Friday Flash 55 - Playing With The Pooches - August 12, 2011

CA State Capitol

Wikipedia

I'm glad the Terminator's gone,

To me, he seemed a freak,

Though admired far and near,

For his muscular physique.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, 38th governor of California

Wikipedia

He did little for the Golden State,

And left office cloaked in shame,

For some politician movie stars,

Every woman seems fair game!

Republican husband, Democrat wife,

Seems, to me, a source of certain strife!

Carmen Henesy

I am participating in Mr Know It All's Friday Flash 55 -

check out the site and join in the fun!

I am a hundred miles north of my Daly City home, house sitting with my two

granddogs while my son, Alex, and his wife, Laura are spending eight days on

a two island vacation in Hawaii - four days on Oaha and four days on Kauai. 

It's Laura's first time in Hawaii though I've taken my boys there twice.

They are having a wonderful time and I am really enjoying the adoration of

these two doggies.  I can't believe how loving they are.  There is no question

in my mind that pets can lower one's blood pressure.  I have felt so relaxed

since I got here.  Taffy and Bucky are constantly with me, following me

from room to room and, of course, they hop onto that California king bed

at night to keep me company.  I'll really miss them when the kids get home!



Oahu, Hawaii - Scenic Sunday, August 8, 2010

Oahu, Hawaii - Scenic Sunday, August 8, 2010

Hawaii, from San Francisco, is only a short five hour flight, close enough for a weekend

visit when air fares permit.  I fell in love with these islands when I was only sixteen-years-

old and joined the Army judo club in my home town of Columbus, Georgia.  Many of

the other members were in the Hawaii National Guard or were Army personnel from

Hawaii stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia.  One of these men, Warren Fukushima, has

been my friend since that time, almost fifty years.

I first visited Hawaii when I was eighteen and I have been back about ten times over

the years.   I love the diversity that is Hawaii, the blend of cultures, the music, the food,

the dances, the traditions.  For over twenty years now, when I visit, my friend, Warren

has been there, too.  I cannot imagine Hawaii without him.  He is the spirit of aloha.

Sunrise over Diamondhead

The Byodo-In Buddhist Temple

From the temple website:  "The Byodo-In Temple is located at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple is built entirely without nails. It is a scale replica of a temple in Uji, Japan, that was constructed over 950 years ago.

The Byodo-In Temple is a non-denominational Buddhist temple which welcomes people of all faiths to worship, meditate or simply appreciate its beauty. The temple grounds are often used for wedding ceremonies for Hawaiians or visitors from Japan.

The Temple grounds are a lushly landscaped paradise nestled in a cleft of the pali and are home to wild peacocks and hundreds of Japanese koi carp. The beautiful grounds include a large reflecting pond, meditation niches, and small waterfalls. Visitors describe this destination as beautiful, peaceful, and restful."

This is really such a beautiful place, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.  I never visit Oahu without stopping here.

North Shore, Oahu, near Turtle Bay Hilton

I am participating in Scenic Sunday - join in the fun!