A Catholic Priest, a Baptist Preacher, and a Rabbi..." Obama Da Dog (Source)

Obama Da Dog  is a lifelong resident of the Garden Island of Kaua'i.
Obama can be seen around  the island with her master and best friend,
James "Kimo" Rosen

A Catholic Priest, a Baptist Preacher, and a Rabbi

A Catholic Priest, a Baptist Preacher, and a Rabbi all served as chaplains to the students of Northern Michigan University in Marquette . They would get together two or three times a week for coffee and to talk shop.

One day, someone made the comment that preaching to people isn't really all that hard - a real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another, and they decided to do an experiment.
They would all go out into the woods, find a bear, preach to it, and attempt to convert it.
Seven days later, they all came together to discuss their experience.

Father Flannery, who had his arm in a sling, was on crutches, and had various bandages on his body and limbs, went first. 'Well,' he said, 'I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him, I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear wanted nothing to do with me and began to slap me around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy Mary Mother of God, he became as gentle as a lamb. The Bishop is coming out next week to give him first communion and confirmation.'

Reverend Billy Bob spoke next.. He was in a wheelchair, had one arm and both legs in casts, and had an IV drip. In his best fire-and-brimstone oratory, he claimed, 'WELL, brothers, you KNOW that we don't sprinkle! I went out and I FOUND me a bear. Then I began to read to my bear from God's HOLY WORD! But that bear wanted nothing to do with me. So I took HOLD of him and we began to wrestle. We wrestled down one hill, UP another and DOWN another until we came to a creek. So I quickly DUNKED him and BAPTIZED his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb.. We spent the rest of the day praising Jesus Hallelujah!

The priest and the reverend both looked down at the Rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IVs and monitors running in and out of him.
He was in really bad shape.

The Rabbi looked up and said: "Looking back on it, .......circumcision may not have been the best way to
Start."

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"The Doctors Bad News..." 'Robert Bitos Gandia' (Source)

Guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia.
Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
He works at Syngenta as a Research Associate.
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

The Doctors Bad News

The doctor, after an examination, sighed and said, ‘I've got some bad news. You have cancer, and you’d best put your affairs in order.’

The woman was shocked, but managed to compose herself and walk into the waiting room where her daughter had been waiting.

‘Well, daughter, we women celebrate when things are good, and we celebrate when things don’t go so well. In this case, things aren’t well. I have cancer. So, let’s head to the club and have a martini.’
After 3 or 4 martinis, the two were feeling a little less somber. There were some laughs and more martinis. They were eventually approached by some of the woman’s old friends, who were curious as to what the two were celebrating.

The woman told her friends they were drinking to her impending end, ‘I’ve been diagnosed with AIDS.’ The friends were aghast, gave the woman their condolences and beat a hasty retreat.

After the friends left, the woman’s daughter leaned over and whispered, ‘Momma, I thought you said you were dying of cancer, and you just told your friends you were dying of AIDS! Why did you do that??’

‘Because I don’t want any of those bitches sleeping with your father after I’m gone.’.

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Facebook, Twitter & Instagram will not miss you‏---Happy New Year..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James "Kimo" Rosen pictured above. with  his father Bernard J. Rosen
in Orlando Florida 1984.
Rosen is a retired professional photographer living on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i
often  wondering where did all the time go?

Kimo's World #50
Facebook, Twitter & Instagram will not miss you-Happy New Year!

You know your getting old when you can see the world functioning without you. You can see the local grocery store making money without you. You can see the gas stations and restaurants operating just fine if you weren't around.
Even the local paper making it without your letters to the editor. Believe it or not Facebook, Twitter and Instagram will not miss you.

Watching football on Sunday and seeing all these young faces, seeing policeman that look like they're 15 years old  and issuing tickets.Everyone looks young when your approaching 60.

My neighbors are all around my age, give or take. They  are starting to drop like flies. The past two years alone seven neighbors within a stones throw have passed. In the development where I reside people often have bets on who is next. 

The world will go on without any of us. We like to think we are special, some people even tell us we are special--- in some ways maybe, but as far as planet earth and the world are concerned we are like little frantic ants moving around from the day we are born until the day we die.

Live each day as it were your last, life is short. With that said I would like to wish every one a  Blessed New Year.

