Hawaii's 57 Days

Gargoyle in Berlin Bar

2011-10-14T07:54:00.001-07:00

mainichi/everyday blog has this photo from a bar in Berlin but it was too dark to see it at all--by running it through Photoshop Auto SmartFix we can see what it is--!!

Goodnight, Hawaii

2008-03-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

On my last day we went to see the museum exhibit "The Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Arts of Bhutan." What a riot of varied and very bright colors, all from natural dyes. Colors in textiles for daily clothes as well as the dancers' costumes--and there are a lot of dances in Bhutan! So many questions about all we saw--will have to study!

Goodnight, Hawaii, my plane boards at 21:10. You have been a luscious beauty and a paradise backdrop for a drop-out time. Thank you.

And thank you, my good friend, for making it all happen! It was a gift of great price. From days on the beach to running daily life in a house, it was all magical.

Stepping Out

2008-03-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

In between errands today my friend and I had lunch at the Wedding Cafe nearby--fun decor (and serious business) and truly delicious sandwiches (pineapple iced tea that is like ambrosia!).

Our treat for evening drinks and pupus was my friend's favorite place here, the Kahala Hotel. I had my Mai Tai (a treat at last at the end of my stay) and the spring rolls were joined by mango chili sauce. Ooohhhh!

On Kahala Beach (not far from Shangri La) surrounded by sea, dolphin pools, beauty and serenity, paradise is believable.
My friend loves the orchid wall, so we drifted back to the car park via the orchid stairs......

Almost Indigo Tonight

2008-03-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

My friend and I had reservations at Indigo tonight, but we both felt under the weather, with tummy part, and canceled. Hoping to be on top of the world and able to enjoy tomorrow. Wish us well!

Carports' View

2008-03-24T17:02:00.000-07:00

In Hawaii housing, the view is all. It is said that the carports have the best view, and since they are up at street level with the houses being down below them, this seems the case indeed.

This is the carport, and this is the view from it (you can see the houses are all lower)

And this adorable "one-room mansion" (that's a yellow watering can just peeking at the right next to the door) has the same view!

Lovely Easter

2008-03-23T19:56:00.000-07:00

On a brilliant blue and sunny Easter Sunday, my friend and I went to church, which is at/in the Koolau Golf Club half an hour from here. We took the luxurious shuttle bus, and the large and beautiful former golf club house half bought by the church was stunning. Coffee and breakfast breads after in the waterfall atrium.

For dinner, we went to Olive Tree, the Greek cafe. Souvlaki lamb was my main, with Greek yoghurt/mint sauce, and yummy Greek caviar was the starter, with pita. Despite the disparaging remarks in the Ono Kine Grindz blog, this restaurant has long lines nightly, and has for at least the 17 years my friend has lived here.

Masterpiece Theater presents Jane Austen's Emma tonight, so a great ending to a lovely day.

Bhutan update: today's paper has an article on the new parliamentary elections in Bhutan! This from last year gives more. Very meaningful after the film experience. Who knew there was an ideal country somewhere in the world, free and happy (GNH: Gross National Happiness index!), but still limiting tourists. What will democracy to/for them? Stay tuned!

Film from Bhutan

2008-03-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

My friend and I went to the Friends of Film Friday at the Doris Duke theater tonight to see the first in a Bhutan film festival, DRUK GE GOEM (THE GUEST), Director: Kinley Dorji. Bhutan, 2006, 103 mins. The director's wife wrote the screenplay and starred, and other relatives took parts--saves on costs!

"While on a trekking tour in Bhutan, Michael, a New Yorker, is separated from his group and injured in a [foggy!] forest. While the tour company, the army, and locals search for him, a yak herder girl named Tshomo—who has never met a foreigner before—comes to the rescue. Their attempt to communicate with each other is amusing yet poignant. The two fall in love, but when the authorities and Tshomo's angry uncle discover Michael, he must return to New York. Months later, Tshomo's uncle wants her to marry a young man from their village and the auspicious date is fixed—but will Michael return?"

There was a speaker, Tsewang Nidup, who is giving guided tours of "the Dragon's Gift: The Sacred Art of Bhutan" exhibition at the museum, who told us so mnay fascinating things about the development of film (since 2000) in Bhutan.

It was very good--the foreign actor being the worst among them, the Bhutanese were naturals! A wonderful experience!

Lost Days?

2008-03-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Rumblings have reached me about postless days. Hmm, what would have filled them? The CPAP Mask Saga, aka Hannibal Lector Is Back (being closer to the reality than these smiling, mask-free folks; think Hannibal Lector trailing a 6-foot hose on the way to the bathroom at 3 a.m. rather than CPAP Barbie)? Somehow the photos in the ads are nowhere near the reality. But one wonders how much folks want to read of the nightly saga...... Of course, the news is that in the rainy, busy days, the nightly hook-up can serve as an exercise alternative, i.e., the yoga position "the Plough." But do you really want to know the whole story?

Or, there is the Saga of the Cute Phone, so tiny, so cute, and so free to call the East Coast. It was a 5-day wonder. Prepaid, like the one Jason Bourne grabs from a kiosk in The Bourne Ultimatum, but taking a couple of hours to "get"; Jason would have sneered and my readers would have been so bored.

Or, how much does everybody want to know about educational technology conferences on Second Life? My old friend and his wife took me to breakfast to catch up on teaching with computers in Hawaii and Japan, as well as the TCC conference. Had I blogged this 3-hour breakfast talk, would there have been yawns across the globe?

My friend's mother had just died and the funeral was the next day; his wife's mother had left her with unfinished grief. They both urged me to start building an online community for "caregiver re-entry" since there is nothing that can be found in support of this hard (for some) time. Lots of ideas here (like social bookmarking at del.icio.us), but again, caregiver recovery is one of those things like the event you had to have attended to get the point about.

So to avoid blog burn-outs of boredom from my readers, there has been a blessed (?) silence.....

More of Kay x 144

2008-03-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

Further in the "do you really need more" department . . .

Another Movie Day

2008-03-17T21:35:00.000-07:00

On a clouding-up, sprinkling-rain day, how nice to escape to a movie theater for a fun diversion: Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Gives a girl hope, that movie does, and the lingerie, as well as the men (one of whom designs the lingerie), are enough to make one long for the late 1930s in London. With popcorn.

And for dinner, a GREEN salad (and Guinness): Mediterranean Salad with edamame.
torn romaine lettuce, thinly sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, edamame, slivers of red onion. Dressing: rice vinegar, olive oil, oregano, black pepper and garlic powder. Toss and and serve with olive bread like we did!

To Market, to Market

2008-03-15T21:43:00.000-07:00

The great KCC Saturday market provided me with local-bread French toast and Portuguese sausage, plus Kona coffee, for breakfast. This photo leaves out the hordes who all stopped behind me in deference to my super-photographer abilities. Foodland grocery store provided me with pate to go with my Market olive bread (who knew there was pate to be had in Hawaii; never found any in Alaska!). The Market provided us with Alaskan salmon, too!

Saturday is errand day everywhere, even in Paradise, and so we moved through them all morning, and my friend had an errand in Macy's where I needed to occupy myself for half an hour, so I found two Hawaiian shirts, 3/4 sleeve and a Tee, with total price (yes, for the 2!) of $21.

New flowers pop up in the yard daily--these little orchids are the latest.

And, so it goes with Daily Life in Honolulu, taking over from The Tourist Round: Alaskan salmon at home tonight and a DVD of a classic movie from Movie Museum (rental, not on-site). The trade winds are back, so that wilt-in-a-minute hot spell is over and Paradise regains its appeal as, well, Paradise. With pate.

Another Week in Paradise

2008-03-13T18:20:00.000-07:00

You noticed the new title of the blog! Well, what with one thing and another, plus a direct flight with a front aisle seat waiting in the wings for me, I added 9 days to my stay here in Honolulu. I'll get back to Alaska at dawn on March 28th.... I'm still wrapping my head around this.

