"Random Acts Of Stupidity..." (Bettejo Dux) (Monday Surprise, more of Bettejo!))

Bettejo Dux has lived on the "Cosmic Garden Island"
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is an animal lover, people lover and lover of life.

Today Bettejo blogs about stupidity & obesity.? Bettejo's blogs are
so popular we decided to run them more often than just
 on Wednesday's as we have done in the past. Enjoy!
Bettejo will be 83 years young in two weeks and is still active in life and community.

You can order a copy of her Novella "The Scam "below.www.bettejodux.com

RANDOM ACTS OF STUPIDITY

This is actually a continuation from Bettejo's last blog;"Obesity."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2013/07/obesity-bettyjo-dux-classic-wednesday.html

As we grow older, we recognize them. They stand out in the territory of being human.

The debate as to whom is responsible for these acts is gaining momentum. The arguments are sincere and often passionate but the truth is we cannot assume the responsibility for all of them. I remember- years ago- my husband and I on a beach on Oahu witnessed, swaggering out of the brush and onto the beach, some young sailors off Bill's sub. One of the guys, , the biggest, the leader of the pack, had a heavy Aqualung strapped on his back, black flippers attached to both feet, a mask  and a breathing tube stuck in his mouth. 

With great courage, and utter stupidity, he strode out into a heavy surf, his friends, tagging along behind, cheering him on. Bill and I took off running, waving and shouting, trying to head him off. The first wave he encountered picked him up like a flounder in a tsunami and planted him so deep in the sand we despaired we'd ever be able to dig him out. All of us got busy, risking our lives as the waves crashed on top of us to haul the guy out. If he hadn't had the hose stuffed in his face he'd probably have died of suffocation.

Who's to blame?  The publisher who printed the ad about Aqualungs in the paper? The guy who sold him the lung? He no doubt had to take a course, maybe in a pool, on how to use the thing, but who, in his right mind, would think the kid would try to walk out into crashing surf with the thing strapped to his back?

Bill was an excellent sailor, a yachtsman, and, after he died, I sailed with guys on their fancy yachts. I saw dollar signs instead of seamanship.  I  admired their yachts and assumed they knew what they were doing. How could I know, until I got out there, they didn't know a halyard from a sheet, the bow from the stern, a jibe from a tack or starboard from port? Should I have sued them for putting my life at risk? I don't think so. My answer :I think I'll stay ashore and watch from the bar to see if you make it out the harbor.

Today's fuss about obesity and diet is almost as stupid as the people who indulge in the fat feast. Maybe we should sue every four star hotel for those all- you –can- eat buffets.  Some of the plates their diners carry are heaped so high with calories one could suffer a heart attack just looking at them. With some people  the fat around their middle seem to match the fat inside their heads. They seem to think these  elegant  gastronomic events are nothing but pig outs.

It's a sadness in our country that people have become so stupid. Who shall we blame? Who shall we sue?

P.S.
I looked up my family tree and found out I was the sap.

..................................... Rodney Dangerfield

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" Garage Sale here we come..." - 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years...We take a break from the controversy of GMO's and a Racially based court trial in Hawai'i to guest-blogger Judith Whitehead's take on garage sales! Enjoy Inspiration Sunday! ;D)

Sorry  folks, the garage is not for sale!  ;D)

Garage Sale here we come

It's that time again this year for our neighborhood garage sale; time to sort through our treasures that we never looked at all year, time to get rid of those clothes that last fit in the 1990's, and time to chat with the neighbors.  

We usually have at least 20 homes participating and begin our A.M. at 7AM  with early birds sorting through our tables for the best choices.  It's a great way to empty out the garage, basement and closets with "stuff" that one will never miss and make a few extra bucks.  

The only thing that would put a damper on our fun will be bad weather for which we have been very lucky over the years. Usually August is a safe time to unload things and sprawl over the driveway all the items that need to be removed from the house.

Whatever does not get sold will be bagged up and taken to the Good Will and NOT back into the house; it's the rule ...whatever makes it to the driveway doesn't return. 

So here's to bargain hunters everywhere...let them land in our neighborhood and leave with handfuls of items.

