"Much to be thankful for..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in
the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.
Happy Thanksgivekkah!

Much to be thankful for

This year we will once again gather with good friends and family to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving and also Chanukah which hardly ever happens on the same day; it won't happen  again for more than 90 years from now.  

We will greatly miss sharing our holiday thoughts and prayers with our dear mother and mother-in law that have since passed away.  Having just returned from California to lay my mother in law to rest, we feel the emptiness more than ever this year.  We are more than thankful for this holiday to share with the people that mean the most to us and want to wish everyone a happy healthy holiday season; we have much to be thankful for.

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

"Time for a "Chow" Break..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

 

Rainbows are a common delightful site in Hawai'i, while the UH Rainbow Warriors
aren't quite as delightful...

Editors note, UH lost another one today (11-23-13) to Wyoming,
56-59. This team just cannot win, no matter how many points they score. It really is time for
the coach to step down or be fired.
Read all about the latest game on Hawai'i news Now;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/24053247/uh-falls-to-wyoming-in-ot-59-56

Rainbow Warrior Football and Time for a "Chow" Break

Hawai'i doesn't  have a professional football team, therefore  the state makes use of it's college team for the  enjoyment of watching football.

Tickets are expensive and if you want to watch on TV, Time Warner cable charges an overwhelming amount of  
 $75.00 to watch  home games .

A coach is the key ingredient for a winning team. When you examine the NFL teams with  great coaches, they  win most their games, just as business'es with great managers and CEO's make money.

The Rainbow Warrior football team at the time of this writing are 0-11.
Coach Norm Chow is a gentleman and  nice guy, however  as the expression goes, 'Nice guys finish last." It's time to be fed a winning formula and for  Chow to step down.

The players have been fed their  "Chow,"however the chow they have been fed is not working.  

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

"Potluck, not for me..." Obama Da Dog' (AKA James "Kimo" Rosen)

A simple plate lunch from Panda Express with fried rice chow mein, steak, shrimp
and a fortune cookie for under $8.00 is much better than the food at most potlucks.

Potluck, not for me

I never understood the concept of potluck parties. Everyone attending is suppose to bring a dish to share with whatever  number of people the host  estimates may attend.  Being a single man, if I get invited to a potluck with 15 people, am I suppose to bring enough entree or dessert for 15 people?  

Potlucks are never fare,  there are the lazy and cheap people who bring chips or prepared food and on the other hand you have the people who bring expensive salads and such delectable items like smoked salmon  entrees. Then there are  people who bring nothing to potlucks, they are usually the couples with 5 kids,  what a deal for them. I find it ironic I can buy a delicious plate lunch for under $10.00 at many decent establishments. After-all why should a single person at a potluck be required to bring enough food for 15-20 people?  

Potlucks were originally intended so the host was not out  a lot of money. However I feel they are unhealthy. You do not know the condition where each guest prepared the meals. One guest may have prepared their contribution on a diaper changing table. Someone else may not practice proper Hygiene and someone else may not know to keep the mayonnaise refrigerated, this could easily lead to many guests   contacting a variety of food poisonings.

In my day, when I was a couple and owned a business we had many parties that were always hosted by us. When I attended parties they were hosted by the host. Although not billed as potlucks I always brought something for the host, a bottle of wine, something from the garden or  a nice gourmet dessert.  

I was taught when you have a party you are the provider, not asking guests to be the provider. I know people who sponsor potlucks just so they can live off the leftovers of everyone's labor.labor. Remember that restaurant  food has to pass FDA guidelines to safeguard patrons from diseases such as e.coli, botulism and salmonella.

I would much prefer to buy a fresh plate lunch, at one of the local Chinese, Thai or Korean restaurants and go to the beach with my dog and a friend or two than attend a potluck with food made at who knows where? Restaurants need to pass inspections, there are no inspections for your friend who makes pickled picks feet in his garage.

Potluck sounds like something that a stoner might say if they found someones stash, "Potluck" Foe me potluck is just that, your testing your luck on whether you get food poisoning or don't. My monies on the traditional  plate lunch with FDA approval.