After errands today, my friend (she's back-->my house-sitter career is over already) had made us reservations at Town for dinner with her son and his girlfriend. An organic, local ingredients bistro, it was sophisticated and delicious. Town doesn't have a Web site, so.... the outside photo does not do justice to the dim, art-work-on-the-walls casual elegance of the interior, but..... The menu changes daily, being local, and I stopped at the appetizers: pickled fennel, cucumber, radish, frisee lettuce, walnut and gorgonzola salad with another starter of local venison loin, grilled radicchio and limequat marmelade, and their homemade breads, of course. Even though I was not major in the conversation, my jaws ache now, and it is hard to tell people how alien-wonderful it is to be out at night with people to talk to--not to mention the Hawaiian food!

Who Knew #3

2008-03-10T21:42:00.000-07:00

Sierra Club Hikes
Early on, I heard SC is a great way to meet people, according to the landlord's girlfriend (it's how they met); and the Club has had some attractive hikes. They meet just down the street! Hmm, Sandy Beach cleanup coming up isn't as attractive as "A great hike through a valley with lush vegetation and a dozen stream crossings. Lunch and a swim at a superb swimming hole" would have been. Who knew?

White Merlot
Good grief, a wine I've never heard of! Fuller body than rose or white zinfandel, a very satisfying hot-day wine. Who knew?

Vanity Fair
A wonderful magazine to read with a glass of White Merlot. Dream along with the high fashion ads for handbags and shoes, but get down to earth with pithy information and meaty articles. My favorite in the March issue is Michael Wolff's on the writers' strike. History of scriptwriting in Hollywood and all the issues. Riveting. And VF's blogs! To die for! Glad I know now.

Setting Sun
I, unexpectedly, really groove on the setting sun which comes into the French doors onto the corner of the couch where I sit in the late afternoon. The sunset is the pale yellow of the bougainvillea I love, the pale yellow sunset I first discovered and fell in love with in Saipan. Now, I love sunset, even though it is way too early! Who knew it was pale yellow here, too! (Um, Kay, you never noticed what?)

A New Word
Bivocational. Usually for pastors with another job, I think this should be common for folks who do two different things as double-main jobs. What a great word to drop at a party . . . "What do you do?" "Well, actually, I'm bivocational." Bet the conversation would take off!

McDonald's Coffee Price for Seniors
Coffee is 63 cents for seniors (half price) at McDonald's. Always thought theirs was good coffee but haven't tested it here. Thinking of Starbuck's prices, wow, Mickey D's is a steal deal! Who knew?

Empty-Nexter?

2008-03-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

Today's paper had an article on a female baby-boomer syndrome that I think fits just as well across the age spectrum . . . I mean "those searching for new meaning to their lives, struggling over their next steps" really don't have to be in their 50s. Karen Gail Lewis named folks looking for what they really want in life empty-nexters — "a term she admits coining by accident when she meant to write "empty-nesters" on a brochure." I mean, one doesn't have to be a woman in mid-life (or older) to ask "What's next?" Life design when one least expects it--never was a course on that in high school. So a fancy name, but the syndrome isn't much different from what William Bridges calls "the neutral zone." It's good, though, that people are paying attention to this empty stretch so those of us in it are not quite so alone.

Early post--early night. Seriously dragging here. The closer I get to going back to Where I Was, the more I become Like I Was; gaining back all the weight I lost, losing all the muscle tone I gained, seriously dragging. Another cat/house-sitting job showed up, for Spring Break, starting the day after I plan to leave; we'll see if it works out. In the meantime, Hawaii needs to get back to doing its magical job on me!

You Don't Want to Know

2008-03-08T22:28:00.000-08:00

No, you really don't. If I were to go through this day it'd be sort of like this cartoon, with a tad more drama. No, I assure you, you don't want the 13-hour-long golden oldies playlist of the neighbor's new Karaoke machine. On the bright side, I'm totally ready for "Don't Forget the Lyrics"!! Nor do you need the saga of . . . . no, really, 'nuff already.

To lend a spot of beauty to this day, the pink hibiscus bush, full of blossoms, outside the back French doors is worth long contemplation (it hides the view, but not the sound of the Karaoke party). The petals are much pinker than the photo shows.....
So, ear plugs, a glass of white Merlot, pink hibiscus and the day is saved.

Oh la la.....tomorrow I have to remember it is 6 hours later on the East Coast. For them, it is already!

Beautiful Day Kafe

2008-03-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

A very comfortable and cool place to work for a few hours on a hot afternoon, It's a Beautiful Day Kafe near here turns out to be a popular drive-through. In a former gas station, it also has a patio area with two big couches and lots of tables and chairs and a lovely breeze. There were some elderly people with the son of one them to help them in and out, who were enjoying a lively conversation in the couch area on one side. Nice little oasis. The owner and another woman who was there later are really nice and the whole experience is a lot better than Starbucks (no, I don't go to Starbucks, but pass it).

Beautiful Day has marvelous teas--the African Tropical and the Green Jasmine are divine. And, I tried an oatcake, hallmark of the islands (I think--they seem really big here). A quiet afternoon for a very tired lady--it seems that this is the hot season--blazing sun and no trade winds. Takes a lot out of a gal from Alaska! Thank goodness for the Beautiful Day Kafe! Otherwise, a droopy-gal day. Apparently this "kafe" is nicknamed "the Parachute" since the seating area is covered with a parachute! Wireless Internet connection, of course.

Kailua Charms

2008-03-06T22:18:00.001-08:00

Spent the afternoon on Kailua Beach today . . . along with a lot of other folks, but nothing was crowded. Just lots of people of all ages having fun in the sun (and the shade). I took my lunch (the couple sleeping here had their sandwiches, too) and loved the warmer water, which is aquamarine, green! Milky, like a gem. Strong waves and brisk winds, so in the water was the warmest place. Outside it was chilly so I wrapped up in a towel (forgot shirts--got burned).

There was a woman swimming with her 3 dogs, two on a small styrofoam board and one swimming along. Sorry for bad photo--ran across them on the beach later as they were going back in--she puts the two on the board and throws a Frisbee far out for the third, and she swims back (a long way!). Who was holding on the rope of the board I never found out. She's swimming out front on your right, the two dogs on the board in the middle, and the big, swimming dog, at the end. A beagle and a pug on the board, big dog alone.

Finished with dinner at Zia's--their special: pear, blue cheese, mushroom and chicken pasta--green flat pasta. It was so good!! Of course eaten outside. Since it's only a 20 minute drive from here, this charming little town is the place to do beach things. Big bookstore, Coldstone ice cream, and a lovely, cool green drive to and fro.

Transitions

2008-03-05T21:22:00.000-08:00

Both William Bridges (the classic and best) and Julia Cameron (of The Writers' Way) really get transitions.

From Julia's Transitions: (gift from my Hawaii friend a few months ago after Marina recommended it)
The door to the future may stick when we try to open it. Not all transitions are easy or graceful. Sometimes out past is done before our future seems quite ready. We are caught in the corridor of in between, a limbo that feels awkward and uncomfortable. At times like these we must practice the art of containment. Soon enough the future will unfold, the door will swing open and the way be clear. In the meanwhile, we can consider the distance we have come already, the lessons we have leaned and the chapters closed. By pausing to appreciate our growth, we find outselves more restful than restless. The wheel will turn and find us ready.
[end of Julia]

From William, whose Transitions has been on my top bookshelf for 25 years:
[Too many people are] change-heavy and transition-light. Change and transition are different, and both are necessary for any significant change to work.

As I use the term, change is a shift in the externals of any situation: a new boss, setting up a new program, the death of a relative, a move to a new city, or a promotion.

By contrast, transition is the mental and emotional transformation that people must undergo to relinquish old arrangements and embrace new ones.

Transition has three phases: an Ending, a disorienting sort of "nowhere" that I call The Neutral Zone, and a new Beginning. If people don't deal with each of these phases, the change will be just a rearrangement of the furniture. And then we say, "It didn't work."
[end of William]

Ah, "the corridor of in between" and "a disorienting sort of 'nowhere'"--as Sue Monk Kidd puts it, "this spiritual waiting [is like] that of the caterpillar in the cocoon waiting to become a butterfly . . . [and] we tend to be long on butterflies and short on cocoons."

