"What if you or me won the lottery..?" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York

( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)

 and has worked in the ophthalmology

 field of medicine for over 30 years.

Who needs the powerball when 

your happily married with Good deli!

What if you or me won the lottery

Well, the excitement of imagining what we would do with the lottery winnings came to an end last night.

I must say I did buy one as well.  All the hype got me excited that I began day dreaming as to what I would do with the money.  It can become a mixed blessing winning all that money. If you ever watched the show "Lottery" you will witness those that actually can loose a vast amount of money  giving it to leeching new friends etc. 
Three winning jackpot tickets in U.S. for $1.6 billion Powerball
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-powerball-idUSKCN0UR2KD20160114

The word "retirement" comes to mind along with paying off mortgages, helping my children and family, and doing a lot of good for a lot of needy  people. Oh well, guess I will be returning to work in the A.M. I told my boss not to expect me if my $2.00 and a dream came true--better luck next time ;)

P.S.
Must watch this performance until the end, guaranteed to make you smile!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/tzgRw6V252s

Judy, Judy, Judy!  ;-)

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

"Praying at the Western Wall..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Source)

Obama Da Dog is a lifelong Kaua'i resident
and is interested in politics.
Above photo; Kaua'i mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
with Obama Da Dog.

Praying at the Western Wall

A reporter approaches an old Jewish man at the Western Wall.
"I notice you come here every day. How long have you done that?"
"45 years."

"And what do you pray for?"
"In the morning I pray for world peace. In the evening, I pray for the end of all diseases."

"How does it make you feel, coming here every day for 45 years and praying for those things?"

"Like I'm talking to a wall."

https://www.facebook.com/accidentaltalmudist/photos/a.281229641972168.59006.227905913971208/937557979672661/?type=3&theater

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

"TURK’S CAP..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Vintage Bettejo)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden
 Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.

Bettejo is a regular opinion writer in the Garden Island news

 and is the author of the famed novella, "The Scam." 

 Her latest fiction"Children of extinction"

 is now  released and available on Amazon!
Bettejo has a gift of mingling
 the present, the past, and the future. 

www.bettejodux.com

www.amazon.com

TURK’S CAP

Two roads lead to the national Tropical Botanical Garden's main office, one of them is mine. At the top of the hill, from the office to the library, to the visitor's center, is a view of a magnificent valley that descends to Lawai Bay. (Photos and info at link below)
http://www.ntbg.org/

Once upon a time, Queen Emma lived there and rode her horse there. Years ago, I used to sneak in on my leopard, Beauregard. I always got caught, but I seldom got scolded. John called me a 'siren'--I think he meant the noisy kind.--and I responded, "John, if you walked about four  miles up hill and I walked about ten thousand feet up hill, we could fight over the back fence."

I loved the old guy.

Anyway, along my brief stretch of land in a valley on the other side of the hill, old Hawaii, wild, natural, surrounded by cows and sheep and goats and horses, and gorgeous feral chickens, and birds that sing me to sleep and crow me awake, rain or shine,  grew a wondrous natural beauty, a Turk's Cap. Malvaviscus penduliflorus.

So beautiful, people in cars, on foot, on bikes,  on horses--still--would stop blissfully  enthralled with wonder. Pictures were snapped. Some sent back, and I do want to thank those that sent them. Respectful requests for cuttings were cheerfully responded to.

Did you know the entire plant was edible? Herbal tea could be made and grocked  to  fullness. Snip off the green tip and suck a delicious  syrupy sweetness that put the delicious syrupy sweetness of the honeysuckle to shame.

A grim crew, an army of death and destruction, in county trucks armed with  many powerful expensive new weapons of life- denying machines, mowed it down. Butchered it. It wasn't pruned, it wasn't cut back, it was  hacked to death. It cost me one day, one worker, two, maybe three, handheld and powered tools, to prune it properly. All that remains are naked brown stems, reaching upward, hungering for their large green leaves, their brilliant red flowers, Turk's Caps, sleeping hibiscus, Cardinal's Hats, that bloomed throughout the year offering a vivid  eyeful of playful bobbing  jewels displayed against  a hedge, a tall, rich green- leafed backdrop, a curtain of life that never need open to an artificial set. An entire enactment of life. It loved to grow. it loved to please. It did no harm.

I plan to live to witness it's return. Hope you do, too.

The war we have going on here--on Kauai, in the world--exists of  war trumpets instead of song birds. Ugly, noisy, stinking machines--the epitome of power and ugliness and sacrilege-- consuming all in its wretched outreach.

