Third Annual Vi and Peg's Trek at Koolau Ranch

 

 

 

 

It was the perfect morning for a walk up the beautiful trails of Koolau Ranch. Nancy picked me up on time and away we drove along the coast. It is not often that I am a passenger so I feasted on the scenery that Sunday morning. It was overcast, the sun refusing to get up early this Sunday morn. So we were thankful. When we got there a little past eight, they were already gathered around the small group up front led by the HURT organizers. Vi and Jan are in that small group. After the introductions, we were off.

You might say this series of pics is an essay on Nancy's back, charming ribbons hung on tree limbs, creatively and humorously stuck on fresh cow dung or expressively pointing in mute perfection at the direction we were supposed to take lest we tread on wrong trails. Obedience is in our DNA's so we never strayed. How could we? There were the helpful and delightfully costumed "ushers" along the way, including one with a cold water jug on a truck halfway through the route. We huffed and puffed up and down the trail until we hit the last bend into the parking lot and the awaiting group of trekkers. We were sure we weren't last but we didn't bother to check as we got to the sarong-decorated "finish line". We picked up our Tshirts and grub from the MDA crew and chitchatted with Paul, Larry and Gerri. Tried to help the crew start the very obstinate generator to no avail... so we ended up our morning, happy with exercise of the day done and meeting again with our old friends, the HURTs and reconnecting with Mommy Nature, still resplendent in quiet dignity along the shore.
Hasta la vista, we said. Till next year's trek!

End of Summer Picnic, aka Baby Shower for Tanya and Happy B-day to Nancy Party

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and as Sundays in our household went these wonderful days of summer, extremely busy. So it was not a surprise that I was late to meet Nancy at my house to bring the stuff to the picnic site. She had taken off with the barbeque items and anything that could fit in her car.

We - my two aunties, Sonia and Evelyn,on vacay and my niece, Darlene on assignment as photographer and I - arrived fashionably late to find Celeste, Dennis, Celeste's son, Dennis's mom and Pete and Vicky Badua already in the midst of their afternoon pahhhhty mood. So we unload and set up! Paul and Gerri soon came and so did Jan with the surprise b-day cake for Nancy. Our avowed honoree, Da Hapai Tanya and son, Chase, soon followed. Then Tami, Dale and Paul, with Armie and Robert bringing up the rear. Ooooops, not so! Ronda and her fourlegged furfriend came, too!

Appropriately, we had games - Guess how many m&m's in the jar; Unjumble the names of stuff that happens ONLY in pregnancy; and Put the bottle in the baby's mouth! We got prizes for the winnahs, too!

We then attacked the ono grinds on the table, determinedly covered to protect from the flies that wanted to gatecrash! Noodles, adobo, shrimp, chicken, bbq steak, Now-you-see-them- now-you-don't rolls from Armie; salad, the works!!!! We surely genuflected, nay, reclined ala Cleopatra, at the altar of the gods of calories!

Tons of photo-op: see slideshow below for evidence!

Then, what's a shower pahhhhty without presents? We took time out for that as well as sing Nancy the "Happy Birthday" song. And she had to open her presents, too! We all stuffed our faces with the yummy cake. More calories.

Talk story. Talk story.

"The sun is nearly setting!"
"Let's wait for the green light."
"The green light is the..."
"Shhhhh."
"But the...."
"Shhhh I said!"
"Ahhhhh."

Reverence for the end of summer. Trust in the continuation of friendship, fellowship and the hope for yet another summer. As beautiful. As shared.

Goodbye, sun. Goodbye, summer. Hasta la vista. Hanggang sa muli.

Remember? Last year's Fourth of July!

It was only last year that we were at the softball field and did what we did a week ago: ate ono grinds, had a good time and made money for a good cause. One more look into yesteryear won't hurt. Unless you were 5 lbs lighter, like I was. Boo-hoo!

Stroll down, tho not too far, into memory lane.

Thanks, Pete, for posting:)

More 4th Pics!

A good time was had by all. The amount of planning, co-ordination, and work was reflected in the faces of all who attended. As a family supporter for Celeste Perkins, sometimes it's hard to volunteer for events like this. When I see the commitment in the people like Divina, Jan, Nancy, Natalie, and all the other volunteers who made this picnic happen, I'm feel so proud to be part of this organization if only minimally. Our efforts are pale to the efforts our family members with ALS go through everyday. Already looking forward to next year. ALOOOHAA!

