This morning Dan and I strolled Anini Beach, despite the rainfall. It was shell nirvana. We played on a rope swing and when the heavens opened, we took refuge under a tree.
Yoga at noon with Maria. I see why it's important to share your energy, walk around and smile, touching people. When I indulge in 'my practice' as a way of demonstrating poses, I am not sharing my love.

Dan brought me a ginger lemonade and we rushed to the Lihue Airport to pick up Gail.
After an hour or two on the lanai with Aloha hospitality we got serious in the kitchen.
Dan is marinating ahi and Gail and I prepared the papaya spring rolls with cucumber, mint, basil and cilantro in kiluea lettuce leaves. Yum with the peanut sauce.
When the last light is faded, we'll head down to the gazebo to meet our international community at the Cliffs in Princeville.
Mahalo, Big Happy, Susan and Gail

Refreshed by Breezes

Today is like the other days, windy and pleasant.
After coffee we head for the Jacuzzi to relax and stretch in the 'jet streams'. Then off to a time share presentation. One week there sells for 79K. Do they think we're nuts
(just because we come from Oregon?)
Dan buys me a dress at the Tropical Tantrum; It looks like a Mai Tai. Tonight we dine at the Hukilau Lanai where at 5 there is a five course pairing menu. We rarely go out for dinner, In fact I am foregoing my Relax Deeply class at 6 to dine here. After our quick shop we strolled the Hanalei Farmer's Market buying apple bananas, mint, basil, cucumber, lettuce and a lilikoi goat cheese. Tomorrow Dan's neice Gai arrives from snowy Portland. I am making her spring rolls with papaya and cucumber and Dan is grilling some Ahi kebobs. I plan to make a Macadamia nut pie too.
In the afternoon we enjoyed more pooltime, reading and laying in the sun. I had a little time to draw a scene to paint.

"Bringing Yoga to Life" by Donna Farhi

I am re reading this book to deepen my practice on and off the mat.
The question is, Why we come to practice Yoga. Donna believes it is a spiritual impulse to to know and reclaim our divine birthright. On some level we seek this treasure and long to be truly alive, joyful and at peace.
As I lay curled up in our king bed this morning wrapped in tropical air howling and the doves cooing I feel this palpable thrill, this contentment, the nature of Suhka or sweetness at my core.
"The practice of yoga helps us connect with the part of ourselves that is always virgin.""The place within us that can never be damaged."
I Love this!

Cloudy Days are here again

Blustery overnight. . . .go figure, 79 degrees and gusts up to 40 mph. . with the wind chill factor, what is the actual temperature?
Feels like 60 :-) But, you know, it's ALL Good! We 'Sunbathe' this morning, reading and soaking up the diffused light. We are wearing suits and flip flops, hanging out at the hot tub and hanging very loose. I have tan lines now :-) Wahoo.
Which reminds me: Yoga today was awesome. Hatha Flow One was 50 variations of the Sun Salutation/ Ashtanga style: hopping. The coolest sequence was Eagle pose,opening the wings,then bringing the big toes and heels together and squatting ,balancing on the tippy toes.. Then opening the stance and moving to Garland Pose flat footed. And from there tucked the knees into the armpits and moving the heart forward to balance on the arms in Crow Pose In reflexology the feet and ankles represent the head and neck, curious. eh?
In Savasana Carole said, " Loose your attachments and aversions ( didn't we just study these causes of suffering?) Move into your witness being. I felt myself soar and hover above the palm tops and witness.

Dan picked me up at 2. Time challenged, I have no idea where I am, who I am or what happens next after this yoga class. Lunch is on the agenda. Then a little dress shopping and back home for the Member's reception.
Later Dan watches whales and I find my first drawing of the week. It is so hard to begin, but ask myself what is the worst thing that can happen? I don't like it. Okay, Bye!
I like perfect and am acommodating my vision loss, "invite it all in, the good and the bad." Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
And so I paint.
Now for dinner, it's off to the BarB with a New York Steak and a little Walu. Time to meet the neighbors. . . . . .

Cloudy and Windy: Sublime

We slept well to the gusty and pleasant breezes. The morning light was GLORIOUS, shimmering and golden infused lilac gray clouds. I tried to get a photo, but even 30 seconds in the bathroom was too long a delay. The whales were rolling in the surf as we enjoyed our coffee. Dan made waffles and we had eggs, then strawberry bananas with lime. We drove into Lihue for church at 10:30. Shopping at Long's Drugs and a tour of Costco preceded our lunch at the Hanalei Gourmet. Dan and I swam at the pool and read before settling back onto the lanai for whale watching. There is a gazebo across the lawn for grilling, It is fun to hang out there and meet our neighbors. Tonight's guests were from Los Angeles, Edmonton and Omaha ((North High class of '75).We grilled a chicken and fresh pineapple to go with the local greens, macadamia nuts and kauai tomatoes.
Tomorrow things get going with yoga at 12 noon.
Church was wonderful and two rainbows welcome us home this Sunday.

Coming Home

We were lucky not to have 'slipped' out of
the Northwest on the sheet of frozen rain, which reportedly was nipping at our heels.
The better part of the day was spent soaring through the air on Hawaiian Airlines, dozing, cuddelling, reading and eating. By three in the afternoon we were motoring along the North shore, admiring the big waves of Kealia Beach.
Dan loves the isle of Kauai, where no building is taller than a coconut tree (This is not Maui!) (Nor is it Kansas, or Omaha for that matter.) I can see him 'soften' before my eyes, He is so happy here. When interviewed he will tell you that he loves Kauai because he gets to see me in a bikini for two weeks and secondly he loves watching the whales frolic in the pretty blue sea.
I love Kauai because Dan is so happy. I come here to rediscover myself. Living outdoors, barefoot, lightly clad, smelling salt scented breezes, eating papaya, walking on turgid grass, I open my heart, spirit and mind. I breathe deeply and feel more alive.
This is the Gayatri Mantra*, which I teach about at home, feeling unity with all creation; openness, love and joy.
We buy some groceries, check in to The Cliffs at Princeville and settle on the lanai with sushi and cool beverages: A coming home to ourselves; relaxed and free.

*Gayantri Mantra, translated by Donna Farhi:
"Everything on the earth
in between, and above
Is arising from one effulgent source.
If my thoughts, words and deeds
reflected this complete understanding of unity,
I would be the peace I am seeking in this moment."

2 Below. . Winter 'Ale' Advisory

"Winter Hail?"
I asked as we finished our delicious pizza at Juliano's today. Maybe we should take a winter vacation. . . Hawaii? I can be ready by tomorrow morning! That is, if the winter hail storm doesn't actually occur and make travel to the airport impossible.
Let's call the Blue Star people to be sure we can catch that plane at 8:45.
Cool!