Today, on my road, we stand  witness to a love for concrete, cars, credit cards and childish hi-tech toys. What, for goodness sake, is an iPad? I've managed, for 85 years, to have lived without one.

My hope?  You'll learn to live without one, too.

In 2016, drink a toast to life and living things.

Bettejo talks story
with Aristotle

Bettejo and Boots Dux

Bettejo breaking bread and
 discussing life with her friend
and mentor, Richard Dawkins.

Bettejo endorses Steve Saylor for President, Check out his Youtube videos'.
Mr. Saylor lives on Kaua'i 6 months of the year....
Video #1;
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PPMPsVJoz4
Video #2;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKV8lFyv4e0
Video #3;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOoER6zcLZo
Newest video-#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qq10y8OAg

Bettejo's new priceless possession is Richard Dawkins' "Brief  Candle in the Dark."

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---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

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

"Oy Vey, No Justice..!" 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalk's favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

"Unc"  is really passionate about creating a national Caregivers day.

Any help , support or ideas would be greatly appreciated...

'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 

He is a retired cinematographer,

 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

"I am PRO-CHOICE ON EVERYTHING WITH RESPONSIBILITY..."

Oy Vey, No Justice

There was a man who lives on Kauai who really took care of his body. He lifted weights and jogged 6 miles a day. One day, he took a look in the mirror and noticed that he was tanned all over except his 'thing.' So, he decided to do something about it. 

He went to the beach across the COCO PALMS HOTEL , completely undressed himself and buried in the sand, except for his 'thing,' which he left sticking out. 

Two old ladies were strolling along the beach, one using a cane. Upon seeing the 'thing' sticking up out of the sand, she began to move it around with her cane, remarking to the other lady, "There's no justice in the world."  

The other lady asked what she meant. 

"Well," said the old lady,

"When I was 20, I was curious about it. 

When I was 30, I enjoyed it. 
When I was 40, I asked for it. 
When I was 50, I paid for it. 
When I was 60, I prayed for it. 
When I was 70, I forgot about it. 

Now I'm 80, the damn things are growing wild on the beach and I'm too old to squat ! "  

P.S.
Check out this must see Youtube on a world famous dentist:
http://www.ba-bamail.com/video.aspx?emailid=18539

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

Happy 7th Anniversary to dakinetalk blog~In memory of Dr. Gary Blaich! 'Kimo's world #107'

James Kimo Rosen is the Blogger-n-chief
of dakinetalk blog and lives on the cosmic
island of Kaua'i with his spiritual advisor
Obama Da Dog!  

Kimo's World #107
~Happy 7th Anniversary Dakinetalk blog~
~In memory of Dr. Gary Blaich~

I went to pay my rent at the bank and a woman stopped me and asked," are you Kimo?"

I am, why? She proceeded to tell me that she was really taken over a blog which also appeared as an opinion piece in The Garden Island news. I wrote about her dad, Dr. Gary Blaich back in 2010.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-december/article_11b9a092-0813-11e0-8508-001cc4c03286.html

Her dad was my shrink for a couple years before he passed away.

 I lived outdoors and had a different lifestyle, a few medical professionals wanted me to see a  a professional therapist

Dr. Gary Blaich came to my outdoor living facility , consisting of two tents, one tent I lived in and one tent was used as a decoy to keep others from camping near me. Dr. Blaich actually thought it was pretty cool, but was concerned with my numerous medical issues that living outdoors would eventually take it's toll...

Dr. Blaich on his own went to the housing authority where I currently live and pleaded with them to get me  placed on top of the waiting list, within 3 weeks I was called with an apartment to move into.

I would like this 7th anniversary blog to be dedicated to the memory of Dr. Gary Blaich.


The enclosed is a blog I wrote shortly after he passed. This blog was why his daughter came up to me, to tell me she was so touched by my words. It's moments like that that make blogging and writing worthwhile, when somebody is touched in the heart by what you write.

 A Big Mahalo Nui Loa to all the supporters, both readers and guest bloggers of  the 1697 blogs in 7 years.  To Obama Da Dog, that  always waits patiently for a walk while I type...

...And again, Thank you Dr. Blaich, RIP my friend.

~Dr. Gary Blaich~
1946-2010

Read the blog  and newspaper opinion article from December 15, 2010 that was written from my heart and cherished by Dr. Blaich's daughter.

My Doctor and friend

My home on and off for many years...
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-december/article_11b9a092-0813-11e0-8508-001cc4c03286.html

Living outdoors for numerous years with multiple medical complications was taking it's toll.

