Do you know the game you play when you close your eyes and point at a word in a book? OR perhaps point at a place on a map? I played that game today, with my photo files. This is the photo that showed up.
With Larry’s boogie board for our table…and snack foods galore, one evening, we picnicked with friends (we love you Lori & Bill) on the beach.
I hope you are well. Prayers for health, and calm days.
Love you beyond the moon.
Me
This week has been strange. Perhaps I should say, just a little bit off. I have been having strange dreams each night and yes, I dream in color. This morning, my phone would not work and then when I came to my work room, my atomic clock was dead. DEAD. Darn. I loved that clock. These things are not a big deal, but all of them together is just makes this morning, a little off.
Do you ever have days like that? When everything is normal, but just a little “off”?
When things are “off”, I tend to gravitate to things that are absolutely so normal, that it is a little boring.
My normal is Larry. He is my compass. He is my heart. He is everything that is right in this world.
I have lost a few friends because Larry and I are so close. Some people tease us about being squeaky clean and in love. One man, an owner of a restaurant once told us, that at their restaurant one night they pretended to fight like Larry and Robin would fight. {that would be like not fighting at all} He thought it was funny. I was a little insulted but I did not say anything.
The interesting thing is, people forget about the crap we have been through. But that is easy to do isn’t it? To make fun of someone without looking closer to the heartache that they have been through. Each and everyone of us, have our own THINGS. One of Larry’s favorite quotes is: You never know what someone is going through. Please note. He did not say MIGHT be going through. I told you. He is my compass. Even though we might not argue or we hold hands so much that it makes some people uncomfortable……we all have merde that we are dealing with.
Here is a photo of Larry and me. It was taken at My Spot. Whenever I have had an breast MRI, had breast surgery, cancer treatment, need to focus through pain or any other disruptive, uncomfortable, situation…I close my eyes and go to Niihau. This has been my normal for 7 years. The love of my life and Niihau. It may look like paradise,{it IS Paradise} but please don’t forget why I go there.
Where is your Niihau and who’s hand do you need to hold when things are a little off? Have you told them how much they mean to you?
I am going to text Larry right now and tell him that I love him.
Love you.
Me
Each morning while at the beach, we sat on the lanai and visited. It is not that Larry and I do not talk to each other, in fact we are always chatting, but it is different while we are at the beach.
There is a simplicity while we are away. We can talk, breathe and relax knowing that in the moment, this is as organic as it can possibly get.
My daughter Jamison had surgery while we were 8 hours in the air flying to Kaua’i. {no internet over the ocean} But Jared, her husband kept us informed and all is well.
My Girl, Matilda had ART camp while we were gone and Lauren worked in her Butterfly Garden.
I loved hearing about everyone’s activities and after that we would walk 4 miles to Spouting Horn and back home.
So, this morning, I am home. I am sitting at my work table. No bagels or marmalade and when ze blog is posted, I will read my devotional and paint. There is something about being back home. Its awful.
Love you beyond the moon.
Me
Last week, while on holiday, Larry and I sat on the lanai and watched the honu swim in and out of the cove. I was in awe, I was in love and I was so happy.
Each morning, we sat on the lanai, drank hot chocolate, nibbled bagels, watched the ships, scuba divers and turtles. Then we usually dressed for a hike to Spouting Horn.
We slept well. Did not have jet lag at all. We ate good food, went to church with friends, picnicked on the beach and relaxed.
I have pictures of the special moments. {Yay for the new camera!} I will share them this week…
It is always good to be home-sweet-home. {I guess}
Love you.
Me
Last week, Larry and I took one of our favorite hikes.
It is along the cliffs at Shipwrecks on Kaua’i and is very beautiful.
After our hike, we found a log and sat.
Larry, not being one who sits still for any length of time, was antsy.
I said : If I was braver, I would find my way to that cave in the cliff.
He said: what cave?
I pointed, and off he went. {men}
Here he is making his way to the cave in the cliff.
I was kind of scared for him and jealous.
I was more jealous after he made it to the cave
Just look at him waving. Show off.
I could not resist a close up…..When he came back to where I was sitting,
I asked him what the cave was like?
