"Why Live In A Frozen State..?" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the
ophthalmology field of medicine almost 35 years.
Sonny boy says goodbye to the cold weather.

Why Live in a Frozen State?

If anyone follows the weather report, which is what we seem to do every minute here on the east coast of the US, we have been in a deep freeze...single digits this week with cold and blowing snow is keeping everyone indoors and captive.  

My youngest just left our frozen tundra to return to the west coast enjoying the average temperature of 70+ degrees this time of year and asks the question frequently..."why do you still live in this frozen state?"

  It does make me take  pause and ask myself these questions lately more and more...If I can find a way to split my year in half, I would do it in a minute...looks like I have a lot of finagling to do in 2014.

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared From Facebook

"The kid never learns..." 'Robert Bitos Gandia' (Source-From somewhere on Facebook)

 Please  welcome Dakinetalk's newest guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia.
Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
He works at Syngenta as a Research Associate.
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

The kid never learns

A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you.”

The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, “Which do you want, son?” The boy takes the quarters and leaves.

“What did I tell you?” said the barber. “That kid never learns!”

Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store.

“Hey, son! May I ask you a question?

Why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?”

The boy licked his cone and replied,

“Because the day I take the dollar, the game is over!”

P.S. copied from my Facebook wall

I'm all shook up! For my FB friends not on Kaua'i. The Coco Palms hotel was a place Elvis loved to vacation. It was destroyed during Hurricane Iniki back in 1992,.It has never been rebuilt and stands a ghost down and a rat haven ever since. Some developer just bought the hotel and locals are hoping for the return of the Coco Palms.

You, Rema Murphy, Keith Haugen and Chuck Lasker like this.

Linda Meyers I saw a show about that on the History channel, it was so sad to see it all nearly destroyed. Very good news to see someone giving it a second chance.
4 hours ago · Unlike · 1

James Kimo Rosen I use to live around the corner, no I live around 3 miles from there. Elvis is synonymous with the Coco Palms. The anti's want to make it into a park, the normal people want to see it renovated and brought back from da dead! I'm all shook up, oh , oh! ;D)
2 hours ago · Like

Linda Meyers I found some info that said it was being renovated and should open around 2016 {as a resort/hotel}
about an hour ago · Like

Chester Lau Elvis was a nice person with a wonderful voice,I worked on Blue Hawaii as set wardrobe supervisor & Grace Busher give the crew numero Uno services
about an hour ago · Unlike · 2

James Kimo Rosen Awesome Unc!
about an hour ago · Like

Thomas LaVenture Here's the same entry way today.
Thomas LaVenture's photo.
39 minutes ago · Unlike · 2

James Kimo Rosen cool, Mahalo Tom!
27 minutes ago · Like

Thomas LaVenture I guess you could say this would be what Elvis was looking toward in the photo. Except that retail building wasn't there at the time.
Thomas LaVenture's photo.
25 minutes ago · Edited · Unlike · 2

James Kimo Rosen awesome!

Pete Antonson Kimo, as you know, I combed the place completely. Never saw a rat. I did see a feral cat population. You visited fairly often. Did you see rats?
16 hours ago · Unlike · 1

James Kimo Rosen Yes, many...
11 hours ago · Like

Douglas Dunn Loved the Coco Palms.
My wife and I were married in Kaua‘i in 1987, and were there in 1991, the year before Iniki, and the condo unit we stayed in — Pale Ke Kua in Princeville — in 1991, was destroyed. The L.A. Times showed a photo of the Iniki destruc...See More
2 hours ago · Edited · Like

James Kimo Rosen Doug, you are not alone, many feel the same!

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

"Billy Graham drives a Limo..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Source- from somewhere on Facebook)

Obama Da Dog would like to share this recent story  she found on Facebook...

Billy Graham drives a Limo

Billy Graham was returning to Charlotte after a speaking engagement and when his plane arrived there was a limousine there to transport him to his home. As he prepared to get into the limo, he stopped and spoke to the driver. 'You know' he said, 'I am 87 years old and I have never Driven a limousine. Would you mind if I drove it for a while?' The driver said, 'No problem. Have at it.' 

Billy gets into the driver's seat and they head off down the highway. A short distance away sat a rookie State Trooper operating his first speed trap. The long black limo went by him doing 70 in a 55 mph zone.

