Centenarian!

Happy 100th blog post! This entry marks my "official" century mark. There were a few that were written and not posted due to the very non-Buddhist attitudes that they contained. A couple of them were written and taken down because I was worried that they would put my life in mortal danger. (Nevertheless, one was too funny not to share again.)

Overall, my family has been pretty good sports about all of the unflattering photos and stories that seem to find their way on this blog. So far no one has made flaming comments, probably because they wish to remain anonymous. Yes, I know you are out there, you have blown your own cover a couple of times. Even Zeus, who has rolled his eyes more than once at my ramblings, has not given me much grief about the time that I spend writing and has even sent more than one compliment my way. (An aside, when my laptop arrived last year he was worried that I would never leave my lair. That has turned out to be only partially true.)

It has been interesting to look back and see which of the posts generated responses, both written and spoken. Sometimes few words speak volumes. I also know that some of you aren't privy to our family history so some posts probably didn't make sense. I apologize for that and will gladly fill you in on any national security secrets to clear things up.

Numismatically Speaking has also occasionally proven to be a handy emotional outlet for my frustrations. Thanks for listening and making me feel better.

But best of all, I get to post photos of those who are special in my life and do some major bragging. Ahhh, life is good and just keeps getting better!

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"I'll turn you into a hat!"

Earlier this year Eris and Mr. Eris Jr. invited me to read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows along with them. The two of them read books out loud together nearly every night and this was the last one for them in the series. Since I hadn't read it yet it seemed like a great opportunity. Little did I know how fun this would be. It took a couple of weeks and frequently they were the ones waiting for me to catch up. We didn't read the entire thing together but met often to do a few chapters and to discuss what was happening in the stories. No one was allowed to read the last few chapters until we were all sitting somewhere quietly and wouldn't be interrupted.

A few weeks ago we started another adventure series, The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. These books are easier and move much faster than HP. Already we have completed The Magician's Nephew and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. On Friday we started The Horse and His Boy.

Two days ago the kids were tired from too much swimming the previous night to go again (what???) so instead we all watched the movie version of The Lion, etc., complete with popcorn and other goodies. I've always preferred reading before seeing the movie so this was lots of fun. One of these days we plan to have a Harry Potter Movie Marathon (I've only seen the first one.)

Mr. Eris, Jr. is an accomplished reader. I believe he exceeded his reading goal for school last year by over 400%. Little Ms. Eris is already reading and hasn't even started school yet. This comes from having a mother who devours books as fast as she gets her hands on them. Personally, for me a good book is like fine chocolate. I want to savor and enjoy every second of it.

I better sign off and get reading or Jr. will be nagging me about keeping up.

Update, Sunday 8:30 p.m.: Read through Chapter 12. You guys better get reading so I can see how this ends! Aslan is cool.

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Two of my girls

Jubee gets prettier every year. She is always such a good sport when I ask for a model.

Oh Duchess, you are in so much trouble. Those blue eyes are going to wreak havoc when she gets older! She already has Zeus wrapped around her finger!

To see more photos click here.

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Aloha???

For the last two months Zeus has been forwarding travel promos to me. I always look at them and then take a quick look at the calendar to see when we can get out of here for a few days. So far no place has been irresistible or there aren't enough consecutive days available.

This morning I woke up very upset. We had just 20 minutes to get to the airport or our flight to Hawaii would be missed. The bags were still unpacked and for some reason there were lots of people in the house that I couldn't get to leave. Of course, it was a nightmare, but at the same time also a wake-up call.

I guess it's time to make a decision. Two magazines that have come to the house in the last week have had numerous references to the Big Island and places that I want to see again. I want to snorkel and swim with the big turtles. My mouth waters for a fresh Pina Colada. Every time I turn around I am seeing something that makes me think of what is waiting for us. It is very hot here, 100's expected next week, and the shave ice places are on every corner. Unfortunately, they just aren't the same as that wicked thing (the Volcano?) that I was introduced to last time in Kauai. Each time I turn on the computer the weather report for Hilo, all 70s, comes up to taunt me. The final straw occurred yesterday. While stalking a blog, can't remember which one, the writer used the phrase "stink eye". I love that descriptive expression.

A few days ago while driving down south near the airport I wondered what it would be like to just spontaneously jump on a plane and show up in Hilo at Les' door. We all know that Eddie would go!

Hey Les!!!. Is my room ready?

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Cavorting with Castro

The aroma of a burning cigar used to be offensive to my delicate sense of smell. This comes from hearing my mother gleefully tell the story of when she smashed a cigar in my uncle's face with a wooden spoon in 1963 because he kept smoking it in her house after being asked not to. Yes, she delights in repeating it as often as she gets the opportunity. I digress....

Every Sunday morning for the last three years I have had a covert rendezvous with a man who I have dubbed Castro. Our brief encounter takes place at the local artesian well and lasts only a few minutes (this sequence of photos took only about two minutes to take). He walks briskly to the tree, fills up his plastic container with water and leaves just as quickly to go home. I am there because it is a halfway point in my route and the pure, unchlorified water is a delicious treat, even in the cold winter. No words have ever been exchanged.

I know Castro is coming before I see him. The odor of his stogie gets blown all around the area by the canyon breezes. The clothes are always the same, the khaki shirt and pants and his signature patrol cap. In the winter he adds a heavy camouflage coat. The rubber boots, well I guess that's what they wear in Havana.

This morning I strapped my little camera to my wrist and headed out at 6 a.m., determined to capture his image to share with you. He didn't disappoint me. At precisely 7 o'clock my nostrils announced his arrival and by 7:05 he was heading back to his casa, probably to watch Musica y Palabra Hablada on channel KUBA.

Adios Fidel... See you next week...

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Scary creatures

Spoiler alert: Jubee, don't read this post.

Okay, last night at 2 a.m. I finished book three of the Twilight Series. I also read Edward's chapter this evening. It's a damn good thing that book four is coming out in a month because I didn't like the ending at all. Stephanie Meyers had better redeem herself in the next one and fix this mess!

I guess it all boils down to this choice: cold, hard and no sense of humor vs. warm, snugly and fun to be around. The lack of physical intimacy of the cold one didn't score points with me either. I'll take a werewolf any day.

My four hours of sleep last night plus a very busy day has left me pretty tired. Time to read a few pages in the Buddhism book (no scary creatures or violence there) before catching up on my zzzzzs.

Thinking about dogs, I miss Sadie.

Saturday afternoon update: Word on the street is that Athena and Eris are shocked that I would actually choose the werewolf. I have also been warned that the Duchess will probably join their little coven. Oh my, being surrounded by all these vampire lovers just might put my life in danger! Well, all I can say is that I still prefer the hunky one who phases her dumpster-bound piece of junk into a workable motorbike and spends nights on the beach sitting around a bonfire with his pack. You are all just enamored with the granite-skinned guy who "sparkles" in the sun like diamonds and drives his fancy silver Volvo too fast.

Question: what happened to my feminist daughters? That vampire is wayyy too controlling.

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Thank you to the Websters for letting me take photos of your special day! Wow, you guys must really like each other to get married twice! They are best friends of Eris and family.

Have you ever seen such blond hair? These three little girls are adorable and had huge smiles the entire time we were there.

Congratulations to all of you!

(To see additional images click here)
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