Happy New year or as we say in Hawai'i,"Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!"

 Another throwback photo;
Rosen in 1979 with his Sheepdog Kamala
in the foothills of Santa Barbara

This meme appeared on Facebook to promote this blog...

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Sonny Days ahead... 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead live in the suburbs of Buffalo N.Y. and has worked
in the ophthalmology fired of medicine for over 30 years.

Sonny Days ahead

My house once again will be filled with visitors, commotion and smiling faces as my son returns for a visit from our West. 

Surprisingly we will not have a white Xmas this year as the temps are ranging near 50 degrees, go figure...that's Buffalo.

 It will be good to see him for the next week. He comes and goes doing his thing with friends and family but we do enjoy visiting with him for the extended stay.  

The frig is stocked with all his favorites and the car gassed up. The week will go fast I know. As soon as he comes, he will be returning to California.

Time to plan our winter trip out west as well, it's a nice break for us to do in the middle of winter.

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"Have a Cool Yule..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic 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!

www.bettejodux.com

www.amazon.com

Have a Cool Yule

As I’m sitting in my courtyard with long yellow legal and  pencil- as my friend and editor Kimo Rosen suggested – conjuring up ideas for a column, as all columnist must do, I am suddenly distracted by the thought of money. A dreadful distraction on such a drippy wet interesting morning.

My mind, and the zillion words there in, are supposed to  swing towards a total involvement in the trilling, tweeting, twittering song of the birds that flock and flourish in my jungle, sending delightful word-spinning, pencil scratching, lead ditters on the page.

The sweet scent of  fragrant frangipani  is supposed to scroll me a Pulitzer at the very least. Then lure me into a loquacious twittle, babble, gabble word crevice while chilly mini Yule raindrops falling on my head swell up to  fill my quota.

The taste of tinned Christmas cookies will fill my head, as well as my belly, with big fat nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs Kimo, and others, will be able to read on the screen.

Oh joy. Kalloo kallay…

But what pops up? Don’t look up. I better find some money to pay some guy to come and cut those branches before a wicked witch wind womps  them on my woof…er, drops them on my roof

“Stop it,” my creative mind screams and covers her ears. Unfortunately covering my ears when the words are coming from the inside out doesn’t cut the mustard  Don’t think about white elephants…

“…white elephants my foot. Where’s this money supposed to come from?”

“Shuddup.” The wind lifts a page of long yellow legal and its long flat tongue flutters back.

“The last guy you talked to wanted twelve hundred dollars  a day.”

“That’s more than I pay my dentist.”

“Teeth. How awful it must be to have a body.”

“You got one, too. You’re attached.”  I think about attachment. I’m attached to money.

Bird squawks, nose sniffles, Xmas cookie crumples and page flaps take a rumble seat as a walloping wind sends empty pages flying. Clutching pen and pad I scramble to my feet and head for a drier spot. I find one on a comfy wrought iron chair, plunk down, and giggle as dead branches gilded gold and dripping glittering dime store ornaments-my original contribution to an outdoor Yule- dance and  bob and bumble in the thrashing elemental wind and rain.

A war-whoop crash of thunder rapidly following a display of jagged blue brings my meandering mind to a jarring halt. No thoughts. No words. I am deafened. I am dizzy. I’m distraught. My head’s a blank.My teeth itch.

When my vision clears, what to my wandering eyes does appear? Not a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer but a  rampant raft of rubble large enough to build an ark that floats dinosaurs and unicorns, too, to safe anchor.

My mind whimpers…

…and that nasty noisy little voice that lives there sings, sweetly, "Have a Cool Yule".

Another version of "Have a Cool Yule," was published  one
year ago in dakinetalk blog on December 22, 2013
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/12/have-cool-yule-bettejo-dux-monday-in.html

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" Merry Christmas and Welcome to ABU DHABI..." 'Tammy Ann VanderWende' (Abu Dhabi Journey)

Dakinetalk is excited to welcome our newest regular guest-blogger Tammy Ann VanderWende.

Tammy is aKaua'i girl who recently moved to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emerites

 with her husband Tom, son Kyler and family dog Kealia.

Join Tammy on her adventures as she shares her experiences on life in the Middle East!

