"Next year at Taco Bell..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen" Best of Dakinetalk-Happy Passover!

Happy Passover everyone!
 "Obama Da Dog a recent convert to Judaism celebrates Passover, the Jewish holiday celebrating freedom from Egyptian bondage and slavery..." This blog was published as an opinion article on 04-07-12 in the   Kaua'i Garden Island news; "Next year at Taco bell..." http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-april/article_7269225a-8071-11e1-8efb-0019bb2963f4.html
This blog originally ran on 04-24-11, Dakinetalk Blog #268 & on 04-06-12 Dakinetalk Blog #626
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2011/04/next-year-at-taco-bell.html
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2012/04/happy-passover-next-year-at-taco-bell.html

Everyday of the year is someones birthday, and with all the religious and secular holidays, it gets hard  deciding which ones to celebrate.

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday, since it is an American holiday, and not a Christian or Jewish holiday.

The rules of holidays are what I question.  For the  Jewish holiday of passover, Jews (my people) are not suppose to eat leaven (bread or anything with yeast for 8 days.) This tradition started with the Jews escape from Egyptian bondage and slavery. While on the run they had limited time, only time to make a quick flat bread, that didn't have time to rise. therefore we eat Matzo as a remembrance of hard times. (Matzo is  a bland  cracker with very little taste consumed  during the  8 day long holiday of Passover.

We celebrate Passover with humbleness by abstaining from  bread, however we prepare huge holiday meals of a roasted brisket with pan fried potatoes, matzo ball soup with chicken,  elaborate salads and special cookies made from matzo meal instead of flour. I don't believe the Jews had time to make those items either if they didn't even have the time to bake bread?

The other irony is when you mix flour and water in a warm environment it creates sourdough, which is a sour yeast. I therefore believe that the matzo cracker would had risen in many cases.

The Jewish people  eat matzo and have elaborate gourmet meals to remember the days of slavery.

Why not just enjoy a nice spontaneous meal on the move, as most probably did during the exodus?

How about going through the drive through at Taco Bell, after all tortilla's are unleavened. This would sure make one humble and  an appropriate way to remember hard times.

Next year at Taco Bell! 

Happy Passover, Happy Easters and Happy April showers.

(editor's note,  the last words at every passover Seder are next year in Jerusalem, next year at Taco bell is a play on words and my attempt at humor)

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"We the Sheeple..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in
Kapa'a with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby... 

We the Sheeple

They say when you put one hundred grandfather clocks in the same room after time they will all tick in harmony.

People act likewise, people act like sheep when it comes to so many things. We the sheeple should be the  opening line for most doctrines, religions or otherwise.

This same concept applies to most of our lives. religion works that way. People going to church, synagogues, mosques or any place of worship after time will start to think spiritual alike.

Non smokers whom hang with smokers many times will become smokers themselves.

Young people whose parents are alcohol or drug addicts have higher tendencies to become the same.

And those including myself whom live amongst crazy people will eventually become crazy too.

Be careful who you hang with.

To young people reading this, the lesson to be learned is to hang with with smart, healthy and wealthy people. The choice is yours.

The old expression goes, "birds of a feather flock together."

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"Embarking on new adventures..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Embarking on new adventures as a milestone approaches

This will be the year that I turn the big 60. Never before have I spoken of retirement or options for the 60s until this time in my life.

I have always worked, whether it was a part-time position as a teenager, or full time, since the 1970s. Work has always been a part of my life, not just for the satisfaction in my career but for the monetary benefit as well.

I have always been able to jump out of bed at 5 a.m. and organize my life and its responsibilities in an orderly manner. Even as my children were growing up and in school, I was always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that they did not sacrifice because of my full-time positions in the workplace. Activities never suffered, dinner was always served and family life never took a back seat.

Ah, to be young and energetic once again.

Time does take its toll. As I have gracefully aged, I have found that I can still learn new things even faster than ever before. I have the wisdom and grace to deal with situations and have found the secret to sort out that which is important in life from those inconveniences that don’t really matter anymore.

I find that I need more time to enjoy my surroundings and more time to enjoy my life. I still work full time, but I need to take little vacations more often and do more things that bring happiness to my life. Now that my children have long moved out, I can be more selfish and do what I want to.

But a 60-year-old body is not what the 30-year-old expected. Getting out of bed in the a.m. is a little more difficult; those creaking bones need to adjust and never have I enjoyed looking forward to resting on the couch after a long day on my feet as I do today.

After much thought, I have decided it is time to slow it down a bit, maybe go to a four-day work week. At this age there seem to be more doctor appointments coming up and more things that need my attention, such as an aging parent. Spending time with the people I love is at the top of my list. Taking more trips to visit my son on the West Coast and enjoying friendships has taken precedence. During these last 10 years I have realized more than ever how tenuous life has become and that taking one day for granted is too many to take. Losing friends and family over the last decade has taught me that lesson.

