"Fond Memories of Halloween..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead  lives in Amherst, N.Y. and has
worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for
over 30 years. Today she talks about her memories 
of  Halloween...Enjoy

Fond Memories of Halloween

Soon it will be an all American, fun holiday to celebrate once again this year, All Hallows night or as we all know it as Halloween.  Every year this holiday brings back many fond memories of celebrating  as ayoung child growing up in Buffalo.  

October can be a chancy season here in Buffalo; I can remember
going trick or treating in rain, snow and very cold weather.  Some years we would have to wear winter coats over our costumes in the cold;  we would not let the rain or wind keep us from going out. 

 My dad would fashion a trick or treat “box” for me to carry some seasons.  He would make a  box with a  string
that would go over my shoulder to carry all my loot home.  It was awkward to  carry but I would never
hurt his feelings and I would always go along with his ideas; he was always the one to take me out every
year.  

My mom would stay home and give out the candy,  that was her job.  We would cover as many homes as we could until I got tired; he carried the flashlight and kept a very close eye on me.  At that
point, it was then his job to carry the heavy box home and  sift through for the safe candy to eat.  

Back in those early days some  people would give out apples; I always knew when I got one placed in my box, it made a clunking  noise and made the box even heavier.  We also carried a box to collect Unicef money, back then for donations, what ever happened to those… 

I went trick or treating for many years until I
was too old to continue the tradition and then transformed into the door guard and babysitter for  otherkids for the holiday.  

All too soon, I  had my own children to carry on the tradition with.  I knew how disappointing it was to have to cover up a costume in bad weather so we would drape clear dry cleaning
bags over our children’s costumes so others could enjoy them as well. It was “dads” job to escort the boys out while I stayed home to give out the candy.  Seeing the other children dressed up was also part of the joy of the holiday. 

Halloween  has become quite a money maker over the years; today the costumes are quite intricate. Nolonger do the plastic molded masks exist that used to suffocate and  poke us in the face.  The costumes are quite lifelike and comfortable and much more imaginative.  I start early in October decorating the porch with
festive decorations, witches and pumpkins with candles and lights. 

 The stores start carrying candy a fewmonths prior to capture the sales; candy is not so  cheap any longer to give out.  We live in a highly populated area of young families with many children and it is not unusual to give out over 100 pieces of candy in a few short hours.  

I still get a charge out of their little faces reaching into my Hallmark  witches book that talks,  to pick out their candy selection.  I start buying candy several weeks in advance to “stock” up  for the crowd.  My children are now grown up and go to their adult parties and still dress up.

I will forever hold on to the memories of celebrating Halloween with my dad; every year they come rushing back to me and still bring a smile to my face when I remember them.  They were innocent and uncomplicated years  to grow up in as compared to today. So let’s hope the weather holds out this year;my camera is ready and so is my decorated  porch and the Hallmark box is ready and full.  

May you all have a Happy   and Safe Halloween this year.

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

"Just a contract" 'Chester "Unc" Lau'

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

 talks  about  how the government needs to
stay out of our personal business...

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu & giving the politicians a bad time...

Just a  contract    

In a democracy, government has no right or business in the personal marriage business. Marriage is personal. All that should be required is a legal written contract.

Government should recognize, concur and help enforce the legal contracts regarding property rights, etc. Lawyers will enforce wills or trusts, so we need only lawyers, not government or any third parties. A legal written contract between lovers would suffice.

If I decided to marry a monkey and leave all my worldly goods to him or her, that’s my business, not a church’s or the government’s.


A new law on same-sex marriage passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor shouldn't be needed. It’s none of their business.

http://www.midweek.com/letter-to-the-editor-10213/

Editors note, the above was published in Oahu Midweek on 10-02-13, the unedited version appears below. Which one do you like better?

Freedom to Love is no business of Government or religious entities

In a Democracy,government have No right or business in the personal Marriage business,marriage is personal between lovers,be it same sex , man & animal or any  entities, a legal written contract by attorneys should suffice between lovers . 

 Government  should  recognize , concur  & help enforce the legal contracts . the  responsibilities are in the contract , mostly for human & property rights before , after death or divorces. 

