"Growing old gracefully..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspirational Monday's)

Inspiration Monday's are back with guest blogger Judy Whitehead, this blog is about, growing old gracefully. To a long and healthy life.... Below, author and guest blogger Judith Whitehead poses for the camera  with her 92 year old father, Burt Meyers. Enjoy..

Growing old gracefully, a term we hear more often these days when our families are living to a very ripe older age. Today our parents, through the help of technology and healthy living are quickly approaching the triple digits. It is all of our wishes to grow old gracefully but it doesn't happen all that easily for many.

My own father was and is still for the most part, healthy as a horse, but is growing older in front of my eyes. Living a very active and full life up until a few years ago when health reasons nudged him into a community senior living arrangement, he seemed to enjoy life for the most part. He would go about his day, driving to his favorite coffee spots, visiting friends in the area and playing an occasional golf game. That was when he was
independently living, driving and taking care of all his own needs. All it can take is one event to change a persons’ life forever. Take away a seniors’ driving privileges, and total independence, as they try to adjust to a new way of life, can be the hardest challenge of their lives they will ever have to face. One day just rolls into the next, day and night repeat themselves month after month and pretty soon it’s hard to tell even what day it is.

There is less and less to talk to people about after seeing and eating with the same people every day. The most disturbing part of living with others in the same age group, that would be 80 to 90 year olds, is that one never knows when they will meet their maker.

Friendships are formed only to be broken soon after, when friends and acquaintances pass away. Still, senior community residences play a very important part for many families ; if seniors are unable to live alone and need a safe place to live, others will look out for them. The pressure of keeping up a home with all its necessities is a relief not to worry about any longer.

As my dad approaches 92 years old, I can see even more clearly now, how important it is to do all of those things you want to, and try and accomplish your goals during those years when you are able. I can not believe that I am in “middle age” already although they now say that the 50’s are the new 40’s. These recent years are like a dream so I can only imagine what they have been like for my own father. My dad has been a man of simple needs, valuing self worth that has brought him satisfaction. He and my mothers’ life had been full of wonderful times to remember and cherish; they were able to travel and enjoy their lives to the fullest. Each day I see my dad reminds me of how life moves along year by year at such speed. We spend all week looking forward and focusing on the weekend instead of making the most out of each day.

I am amazed at how old our seniors are becoming these days. The ailing ones tell me not to get old; they are not impressed with the Golden Years. It makes it all the more important to me to set goals and try and live by them; live our lives with meaning each day. Our future generations are going to live a lot longer than we are, with the way we are focusing on health prevention; all the more reason to enjoy our lives to the very fullest so

we can look back as my dad can and say he did it all. As long as we have our health, we have the power inside of each of us to pursue our goals; all we need is determination and focus.

"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be..." A poem that Judy's parents lived by. Below her mom and dad enjoying each other's  company reading the daily newspaper in their favorite spot.

"Don't worry, be Happy, True Heroes, Woman do it for the right reasons, The Naked Moll...." James "Kimo" Rosen (Serious Sundays)

Welcome to 'Serious Sunday's,' similar to your Sunday newspaper being bigger and fuller than the rest of the week, Serious Sunday's acts in much the same giving you more for your buck with multiple posts every Sunday on dakinetalk! (Blogs #362-#363-#364-#365)

 This blog is about the necessity to support the things you enjoy, if you can afford to.. "Don't worry be happy...".Blog #362

The recent news of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser charging for an online premium version is something we should all heed support of if we are able. If we are not able, I believe there will be a free online version also, just not as much content. http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20110724_Star_Advertiser_to_charge_for_premium_online_content.html

I live on Kaua'i and the Kaua'i Garden Island News ( http://www.kauaiworld.com/ ) (an excellent periodical) has a paid 'e' subscription that shows the entire paper. The free online version has headlines and 'Letters to editor.' If you have the money support your local periodicals before they became a thing of the past, in the mean time you will still be getting something for nothing if that's your choice.

Don't worry be happy, at least Honolulu still has a daily newspaper,for those reading this outside of Hawaii the same applies to whatever periodical you read frequently, support them, for soon they will be gone as everything else in these recessed times

Please remember to support your hometown newspapers if you are financially able. Newspaper are becoming fewer and farther removed and before long we may be only getting our news from blogs and bloggers like me, yikes!  :D)

''Obama Da Dog' is back blogging about true heroes..."True Heroes..." Blog #363

My parents pictured above never ran for public office, but the world would had been a better place if they had...
Politicians love to see there names in print, they are narcissists, they think their poop not stink dakine...