 The trooper pulled out and easily caught the limo then got out of his patrol car to begin the procedure. The young trooper walked up to the driver's door and when the glass was rolled down, he was surprised to see who was driving. He immediately excused himself and went back to his car and called his supervisor.

 I know we are supposed to enforce the law.... but I also know that important people are given certain courtesies. I need to know what I should do because I have stopped a very important person.' The supervisor asked, 'Is it the governor?' The young trooper said, 'No, he's more important than that.' The supervisor said, 'Oh, so it's the president.' The young trooper said, 'No, he's even more Important than that.

 After a moment,the supervisor finally asked, 'Well then, who is it?' The young trooper said, 'I think it's Jesus, because he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur!'

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

"2014...." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on Kaua'i for  over 40 years and is a regular columnist  for the worlds greatest
newspaper, (The Kaua'i Garden Island news) Bettejo is pictured above with friends at Costco
Outdoor cafe. Haouli Makahiki Hou, (Happy New Year!)
www.bettejodux.com

2014

The year 2014 is the Chinese Year of the Horse.

"People who are born under the year of the horse are known for their ingenious communication skills. They are clever , not afraid  to venture in their careers and kind to others. Cheerful and perceptive, the Horse people are talented and witty. They are earthy but also stubborn and know how to work the crowd."

And that ain't all...

"Popularity is another asset, just as the horse is a universally loved animal. They have cheerful dispositions, possess a gregarious nature, have financially sound minds, and handle money matters well.

Wise, talented and quick in all their undertakings, they are independent and spirited individuals who despise advice Blood runs hot in their veins and they are quick to anger."

Those born on the years 1906- 1918-1930- 1942-1954-1966-1978-1990-2002-2014 are horse guys.

Please excuse all us horse people for a moment as we go out for a walk, six feet in the air, bare toes  touching not the ground.

There are  12 mascots in China to represent every 12 years. They are rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Horse and sheep as a group represent courage and gentleness, the implied meaning is to march forward courageously, adapting to the surrounding environment harmoniously.

Oddly enough, every time I pass the rich green sheep pasture on the drive to Koloa I want to stop and bring home a lamb.

More: bad luck is going to be rare for us.

My gallent  heart is thumping. I need a glass of Chardonnay, iced. 'For breakfast, Bettejo?"

There's more. Holy moly. Leos'-I'm a Leo-careers will flourish and money-making potential is going to be successful.

As the most devoutly out spoken non believer on Kauai, I can just hear  the titters. "See I told you non believers have secret  silly beliefs just like us."

I love the 'just like us' part, so I'm gonna  have a sliver  of scrumptious aromtic pumpkin pie with my wine for breakfast.  Join me?

But wait! Alas. The year of the horse won't start until 14:04 PM, Feb. 3 Pacific Standard time. The first day of spring. Imbolc. Got it!  Okay. I'll try to have my two new books-that means three in all-The Scam, Children of the Extinction and my collected bettejo columns, all 200 of them-on the market in February. I'll have a grand book signing at Birdie's darling restaurant at the Kukiolono Golf Course and Hanapepe Talk Story Book Store some time that month. You're all invited.

Now that I've indulged my dreamiest, make-believe and let's pretend mind-set to an extreme, I'll try to get my feet back on the ground, not splashing   a drop of wine or spilling a crumb of pumpkin pie. My heart will stop thumping, I'll sit in a chair, rest and take a breath. and let this wonderful new fantasy take root.  It will flourish in the dappled sunlight of my sweet-scented barn/jungle house. It will blossom. The impossible dream flower.

Come on, all you horse guys, join me. Happy 2014.

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

"Happy New Year, you sure look healthy..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen

Happy new Year to all. My dog Obama the day she adopted me.

Aloha, Check out my column in today's Kaua'i Garden Island news; "You sure look..."If you like it please click on recommend on the top right or bottom of page. The link is below. Enjoy! Happy New Year!Hauli Makhiki Hou! James "Kimo" Rosen 

P.S,. My title was, "You sure like healthy," they changed it to plump? Who do you think had better title?

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/you-sure-look-plump/article_b3e7712c-7107-11e3-bc89-0019bb2963f4.html

P.S. I am OK, this column is tongue-n-cheek!