Merry Christmas and Welcome to UAE of ABU DHABI

Imagine my surprise when I first set foot here in the desert. 
Philipine Air and Etihad Airlines were our air bus of choice in 1st Class for the 22 hour flight from Lihue Kauai. A long but smooth flight with VIP Hospitality and Delicious Gourmet meals that amazed us!

We were greated by friendly Etihad escorts holding large poster boards with our family name "Vander Wende" , I always wondered what it would be like to see my name held up by a stranger  bearing a smile when I first got off the plane, it was pretty snazzy and I felt...important!

We followed the young Filipino Etihad escort and also a female Mafraq escort  (Tom's company sent a Greeter to us to be sure we were off on the right foot and in with the right drivers!) Walking through Abu Dhabi International Airport was very interesting indeed...right off the bat we saw many different types of people speaking different languages.

I smiled with wonder and amazement at my first impressions of the UAE!(United Arab Emirates)
Earlier this year I vowed to make changes and take chances, 10 months later I am beginning a new chapter in my life at age 50, in the Middle East! Never in my wildest dreams would I EVER think I'd end up living here!

So, we follow with excitement our escorts to the Etihad Guest Lounge, here we are greeted with more friendly attendants. Offering us an array of refreshments from Champagne  to Espresso, salmon lox bagels and cream cheese, soup du jour, and many many yummy treats!
Kyler was in 7th Heaven with Hot Cocoa and brownies, fresh fruits and chocolates too!

Hot showers where available with a relaxing massage! We declined such wonderful pampering, but Tom did not pass up on the hot Facial and Shave to feel refreshed! I giggled with delight to watch Tom get a good ole fashion shave! After all my Grand Father Placido Cabacungan, owned the famous Hanapepe Barbershop across from  Roberts store now known as Dawn Traina Art Gallery, the Young  Barber shaving Tom, reminded me of my Grandpa!

When we where done, we followed the escorts through the lobby to our luggage and drivers! 
Much to our surprise, we where greeted by a Shiny Gold Porsche in the middle of the lobby. Tom told me of the riches of this country and all that we will see and experience, seeing the Gold Porsche was definitely an Exciting Welcome to Abu Dhabi!!!

Inshallah - Lord Willing
Shukran - Thank You
Afuwan - Your Welcome

Editors note;
Every picture is worth a thousand words. I hope you enjoy these photos of Tammy sharing her Abu Dhabi journey as much as I do. I feel like I am on this journey with Tammy and her family and hope in the coming weeks you feel the same way.  We look forward to her next blog. 

Tom, Tammy, Kyler and Kealia want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

 

"THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA CLAUS..." 'Douglas Dunn'

Guest blogger Douglas Dunn on the beach with his daughter JoAnn back in 1981. Doug is a regular commenter and guest-blogger on dakinetalk... Doug runs a small publishing consulting business in San Diego county and is a   certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter (for Deaf people),  last but not least he has been a Democratic Party media spokesperson and has had  the good fortune to work with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Doug also drives a Nissan Leaf !

Santa Claus and JoAnn Dunn back in 1977, "Yes there really is a Santa!" By the way JoAnn is now   married and a  Mom to two lovely granddaughters.

Editors note;
This blog originally ran as dakinetalk blog # 520 on 12-23-11 and on  12-24-12, blog #888 .also on 12-23-13, Blog #1185 It was so popular our Blogger-n-chief decided to run it again for a fourth year in a row, allowing more people to read this beautiful touching holiday story.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA CLAUS

When my daughter JoAnn was eight years old, she came home from school one December afternoon, very upset. Some kids had been teasing her because she still believed in Santa Claus. Her Dad had told her there was a Santa Claus, and she knew that Dad would never tell a lie.

“Daddy,” she said, “I’m eight years old. I’m old enough to know The Truth. Is there really a Santa Claus?” Parents dread this question almost as much as, “Where do babies come from?”

But when a child asks for THE TRUTH, it is time to be straight with them.

“Okay,” I answered. “If you’re old enough to know The Truth about Santa Claus, then you’re old enough to know the truth about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as well.”

“I want THE TRUTH.”

“Well, your Daddy is really the Easter Bunny. And your Daddy is really the tooth fairy. [Pause] Santa Claus is real.”

