April Complete

So far so good as I finish the first calendar page for year of 65!

Harvesting Sweet Dreams

Another example of what happens when I leave things alone in the garden. That lavender plant may look a bit straggly but it offers a sweet scented harvest. If it's true that lavender helps one to relax and sleep well than I'm looking forward to a rarity... would it be possible to sleep past that usually 4 a.m. wake up call?

Procrastination

This is for my son, the author. There is a trilogy in the works. Book one has been edited, draft printed and is in the process of editing for the final time. It's been sitting on my desk, a victim of editor procrastination. Book two is scanned and ready for first edit and book three is coming in faster than I can read it, let alone edit. Maybe I am jealous that my son can actually sit down at a old fashioned typewriter (yes, they still make those) and crank out an entire trilogy when I find it hard to keep up with a simple blog. Maybe I have too many distractions. Maybe it's time to set some priorities... moving the book to the top of the to do pile will be a good thing. 

Which Hat?

I thought this a clever picture since I caught Little J in the middle of the mirror. Wouldn't you know the only hat he wanted out of the 10,000 reachable hats at Lids was the yellow A's hat with the black brim, The one on the very top row. It was a big sigh of relief when the clerk stepped off the ladder with a perfect fit.

Missed a day posting on Witt Bits but did post a picture to acknowledge the 16th birthday of the Red Hat Society. It's not the best photo since I gave up on getting the lighting right.

Thinking Little J & I should invest in a hat company.

Seeing Double?

Before I left on vacation I snapped a picture of this one lonely artichoke and expected that it would be a fully opened thistle upon my return...

No one attended to the garden while I was away. I'm so tired that I know I can't see straight but am I seeing double?

Exhaustion

I need a vacation. Going home tomorrow and a week was but a taste of Paradise. McBride Gardens were nice but Princeville Botanical remains my favorite. Packed up all the souveniers plus clothes never worn. Next time I'll travel lighter and bring more money. Aloha.

Kilauea Adventure

Another showery day but we found our own brand of sunshine. First a trip past Wailua Falls to visit friends of Pat followed by our planned visit to Kilauea Point. If we had read the guidebook, we probably would have scheduled this outing for another day since it turns out the Wildlife Refuge is closed on Mondays.

We enjoyed a remarkable lunch at the Bistro in Kilauea (the Spring Rolls and Purple Sweet Potatoe Fries were delicious) and a bit of retail therapy at the Island Soap and Candle Company. Pat also picked up  Puakenikeni Lei from Alice (watch for sign between the point and town).

The last few items on the shopping list were easily procured at the Coconut Marketplace. More than half of the shops in the center were empty and closed due to the bad economy.The Elephant Walk store was a pleasure to find... we both walked out in new Vionic sandals, Pat's latest favorite and possibly my new favorite.

Never too tired to hear Haunani perform, we made one last stop at the Marriott. She gets around the island so watch for her if you travel that direction.

Easter Sunday

It's been a blustery day in Kapaa but we did get in a few activities between the rain showers.  Easter services were exceptional at the welcoming All Saints Episcopal church. While it might not be my "brand" of church, it filled the desires and Rev Ryan has a great sense of humor. When we left one of the members presented me with her lei which was a beautiful gesture.

On the way back to our condo we stopped off to take a photo of the Bull Shed restaurant and found Jack, the fisherman, preparing his tire tube "boat" and net to catch some Unicorn fish. We hung around and watched him for nearly an hour as he pointed out schools of fish and suddenly rushed out to sea circling the school with his net. Unfortunately it was not a successful venture but it was interesting.

Being really worn out from the last few days it wasn't a problem to spend most of the afternoon hanging out at the condo with one quick trip out for breakfast supplies. It's all good... reading, listening to the surf, napping... with the ocean right outside the door. What could be better than that?

Tree Tunnel

On the way to sunshine in Po'ipu we drove the Dodge Charger through the Tree Tunnel. I mention the car make and model only because a "well worn" woman approached us at the market to let us know what a cool charger we had. Neither of us could figure out what she was alluding to, thinking perhaps we were dragging our phone chargers along. It took a moment to realize that yes we did have a sporty car! We began to drive with a new attitude.

