finishing the last from the tail. Also two scallops that were actually scallops, tasting the way scallops tasted back in the mists of time when I adored them. There was also a round of perfect rice and a very light, almost sweet touch of sauce on the plate around the rice. I meant to go back another time to check the menu for description or name of that sauce…never did it. Added to all of that luxury were warm whole grain dinner rolls, a constantly filled water glass and total relaxation. We reminisced about our trip so far, what we’ve learned about wines, how much fun we could be sharing with friends and family. Lar then said exactly what I was thinking, “it would be so wonderful if we could take each of the grandchildren on trips like this!” Then came a competition of each thinking where in the world we would take each one. Some of the ideas (like taking Ian – who bounces – somewhere with rubber trees!) got us really laughing.
Several times during our stay in Maui, I thought of our mothers and how much I wish we could share it with them – very different ladies, they would each so thoroughly have enjoyed it in very different ways. We vow to take a lot of pictures for Lar’s mom and he will go and tell her of our time here.
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Chapter 5 - Trip to Maui 2009
Friday, 6 November
Arrived San Francisco at about 3 o’clock PM, once settled we went down to Houlihan’s for dinner. We opted for pot roast – turned out to not be pot roast but was still pretty good. After dinner we felt the exhaustion settle in so we retired to our room, finished off an open bottle of red, and read and then watched Jim Carey in Dick and Jane – cute. We both slept fairly well until about 5:30 AM at which time I got up, showered and dressed, Lar made some in room coffee and we set off for the airport.
We found unimaginable lines for security. We moved about 6 inches every 5 minutes and everyone began to feel they might miss their flights. It got so bad that eventually almost everyone was laughing. I think it was a touch of hysteria! Once through, we had just enough time to grab a cup of coffee and a scone before boarding.
Finally on board at 8:25 AM, we settled in to our seats, preparing for the long dreamed of trip – ( 2,054 nautical miles at a speed of 486 nautical miles per hour). And settled, and prepared, and dreamed and waited – for an hour while the crew replaced an electrical part.
They replaced it.
It didn’t work.
They would send for another.
Not one for approving of shoddy work….and being one who is about to launch herself, along with many others out over the Pacific….I was really pulling for “let’s all get off, have some lunch, step away and let these people DO THEIR JOBS! folks!” but that was not to be.
They began the movie “Up” and we semi-watched that for a while. The wait had brought the 6 or 8 babies and toddlers to their tiny knees. They had reached their limits too, but unlike most of the adults, they decided, all at once to announce their displeasure. At any given moment there were at least 3 screaming. Of course, being social animals, if there were 3 screaming, the rest joined in, just to be supportive.
Once in the air, the babies were still angry. The 5 hours we spent on board that plane will forever be memorialized by the sound of screaming children. The 18 month old or so little girl in the seats behind us added an almost constant tattoo of violent kicking – mostly on my seat back, once in a while to Lar’s. Just in case the torment of screaming didn’t keep us alert.
We purchased $5 lunches – bagel and cream cheese, jam and yogurt, attempted to read, and occasionally watched a bit of Up. They had begun running the movie in an attempt to calm the children while we waited on the tarmac. Once the plane was running they had turned it off and then tried to resume it in the air. They couldn’t figure it out, so started it over. They kids weren’t buying it.
At last the flight was over! And we hadn’t gotten wet. I blessed the crew that had discovered the right part.
Walking into the airport, the warmth of the air wafted over us. The walls don’t go all the way up in the Maui Airport…..they just stop and the blue sky, the palm trees are just out there – beckoning, the air sweet and warm. Our bags were, of course, the last off of two combined flights, but this time we had the sense to rent a cart…which we will always do unless I can find a way to put on one dress and live in it for a week! – (maybe a nudist colony vacation?). There just really has to be a better way!
Having got all our bags and this old bag onto a rental car bus we found a seat for the quick drive to get our car.
