A Long Journey Into Autumn

Wow...it's been awhile.

Seems like the last time I was "here", things were a lot different...and I guess, in a lot of ways, they were.

October started out rather tragically for us.

We had to say goodbye to someone we loved very much.

In saying goodbye, I also got to thinking about all the people we miss every day that are still around.

When things like this happen, it gives me pause to stop and recall that life is short and fragile.  For a moment, I chastise myself for losing track of that.  Since Mom died, I try to bring that sense of impermanence farther forward in my brain.  I try to bring a philosophy of perspective to my life.  I try, and I succeed sometimes and forget at others...but I'm getting better.  :D

I recall how surreal life was for me for a while back then, and how the things that generally bother people are so insignificant and petty usually.  And how funny it was that anyone lets silly things upset them.

Who cares if someone cuts you off in traffic?
Who cares enough to flip someone off and scream insults that no one else can hear?
So what if the laundry waits for a day?
Is it imperative that every. single. toy make it into the toybox every. single. day?


I mean, really? Reeeeealllly?

 It's kinda funny when I think of it and give it all the perspective it deserves.

So, October started out on a sad note, zipped by at amazing speed in retrospect, and ended with affirmation that life goes on.

Spence nearly enjoyed Hallowe'en, for the first time, really, and kinda started to understand what we were all up to...lol.  ;)

The neighborhood children, in scary and adorable costumes, came running happily up the drive to get their bribery of candy and appreciation of appearance.

From one life extreme to another...

And life does go on...it's just remembering the little things, and celebrating them, that deserves our attention.  Although I don't always recall that, I always try to.

Truth be told, I'm doing better there though.

Better at remembering that the little annoyances are of little import, and the little victories are of major consequence in the scheme of things.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all remember those things more often?

(especially on the freeway.. lol ;)

Just sayin'

When Did Summer Sneak Out?

For the very first time since May, the high temperature didn't reach at least 60 degrees in Seattle today.

Boo!

It was actually cold this morning on the way to the bus stop...and later on, it POURED down rain...cold rain.

The silver lining there was the big thunder boomer right before the skies opened up and poured pure liquid cold from the heavens.  Good thing the roof finally got all those fir needles blown off.  The gutters actually ran freely.

I love a good storm :D  Looks like I may be in for a few good storms this Autumn and Winter...and speaking of storms, maybe this is the year that I get to share that with Bubby.  Storms always remind me of being a small child, held in my mother's lap while we both watched the show of lightning and listened for the thunder.  It was her love of storms that she passed to me on those late nights in the darkness...seems like a good thing to share with a small boy that becomes more and more aware and engaged in the world around him...hmmm...need to talk to his momma about that.  ;)

Speaking of Bubby...

On what may well turn out to be a last sunny summer-ish weekend, we got a visit from our little Bubby this weekend. I cannot believe how fast he's growing and learning.

Only took him three attempts (with contemplative interludes) before he figured out how to open the back door and step outside. Once there, he didn't quite know what to do next, lol.

Good thing, since Saunty and Mommy hadn't noticed his little feat, and were a little startled when I asked if anyone noticed he'd let himself outside (besides me, I mean). I was watching him though, and really was kind of proud at how he'd worked it out. He's a smart one for sure.

Later on, he decided that he needed his own laptop to explore, as he was banned from mine (and Goofy's) ;)  Because I refuse to spoil him at all (lol), I found a really (really, really) old machine that was part of the "ancient relics" arty displays around the house. 

It actually still worked, Windoz '95, lol.  It booted right up and once we got an account set up to log on to, he took to it like a duck to water.  He's supervising my work here...very intently ;)

He's quite serious about his work. Uses two hands to keyboard too. Smarty pants...  :D

At the end of the afternoon, he was quite tired (and I was exhausted, lol). This may be the only time he sat still for more than five minutes all day...mostly because he got a hug from his Saunty...whom he shares a mutual adoration society membership with...

Was a busy day for a busy, busy boy.

When it comes right down to it, I feel so very fortunate to be a part of this little one's life. He's such a blessing. Watching him grow and puzzle things out...amazing and sometimes amusing too. 