There is comfort in knowing that as I age, so do those around me. We can commiserate about our aches and pains, family and friends, and look back fondly on the wonderful memories we have made and plan those we are about to make. Life has been an adventure. I have learned from many lessons and have soaked up what life has to offer.

So here’s to the next decade of adventures. God has been good to me and I plan on giving back as much as I can.


This blog also appeared in the 03-29-14 edition of the Buffalo news;

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=BN&date=20140329&category=LIFE&lopenr=140328972&Ref=AR&profile=1336

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"Vote for Good Old Harry..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu and giving the politicians a bad time..Thought you'd enjoy this!It's one you want your Children and Grandchildren to read.

 They won't believe this happened, but it DID.

Harry & Bess Truman

Vote for Good Old Harry

Harry Truman was
a different kind of President. He probably made as many, 
or more important decisions regarding our nation's 
history as any of the other 32 Presidents preceding him. 
However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he 
did after he left the White 
House.
The only asset he 
had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in 
Independence , Missouri . His wife had inherited the 
house from her mother and father and other than their 
years in the White House, they lived their entire lives there.

When he retired from office 
in 1952 his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to 
have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he 
was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, 
granted him an 'allowance' and later, a retroactive 
pension of $25,000 per 
year.
After President 
Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to 
Missouri by themselves. There was no Secret Service 
following them.
When offered 
corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, 
stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the 
President, and that doesn't belong to me.. It belongs to 
the American people and it's not for 
sale."
Even later, on 
May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him 
the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to 
accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done 
anything which should be the reason for any award, 
Congressional or 
otherwise."
As president he 
paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.
Modern 
politicians have found a new level of success in cashing 
in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, 
too many in Congress also have found a way to become 
quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their 
offices. Political offices are now for sale (ie. Illinois ).
Good old Harry 
Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices in life 
were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a 
politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference!
We ought to have 
cloned him for telling it like it is and being frugal with our tax dollars!
If you agree, 
forward it. If you don't, delete it. I don't want to know one way or the other. By me forwarding it, you know 
how I feel. 

Enjoy life 
now -- it has an expiration 
date!

"Unc" back in the day he served in the Korean war... Top and bottom.

P.S.
Please vote for my dog Obama in the Hawaiian Telcom photo contest. Winner gets $250.00!

http://bit.ly/OL1coZ


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"Golden Froth..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on Kaua'i for  over 40 years and is a regular columnist  for the worlds greatest
newspaper, (The Kaua'i Garden Island news) Bettejo is pictured above with friends at Costco
Outdoor cafe.
www.bettejodux.com

Golden Froth

When the rain comes down and the sky goes gray, it's time a Golden froth to brew.

So healthy, so warm and filling  in the tummy, so easy to digest,  at times like this a  thinning bargain  broth is due. Did you ever stop to think, you can sip soup for breakfast, lunch or dinner?

I'm standing at my end of the barn.The zoo is fed. I've made a warm alfalfa mash for Aristotle, rich with bran, carrots and molasses. He loves it. Duke is munching raisins, peanuts and other parrot goodies, watching water fall from the sky awhile  a finicky red cardinal splashes in a bird bath  instead of a puddle.

Boots, my grown up puppy is eating, as are the ancient cats.

Only I, poor 'ting, am  running on empty. Another lesson my father taught me: always feed the animals first.

My beloved Vitamix, standing tall and silent, beckons.

Be creative my stomach grumbles, you can't write without sustenance. Despite my visitation, I'm not a Breatharian..

I drag out a basket of vegetables. Lots of stuff. Potatoes, onions, garlic, celery, carrots and golden peppers. All allegedly organic. Cold pressed extra virgin  olive oil. Range free chicken bits I've saved in the freezer for such a moment. A  bottle full of homemade chicken broth. Artichoke hearts in olive oil. Salt, pepper, spices.  Brewer's Yeast. Wheat Germ.

And then, a stroke of genius. I find a package of The Laughing Cow light and creamy Swiss cheese. Maybe a little too much fat? Well, it's a cold and a rainy day- hey, hey- I'll chew the fat. Eskimos do. I've lived so long in the tropics, days like this are arctic winter weather to me and 35 calories per wedge sounds good. Besides I love the red laughing cow, with earrings in her ears, on the box. She makes me happy. I love happy cows. Dancing cows in meadows green. Laughing cows in bovine heaven.

A suggestion: never measure. Just toss. Into the microwave goes the potato loving slathered in olive oil. Dump chicken bits, artichoke hearts, onions, garlic, carrots and slices of yellow pepper in a soup bowl to sauté in olive oil in the micro when the potato is done.