But, in the "corridor of in between,"in the "Neutral Zone," in the "cocoon," I howl, "How long, O Lord, how long?" (Psalm 13)

Mysterious Paris

2008-03-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

Cara Black is a Californian who writes dense mysteries set in Paris I learned from a blog I read. The small, wonderful local library here had three of the eight she's written and they follow a pattern. Featuring out-of-the-limelight political issues (Corsica, Vietnam, Turkey, etc.) and a different arrondissement (Paris' 20 wards) each time, these are intense, action-packed and human-relationship-intense stories. Most are Right Bank, my only disappointment, being a Left Bank girl at heart. They last roughly a week, the first chapter being, say, "Tuesday Afternoon" and the last "Saturday Morning." The shadowy black-and-white covers give the atmosphere (a long way from Paris Hangover!). So on a trip into Borders bookshop today, I treated myself to just-published #8 and will force myself to save it for the plane back to Alaska, even though "only a dip" has taken me to p. 35. And for background music while reading Black, the soundtrack from La Vie en Rose or anything by Ali Farka Toure works.

Pacing Myself

2008-03-03T19:57:00.000-08:00

I've had to give in and pace myself, take breaks and rest more. Maybe my Alaska-acclimated blood is still too thick for the heat here, or . . . . but I'll just have to save parasailing and hula lessons for the next time (though I've had two offers of places to stay if I want to extend my time here).

So Monday morning yoga under the palm trees (today photographed by a Japanese promotion team for ads back there!) while Pihalani practiced her yoga stretches at home (her left arm was straight up but she moved when I took the picture), then a walk into central Waikiki to International Market which is the only place on the island that sells fanny packs (the zipper broke on the one I brought), and just a half hour relaxing on the beach. On the way back to Sans Souci along the ocean I saw a man in a thong bathing suit -- the front just a strip of cloth from low-riser elastic (Amazon has a lot of samples...) -- and I turned for the back view and a charming, handsome guy walking his bike next to me struck up a conversation, "You don't see that very often, huh." I told him I was sorry not to have my camera for my blog and he gave me some great blog quotes to use (if I'd gotten a picture, that is).

Then off to Ono Hawaiian Foods, since this is about the last time I'll be able to work this in. Fuzzy photo of interior, walls plastered with photos of the famous who've been there (I recognized Lily Tomlin). The nice man asked if I wanted fresh or day-old poi (??!); day-old is tarter and more sour, and I chose that. He gave me some fresh to compare--hard choice. I got the combination of course (chicken lau lau), to try everything. Since "ono" means "delicious" in Hawaiian, no wonder it was fabulous. What I hadn't known is that everything is dipped in the poi; I used to just eat the poi straight. The cooked taro leaves were the best I've had, and the haupia melt-in-your-mouth.

Simple Day

2008-03-02T21:17:00.001-08:00

Finally remembered the Sunday Kundalini yoga in the park at 8:30, so was up early. I had thought the session would focus on breathing, and it did, but with very intense physical accompaniment. My right shoulder, hip and knee protested, as did my lower back, and somehow, like lomilomi, that yoga session wiped me out. It was a revelation, though, to see just how this form of yoga works. Six of us were there and there was music and the young teacher was really nice and welcoming. It was over by 11 and I had brought what I needed to hang out at the beach, so I did. Just vegged, reading again "The Neutral Zone" in William Bridges' Transitions. He reassures us that the long long emptiness that is the neutral zone part of transition, but which is dismissed or medicated in this day and age, is normal and needed. In this neutral time, "we don't really think in any way that produces definite results." Yet, everyone is expecting me to come up with definite results. I keep going back to Bridges to remind myself that it is OK that I can't. Maybe the Kundalini plus the struggle with the neutral zone plus the ice cubes they put in the ocean today all conspired to wipe me out, and I made it back to collapse in the bed by mid-afternoon. Still barely functional this evening, but back, shoulder, hip and knee feel fine! Go figure.

The Princess Pihalani was greatly heartened by a visit from my friend's son. She showed up on the bed in the master bedroom again while I rested this afternoon and evening, and was friskier. She must understand her "family" has not deserted her for this non-cat-lady, with whom she nevertheless gets along quite well. But she doesn't seem to understand when I tell her that in just a week her beloved mistress will be here with her. Cat heaven is on its way, Piha.

Sunny and warm . . . still

2008-03-01T20:34:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon I hung out with my old colleague from Japan, Barbara, on U of H Manoa campus. We had lunch in the the Sustainability Court, outdoors, all food vegetarian, parasols over wooden tables, and talked the afternoon away. So much to catch up on. It's good to get together with old buddies! We were so engrossed in all we had to say I forgot I had the camera in my purse! And me with my "I'm blogging this" T-shirt on, too.

The Princess Pihalani had a new trick up her sleeve today, in addition to her early morning flying-leap-onto-the-bed trick, and that was the disappearing trick. I couldn't find her anywhere, and no, no doors or windows were open to the outside! Finally, she moved and there on a shelf she was curled up. Whew! She loves to be outside, and will stay two hours or more. Not being a cat person, I cannot figure out how to get her to come back into the house when I want her to. Must be a secret code word, or something. But, I don't think I'll ever learn catspeak....

Message in a Bottle

2008-02-29T20:08:00.000-08:00

My wonderful writers' group in Alaska does a creative exercise to get the juices flowing at the beginning of each weekly meeting. This is the one from last week (here with permission).

Topic: You are stranded on a tropical island. You have a small note to send in a bottle. What would you say on the note?

My favorite "note" among the group's responses is:

~I’M PERFECTLY OK . . . STAY AWAY!

p.s. This is NOT a secret message to my faithful readers who comment (you know who you are!) or to the shy ones who email me their reactions!

It's just a "moment in paradise".

Mother Nature Won't Email

2008-02-28T21:02:00.000-08:00

If only Mother Nature would send email weather alerts I would have done Chinatown today or tomorrow in overcast cooler weather and in yesterday's blazing heat have gone to the Contemporary Museum (5 minutes and $3 from here) up in the lush green chilly mountain. Instead today was the museum and I was alone to enjoy it, taking in the powerful Misrach exhibition of huge photographs (you can see some here). Enormous grounds with sculptures and lots of paths winding among the gardens and nooks. Calming afternoon. In the lobby is a work in which, standing in the right place, you can see 144 reflections of yourself.

And at dinner tonight, there'll be sea asparagus from the market. Market was after breakfast at Andy's--best spinach-cheese omelette in town and Andy's homemade wholegrain toast and fabulous coffee--all in air-conditioning.

Chinatown

2008-02-27T21:15:00.000-08:00

After yoga at the Community Center ended at noon, I decided to give Chinatown a whirl. One wrong turn = learning a LOT about Honolulu streets, but made it to Chinatown and went to the Vietnamese Pho 97 in the historic Mendonca building. This is a photo blog about a different Pho 97, but the owners and dishes are the same. I got the beef rib-eye steak noodles described in the blog (seen in my own photo here), except the meat (red, just put in) was already in the bowl. My plate of bean sprouts, basil and chilies were just like in the blog you can click to. It was so good,even the bean sprouts were like nothing I've ever had and the soup was divine. Decided against pastries, but did get rambutan (like lychees).

Passed Indigo and Tea at 1024 that I saw in today's paper (photos at their site), but just kept going today. It gets really hot in the middle of day now, even though the nights are cold and early mornings call for a long-sleeved shirt plus a sweatshirt. So, today, just the heart of Chinatown, which is only a few blocks square and a real treat. Well, the rambutan should be cold enough for a delicious bedtime snack. . . .

Lomilomi, at last

2008-02-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

Drawing blanks on recommendations for lomilomi from locals, I resorted to the Web and chose Aloha Lomilomi. It was a fantastic massage, a little different from others I've had (sea salt rubs, hot stones along with massage) and it has left me a completely limp dishrag. I'm hoping all the nasty toxins and stress were released and I'll be able to stand up and make it to yoga class tomorrow.

Afterwards, since the place was a block from where I usually go to the beach I hung out for a good bit of the afternoon with the other folks choosing the grass under the trees right on the beach. Then back for errands, including a finally successful treasure hunt for Poi Pancake mix and Coconut Syrup (a story in itself, but I cannot type any longer).

