September 30, 2005

Wounded In Action

Autumn Refections, The pond on the Kingwood Estate Mansfield, Richland County Ohio Oct 2004

I want to thank those that comments on yesterdays post as well as those that emailed me privately. It was possibly the most personal post that I have ever written and even though it was a "re-run" from last year, it still means a lot to me to retell this event.

Well, as it has turned out, my little visit to the doctor today turned out to be a major event. The inflamation had surged overnight to the size of a tennis ball and was reaching towards my spine. The doctor, not seeing any improvement after blasting the infection with enough antibiotics to make me ill, said it needed to be opened up.

He knew it was deep rooted. It was so deep when the biopsies were taken that he told me today that he and his nurse were certain that I had cancer and were very surprised at the results of the tests and happy, I might add. But with the swelling and expansion he thought that this would be a simple proceedure to drain and bandage up.

He was mistaken. The infection had gone to the bone and the resulting incision is 1 1/2 inches long and deep. He told the nurse that this was like pulling out bullet fragments, and how you dress such a wound. It hurt like hell, but once the pressure was released and I felt it was cleaned out, the relief was incredible. He said that had he known it was so deep we'd have done this in the hospital.

Im sure that this is one of the reasons I have been so flat out fatigued. I may have caried this around for months. I hurt but there isnt a lot of pain, or mess considering it all. I was also glad that Woody wasn't a witness. He'd have passed out for sure.

Because of the extent of the injury, it maybe that plans to go to Ohio may have to be placed on hold. We shall see how things go, but it looks pretty bleak at this point. I am just glad to be well and know that God's perfect plans for my life continually are unfolding, and paitence is required and accquired for such times as this. I need to just wait and see and rejoice in God's provision.

September 29, 2005

The Upward Way

The Upward Way... Steps leading to a new place... Taken at Lilioukalani Park, Hilo Big Island of Hawaii.


Lord
I crawled
across the barreness
to You
with my empty cup
uncertain
in asking
any small drop
of refreshment

If only
I had known You
better
I'd have come
Running
With a bucket.

Sometimes I think
If people
had any idea of
How wonderful You are
They'd be fighting
for a place in line
Just to get near You, God

O, God of Second Chances
and New Beginings

Here I am again....

by Nancy Speigelberg

Yes...this is me...again and again and again...for He is new every morning...Great is His Faithfulness to me.

Seventeen years ago today I had an experience that changed my life forever. It changed me, healed me, and made me into a new person. For all that and the many things that God has done, blessings received and and yes the many trials, I am forever grateful.

The Upward Way is never easy, but its always the best way and a journey that I have never found dull or boring.

Please read the following links for todays post


http://mywideblueseas.blogspot.com/2004/09/oh-to-grace-how-great-debtor.html

http://mywideblueseas.blogspot.com/2004/09/seal-beach-peir-shot-from-2nd-sink-she.html

http://mywideblueseas.blogspot.com/2004/09/from-seal-beach-peir-looking-north.html

September 28, 2005

The View From Here

old Victorian homes in downtown Eureka Springs Arkansas

Well, the feeling here is uggh. I have the feeling like I have the worst cold Ive had in years and Woody went yesterday to the dermatologist. He had 20 spots removed on his face chest and a whopper of one on his back. Between his back and my neck we are a sorry pair. The only good thing to come of this is that I dont feel like eating and Im losing a bit of weight.

The mass on my neck is actually enlarged and I will be heading back to see the Doctor tomorrow. Minor surgery is on the docket and that will releive the pressure and help me get healed up. Yes somewhat messy, but it wont leave a scar.

I did get some news on my trip to Ohio. Someone signed up for the class for the first of the two weeks which is repair basics... The second week is stone setting and finishing, which I did well at when we were there last year, so maybe I wont need that week, but Id like to take it anyway so I am hoping that another student will sign up for both weeks. I have decided to go anyway, and will be contacting the school today to let them know. I am so looking forward to the adventure...

The weather has been amazingly gorgeous, even now as a thunderstorm is rolling in. We are slowly unpacking and the pile of empty cartons feels really good.

We had an invitation to go with our next door neighbor the the church they have been visiting. Its technically affiliated with the So. Baptists, but is more like the independent non denominational churches we are used to... I have mixed feelings about it but I am willing to go if Woody wants to go and check it out...we shall see how thing go.

I want to thank all of you that prayed and sent your good wishes regarding my health situation. It helps it really does.

September 27, 2005

New Fruit From the Old Tree

A Heavily laden Apple tree near Noel, Missouri


First a breaking News bit. The tests and cultures came back and I have a staph infection. A cold one, sort of in a "silent running" condition as my submariner husband said. Well, the blessed thing roared last night, I have a fever and all the symptoms of the bad flu, and its shrinking.My body began finally to fight it off. The antibiotic I have started taking will finish it off. Thank You ever so much for your prayers, they worked. The doctor said to come in if I didnt feel better in a day or so, and to raise the hygene level if the thing bursts, which we hope not.

So no cancer, I can get on with my life... So what do I want to do? I am no Martha Stewart, housework all day will lead to sloth and dalliance at the computer. I miss having something to go to and be a part of. I miss the jewelry business. I realize this everytime I get a trade magazine, or see a commercial from a local shop. The blogging of my friend Luz of Luz En Invierno tempts me to try my hand at creating again.

I dont want to open a store again. But I do want back into the business, so as I was upacking cartons, I saw the big polishing machine that we were unable to sell in Hawaii, and I remembered that the Drouhard's had offered a free refresher course in jewelry repair should I want to take it. When we took their course a year ago we were living 5000 miles away and found it hard to see how we could do it.

Well, now we live 800 miles away, roughly as far as we are from Houston, which we made in a days drive. The only stipulation is that another paying student needs to be taking the class at the same time and at this point no one is signed up but that can change quickly, and often people sign up just before the class starts. So I am praying and preparing to drive to Ohio and spend two weeks relearning the repair trade. I am really excited and hopeful about it.

Its an adventure. I guess that I am not through with my portion of The Journey. Its the door opening to a new vision, one that I will be following alone. It new fruit from the old tree, that is ment for me... I cant wait to taste it.

September 26, 2005

The Far Horizions

I believe this to be the best photo I have taken this year...Peoney from the gardens of the Crescent Hotel Eureka Springs Arkansas.