As they meld and mellow, cut the plato in half and toss in the Vitamix with some chicken broth and a wedge of the laughing cow. Be generous with the Brewer's Yeast and Wheat Germ. When the vegetables have lovingly combined, dump them in the Vitamix and flick three switches.

Noisy critter. Almost as noisy as Duke. Boots, by this time, is at my feet with a  hungry look in her eye. She loves soup.

This brew turned out  so golden-the cheese and carrot mix, I guess-so frothy, it brightened up the day and contained everything a human needs for nourishment.  Protein. Vitamins. Essential fatty acids. Minerals.  Thin it down with more water for a larger family, or thick it up if it's just for you. 

Enjoy. Enjoy.


P.S.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...

"Dairy on a ferry..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
 with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby;

This blog also appeared in the 04-07-14 edition of the Kaua'i garden island news;
titled; "Dairy on a ferry? Just say yes"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/dairy-on-a-ferry-just-say-yes/article_ed568eb2-be0e-11e3-b3fe-001a4bcf887a.html

Dairy on a  ferry  

The newest rant for Kauai "anti's" is no dairy, previously it was no ferry.Just like a landfill nobody seems to want the dairy in their back yard.

A win win situation might be a dairy on a ferry.  This way  the cows are in nobody's backyard. The ferry would always be full thus not allowing the homeless or drug addicts to ride the ferry as was the concern of many anti's. I always thought to  myself, how strange that drug addicts or homeless will not fly? I never quite understood that concept?
(Yes, I am being facetious to try and make my point!)

If some entrepreneur wants to open a dairy farm business  let then do so, this is America. If they can make a buck, employ people and operate in an environmentally friendly manner, so be it.

The subject of Ferry boats is much more complex. Hawai'i is an island state with over one million people, for all the  over one million people there is currently only one major airline offering public transportation off islands. A previous private venture called the 'Superferry' failed before it even had a chance. This was do to political  unrest and protest.

Hawai'i is in need of another form of public transportation to travel off island. Many people are afraid to fly, many physically challenged people would have an easier time boarding a ferry boat in their own  vehicles than going through all the airport security rituals. Ferry service would also lower prices of cargo ships and would allow  families an affordable means to visit friends and family on neighbor islands. For many including myself we could take our bicycles and bicycle all over the great state of Hawai'i.

Just like the county of Kauai subsidizes the Kauai Bus and the city of Honolulu does likewise, a State ferry could also be subsidized to help  offset costs.

The states of Alaska and Washington have incredible state ferry services. The ferries  are  inexpensive for walk on's and a little more if you bring a vehicle. The ferries are there for  travel,  cargo,convenience, disasters and to keep  democracy. A democracy  should not  allow a monopoly  airline to continue at the outrageous fares they charge.

I am proposing and hoping the Hawai'i senate or congress will introduce a bill for island wide ferry transportation subsidized by the state.

How can  an island  state in the year 2014 with a population over one million not allow for a ferry system?  Cruise ships continue to visit our islands,yet they are much more polluting than any ferry boat.

A ferry boat system  is long overdue. A dairy on a ferry might sound crazy, but so does an island state with over one million population without a ferry. 

Remember the Antis are basically against any new development even if there's a need.  Most antis are transplants from the mainland, most are liberal. The antis are usually active in politics and one of the first things they do upon relocating to a new community is register to vote. Locals need to do the same and follow suit.

Many  have given up on the political process, and for good reason. There is a large number of born-and-raised locals who want progress but are afraid to speak.

It’s time to say yes to so many things. Please  register to vote, and speak your mind. The silent majority can no longer remain silent.Yes is not a dirty word.

The dairy mans motto goes like this, "be kind to udders!" With that said, I vote yes to a dairy and a ferry!

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/dairy-on-a-ferry-just-say-yes/article_ed568eb2-be0e-11e3-b3fe-001a4bcf887a.html
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"Old quotes..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Quotes from the famous about ageing...

Seems that as we add birthday candles in our lives, we work a bit more slowly, rise up in the am a little more carefully, fall asleep on the couch a little more easily and look forward to the weekend a little more...seems I am in good company...
Gray Hair is Gods' Graffiti- Bill Cosby
Almost all enduring success comes to those after they are forty. For Seldom does mature judgement arrive before then- Henry Ford
Old age is no place for sissies-Bettie Davis
Middle Age is when your age starts to show around your middle-Bob Hope and...
Things do not change-we do-Henry David Thoreau 

P.S.
15 Wise and Inspiring Quotes About Aging;
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201201/15-wise-and-inspiring-quotes-about-aging

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