Po'ipu turned out to be a jackpot for snorkling... a friendly sea turtle led us to a good variety of fish. Amazing how exhausting a few minutes of snorkling and a couple of hours on the beach can be. It was take out pizza as the dinner of choice and bed time will happen at an early hour, before the minute hand completes it's next cycle.

Junglefowl

They're everywhere and they crow sunrise to sunset. Today was mostly sunny. We spent the morning and early afternoon shopping locally. Donned fins and snorkle gear in the late afternoon and observed Sergeant Majors, Stripies and Convict Tangs at Lydgate Park in Wailua. Ending the day with fresh Tbone steaks from Kojima Store in Kapa'a.

Princeville Botanical Gardens

First full day in Kuaui was blustery, warm and showery. We choose to visit Princeville Botanical Gardens for a 2 1/2 hour tour including chocolate tasting. Armed with a dose of Deet, sunscreen, and rain jackets we did our walkabout with minimal mud and took enough exotic pua photos to change our wallpaper each day for the next 90 days.

Paradise

Well worth the eight hours of travel time. This is where I get to spend the next seven days.

Busy Work

Because I didn't have enough to do with work, Facebook, taxi-ing and taxing, I had to dig out another project. Not an easy task since it involved removing piles of Little's J's stuff from the top of the buried cedar chest and then digging through a dozen unfinished projects to get to the sock yarn. Was going for something small and light enough to toss in my carry on.

Last time the sock knitting went well for two and a half pairs. Considering that Little J probably can't get his big toe into the one lonely toddler sized sock I found in the chest, I'd say it's been at least ten years since the knitting needles have seen daylight. At least I was smart enough to store the yarn in the cedar chest so it hasn't been meals for the moths.

I'm expecting computer withdrawals tomorrow as I fly off in a westerly direction leaving technology behind. (OK... that's a bit of a stretch... I will have the tablet/phone connection... can't leave it all behind).

2 Day Countdown

Mantra of the day... 2 days then vacation. Yes, I did finish all necessary work at Job #1. Wonder what awaits at Job #2 tomorrow. I can do it. I can do it.

A bit sad today since it's my youngest son's 39th birthday and all I could do was send him a card. Hoping something in his day will bring peace and happiness.

Almost There

Rusty senses something is up. Will have to watch that he doesn't try any feline-like act of rebellion since he's been known to get even.

Good old Samsonite must be 15 years old (it does have wheels). It's ugly but easy to find. And it floats so if the plane goes down, I'll have my own private raft. Just within size limitations and room to bring 10 pounds of stuff home. I'm ready for an adventure. Sorry family... I'm sure you'll figure out how to manage without me. Just make sure you feed the cats.

Yellow to Orange

Today we attended the semi-annual regional belt promotion at Martial Arts of America. Little J is in the midst of the large group wearing his yellow belt. He has worked hard and it paid off. We are proud of his accomplishment and pleased that we are able to provide for his much deserved ambitions.

The Butler Beckons

 

Counting down the days now until departure but must tackle the to do list first. Haircut… done. Dentist… done. Shopping for new summer clothes since all my old ones shrunk… done. Suitcase retrieved from back of closet… done. Suitcase to locksmith due to inaccurate recollection of three digit luggage lock code…done. So what does all that have to do with the picture? Absolutely nothing. I just needed a break while waiting for the clothes to dry. The bunya bunya plant needed watering and the I caught the butler beckoning Rusty. Distractions.

Unfinished Business

Not feeling really inspired today. Wishing this didn't happen so soon and partially blaming it on too much confectionery ingestion during the last 24 hours. Sometimes celebrations are good for the soul but not necessarily the body. 

Wandered around the yard taking a break from work to gather a few photos. None of them are spectacular so I'll just leave behind this one. I call it Unfinished Business.