Its incredible... For the last two years I have had a window on the world, that I could not have imagined before I begain blogging. Blogging has expanded my rather narrow view and given me a vision of Far Horizons...

I have found a voice in cyberspace that has changed my life for the better. My Wide Blue Seas has become a home for me to display my photos,showing all of you how I view my surroundings. ... My dream of writing, and being read has been realized...nearly thirty thousand readers from 103 countries...(Hat Tip and bow down to the people at NEOWORX and their NEOcounter)
I have been amazed at the diversity of my readers and hope that I have provided a window to a world that they had not seen before. Your responses to my work have been so appreciated, and have been a healing balm to my spirit after a lifetime of rejection and abuse.

I read your comments, and if you blog, your blogs as well. You have become friends that my husband and I talk about. You have encouraged us on our Great Journey, and prayed us through difficulty and distress.

If you were here in front of me Id hug you and give you a lei... but the virtual flower will have to do.

Thank you for your support from the bottom of my heart. Happy second Blogaversary My Wide Blue Seas.

September 25, 2005

The Tree of Life- Revelation 22

A Brilliant Summer Day, Pasture near Noel, Misourri.

Revelation 22

Then He, The Angel, showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb,
in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him;
they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.
"And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book."
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
But he *said to me, "Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God."
And he *said to me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near.
"Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy."
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.
Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star."
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the Water of Life without cost.
I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book;
and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.

September 24, 2005

For Those in the Path of the Storm

jogging on the Seawall Galveston TX Getty Images

O, Lord
The power of Your Creation
Amazes and terrifies us.
In a moment
in the time it takes to sing a song
the face of the land is changed

By the force of wind and water
You show us the fragility of life
That nothing, even our lives
are in our hands

So we pray
Loving Father
Spare us the force of Your wrath
Grant mercy and grace
to those in the path of the storm
and compassion to those
that come in behind.


Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"

Second Time Evacuees Getty Images

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day;
Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.


The Burned Out Bus, 24 elderly evacuees die in a bus fire on the I45 near Dallas TX Getty Images

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, To guard you in all your ways.
They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the serpent you will trample down.
"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
"He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
"With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation."


The Heartbeat of America The Refineries at Beaumont/Port Aurthur TX Getty Images

September 23, 2005

Nani Reports On How Mom is Doing...

Sleepy girl keeping me company at 2 am this morning, my Nani-kins...


There is so much going on in the world, with the big storm... all of the Texas cats cant blog, cause they are flying in the little birds (cars)down the roadway and not in their homes... so I thought that I would encourage Mom to sort of fill in for them. It is after all cat blogging friday...

The cat bloggers as well as Mom and Dad's family are in our prayers.

Mom went to the doctor today. She said he was a very nice man, a former Air Force Major, that was quick to the point but still had a warm bedside manner. This is good as he was sticking a tube up Moms nose to look around in her head. Dad wanted to know if they found any thing in there... He thought that was funny. The Doctor said everything was normal and actually very healthy for someone that has the nose problems Mom has. Mom then told me that they stuck the thing one her neck with a needle and took samples to see if is a evil growing thing or just a infection. The Doctor said not to worry and for Mom to go on with the plans she is making... He will call us on the phone and tell us what we must do to get the growing thing off of her neck.

ooops I wasnt sposed to say anything about the new journey she is planning... I would think she is tired of putting her things into the rolling boxes and stuffing herself into the little bird and going away... but some of us are prone to wander...
Thats why we have to stay in the house, so we dont wander away...

Our Humans seem to come back...Thanks be to God....

September 22, 2005

For Posterity's Sake

the Quilt, bought at a yard sale in Bella Vista AR- The quilt and the funky little lamp (I have a pair, they are adorable) I bought to decorate the shabby little room I slept in at the rental...

"The Quilt...why yes, its old, the homeowner was in her 80's and her grandmother made it for her mothers wedding, thats what she said. Yes she was very proud of it, had displayed it on her guest bed. Yes its a bit stained...lovingly used...I know I know the dear thing never bought anything, the house looked like a antique shop... I know the quilt is cheap, here have the matching sheets. She only wanted a few dollars for them and was selling her things to raise money for her charity,and so her grand kids wouldnt have to deal with it all. Moving into Concordia...thats the assisted living home you know. Cook and clean for you have a nurse on staff. She deserves the attention after doing for herself her whole life. She has the money and why not..."


"My Mom and Dad... didnt do anything other than work, Dad had his golf, Mom took me to all my things, scouts and music lessions, ball games... Mom didnt work until I went into the Service...Worked 20 years till she was 75. Saved it all. Dad was a butcher, union job. Paid ok for the times. Used cars only and no credit ever for them. Never borrowed against the house and paid off the 30 year note in 10...all 9500.00 of it.Yeah sold the house for over 200 thousand after Mom died. They had pensions and savings...I have never had a job that had a pension. Never really learned to save. Mostly havent had the opportunity. I wonder what will happen when we get old?"


"You cant leave me here. They treat me like a prisoner."
"Mom, Im sorry, but I cant do anything about it."

There never was enough money in our home, between the things that my parent wanted to have and the things they could have done without. My Father forced to retire early in his prime working life really condemned us to a less than middle class standard of living. Al of their efforts went into caring for him in his illness, and there was little left.When the time came for my Mother to go into a full time care facility, for some reason she thought that the better assisted living place HAD to take her. She ended up in a clean but understaffed and totally section 8 populated nursing home. One of our last exchanges went like this...but who has the money???

and my end will be no different... The average wage I have earned in my lifetime is 8.96 per hour... how do you save or get ahead on that?...

This post isnt about retirement, but it is in a way. I do believe that our generation is not going to get the option of "retirement" as have previous generations have by reason that our worth, our earnings are being consumed, not by the ravaging inflation that crippled many of our parents, but by house prices and rent costs and the staggering costs of health care, and insurance... by 25,000.00 family cars that are that expensive because of over development and advertising rather than prodution and sales costs. (I was shocked when I went to buy a car a few months ago, the last two cars I bought were in 1991 and 1996 and were less than 10,000 each used)

Also there are hidden costs that we dont even see...