We don't need government to do anything,the lawyers will enforce the wills or trusts,so we need only lawyers,not any two cents by government or any third parties ,.a legal written contract between lovers would suffice...

If I decided to marry a monkey & leave all  my worldly goods to him or her,that' my business ,not the church or government's .

I am surprise why lawyers have not taken up this subject of  marriage ,they can profit instead of the church or the  state .

No public vote needed on same sex marriage ,it's none of their business. 

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

"As America Melts Down..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James "Kimo" Rosen along with Obama Da Dog
and President Obama's sister, Maya,
talk story about the recent government shutdown...

As America Melts Down

How can America ever dream of world peace when  our politicians are out to destroy each other and America. Our enemies must be delighted as they watch America meltdown.

The GOP may have their differences but need to realize that appealing affordable health care for the 42nd time and not having their way is not reason enough to penalize innocent Americans.

Congress will still get their paychecks during the government shutdown,  however the average American struggling  to pay basic living expenses are the ones who will suffer.

The Tea party made a pledge to make Obama fail no matter what, even if it bankrupts your  friends, family and neighbors.

The blatant disrespect the GOP has for President Obama is not warranted with rational thought, it is only warranted through racism and hate.

Martin Luther King may had a dream, but President Obama and  many Americans are now living a nightmare.

P.S.
I had a Letter to the editor published in the 10-03-13 edition of the  Honolulu Staradvertiser; I am copying and pasting the whole letter since it was published on a site with a pay-wall.

Shutdown driven by hate for Obama
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser | 2013-10-03 | USA | Page: 12)

How can America ever dream of world peace when our politicians are out to destroy each other and America? Our enemies must be delighted as they watch America melt down.

GOP members may have their differences, but need to realize that attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act for the 42nd time and not getting their way is not reason enough to penalize innocent Americans.

Congress will still get their paychecks during the government shutdown. However, the average American struggling to pay basic living expenses is the ones who will suffer.

The tea party made a pledge to make President Barack Obama fail no matter what, even if it bankrupts your friends,family and neighbors. The blatant disrespect the GOP has for Obama is not warranted by rational thought. It is only warranted by racism and hate.

Martin Luther King Jr. may have had a dream, but Obama and many Americans are now living a nightmare.

James "Kimo" Rosen
Kapaa, Kauai

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

"Peace & Love..." 'Bettejo Dux'

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 the  true meaning of LOVE...Enjoy!

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

Peace & Love

Once again, I think, peace and loves are one of those inseparable benevolent duos. Like love and truth, they go hand-in-hand. It’s wonderful to read that voices within the religious community are being raised for peace. War is not the answer is a cry the Quakers, my dear friends, have been hosting for years. Thank you guys.

I think most of us devout non-believers have been rooting for peace for years. We do not pray. We attempt to cajole, convince, reason our way to a peaceful solution to humankind’s considerable problems. The only question I would ask is: why just one day? Why not try, maybe, once a month? Saturday’s are good.

Instead of churches, temples, mosques and synagogues, why not parking lots at the mall? Or neighborhood centers or parks? On this holy of holiest Jewish days, rules could be broken. Stars of David banners artistically combined with Picasso’s  dove of peace could be silently passed out to strangers. Now that would be a day of atonement.

You know what? You could even have a table where Christians and Jews and Muslims could stand together holding hands and praying together.

Kids could have lemonade stands for peace. Others could sell cookies or t-shirts or baseball caps or bumper stickers. Veterans for peace could hand out petitions. Old-fashioned soapbox hooters could hoot for peace.

Peaceniks could sing folk songs. Darling girls in peace patterned bikinis could wander through the crowds tossing flowers. Peaceful aromatic hot dogs could be vended. Little kids could chase around on scooters lisping, ‘Peace in our time’.

Overhead small planes could drop leaflets. Skywriters could write PEACE in the sky ‘til the cows came home. Flocks of doves could be set free to wing and flutter and swoop down for handfuls of scattered birdseed . White doves on the grass. At last.