Her eyes grew big and round. “Santa Claus really comes each Christmas Eve and leaves presents?”

I said, “The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are mythical characters, made-up for holiday fun. Santa Claus is real. He really lived and is based on a real person. But it is often difficult for very small children to understand about the real Santa Claus, so over the years a lot of make-believe and fantasy have been added to make it more fun.”

We talked about the historical figure, St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who used to go out on Christmas Eve with gifts for poor children who would otherwise have no Christmas. But like all real human beings, he eventually grew old, and died at the age of 73 on December 6, 343. But after Nicholas, others took up the role. We read together stories from newspapers and magazines of people up to the present day who spread joy by giving Christmas gifts in secret. There are lots of them! Santa Claus is not only real, but alive and doing very well in the modern world.

“If you’re old enough to know THE TRUTH about Santa Claus,” I concluded, “maybe you’re old enough to BE a Santa Claus.”

“BE a Santa Claus?” she asked, brightening.

It was too close to Christmas to make extensive plans for the current year, but we talked about ideas for the next year.

The following year JoAnn and I contacted our local Post Office and arranged to receive letters that underprivileged children had sent, addressed to Santa Claus. We found that the Post Office believes in Santa Claus, too, and takes its role seriously, and does deliver letters from children in need to real Santa Clauses.

We were able to identify three needy families, and deliver a real Christmas to each one. Instead of random gifts through large organizations for “boy—age 9” or “girl—age 6,” we responded to specific requests from individual children. What fun we had shopping, wrapping, and planning a Christmas Eve delivery route — just like any real Santa!

We felt our adventure that first year was successful. All of the children we found were in difficult situations, and it appeared they would have had no Christmas without us. But much of our energy had been spent screening the letters to choose which children were most needy. We also considered that poverty alone is no indicator of whether or not a child will have Christmas. Many families, poor but loving, will make sure their little ones enjoy holiday magic.

The following year JoAnn and I tried a different approach. We located an agency that provides care for children who had been removed from their families on account of child abuse or neglect. A social worker helped us make arrangements to be Santa for six children in a group home who needed a Santa Claus. Over lunch, she told us about the personal stories of each one of these special children who had endured terrible experiences that few others can ever imagine. We learned that the real “truth” about Santa Claus is that the “naughty” and “nice” list is part of the fantasy myth. In reality, there are no “naughty” children; that problematic behavior only represents troubled pasts cured with compassion and caring, not further deprivation. The real Santa Claus gives unconditionally. The social worker gave us each child’s list, and told us what each child had requested from Santa. Again, we provided the items on their lists, and enjoyed our merriest Christmas ever. We were hooked. We continued this tradition for several years, adapting our routine when my wife Thelma joined our family, and trying different variations such as sponsoring “Santa Claus” for children at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity orphanage in the Philippines.

I appreciate the lessons Santa Claus has taught my daughter, and the values he has shared with her. Our Christmases are celebrations of true joyfulness, and in the truest possible measure of true value. I do believe in Santa Claus! I especially appreciate the opportunity Santa Claus gave one father to pass on his values to a young daughter.

Note, epilogue; My approach to telling my daughter “The Truth about Santa Claus” was adapted from another true story that had inspired me several years earlier. It was an article in Reader’s Digest about a little Jewish boy who had grown up in New York City, feeling left out of Christmas, but felt he could not celebrate a holiday that might betray his religious and cultural heritage. But he did feel he could, in good conscience, give a gift to those who do celebrate it and BE a Santa Claus to children in need. I was so moved by the story of how he became a real Santa Claus, that I was inspired to hold it in my heart and, at the right time, do something similar. The pointed question -- demand! -- from my daughter for THE TRUTH gave me the opportunity to act on that. Just as those who come from a Christian background celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of a Jewish boy who grew up to become a great rabbi, my story about my daughter is also inspired by a modern Jewish role model.

P.S.From Seinfeld; YouTube; Happy Festivus day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFLqMyo0fo

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Happy Holidays!

No longer a need for Jewish people to eat Chinese food on Christmas..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Blog #2 for this day)

Lawrence Butler stands on Kuhio Hwy inviting everyone from Millionaires to the needy for
a free Christmas dinner at last  years Chicken in A Barel free Christmas dinner.

