Monday Mellow Yellows - Schubert Bakery, San Francisco, CA - February 21, 2016

I came across this photo, taken four years ago, when Warren Fukushima, my friend of over fifty years, left the warmth of Hawaii, to visit me in San Francisco.  We stopped for coffee and a sweet treat at Schubert's Bakery on Clement Street.

What a spectacular place that was!  I had the hardest time
deciding what to eat.  I've often thought of returning but, thus far, I've managed to resist the temptation.

The bakery case was filled with so many yellow confections, perfect for Monday Mellow Yellows!

I am participating in:

 Gemma Wiseman's 

Monday Mellow Yellows

Aloha, Beloved Merle - December 10, 2015

At this time of joy and festivity, my heart is filled with such sadness.  I just learned of the death of someone I loved deeply and held in much esteem.  I feel like I knew Merle Endo all of my life but we met only about fifteen or so years 

ago because of forensic nursing as I met so many dear friends.  Our encounters were infrequent - at conferences here and there, once for a day when my cruise ship was docked in Hilo, Hawaii and Merle spent a whole day with Sherry Arndt and myself, and, finally, a wonderful day when we were together in San Francisco for hours, playing tourist, taking dozens of photographs - not nearly enough of each other but, primarily of flowers and bugs, laughing and giggling about whether they could have "forensic value."

From our first meeting, Merle and I formed a close and loving bond.  The internet was our form of communication, especially in later years, with retirement, as we both traveled hither and yon.  

Merle touched the lives of so many people  She was an emergency room nurse at the Hilo Medical Center, then worked for the sexual assault response team of the Hilo Police Department.  She was one of the most caring and compassionate women I ever met.  She had the utmost respect of our colleagues of the International Association of Forensic Nursing.

I was in India from May until October this year, in a household with very poor internet connectability.  I managed only sporadic contact with this dynamic lady who constantly encouraged me to visit Hawaii, luring me with the promise of homemade lilikoi pie.  

When I read condolences on Facebook several days ago, I

was in complete disbelief.  I immediately went to Merle's FB page and scrolled down until I saw her last post to me, dated September 7:

Merle Endo

September 7 · 

Upping pain meds. Pain is unbearable, making me scream. Wish we had good permanent orthos on BI. To guard rt hip, now left is almost just as bad. Don't know how my friend Carmen dealt with all her bone problems and still traveled halfway around the world. Love you, Miss Carmen.

I love you, too, sweet angel of a friend.  I hate that you were suffering such terrible pain since the summer.  Your daughter tells me you were only diagnosed about three weeks ago and were to undergo chemo.  I guess the Lord chose not to have you suffer any longer.  

For me, you were the epitome of the aloha spirit.  I will never forget you and I pray that your friends and family will have courage to get through the days ahead.  I am so blessed to have known you.

Bing images

Bing images

Inspired Sunday - Holy Virgin Cathedral - August 3, 2014

The Holy Virgin Cathedral, Joy of all who Sorrow, located in San Francisco,

California, is the largest of six cathedrals of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Construction, begun in 1961, was completed in 1965,

St. John, who died in 1966, is buried within the church.  Its five onion domes are

covered in 24-carat gold leaf and the interior is filled with beautiful art, icons, and

paintings.  One must attend a service to see them and interior photography is

not permitted.

I am participating in 

Inspired Sunday

Add your "spires" to join in the fun!

Thanks to Wikipedia for information on the Holy Virgin Cathedral.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Virgin_Cathedral

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors - #136 - Pink San Francisco Victorian - July 7, 2014

San Francisco, California, the wonderful "city by the bay," which has been a part of my 
life for nearly forty years now, boasts the most incredible Victorian houses, many
of them with "whimsical windows, delirious doors."  I would often drive around for
several hours, with camera at the ready, snapping pictures, whenever something
wonderful caught my eye.

Here is but one of the incredible houses, referred to as "Painted Ladies."

I am particpating in

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors - #136 

Add your photo to join in the fun!

Look Up, Look Down Challenge - Week 41 - San Francisco Scenes - May 28, 2014

Certainly, with its hills "climbing halfway to the stars" as Tony Bennett tells us 

in song, the city of San Francisco gives us many views looking up and down.  

I have not participated in this meme before but, having chanced upon it today,

I thought I'd add a few San Francisco "looking up" pictures to take part in it.

When it was completed in 1972, the Transamerica Pyramid was the 8th 

tallest building in the world.  It no longer houses the headquarters of 

Transamerica which has since moved to Baltimore.

Houses often perch precariously on hillsides and cars park with signs with

signs warning, "Prevent runaways.  Curb your wheels".

This is a house in the Castro district of San Francisco.  Imagine carrying 

groceries up all those steps!  The residents shouldn't need a gym membership!

I am participating in the 

Look Up, Look Down Challenge - Week 41

Add your photo/s and join in the fun!

NF Inspiring Photography 85 - Catching the Light - Laughter at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam

The last two years, I've returned home to San Francisco from India with 
December connections through Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam.
It is a duty free shopper's paradise and it always gaily decorated for the 
holidays.  Since I rarely have funds left after my lengthy India stays, I am 
quite content to stroll about, camera in hand, taking pictures, and allowing 
myself an indulgence of a few bars of marzipan for the continued trip onward.