Potluck, some luck, a little luck or no luck, I'll take my chances on no potluck, did I mention I  don't like potlucks? 

Han Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Dance..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux at 83 still strikes a dashing yoga pose.
Bettejo has lived on Kaua'i for over 40 years.
She currently has a regular column in the local newspaper and is the author
of the famous Novella, "The Scam."
www.bettejodux.com

Someone once said, "You don't grow stiff because you grow old, you grow old because you grow stiff." That  makes sense to me.

Just as we're apt to use our brains less-and suffer from dottage, senility and such-so are we apt to use our bodies less. We seem to do lots of couch potatoeing and sitting around in comfy chairs watching the tube or the cars go by. We're  often advised to go to a gym or a spa or take a long walk. Rarely are we advised to find another venue: dance.

We don't have to do a Grand jete-that's a little far out- and many of us over eighty don't look so hot in  pink tutus or purple leotards. I still practice Yoga, but the last time I assumed the plough I had a devil of a time unwinding. There are a lot of Yoga postures I still  do, love to do, but they're far less athletic than they used to was. Besides, unless you've practiced Yoga all your life, you can't possibly be expected to take to the Eagle  in one swell swoop.

I love the Tree and the Lotus and the Child, but what I love better is to dance.

If you're  still on two legs moving, upright-steady as you go and breathing, which is always nice-you can dance. It's one of the most wonderful exercise/pleasures a human being has. You use your entire body, legs, feet, arms, shoulders, hips, neck and head. Your arms can stretch and flutter like a bird. Fingers, hands, wrists moving in symmetry and grace. Your spine can bend, your toes can stretch, your head can bob and tuck and nod. You can move with muscle and sinew and joints to music.-the music of your heart, your mind, the spheres.

You can be Fred Astair or Ginger Rogers or maybe Michael Jackson. Hey, there might even be some modern  rock dandies-there's always Madonna-you can pretend to be. Make it up as you go and, if you croak in the process, it's almost as good as dying with your boots on.

Give yourself space. Give yourself time. Dancing in the aisles of the grocery store is always fun. Everybody loves you and you love them and sometimes others join you. Sometimes the music is delightful. Sometimes challenging.

Whoevers, watching you on the  spy-eye overhead,  pay compliments when you stand in line-still and  sweetly sweating- at the counter. "Boy, can you dance," is not an uncommon remark, even if it's sometimes  bogus.  But heck, I'm sure it's better than keeping a sad and mournful eye on candy-popping shoplifters. And you know, in the privacy of your home, you don't even have to wear clothes? I'm a little reticent to suggest you purchase  fans or pasties,  but the opportunity 's there, if that's your style. Over eighties might wish to avoid  mirrors. And you know what else? It's free.

Come on, ladies-guys, too if you like-dance your way to health, happiness and prosperity.

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

"An Indian, Pilgrim and a Rabbi..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a with his
best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby ...

This blog  also appeared in The Kaua'i  Garden Island news on 11-18-13
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/an-indian-pilgrim-and-a-rabbi/article_fb236f26-4ff3-11e3-85c3-001a4bcf887a.html

An Indian, Pilgrim and a Rabbi

Thanksgiving is my favorite  holiday since it is not a religious holiday but an American holiday most the time.
This year is different and special for Jewish Americans, Thanksgiving falls on the first day of  Chanukah.

Many  including the national media are  calling it "Thanksgivukkah!" Here on Kaua'i I coined the phrase, "Happy Chanumahaloka." For those not familiar with the Hawai'ian language "Mahalo" means thanks, therefore the combination 'Chanu,'  'Mahalo' and 'Ka,' equals a greeting for a wonderful  thankful holiday! Many Jews on Kaua'i just say happy Chanukaua'i.

The Jews follow a lunar calendar. Since the lunar month is approximately 29.5 days, the Jewish month varies, some months are 29 days and some are thirty. This adds up to an average year of 354 days. The fact that the lunar year is eleven days less than the solar year is problematic. 