And if there are a few more messes to clean up, a few less projects checked off the "to do" list...it's a small price in comparison to the priceless gift of his company.

So, summer leaves as Bubby begins his second Autumn...

I cannot wait to see what adventures we find along the way.

Just sayin'

Spencer's First Birthday - July 4, 2009

Kinda overdue, but finally got a cut I like well enough to share. It's distilled (?) to a format appropriate for web viewing...so, the quality is a bit rougher than the raw footage.



I've been learning a lot about video editing...seem to be improving a bit as I go along :D

Enjoy...

A Short Preview of the Famous Bubby Walking

aloha and howzit (going, for y'all non-islanders ;) )?

I did a little longer version of this - of interest to so many and so few really ;)

Wouldn't post on FB or here, so you'll have to settle (or suffer, lol) a little teaser of our darling boy: apple of our eyes, adorable, "practically perfect in every way" Spence displaying his recently acquired walking prowess.

I have a longer one (well, as long as the song goes...so...about 3 mins?), but after five hours it still hadn't posted, so I said "whatEVAH" and am burning it to disk for various folks enjoyment...get 'em while they're hot (and let me know if you want one, lol...not too much call I'm sure, but still...).

In two weeks he went from walking much reminiscent of a tottering little drunken sailor, to walking confidently and running. I am personally devastated at how fast he's growing. I'm not any older at all, and here he is, growing in leaps and bounds before our very eyes...



Awwwww....adorable, smart, AMAZING boy!

Love him tons (can you tell?).

Just sayin'

Miscellaneous Catching Up

Aloha.

Howzit?

Got extremely into island time toward the end of the trip, so as far as I'm concerned, this is right "on time". LOL

For the rest of you though, this is more about wrapping up a few loose ends of the last week of the vacation...

Had a great time...
Went to the beach
Swam
Napped in the sunshine
Had some fruit
Ate lunch
Skipped dinner most nights (or skipped lunch in favor of dinner)
Drank a bit
and a bit more
Napped in the shade
Played scrabble
Swam some more
Napped
Shopped
shopped
napped, swam, snacked
SHOPPPPPPEEEEEDDDD

So, there ya have it.

Pretty much the sloooooow pace of the second week when the island finally sunk in and took over life.

Not a bad way to live at all...altho, "work" would have to be thrown in there a time or two...well once anyway...don't want to go entirely crazy. ;)

And for those friends on the island that we missed this time around...fear not! We are apt to hear the call of our island home soon and will return in healthier form for diving adventures too!

Here are a few random pics that I don't think are posted yet either. If they are, I'm cool with that...look or dont' look...it's alllllll fiiiiiiine.



Fiery Sunset...Smoke from Moloka'i lends some interest to the view...


C has breakfast foodz...ewwwwwwww....Magic runs away nose holding....barfy


Nice pic of Sis


Magic: Somewhere along the SWIM>NAP>DRINK>REPEAT Contiuum...also shown is CUPPY! Yay!


Avast ye landlubbers! Thar be shopping ahead!...Lahaina's Front Street


Magic is well along the "NAP" portion of the contiuum. ;)


Magic and Goofy


Goofy & Sis...always a bunny ears around somewhere...never see the actual bunny tho...hrmmmm.


Great pic of Goofy...the islands obviously agree with her...


Magic's new "goin' out to Staaaaarrrrrbucks" tshirt. ;) LOL

So, there ya have it...still having that island happz...do not harsh the mellow, dudes! :D

Just sayin'

We Were On the Road to Hana...

Went on the road to Hana on Thursday. Was a fun trip in general. Brother Tom suggested doing the drive "backwards" from the usual route, which was an excellent idea.

We stopped and took some pics, and swam at a lovely 'salt & pepper' beach (where the sand is white and black). The island claimed it's bounty in ripping the Maui Jim's off my face and pulling them out to sea...

Went to a black sand beach too...it was awesome! Got some fresh coconut at a roadside stand and Magic got some new sunglasses and a chocolate malt at Hasagawa's General Store.


