Nobody is Promised Tomorrow. . .
This Blog started in 2001 as a Trip Log to record a summer in Alaska. Since then, it has morphed into my online diary.
Sort of a lazy day. What can I say?
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
Carlton regularly told me to just: Shut up, suit up and show up. Like many Carlton-isms (Green Side Up comes to mind), I am not sure what it means. But, fortunately, I stopped finding reasons (jelly fish, murky water, cloudy) to not go for a little swim this noon.
Because, right out in my normal “left side of the pier” swim area were two small eagle rays. I have seen much larger eagle rays – but they would just zoom on by. Not these guys they just swam leisurely along. I was able to keep up with them until I decided that they could swim forever and I would eventually get tired – so, I reluctantly waved bye-bye and swam back to shore.
And wasn’t it nice that they were over sand – so, they photographed really well. Considering: the cheap camera, the murky ocean, and the lack of sun.
These wonderful rays are called hihimanu in Hawaiian. That means elegant bird. They weigh up to 500 pounds and have 6-foot wingspan. I am guessing that these two were about 1/2 grown.
The most amazing thing about them is that the female gives birth to 1-4 pups, each having a 10-20 inch wingspan. Exciting aerial displays have been associated with the birthing process, in which the mother leaps out of the water and expels the pups in mid-air. The pups arrive with their wings wrapped bat-like around their bodies. They quickly unfold and begin to swim to avoid their main predators, the sharks.
I am so happy about the hihimanu that I am no longer in a snit about the serious decline in my balance sheet in the last quarter of FY18.
An advantage of being old: I really don’t have to waste any of my reminding time reading an article entitled: What will tech look like in 20 years.
For the last 17 years or so, this has been my blog New Year’s Eve Post. And, that really is how Carlton “celebrated” New Year’s Eve. A real party animal that man!
But, I should talk. Today, a little yoga, a little walk, nice swim, soak in the tub, read. And, dinner will be leftovers. Or, I might go out for a burger. If I don’t put in my earplugs, the firecrackers will wake me up so I can greet 2019 for my lanai in my nightie!
Also, thought about my going home adventure. No reservations made yet. Having some reservations about how cold it will be. I have a friend who doesn’t “Eat food that hurts” meaning she doesn’t do Sriracha. Well, I don’t do weather that hurts. That is why I come to Hawai’i. And any temperature that includes the word MINUS will surely hurt this old bat.
And for those who were none too happy with 2018 – it could have been worse.
That was my list from last two years. See no reason to change it.
2018 was another good year for me. I love my life at The Asylum. The Australian Adventure Before Alzeheimers was huge fun. Well, there is that whole stock market thing – I’ll do a damage assessment tomorrow.
For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes. – Dag Hammarskjöld
Carlton didn’t do Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Birthdays etc. But, he did remember anniversaries. And, December 30 is the day that he considered our anniversary. 40 years ago.
Funny how in the four years since he died I have been able to put together a nice new life. And, I thank Carlton for that. He made sure that I was “self-supporting through my own contributions” in every way. And, he insisted that I move to The Asylum. The Asylum is a wonderful safe harbor that I can return to and be welcomed and cared for.
A pair of ornate butterflyfish from today’s swim. Oh, and Carlton, I did swim over to your part of the bay – and there was a large-ish barracuda cruising around.
Hang on tight, 751 days until January 20, 2021.
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
It rained a little last night and has been cloudy all day. And, in Kona that is about as good as the weather can be. I do feel a little sorry for our visitors. But, it is lovely, cool (78°) and breezy.
Think I have the Aurora Adventure Before Alzeheimers sorted out.
Nevermind that according to Alexa at this instant it is 0° in Fairbank and -16° is the forecast low. Oh and did I mention that I have zero winter clothes. But I don’t have any at the Asylum either. Fairbanks has an REI, and a couple of thrift shops.
Hey, I am not getting any younger. If not now, when???
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
I had about talked myself out of braving the frigid far north for the chance to maybe see the northern lights. But then, this morning – I checked a “northern lights cam” a little north of Fairbanks.
That was pretty special. Maybe worth frostbite. Maybe.
On the other hand, these elusive saddleback butterflies are pretty special too. And, I have a chance of seeing them. While I am all toasty warm. Well, at least not frost covered.
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
This picture is for you Trude. There is sand, grass and a couple of benches – so sit a while.
