" Spring Has Sprung... '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

Spring Has Sprung

Far removed from a religious celebration the Spring equinox is an event that happens every year signaling spring in our hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. It's a time when daylight equals nightfall. It's an event  in the sky that's been observed by humans since humankind became observers of the sky. We were farmers, we were sailors, we hunted, we gathered, we lived with nature.

Think of a time when there were no city lights. Imagine how the night sky must have sparkled with stars, and the  sun--sailing overhead in the daylight hours--was worshiped and warm and played a very  important role in  our lives.  Still does. Of great importance to all, at the time of the equinox, it promised a return of nature's fertility. The earths' journey around the sun--although it wasn't expressed that way then-- was there for all to see. In March, all over the northern hemisphere, the sun begins to rise earlier and set later. This event can be measured, predicted, it always occurs, and  everywhere in our hemisphere  it is a time of great rejoicing.

This years in Hawaii, it happens on Saturday, March 19 at 6:30 PM.

For Christians it's called Easter. And in the Jewish faith it's called Passover.

Pagans celebrate it as Ostara named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess, Eostre and it's a celebration of spring. A time for planting and sowing a new crop.

A scientific explanation would go like this, "On the equinoxes the Sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night is nearly equal. The March equinox marks
marks the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from south to north." Fascinating charts, videos, observations all over  the Internet are well worth a watch.

I can remember when communities celebrated with an Easter Parade. An Easter bonnet, "...with all the frills upon it..."  were the rage. One  dressed up in Easter finery to attend church or go out to lunch or dinner to show-off.

Today, take a trip to the Mall and fill your sights  and senses with candy, eggs,  Easter bunnies and baskets. Ever wonder what that was all about?  Eggs are a very powerful symbol of fertility, and spring is a season when animals mate and flowers bloom. It's a time of renewal.  Want to talk about rabbits? Many rabbits are nocturnal but in spring mating season  they show up in the daytime. Did you know a doe can conceive a second liter while still pregnant with the first?  And sometimes, when there are too many bucks and not enough does,  the bucks go nuts and bounce around like ping-pong balls. March Hares go Mad.

I was always a  confused, as a little kid, as to how rabbits ended up laying eggs. Does anyone know the answer to that?

Also, of course, it's a wonderful excuse to spend money.

Whatever you do, enjoy.  Enjoy. Smell the flowers. Smile a lot.

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

P.S.
For further reading  on this subject read "Dairy on a ferry."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2014/04/dairy-on-ferry-james-kimo-rosen.html

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
Video-#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qq10y8OAg
Video #5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nbDn6dyOAc
Newest video #6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsbZSzIQtHA

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 James "Kimo" Rosen

"More Taxes" 'Glenn Mickens' (Special to dakinetalk)

Glenn Mickens has lived on Kauai  with his wife Ruth for the last 26 years. Born July 26, 1930 in Wilmar, California, USA) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in four games (two of which were starts) for the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. He also played for five years in Japan, from 1959 until 1963 for the Kintetsu Buffaloes. There, he compiled a record of 45–53 with a 2.54 ERA.  Glenn also  served in the Army for 2 years and coached baseball at UCLA for 25 years. 
Last but not least Glenn would really like to see Kauai give the county manager style of Government a chance.

Mr. Mickens is locally known
as one of Kauai county's
political watchdogs
and Nitpickers...
Mahalos Glenn!

More Taxes
"People working 2 and 3 jobs cannot afford more taxes..."

How much more blood money does Kaua'i county council person JoAnn Yukimura or any supporter of these tax increases think they can get out of people who are working 2 and 3 jobs just to survive? 

Communications 2016-59, 2016-60, and 2016-61 all proposed by council member Yukimura plus bills 2620, 2621, and 2622 requesting more fuel tax, more excise tax, and more weight tax are totally unacceptable to the already overtaxed citizens of Kauai. 

And, as the pragmatic members of this council have pointed out, these proposed tax increase are regressive and hurt our lowest class of people the hardest. People with money could care less if fuel tax goes to $2 per gallon as they can afford it. But the contractors or workers who use their vehicles for a livelihood will either pass the added cost along to their customers or bury themselves in more debt.

Where will the money come from to fix and repave our terrible roads and solve our traffic problems? Citizens including myself have offered solutions but no one seems to be listening. 

We go after the waste in our system by hiring an experienced County Manager who has gone through this before. By the administrations own numbers we take in over $10 million a year in fuel and weight taxes that should be going to road maintenance . But since we are only spending $1.5 to $2.5 million a year for our roads it means that 80% of these funds are being used for non designated purposes. This is only a fraction of the waste that permeates the way our government is being run. 

If we hire a manager and eliminate the waste and the wasteful practices going on, we will have sufficient funds to keep from raising taxes--or better yet, lower them!

Again, you members should get the Mayor and his department heads in here and let them show you what, if anything, has been done to address the measures that Ernie Pasion's audits have uncovered. 
We spent a lot of tax payers money to get the fine work that Ernie did so why are we not using it ?