"You sure look healthy" can mean many things. It might mean it looks like you've been working out,doing yoga, swimming,hiking, biking, playing basketball, football and  baseball or even running marathons and triathlons. It might imply you've been eating right, or that mentally you have your act together.

I thought I was getting compliments from the few  friends and neighbors that  still speak to me. They were  saying, "you sure look healthy!" I took it as a compliment, although I really don't feel that healthy. Then I realized they were trying to tell me in a polite way, wow you sure have gained a lot of weight, you look fat . What happened?

Many people including myself seem to gain weight during the holiday season and winter months. There are shorter days, parties and  free samples in the stores. Friends and family will send expensive  fruit cakes, cookies and alcoholic beverages as gifts which contain mega calories.  Not being as active will also lead to added pounds. Winter time also brings on healthy appetites which all contribute to tight shirts and larger belts. I like to  use the excuse that the dryer must be shrinking my clothes, however the scale and camera phone selfies don't  lie.

Friends  will give that same compliment to my dog, "boy your dog sure looks healthy!" I was always so happy and proud when people would say that.  I thought they were telling me subliminally that I really take good care of my dog. I take pride in my dog and my dog is my best friend. When someone compliments my  dog and says your dog sure looks healthy,I become a beaming proud dad.To my disappointment, just as with myself, they were telling me your dog looks pleasingly plump and  fat, what happened?

I will tell you what happened, we both like to eat and although I never intended to spoil my dog with human food I just can't resist feeding her what I eat,  especially when those innocent eyes are staring  straight into my soul the whole while I eat .

 I always feel uneasy during the holidays when people that normally aren't nice, are all of the sudden  nice and saying things like, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy new Year and my obvious favorite "you sure look healthy." I am thrilled the holidays are over and people can get back to being their normal selfish selves. 

...And now with a new year upon us, I plan on  shedding a few pounds. Hopefully next time someone says, "you sure look healthy," it's because I'm strutting a new  six pack, and I'm not talking about Budweiser,  but then again maybe I am?

P.S. Please click on enclosed link and click recommend!
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/you-sure-look-plump/article_b3e7712c-7107-11e3-bc89-0019bb2963f4.html

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

"Reflections..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in
the ophthalmology field of medicine for close to 35 years.
Happy 2014!

Reflections

As I reflect on the year 2013 that has flown by; I pause and recall the many times we have enjoyed  happiness and also unfortunate  grief.

 I have experienced; the passing of friends and family we still miss, the milestone birthdays we have enjoyed celebrating and the enjoyable trips we were lucky enough to partake in and enjoy.  

Our family is more than lucky to enjoy this year with good luck, good fortune and good times.  Each year seems to continue to  become shorter and shorter as we add birthday candles on to our lives.

As we get ready to enjoy another New Years Eve celebration with our dear friends and family, we want to wish everyone a most joyous safe and healthy New Year with good fortune for all. 

May 2014 be a great year for everyone. 

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

Lord, please bless this food... 'Obama Da Dog' (From somewhere on Facebook)

Even Obama Da Dog likes to bless  food before chowing down...

Lord, please bless this food

An atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that evolution had created. 

"What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!", he said to himself. As he was walking along the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. When he turned to see what the cause was, he saw a 7-foot grizzly charging right towards him. He ran as fast as he could. He looked over his shoulder and saw that the bear was closing, He ran even faster, crying in fear. He looked over his shoulder again, and the bear was even closer. His heart was pounding and he tried to run even faster. He tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up, but saw the bear right on top of him, reaching for him with his left paw and raising his right paw to strike him. 

At that moment, the Atheist cried out "Oh my God!...." Time stopped. The bear froze. The forest was silent. Even the river stopped moving. 

As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky, "You deny my existence for all of these years; teach others I don't exist; and even credit creation to a cosmic accident. Do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?" 

The atheist looked directly into the light "It would be hypocritical of me to suddenly ask You to treat me as Christian now, but perhaps could you make the bear a Christian?" "Very well," said the voice. 

The light went out. The river ran again. And the sounds of the forest resumed. 

And then the bear dropped his right paw ..... brought both paws together...bowed his head and spoke: "Lord, for this food which I am about to receive, I am truly thankful."

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