"Have a Colonoscopy, it may save your life..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

Have a Colonoscopy, it may save your life

 As I began to enter my fifties my Physician began to urge me to perform the all mighty dreaded colonoscopy.  I dug my heals in and put off, put off, and put off  the test that I had heard so much about. 

I was feeling fine when I started my 50’s and did not want to bother with the inconvenience and invasive testing of my inner cavity.  A combination of fear and procrastination held me off until I reached the late 50’s… It seems that when you approach your 60’s there are a bunch of little things that creep into your life such as aches and pains in the am upon waking, higher cholesterol and triglycerides, and suspicious blood testing results that now prompt you to become to take a more active  participation in your ownquestionable health and  prevention.

So with much prompting I decided to bit the bullet and go for it. With reluctance and fear I bought the magic preparation to mix with my orange Gatorade.  While drinking the colonic all day I must admit “it wasn’t  so bad” , the orange flavor disguised the taste somewhat and I could afford to lose a few pounds anyways.  

As my morning procedure approached, I was relieved that the day was here and was more than ready to proceed.  Surprisingly enough I had the best hour sleep I had had in years;   I never can sleep for more than 4 or 5 hours a night and woke up refreshed and h-u-n-g-r-y.

I don’t know why I put this procedure off for so many years and to my surprise I was able to literally nip off some very suspicious polyps that would have taken a turn for the worse in the coming years.  There are not many tests and procedures that can be done proactively that can literally save your life…this is one of them. 

 Had I not swallowed my fears and done the dreaded colonoscopy, I would have had more than trouble, painless trouble, hovering over me in the near future.  For those out there who do not practice preventive medicine because of fear or lack of finances,   you are shortening your lives.  Simple testing such as routine blood sampling and routine physicals can tell so much into your futures.  I know if
you are feeling well, it is the furthest thing from your mind but it  can insure you are able to live life to the fullest and not have it shortened unnecessarily.

Also, if there are any other tests that can help you take a look into the future, believe it or not, it is a routine eye examination.  The eye is the only part of the body that can give a direct picture into the
body’s health without being invasive.  A dilated exam will tell the Doctor if you have high blood pressure, diabetic disease, high cholesterol and a bevy of other conditions.  Of course I am biased in that specialty since I have spent my last,  over 30 yrs. Preaching to the choir but I am amazed at how many health conditions we catch during the week just through a simple dilated eye evaluation.

  That’s probably one of the reasons I have continued in this field; it’s the amazing discoveries we find constantly.

Taking an active part in your own preventive health will definitely save your life or at least prolong it.

Having that colonoscopy made me a true believer;  You can be sure I will be returning for a repeat performance next year with no arm twisting this time. ..and if you have the time, make the time,  and
get an eye health evaluation by an Eye Doctor.  

Here’s to every ones good health! L'Chayim 

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"Price Gouging..." 'Obama Da Dog'

Obama Da Dog lives in Kapa'a, Kaua'i Hawai'i
 and is a lifelong Hawai'ian resident.

Price Gouging

I found it ironic that so many people were upset over price gouging during the hurricane watch. Upset that bottled water was selling for 2-3 times it's regular price. People said, "where's the aloha spirit?"Bottled water is something we really don't need anyway, fill 5 gallon buckets and your bathtub... I never buy bottled water, to me it's always been a ripoff to buy water that's been sitting in plastic.

Price gouging is a year round activity all over Kauai and the other islands, yet people seem to only get upset during hurricane and storm watches? 

What about food trucks charging $12.50 for a hamburger on a paper plate? What about  an ice cream cone for $7.00?

What about the airlines charging $250-400 a RT for a short RT to Honolulu of less than 80 miles?

What about fixer upper homes on the worst section of the island going for  $500,000 and more?

Price gouging is as common as spam musubi in Hawai'i.

It's all about supply and demand.  If you bust a merchant for trying to make a buck, you need to bust the airlines and just about every business in the  tourism industry.

The Aloha spirit basically consists of, Aloha, give us all your money. Did someone say Superferry?


P.S.
Check out my opinion article in the 08-13-14 edition of the Honolulu Staradvertiser.   They have a paywall, therefore I am copying and pasting so everyone can read it; They edited out last line about Superferry,   good edit actually.