There is the incredible "Myth of Overspending". In this Boston Review article by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi, They explore this highly politically charged myth that has led to sweeping changes in the bankruptcy laws that protected the poor and middle class and gave a fresh start to millions. I am one of those. In 1996 as my health was deteriorating and my doctors wer cautiously giving me six to eight months to live, a lawyer who was looking at some financial difficuties my husband was in with his ex wife advised me to file, to give me some peace of mind and a rest from the fear that not working or dying would leae Woody with the debts of a huge wedding and a remodel of MY house,which we couldnt sell at that time in a crummy market. The judge noted that I had never missed a payment up until the day I filed, and was compassionate. Home Depot and Sears even sent me thank you letters for not dragging it and best wishes for my recovery...

As you can see once I let go of my precious credit I recovered. God was teaching me something I think...

The other thing that has caused the difficulty is for those of us that are not college grads or havent made it in the working world life is hard. $7.00 per hour is considered a good wage in places all over this country. Well, I have been earning that same amount at many jobs since I was 18, that is since 1980. Throughout much of the nation wages are stagnant and have been for 30 years. Only the Minimum wage keeps them from falling even more. If you count the illegal labor that I think keeps servers and fruit pickers from earning an amount commensurate with the back breaking work that is another reason America is going broke.

I used to think it was just Hawaii, but I am seeing it everywhere. Families not making it. No help from anyone. Its a national disaster that makes hurricanes small in comparison and help is needed now. Debt relief, and laws changed to protect the consumer not the bank. Its needed today

Unfortunatly, I have no posterity to leave anything to. Just my cats and Arkansas doesnt allow for that. Just as well. But for the sake of the future, we need to think and plan somehow... Its not going to improve at this rate.

Hat Tips Cowtown Pattie at Texas Triflesand the dudes at 2Blowhards

September 21, 2005

In the Path of the Storm

Treacherous Shores- estimated ground zero for Hurricane Jova, 550 miles southeast of Hilo as of 7 am HST 9-21-05 photo taken at Seaview near Kapoho Big Island


It was a brilliant Sunday afternoon, the sun sparkled on the water as Woody and I inspected homes on the gulf shore side of Galveston Island. Some were newer, on concrete pilings, like the homes on Kauaii in the Hanalei flood zone... but most were on wooden post and pier, yes they were 20-25 feet off the sand but...

I couldnt get excited about it, not one home intrigued me enough to call the agent back... There was something about it... The flatness of the island, the lack of trees... The water was so warm, and then there was the history...1900 20,000 people dead, what was called the "New York of the Gulf" back then was scoured off the map...

I found myself thinking about this as I walked the streets of the town and looked at the crumbling infrastructure. I felt like I was standing in a graveyard and we decided that we were going to Arkansas for sure... As lovely as it was we never looked back.

Again I kiss the rocky soil of Benton County and thank God we are here. We are concerned about family and friends in the path of this monster storm, and are praying that all is well.

In our former home, we are reasonably sure that hurricane Jova is not going to actualy hit Hilo...but... you never know. No one is preparing according to what I have been reading. There is nothing stopping Jova from crahing into the Big Island but its not thought to be a possibility by the locals...

One should never underestimate these incredible forces of nature....

My heart goes out to those who are leaving all they own behind and evacuating. I have been following evac plans via Laurence Simon's blog, and one of his Hurricane links the blog "Smoke On The Water " tells the haunting tale of the preparations being made by one man for his family of cats and his beloved sloop, the "New Dawn". CNN is said to be picking up the story.

I see only one bright spot in all of this mess, North West Arkansas which has been suffering under terrible drought and heat is is the path of the heavy rains that should follow Rita. The green fields that will come in the aftermath of the storm will be a blessing...

September 20, 2005

Putting It Off

Tropical Flowers Taken at the Maunaloa Macadamia Nut farm near Hilo Hawaii

"Hoku, I have to find a doctor. This patch on my arm is getting worse..." I have noticed it and remarked upon it for months but the journey seemed to make putting off the dermatologists visit pretty easy... So today we found a local man and made the appointment. Woody has had dozens of tiny cancers taken off of his face and arms, neck and back. This fair skinned green eyed man has spent his life in the sun... As a tiny child in tropical Panama, his birthplace, then hundreds of afternoons playing on play grounds, then coaching on those same playgrounds as a parks and recreation director. Golf, life on California's High Desert and now three years in the burning Kona Sun have left his skin a mess. He's unconcerned.

Im as bad as he is. I have not had medical insurance since 2002, so it becomes a great excuse to avoid annual exams and the dreaded momogram...(one was enough, I was bruised and sore for a month and am so large that Im unsure that it matters or not.) I check myself out, and things have been ok...

Until now... maybe

About a month ago I notice a irritation behind my left ear. Hey, its my phone ear and Ive been on the phone a lot...Well four weeks later its the size of a elongated golfball and is heading into my scalp. It hurts all of the time now, and is not a skin related issue. This is deep deep under the skin, and the nurse at the dematologist's nurse said to get into a ear nose and throat doctor ASAP.

With all of the cancer in my family, I was dumb to wait this long, but I figured it was only an infection, and it maght well be. But the look on that ladies face unnerved me. I have a number for a doctor to maybe see tomorrow. Unlike Hawaii, where it was hard to see any professional (doctor, dentist) on a cash basis, people seem to be open to it here and I am glad. I am going to do my best to not put this off.

I will report in and let you all know what is going on

PS I wont be seeing a doctor untill 9-22. Everyone is booked solid and this man is in surgery the next two days but wants to work me in on his first office day. Thanks be to God.

September 19, 2005

Antique Critique

Bright Mums at the fair taken near Butler Ohio oct 2004

My favorite antique, Woody, in the yellow shirt, shopping at the fair...

Woody loves to shop. That is a good thing for me as I love to go and shop and look at things. Second Hand stores, thrift stores and the phseudo-antique shops. As we all know there are a rare few true antiques in these places and a lot of these things are made in China, or in the garages of housewives in the localities near to the stores.

Saturday, I was just fried and so we opted to drive to Joplin, MO. We discovered that there is a Bob Evans Resturant We discovered this resturant chain whil we were in Ohio last year and enjoyed eating there. So we had a nice drive through the country side and then to Bob Evans for lunch.

