love

Elvis Can’t Help Falling in Love

Bon voyage aboard the famous Smith Family Cruise Boat for an exclusive trek up the Wailua River, known as “the only navigable River” in all Hawaii. Our captain boldly proclaims the river’s pure mountain waters pour down from Mt. Wai’ale’ale, well-known as one of the wettest spots in the world. “Pay attention,” he continues, “to the lush lands along the river where the sacred capital of ancient Kauai became home of the island’s ali’i; the birthplace of royalty.” Four generations of Smiths stay committed to the daily tradition of endless love, chanting song, and native dance sharing Kauai’s rich heritage along the way. Hula dancers move to the strings of guitar and ukulele in rhythm-filled emotion. Hypnotic hip swaying and intricate arm movements transcend the trance-induced travelers serenading all into their world. Our two-mile journey upstream is filled with anticipation as the boat navigates around ambitious kayak enthusiasts and canoe outriggers en route to the Secret Falls near the next bend. For us, the destination is more astounding. Finally we dock in a private landing where we make our way on a winding footpath through a serene rainforest filled with exotic plants, towering trees, and tropical flowers native to the island. At the end of the trail the mystery unfolds. In plain sight Nature astounds all who gaze in wonder and awe. A geological act of God was born millions of years ago. And that wonder is Fern Grotto. A natural cave, formed from lava, is an amphitheater completely covered in ferns that are growing UPSIDE DOWN from the roof of the grotto. Truly! At one time, prior to Hurricane Iniki, wedding ceremonies were actually held within the grotto. This location was featured in the movie, “Blue Hawaii”, starring Elvis Presley, making it one of the most romantic and unique wedding sites in the world. Our host proclaims one final word with a smile, “The Hawaiian blessing is Hoi Hou Ke Aloha; Let us fall in love all over again.”

Missing My Father 

Missing my father who was the first person to believe that my dreams could come true. He taught me how to have faith in God and to believe in the power of His love. Dad encouraged me to follow my heart, showed me how to be kind to others, and inspired me to never lose hope. I love you, Dad, and celebrate the anniversary of your first year in Heaven. 

Just Keep Watering 

“We’ve got this gift of love,

but love is like a precious plant. 

You can’t just accept it

and leave it in the cupboard 

or just think it’s going to get on

by itself. You’ve got to keep

watering it. You’ve got to

really look after it and nurture it.”

~ John Lennon

The Open Arms of Love

“Just imagine becoming the wayyou used to be

as a very young child,

before you understood

the meaning of any word,

before opinions took over your mind. 

The real you is loving,

joyful, and free. 

The real you is just like a flower,

just like the wind,

just like the ocean,

just like the sun.”
~ Miguel Angel Ruiz

The Second Invitational~”The Love 😻 / Hate 😼 Blogger Challenge”!!

All things bright and beautiful….I received my second invitation to the L/H Challenge by the enthusiastic author of  http://awanderingstoryteller.wordpress.com who is not only quite personable, but has interesting stories to share. It’s worth your time.
These are ten (10) things that I love: 😻
I love perusing through antique shops.

I love the smell of old hard cover books.

I love heirloom cameo brooches.

I love hand-painted Quimper porridge bowls form France.

I love taking time to catch up on long distance relationships.

I love to giggle and laugh with my husband in the kitchen.

I love to break open the sand dollar to release the five white doves inside.

I love the symbolism of the fleur-de-lis: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I love to hear the chiming of a grandfather clock.

I love that homemade potato soup is one of my comfort foods.

These are ten (10) things that I hate: 😼
I hate dull scissors when I’m in a hurry.

I hate to get a broken nail right after a manicure.

I hate it when I tear a contact lens.

I hate to see people with too much carry-on luggage. Check it!!

I hate to see underpaid and unappreciated employees.

I hate it when parents leave an atrocious mess from their kids in a restaurant and then expect the waitress to clean it up.

I hate it when people think it’s okay for their dog to poop in other people’s yards.

I hate the sound of a bird hitting the window.

I hate to parallel park my car.

I hate to see road rage.

Now that the two lists are complete, I submit to you the ten (10) nominees for the next round of “The Love 😻 / Hate 😼 Blogger Challenge”:

http://eatdrinkseeaus.com
Ralph
Charlene
http://pamobieta.wordpress.com
http://kitchenspells.wordpress.com
http://deadcatcomesback.wordpress.com
http://enaamshealthandhappiness.com
http://hungrycookie.net
Magdalena
http://eloisesedibles.com
Congratulations and enjoy the challenge!