No longer a need for Jewish people to eat Chinese food on Christmas.

People enjoying last years free
Christmas dinner...

The big question this time of year is why do my people (Jewish people) eat Chinese food on Christmas?
It’s a tradition that started since most Chinese people are not Christian and do not celebrate the holiday. Therefore those in the restaurant business stay open when literally everything from shopping malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, sporting events, public libraries, public pools, even grocery and drug stores are closed on Christmas.

Christmas day, where will you be eating? I will be at  Kapa'a Chicken in a Barrel!. They say Jewish people (my people) eat Chinese food on Christmas, not me. I like Chicken in A Barrel. Here's why;

It is the owners Mike Pierce and his Ohana's  way of giving back to the community, free Christmas dinner for all, not just the needy. 

The Coconut wireless reports there will be  close to 400 pounds of turkey,” 300 pounds of mashed potatoes and  all the fixings; stuffing, corn, green beans, salad and were hoping they have the same ono-licious cookies they had last year. 

Whether your a multi-millionaire, homeless, or a Jewish person sick of Chinese food on Christmas,  all are welcome!

Mahalo Nui Loa and Mele Kalimaka to the generous folks at Chicken in A Barrel.

P.S. 
Check out the recent article in the Garden Island News on this event!
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/holiday-spirit-by-the-barrel/article_0e689e7e-8a6f-11e4-bfff-f3ce4560e9e9.html

P.S.S. 

Along with Chicken in a barrel there is also a free community Christmas dinner at Kilauea mini golf at 4:00 P.M. in case you did know here is the info;

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas around Anaina Hou Community Park! 

Please join us for our annual FREE Christmas Day Feast this Thursday, December 25th, at 4:00 PM. 

Our Turkeys and Hams will be fresh out of the imu, so come ready to eat, enjoy live music, and connect with our wonderful community! 

All are invited, visitors and locals alike, no RSVP necessary!



To all our Jewish friends on this eighth and final day of Chanukah, Happy Harmonukkah!

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Obama to hopefully meet Obama..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James "Kimo" Rosen is the proud father of Obama,
 Obama da Dog that is!

Editors note,
Every year since taking office President Obama has spent Christmas and New years with his family vacationing in Honolulu Hawaii, the home of his youth. This blog was sent to Honolulu Staradvertiser as a potential letter to the editor.

Obama to hopefully meet Obama

Aloha President Obama,

I know you're visiting Honolulu for the holidays and will most likely either see this blog or be advised of it by one of your staff that looks for  clippings like this.

Every year since you were elected I have been hoping you would visit the neighbor island of Kaua'i so I could introduce you to my dog  named after you.

I have been a supporter since day one and am proud of all you have accomplished, taking out Osama Bin Laden, affordable healthcare, the decrease in gas prices, the upswing in the stock market and fewer unemployed.

One of the few things left on my bucket list is for my dog Obama to meet President Obama, and of course I would enjoy meeting you too.

Mahalo Nui Loa for all you do for Planet earth. I am proud to call you President!

Mele Kalikimaka. (Merry Christmas)

P.S.
Obama's arrive in Hawai'i http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20141220_Obamas_arrive_in_Hawaii_for_vacation.html?id=286460241
P.S.S.
The Honolulu Staradvertiser emailed and said, they do not publish open letters. I therefore re-submitted the following edited version of the above blog.
I have been a supporter of President Obama  since day one and am proud of all he has accomplished, taking out Osama Bin Laden, affordable healthcare, the decrease in gas prices, the upswing in the stock market and fewer unemployed.

One of the few things left on my bucket list is for my dog named Obama to meet President Obama, and of course I would enjoy meeting the President too.

That may be hard to do since I live on Kauai and do not get off island much, however a guy can dream.

P.S.S.
Monday 12-22-14
I was heading out to Costco for my Monday weekly routine and have never seen traffic backed up so far on the Kapa'a bypass. Less than a mile into the bypass before the first bridge with 20 mph signs, traffic was at a standstill. I have been in less traffic that delayed me an hour. This was well over an hour delay. I immediately turned around and breathed a sigh of relief. Please politicians we need more roads. We cannot keep building and promoting tourism with the same amount of roads we had in 1960. We need more roads before anything else... HELP! 


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