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What is the truth on GMO's..?" 'James "Kimo" Rosen

Obama Da Dog and her master James "Kimo" Rosen recently listened to panel of Pro-GMO scientists talk story about farming food and our future at the Kapa'a Elementary school cafeteria. Our conclusion was GMO's are not the anti-Christ although many seem to differ.

Scientists  talk story about the scientific value of GMO's at a talk story session on 07-30-13 at Kapa'a elementary school cafeteria. People are believing propaganda that is hearsay. Rat's getting cancer from eating GMO food is a common scare tactic, come to learn the rats in the study that ate non GMO food also contacted cancer. The rats used in the study are the variety prone to cancer. This is one of many examples that needs to be heard.

Airfares are out of sight, Kaua'i could go Bankrupt 
What is the Truth on GMO's?

Councilman Gary Hooser the co-author of controversial bill 2491  did not show up at either talk story session about GMO farming,food and our future  on the west side or east side to learn about the scientific  realities of GMO's.  

Kauai county councilman and former State Senator Gary
Hooser addressing a crowd at Kapa'a public library.
Check out my opinion article in the (08-05-13) edition of the  Kaua'i Garden Island news; 
" Kaua'i could Go bankrupt."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-august/article_92da6dbe-fd98-11e2-a340-0019bb2963f4.html

Mr. Hooser and others are believing propaganda that is hearsay.  Rat's getting cancer from eating GMO food is a common scare tactic, come to learn from the talk story session with 5 prominent scientists that  the rats in the study that ate non GMO food also contacted cancer. The rats used in the study are the variety prone to cancer. This is one of many scarred rumors that need to be heard.

In the interim I am afraid that the   contrarians (  SouthPark calls  the ones whose parents came to Kauai on cruise ships ) the same people behind the demise of the super-ferry are back.

Councilman Hooser was instrumental in the demise of the Superferry which in turn caused the airlines to have a monopoly on inter island travel and now  charge outrageous prices. Many times you can fly from Honolulu to Las Vegas round-trip cheaper than a round-trip from Kauai to Oahu.

   Now if  bill 2491 passes it would add drastically to unemployment on Kauai, possibly leading Kaua'i to do what Detroit just did, file bankruptcy.

It's time to stand up to Hooser and  listen to facts not hearsay. Be careful of Hooser as we do not want to become losers.


Check out my opinion article in the (08-05-13) edition of the  Kaua'i Garden Island news; 
" Kaua'i could Go bankrupt."

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-august/article_92da6dbe-fd98-11e2-a340-0019bb2963f4.html

A talk story session on GMO  farming food and our future
was attended by approximately 200 people

The audience listens intently to the scientists discuss the facts of GMO science.

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"Obesity..." 'Bettyjo Dux' ( Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic garden island
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is an animal lover, people lover and lover of life.

Today Bettejo blogs about obesity and how  you can control it...Enjoy!

She will be 83 years young next  week and is still active in life and community.

You can order a copy of her Novella "The Scam "below.www.bettejodux.com

Obesity

Fat’s s all over the news. It’s all over the place. Even Michelle speaks about it. Walk through any American city, any town, any street, and you’ll see them, the waddlers. Not just adults. Kids. This is not normal body fat, this is, sick American fat.

On our discussion site on Kauai we have one very cranky gentleman who is overweight and suffers from hypoglycemia. Why is that?  is it a disease? We know the his grumpy attitude is a symptom of the dysfunction. What is he doing wrong? What does his doctor say?

I have a theory . Many, if not most, of these poor people are starving to death. What? Starving? Look how fat they are. Starving people are skin and bones, we’ve seen them in third world countries; and  that’s a bit like saying, “What global warming? Look how cold it is. See the snow.”

The kind of fat/starvation I’m talking about is often caused by a lack of money, just as in third world countries, but here, with some paper in their pockets, people buy cheap, fast foods. Fill the belly. Stuff the junk in the  mouth. Chew. Swallow. Go to McWhoever’s and buy a cheap hamburger-with a bite of lettuce-for a couple of those long green paper things. Bread and beef fills their bellys- that’s for sure, look at them- and they’re starving. Their bodies are screaming for food. More food. Feed me. Buy a Twinkie. Grab a soft drink. Ease the pain of starvation.

