Petteythoughts tagged me with this neat little meme. I think I may have done something similar in the past, but that was probably a year or two ago — and of course, my responses will be different because of the timeframe concerned. As always, it’s always fun to take a walk down memory lane and see what interesting memories can be dredged up from the archives.

I would really be interested to read what your “3 Things” are. If you choose to do your own list, please drop a link to your blog in my comments. Or if you don’t have a blog/website of your own, feel free to respond with your list right here! Continue Reading »

The commute home was amazingly pleasant this afternoon — and it’s not because traffic was breeze. In fact, it took me 50 minutes behind the wheel before I pulled into my stall at home.

Approaching the on-ramp, I can see how bad traffic is by how far it has backed up. Today was a heavy day, no doubt. The back-to-school jam, although not yet in full swing, was already making an impact. Continue Reading »

Originally uploaded by shari58.

Shari is so talented with crafts and learns new skills quickly. Recently, she picked up crocheting and in a few hours she was busy creating blankets for her loved ones.

I’m a loved one!

She gave me this wonderful sage and off-white blanket on Saturday when I picked her up for the bon dance.

This beautiful labor of love will keep me warm when the winter months roll around and the temperatures start to dip. Our new home is located in a valley and from what I hear, tends to get pretty nippy in the winter. I can’t wait!

Thanks, sis, for the beautiful blankey! Someday, when I’m done with school, you’ll need to teach me how to do this so that I can have a relaxing hobby to unravel my frayed nerves.

Ryukyu Bon Dance Group

Originally uploaded by Champuru.

Last night the gang got together under the name, “The Ryukyu Bon Dance Group” to lead the Okinawan portion of the program at the Mililani Hongwanji Bon Dance.

The Mililani Bon Dance is a big social event for the community, drawing large numbers and attracting a very young crowd. Cliques of high school students gather and enjoy participating, adding their own flavor to the traditional dances. For example, the “Fukushima Ondo”, a simple freestyle dance based on 5 basic movements has evolved into an active version requiring fancy footwork, skipping, jumping, and a good cardio workout. You’ll usually find the kids dominating the inner circle around the yagura dancing in this fashion. The older, less energetic dancers (like me) can be found on the outer edge, dancing the traditional way with a lot less vigor than the young’uns. Continue Reading »

Barefoot Boys

Originally uploaded by Champuru.

I have been working on a slideshow as a favor to my Father who will be celebrating his 50th class reunion on Lana`i in a couple of weeks. The old black and white photographs make me nostalgic for a time that was before mine, when no one locked their doors and you knew everyone in your little neighborhood.

My Dad has fond memories of his years on Lana`i. Tales of hunting and fishing, camping on the beach under the moonlight, and hot summer days picking pineapples.

Seeing Dad’s youthful face with his shy smile made me realize the passage of time. I bet he never thought 50 years would go by so quickly.

Thank you to those who responded to my plea for help and provided me with the name and number of your favorite handyman. I am always grateful when people take the time to offer me their suggestions and referrals.

We decided that ceiling fans in addition to air conditioning might be a bit over the top for our humble abode. After all, we are trying to save some money, believe it or not. So the ceiling fans were returned to Lowe’s and the store credit was enough to buy 1-1/2 window air conditioning units. Continue Reading »

Laupahoehoe

Originally uploaded by Champuru.

I’ll be up before the chickens tomorrow morning. Hubby and I are heading to the Big Island with his family for a quick jaunt to celebrate the life of Hubby’s uncle who passed on recently. It was his desire to be laid to rest in his birthplace. His ashes will be scattered in the waters at Laupahoehoe.

Memorial services remind me that we are mortal beings, here for just a brief while. As the song “Who Am I?” by Casting Crowns says, “like a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind.”

Don’t wait for death to celebrate the life of those you love. Embrace them and celebrate each day we’re blessed with, because we never know when it will be our last.

I will be updating my Flickr Foto Blog remotely from my cell phone.