I especially enjoyed the winding, curving roads...the goof and sis? not so much :D Guess it's a good thing that the convertible didn't corner "that well". lol.

We laughed, we looked around, we weathered a short rain storm and some really big dump trucks running down the one lane roads...we made it to Pai'a in time to have a well deserved iced latte and a little shopping therapy. We made it back to the resort in Lahaina by sundown ;)

Aloha!

M&G

Striped Saturday Sunset

Aloha!

Had a great day today.

Woke up slowly, laughed at Goofy chasing the little birds out of the room's living room sliders.

Laughed harder when some "camp robbers" (aka canadian jays) sneaked in through the bedroom sliders and were helping themselves to the breakfast foods on the counter. They would have gotten away scot free if one of them hadn't started "arguing" about something with the other one. They are stealthy little guys...lol. Goofy nearly had a coronary...LMAO. She freaked, I was laughing and the birds were flying around the room squawking and heading for the open doors. They got a really good cinnamon roll, some butter and banana macadamia nut bread from the road to Hana. They might as well have taken whatever else was there, as it was now "contaminated" and had to be dispatched to the trash can forthwith. ROTFLOL!!! Much entertainment...for Magic anywho....

Tonight's sunset is brought to you by the letter "S" (for striped) and the number "10" (for WOW, that was a cool sunset).

Enjoy, the pics...

M&G

Maui in August

We've been having some interesting weather.

None of it bad at all, really. Just a bunch of different things.

Rain (for a bit not all day).
Sunshine (mostly.. :)
Windy (a day or two)
No wind at all (today, and boy was it hot!!!)

Yesterday we drove the entire road to Hana. Backwards of the usual crowd (thanks to Tom), and had a pretty nice day. We had a bit of rain (for a few minutes, that made the rental car very dirty...YAY!), but mostly it was sunny and on the "other side" of the island it was pretty mild in temperature.

I personally, loved the winding roads the best...not everyone's favorite, and I coulda used a better cornering car, but it was fun nonetheless ;)

We went swimming at Hamoa beach - where i lost my Maui Jim's (guess the island wanted them more than I did). Then we checked out the black sand beach too. Stopped at a stand and got some fresh coconut (yum). Stopped as Hasagawa's General Store to get me some new shades (lol), then went on the long and winding road.

Got into Pia'a in time to do some shopping and made it back to Ka'anapali just as the sun was setting...

Long day, but very very nice...

I'll post more pics as I go along...

aloha...

M&G

Slow internet connection for Macs....

Hey All.

Just wanted to check in now that I've figured out how to fix the internet here...Bah! Guess the router I have isn't "advanced" enough for the Macs (lol), but whatever the heck it is, I wasn't able to surf very well for the last several days

So...I'll be posting pics later on tonight...

For now, gotta head to Whaler's for some burgers at the Hula Grill :D

Later gators!

M&G

One View of Happiness...

I was sent this link by a friend. At first, I was thinking..."oh, no, another boring wedding video", but then I watched it a bit longer.

Really, isn't this the joy that everyone should have when going into a marriage? it just exudes joy!

Take a look and enjoy.



M&G

Goofy Gets Cool Pics of the Angels

Yesterday, Goofy and friends headed on down to the lake to watch the Blue Angels practice for the SeaFair festivities over the weekend.

Got some great pics too...

She tried her hand at doing some video with the G9 :) turned out really well i think :D



Just Above the trees...woohoo!



On the deck...look close



Swooping down toward the lake...




Blahville in the background ...



Upside down...



Almost gone...




Seattle loves the Blue Angels...WooHoo!

Just sayin' ;)

Regarding Craig Ferguson

If you haven't ever seen Craig Ferguson, or don't know who he is, it's sad.

Simply, he's one of the freshest voices in TV - especially late night TV.

He's not afraid to speak his mind, rail against the corporations and networks, and generally tell it like he sees it. He's not some cute, pc puppet (which is why Conan is in Leno's chair now). He is a guy that looks at the world around him (which is California for godsakes) and comments on what he observes.