It's 7 p.m. and I'm down for the night . . .

p.s. I'm sure everyone knows photos can be clicked on to see them bigger......

Queen Emma's Palace

2008-02-25T21:11:00.000-08:00

Why does Queen Emma's Summer Palace fascinate me so? Small, quickly seen, it is a place I cannot wait to go back to! That's a kukui tree on your right as you look up the steps. No photos of interior--but the calabash bowls are marvelous, all sizes, many very large. Used to store bed linen and clothes. The cradle, to only mention one piece of furniture, is astounding. The Hawaiian owl feather standards in the entry are worth a return trip.

The palace visit was only one piece of the day, though. It's Monday, so early morning yoga in the beach park under the palms. Stopped by Leonard's on the way to get malasadas (this is the haupia, coconut). Worth the wait! Ate two(!) on Waikiki watching the surfers after yoga was over.

Two things to do in Manoa Marketplace before setting out for the afternoon, so got a Roast Turkey sandwich (pink paper middle right of menu wall!) at Andy's Sandwich Shop, a landmark. So healthy! Yep, that is the woman who made my sandwich, right there in the photo. This is what an Andy's sandwich looks like (scroll down).

Yellow hibiscus at Queen Emma's palace, biggest hibiscus I've seen (state flower). What a beauty!

Pali Lookout is only 5 minutes further, and even though the gray clouds were rolling in I went to see...and glad I took a sweater. Yes, the wind is strong.

The photo is of the Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens! Both palace and lookout small and quickly seen, but very powerful and memorable.

Roast duck pancakes from Manapua Factory for dinner ... fighting the local cold virus, so early night.

Slow Sunday

2008-02-24T21:56:00.000-08:00

Sunday is a good day to walk on campus, and then jump in the car to go up to Manoa Marketplace for the farmers' outdoor market, and then a few doors down to the Manapua Factory shop for coconut Jin Dui (Chinese sesame balls) and mochi (pounded sticky rice balls) for breakfast with Kona coffee. Both of them had treasures of coconut at the center--so good! Also got some Dim Sum for lunch (menu here). Great cartoon on the subject from today's paper is here. Breakfast with the local paper, lunch with the New York Times. Ah, sweet Sunday.

Lucky to have gone out from 7:30 to 8:45! By 10 a.m. darker and grayer clouds and stronger winds rolling in, by 10:30 a.m. driving rain so intense French doors have to be closed--far more dramatic rain than in the first week I was here. Hmmm, cancel Queen Emma Palace/Pali Lookout today?

But, at least it is cooler! The local Sunday Paper Travel Section is on . . . wait for it . . . Alaska! Talk about cool!

Asian lunch today! The potstickers were the fattest and tasiest I've ever had.

The handmade soft tofu as good as always, and the Tokio flavored tea an elixir.
Clouds aren't lifting so no Tantalus or Pali lookout today, but a delicious Asian lunch sort of makes up for it.

No, I didn't eat the pink-tinged frangipani on the left. The underside is a surprise! They fall face-down on the path sometimes, and they are gorgeous. Here's the paler top side.
I have to walk through the fallen blossoms on the last few feet in front of the door---tough, huh.

The Academy Awards started at 6:00, so it was popcorn for dinner tonight. And I got to watch the whole Oscars show!! It was fun this year.

Doing or Being

2008-02-23T21:25:00.000-08:00

[originally written 2/6]
"Should you be taking your foot off the accelerator for a spell? If you sense that your best strategy is to lay low, don't talk yourself out of it." I always wonder how "they" know ... but time's winged chariot will whisk this precious time away before I know it (Week 1-and-a-half is gone!! at this posting, 3 weeks left) and I don't want to regret any lost chances to do things! Of course I am here to BE something, but it seems the two will never co-exist. It's the worse choice, but I give up the BEING part and just stay in the DOING part -- it doesn't feel OK, it feels like more of the same. But the whole situation is too overwhelming to give up the doing of things and seeing of people when there is a chance ... endless conflict.

But, like my good friend and Blog-Guru, Badaunt, I "do not normally write about my feelings here." I don't know what to do with my feelings, which keep threatening to bubble over somewhere. Maybe I can go to Pali Lookout and scream them into the wind as I toss a coin?

In the new book from the library, Paris Hangover, fluff after the dense, beautiful and powerful The Echo Maker, there are some insights via an American in living in Paris. Page 307. "[Here] it's not so important what you do, especially what you do for a living. It's just important that you be. Be in the moment, be who you are, be consistent in your rituals and habits instead of always chasing the trendy and new."

The other day, sitting on the outdoor balcony of the cafe at Borders, watching people with notebooks, computers, etc., realizing that in the Big City one drives to a place with a parking garage in order to hang out, the City Girl and the Country Girl had a bit of a face-off.

Sunday (2/10), after wallowing in the newspapers with Kona cafe au lait, I recycled, got gas, checked out the Farmers' Market at Manoa Marketplace, did the big sale at Longs (all this within 5 minutes of the house, so convenient), swung by Walmart downtown and easily was back in time for leftover Egyptian curry for lunch. In the afternoon I cooked the beets, and made Edamame Salad from a recipe in the paper and goodies from the Farmers' Market -- dried cranberries instead of currants. So delicious for dinner (2/22: I haven't cooked anything since)! But I was barely able to stand up by 4, though not so really tired. Had to lie down the rest of the day, except for dinner. Stronger, but still not able to make it through a whole day (2/22: still not; 2/23: did not get out of pajamas all day). Maybe more Being is in the cards?

Hanging out with Don

2008-02-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

This photo, taken on the quick, doesn't do justice to my charming friend, Don--sorry, Don (who was about to tell me something!) He's my good (translator) friend from Kitano-cho, in town now, and we went for brunch to Eggs 'n Things where he's been a regular for 20 years. Their photo page shows non-Japanese tourists, but it was almost exclusively Japanese tourist clientele when we were there (and a lot of the time). Super good (cheap--this is Waikiki!) food. Kona coffee is their "regular"--lucky me. We hung out the rest of the afternoon cruising Ala Moana Beach and then swung over to his condo on the 42nd floor with the killer views of Honolulu from Tantalus Mountain to Diamond Head. It was a really fun day!

Don's gift: Punahou Carnival Mango Chutney! Something like 10,000 jars sell out in the first 2 hours! Burleigh's daughter Linda had lamented that she was a little too late to get any (having come from Santa Fe!) and Don had no idea mango chutney is in my top-5 food favorites. I'll hand-carry this with me! Thanks so much, Don!!

Early Morning Lights Out
4:16 a.m., something wasn't right. Aha, no air...the CPAP mask wasn't working. Aha, again, the electric clock was out, the lamp wouldn't turn on....lots of clues for an outtage. No lights around the neighborhood--whew, it wasn't just here. Got up later and it is amazing how dark it is in Hawaii at 7 a.m. Down to the street to get the paper and sure enough, the traffic light wasn't working. To make a long story short, a bit after 7 I opened the fridge to get Piha's food and the fridge suddenly turned on. I jumped a foot, then relief set in. Much more relief when everything worked, the Internet connection, etc. So nice to have a little scare that turned out to be a non-event.

Who Knew? #2

2008-02-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

Medicare on the Bus
To get the half-price Senior Discount on the bus, one must show one's Medicare card (yes, the one with the social security number on it!). Guess who paid full fare?

iGoogle is Way Cool
What's my favorite feature? My Paris WebCam? My Twitter map for the primaries and caucuses? How To of the Day? YouTube Recent Features? My To Do list? Or...

Behind Every Great Chef There's a Mom
Well, some of us know there's always a Mom in there somewhere. . . . check out chefs' Moms (by Christopher Styler, who also did The Desperate Housewives Cookbook: Juicy Dishes and Saucy Bits. (Alibris says: "From Bree's ber-gourmet repasts to Susan's what's-a-spatula simple suppers, and from Lynette's meals in a hurry to Edie's food for seduction and Gabrielle's epicurean delights, 125 recipes inspired by the Ladies of Wisteria Lane. Color photos throughout.")