Then it was the antique malls... We spent hours combing through two places that had a combined over 1000 vendors. Talk about brain fade and shop till you drop... I love the unique and the different and since I have a house to decorate, not a problem finding just the right things...the cherry console for the living room 39.00, a bamboo styled hinged box to tie the oriental furniture to the contemporary look we have now. Lace dollies, hand made, I love them.

At the end of the day, I stumbled on the find of the night. Since our 6 month anniversary, when Woody and I discovered a pair of delicate china cups and saucers in a antique store that matched. We have collected this pattern ever since. I bought a few peices from "Replacements, Ltd", a company that says its motto is "We replace the irreplaceable". One of my most cherished posessions is a teapot in this pattern that I bought from them when they called from North Carolina and said that they had one in mint condition. I didnt even ask the price, I just said "ship it".

While in Ohio last year, we found a place setting of Pope Gosser "Florence" in a backroads shop near Butler Ohio, for 50.00. When I offered to buy it, the gal behind the desk said "Great" and dissapered beind a curtain. She emerged with a huge box filled with china. Over 60 peices, serving peices and eight place settings. Many were pristine but others showed heavy loving use. We only paid the 50.00 and another 125.00 to UPS it to Hilo...and we shipped it with our things to Arkansas. I believe I can now serve a family dinner on it, we havent unpacked much of it yet, and I dont think anything is broken.

The lady told us that Pope Gosser made china that was for daily household use near there in north central Ohio. This pattern was a give away at local merchants, and was many a poor housewife's treasure. To have as many pristine peices as we do makes us happy. Surprisingly Woody is as attached to this as I am and was furious when we found a square plate in the set was the only casualty of our Hawaii move. We have not been able to replace that unique peice. I wish I had kept the bits as we have talked about my making jewelry out of it.

Perhaps "recycling" in my favorite reason for antiqueing!


our finds... two, five peice setting of Florence.

September 18, 2005

The Abundance of Our Lord- Isaiah 55

Farm Sunset, Taken near Mt Vernon Ohio Oct 2004


Isaiah 55

"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.
"Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
"Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples.
"Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, And a nation which knows you not will run to you, Because of the LORD your God, even the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you."
Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
"For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
"Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off."

From the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Please visit their website at www.lockman.org.

September 17, 2005

News of the Ozarks

The Concierge at the Crescent Hotel Eureka Springs Arkansas

Written 9-17-05

I have been having trouble with Blogger these past few days. I thought that I best write a bit to keep up so I dont fall behind.

Ed Helen and Woody at the Crescent Hotel Eureka Springs Arkansas.


First, our friends Ed and Helen and Woody and I had a great time during their visit. We took them around to sights that they wanted to visit and enjoyed just talking. I always have a load of laughs whenever I am with them...Good clean humor...

the "elephant" formation Onyx Cave Eureka Springs Arkansas

We all wanted to go to this wonderful cave, known as the Onyx Cave. I was very beautiful inside. Unlike the cave at War Eagle that we went to a few months ago, this was a self guided tour and was much easier to move around in... We had a nice lunch and did a bit of property scouting which we always enjoy doing.

We did have a visit the next day from them at our home, which was nice. We didint spend a lot of time there as they wanted to be out and about, as we did. So we drive about our new home town and again looked at the different neighborhoods and houses available. Prices are going up here too, and I dont know what their plans are but amybe we will have them for neighbors one day.

Friday we had a miricle occur. A new Bosch Hot Box came in and the plumber came out and installed it and wonder of wonders we have hot water!. There are still somee issues that are so technical that it would take me all night to explaine them. But we are getting hot showers and dishes washed in hot enough water...

We had some business to do in town after the plumber was done, and decided to have a treat at the DQ, and take it to one of the lakes that are near by. Like I wrote in my poem the temperature has cooled dramatically, so you can sit in the sun for a bit and not bake to death. Well, I ordered a small and Woody a med. Blizzard. His came out three quarters full and ok for the car. Mine came out a third over full and as it was handed to me prompty began to drip...shower all over me. I let out a howl and yell for a napkin. I tried to lick it and hunks of banana began to rain down upon me and my car. There was no saving it or me. With a rebel yell I pitched it out of my car window like a hand granade, where it exploded all over the drive through. The smart aleck kid who was laughing at what happened to me in the drive through wasnt laughing when Woody, who wasnt amused at all, growled at the punk, "make her another one this time not so full" and as he was about to tell him "no" Woody said..."and just be glad she didnt get out of this car and pitch it into your face...shes a great shot, and wouldnt have missed..." My banana split Blizzard came out forth with and we went on our way. A bit sticky but laughing by the time we reached Lake Ann Park.

Beautiful Lake Ann Bella Vista Arkansas

It was a perfect Fall day, as this picture show it was peaceful nearly silent at lakeside. Woody and I sat for a long time...This is a place of peace and while we sat on a bench watching a fish jump out of the water we know that we are ment to be in this place.

September 16, 2005

This isthe new message.
wide blue seas llc all rights reserved

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Mobile Email from a Cingular Wireless Customer http://www.cingular.com

September 15, 2005

Showing Off

Caught Showing off... a first tree turning in the Ohio autumn, Shot near Wooster Ohio Oct 2004


In the western sky, behind the storm
Lightning illuminates the swirling clouds
Flashing brilliant colors of white and gold
In the shadow box of the Southern Plains.

Cool northern air strikes hot southern skies
Pouring rain, hail and chilling winds
Drenching the earth with cooling
Changing the climate of the mountains

Within a day, a striking change
Foliage turning gold in the chill air
Autumn enters with sudden aplom
When all Nature's caught Showing Off

September 14, 2005

The Best of It

the Wild Sky "The Sheep Run" near Beaver AR

The Best of It

However carved up
or pared down we get,
we keep on making
the best of it as though
it doesn't matter that
our acre's down to
a square foot. As
though our garden
could be one bean
and we'd rejoice if
it flourishes, as
though one bean
could nourish us.

"The Best of It" by Kay Ryan, from The Niagara River. © Grove Press, New York. Reprinted with permission.



I feel like this sometimes. We continue to have issues with the contractors and still have no hot water. The unit was mis-shipped and should be here in the next few days. I hope we can get hot water before the cold weather hits.

Our friends Ed and Helen are here and we are having a very good time. They were the folks that told us about what they had seen regarding this lovely state and encouraged us to look at it. Well we are here and as we sat tonight over fried chicken dinneres at Myrtie Mae's in Eureka Springs, its hard to believe... 10 years ago I was sitting in their living room planning a wedding... 10 months ago I was also in their living room planning an evacuation from Hawaii.