I don't always agree with him, but he's always interesting and entertaining.

Here's a glimpse of why I like him. He's saying something serious in a funny way. We laugh, not because it's that funny, but because it's so true that we'd cry if we couldn't laugh. ;)

Enjoy...and listen too...



Just sayin;

A Little Fun for Thursday

Mini Me and Me were home today checking out the internets...and she showed me this...made me laugh out loud!!

Hope you enjoy it too...




M&G

The Weeks Are Flying By

It seems like time is just flying by lately. Birthdays, birthday dinners, family and friends and, and, and.

I'll post again soon, I promise. With pictures even maybe (oOoOoOoOoOo ahhhhhhhhh).

Until then...

Patience...

Some Fireworks Fun!

I'm sure that I'm late to the party on this stuff....but this guy (who does the CoinStar commercials too), does some fun work!



Happy Fourth of July!

Have You Ever Had A Day

when you honestly got up really early - on a Saturday -and went to do something for a friend for all the right reasons (no self-advancement or remuneration or accolade)? Purely because someone needed help, and wasn't going to get much of that from others - so you dragged your very very very tired butt out of bed and went to work for the enrichment of someone else.

And despite best intentions, nothing went well at all.

Makes me think a bit about things.

Lots of things, different things...and just things in general.

I'm not particularly accustomed to being sworn AT, or cussed at, or whatever you call it. Certainly not in a very very long time. And never when there wasn't a lot of heated argument or something...Frankly, I can't recall the last time someone cussed AT me.

Until now.

I was cussed at several times today, and for no reason other than asking a question. The first time I was pretty shocked, and a bit embarrassed as this happened in an open driveway in front of folks. The second time, I tried to figure out why the hell I was there in the first place, and still there in the second place.

People in the area actually asked me who that person was? The one being rude and cussing at me...I explained that she was stressed, but they didn't think that was enough to excuse the behavior.

Neither did I.

So, the third time it happened, I went and found a quiet place to be, texting with peoples that actually wanted to talk civilly to me. It was nice there in the shade up against the fence (which was kinda where I was intellectually too). Passersby stopped to chat and ask questions...the sunshine warmed the grass...a much better place to be.

And then Goofy, that angel in turquoise, came and released me. She said that no one needs to stay and be abused - most especially when they are helping...so I should just leave and she'd see me later.

She's awesome like that.

So I left and went to get a high chair for my bubby. Put it together too...it ROCKS! or doesn't rock...lol.

Sigh...turned out well despite the start.

Kharma, I'm telling you...nice to have some good stuff in that bank. And, better yet, I'm done helping mean people. Not gonna do it anymore, regardless of how bad they need help. Someone else can get in line for that abuse.

Just sayin'

Sometimes, The Very Best You Can Do

is say nothing at all.

The Thing About That

So...there's a ton of coverage of the sudden death of Michael Jackson today.

Nearly every network chat show (Today, Good Morning America...anything broadcast live(ish)), has "special coverage".

The thing about all of that is this:

Michael Jackson was a troubled soul. So abused and neglected as a boy, so exploited, and so very very much a money making machine that everyone that could have helped - that should have - turned a blind eye and looked the other way.

I didn't know Michael Jackson, and I'm guessing that for the most part, people reading this didn't know him either.

Oh, I knew the public persona. The nice looking young man that morphed into something scary as he went deeper and deeper into whatever world his mind created for him. An outward manifestation of the monsters he was fighting, in my opinion. He was a bona fide musical prodigy that was able to bring amazing tunes to the world. He always came across to me as a fragile man-child that didn't quite "get it". But, again, just my impression. He was a man with more people hanging on to him for whatever they could leech from him than one with true friends that looked out for him. Was he a child molester? I don't know. I suspect he was more molested child than molester, but I wasn't there. He certainly paid the price as if he were - both in real terms of money and in other, more ethereal terms of isolation and ridicule and disgust.

My current disgust is directed at the media and all of the people that now praise him as an icon and the perfect person that he never was. While the man was alive, these same people threw figurative stones at him, enjoying his pain and reveling in the fact that the once "high and mighty" was now down and out in many ways.