Humble, good citizens don't have thick enough skin to run for office, it's a dog eat dog profession.

True heroes will never be elected, since they are a different character, a good character, an honest character, that is hardly never found in career politician.

"Woman do it for the right reason..."‏ Blog #364

They say men who run for public office do it because they want to be somebody and be known. Woman who run for public office want to make change and do something. They say this is the reason why woman politicians don't get involved in sex scandals as do their male counterparts. Woman actually want to accomplish a goal, men just enjoy the high profile and ego. This is from 'Rutgers research.'


Next election, vote for all woman if you want something to actually be accomplished, otherwise we can keep whining about weiners and be bombarded with scandal after scandal...

 Last but not least a Motivational Message Blog from My Brother-in-Law 'Marvin Gross,' the financial planner from Western New York... " The Naked Moll," Blog #365

This little animal is called the Naked Mole Rat and is from North Africa.

So if you are having a bad day and feeling sorry for yourself, remember: It could be worse, you could look like an old penis with buck teeth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX94UtcRu14

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naked_mole_rat
Please share this blog on your favorite social networking sites, forward it to friends and family and talk about at the water cooler!

"Don't base a book by it's cover..." 'Obama Da dog' (Shabbat Saturdays)

'Obama Da Dog' is back with another one of her Internet favorites....

Shabbat Saturday's is about taking the day off and reflecting, enjoy this inspirational blog and enjoy the day of rest...

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold December morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that a thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work..

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.  A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar  a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.  A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tugged him along, but the child stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

 In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

 No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of  the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth over 3.5million dollars. Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats averaged $100.

 This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

 One of the possible conclusions from this experience could  be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one o the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?
Check it out on Wikipedia, it's a true story! All I can say is, "Don't base a book by it's cover..."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Bell

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" Doctors and Patients..." 'Michael A. Herr' (Aloha Friday-5)

 Michael Herr is back as our guest blogger for this Aloha Friday. Michael's blogs seem to get better each week even though many sick people don't... If you enjoy reading entertaining and exciting fiction check out Michael's website at: http://www.michaelherr.com/  

ALOHA FRIDAY-5
It's Aloha Friday and I'm back again.

Doctors and patients. Old Joke: Know why they're called patients? Because you need a lot of patience waiting to see your doctor. Other Old Joke: Old doctors never die, they just lose their patients.

How many doctors have you had in your lifetime so far? I've had a bunch. There was my family doctor when I was a kid. That was so long ago that he made housecalls. I vividly remember his nurse. She gave me a shot in the arm once, and bent the needle — didn't break it, just bent it to a right angle.

Once I was an adult there was the doctor that both my father and I saw. He's the doctor that, I believe, misdiagnosed my father. Missed seeing the cancer. I dropped him and was pleased when he retired soon after.

Later on I was assigned to a woman doctor in Martinez, CA. Every time I went to see her she told me I needed to lose weight, which I already knew. Being very polite, I never pointed out to her that she was as wide as she was tall. Or maybe I was afraid to comment, since the first time I saw her I was naked except for one of those marvelous hospital no-close-in-the-back gowns . . . and she told me to lay on my side, back to her, and pull my knees up to my chest. Then . . . well, you know what happens when they pull on those rubber gloves and get out that sticky jelly.

Gave up on that doctor but found another. Pretty good this time. He was somewhat sardonic but quite capable. We discussed stuff. He listened. He advised but didn’t fly off the handle if I didn't follow his advice. He retired and I had to ask Kaiser to give me a new doctor. Haven’t even seen him yet, but he at least  responds to emails.

Then there are the specialists. I've outlasted two dermatologists. That does not include the very special specialist dermatologist who cut out the cancer on my upper lip . . . while sparing my mustache. I really appreciated her.

Ophthalmologists? I've had four. One who did not tell me to "come in right away if your vision changes at all". That lack of advice cost me about 60% of the vision in my left eye. At least she sent me to another ophthalmologist. One who knew how to use a laser to repair my detached retina. Then I've had one ophthalmologist who fixed both my cataracts, and another who fixed my second detached retina. I wonder how come none of them ever mentioned that cataract surgery increases your chances of having a detached retina?