I so enjoy being with them. I have known this couple nearly twice as long as I have known Woody... We laugh easy together, and talk of people that I have not seen in forever and have fond memories of.

Ed and I have lead worship together, we work well as a musical team and I think understand each other. His wife Helen is a very talented homemaker, who creates beauty with her hands, making things as well as preparing things in her kitchen. I have always admired her ablity to make a home... I can feel the love there anytime I land on their doorstep.

Maybe a bit of their harmonious relationship will rub off on us in these next few days...In the mean time we are playing tourist for a few days and I really need the break.! It will help me to make the best of it as time goes on.

September 13, 2005

Happy Fourth Birthday Baby Kitties!

6 month old Makoa and KaNani, so tiny we had to double over their collars!

They are our joy, they are a trial. They can be the best medicine for a stressful day, or they can generate enough anxiety to fry me for days... and they are the best little travelers. If the ancient Hawaiians had "Popoki" on the voyaging canoe, they must have had Mak and Nani's distant ancestor on board, they have done so well.

Born sometime between 9-11- and 9-13 2001 they are proof that good things happen too in the midst of all the sadness. The foster "grandparents" said they were the best kittens they had ever reared.

They are my delight, I cant imagine life without them. So its extra Fancy Feast tonight and lots of hugs and kisses for the birthday kids.

As serious adults, Makoa and Kanani on the screened porch 9-11-05

September 12, 2005

I Am An American, and I Will Overcome

Hope after the storm, Sunset Sept 3, LaPlace LA

On September 9, 2005, The Poet Lauriete of the United States, Dr. Maya Angelou was on the Larry King Live Show. She had written this reflection on the hurricane and its aftermath and I found it compelling...a different voice and view.

With the anniversary of Spetmber 11, 2001 just past and the sobering cleanup effort under way, let me dedicate this to the "Overcommers" Those that fight the fight and dont give up.


When Land Became Water, New Orleans

When land became water,
and water began to think it was God,

Church under Water


consuming lives here,
leaving lives there,

Mansion that has seen better days near I610 New Orleans

swallowing buildings,
devouring cities,

Island in the storn, a dry spot in the road in downtown New Orleans

intoxicated with its power,
mighty power,
and the American people were tested.

Waiting for shelter at the Superdome

As a result of our tumultuousness,
there abides in the American psyche
an idea so powerful it ennoble us,
and lifts us high above
the problems which beset us.
It can, in fact,
evict fear.
It can rest despair from its lodging.
Simply put,
the idea is,
" yes, I can.
I am an American,
and yes, I can.
I can overcome."


Site of Civil War battle,and burials at Arlington National Cemetary, Arlington Virgina. ANC Photo


The one-time slave says,
I have proved and am proving
that I can overcome slavery.
The one-time slave owner says,
I have proved and I am proving
that I can overcome slavery.
The North can say,
I have proved and am still proving
that I can overcome the Civil War.
The South can say,
I have proved and I am still proving
that I can overcome the Civil War.

sign outside of neighborhood

With crime rampant in our streets,
the American can say,
our masses have not turned
into masses of criminals.
Even with blissful peace,
Americans can say,
we have not been lulled
into a contented laziness.

The Day After Neighbor helping Neighbor


The song that was so needed
100 years ago when it was written,
so needed 50 years ago
when it was used in the civil rights movement,
is of great use to us these days,
while we are still reeling
from the onslaught of the violent hurricane.
The song is "We Shall Overcome."
We shall overcome.
We shall overcome,
I pray.
Deep in my eyes,
I do believe we shall overcome.
Let us all pray
and work to enact it.

I am Maya Angelou, and I am an American.

Maya Angelou....


Flag Waving Photo Courtesy of Tomslighthouse.com

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.


And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ Ch 12:10-11

September 11, 2005

Lux Aeterna Epilogue 2005

Fallen Hope. This spectacular image was created by Gregg Brown and copywrited by Life Inc. Learn the amazing story of this photo by going to my new essay at My Wide Blue Seas-Lux Aeterna

Last year I began a series of essays and photo journal regarding the events of 9-11 and its aftermath. Based on the the choral masterwork "Lux Aeterna" or "Light Eternal" by Morton Lauridsen, the essays were linked to the various movements of the memorial mass by the same name. Annually, many devout Catholics can have a memorial mass said for the dead, and often the prayers used are the Lux Aeterna sequence. The recording by the Los Angeles Master Chorale is a favorite recording of mine and I play it often.

The world is changing rapidly. We are, as a nation, under incredible strain with the War on Terror continuing, and this past fortnight the raveging of Hurricane Katrina. More now than ever we need to place out trust in the hand of Almighty God and rely on Him and His provedence. The events of 9-11 could easily become the beginning of a cycle of horrors that will mark this New Mellienium as one as horrendous as its pedicessor. We need to pray and work toword a better future, one where self reliance is the progenerator of liberty and prosperity. We need to be vigilant against the errosion of our civil liberties, and rights as free persons. It will take little to push us backwards into a culture of civil dependence and a "nanny" or even "police" state situation. Another attack could bring this about. We The People need to do what we can to not tolerate such abuses.

To those that are grieving friends and loved ones this day, know this that you are not forgotten. We are there with you grieving beside you and remebering that day that changed us all forever. We are united in this moment. One nation that will never forget.

This years essay is hereLux Aeterna- a Memorial Blog After a time it will be placed in sequence on the blog. It is my intention to continue this tradition as long as I am blogging, and you my friends and readers are still reading.

May God Bless You this Lord's Day and may His Lux Aeterna, His Eternal Light shine upon you this and everyday.