In my testimony last week I expanded more on these issues and I urge all of you to please carefully read it again. And as I said before, if you have any disagreements about what I say, please have the courtesy to tell me what it is. 

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---

P.S.
Check out this Fun YouTube of Bernie Sanders and Katie Couric;
"Bernie Has Chutzpah!"  ;-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heE143betU8

P.S.S.
Check out Glenn's Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Mickens

With all the stress of the world, don't forget to
watch the sunrise or sunset, it's free! 

Above photo-"Sleeping Giant mountain

one hour before Sunset."

Photo, James "Kimo" Rosen

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

A special diet where everyone will lose weight..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #117)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Obama Da Dog!

Kimo's world #118

A special diet where everyone will lose weight

"Once you have to start counting calories, it takes away from the joy of eating." Mireille Guiliano

This might just work!  ;-)

There are so many diets  for losing  weight out there. There's weight watchers, Pritikin, Nutri-system, Atkins and thousands of others from the grapefruit diet to the no carb, all protein. There's even a new diet that says you must eat fat to burn fat--and even adding butter in your morning Joe. 

Many of us are on the Facebook diet where we post everything we eat. Although no proof you will lose weight on Facebook!

Us humans love food and find it hard to give up pizza, cheeseburgers, chicken wings and  all sorts of comfort foods such as mac and cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy---you get my drift.

I just invented the world best diet, it's called "Eat Less ,Weigh less."
So easy, start by eating 1/3 less portions of whatever you normally eat, then eventually 50% less.

Eating less along with long walks with a dog, or without. It's much  more fun with a dog. 

I am not going to charge for my diet, the rules are simple, eat what you want, just eat less!

It's like the old joke, I'm a sea food diet, I 
see food and I eat it! (Just less) 

This  truly is a see food diet!

See you next week for our first weigh in!

P.S.
Check out this heartfelt YouTube video on a blind man.
 This video has been circulating around social media for a few years, but still gives me chicken skin and tears to my eyes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNhYbJbqg-Y

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

"Sick of Presidential candidates bickering..." '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

Sick of Presidential candidates bickering

Is anyone out there sick of seeing the bickering and put downs between candidates?

 This year it seems you can't even put on the TV without updates of he said, she said. Instead of making an effort to dig up dirt on each other and focusing on what's wrong, how about coming up with some ideas about what you propose to do to make this country "Great Again".

Has anyone really asked the candidates why they want to be President? Some seem to want the glory and some just want to gain another notch on their belt.

 Gone are the days of Abe Lincoln who tried to  made great strides back in the day.

What are your real plans to improve our lives, in the country of  the free and home of the brave? 

Do we have to constantly listen to all this rhetoric until the Fall? Ugh.  I'm not impressed with the choices thus far...

"Judy, Judy, Judy!"

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

"Trump supporters must come out of the closet..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Special political edition of Kimo's world #117)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Obama Da Dog!

 Special political edition of Kimo's world #117

This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the 03-10-16 edition
of The Kaua'i Garden Island News;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/trump-supporters-must-come-out-of-the-closet/article_ca4239eb-917e-560d-94d8-c07d0eeebe7b.html

Trump supporters must come out of the closet!

I am an Independent, not a Republican or Democrat. I voted for Obama two times and named my dog after him, with that said;

How is it Donald Trump is ahead in nearly every political poll and state primary--yet everyone seems to only talk dirt on him?

Trump supporters are like gays were 20 years ago with a don't ask don't tell mentality. Trump supporters are afraid to admit they like Trump as gays were afraid to come out of closet in fear of peer and family rejection.I find many liberals being the most intolerant of those with opinions other than what they believe. People will unfriend you on Facebook or unfriend you in real life because you may like Trump.

I believe Trump is the most  misunderstood candidate that ever ran for President. Mr. Trump goes for the sound bites. He is  the ultimate branding and marketing expert. The old expression, any publicity ,even negativity publicity is good publicity. Trump has dominated every news and talk show in America the last eight months, even during political debates everything is about Trump.

The media can't let go, Trump is a ratings magnet, every one wants him on their show.

Many laugh it off, like the size of his hands, or appealing to the poorly educated, but let it be known, these are all well calculated moves to remain in the spotlight of social media and all media at large.

I watched every season and episode of Trump's reality show 'The Celebrity Apprentice' and the 'Apprentice' hosted by Trump. I not only gained a high respect for his philanthropy skills but his business sense. His children are all successful and decent human beings too.

America is disgusted with the hypocrisy of Washington, Wall street and lobbyists controlling the candidate.
Trump has financed his own campaigns and owes nobody nothing.  Many American's are angry and  don't trust  Washington and politics as is.They feel politicians are manufactured and  are willing to take a chance on  political outsider Trump.