Michael Jackson was a flawed man. Musical genius? Probaby. Abused by "friends and family"? Likely. Odd beyond understanding? Definitely. Tortured soul? Yeah, I really think so.

And now that he's died so suddenly and unexpectedly, he's "the king of pop" and "the most incredible musician of his generation".

Where were these people when he needed someone to step in and say the hard things? To get him the help that he seemed to desperately cry out for? Or at least so desperately needed...

Leeches...it's all we are when we allow this kind of hypocritical bs to happen without comment. We are no better than the ones shoveling it if we don't say "enough!". I'm not watching the "special tributes" or the legions of semi-stars lining up to get their share of his sad spotlight in death.

No, what I'm doing is remembering the people that I've lost. Some of those were suddenly and unexpectedly taken away. Some were more expected, but it's never expected enough to mitigate the pain of their loss.

And in remembering those people, I try to remember how precious and fleeting life is for us all. How it's fragile and amazing and confusing and sad and joyous. And I reaffirm my intention to live a better, more purposeful, more graceful and peaceful life. No matter how many years I have, I don't want to waste any more of those minutes than I can help, by being angry or trying to control things beyond my control. It's not an easy task, but I'm working on it. :)

So, today I am thinking about people I've lost. And I'm remembering how that felt and still feels.

And today, regardless of whether I knew them or not, I'm sending wishes of peace to those that have lost someone that they've loved. Everyone should be lucky enough to leave someone behind that misses them. And those are the people that I relate to and feel sad for.

That's the thing about that...

Just sayin'

The Putting Together of Toys

As Bubby's first birthday quickly approaches, there are things that need to be put together so he can play with them right away.

Kids, when given a new toy, do not want to wait around while you figure out how to put it together. And that's not even the hard part with some of these things these days...have you tried to get a toy out of the package it's embedded in lately?

If you have little Barbie collectors in your circle, you know what I'm talking about. Geez, you would think that they are putting those dolls in the package with the thought of it's withstanding a nuclear bomb. Forget about the 800 twist ties binding that doll to the cardboard prison...they literally SEW her hair onto the package as well. It takes nearly half an hour to get that puppy outta the packaging.

And then there are those sealed plastic clamshell things. What the heck is the point of that? I don't really know anyone that hasn't gotten some kind of cut trying to get through those. I'm sure there's a class action suit looming somewhere about that...haven't any of those packaging designers heard of "zip strips" along the back of the plastic? Come on, cardboard boxes (like what you get sandwich bags in, for instance) have have them for years...get a clue and save someone a sliced tendon, won't you?

But, I'm digressing.

As you can see from the picture, the Fire Car wasn't in a clamshell, and it wasn't twist-tied to cardboard...it was just in a lot of pieces. I wasn't particularly daunted by it though. Throughout the years, I've put together my share of stuff, and this was just one more.



It took one hour and forty-five minutes to assemble this little car. My main sticking point was the driver's side roof post - that puppy needed to not only snap into the frame, it had to also encompass and provide support for the door hinge-pin. I think that took the most time of all - other than that, the assembly went rather smoothly I think.

And it's cute as hell :) I'm sure Mr. Bubby will be well pleased with his new wheels. I know I am. I'm most pleased that it makes noise...bwahahaha.

Now, if I can only find that fire hat that has a siren on it, life will be even better!

Just sayin'

Aha!

The other day I was quietly minding my own business (trying to take a nap, actually), when I heard a strange noise...

I looked up, and what do you think I spotted? In broad daylight even?

A MOLE! (I think it was a mole, it could also have been a "pocket gopher" but for now, I'm going with mole) :)

It brazenly came up from a nearly invisible hole, walked across a little way to another hole I hadn't seen before either, and then...

disappeared.

Hrmmmmm

Nothing running around under the lawn, eh?

BAH!

Time to gather up the safari gear and big ammo...

Just sayin'

Contemplating the Relative Usefulness

...of night vision goggles.