Found my legs feeling happy enough to make it up to Honls this morning. In year’s past I made it at least that far 5 days a week. Not so this year. But, my new regimen of ibuprofen – to hell with potential cardio/GI issues – along with judicious yoga – no more trying to keep up with the kids and swimming… Well, this program seems to be doing some good. I am no longer Googling motorized wheelchairs. Or wondering if I am going to have to get a car.
Now isn’t that a strange thing for an old person to be worried about: being forced to get a car!
Made two purchases today. I got some swim goggles that actually fit me – hence they work. I took them for a little test swim today. And, I found a swimsuit at the thrift shop that still had original tags for $1.50. It is ugly as sin. But, it will always be under a wetsuit or rash guard. And, it covers up all the parts that must be covered. So, it is great.
I will try to force myself to swim in the chlorinated indoor Asylum pool. If the choice is between swimming 30 minutes a day or not being able to walk – it should be a no-brainer.
Well, it is almost dinner time and I hear my Xmas feast of grilled cheese and Guinness calling me.
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
Nice day today. I didn’t do anything. That would be par for our village.
No swimming for me today. There was too much boat traffic. And general craziness. When I was processing my photos – taken with 300mm lens – I noticed this girl:
Totally ignoring the boats, swimmers, and dolphins all around while texting or something.
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
Numba 3 day of Christmas my Tutu gave to me: 3 Dried Squid. Which sets Tutu back $36!
And, I swam over to check on Carlton.
Everything is going fine for me here in the middle of the Pacific.
Unexpected pleasure finding friends when I went to breakfast.
Expected displeasure when I confirmed that Quinn’s Almost By the Sea is indeed closed – so no grilled cheese sandwich and beer for my Christmas Day feast.
Feast Plan B – Picked up some nice fresh yellowfin tuna and I will slice that up, cut up an avocado, set out the wasabi and shoyu. Open my own beer. Hard to beat that! (Not to worry Carol – if I feed you – I will cook the fish.)
(something is wrong this year ahi aka yellowfin tuna was only $14 a pound today. I was expecting it to be $20+ not complaining just an observation)
As a photographer, I love this audio of the “photo shoot”.
Note that the image is 1/250 @ f11.
We did not see this image on that Christmas Eve long long ago. It had to return to earth. And go off to be developed and printed.
But we did huddle around our TVs and radios and heard:
In the spirit of that Christmas Eve, once again, no politics until Dec 26. Or is just remembering this time (which was not all that great – Vietnam comes to mind) is not just remembering this time a political act.
Fiat Lux.
A very lazy day for me today. Well, except for my jackrabbit brain bouncing all over the place trying to figure out an Aurora Adventure Before Alzheimer’s. I did find a train that goes from Anchorage to Fairbanks a couple of days a month – even in winter. And, you know how much I like trains.
A problem arose this morning. I need a Secret Santa uni-sex gift $30-$50 by 3PM tomorrow. No. Not. Happening. But, origami to the rescue.
And, I put it in a recycled box.
Along with a recycled bow and a couple of origami “ballons” – instant Secret Santa. Everybody likes money. Even people that have lots of it. I may even pop in a couple of pieces of dark chocolate.
I am not sure how Rudolph feels about using a real deer skull attached to a truck grill for a Christmas decoration. No problem Keeping Kona Country!
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.
I really miss Carlton, who would point out that the Republic survived The Know-Nothing Party, Civil War, Warren G Harding, Father Coughlin, Joe McCarthy, a host of other self-inflicted problems. So, we will survive the current president.
But, I am not so sure. It feels to me that some vital underpinning of the Republic gave way earlier this week.
Normally I am with the rest of the world and the week starts with Monday. But, I am so glad for this week to be over that for this week only I join the Americans and Sunday is the start of a new week. Next week has Christmas in it, so, we might make it through one more week before total meltdown.
But enough of this negativity. I cooked myself a great dinner. Yellowfin tuna with pineapple and a little salsa and sour cream, rice, and papaya. Plus a frou-frou yogurt for dessert.
A big fat red starfish is hanging out in my snorkeling zone. These are usually in deeper water. I am thinking that maybe a diver picked it up and moved it. Or maybe it just moved.
This starfish is about the size of a dinner plate. Very Festive.
On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron. H.L. Menchen, Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1920.