Dr. Gary Blaich came to visit me at what I called home, which was a tent, clothes line and a single burner propane stove with a makeshift outhouse.
Dr. Blaich made one feel right, you felt good about yourself after talking story with Dr. Blaich. He was the feel good drug within, his presence alone made one feel like life was worth living.

Dr. Blaich's office was a small one room place, he was a one man band, being the receptionist, secretary, manager and resident Psychiatrist. The waiting room consisted of a few benches outside in the elements of fresh air and open sky with the aroma of plumeria from potted plants encompassing his office.

He listened to every one's demons even while going through radiation and chemotherapy. He was there for his patients. It gave one a humbling experience releasing your quandaries in therapy with a man braving a terminal illness. I am not a hugging type of person, however Dr. Blaich and myself always ended our sessions with a hug.

Dr. Blaich, OK, Gary, passed away on Thanksgiving day, such an appropriate day for man with so much character and empathy.

My doctor , my friend, your legend lives on.

your friend, your patient. Aloha Kakou, Mahalo Nui Loa and A Hui Hou.



I was hoping somewhere along the way someone would had discovered this blog and offered  a large ransom to compile a book of the best of dakinetalk.

This has not happened yet, however it  doesn't hurt to dream...

James "Kimo" Rosen High school senior portrait,1973.
back then everyone knew me as Jim Rosen or J.R.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-december/article_11b9a092-0813-11e0-8508-001cc4c03286.html

P.S.
Blog #1, 'The Bus Ride From Hell' appeared on January 7, 2010 
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2010/01/bus-ride-from-hell.html

The Bus Ride From Hell

The 11:00 o'clock bus had 2 bikes, two bikes is the maximum the Kauai Bus can accommodate, therefore I missed my bus, I did a few errands and waited for the 12:00 o'clock bus, my bike and I got on board this time in hopes of making it to the doctors office on time.

From Kojima store to Brick oven pizza a normal 10 minute bus ride took almost one hour.I started feeling nauseous, I had the drive heaves, the bus was literally at a standstill across from the Coconut market place, I asked the driver if i could please get off since I was about to loose my insides, she said it's illegal, I asked her if she would please call her dispatch, she complied and dispatch told her she could not let me off until the next designated bus stop at Brick oven pizza, which was a grueling 30 minute drive, something that normally is done in 2-3 minutes.

I pleaded with the driver to call back to dispatch, the driver called again and here is what dispatch told us, I could not get off unless we called emergency 911 and then it would had been a real mess in an already bumper to bumper traffic situation for everyone. Luckily I just had the dry heaves' but being on a bus in traffic, that is going at a snails pace and feeling sick as a dog with no fresh air, (since windows are not allowed to be open on the bus), is an experience I would not wish on anybody, unless of course that somebody is the person behind dispatch.
\
I never did make it to the doctors that day...

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook

Rituals that enrich our lives..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York
( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)

 and has worked in the ophthalmology
 field of medicine for over 30 years

Rituals that enrich our lives

My husband and I have a weekly ritual that we perform every Sunday; grocery shopping in the early A.M. We have been doing this for many years. 

With our work schedule that starts in the early A.M. and tired evenings that we need to veg out on the couch, we have found that a quiet Sunday morning is the best time to shop for food for the week. Once a week is enough for me to enter a grocery store, if we forget an item, oh well, we'll get it next week. We have found that many have the same ritual and we have begun to make friendships with those we see so often in the same place, the same time every week.

The people that run the deli, the fish market, the meat counter and other kiosks in the store have become familiar faces that we converse with every week. It's nice to frequent a place where people know your names and likes...kind of like a neighbor hood place like “Cheers”...

The timing has to be just right, if we come too early the meat counter and fish have not put the fresh items out yet. The matzo ball soup is not ready until 10-A.M. and the produce is not always loaded until that time.

If we become delayed in going, just one hour can change the whole picture. The store takes on a different face after 11 o'clock; “strangers” fill the isles that make shopping no longer peaceful..

People are in much more of a hurry after that time and are “running” in for a few items and make it more of a stressful time.
No more chatting with the friendly staff after that hour; the goal then becomes “move these customers along.”

Many mornings a week we stop for a bagel and coffee on the way to work. We frequent the same place and once again, they are familiar with our order and food choices. The “breakfast” people are always there at the same time as well. Familiar faces that we now can strike up a conversation with ; strangers no longer. We even have our same seats that we choose...talk about predictability!! When we become comfortable with a certain routine, we repeat it many days.