Why
did I buy an apron (because I forgot mine)
with a pocket yet!--only to never wear it,
leading to multiple sessions with
Stain Remover? What's with me
and aprons anyway?

Jimmy Buffet's Waikiki 'Margaritaville'
There's to be a new Margaritaville, in Honolulu, before Christmas this year. Toasts all around! One can then spend an afternoon buying a cute bathing suit at Macy's and round off the day upstairs at Jimmy's.

No Walking on Campus
A security blocked my way this morning to tell me no walking on campus! Crimps my style for sure. The alternatives are not very attractive, but I could always masquerade as someone with business on campus (in the land of flip-flops, my running shoes and sox would inevitably give me away, though!).

Yoga and Beach Day

2008-02-20T20:49:00.000-08:00

Headed to Waikiki Community Center for 1 1/2 hour ($3!) Gentle Yoga class. 21 people! Mostly floor work, eyes closed the whole time, positions and breathing--really nice. At noon, when yoga was over, hit the beach at Sans Souci and Waikiki (yes there are parking spaces at noon!) for the afternoon and another fabulous ice cream cone before the little store at New Otani closes for good. My new lunch bag is a dream; the Cool Ice kept the cottage-cheese-and-mango lunch cool, and nearly 6 hours later the ice was not all melted and the inside of the bag was still cool. On the beach(es) I sat in the little chair and read my book when I was not eating or in the ocean.

Kailua Simply Beautiful

2008-02-19T20:25:00.000-08:00

Today I went to Kailua, directly north from Honolulu on the Windward coast for an appointment there. To my surprise, the drive took only 20 minutes through a cool rainforesty canopy of green. Passing through two tunnels, the vista opened on a distant view of Kailua and the blue ocean. After my appointment, I went to Kailua Beach, said perhaps the best in the world with its powdery white sand, its immensity, its crystal blue ocean. And lots of shade! May be worth the quick drive to go the beach there! Plenty of easy parking, non-clogged highway, small town feel.....and, yes, the bumper-to-bumper return from work in Honolulu traffic I saw on the way back showed how many people were willing to drive for the simple beauty of Kailua.

As for my "Mamasan Curry" at Mekong last night, it turns out that's a typo; it's Massaman curry, a "Muslim" curry with a Middle Eastern rather than Thai flair. Dark brownish red, spices so unfamiliar in curry, not Indian or Thai, it had chicken, carrots, onions and sweet potatoes! First ever sweet potatoes in curry! But it did have coconut milk (lite). The Bangkok Wings were deboned chicken wings stuffed with mushrooms, pork, carrots, long rice and spices and served with a thick peanut satay sauce. My leftovers tonight were just as delicious as the originals last night!

Pihalani, the Huntress

2008-02-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

Went to early morning yoga class in the park next to the Aquarium on Waikiki.
Having forgotten to water the cat, then forgotten my purse, my third re-departure was the charm and I was just a bit late. Joined in and stretched out. Only Mondays from 8-9 a.m. View of palm trees from yoga position was restful! Walked down Waikiki to get a coffee, and caught a few rays on the beach along the way. Holiday today so lots of groups and grills, even at 9 in the morning!

Piha seemed glad I got back around lunchtime with various supplies for her gleaned from one end of Honolulu to the other. While putting things where they were needed for her, I did glimpse a lizard like the ones always on the walk outside sprinting across the back room and sure enough, a few minutes later here came Piha with her prize. No, she did not want to relinquish it. And yes, dear readers, I didn't post the photo with the full prize on display, but if there is demand to see it......can do! To give her a treat after having her prize taken from her, she got to go outdoors for as long as she wanted. I dogged her steps, if one dogs the steps of a cat, since if she ever got out of my sight I'd faint.

During my lucky Walmart stop (downtown/has parking garage!) for Piha's supplies that were not in stock the last four times I tried, I found what she needed and also got myself a cool little lunch bag for beach days (it looks huge here, but it can hold a sandwich and a drink). Now, I can stay and stay and stay on the beach of my choice! Discovered there is lots of shade on Waikiki, so may add some more beaches. Beautiful day but I am oomph-less, so taking it easy in the house.

Did manage some needed sleep in the afternoon, so went out for dinner for the first time--to Mekong II Thai just down the street (no Web site). Details tomorrow with leftovers.

Burleigh at Waioli Tea House

2008-02-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

My farewell lunch with Burleigh and her daughter Linda (who "doesn't do" photo ops) at Waioli Tea Room was full of chat about and little slices of life of Doris Duke (Burleigh lived nearby many years ago), info about Ono Hawaiian Food "hole-in-the-wall" and the best here, where Linda goes to to get them lunch, and many other snippets of life in Honolulu. Lomi Lomi massage in times gone by, the film evenings at Doris Duke Theater in the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and life in the times when the only way to get here was by boat. The first Pan Am flights (Linda remembers!) that took over 8 hours, and life on the windward side of the island in summer. Lively, delicious and silently tinged with the shadows of good-bye until we meet again in Pennsylvania.

It's lovely having good friends, even if they have to move away. Burleigh is one of the very best!

Shangri La, or, Another Day in Paradise

2008-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

There was a tropical cornucopia of things to do today, beckoning from every side: Chelsea Clinton boarding a bus just down the street from the house; Sports/Health/Fitness Expo with chefs (like Alan Takasaki of Le Bistro) demonstrating healthy approaches to food (of course, offerings like 'injury-free running' are on the program, too); the book signing of A DASH of Aloha at Macy's kitchen demo. A play, "Aging is Not for Sissies," alas, only on tonight and tomorrow, is sold out. Disappointments here are quickly replaced with another pleasure in tropical island fashion, but this no-room-at-the-play was a real disappointment. But, no tears, today was Shangri La Day!

In the end, I was glad of my previous reservation to visit Shangri-La today, since quiet and beauty seem what I need now, more than rush and din. Doris Duke, whose father, J.B., invented the paper-rolled cigarette and bankrolled Duke University, was the wealthiest woman in the world for a good while. She created a dream house that was top-to-bottom her own work of art. A majority of treasures were found at auctions all over the world, but these camels, stationed at the unassuming entrance to the house, were bought at a Honolulu department store. You can see beautiful pictures, including the bedroom and bathroom which we couldn't visit, at the Web site (link above). I put four of my photos on Flickr so they could be seen BIG (click on each one to enlarge it).

The living room features an Otis Elevator window that slides completely down into the full basement (they opened this window for us!). Miss Duke usually kept it halfway open because of the many dogs (from the pound!) she owned. Every room has a fireplace, and they were used. The basement, unusual for Hawaii, kept pieces of art, or remnants of fabric like what was used on ceiling and walls of the dining room to make a tent effect. When the house was uncared-for during the 9 years of will litigation, this blue-and-red striped ceiling and wall fabric rotted, but she had kept the leftover in the basement so it was all re-created. Doris Duke recycled, kept everything. Many of the floors are crushed coral from the hollowed-out private harbor, now part of public access as these local boys are enjoying. An avid and skilled surfer, she also had a one-person sailboat she launched here.

The master bedroom wing is not open to the public. Miss Duke didn't keep a diary or journal, nor did she have a close friend or confidante. Her father had taught her not to trust anyone, and since he died when she was 12, she stuck with that early advice. She also wanted her own space--the staff, very well taken care of, had little interaction with her. I'm sorry I didn't see Susan Sarandon starring in the movie about Doris Duke shown on HBO earlier this month.

I love this balcony across from the bedroom wing. Everything in the house was detailed and exquisite and mixed and matched (French baroque ceiling in the Turkish Room). On a short hallway wall, an unusual mixing of tiles features one empty hole with the plaster showing through. Miss Duke was still deciding on this one when her final illness took her to LA and the hole's been left unfilled.

What she called her "playhouse" had guestrooms and a large living room with her piano, as she was an accomplished jazz pianist. She also loved yoga and belly dancing, as well as designing every bit of Shangri-La. The saltwater pool (16 feet deep) is refilled every Monday morning. The diving board was hydraulic, so it could be lowered like the living room window and give a living-room-lanai feel from the house to the playhouse.