I was out mowing the lawn today - well, what passes for a lawn here, considering the fact that I've decided not to water the moss anymore - and as I was bumping and bouncing over the newly engineered "critter" tunnels, I began to wonder what the heck I could do to encourage them to engineer elsewhere.

There is some controversy over the critters. Several landscapers have told me they don't exist, when clearly, they do. Haven't seen them myself, but I do see their handiwork. They seem to tunnel around every so often (particularly after I've stomped and rolled over (and over and over) their tunnels with the tractor - hmmmmm, coincidence? )

Anyway...

I got to thinking...I haven't actually seen whatever the heck it is that is tunneling around the yard...maybe it's nocturnal. That led me right into the night vision goggles idea. (it's how my mind works - lol).

I'm wondering if I sit still in the dark with night vision goggles on, if I might see the engineers at work? And if so, perhaps I can "encourage" them to do their building in the woods. I also wonder if I can get some evidence of their existence (other than the damn tunnels and intermittent holes that would seem to indicate to a rational mind that there is something down there doing that).

I wonder, too, what else night vision goggles might be useful for. Other than looking at things in the dark, can't really think of much. I might contemplate that for a while too...

Or, I might just forget about it all and get a bunch of fireworks at the reservation and "plant" them around the tunnels...bwahaha.

*shrugs*

So...that's what I was thinking about...scary, but true.

Just sayin'

There and Back

Hi Y'all

I've been wanting to do a short slideshow of a road trip for awhile. so...here it is...shot from my iphone while driving across the I-90 floating bridge (and back). I mean, someone else held the camera and took the pics while i drove. Seriously, I wouldn't drive and click ;)



I actually like this, but I'm interested in your thoughts too. Let me know what you think, eh? Be nice, but constructive criticism is never wrong. I didn't do much other than throw the pics into iPhoto and make a slideshow, so there isn't a huge investment either. I just thought it'd be fun!...god, i love Macs!

Just sayin'

Pioneering

While Mini-Me (MM) was visiting last week, we had a ton of things to do. We had school and homework, and riding around in the roadster, and soccer game & practice, and tie-dying and math, and yardwork...oh! and BBQ's!!!

We also had to figure out how to build a covered wagon (model) for MM's Pioneer studies in school. Apparently, 4th grade is when you study those things.

It was fun, because it was something we could do together.

So, we did some research on the internet, and drew some plans, and went to get supplies.

The result is shown above (in it's pre-colored state). MM and Goofy made the cover (which isn't attached yet in the photo - painting wasn't done), and also made burlap sacks with the staples those pioneers took with them.

There's a little left to do, but all in all, I think we did a fair job - considering we are NOT pioneers.

;)

Promises of a good weekend ahead

Seattle is supposed to have a nice weekend coming up. In most places, considering that Memorial Day is the opening of the summer season, this wouldn't be much to talk about.

In SeaTown, however, the fact that we have any sunny days, let alone a weekend and never mind a HOLIDAY WEEKEND, is newsworthy indeed.

Generally, around here, we are nearly guaranteed to have clouds and rain as a matter of course - especially on holiday weekends.

Blue tarp camping originated here, and for good reason - it rains... ALOT!

So, for this upcoming weekend, we are anticipating sunny days. Warm, sunny days fit for BBQ's and family gatherings.

We'll see...keeping my fingers crossed!

Headaches and Black Licorice

I have a headache.

Have had for two or three days now.

I'm wondering if it's brought on by the black licorice I bought the other day and have been snacking on from time to time? It's somewhat coincidental that the headache and the licorice arrived at nearly the same time. I'm thinking it is coincidental and anecdotal rather than specifically pointing toward symptomatic. At least that's what I'm telling myself at the moment.

Hrrmmmmm.

A Sunny Seattle Weekend!

We had something of an anomaly here this weekend...SeaTown had sunshine! And on the weekend! It was lovely.

Around here, sunny weekends mean working outside. While Goofy used the pressure washer to get the patio ready for the summer bbq season, I tackled the lawns. They are all mowed (YAY). And the best news is, there's a new gardener being interviewed this evening, so there may be a chance that I'll be fighting the lawn less in the future (it's nasty, and despite all my efforts, it usually beats me ;).