Every body has nutritional needs. Not just a need to fill the belly, and, if these nutritional needs are not met, the body screams for it. But it doesn’t say to the poor suffering victim of fat/starvation, “I need some B vitamins. I need some A. I need some C.” Well it does, actually, but the poor starving fellow doesn’t get it. Doesn’t hear it. He just stuffs some more stuff in his mouth, chews and swallows, and goes back for more.

How many of you eat microwave dinners?  Some quite delicious. Some quite expensive. Some even organic, so the label says. The label on the box lists all the vitamins, all the good stuff, but did you ever stop to read the fat content? Some of those ‘healthy choice’ boxes of stuff contain 30% saturated fat! Saturated fat! About the unhealthiest stuff you can stuff in your mouth, chew, stuff in your belly and-boy oh boy-watch that part of your anatomy bulge up a storm of sickness.

The answer? Find out what your body needs. In Adelle’s book, LET’S GET WELL,  in many books about nutrition, in the index you will find many obvious physical and emotional symptoms of vitamin deficiencies. Your body’s telling you something. Listen. Learn.  Don’t fall for fads. Or pills. If you fill your nutritional needs you won’t feel hunger. You can eat less. Be well fed and grow thin. Honest.

P.S. The most original Bar Mitzvah invitation ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KulHKziEeMc#at=114

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An Underground Lotto In Hawai'i... "James "Kimo" Rosen'

Buy a Big Mac at any McDonald's starting July 16th
 for your chance at becoming a millionaire.
It's like buying a lotto ticket with a free meal!

An Underground Lotto in Hawai'i

Hawai'i is one of eight  states without a lottery, The States that currently do not have lotteries are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.

Nevada offers  just about every form of gambling except a lottery;
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/apr/03/why-nevada-offers-just-about-every-gambling-option/

 Hawai'i Lawmakers believe the poor will spend whatever money they may have on lotto tickets, the irony being is Las Vegas is known as the 9th island and is  the number one vacation destination for Hawai'i people. Although Nevada is one of the states without a lottery it offers almost every other form of gaming known to man and woman kind.

There is a way people in Hawai'i and the 7 other states without a lottery can at least spend money in hopes of a lucrative financial dream come true... Just buy a Big Mac at any McDonald's and some lucky winner will win one million dollars.

You, me or some  lucky person somewhere in America will buy a Big Mac and there will be a sticker on it that  says, "you just won one million buckaroos.

For all my  friends on the Hawai'ian islands who can only dream of a lottery,  now is your time to  not only play a lotto with purchasing a Big Mac but having a meal to boot.

Now if only we could get  the State to legalize Bingo in churches. That's right America, even bingo is considered gambling and  is illegal in Hawai'i.

Promise not to tell anyone,looks like I'm going to gamble at Micky D's today! Whose in?

Epilogue, my father always told me if you want the word to get out tell 10 people, "promise not to tell anyone!"

Read, "What  8 States are without a lottery and why?"
http://www.streetdirectory.com/etoday/what-8-states-are-without-lotteries-and-why-wcjlow.html


P.S.  For all you anti-GMO'ers, an important and informative  article in the New York Times about the majority of oranges being GMO's;
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/science/a-race-to-save-the-orange-by-altering-its-dna.html

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"Kaua'i's First Day Without Sears..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

The Revelation of Sears Kukui Grove center ,Kaua'i, A Hui Hou Sears...

A sad day indeed as Sears is no longer doing retail business on the Garden Island.

Kaua'i's First Day Without Sears

Sears has just closed it's only store on Kaua'i. Today is the first day the Garden island has been without a Sears retail outlet in over 30 years.  Sears has been an American Institution since 1886. 

It is a true sign of the times as many Department stores around the country begin to close shop.  Retail history is changing and with so many people purchasing nearly everything online it won't be long until other Department stores take Sear's lead.