"Price gouging common in isles"
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
It’s ironic that so many people were upset over price gouging during the hurricane watch, upset that bottled water was selling for two to three times its regular price. People said, “Where’s the aloha spirit?”
Price gouging goes on year-round, not only during hurricane and storm watches.
What about food trucks charging $12.50 for a hamburger? What about an ice cream cone for $7? What about the airlines charging $250-$400 for a short roundtrip to Honolulu? What about fixer-upper homes in the worst section of the island going for $500,000 and more?
It’s all about supply and demand. If you bust a merchant for trying to make a buck, you need to bust the airlines and just about every business in the tourism industry.
The aloha spirit basically consists of, “Aloha, give us all your money.” James “Kimo” Rosen
Kapaa, Kauai

...And on Sunday August 17, 2014  this blog was also published in the letters section in the Kaua'i Garden Island Newspaper;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-august/article_6dde01fa-25d9-11e4-a0ed-001a4bcf887a.html

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"Noah's Ark..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source) Timely information...

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

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

Any help , support or ideas would be greatly appreciated...

'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 
He is a retired cinematographer,
 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

Unc's blog is timely as we anticipate possible hurricanes and tropical storms

Cars line up for gas at the Local Kapa'a Shell station in anticipation
of a possible hurricane...

Noah's Ark

I am not afraid of tomorrow for I have seen yesterday and I love today.
Noah's Ark :  Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark . 
ONE:  Don't miss the boat.
TWO:  Remember that we are all in the same boat!
THREE:  Plan ahead.  It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.  
FOUR:  Stay fit.  When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
FIVE:  Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
SIX:  Build your future on high ground.
SEVEN:  For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
EIGHT:  Speed isn't always an advantage.  The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
NINE:  When you're stressed, float awhile.
TEN:  Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
ELEVEN:  No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. 

Please pass this on to people you want to be blessed.
Give it!  Don't just get it!
Most people walk in and out of your life,
but FRIENDS leave footprints in your heart.

P.S.
 Stay tuned To KHON TV for all the updates on  hurricane Iselle  and Julio;
http://khon2.com/2014/08/05/stores-emptied-as-residents-stock-up-on-water-supplies/

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" Bettejo talks about her new book..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux, a resident of Kauai for over forty years, is an 

award winning writer, columnist, novelist, peace and environmental 
activist who knows, and loves Kauai with a passion that shows up in her work

Above photo of Bettejo a few years back playing checkers with her nephew....

Bettejo talks about her new book, "Children of the extinction."Click on the link below to see and listen to Bettejo;

http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01393&video=205423

Ho'ike Kaua'i Community Television  is letting us share the recent talk story narrative by Bettejo.

Listen to Bettejo talk about her new Novella and don't forget everyone reading this is invited to her  birthday Book Signing Bash at Birdies-in Kalaheo-Sunday, August 17, 3-6PM. It'll be fun. Birdies is a great place. CHILDREN OF THE EXTINCTION is a good read. Hope to see you there. Happy 84th Bettejo!

Don't forget to click on the URL below;
http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01393&video=205423

CHILDREN OF THE EXTINCTION IS A CONTROVERSIAL TALE ABOUT KAUAI IN THE FUTURE. A FUTURE GONE BAD. IT’S A MIND-GRIPPING NARRATIVE ABOUT-AND FOR-COURAGEOUS, CONCERNED, AND INDEPENDENT WOMEN IN A STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN EXISTENCE. CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE. HOW THEY ARE TO BE RAISED IS THE FORCE THAT DRIVES THIS STORY.

Children of the Extinction is available at Talk Story Book Store in Hanapepe and on Amazon.

 Bettejo is having her 84th birthday party and book signing! Everyone reading this is invited!
 Please come to Bettejo's Birthday Book Signing Bash at Birdies-in Kalaheo-Sunday, August 17, 3-6PM. It'll be fun. Birdies is a great place. CHILDREN OF THE EXTINCTION is a good read. Hope to see you there. Bettejo 

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

"Tropical depressions..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James kimo Rosen with evangelist Franklin Graham.(Son of Billy Graham)
James Kimo Rosen lives in Kapaa Hawai'i with his best friend Obama Da dog.

Tropical depressions

I was watching the local news the other night and the weatherman started talking about  tropical depressions. 

I know about tropical depressions. I am living in the tropics and I am depressed.

Now that we have that straight, I am praying for sunnier days.

P.S.
This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the Saturday-08-09-14 edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island News;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-august/article_6001c8b4-1f80-11e4-bc45-001a4bcf887a.html


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"Popcorn says it all..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #26)

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

Popcorn says it all    (Kimo's world #26)

Of all the changes in modern day society , popcorn has to take the  prize.