I noticed, as we stood in the ever-present line, one clerk, a man about our age, who was really miserable looking. I thought “Oh, I do hope we don’t get him.” Knowing, of course, we would obviously get him. We did. His name is Rae and he immediately seemed to take a liking to us. We were “Ann” and “Larry” and he proceeded to tell us where he’d lived before coming to Maui (behind Gallo Winery in Napa), that this was his normal day off but 2 co-workers had called out sick, that he would otherwise be pouring concrete and then he gave us hints on some great little places for good food, pointed out places and routes on the map, we got our GPS and were off to claim our car.
We stepped outside to a beautiful day – warm, wind, virtually no humidity. Lar had pre-rented a convertible – we had no idea which convertible….so we just stood there. Finally a Hawaiian woman said, “You just pick the one you want.” Lar was a kid in a toy shop! He instantly liked the first one he saw, checked the others out quickly and back to the first. We used the usual sketch they provide to mark dings and scratches, and when complete, you couldn’t see the sketch! Obviously cars take a beating in Maui! That gave me pause………
And then we attempted to stow our 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons. Note to self: Remember that nudist colony? Suitcases don’t go in the trunk of a convertible. And we have no idea how to put the top up.
A young woman next to us was thoroughly covering her own sketch of her car with S’s and D’s and Lar asked her if she could help him put the top up. She stood up quickly, eyes wide, mouth agape and replied “oh my! I have no idea!”
Enter the little Hawaiian lady – demonstrated for the three of us and we were set.
I set the GPS for Buzz’s Wharf – “tell them Rae sent you, they’ll take good care of you!” – and off we went.
Roads with names containing no less than 20 letters or so make map and sign reading tough. We were totally reliant upon the GPS – and then we saw Buzz’s down in a valley to the left with no way for us to get there, we started to question. About 40 minutes later when the female voiced GPS announced “you have arrived at your destination” in front of some houses, we suspected “she” was not our friend.
I had developed a headache and some buzzing in my ears and was probably dehydrating, Lar wasn’t in great shape either – driving along the gorgeous coast all we could think was “water, water everywhere – and not a drop to drink!”
Lar pulled over into a parking lot where I reset GPS lady to the Hyatt Regency, we crossed all the fingers we could – I even crossed my eyes – and we arrived at our accommodations in less than 10 minutes.
It seemed like Disneyland as we drove up the drive, and that sense did not leave us the entire stay. Our bags were unloaded onto a cart and we were escorted by a bellman to our room – 972. As we went, our 60 year old escort pointed out amenities, discussed his time in NJ in a the service at Lakehurst and told us how Shane Victorino’s Dad is a council person in Maui and how he used to baby sit for Sane. They are big Phillies fans here because of that young man. And then he won my heart forever. He went and got me a big glass of ice water. I think I was seeing mirages everywhere!
Our room features a balcony overlooking the mountain and the ocean. A constant thunder of waves hitting the shore accompanies as one sits and watches the ever changing sky. We settled in for a bit and suddenly we both realized we’ve had nothing since the bagel breakfast on the plane, so we set out in search of dinner since it was now 4 PM.
Our destination was the pool-side bar ‘Umalu. I chose a Korean sandwich with kim chee and Lar ordered Maui Waui – mahi mahi fish tacos. I absorbed 2 large glasses of water and 2 pretty much equally large Mai Tais. Lar too had water and sampled three different local beers – his favorite being the Bikini Blond. He liked the beer of that name too! (laughing)
We sat in awe as the sun set with every color in a 64 crayon big box, and then the torches were lit, with fanfare and music. Magical.
Our server had been run off her feet by a huge, unanticipated tour, and came to us and said, “if you love me, you won’t leave!” She was off shift soon and didn’t want a new party. We took pity and sat and enjoyed the view and atmosphere for a while and then drinks in hand set out for a moon/torch lit stroll.