Pharmacists? Well, there was the one who when I told her my wife was having a reaction to two prescribed medications downplayed it as "very rare". I then explained to her that "very rare" was not a synonym for "never". Oh, yes, I immediately stopped having my wife take those two meds, and my wife was fine within a day.

Neurologists? The first one who examined my wife immediately just jumped to Alzheimer's Disease as a diagnosis. She pooh-poohed my suggestions, dismissed it out of hand, that my wife had a special condition called Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. Guess what? That doctor no longer works at our hospital, and the hospital won’t make any comment on her. Our new neurologist? Wonderful, if a little young; wears a bow tie. And now on his recommendation we're going to see a neuro-surgeon to put in a shunt and reduce fluid in my wife's brain. You can bet I'm compiling a list of questions for him.

There's doctors, and there's patients. And the best advice I can give those of you who are patients is — don't put your complete trust in your doctors. Patiently explore all your options. Check things out on the Internet. Ask others who have had similar experiences. Second and third opinions are worth every penny. Mahalo

I just finished Michael's first murder mystery, " The Bones of Kuhina Nui," that took place on the Big Island of Hawaii, I could not put the book down once I started reading. Check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/   You can purchase all 6 books for only $18.00 including postage and handling!

 Some added comic relief....

 A doctor gave a man six months to live.
The man couldn't pay his bill, so he gave him another six months.

"A sign in front of a business in Florida..!" 'Marvin Gross' (Facetious Thursday's)

Our guest blogger for this 'Facetious Thursdays' is my brother-in-law 'Marvin Gross,' he is a Financial adviser who lives in the suburbs of Western N.Y.

This sign was prominently displayed in front of a business in Florida and you are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory sign.

However, we are a society which holds Freedom of Speech as perhaps one of our greatest liberties.

And after all, it is only a sign, right?

You may ask: “What kind of business would dare post such a sign?”

Answer: A Funeral Home!

You gotta love it!!!

God Bless AMERICA and keep our Troops Safe and brig them home already...

Feel free to post this blog on your favorite social networking site, and if so inclined send us a submission to be a guest blogger at jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows you may go viral!

" My true condolences..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Not so Harmonic Wednesday)

My best friend is back as guest blogger echoing my true feelings  on war. Please enjoy Obama's blog.

This weeks Harmonic Wednesday is not so Harmonic but needs to be heard and seen! This blog also ran as opinion articles in both the Kaua'i Garden Island news and The Honolulu Star-Advertiser...

Almost every-night on the news there are reports of another Hawai'i based soldier killed in one of the two useless wars the United states is involved in.

My heart goes out to the families of these brave men and woman, my true condolences.

It's time to end these useless wars, it's time the news media photograph our young men and woman coming home in body bags and showing that on the evening news as they did during the Vietnam era.

When people see the visuals of body bags on a daily basis the horror of war will start to penetrate through the hearts and souls of every American, protests and demonstrations against the war will commence only then giving peace a chance.

This same blog ran in the Kaua'i Garden island news editorial section on; 07-23-11
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_fe80cc52-b506-11e0-89e3-001cc4c03286.html 
and in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on 07-24-11
http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorials/letters/20110724_Letters_to_the_Editor.html

Bonus, since many of you read this blog as my opinion article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, enclosed is something to hopefully make you laugh!  "At Last, a Cell Phone for Seniors!"

I know some of you are not old enough to get this, but you can pass it on to some old person who needs a laugh today!!!

If you enjoy Dakinetalk please forward to friends, post on your favorite social networking site and print it out and give it to people at your local mall!   :D)

"Homosexuality, an abomination‏?" 'Chester Lau' (Cosmic Tuesday)

This blog was sent to us by our good friend, retired cinematographer from Honolulu, 'Chester Lau'   and  felt it was a good subject for  'Cosmic Tuesdays.'

Dakinetalk is an equal opportunity blog site. We like to hear all sides of stories and do not necessarily agree with all our guest bloggers but provide the avenue for alternative thoughts...

In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, penned by a US resident, which was posted on the Internet. It's funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination ... End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.;
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fans.  

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"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -- Mahatma Gandhi