It has been reported that many Department stores are going to start charging a cover charge similar to bars just to get  in and browse, since so  many people go to the retail outlets  then go home and purchase online  what they tried on at lower prices. The cover charge would be applied towards any purchases should you  purchase  anything. If you do not buy it will cost you your cover charge, somewhere in and around  the likes of $5.00-$10.00

Sears  Kaua'i , which was one of the first retailers to open at the local shopping mall, "Kukui Grove Center" in 1982,

 The closure will leave will leave 41 associates  out of work. This all  happening after the largest Hawaii Sears store at Ala Moana Center in Honolulu  closed it's doors  last month.

So sad, definitely a sign of the times. Don't be fooled, the recession  is not over as reported in the news but rather another is on the horizon...

A Hui Hou (until we meet again) Sears

I cannot say it better, so enclosed is a brief history of the nostalgic Department store as outlined in the online encyclopedia  Britannica

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/531000/Sears-Roebuck-and-Company

In 1886 Richard W. Sears founded the R.W. Sears Watch Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to sell watches by mail order. He relocated his business to Chicago in 1887, hired Alvah C. Roebuck to repair watches, and established a mail-order business for watches and jewelry. The company’s first catalog was offered the same year. In 1889 Sears sold his business but a few years later founded, with Roebuck, another mail-order operation, which in 1893 came to be known as Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1895 Julius Rosenwald, a wealthy clothing manufacturer, bought out Roebuck’s interest, and he reorganized the mail-order business. Sears meanwhile wrote the company’s soon-to-be-famous catalogs. The company grew phenomenally by selling a range of merchandise at low prices to farms and villages that had no other convenient access to retail outlets. The initiation of rural free delivery (1896) and of parcel post (1913) by the U.S. postal service enabled Sears to send its merchandise to even the most isolated customers. Rosenwald succeeded Sears as president of the company in 1909.

Between 1920 and 1943 Sears owned Encyclopædia Britannica, which it sold through the catalog. In 1924 General Robert E. Wood joined the company and became its guiding genius for the next 30 years. Wood noted that the automobile was making retail outlets in urban centres more accessible to consumers in outlying suburbs and rural areas. To exploit this opportunity, he opened the first Sears retail store (in Chicago) in 1925, and the number of stores increased so rapidly that by 1931 retail sales had topped mail-order sales. The company flourished in the economic boom after World War II and was not seriously challenged as America’s largest retailer until the 1980s, when the Kmart Corporation surpassed it in total sales. Wal-Mart eventually surpassed both and became, before the end of the 20th century, the largest retailer in the world.

In the 1980s Sears diversified into such businesses as real estate and financial services, but by 1992 Sears began selling off some subsidiaries in order to concentrate on its lagging core retail operations. It discontinued its general catalog in 1993 and in 1995 spun off its largest subsidiary, the Allstate Corporation, an insurance company founded by Sears in 1931. In addition to selling household goods, hardware, and clothing, Sears provides repair services for automobiles and for household items such as appliances, electronic equipment, and home heating and cooling systems. Sears merged with Kmart in 2005.


YouTube, 2 minute history of sears;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7byMUCmtUn4

Check out my photo on page A-2 of the 07-26-13 edition of the Kauai Garden Island News,"Sears Final days: The revelation of Sears Kukui Grove, A Hui Hou Sears...
http://thegardenisland.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

P.S.
My mother never breast fed me, she told me she only liked me as a friend.
..................................... Rodney Dangerfield

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"One restaurant at a time.." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years... Today she talks about one of  her favorite ways to escape... !Enjoy! ;D)

Going through Life…One restaurant at a time

Working full long days can become stressful in the medical field; my husband and I have found a way to break up the week and de stress from the day.  We often like to try new restaurants in the area; during the week we try and keep it economical and frequent mid-range prices.  It’s our little get a way from the hustle of the day even if only for an hour or so.  We try and keep it simple, usually eating  at establishments that have gotten to know us.  

Some restaurants even have gotten to know what we are going to order…It’s comforting to eat in a place where you are recognized; kind of like an extended family.  So if you are unable to take a well needed vacation…just think of a few establishments that you have not tried before and take a little breath from the bustle of the day and chillax.

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