Nothing happening here in the middle of the Pacific. Which is OK.
Billy and I went on a little trip up the coast to look for whales. We caught a couple of fleeting glances at a couple of whales; declared victory and came back.
Then I went for a little swim. No interesting fish.
A fine day. Very fine.
. . .
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 am amazed at how many people listened to Carlton’s AA talk. He was good at it. And when he was about my current age, he stopped public speaking. He felt that he was losing his edge and that the odd “well, like, you know” pick the filler of your choice – might creep into his performance. And for him, it was a performance. He was on stage and he loved it. Same with his park service talks.
I have well and truly given up the Alaska Adventure. Just too cold for this old woman. Enter Plan B:
Kona to LA
LA to New Orleans via the Sunset Limited – a train that I haven’t taken.
4 nights but only 2 days in New Orleans – Mardi Gras is March 5.
New Orleans to Alexandria via the Crescent – another train I haven’t ridden.
Not the Grand Adventure that the Arctic Circle would have been. But much more suitable for my wardrobe.
2 java sparrows, 1 saffron finch and a cookie.
. . .
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.
Even cake couldn’t make me happy about getting married!
Getting married was 100% Carlton’s idea. Notice the smug look on his face.
That was 25 years ago today.
Carlton – first winter in Hawaii – Waimea Canyon on Kauai
To appease me, Carlton grudgingly came to Hawai’i as a “honeymoon”. Nevermind that we had been living together for 14 years. Carlton ended up loving Hawai’i and he returned every winter. And, here he remains.
Today is also Carlton’s 46 AA anniversary. To him, that was the important anniversary. And, to me too. Because without AA, there would have been no Carlton.
So, in case any of Carlton’s old AA buddies still check this page – or if you are just curious, I leave you with: Carlton’s 1996 AA Talk Xmas at the Alexandria Men’s Home.
. . .
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.
Big event today: Laundry. It was either do laundry or go buy more undies. Figured that the mature thing to do would be to do laundry.
Lagoon Triggerfish – that was the best I could manage today.
No great or even good fish pictures today.
Found a forgotten vintage Sci Fi book in my Kindle today. City by Clifford Simak. It is more or less a collection of short stories written between 1943 and 1952. The human race didn’t end well. Dogs end up running the world. And the way you know it is science FICTION is: cats will really end up running the world.
A LITTLE REFLECTION ON BEING OLD
The local paper reported the death of a 94-year-old man at Kahaluu Beach. Apparently, he was swimming and had a general system failure. Other than distressing any onlookers, I think that would be a fine way to exit.
I was having third thoughts about my second thoughts about the Arctic. “Computer, what is the temperature in Fairbanks”. “The current temperature in Fairbanks is MINUS 28°”. Time for a Plan B adventure.
. . .
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.
For some reason Google missed Bermuda – but as I recall Shamu the Phone acted a little weird in Bermuda.
Speaking of doing better in 2019. I think that my proposed expedition to the Arctic in late February is off the table. It might just be way too cold for me. One of the places I was going to stay sent this list:
Things to bring:
• Warm long johns top and bottoms (base layer)
• Fleece pullover top
• Shell ski jacket
• Shell pants or snow/ski pants
• Winter coat (rated to – 50 below)
• Wool socks (two pairs and one pair boot liners)
• Wind resistant hat, neck gaiter, and/or balaclava
• Warm gloves and/or mittens & Liners (rated 30 below)
• Winter boots (rated to -50 below)
• Sense of humor
• Sense of adventure
I feel that my sense of adventure may be a tad lacking. Shit, as soon as I got all tricked out in all that gear – I would have to go potty.
I have no problem traveling anywhere alone – but misery does indeed love company.
. . .
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.
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.
Eagle Ray
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.
Eagle Rays
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.
A LITTLE REFLECTION ON BEING OLD
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.
65,000,000 BC – that was most likely the worst. Your giant asteroid that wiped out 75% of life on the planet including every single dinosaur. That had to be Worst. Year. Ever.
1348 – The Plague in Europe. 1/3 of the population dies. This one gets my vote.
1492 – That wasn’t a very good year for the existing population of the Americas.
1837 – The Panic (financial) of 1837. This was a US thing. And, I know it would get Carlton’s vote for worst year ever.
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.
Pair of Ornate Butterfly Fish
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.
Feb 24 or 25 Fly from Kona to Fairbanks.
Figure out what to do once in Fairbanks
Mar 1 Train from Fairbanks to Anchorage
Mar4 Fly from Anchorage to Seattle
Mar 4 Train it from Seattle to DC.
Mar 7 Metro and bus back to the Asylum.
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.
This morning live about 6:45 AM AST.
That was pretty special. Maybe worth frostbite. Maybe.
Saddleback Butterfly Fish – today.
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.