Films on the subject could be shown. Lectures could be offered as to why it’s better to spend money on peaceful efforts than it is to blow guys and gals and little kids and seniors and innocents to smithereens.

The party could go on all night.

Hey, there’s money in this. And what won’t guys do for money?

On military bases, peace advocates could come out of the closet. Peacefully. Joyfully. Maybe, if they’re allowed to carry guns, these could be tossed in nets and swung from trees and posts with white dove origami dangling down.

At sea, sailors-crew and officers and captains-men and women too-could strip down to their skivvies and swim three times-race around-their warships.  Challenge the more belligerent to a peaceful dunking contest.

This could be such a successful human experience we’d want to do it more often.  Peace parties, world round, would be the rage. An American innovation. Wow. We’d really have something to ‘sell’ to he world. Peaceful capitalism at its best.

And if the nasty old warmongers don’t like it, they can stay home.

I want a franchise. Peace popcorn anyone?

P.S.
The TV Show, "The View requested "BED-HEAD" photos for their wall that is their new backdrop. I sent a photo of myself in and it appeared on national TV today. You can see me immediately right of the TV-14 graphic. Not a great photo, but dats me! ;D)

Bed Head is what you look like when you first get out of bed in the morning, no make-up, hair not combed, teeth not brushed, no coffee, at least that's my interpretation...

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

"True Friends..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

This blog is dedicated to my dear friend John Rogers. this  blog is all about his recent visit
to the Cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i. That's John on the left and yours truly on the right.
This blog also ran as my column the Garden Island News on 10-07-13
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/always-treasure-life-s-true-friends/article_b7584a82-2fa0-11e3-ba43-001a4bcf887a.html

Enjoy!

True Friends

My  father always told me, "your lucky if you can go through life and count your true and loyal friends on one hand."

This past week I received a blast from the past, a friend I haven't seen in  approximately 30 plus years besides  on  a brief layover flight  10 years ago.   He  traveled from L.A. to  Mau'i for the honor of  being the best man at a friends wedding. He was on a whirlwind  vacation consisting of 4 days, with two days totally dedicated to the wedding, rehearsal , rehearsal dinner, the wedding and reception.

He called and said he was coming to Kaua'i for 5 hours. He had to change planes in Honolulu with a 2 hour layover for a flight Kaua'i bound.   I am thinking to myself, why is he doing this for only  5 hours? Would I do the same?

He was scheduled to come in at 1:10, however he did not arrive until 1:35. He finally arrives and the first thing he says is, he needs to be back to the airport to catch a 5:00 o'clock flight back-- which means we'd have to back at 4:00 P.M. That would enable  me enough time to present him with a home made braided  Ti-leaf lei, drive to Costco and  order a deluxe pizza, talk story, then drive him back to the airport.

I did a little Google research before he arrived and found a later flight out. I  advised my friend  to change his flight. There was a flight that departs at 8:44 P.M. This way I could at least show him some of the awesome Cosmic Garden island, I call home.   After much hoopla and talking to Hawai'ian airlines reps in the Philippine's he was able to change his flight to the later  time with a $55.00 penalty fee. 

My friend went with it, he didn't fight the extra charge. He smiled and went with the flow of who cares, it's only money. 

We now had time to go back to my place, collect  my bike , my spare bike, my dog 'Obama'  and cruise the  awesome Kapa'a -Kealia leg of the Pedestrian trail.  My buddy had not been on a bike for years and said it was one of the best days ever for him.

We capped off our day with an Awesome burger and fries at my favorite Kapa'a restaurant, Burger King, the best burger franchise on the Island.The manager made our burgers special to order, double toasted with extra tomatoes, onions and  mayo on the side, delivered  to our tables with  aloha and  the biggest smile I ever saw.

We only had  6 hours to recap 30 years.  We did  it right. We talked about our ailments,  relationships, kids and how time really does fly. We talked about small things, but it is the small things that seem to matter in the long run.

My  friend John is definitely one of the  true and loyal friends I can count on one hand. He spent approximately  $500.00 to come see me  for 6 hours.

A visit from the past, like talking and being with someone from beyond, true friends are a treasure. I am honored and privileged to have such a  true friend!