My outfit matched a good bit of the decor, and I felt glad, since just being inside the house was unforgettable. This picture was taken during our drink-of-water break on a lanai, but it was raining so we couldn't go into the garden. We moved in groups of 10, so could ask questions and it all went too fast. One woman was there for the fourth time! I can see why. It is a magical place...if you look closely at the red walkways in the Mughal Garden, they look like they rise in the middle in a little peak, but they are perfectly flat. Like the whole house and grounds, they're a feast for the eyes.

I want to learn more about Doris Duke now, just seeing this glimpse into the home she created, and lived in roughly six months a year, from September to April. I'd like to look into the travels she did, the interests she had and the great love of keeping herself to herself (she did very little entertaining at Shangri-La). There is some fascinating background in this Smithsonian article. The photo gallery in the article is wonderful.

Today was a beautiful day.

Beach Day

2008-02-15T19:27:00.000-08:00

Spent most of the day on the beach, first at Kahala Beach, long and lovely beach without much shade (I was in the shade of the one tree in the second photo from top). But there is a large park with grass and lots of trees, just a few steps from the beach (tiny part of it 4th photo down). Spent time in the crystal-clear ocean, too. Reading Joanne Fluke's Peach Cobbler Murder made me hungry, so I went to Sans Souci where I knew there were sandwiches and fabulous ice cream cones. Forgot camera and hat, but this was a super beach day! Rain only in the late afternoon, and thunder in the evening, keeping the cool excitement going.

Who Knew? #1

2008-02-14T14:45:00.000-08:00

Zen Habits Fail with Lawmakers
Zen Habits is brilliant, and Amy Brown seemed to be using them for her road repair bill:

"[Amy] Brown, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Hawai'i Manoa, had gotten lawmakers to introduce a bill that would require the state Department of Transportation to set aside a percentage of the state highway fund each year for road repairs and maintenance. The department would also have to identify the 10 most critical highway repairs each year and then commit to do the work, and do the same with 10 critical repair projects in resort areas." Derrick DePledge in Honolulu Advertiser

But Hawaiian lawmakers found lots of (silly) reasons why it just won't work here -- "too restrictive" and "mixing state/county responsibility" -- so it's back to life-with-potholes.

The Devil Does Honolulu
A New Yorker cartoon is here.

A DASH of Aloha, the Cookbook
"Healthy Hawai'i Cuisine and Lifestyle," being autographed all over Honolulu for the next month!

Swim Suit Doubles as HeavyHands
Jantzen's TrimSwim suits trim and tuck and hold and mold, and to do that they have 4-way-knit-with-tummy-panel lining that weighs half a ton and takes two days to dry! Anything for a fashionable silhouette, though, huh.

Fresh Tofu To Be Had
Fresh tofu in a Japanese shop, made Tues, Thurs, Sat. Got the curry tofu dip, too (out of garlic). The soft tofu, perfect with green onion and tofu soup (cost of tofu soup 10 cents--so good, and I could never make it with all 5 ingredients!). What a discovery -- I pass that store constantly in Manoa Marketplace since it is in front of Safeway. The woman there automatically speaks Japanese and all the customers were, too. The taste of the tofu = divine!

Iolani Palace: Full Story

2008-02-13T10:05:00.000-08:00

Front Page of today's paper features a photo of David Kawananakoa and Abigal Kawananakoa, descendants of King David Kalakaua, in the front-page article about the coronation anniversary ceremony! There's a photo gallery (I'm way in the back of photo #3) and video; I don't feel so bad that I didn't get the perfect pictures I wanted! They're all here to remind me of a truly memorable day!

p.s. Cloudy and gray today--sure glad it wasn't yesterday!

Iolani Palace

2008-02-12T20:53:00.002-08:00

Day started early with walk to Credit Union--an hour through the U of Manoa campus and then old residential area back here (some houses have Historic Residence plaques!)--and no, CU will not cash the check made out to "Kay Vreeland"--no such legal entity. But that is a great walk--could become a regular. Quick did chores and Piha got her greatly desired time in the yard.

Headed out to park at Ward Center and take the bus to Iolani Palace for the 125th Coronation Commemoration -- goose-bumpingly fabulous. We got fancy programs with photos-- full 1-1/2 hour ceremony in the coronation pavilion that's been there since 1883) and there was a 21-gun salute, famous music (Kalakaua March is my favorite--so perky and fun!). Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa herself who came out to the Rolls Royce in front of where we were lined up to visit the Palace (and I only got some attendants photos!), and the ladies in white with kukui-nut necklaces (yes, I had mine on!). Women had feather leis, and men had long leaf strings hung around their necks--easy to tell the VIPs!

We then got our free entry to the palace to see the throne room, but most especially the coronation gems and medals (my very favorite is the tiger's claw necklace!!--not shown)
on display today. Breathtaking--even the dishes and the kitchen! Not to mention the crowns, the sceptres, and that jewelry!

Back to Ward Warehouse and late lunch--Kalua Pork Pizza (homestyle Kalua pork, lomi tomato relish and Island fruit salsa)--delicious. At Borders Books the sales were worth it--just what I wanted for $4 and $5--went for a coffee on the terrace; when the barista asks, "Do you want that Americano hot?" you know you are in Hawaii!

Motto of the Day: Thank God for sunscreen and a floppy hat!

Honolulu off the tourist path

2008-02-11T20:47:00.000-08:00

My sister sent me, thanks to her friend, Sunset magazine's February article on "Hidden Honolulu". Yes, Sans Souci beach is there, and so is the New Otani Kaimana's Sunset Lanai Lounge (best for seeing the pale yellow Pacific Island sunset). I've betaken myself to both of these favorites already, and the article shows another favorite (once a gift dinner from my friend and yearned for ever since), Indigo restaurant. The Honolulu Academy of Arts is a great love, and Iolani Palace is on the agenda February 12th for the 125th anniversary of the coronation of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani. But what makes the article worth its weight in Alaska-Hawaii postage (besides the priceless photos) is the Chinatown piece. Now, at last, I feel confident about getting myself down there. Thanks, Susans.

Hawaiian Tapas

2008-02-11T20:11:00.001-08:00

After Monday's wonderful day of beach + girly shopping, routine errands easily ended with Hawaiian tapas and a glass of (cheap) California champagne. The Salmon (or Ahi) Poke costs almost nothing (well $2), the ikura is on tap, edamame salad keeps well, and the delicious beets are so good alone I have not used the ingredients I've collected for my renowned Beet Salad (basil, capers and yellow pepper figure therein). A long morning, started early to get free parking at Sans Souci Beach (OK, with a hot dog at 11), afternoon at Ala Moana Shopping Center (obligatory stop in Makai Market Food Court). Success at last with my long-long-held list of 3 items: face cream (desperate), high-neck bathing suit (so hard to find), and waterproof keys/ID/cash case (for the single girl): scored all three. The lava-lava on which they are displayed is my friend's and I rack my brain for what I can trade her for it (assuming it does not have special meaning to her!). The pants were the only ones in "my" color left on the sale rack ($12), and ABC stores had the waterproof valuables case. Good haul! Procrastination can be very valuable; I took my time getting to daunting/huge Ala Moana mall; lo and behold, from today the face cream came with 2 gorgeous (free/full) goodie bags, zip hung with Eiffel Tower (the cool Maui bag is from the swim suit shop)! So, with shopping now in the bag, so to speak, Iolani Palace, Queen Emma's Summer Palace, my two favorite museums, and the Botanical Gardens beckon. Stay tuned.

Burleigh

2008-02-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

My good friend, Burleigh, now 92, is moving back to the mainland and I visited her yesterday in her stripped apartment -- everything went with the movers the day before. Lovely Burleigh, so on top of things and ready for the next adventure. I hope I turn out like that at 92!

I learned from her friend there that being at the Farmers' Market at 6:30 or 7 is to pre-buy; many vendors will sell-and-keep so when the gong goes at 7:30 one just picks up one's shopping and heads out. We discussed 100% Kona coffee, too, and I am still unclear on the advantage of 100% over the 10% blends--but there is time for testing! This morning I did my luxury-Sunday, both the papers and Kona cafe au lait.