September 10, 2005

The Zimbabwie-ization of Hawaii

Black Sands White Foam Retreating surf at Punalu'u Beach

The vote was postponed due to Hurricane Katrina legeslation needing atttention, so you can still contact your congressman about this horrendous un American peice of trash legeslation being voted on this week

Bill S147 known as the "Akaka Bill" is touted as giving "Native Hawaiians" the same "rights" as other "Native Americans." What it does is allow a group of Americans to break off and become their own nation. It tells a small group of special intrests that they and not the land owners and citizens of a state of the union of states in the United States of America, that they control things...and gives them the money power and legal tools to wrest land from anyone who cannot prove they are "Native Hawaiian" which includes a lot of Hawaiians I know... All you have to do is look at them to know they are of the People of the Voyaging Canoe! It also discounts the claims of thousands of non polynesians who are decended of subjects of the King of Hawaii. Americans English, Mexican, Portugues, Chinese, Japanese, Samoan, Tongan, Marshallees, and others that are "Hawaiian" This also includes the US Dept of Defense...Goodbye Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Bay! If you dont think its true read the bill for yourself.

read the following article by Frank Gaffney, Jr from The Jewish World Review. the call your congressman!

The U.S. Senate is scheduled today to decide whether to clear the way for the most odious, anti-American piece of legislation in memory: S.147, the "Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act." Incredibly, as things stand now, more than 61 Senators are expected to vote to begin a process that would ineluctably unravel the United States as a nation.


This legislation has been advanced in the spirit of pandering that has come to characterize all-too-much of our national political life. In this case, the pandering is on behalf of an ethnic community that is largely a figment of some politicians' imaginations — a once-sovereign, identifiably blooded race of "Native Hawaiians" that are, if S. 147 were to become law, to be given the right to govern themselves as they see fit. This could involve creating a new Hawaiian monarchy and perhaps lead to the islands' secession from the Union.


Hawaii's long-time Democratic Senators, Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye, are leading the charge for S. 147. The latter has considerable influence within his party and across the aisle as the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee. They are joined by the State's Republican Governor, Linda Lingle. Her political ambitions and appeals for support from the Bush White House have borne fruit in GOP circles. In particular, the administration has demonstrated once again its willingness to subordinate national interests to expediency-driven plays for ethnic votes. Similar calculations previously prompted it to pander to Hispanics by closing the U.S. military's vital live-fire combined-arms training facility at Vieques, Puerto Rico and with a de facto amnesty for guest workers.


The result is a clearly unconstitutional effort to manufacture through legislation a new "tribe" out of one of the most heterogenous and fully assimilated populations in America: people who can claim through one of two qualifications to have had something to do with Hawaii. S.147 would designate as a "Native Hawaiian" anyone who is: 1) one of the "indigenous, native people of Hawaii" and who is a "direct lineal descendant of the aboriginal, indigenous, native people who" resided in the Hawaiian Islands on or before January 1, 1893 and "exercised sovereignty" in the same region; or (2) eligible in 1921 for the programs authorized by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act—that is, "any descendant of not less than one-half of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian Islands previous to 1778."


Absent from this definition are any of the characteristics previously required for a Native American tribe to be recognized as such. For example, a "Native Hawaiian" need not be able to demonstrate: residency in Hawaii (either currently or at any time in the past), ties to a particular traditional culture or language, or any documented involvement or interest in Hawaiian, much less Native Hawaiian, community or political affairs. This is not an accident. The law could not establish such conditions because it would be difficult to constitute a tribe if they applied.


By contrast, the Department of the Interior uses the following criteria to recognize a tribe: 1) existence as an Indian tribe on a continuous basis since 1900; 2) existence predominately as a community determined by, among other things, geographical residence of 50% of the group, language patterns, cultural patterns; 3) political influence or authority over members as an autonomous entity from historical times until the present; and 4) membership descends from an historical tribe or tribe that combined and functioned together as a political entity.


Instead, S. 147 uses as its test for membership in the so-called "sovereign" Native Hawaiian "race" what amounts to the ability to claim a one-drop-of-blood connection to a "aboriginal, indigenous, and native person" who lived in Hawaii at the designated times. This test is complicated by two inconvenient facts: The "Native Hawaiian's" governing regime was a monarchy — under which sovereignty resided in a single individual, not in a people — and it was not racially based. And since the 19th century, the Hawaiian "people" included many native-born and naturalized subjects who were Americans, Chinese, Samoans, etc., not "ethnic" Hawaiians.


As it happens, in 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an earlier effort by Hawaii to create a state-sanctioned, race-based entity composed solely of Native Hawaiians (defined in a manner similar to S. 147). The Court — citing the Constitution's Fifteenth Amendment, which forbids discrimination in voting based on race — ruled that such a race-based government in Hawaii was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court stated:


"One of the reasons race is treated as a forbidden classification is that it demeans the dignity and worth of a person to be judged by ancestry instead of by his or her own merit and essential qualities. An inquiry into ancestral lines is not consistent with respect based on the unique personality each of us possesses, a respect the Constitution itself secures in its concern for persons and citizens….[To do so would be] odious to a free people whose institutions are founded upon the doctrine of equality."


Should Senators violate their oath of office — which obliges them to "support and defend the Constitution" — by enacting S. 147, they will be inviting an even greater problem down the road. Other self-designating communities can be expected to demand recognition of their rights to have their own government and sovereign laws. These might include Chicanos, Cajuns, Amish and Puerto Ricans.


Given the contortions involved in identifying, let alone conferring sovereignty upon, a "Native Hawaiian" community, who is to say that other groups won't demand the right to govern themselves by their own rules, as well? Already, Islamists in Canada and elsewhere are demanding to have their affairs adjudicated by Shari'a — a religious code that, taken to its extreme, produces Taliban-like repression of women and other living things. Lest we think it couldn't happen a society like ours, international protests against the establishment of Shari'a-ruled communities will take place on Thursday across Canada and in France, Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands.


No good can come of a "yes" vote on S. 147. It will be a black day for the Senate and the United States of America if a cloture-breaking majority of Senators cast it.


This bill was designed to allow special intrests control of some of the choicest real estate on God's Green Earth to build casinos and race tracks on...Gaming in all forms in illegal in the state of Hawaii by the will of the people. This ends the will of the people by putting in a phony monarchy controlled by the mob that will take an already corrupt government and send that to new heights of larceny. Prostitution will be legalized as will other froms of vice. It should disgust every decent person.

Look at the photo at the top. My Punalu'u, one of the choicest spots on earth, vacation spot of Hawaiian Kings, imagine that turned into a resort with gaming and vice. It sickens me.

If you think this is a non issue. Wait till the Islamist in your community want their own little fiefdom...and it becomes the new Terrorist outpost, in lets say, Lodi CA, or Fayettville AR? Hmmm, me thinks this is a disaster waiting to fall on our silly politically correct world. We need to axe this thing now, before its too late.