Happy 4th of July!

It was a cluster of tents at the Diamond Head side of Kapiolani Park. The trunks of the trees around it were wrapped in red and blue streamers. So were the legs of the tents. The balloons tied to the tops of the tents protested against their being tied down and strained to go with the nice breeezes that were fanning the site, making the heat part of the decor rather than a nuisance. And there were patriotic flags, big and small, proclaiming the pride we have of our country, our fellowmen, our independence and our liberties. A banner proclaming "HAWAII ALS" adorned the center tent - the red one: Ken's City Mill tent - told passersby and fellow picnickers scattered around the fields what we were about:

Our Second Annual Fourth of July Fun-raiser!

There was American spirit everywhere: hotdogs/burgers, watermelon, potluck fare and plenty more - to remind us we are a land of plenty, something we should always be thankful for. In one corner, Generator A refused to give life to our Shave Ice machine (wo)manned by Nancy. But we were not about to stand for nay-sayers. Generator B was called to duty. Bill, upon discovering why it also was refusing to work, drove off with Paul to buy the needed oil to get it started. And start, it did, which made our keikis, tutus and regular picnic revelers extremely happy, with or without azuki beans in their shave ice. At the end tent, Judy, the master face-painter, showed off her craft on many a tot's face, arm, hand, any G-rated body part available.

The spirit of competition was alive and well: tugs of war, relay races for young and old, water balloon toss and later on, an impromptu softball game. Chris saw to it that competition was fair, while Tanya was chasing Chase. This, while lovebirds Lance and Nicole, dutifully churned out the hotdogs and burgers, in their matching blue and white aprons.

Then, of course, what blue-blooded American won't believe that he/she has the luck of the Irish? Divina called off the winning numbers, while Natalie, picked them out. There were prizes to die for, from generous friends who gave of their hearts as well as their wallets. Till the last T-shirt went to the final winner.

Vi was there. Britt was there. Chester was there. So was Celeste. So were their entourages. Priscilla and Vicky kept tab on our donations while hubby, Pete, roamed with his camera lens documenting the spirit as well as the faces of fun and delight. Earlier a crew of groupies (Jay, Shelley, Glizza and company, Daniel, Pete, Natalie) and friends made an empty site into a picnic site, assembling and decorating the tents, setting up the tables and distributing the chairs. When we finally started with a welcome from Jan, he remembered all who could not come and those among us who flew to Heaven this year: Daria, Sylvia, Nancy, Joe, Bully, Charlie. They are having their own fireworks up there, I bet.

Just like all the wonderful endeavors that Americans all over our land and beyond, our 4th of July celebration would not have been possible without help from family, friends and strangers. We call it aloha here in Hawaii. We, Filipinos, call it bayanihan. I think every race has a name for it: Sharing, Giving, Loving, Concern for each other.

We had lots of aloha last Sunday. There was enough - and then some- that will take us through the year to yet another 4th, in 2011, when we will proudly show this spirit, this attitude all over again. Till then, mahalo everyone.

Haiku: To the ladies we love and lost

A haiku is a traditional Japanese poem of 17 syllables. Traditionally, it is composed of 3 stanzas, each stanza supposed to conform to a specific form and intent. However, many contemporary Haiku writers have freed themselves of these strictures. American haiku writers usually compose 10-14 syllable poems. The brevity of the poem points to the intent of capturing the essence of a thought with minimum use of language.

In a span of a few months, our ohana has suffered the passing away of three ladies: Daria Jean Gagnon, Nancy Sherman and Sylvia Tanaka. To the families of these wonderful ladies, our hearts go out to you and we share in your grief. We, too, feel your loss.

Sing me no dirges
Cry me no tears
Shorn of body, my spirit soars.

Daria Jean Gagnon

Nancy Sherman

Sylvia Tanaka

ALS Informational Seminar at Key Project

I learned the hard way that if you want to go to Kahekili Highway on the H3 from Kailua, you exit Kam Highway. Otherwise you go all the way to Stadium to get out and double back to Kaneohe. I learned it the long, 20-mile doubleback way, but next time, I'll know.