Although not a trip you could book through a travel agent, this was a trip that only two  true friends could appreciate, Costco deluxe Pizza, a bike ride with Obama Da dog and Whoppers-- life doesn't get much better.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/always-treasure-life-s-true-friends/article_b7584a82-2fa0-11e3-ba43-001a4bcf887a.html

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

"Job Security...." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead  lives in Amherst, N.Y. and has
worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for
over 30 years... Enjoy!

JOB SECURITY

A THING OF THE PAST It has been many years now that the population has felt secure in their jobs; it used to be that if you worked hard, were a valuable employee and gave your best years to a company, they would feel obligated to KEEP you on as an employee and provide for your retirement. Today...not so much.

 The way our economy and employers are these days with taking on cost effective measures and doing more with less, it has become an employers market. There are so many out of work these days that many employers have their choice of the pickings and can pay less with less benefits for more work.

 Many of my friends have lost positions they held for many years only to be replaced with the younger and cheaper help. I don't know if times will ever revert back to the good ole days...but some things just don't get better with technology, they get worse.

 What used to be looked upon as valuable traits in an employee and no longer the case. Wise up employers!!! Less is not always better....

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

Don't forget to watch 'Breaking Bad' series finale, Tonight!

"Premature Decorations..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Wow, these oranges are great, and they don't even say
Sunkist on them... Christmas comes earlier each year... Enjoy!

Premature Decorations

The one thing that always  flabbergasts me is all the Christmas decorations and gifts being displayed for purchase in September. Right after Labor day, my favorite store--Costco and many  others-- go into Christmas mode. Call it commercialism, call it capitalism. I like to call it "Premature Decorations," a  condition consisting of  visions of green paper money along with plastic debit and credit cards "dancing in our head...".

Christmas is definitely coming  earlier and earlier each year. This really is not a bad thing, since it would be wonderful if people were as generous for longer intervals than just one day a year.

Black Friday is routinely the busiest retail shopping day of the year. Black Friday originated in Philadelphia back around 1975, which originally was used to describe the traffic mayhem that occurred the day after Thanksgiving. Black Friday actually indicates the point at which retailers begin to turn a profit, hence the term “in the black...”

Black is also the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people look thinner. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Black can also indicate evil, so look out all you Black Friday shoppers.

I would like to propose the following colors to represent the remaining days of  the week--every week for a full year commencing with Black Friday. 

White Saturday. Brides wear white. White goes with everything and don’t forget that doctors, and other medical professionals, along with chefs, wear white. White Saturday would be the day you go to your psychiatrist wondering why you ate so much on Thursday and spent your life savings on Black Friday. A day so designated to seeing medical professionals wearing white.

Red Sunday. Red is the color of love. Red is also the most emotional color, it stimulates a faster heartbeat. Red clothing makes one look heavier, red stands out, and is noticed. That’s why many fire engines are painted red. Red attracts attention. 

Blue Monday. Blue is the color of the sky and ocean. Blue is tranquil, causing the body to produce calming chemicals. They say to wear blue to a job interview, since blue symbolizes loyalty.  Blue Monday is said to defer one from having the blues which is why everyone shops the Internet on this day--hence Cyber Monday.

Green Tuesday. Green symbolizes nature, and is the most popular decorating color. Green is also the color of money, and without  money  premature decorations would be at a loss. The word is to spend your green.

Finally, we have Yellow Wednesday. People loose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies cry more when left in yellow rooms. Yellow is also an attention-getter.  Yellow Wednesday would be the day that stores try to get our attention once again with big yellow signs that read, ‘Suckers!’

 We may all go bankrupt if Christmas keeps this pace .We would not only say, "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," but  "Merry Christmas and Happy Presidents day," Merry Christmas and Happy Independence day," Merry Christmas and Happy Halloween."  You get the drift.


I'm dreaming of a  white Christmas  may soon become "I'm dreaming of Christmas everyday," even on my favorite Jewish holidays. With that said, "Merry Christmas and Happy Passover to one and all.

May everyone enjoy the season of premature decorations, not be confused with a similar sounding medical condition. Shalom.

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