Day 1 of 365 at 65

65 doesn't feel any different. Pleasant birthday surprises accompanied my morning coffee. More floral and confectionery goodies helped pass the long work day (no, I am not retired... yet).

Little J & I searched through the pile of birthday coupons for an appropriate dinner solution since it would be only the two of us celebrating. Grandpa is working late (no, he is not retired either... yet). Nothing seemed appealing after a delicious lunch feast so I gave in to Little J's idea and opted for a fast food fix at Jack in the Box... a few lettuce leaves with low fat dressing for me and two cheeseburgers, curly fries and a milkshake for the little one. I'm saving my calories for cake... the one I found hidden on the bottom refrigerator shelf underneath the broccoli. Not that I was looking for it. I'll act surprised when Grandpa gets home.

Selfie @ 64

Everybody is doing it these days. Taking "Selfies." So here it is... my selfie for the last day of 64. Tomorrow I'm officially a senior citizen according the IRS, medicare and public transportation authorities. My first AARP card is a faded 15 year old memory.

One good thing I can say about 65? Let me think about that. Discounts! Not that I haven't already taken advantage of the less restrictive old people's discounts for a while now. A lady can get away with those easily as long as she looks older than the mother of the teeny bopper on the other side of the cash register. It's just that no longer will I need to sheepishly ask every time I go to the movies, out to dinner or senior shopping days if I'm considered old by their standards. I'm a card carrying senior citizen at last. I can dye my hair blond. Streaks of gray no longer necessary to deliver the message.

Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

I never did like the show. It made me feel stupid. Kind of like I should go back to school or something. Had I watched the slow more diligently and paid more attention to the correct answers, I might not be in the quandary I find myself in these days. I can't even remember what I read on Facebook yesterday and now I'm supposed to recall what I learned 54 years ago. If you think doing crossword puzzles keeps your mind sharp, try a little 5th grade math. Quick...  name the three kinds of triangles... name the three types of angles... What do the angles add up to?  Need a little help? I'd be totally lost without Math is Fun. 

Buy FUN... not stuff

"Buy FUN... not stuff" is my mantra these days. While acquiring more stuff might be a great manuever to get even with the children, it backfires when the goal is the inevitable downsized living arrangement. Current accumulation inhabits two closets. Big closets, stuffed to the ceiling.

History repeats so I'm thinking back to the days we prepared Dad to move into the one room board and care. Three boxes a day was the method we used... one for the trash, one for the underpriviledged, and one for consideration.  Somewhere along the line some of the "to be considered" boxes disappeared. Dad never seemed to miss them. Maybe I'll be so lucky.

So where am I going with this? Not sure but if it won't fit in an RV, I must not need it.

365 @ 65 Project

OK so it's official. I'm old. Or I could say, I'm gonna be old. In just a couple of days. But I'm prepared, or at least a little prepared. The paperwork is done and... 

my wallet is full of new cards.

So what's next? I'm not dead yet although it might seem so if you check the last entry date for this blog. Almost a year ago? What's up with that? 

Well, wander over the Facebook and find out. There you see it, the perfect profile to share with anyone who is interested. That is if they are my friend. Or a friend of a friend. Life looks good over there. But is it real? Not a chance. Only my close friends know how to read between the lines.

This is not to say I'm about to air all the dirty laundry on this site which technically could be more public then Facebook. After all, anyone could stumble over here. It's not a place to keep the secret journal. I have other places for that. This therefore becomes the in between place. The place between the real stuff and the look good stuff.

Looking back, I never seem to complete anything unless I commit to some sort of challenge. Last year it was the April A to Z thing. I thought about doing that this year and doing an A to Z guide to turning 65. But that didn't seem big enough. So I found something else over at the 365 Project. I signed up. BUT, I'm thinking that would be a bit impractical for me. I'm not even an amateur photographer and have no sense of how to manage anything beyond a smartphone or my simple point an shoot Samsung. So here's the plan: I'll do my own project.. 365@65. Call it a Witt Bits revival. We'll see where it goes.