The Hyatt has done an amazing job at designing their grounds. It is dripping with magic in every cave, grotto, waterfall – and of course, God did His thing with the sea – just there – we crossed a rope bridge – thrills in itself, but the extra thrill of 2 mai tais under my belt. We sat on a lounge sea side, stars and palm trees above, waves washing in, peaceful – the stress of travel drifting and ebbing away into the night.
Arrived San Francisco at about 3 o’clock PM, once settled we went down to Houlihan’s for dinner. We opted for pot roast – turned out to not be pot roast but was still pretty good. After dinner we felt the exhaustion settle in so we retired to our room, finished off an open bottle of red, and read and then watched Jim Carey in Dick and Jane – cute. We both slept fairly well until about 5:30 AM at which time I got up, showered and dressed, Lar made some in room coffee and we set off for the airport.
We found unimaginable lines for security. We moved about 6 inches every 5 minutes and everyone began to feel they might miss their flights. It got so bad that eventually almost everyone was laughing. I think it was a touch of hysteria! Once through, we had just enough time to grab a cup of coffee and a scone before boarding.
Finally on board at 8:25 AM, we settled in to our seats, preparing for the long dreamed of trip – ( 2,054 nautical miles at a speed of 486 nautical miles per hour). And settled, and prepared, and dreamed and waited – for an hour while the crew replaced an electrical part.
They replaced it.
It didn’t work.
They would send for another.
Not one for approving of shoddy work….and being one who is about to launch herself, along with many others out over the Pacific….I was really pulling for “let’s all get off, have some lunch, step away and let these people DO THEIR JOBS! folks!” but that was not to be.
They began the movie “Up” and we semi-watched that for a while. The wait had brought the 6 or 8 babies and toddlers to their tiny knees. They had reached their limits too, but unlike most of the adults, they decided, all at once to announce their displeasure. At any given moment there were at least 3 screaming. Of course, being social animals, if there were 3 screaming, the rest joined in, just to be supportive.
Once in the air, the babies were still angry. The 5 hours we spent on board that plane will forever be memorialized by the sound of screaming children. The 18 month old or so little girl in the seats behind us added an almost constant tattoo of violent kicking – mostly on my seat back, once in a while to Lar’s. Just in case the torment of screaming didn’t keep us alert.
We purchased $5 lunches – bagel and cream cheese, jam and yogurt, attempted to read, and occasionally watched a bit of Up. They had begun running the movie in an attempt to calm the children while we waited on the tarmac. Once the plane was running they had turned it off and then tried to resume it in the air. They couldn’t figure it out, so started it over. They kids weren’t buying it.
At last the flight was over! And we hadn’t gotten wet. I blessed the crew that had discovered the right part.
Walking into the airport, the warmth of the air wafted over us. The walls don’t go all the way up in the Maui Airport…..they just stop and the blue sky, the palm trees are just out there – beckoning, the air sweet and warm. Our bags were, of course, the last off of two combined flights, but this time we had the sense to rent a cart…which we will always do unless I can find a way to put on one dress and live in it for a week! – (maybe a nudist colony vacation?). There just really has to be a better way!
Having got all our bags and this old bag onto a rental car bus we found a seat for the quick drive to get our car.
I noticed, as we stood in the ever-present line, one clerk, a man about our age, who was really miserable looking. I thought “Oh, I do hope we don’t get him.” Knowing, of course, we would obviously get him. We did. His name is Rae and he immediately seemed to take a liking to us. We were “Ann” and “Larry” and he proceeded to tell us where he’d lived before coming to Maui (behind Gallo Winery in Napa), that this was his normal day off but 2 co-workers had called out sick, that he would otherwise be pouring concrete and then he gave us hints on some great little places for good food, pointed out places and routes on the map, we got our GPS and were off to claim our car.