The convergence has only happened once before, in 1888, and won't be seen again until 2070 and again in 2165, according to calculations by Jonathan Mizrahi, a quantum physicist at the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico. After that, the two holidays aren't set to overlap until 76,695.

The Jews and Indians  were both being religiously persecuted," "both celebrate overcoming a struggle ... and being thankful." Therefore this Thanksgiving will be the most special Thanksgiving.  It will be A day of Thanks and Matzo Balls.

Chanukah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas most years. Many non-Jews  think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and lights.

Chanukah,is also know as the Festival of Lights, The orthodox spell  this holiday Chanukah, the reform spell it Hanukkah.  Either way is acceptable. The orthodox just like  the  "Ch" sound, it just sounds more Jewish that way.

Chanukah celebrates victory from the  Greeks led by the Maccabees in the year 167 B.C. Upon returning to the temple to rededicate the Menorah. The Maccabees found only one small flask of oil, enough to kindle the Menorah for one day. Miraculously, the flask of oil lasted endured eight days, hence the celebration lasts eight days. This is why Chanukah is referred to as the  the Festival of Lights. My mother always said, "the world has it wrong and that the Jews are the ones who should have their homes decorated with lights."

This year a deep fried turkey would be the appropriate way to merge two great holidays. Chanukah tradition is to eat deep fried food in memory of the  lanterns only having enough oil to burn one day,  but lasting eight days. The most traditional food  is a deep fried  potato pancake known as a latke, doughnuts are also popular.

There is also the custom  for the children to play with a  dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. It is used during Chanukah to play  popular children's games. I am thinking of making a dreidel with illustrations of  an Indian, Pilgrim, a Rabbi and a fried turkey  in lieu of Hebrew letters. Meanwhile A 9-year-old boy from New York City invented the "Menurkey" a  turkey-shaped menorah.  

The most wonderfully fun thing about Thanksgiving happening on Chanukah according to comedian Rabbi's is that food has zero calories on this special American-Jewish Holiday.  Enjoy this untroubled tranquil day which comes but  once  in a lifetime, although it would be romantically utopian having Thanksgiving and Chanukah everyday. 

 I have a picture in my head of The pilgrims, Indians and Jews sitting by the menorah feasting on deep fried turkey and Matzo balls while drinking Mogan David wine wishing everyone L'chayim (to Life)

Happy Chanumahaloka, Happy Thanksgivukkah, Happy Chanukaua'i and instead of Amen, let us all say, "Oy vey!"


"As seen in the hard copied edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island news..."

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

"Rest In Peace Among The Angels..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field
of medicine for  almost 35 years. Our condolences go out to Judy's family
on the passing her mother-in-law. (Judy's mother-in-law is pictured above)

Rest In Peace Among The Angels

Today with heavy heart I am preparing to fly out west to lay my sweet mother in law to rest; after 91 years of vivid life she will now join my father in law who pre-deceased her many years ago. 

 She will be well remembered among her friends and family as a loving, caring, giving woman who was an honor to know.  She has always treated me as a daughter all the 45 years I have known her and I will miss our frequent talks we shared every few days . I know she can rest in peace now among the angles.

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

"The Horse..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Shared from Facebook)

Young John moved to Village of Hempstead, New York and bought a horse from a Old Farmer for $100.00. The Old Farmer agreed to deliver the horse the next day. The next Day he drove up and said, “Sorry, Son, but I have some bad news, The horse died.”

John replied, “Well, then just give me my money back.”

The Old Farmer said, “Can’t do that. I went and spent it already.”

John said, “Ok, then, just bring me the dead horse.”

The Old Farmer asked, “What you going to do with him?”

John said, “I’m going to raffle him off.”

The Old Farmer said, “You can’t raffle off a dead horse!”

John said, “Sure I can. Watch me. I just won’t tell anybody he’s dead.”

A month later, the Old Farmer met up with John and asked, “What happened With that dead horse?”

John said, “I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at two dollars a Piece and made a net profit of $898.00.”

The Old Farmer said, “Didn't anyone complain?”

John said, “Just the guy who won. So I gave him his two dollars back.”

John grew up and now works for the government.