He said that it was sandy and had a nice view.
I think that next year, I will plan a picnic in that cave.
Imagine that.
And he can take MY picture while I am in the cave.
*****
Thank you for all of the kind birthday wishes.
It has been a wonderful birthday!
Love you.
Me
I went far away but am home now.
While away, we smiled, laughed, exercised and created ART.
But…there is something special about being home.
{my own bed being the best!}
I have 100 photos to share,
and
today jet lag is assaulting each of my senses,
so most of photos must wait…except one. Photo above was taken by me
outside of Honolulu a few weeks ago. I love the fog. {like my jet lag fog}
I wish you happy moments today.
Love you.
Me.
Larry and I have a tradition that upon losing a family member,
we have a ceremony for them while at the beach.
At a special spot near the cottage, we dedicate a lei to our loved one and then to the ocean.
The Lords Prayer and the hymn Simple Gifts are recited
and
the lei is shared with the ocean.
In June, we dedicated a lei to Libby Pug Dog.
I am glad that I am posting this story here because I still cry .
After Larry shared the lei….tossing it far to the ocean….it kept coming back to us,
It would lie lazily on the rocks….for about 15 minutes.
Larry Looked at me and frowned. I cried.
At one point, the lei formed a figure 8.
Libby used to run very fast and run in figure 8s.
We smiled.
This went on for awhile. We watched the lei stay close to us
and then in an instant……
Libby’s lei was gone.
We did not see it surface at all again.
It was amazing and sad.
I am still missing my girl…..
but Larry says the grief is getting better every day.
Lets hope so.
Love you.
Me
While at the beach each year,
we hike to a special spot, taking an American flag with us,
While at the top of the mountain,
Larry hangs a flag and note on the lean to.
The note asks a Veteran to accept this flag
in honor of our Uncle Bruce.
Bruce was one of my favorite people in the world
and
this is our way of remembering him and honoring him each year.
In the note, I ask a veteran to write to us if he or she feels comfortable.
The past years, I have always heard from the recipient of the flag.
Our 2017 hike, on Kaua’i, was two weeks ago
and
I have not heard from anyone. ……Yet.
But I hope we hear something soon.
***
Life at home is getting back to normal.
Jet lag is diminishing,
we miss Libby pug dog like crazy
and
Camp Robi starts again tomorrow.
Onward and upward!
Please do me a favor?
Today, tell someone special in your life how much they mean to you.
Love you, YOU are special.
me
The inspiration I experienced while on holiday
can now live itself out
with busy hands and dirty paint brushes.
I am home from Kaua’i.
What is that special something that lives in your heart
when you are home after a trip from very far away?
Love you.
Me
Two days ago, on Sunday morning,
Jami came over for a visit.
I was glad for the visit, that morning, when I woke up
all I could think about
was my Uncle Bruce….distraction! I needed distraction!
Jamison brought her dogs and we sat out on the garden,
enjoying the morning and having tea.
At one point, Cooper, her Golden Retriever acted a bit strange.
{she kept looking to the sky}
It is like she saw something…Jami got a great picture of the moment.
We had such a good visit, and after Jami went home
My Larry and I had errands to do.
You know, the dreaded Wall Mart on Sunday errands.
It is then we found it.
Bruce’s Flag.
***
Each year, at the beach, Larry and I take a special hike.
we call it :The Uncle’s Hike.
At the top of the mountain, an hour into the hike,
is a lean-to.
We have a picnic,
and
then tack a flag to the side of the shed, with a note.
The note and the flag are left for a veteran,
in honor of my Beloved Uncle Bruce.
Bruce was a Veteran also.
So each year, we leave a flag at the top of the mountain
in memory of one of the greatest men I have ever known.
I must mention, on the note, I include my email address.
Who ever takes the flag, is welcome to write to me.
All 5 years, I have heard back from the recipient of the flag.
{how awesome is that?}
Here is Larry with last years flag…and the note…
before we headed down the mountain.
***
I wish you special moments of closeness.
Just like having tea in the garden or thinking about my Uncle Bruce.
Love you and special moments.
Me