Gail

Do Opposites Attract?  The “LOVE / HATE Blogger Challenge” Awaits!

Every once in awhile we are asked to take a look at our distinct personality and the opinions that make us unique in our own right. It’s not always easy to take a self-critical unbiased view, especially when the statements can be based on emotional reactions. But I took a deep breath and decided to oblige. Besides, inviting conversation is usually very interesting. Since my associate blogger friend over at http://thesunshineisours.wordpress.com (whom I do not know on a first name basis) included me in this challenge, I thought I would set foot into the ring and share a little more about myself.

The rules ask that you list ten (10) things you LOVE followed by ten (10) things you HATE. So here I go…..
LOVE LIST:

(1) I love to listen to French music when I am cooking in my kitchen.

(2) I love to surprise people with gifts of food.

(3) I love to travel with my husband when he goes away on business.

(4) I love to impulsively send handwritten notes to others.

(5) I love that the word “Hope” is always part of my vocabulary.

(6) I love it when God uses me to be a blessing to others.

(7) I love Stargazer Lilies with their hypnotic fragrance and alluring beauty.

(8) I love bicycle rides and sunrise surprises.

(9) I love romance and being in love with my husband.

(10) I love to iron tea towels and clothes with a light lavender starch. It makes me feel as though I am ironing in the south of France.
HATE LIST:

(1) I hate that Forgiveness is sometimes conditional.

(2) I hate seeing loved ones and friends struggle with illness.

(3) I hate hearing God’s name taken in vain.

(4) I hate the excuse, “I’m Busy”!

(5) I hate to see people cry.

(6) I hate a messy house.

(7) I hate spiders, especially fuzzy ones. And jumping spiders.

(8) I hate being the first person to enter a room. (Second child syndrome.)

(9) I hate it when people talk loud on their cell phones.

(10) I hate verbal, emotional, and physical abuse.
Now that my lists are complete, I have the pleasure of issuing the “Love / Hate Blogger Challenge” to ten lucky people. Read on and Pay It Forward!

http://smilingnotes.wordpress.com
Joy
Peachy
Kim
Ted
Reeanna Lynn
Julia
http://filmandgarlic.wordpress.com
Alecia
Leslie
That was easy.  Now, tell me, Do Opposites Attract?

The Hopeful Romantic Hyacinth

HYACINTH 

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

“I am in love with him
To whom a hyacinth is dearer
Than I shall ever be dear. 
On nights when the field-mice
Are abroad, he cannot sleep. 
He hears their narrow teeth 
At the bulbs of his hyacinths. 
But the gnawing at my heart…
He does not hear.”

Play At Your Own Risk

“Nana, look at me!”, squealed Kamdyn, the active blonde-haired preschooler. She and her nine-year old brother, Landen, had forfeited an afternoon of sitting at home playing Xbox action games and perusing the internet for baby videos on YouTube. They tumbled instead into the back seat of the late model car to spend six hours with Grandpa and Nana.  Currently they were among hoards of kids heartily involved in physical activity at the newly-opened “Rec Plex”, an indoor recreation center. Kamdyn was hanging upside down on the parallel bars swinging hands-free as her ponytail nearly brushed the cushioned floor mat. Her eyes danced with laughter as she viewed the world topsy-turvy.  

Meanwhile, Landen was buckled into harness gear ready to challenge a sequence of towering rock walls before him.  Upon closer scrutiny, obstacles were placed from floor to ceiling designed to test balance and agility. Some steps whirled creating a false sense of security while others slanted causing the climber to anchor sure footing before ascending further. Climbers Beware. One false move could trigger a misstep resulting in a safety harness free-fall back to the base. Now it was Landen’s turn.  He drew a deep breath and focused his attention on the summit above him. Within seconds he began the vertical ascent. In synchronized motion, he calculated each step along the way, testing the objects for stationary weight resistance. The upward slope was jumbled with hand grips as well as distance markers. Halfway to the top he paused, looked in our direction for moral support, and then climbed higher.  Once he reached the peak, he grabbed the ringer to sound the brass bell before scaling back down the rock wall. A quick victory cheer and he was on to the next challenge.  Meanwhile, Kamdyn cart-wheeled acrobatically down the sloping trampoline ramp leading to the gigantic pool of foam blocks.  “Nana, I did it!”, she shouted afterwards in a thrilling voice. It just goes to show you, the youth of today are willing to leave technology behind in lieu of normal physical activity.  In their innocence, they strive for encouragement as well as an outlet to gain our attention and approval.