After that, I sanded the deck stairs and got them sealed with water seal.

(i'm sore today...lol)

The weather was beautiful...and since COPPER RIVER SALMON arrived in Seattle this past Friday, we got the bbq's fired up and planked some fish! Invited some of the family over, and had a lovely time in the beautiful outdoors...sigh...it's really what it's all about in Seattle...we live for the sunny days....and then we go crazy like we've never seen one... lololol.

It was wonderful...and relaxing...and felt great to get some things done outside...ahhhhhhhhh! It's all relaxed and contented around here...sigh...

Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Mother's Day

This isn't the greatest picture ever taken of my mom and me...but when I look at it now, I can feel the comfort and safety of being held in her arms. Feeling her breathe, and laugh and just casually kissing me on the head. The absolute and utter love of a mother.

For a brief moment, I'm three again. No troubles, no worries beyond dodging bedtime to be able to stay for a few more minutes just like this. If I'd only known then how precious those moments really were...but, ahhhh...who does really?

I'm very fortunate to have known her for as long as I did. She was amazing as a person and a friend and a mother. But most of you already know that about her from my other musings on the subject.

Today, I'm reminded about my mother for obvious reasons. It's mother's day.

It's also the 13th anniversary of the day she left this earth for adventures that I will hear about someday when it's my turn to leave.

On the face of it, you might say it's extremely painful for me to recall this day. And in some ways I am right there again in that nondescript room holding her hand and praying that her brother and grandmother were there to help her through.

But in ways that matter, it's less about the day that she died than it is to reflect on how very much she impacted not only my life, but the lives of so many others around her. I"ve talked about that before here too. She was so fortunate to actually have people she cared about tell her how much she meant to them. She really had no idea how much her thoughtful insight mattered to people. But she didn't leave not knowing. And she didn't leave without knowing how very very much goofy and I loved and appreciated her.

And, this is also about the strong women in my life (and likely in yours if you think about it) that have - at one point or another - have been there when they were needed over the years. In huge ways and in little ways that made a huge difference..

They are not my mothers by blood or birth, but they have had impact on my life nonetheless. They are my friends and my family by choice. They are older than me, my age and younger. They are precious.

So, for the sake of the day, I salute all the women in this world who support not only the children they give birth to, but the people that cross through their lives that needed them for that minute or day or year. Some of those people stay with us forever, some are here and gone. But they made huge differences for their being in that place in that time.

Happy Mother's Day. To my mother, and yours and all the women that support us all.

I love you Mom...I still hear you...and I miss you every single day.

Catching up a bit

So, Aloha and Good Day, Eh?!

I've been a bit remiss in my blogging the last few days..guess it's too much sun, fun and good company.

At our last posting, I believe we'd been out to Molokini to "feed the fish", and spent a day at Ka'anapali Beach soaking up the sunshine.

We managed to find many things to do while waiting for the dive weather to be a bit better. Beach was one, shopping (ugh) another, visiting with friends while eating and drinking fancy tropical drinks yet another. Sigh...it's a tough life, but you know, someone's gotta live it. :)

Saturday morning we headed south to Ulua Beach. Goofy did some shore diving there with Richard and Phillip and got some great photos from the turtle cleaning station and along the reef. Magic stayed topside and was beachmaster and camera hauler. Brother Tom and his wife Kristie joined us a bit later in the day and they had fun snorkeling and hanging with Magic (i'm thinking so, anyway ;)

Here are a few pics from Goofy's first and second dives at Ulua.


Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle at the Cleaning Station - Ulua Reef





Moorish Idol's along Ulua Reef.





Juvenile Frogfish - Ulua Reef





Humuhumunukunukuapuaa - aka Hawaiian Reef Triggerfish, Ulua Reef






And, finally, the rare and somewhat elusive Tommyfish. Adorable and yet a bit contrary at times, this one is reliable and fun to have around. :)

I'll continue with Sunday's diving adventures in the next blog.