I also learned, at Burleigh's, that the man working with the Japanese woman from whom I bought the Egyptian curry is her Egyptian husband--no wonder the baklava is so flaky and delicious! And the curry is different from others I've had. Sure will get other dishes next week!

Among the few things left and for sale was a kukui necklace her daughter had made in Girl Scouts--the very daughter visiting then and there. Kukui nuts from Hawaii, too (it's the state tree)--rare now that most are from the Philippines. Since I had not even thought about bringing my coral jewelry to Hawaii, or any other jewelry, having gotten out of the habit over these years, the necklace is just the accent I need! And I learned that earring backs can be had at bead stores--who knew?! So soon I'll have two items of jewelry to wear in the Islands.

Farmers' Market

2008-02-09T20:14:00.000-08:00

KCC Farmers' Market opens Saturdays at 7:30 (with a gong!) and I was told to get there by 7. Made it by 8, and saw why--parking! The entry promised rows of goodies, and yes, there were LOTS of flowers, here only two stalls' worth. Cooked food of all kinds, local drinks, fruits, vegetables, bread, coffee, plate lunches, fried green tomatoes--row upon row of goodies! People meandering, on Island time, and long lines at the two vegetable stalls. 100% Kona coffee sells out in the first 15 minutes! The curly leaf lettuce was already gone at 8:30! Almost got bitter melon, but held off, maybe next week.

Drummers and Lion Dancers, a white-maned one and a black-maned one, with people sticking dollar bills into their mouths for luck in the New Year of the Rat. Of course I got a cup of coffee, Molokai, said to be as good as Kona, from the same sort of red berry, but I am going to stick with Kona (luckily I found 100% Kona coffee at Long's later in the afternoon, and at half the price--but who knows about the real value). At my choice of food stalls, I got the Egyptian Chicken Vegetable Curry plate lunch for a couple meals. May get several different dishes next time as the person next to me was doing--food through Monday! The market's bounty: got Ho'omaluhia honey after tasting 3 types; Ho'omaluhia is from banana blossom, java plum and coconut! Perfect with Country Olive bread.
Basil, mint, chives, edamame, fruits and veggies, fresh from gardens, a treat! The sweet lemons are as big as a tangerine and have green peel. Yum yum.

Donkey for Shopping

2008-02-09T14:54:00.000-08:00

One of my readers commented off-blog on February 1st post about bringing the shopping back to the house with this article on an English village raising money to buy a donkey to carry the shopping home--brilliant! But then, they don't have a lovely flower-strewn gentle slope of a path to enjoy on the way up. The donkey I might rent would just meander while eating the flowers the whole way, wouldn't it?! On the other hand, coming back from Farmers' Market would be a good time to load up the donkey!

So far 2/6 has been the only day with sunshine all day! Glorious glorious sunshine. The 7th, the downpouring rain returned.....it will be necessary to have all ready for the beach for the next time the sun comes back to us!! And now, on the 8th, forecast is for rain through the weekend. But they lied . . . the 9th, Saturday has been hot and sunny (the clouds are rolling in now, at 3 p.m., but hey, 2/3 of a day hot and sunny is good!

Sans Souci Beach ... finally

2008-02-08T19:59:00.001-08:00

Sunshine very promising this morning so took off for the beach I know, Sans Souci at the New Otani. Stayed sunny for the two hours I was there, moving my mat back as the sun moved forward, until lunchtime. So good, at last! Reading The Echo Maker and swimming and looking at the sky. . . .
Thinking about lunch in the Hau Tree Lanai, one of my favorites! I remember it was the first restaurant my friend took me to so many years ago....I still see the impressionist painting of my first view of this tree as we were seated.
Then lunch: Ahi Cobb Salad ... yum yum! Lovely leisurely lunch. If I can figure out parking (weekends may be out for the beach!), mornings on the beach are the ticket...the sun is from behind so sun-phobics can really enjoy! Not so crowded and safe to leave belongings while swimming, this is the perfect beach. But I'd like to try some others, too--if only I could teleport! When I came back to the house at 3, it was raining. More showers in afternoon, but mostly clear today! Beach/lunch was enough for me, could not tack on my overdue shopping....next week!

Kona Coffee

2008-02-07T11:29:00.000-08:00

Been wishing I could run into some Kona coffee in this Land of the Starbucks. Oops, my friend has Kona coffee in her fridge and a coffee maker on her counter. Duh. So, Day 9, the treat at last! Yes, it does take a week (or longer) to "settle" enough to live large!

The Kona breakfast coffee seems to have reminded the sun to come on out and banish the rain from the night and early morning, of course with the usual rainbow just outside the French doors. Alas, dryish for only a couple of hours until just after lunch, when torrential rains, not just tropical showers, began again. They seemed to have stopped in the early evening so I went for a walk to get some exercise and got soaked by more torrential rains instead. Waded through ankle-deep rivers coming back up the hill--I give up, gym here I come. Honolulu Club (has similar machines, etc. to Alaska Club) is $250 for one month short-term! So, Curves it'll be, at only $61. Cardio? Maybe wet walks will be the way? My friend says she's walked on the beach under an umbrella--may just have to go that route!

To top off the day, the neighbors must be Chinese-related because they set off massive fireworks about 7:30--I thought it was a shoot-out and ducked down from the windows and heaven knows where Piha is--she scooted out of here fast! Then I saw the fireworks in the garden just below and got it--Happy Year of the Rat!

Cozy Mysteries

2008-02-06T18:45:00.000-08:00

Cozy-mystery genre--who knew? For some time now I cannot handle thrillers or even "real" murder mysteries, and stumbled on these cozies here in the public library. A Cozy Mystery is set in a lovely place, among good people, and has to do with more mystery than murder. There are bad guys, but lots of good guys and delicious dinners, too. The detectives are usually women, but not always, Hamish Macbeth is a delightful exception, and so is Inspector 'Reg' Wexford of the Ruth Rendell cozies. Understanding 3-dimensional human nature and believing in the best of others is a cornerstone. Nothing hard-boiled. If anyone had ever told me I'd be devouring these sorts of books I would have snorted. No longer. The psyche craves cotton wool!

But I did get The Echo Maker, by Richard Powers, at the library yesterday, too. Epigraph: To find the soul it is necessary to lose it.--A. R. Luria A novel about an accident, and the injured man's ending up with a rare condition called "Capgras syndrome," when the person remembers events but not emotional connections. How the brain works after injury is the real thesis, and because of so many things around me, including The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, this is an intriguing read. The first page and a half is a blindingly beautiful description of sandhill cranes gathering in late February on the Platte, when suddenly into their midst a truck corkscrews and lands. I read these opening pages twice before going on. You can read them, too, on Amazon--just click 'Excerpt.' Stay tuned......

Meanwhile, there's a cozy mystery right here in this house; when I got up at 4, there was a lamp lit in the back room! Eerie, because the photo looks light from the flash, but the place was pitch dark except for the lit lamp! I don't use anything but the closet on the near wall and had never been close to that side of the room! I didn't go turn it off, wondering if whatever poltergeist turned it on would turn it off again, but no. Wish Hamish Macbeth were in the neighborhood!

Aha! Cozy mystery solved! When I went to turn off the lamp this morning, I couldn't find the switch, but as I fumbled around the lamp went to brighter, then off--a touch-sensitive lamp! So I bet Piha was exploring and touched it!

Watch Party & Writers' Workshop

2008-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Up way before dawn responding to very inventive kitty, then drinking exquisite green tea flavored with grapefruit and listening to the pouring rain and driving gales. May have to go have brunch at my favorite beachfront restaurant, the Hau Tree Lanai just to just look at another version of lots of water--the ocean!

Rain, rain, rain--what better than to do laundry on a rainy day?! Especially passing these beauties to take the laundry path to the left.

On the calendar: Super Tuesday Watch Party in the same small mall as a writers' workshop this evening! The watch party was fun--so many people, lots of good food, circulating, and drinks to order. All kinds of people there, young and hip, older and energetic, and friendly. Fun to be in a crowd for lots of big-screen news!