Most of us become repetitious in our ways, whether you are young or old, we seem to repeat the same acts every day and get into a comfortable groove that fit our life styles. Familiarity does bring some sort of comfort to people. Occasionally we get crazy and mix up our schedule but enjoy returning to our routine. As we travel a fair amount, we enjoy the change but also need to adjust for the first few days until we catch up with the time zone.

We celebrate and bring in the New Year with the same people every year; it is both a ritual and tradition that we are lucky enough to spend our special events and milestones with the same group of people.

We have lost some of those that have joined us over the years but still venture on with new additions to our group while cherishing the past years that meant so much to us all.

We will plan as long as G-D allows us, to continue our rituals that enrich our lives and look forward to '2016' with hope and optimism that it will be a peaceful and healthy year for us all.

Judy, Judy, Judy!  ;-)

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

"The Year Of The Monkey..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Vintage Bettejo)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden
 Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.

Bettejo is a regular opinion writer in the Garden Island news

 and is the author of the famed novella, "The Scam." 

 Her latest fiction"Children of extinction"

 is now  released and available on Amazon!
Bettejo has a gift of mingling
 the present, the past, and the future. 

www.bettejodux.com

www.amazon.com

The Year Of The Monkey

Everyone who knows me knows how much I love animals. They've played an important role in my life. Right from the gitgo. Cats and dogs and horses, exotic  birds and cougars,  pygmy bears and feisty lamas-- who played monumental parts in my humorous book THE SCAM--and a precious  little Capuchin monkey, named Tonga, who lived in a  fancy red circus wagon, on wheels, in my mother's kitchen.

See it?  ;-)

This was not a caged lab animal.  Tonga  was a skinny, long-tailed  Elizabeth Taylor,  who was born in the Chinese Year of the Monkey.  Tonga was the star of the show. At least in my father's petting zoo.

While  crunching buttered  popcorn and smacking her lips--they're omnivores--she loved to watch television  I Love Lucy was her favorite. She'd lie on her tummy in her bed, tucked in with her favorite security blanket,  her chin resting in her hands , never taking her eyes off the screen.

Meticulously clean. She had a soft wash clothe and a mini tub filled with warm water--my mother kept it scented and she loved the  whiff of Shalimar my mother shared --and her little face often got a good scrubbing. Her hands, too. She had a cute sense of humor, but she could be a disaster on wheels when she chose. When angered, she'd bite.

Bettejo talks story
with Aristotle

I think of her fondly. And often.  Especially now--2016--for this is the Chinese Year of the Monkey. The Fire Monkey yet.  All you guys born in the Year of the Monkey take heed. And heart. You, like Tonga, are lively, versatile, witty and practical. Highly intelligent and talented. Active. You enjoy sports and sports are in. You like being the center of attention--narcissistic up the lagoon--nothing wrong with that. Tonga had a hand mirror into which she loved to gaze. Lovingly.

Bettejo and Boots Dux

You're mischievous.  Masters of the practical joke. Healthy. Creative and intelligent. Persuasive and well-organized.

The Fire part is a goody. Last time the monkey was in  the Fire sign was  in 1956, 60 years ago. The Fire Monkey is aggressive. Domineering. You  crave leadership. The leadership role is your bag. 'Course you can be overbearing. I mean, you're headed for the top and nobody better get in your way. What saves you are your people skills and you do love to nurture.

Find out your Chinese zodiac sign;
http://www.yourchineseastrology.com/zodiac/

You also jump in where angels fear to tread   Be careful. You're flamboyant and charming and friendly and have a large social circle and get along best with people born in the year of the Rat and the Dragon.

So it's said.

As an atheist, I  love the creative, imaginative, make-believe side of human nature. I think it's one of our most endearing traits. Along with animals, I grew up with the best writers of fantasy. Rudyard Kipling's  Jungle Book was one of my favorites. A world without Mowgli and the Bandor-log would be dull.

Kids should be taught to love fantasy, but seek truth. Know the difference.Where to look for truth? In Science of, course.

Bettejo breaking bread and
 discussing life with her friend
and mentor, Richard Dawkins.

Bettejo endorses Steve Saylor for President, Check out his Youtube videos'.
Mr. Saylor lives on Kaua'i 6 months of the year....
Video #1;
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PPMPsVJoz4
Video #2;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKV8lFyv4e0
Video #3;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOoER6zcLZo
Newest video-#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qq10y8OAg

Bettejo's new priceless possession is Richard Dawkins' "Brief  Candle in the Dark."

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---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

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