We stepped outside to a beautiful day – warm, wind, virtually no humidity. Lar had pre-rented a convertible – we had no idea which convertible….so we just stood there. Finally a Hawaiian woman said, “You just pick the one you want.” Lar was a kid in a toy shop! He instantly liked the first one he saw, checked the others out quickly and back to the first. We used the usual sketch they provide to mark dings and scratches, and when complete, you couldn’t see the sketch! Obviously cars take a beating in Maui! That gave me pause………
And then we attempted to stow our 2 suitcases and 2 carry-ons. Note to self: Remember that nudist colony? Suitcases don’t go in the trunk of a convertible. And we have no idea how to put the top up.
A young woman next to us was thoroughly covering her own sketch of her car with S’s and D’s and Lar asked her if she could help him put the top up. She stood up quickly, eyes wide, mouth agape and replied “oh my! I have no idea!”
Enter the little Hawaiian lady – demonstrated for the three of us and we were set.
I set the GPS for Buzz’s Wharf – “tell them Rae sent you, they’ll take good care of you!” – and off we went.
Roads with names containing no less than 20 letters or so make map and sign reading tough. We were totally reliant upon the GPS – and then we saw Buzz’s down in a valley to the left with no way for us to get there, we started to question. About 40 minutes later when the female voiced GPS announced “you have arrived at your destination” in front of some houses, we suspected “she” was not our friend.
I had developed a headache and some buzzing in my ears and was probably dehydrating, Lar wasn’t in great shape either – driving along the gorgeous coast all we could think was “water, water everywhere – and not a drop to drink!”
Lar pulled over into a parking lot where I reset GPS lady to the Hyatt Regency, we crossed all the fingers we could – I even crossed my eyes – and we arrived at our accommodations in less than 10 minutes.
It seemed like Disneyland as we drove up the drive, and that sense did not leave us the entire stay. Our bags were unloaded onto a cart and we were escorted by a bellman to our room – 972. As we went, our 60 year old escort pointed out amenities, discussed his time in NJ in a the service at Lakehurst and told us how Shane Victorino’s Dad is a council person in Maui and how he used to baby sit for Sane. They are big Phillies fans here because of that young man. And then he won my heart forever. He went and got me a big glass of ice water. I think I was seeing mirages everywhere!
Our room features a balcony overlooking the mountain and the ocean. A constant thunder of waves hitting the shore accompanies as one sits and watches the ever changing sky. We settled in for a bit and suddenly we both realized we’ve had nothing since the bagel breakfast on the plane, so we set out in search of dinner since it was now 4 PM.
Our destination was the pool-side bar ‘Umalu. I chose a Korean sandwich with kim chee and Lar ordered Maui Waui – mahi mahi fish tacos. I absorbed 2 large glasses of water and 2 pretty much equally large Mai Tais. Lar too had water and sampled three different local beers – his favorite being the Bikini Blond. He liked the beer of that name too! (laughing)
We sat in awe as the sun set with every color in a 64 crayon big box, and then the torches were lit, with fanfare and music. Magical.
Our server had been run off her feet by a huge, unanticipated tour, and came to us and said, “if you love me, you won’t leave!” She was off shift soon and didn’t want a new party. We took pity and sat and enjoyed the view and atmosphere for a while and then drinks in hand set out for a moon/torch lit stroll.
The Hyatt has done an amazing job at designing their grounds. It is dripping with magic in every cave, grotto, waterfall – and of course, God did His thing with the sea – just there – we crossed a rope bridge – thrills in itself, but the extra thrill of 2 mai tais under my belt. We sat on a lounge sea side, stars and palm trees above, waves washing in, peaceful – the stress of travel drifting and ebbing away into the night.
And Just Like That.....
And Just Like That......New Years' Day has come, and gone and it is 2010.
May this food restore our strength,
giving new energy to tired limbs,
and new thoughts to weary minds.
May this drink restore our souls,
giving new vision to dry spirits,
and new warmth to cold hearts.
And once nourished and refreshed,
May we give thanks to Him who
gives us all and makes us blest.
May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son
and God's peace to you.
(unknown)
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