Obama's (half) sister was at the watch party and spoke to the crowd!

The workshop was fun, the Honolulu chapter of the National Writers' Association--here's John Frederick leading us to review 10 famous writers' first 100 words. The we each wrote our own, read them, and got 3 critiques. I learned something and there were 15 people there, almost all regulars.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

2008-02-04T19:57:00.000-08:00

Torrential rains forecast yet again, strong winds---what better place to ride them out than the movie theater. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly is marvelously filmed, and I am delighted the caregivers are given so much space and understanding. Even the one cradling Jean-Do in the swimming pool.....I do hope people honor the caregivers as a result! The movie is hard going, even knowing the book well, very hard going. Nothing is romanticized, and the respect to a weakened person is wonderful to see. But it leaves the day with a sober overcast, to match the sky here. I am so glad I went to see it--me and three other people in the theater. It is spare enough, like the book, for us to see everyone around the helpless person, and, hopefully, to be more aware!

The perfect antidote to T is for Trespass (Sue Grafton), with its portrait of a hurtful, greedy, dishonest caregiver. Trying to write a book review with the audiobook is hard, but there are 382 people on the library waiting list! But I see that a hard copy will cost a full $27! Maybe later.....

I still twist around in "caregiver re-entry," the central fact of my existence. Yes, I am trying to write an essay on this, too. Here, in beautiful downtown paradise, I feel so strongly the struggle to "be in the world." Part of the difficulty is that I don't know anyone who sees or understands that struggle, and how far it is to get back.

Jean-Dominique Bauby gave me courage!

R&R Sunday

2008-02-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

Very tired. Long hours with local paper (the print in the funny papers is huge--so nice to read!! back in Alaska they made the comics and the print smaller, and I don't read them much) and New York Times--ah, the luxury, the luxury, and eased down, watching the rain. Clear, overcast, most of afternoon, so after SuperBowl half time walked down to Punahou to learn the festival was only Fri-Sat--an hour late and a dollar short there. So kept walking another 20 minutes to the U of Manoa campus where Volcano Joe's would have food--permanently closed. Another uphill 20 minutes back to the house, hunting and gathering having failed but exercising a rousing success. And said hello to the day-brightener, the bird of paradise garden to the left of the path just before the door. And thus to watch the fourth quarter of the SuperBowl upset.....

American Gangster

2008-02-02T20:54:00.000-08:00

The book, American Gangster, was my plane reading on the way over, so had to see the Denzel Washington/Russell Crowe movie at the $1.00 movie theater. Sobering as the book, but a really good movie! The open air bar in the complex where the theater is looks delicious, but what was really delicious was the mahi-mahi/short-grain brown rice/salad plate lunch at Yoshi fast-food. Complemented by fresh salmon poke from the local Safeway for dinner (rain started again, so bagged Punahou Festival)---WILL go tomorrow.

In other food news, this is the papaya and apple-bananas I've started with in the fruit department. Veggies are fabulous, and the water is so wonderful I am in awe--how good the tea tastes, how soft my skin is! Now to add some ocean water to the mix!

Haircut Day

2008-02-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

Ezio--again! Ezio is the life-loving Italian who's cut my hair and helped my psyche for so many years.....he's still here and still glorious--and so am I in my new Hawaii cut! Ezio is two months older than I am, and we connect so well.....I find a new lease on life when I spend time with him. And he's put me on to a client of his who is starting Slow Food here and works for the local paper and may have freelance work for me!

Zen Habits had me with 3 things to do: Ezio, one phone call and a Big Shopping Trip = Walmart + Natural Food store. In a big, crowded city, this was a huge adventure--Walmart is downtown and has its own parking garage! Huge hassle, but the prices! A case of small waters for $3.48! Etc. "Down to Earth" natural foods is still the old familiar shop, plus an Irishman in the line with me (I let him go first with his cookie, unlocked bike outside, and leprechaun charm).

At Walmart I got a sunshine-yellow hat ($2.71!) for walking (color because of rain that won't go away and hat because I forgot my trusty Gap hat back in Alaska). I'm wearing it while writing this because it's pouring rain and blowing a gale outside the French doors.

And so I brought all the shopping back here. No gym needed today! Case of water and 11 bags up this lovely path.....here is the start from the street (mailboxes, trash bins and garage to the left). So green and flowers here and there......I love going up!

This is the middle, past another double house in the complex. The orange Bougainvillea--my favorite color for them--is the goal up there! It's easy to keep heads-up on this path!

And the final third, the way to the door of the house, past flowers on the right; and on the left, birds-of-paradise and a lovely orchid plant I cannot seem to get a good picture of! So into the house to eat the curry rice and local tomatoes from natural foods, rest up for the walk down to the Punahou School carnival (major event here and food to die for) tonight. If I go late enough, I can get food really cheap to bring back for some days hence. As Ezio says, life is good!

Good News

2008-01-31T17:29:00.002-08:00

Yesterday I almost whined here about finding one of my Hawaiian earrings (bought at Bailey House on Maui) gone when I went to take them off at night. But I kept the blog upbeat..... I wondered though, if that hit, like a KO from Joe Frazier, from my umbrella when the wind turned it inside-out and punched me on the ear with it, had dislodged the lost earring. YES! It was lying in the parking lot of Manoa Marketplace, right where I had been standing--and yes, the back had been torn off. I felt so good!

Zen Habits works, at least the first time tried. Mailed the card, got quarters, and called for hair appointment--tomorrow at 10! Really stress-free way to deal with "tons of stuff I should do." Wonder if the momentum will hold?

Slow Day 3

2008-01-31T13:24:00.000-08:00

Must be Island Time, but taking it real easy, watching the rain come and go, and not getting into High Gear quite yet. Zen Habits is my new path, I love "10 Simple Ways to Do Only Three Things Today" and so wrote down three last night: Call for hair appt; mail card to Burleigh and go to library to get library card and books; unpack. Ate breakfast, unpacked and tried to call before even opening the computer! What a great notion!! Three things a day just might be doable! Cuts the stress, for sure.

Piha came up on the bed, to her usual spot, this morning at first light, so she's accepting that I've done something to make her mistress disappear--at that time I was sleeping without the CPAP mask/machine on, so we'll see if she comes at night tonight. She doesn't meow when she wants something, like the cats back in Alaska do, but comes and winds around my legs and we do mental telepathy which is working just fine! But taking pictures of her is a challenge; as soon as she realizes I am, she heads for me as fast as she can come, thinking we are about to play together--just will not pose! Some people are like that, too, have you noticed?

Quiet Afternoon

2008-01-30T18:48:00.001-08:00

The house from the front garden is as serene as it looks.

Why is it that after blasting out gales and downpours to those with 6 shopping bags, does the weather turn balmy, clear, blue-sky, and still for the rest of a sleepy day at the house?

The path down out of the back door. Still only a fraction of the flowers all over the paths and yards.

Sleepy in Hawaii

2008-01-30T15:32:00.000-08:00

Day 2 in Hawaii: Since this is my diary blog, where I tell the unvarnished truth, let me say I am so tired and sleepy I can hardly navigate. Very little sleep last night with lateness of to bed and Pihalani, who sleeps all day and prowls and teases all night. Plus my discovery of rainout with my CPAP machine--even with humidifier on lowest setting, it must be too humid here to use a humidifier....have to study up today. So only went to Manoa Marketplace, close by and residential driving and familiar to me. Wind so strong it turned umbrella inside-out and the handle punched me alongside the head! Sun back out by the time I got settled back at the house, of course!

Pihalani thinks the twistee on my power adaptor is awonderful toy--bye bye, twistee!

Here in Hawaii

2008-01-30T15:28:00.000-08:00

Day 1 in Hawaii: Arrived 20 minutes early in driving rain and windstorm, feeling energized--Jael picked me up, thank heavens, and carried suitcases through the heavy rain up the narrow walkway to the top of the slope where the house is. Whew! Excitement got the best of me and I couldn't sleep til midnight! In paradise!

Since I wrote this on Day 2, photo is the view from the dining table where I ate my Day 2 breakfast.....taken in the afternoon when the sun shone non-stop!