Hat Tip to ArklahomBoy

September 09, 2005

The Coconut Wireless

Enter the Hero... John of Geek Squad Fayetteville

In Hawaii there is that thing called the coconut wireless, its the seeming miraculous way everyone knows everybody else and all of their secrets. I laughly wanted to call my new wireless network the cocnut wireless but...

the name was already in use around here... is that funny or what. More refugees from the tropics? I guess.

I am the proud owner of three computers so we decided to set up this internal network. I wanted a pro out to help me set up as I am so worn out and just not up to a lot of physical stuff up and down and under tables. So we called Geek Squad and they came out with the router and other stuff and viola! no wires and all systems ar configured to communicate with each other. The Huakai wireless network is born...

We are pressing forward on unpacking. We are having company 9-13. Will be interesting with no hot water...

Agent John of Geek Squad said he couldnt help us with that problem.

September 08, 2005

Another Postponement of Destruction

my ever innocent Nani, I hear a crash, and she comes skittering out with that terrified look...." but I was only playing!"

Another Postponement of Destruction

Banging out the kitchen door, I kicked
before I saw it a thick glass baking dish
I'd set outside for dogs the night before.
It skidded to the top step, teetered, tipped
into an undulating slide from step
to step, almost stopped halfway down, then lunged
on toward concrete, and I froze to watch it
splinter when it hit. Instead, it kissed
the concrete like a skipping stone, and rang
to rest in frost-stiffened grass. Retrieving it,
I suddenly felt my neck-cords letting go
of something like a mask of tragedy.
I washed the dish and put it in its place,
then launched myself into a rescued day.

"Another Postponement of Destruction," by Henry Taylor, from Understanding Fiction © Louisiana State University Press..

I am the one kicking things. I am finding the frustrations of life hard to handle right now. The kicking causes unforseen damage, and more hardship. Its bad enough we have the accidental and the inccdental damage to deal with.

The night before we heard a terrible crash and jumped out of bed to find the heavy box with the framed pastel of my Mother's home in Cuba keeled over on the floor, underneath, crushed, was the small plastic ball that Nani likes to chase. We have not had the courage to open the box yet, and are glad that my tiny playful kitty wasnt squashed by the box she likely just bumped.

Her brother though was a really bad kitty the next night when he ran and jumpped on the forbidden top of my dresser. He was aiming for the high window and hasnt learned that the windows here have no sills for the cats to perch on (or me to clean or put clutter on) so he fell dragging the dresser scarf and everything on the top of the dresser. Yes it could have been a lot worse, I have only started unpacking my treasures, but a lovely set of footed porcelan dishes that I bought on our road trip in 2001 were lost. All four exploded on impact. Shards of pottery everywhere and in our and Mak's feet as we scrambled in the dark space. No serious injuries, but I was so mad I chased the little beast around like a mad woman and now he wont come near me. I cried much of the night and wanted to get on the next plane to anywhere, just to escape.

I lost the plates and my cat's trust. But the destruction is more internal for me... I feel terribly sad when I lose control like that. I feel like I am digressing rather than progressing.

We are all weary and somewhat lost right now. We all have "less" space in ways we are not used to. Woody and I for logistical reasons have had separate rooms through much of the journey. Sharing a bedroom again is sort of like starting over, snoring and all. Your truly is the queen, with the decible level reaching operatic at times.

The cats have less access to viewing the outdoors, as the windows are high and sill-less. They are used to spending their days out on the screened porch, but we need to restrict them tojust being out there when we are out there, as we have loads of cartons and stuff out there and being out on the screened porch at night particularly is not a good idea. There are too many creatures that see kitty as a item on the menu, and could come right through the screen.

I have far less space than I thought that I did and putting stuff away has been a huge challenge. Many of the cabinets in the kitchen the shelves do not ajust so It hard to figure out when to put things. I am convinced that the people that were here before us cooked very little, and had one or two glasses and plates. Its just amazing. I had more storage in my tiny farmhouse in California. I got so frustrated that I whacked a drawer, now it doesnt work right and I earned the ire of my husband for being stupid and reckless. "One of these days, you are really going to hurt your self," Woody retorted... He's right.

Yet, it will all work out. I got a better nights sleep by not having the cats loose last night, and we are going to do this for a bit until sanity returns to the household... I turned down an opportunity from Woody to pack it in and go back to Hawaii for a bit. Id still have to come back here eventually, better to be more rational about it and try to fininsh up things here. We still have the hot water thing hanging and I need to get myself sorted out. It is unfolding little by little and I know that its a matter of time and paitence. After all, we didnt get this far in a day, The Journey is a living process to be lived out one day at a time.

September 07, 2005

Backyard Blogging

Majestic clouds near Seaview, Puna

Well I pulled the laptop out so I could just do something other than complain or unpack a box and low and behold I came out to the lanai and fired it up and someone has a wireless network up, I think its our neighbor, Don, next door. He wont mind if I use a bit of bandwith... I got a router and stuff and our access is up and running... having Geek Squad here in the am to help in setting up the network.

God is letting the computer work as so many things are not working out... Mostly its just newness and God bless, it will get all familiar as time goes by. By the way nothing in this world can compare to sleeping in your own bed. It is bliss!

I am finding that I still have way too much stuff and we hualed out a computer desk I had bought as a scratch and dent place to put up for sale. I have a antique colapsable table that opens on both ends so I will have a computer (desktop) at both ends one for Woody and one for myself. The couple that hacks together stays together??? I dont know at present if both systems are even functional we just cant seem to get that far in the unpacking, We are still struggling with getting all of our dishes pots and pans ect out of boxes and into cabinets that were designed for midgets. These folks didnt seem to cook much or they had only one pot and one drinking glass each. Truthfully, I looked the place over and never gave it much thought, the place was stuffed to the rafters with stuff, so I felt my own pile of stuff would fit... I feel like George Carlin talking about "stuff"

The Deer are "running" and their season has begun early. The locals say this means a hard winter ahead. We have had small herds pass through the area at night heading down to Lake Avalon to drink and hang out. The township is a gun free zone as far as hunting goes so everyone is safe more or less.