I am willing to vote for a guy whose not a politician but a successful businessman. I believe Trump may have his prejudices but whom amongst us doesn't? Whom amongst us hasn't sinned? People in glass houses should not throw stones...

Most important I believe Trump will bring manufacturing back to America which will create millions of jobs and help to make America great again.

   OK folks, I am out of the closet,  who is man or woman enough to join me! Who is going to join the Trump train.  Woot woot,All aboard!

P.S.
Check out this heartfelt YouTube video on a blind man.
 This video has been circulating around social media for a few years, but still gives me chicken skin and tears to my eyes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNhYbJbqg-Y

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

"Milk And Money..." '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

Editors note;
Kauai County has approved building permits for a proposed dairy farm in Mahaulepu funded by Pierre Omidyar, eBay founder and Hawaii’s wealthiest resident.
http://www.civilbeat.com/2014/11/kauai-oks-building-permits-for-dairy-farm-backed-by-ebay-founder-omidyar/

Why so many of us object to 
a milk factory in Poipu, Kaua'i?

...“Factory farm pollution turns drinking water – a basic substance we need to survive – into a silent killer,” said Elisabeth Holmes, staff attorney at the Center for Food Safety. “These industrial operations pollute our air and water under the guise of agriculture....  lawsuits will help  safeguard public health and the environment.”

“Congress gave citizens the right to act to protect themselves when  regulatory agencies fail to do so,” said an  attorney in court on the mainland. “Citizens have no option but to act when their families’ health is at stake.”

“Unlawful dumping of manure at industrial dairies hurts the environment, the community, and our food supply,” said Jessica Culpepper, staff attorney at Public Justice. “When these same factories do not report their toxic air emissions, the public is endangered and left in the dark and we are standing up on behalf of those harmed to change that.”

"Fast Food, Fat Profits highlights what is arguably one of the most disturbing health trends of the 21st century – the fact that today’s generation may be the first to live a shorter lifespan than their parents, and this is a direct result of too much cheap (nutrient-deficient and toxin-laden) food. Avoiding processed food requires a change in mindset, which is not always an easy task. It CAN be done, however. Rather than looking at processed foods as a convenience that tastes good or saves money, try thinking of it as:

Extra calories that harm your body
A toxic concoction of foreign chemicals and artificial flavors that will lead to disease
A waste of money
Likely to lead to increased health care bills for you and your family."

Do you eat to fill your belly? Or do you eat to nourish your body?

Do you understand the relationship between ingesting nourishing food and good health?

How much green pasture  does a  healthy grazing milk cow need?  A general rule of thumb for grown cows is about 2 animals per five acres."

Factor in the stench--cow poo is not perfume--which is  wafted in the wind. So, if you live close to this  ill-conceived and badly maintained and managed milk factory--2ooo cows on five hundred acres which produces a nasty liquid for profit not for nourishment-- a  gas mask when the wind blows wrong might come in handy.

Now factor in flies. Flies are unpleasant. Under the best of circumstances. They are not the healthiest of neighbors and they, too, are wind-borne. Think of them as tiny living drones that carry disease and discomfort.  You'd complain if a neighbor's yard was so filthy it grew flies on an open garbage dump. In this instance a caring  Health Department would involve itself. Sadly, however, we cannot know what it'd do for milk factory  flies on Kauai.

Most likely it'd decide they were good flies...

...which, unlike feral cats,  crowing roosters, and barking dogs, should not be diminished, destroyed, or defamed.

Fast profits? Just say 'no'.

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

P.S.
For further reading  on this subject read "Dairy on a ferry."
http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2014/04/dairy-on-ferry-james-kimo-rosen.html

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
Video-#4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12qq10y8OAg
Video #5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nbDn6dyOAc
Newest video #6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsbZSzIQtHA

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 James "Kimo" Rosen

"A seniors day day at the pharmacy..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau" (Source)

Dakinetalk's favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

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

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

He is a retired cinematographer,

 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

A seniors day day at the pharmacy 

The other day I went to a nearby Pharmacy.When I got there, I went straight to the back of the Store to where the             Pharmacists' Counter is located.

 I took out my little brown bottle along with a teaspoon and laid them both onto the counter.

 The Pharmacist came over smiled and asked if he could help me.

 I said, "Yes! Could you please taste this for me?"

 Being I'm a Senior Citizen...I guess the Pharmacist just went along with me.

 He picked up the spoon and put a tiny bit of the liquid on his tongue and swilled it around.

 Then with a stomach-churning look on his face he spit it out on the floor and began coughing.

When he finally was finished, I looked him right in the eye asked, "Now, does that taste sweet to you?"

 The Pharmacist, shaking his head back and forth with a venomous look in
 his eyes yelled, "HELL NO!!!"

 So I said, "Oh thank God!
 That's such a relief! My Doctor told me to get a Pharmacist to test my urine for sugar!"

 Well, I can never go back to that Pharmacy, but I really don't care though, because they aren't very friendly there anyway!!!

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