The KEY Project is way past Temple Valley but the view is beautiful even if you are 15 minutes late. The MDA crew was already there and so were all the other booth displayers. Kristen mounted the board onto the MDA table while Leslie helped me tape Lou Gehrig on the wobbly easel. Peggy is ensconced beautifully on the table on an equally beautiful metal easel. I caught lunch from servers Crystal, Leslie and Audrey while Ronda worked the crowd. There was toe-tapping music from this nice young man and I wave to Chester also working the crowd. There were many familiar faces. I meet the newly diagnosed families and try to calibrate my friendliness to their receptivity index. I give them copies of our brochure, printed in glorious color a couple hours before the UH crowd pau hana'ed at 4:30 pm Friday, thanks to my friend, Christina Higa of PEACESAT.

So here: enjoy the images. Sorry, I'll get better with practice, promise! Cross my heart.

Feeling Very Positive Today

Wow!  I have several new followers today, thank you Divina for spreading the word.  I hope I don't bore everybody with my blogs.  Anyway, it's fun for me and if it gives you a little bit of enjoyment or some insight into who I am and what I'm doing every day that's great!  I've been looking for some new technology to help me out at home using my computer and using my phone.  I think I may have finally come up with a product that will help me.  Thanks to my friend Brian, who found it for me on the Internet. 

I can currently use my computer with my headset on and Dragon speech recognition software and also a USB touchpad which Brian bought for me from Amazon.com called "easy cat".  I am lucky I still have a strong voice even though I wear my BiPAP 24/7and I still have some functionality in my hands so I can use the touchpad.  I just cannot type or reach the computer keys. My problem is that I have trouble using my phone, so I've been looking for a device that would allow me to use my computer and my phone hands-free, without touching any buttons and only using voice commands.  The Device Is a little bit expensive, but I think I'm going to give it a try.  I'll let you know what I think after I get it. This is the link to the website. http://www.nobuttonsheadset.com/index.htm

A note from Tracy Sherman, to all of us

Inspired by Chester's comments at the last ALS Support Group meeting, I decided to dig out this poem that I found...hummm..back in the 80's and always hung on to. I think I found it in a Readers Digest book my mom subscribed to and have yet to find it on the web anywhere else. When you read it you will know why I kept it...yellowed..torn...basically beat up...but still readable.

FREEDOM
I write because I am confused
And seek to understand
I sing because I am alone
And reach to take a hand.
I wonder because I'm curious
And feel I should know why.
I hurt because I'm human
And this is why I cry.
I laugh because I'm joyful
And this seems right to do.
I love because you're special
And pray you love me too.
I live because of all these things
I find in every day.
They tell me just what life's about
And I listen to what they say.
To laugh, to love, to live and sing,
Oh yes, even to cry,
These simple gifts of freedom
I will treasure 'till I die.

A Crafternoon at Penny and Brad's: Creating Greeting Cards for HALS

What is a better way to spend an afternoon than to let your imagination and creative juices flow and with hands, machines and materials, come up with beautiful greeting cards? That's exactly what we did, one afternoon in March, at Penny and Brad's hospitable home in Nuuanu Valley. Armed with scissors and determination, we were willing pupils of the craft meisters: Penny and sister, Lorraine, who molded our thirsty minds and itchy hands into crafting machines.







So here we are, showing off our products:










And, of course, as all wonderful times spent with friends of like interests and, ahem, talents end, this crafternoon ended with an awesome salad dinner. It started with home-baked garlic bread and craisin bread. Penny really outdid herself here showing off her baking skills as well;) The salad was an exercise in sharing: each one brought something to contribute to the salad. So we had greens, soybeans, avocado slices, whole pitted olives, chicken, craisins and other outrageously yumminy edibles thrown into a gastronomic concoction! Also, thanks to Penny, we curtained called our dinner with strawberry jello and her fabulous tapioca with fruit. No, you should never wonder why we always gather: there is always something for our tummies to enjoy!







With bring-home greeting cards jostling for space in our totes with left-over yummies, we headed home after a well-spent afternoon - knowing we have exercised our right-hand brains to the max for a very deserving cause: greeting cards for those we care for - family, friends and HALS, handmade with lots of love.