I asked one of my 20 something year old associates if they like popcorn, of course who doesn't like popcorn? I said, lets pop some popcorn. She looked at me in puzzlement. Since she was a kid the only popcorn her family and friends ever made was microwaved.

The irony her parents were hippies and never used a microwave except to pop popcorn, for some reason hipsters consider  the micro waves  OK for popcorn but not for reheating food in general. As far as this person was concerned popcorn was made by placing a manufactured bag with oil and butter into the microwave and  magically popping popcorn.

Popcorn is one of the easiest things to pop. Making  popcorn the traditional and old fashioned way is like the difference between store bought and home-made bread

It's simple and takes less than 5 minutes. Take any pot with a cover and  measure a cap-full of cooking oil, and 1/4 cup of popcorn, then  throw popcorn into the  heated oil. When the  first kernel pops put cover on and shake until all kernels are popped. When fished add your favorite topping, butter, salt, brewers yeast or whatever fancies your fancy.

The reason I told this story is that life itself has become like a bag of microwaved popcorn.
Smartphones, cellphones, tablets and computers have made life  similar to a bag of microwave popcorn.

People no longer  talk with each other. Four people sitting down for lunch will all be texting on their individual smart phones in lieu of having a nice conversation with each other.

You can no longer  meet people in a casual setting like a grocery store, since most are on their phones asking a spouse or significant other what they should buy and making other small talk.

It's time to put down the bags of microwaved popcorn and foods that  go direct from the freezer to the microwave and all the smart phones, smart TV's and GPS devices.

It's fun to ask a stranger directions, its fun to grill a burger on the grill and  it's fun to make popcorn the old fashioned way.

Now, for my next column I am thinking  of  throwing away the computer and using an old manual typewriter with whiteout.
Just kiddin...

P.S. 
These are ironically hilarious... Check out this YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbmQOa72wvc

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

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.

"What does it take to raise a Baby in the year 2014 ..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked inthe ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

What does it take to raise a Baby in the year 2014

Recently I was invited to a baby shower; many of my friends’ children are now having babies which is so
wonderful to celebrate. I decided to take a visit to the baby supplies store and check the registry of items she had listed for purchase.

Now it’s been a very long time since I had entered a baby store; 30 years to be exact. Was I in for an eye opener.   Back in the day… there were certain items that were necessities including a crib, layette table, walker, high chair and a stroller.  These were the basics in addition to all the soft goods such as towels,
diapers etc.  It was a sizable investment in the 1980’s; I spent much of my day, changing, feeding, rocking and reading to our sons.  We had many outings to the park and many neighborhood walks.

It seems that things have really changed as far as the necessities required to raise a baby.  I was speechless as I toured the baby store.  There were cradles to place the baby in that were motorized and were programmed to move in various patterns of direction and motion.  

What happened to manually rocking the baby? These hi tech devices were several hundred dollars; the walkers that we had used that cost about $20.00 back then were now very sophisticated in shapes of trucks and cars and were much more intricate than ever before and so was the price.  

There were devices that made noises to place in the crib to help the baby sleep such as the sound of waves or wind or heart beats; what happened to turning on the mobile atop the crib and singing the baby to sleep? Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of new ingenious inventions that make a lot of sense today such as a cover to put in the shopping cart where the child can sit to keep them from many germs.  Teaching toys that talk along with a book that is
being read and many other educational inventions.  

Many of the equipment for parents to use do make life easier I am sure,  but are they taking the place of a Childs’ own creativity ;  are these devices making it easier to raise a child into an adult but leaving out the important things that a baby needs for growth and development?  If a baby only can fall asleep with certain noises in the crib, how will they sleep later on in life.  

Many times we eat breakfast or dinner out during the week and see families with their children.  It seems that the majority of the meal is eaten in near silence, mom and dad reading their I phone or reading the paper and the children playing on their own I pad or electronic device.  

What happened to eating as a family, sharing ideas and conversing with  each other?  Are we raising a group of young people that are unable to express their ideas person to person and only able to text to each other.    

I think in the long run we will be finding that some of this technology will   be causing social problems down the line .   Yes we will have very knowledgeable children that can surf  the world wide web but what kind of social beings will they turn out to be?  It does give us food for thought; for me, if I am ever lucky enough to have an extended family…its books and hands on entertainment for us.  The children will have to suffer through walks in the park,  field trips to museums ,   visits to the zoo and talking about their days to name a few things. It will be the sacrifice they will have to make. ;)

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