As I sit here I see the last few fireflies. We have come to love the creatures. They epitomise our experience as a "Malahini" or newcommer to this area. I have come out here at night when I cant sleep and listened to the night noises and wondered at the symphony of sounds... Its truly amazing

It makes the nightly cold showers easier to deal with. The water heating system we wanted to put in has been one disaster after another. Now the unit has been deemed defective and a new one is being ordered. Woody has made himself odious with his constant" follow up " calls that no one wants to talk to him any more. He is also odious to me as he is a unmotivated bather at the best of times and cold water turns him into wimpy butt... Me...hey, after 5 minutes you get used to it and with my variying afflictions, daily bathing is a needed and well deserved ritual. He marveled at my 25 minutes under a cold spray. He said that if I had balls, I couldnt do it. My response was that "I have them mentally and that is all that is required in this life, now get your smelly rear end in the bath tub!" Woody retorted that I would have made a great Drill Instructor.

We are looking at another 7-10 days of this. Every time I start to bitch I think of how life would be living on an overpass in the middle of a stinking swamp that was your city. That shuts me up everytime.

September 04, 2005

The Day After- Psalm 46

Refugees from Hurricane Katrina AP Photo




Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar {and} foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, Who has wrought desolations in the earth.
He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire.
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.

September 03, 2005

Precious Posessions

Precious Posessions, three peices of jewelry I am seldom parted with, and their unique symbiology... from left to right, my Commitment Ring the cross and the key to my heart, symbolizing concecration to righteous living as a single person, and now due to my life's circumstances my continued commitment to a chaste lifestyle. The Tri Quetra Pendent. The Pendents design dates back to the First century AD and is a early symbol of the Trinity. The center stone is a tanzanite and the white diamond dropping from the symbol is symbolic of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then my wedding rings. Woody picked them out, and they have this unmistakeable image of the sun comming out from behind a cloud. Story of my life, in diamonds and gold. All original designs protected by copyright by Wide Blue Seas LLc all rights reserved.

written 8-31-05

"Hoku, its a mess, we still dont have hot water, and we can stay at Metfield one more night...Yes yes I know you packed up all of your stuff...its ok, just get what you need for the night and no matter what we will be in the house, hot water or not by tomorrow...cause our lease ran out so its field showers if we cant get the water system running..."

Woody is so easy going he just strips showers and sleeps where ever and will don dirty clothes and press on the next day like any good Marine. Me, i need all of my stuff...and I realized what my life consists of, posession wise during this six month journey.

Fatigue and irritation caused me to have a mini fit, then I straightened up, scrounged up a change of clothes, face cream, toothbrush and paste, stomach pills, nightgown and robe. I knew I had shower stuff and my computer, and food still at the condo. The Kitties were not moved yet so we are here all together. We had turned our linens in but we had found ours so I brought some here. We had a good dinner of left overs and Woody is sawing logs rolled up in a blanket and I am hot showered and comfy with my computer...quite frankly feeling like a pampered princess in light of the mayhem in the gulf coast area...

I am the most blessed person on earth. As I unpacked boxes today, thinking of the million plus people reduced to refugees with not a scrap to call their own, I prayed for peace and order and wisdom for the officials dealing with this disaster. Woody in a fit of generosity replaced all of the appliances in the house , and donated the working but 15 year old ones to a place that helps people get back on their feet after personal disaster. I looked at my new frige, running, with ice cubes and blessed God.

Even with the grinding fatigue...I have a low grade infection of sorts and we are monitoring it, it makes it hard and I find I just dont have a lot of enegry, but again, I thought," well Im weary from a journey of my own choosing and not driven out by catastrophe."

A bowl that belonged to Woody's great great Grandmother.... My library of nearly 3000 volumes... The delicate Chinese furniture that we were not able to sell in Hilo is the subject of ooos and aahhs of everyone who sees it. The most traveled item, a tiny three drawer chest that my mother bought in route to her four years of missionary service in Cuba, and was brought out as she fled the revolution. I am overwelmed with the thought that I have received more than my share of blessings. I have these things, and while I think its not seeing them for six months as well as the hurricane aftermath that has me filled with gatitude.

Its going to take me a while to get my life back in order. Im glad that I will be able to do this. A million of my fellow Americans will never be the same as they were a week ago. It is as though the very fabric of their lives was ripped apart and scattered in the whirlwind...the only way they will be woven back together is by the Hand of the Master Weaver... That will take time as well...

It may be a few days before I can post again. Be well while I have a short break. Aloha!

September 02, 2005

Beyond Imagining

written 8-31-05 am

It has come

We looked at the photos of the Christmas Tsunami in wonder... How could this be? The destruction and devestation could only happen in places not as developed as we in America...

We kid ourselves. In the face of natural disaster, we are all weak humans in the face of the storm...

For Katrina, of mighty wind and pounding rain seemed to home in on the weakest link, and the compound disasters threaten the very fabric of life here. Make no mistake, the fallout from this catastrophe will fall on all of us. Illnesses, like historic plauge... housing...has America has such refugees since the Dust Bowl? Where will they go?

I found myself in prayer, first thanking God that we didnt move to Galveston, or Gulfport, or any of the little communities that were reccomended to us along the Gulf Shoreline...even Florida...remember how we wanted to go there... I am so thankful, and horrified by the suffering that is occuring as I write this

As Alabama's Governor said, we must hope in God, and she just quoted Psalm 46 which I will post Sunday. It is all we can do. If you can give money and blood to the Red Cross if you can.

September 01, 2005

Thanksgiving At Journey's End- A Poem

KaloPlant Kalopa State park. Kalo, or Taro. Brought to Hawaii by the Tahitian colonists, the pounded starchy root becomes the staple "Poi"... Staple it may be, in times of famine it was the bread in the desert, the manna, of Polynesia. It sustained the Voyagers accross the trackless Pacific. And sustains the poor of Hawaii today.


Lord, my God you sent us
out into a wilderness
Accross the wide sea
to a land we did not know

We have heeded Your voice
even when not undestanding
Going forward through every door
You opened wide for us

You sent us bread from heaven
and a means we did not earn
Your provided every desire
and turned Your ear from our complaints

You provided a home in the forest
a place of refuge surrounded by friends
In Your time and in Your way
Our dwelling has been established

We praise You for Your goodness
Your mercy and provision.
You have sustained us this day
Now and forever more.