I thought this picture, as I disembarked my India flight, was perfect for 
today's theme, "Catching the Light".

I am participating in 

NF Inspiring Photography 85 - Catching the Light

Add your photo to join in the fun!

Happy St. Patrick's Day - March 17, 2014

I'm awfully glad I'm Irish,

Though it's really weird to me,

That lovely alluring Emerald Isle,

Is one I've yet to see!

I've traveled pretty close to there,

And though I'm not so fond of beer,

I often have an Irish whiskey,

When I need a bit of cheer!

I'm sad to  say I've searched in vain,

Till my knees have gotten sore,

But the only clover that I've found,

Hasn't had any leaves of four!

In my youth, I could dance an Irish jig,

And twirl about with the best,

Nearing 70, it's all I can do to walk,

And every few steps, I must rest!

Today, I'll have corned beef and cabbage,

Like any good child of the sod,

And before I sit down to devour it,

I'll offer my thanks to my God.

Tonight will end in a pub crawl,

Where I'll join folks of all races and creeds,

Because today, the whole world is Irish,

And we go where the leprechaun leads!!

Carmen Henesy

Copyright Carmen Henesy March 17, 2014

Out of Touch for Awhile - December 15, 2013

I've been home nearly two weeks already but have not managed to find time to sit
down at this computer!  I've been making the rounds of doctors ( got my hip
injected - amazingly successful this time, knock on wood - just hope I'll have some
relief for a few months ).  Also, saw my dermatologist who "froze" the tiny
area on my nose that was a precancerous lesion.

Spent some quality time with dear friends and got to see some musical
favorites perform - Sony and Jerry Holland at the J. W. Marriott in San Francisco
and Margie Baker at her usual Sunday venue at the Burlingame Hyatt.  If you
haven't seen either, you should give yourselves a really wonderful Christmas
gift and spend a few hours enjoying both!!!

I finally got up to West Sacramento on December 8th and I've been totally
enchanted by my precious little granddaughter, Harper Ann Vukasinovic.  She
already has me wrapped around her little finger.  I am really impressed with
what wonderful parents my son, Alex, and his wife, Laura, are.  The household,
Taffy and Bucky included, is so loving and happy.

You can barely see her two little bottom teeth peeping through

Here she's wearing one of her Christmas outfits..and Taffy is nearby,

as always!  I bought her one for Christmas Eve that says,

"Waiting Up for Santa"

Harper is almost 20 lbs now - and still getting boobie 

milk but Laura makes fresh baby food for her...favorites

are pears, applesauce, yams, carrots.

She babbles and plays happily for long periods with

her doggie baby sitters near her and Nana and mom

working across the room, cooking.

One of her favorite spots is the laundry basket!!!

Bucky lets Harper pull ears, tail...whatever, without complaint!

I couldn't believe how quickly this cute little bug and I bonded.  I am really going

to miss her when I take off January 8th for my three week jaunt around the South.

I do plan to return to India, too, in June...but only for three months this time.  I

can't imagine missing too many months of my granddaughter's life.

Sunday Bridges - The Bandra-Worli Sea Link - November 17, 2013

How nice to come across a new meme ( to me, anyway ), hosted by Louis 
la Vache, a Francophile American, living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I love his Golden Gate Bridge logo for the meme.  Only sixteen days and
I'll be able to see that bridge again for myself - after nearly 24 hours of 
flying from Mumbai, via Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam - only a three hour
stopover this time so I won't have too much time to peruse the gay holiday
decorations and sales.

Just recently, I went over to Worli and got to see the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Bridge up close and personal.  This cable-stayed bridge links Bandra
in the Western suburbs of Mumbai with Worli in south Mumbai and is officially
called the Rajiv Ghandi Sea Link.  All eight lanes were opened March 24, 
2010 - four lanes were completed and open almost a year earlier.

Peak travel times has been reduced from 60 - 90 minutes to 20 - 30 minutes
a true blessing in seriously overcrowded Mumbia. 

For more detailed information about this bridge, refer to the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandra-Worli_Sea_Link

http://www.bandraworlisealink.com/

I am participating in

Sunday Bridges

Camera Critters #290 - A Potpourri of Pooches - October 27, 2013

Doggie shots from a pre-India soiree in San Francisco:

One, with especially good taste, swiped the Brie off my plate but I managed to
hold onto my Russian black vodka!

\\

I am participating in

Camera Critters #290

Join in the fun with your critter shot!!

Thursday 13 - Wonderful Places I've Seen - Septtember 26, 2013

I haven't participated in this meme before but it seems like fun.  Each Thursday,
you pick a theme and list thirteen things about it.  I can do that, I'm sure!

My very first time to participate, I thought I'd write about thirteen wonderful
places I've seen - though I don't have photos with me, here in India, to depict
all of them.

1.     The Taj Mahal in Agra, India - the Unesco World Heritage site which was
         built by Shah Jahan, for his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving 
         birth to their 14th child

from Bing Images, domain free

The Taj Mahal

An architectural treasure,
A tribute to true love,
It almost seems to glow,
From a full moon above.

Made of pure white marble,
Mumtaz Mahal lies here,
With Emperor Shah Jahan,
Resting very near.

Such overwhelming beauty,
Reflected in its pool.
Its minarets standing guard,
Over India's treasured jewel.

Built on the River Yumana,
The Taj is an exquisite sight,
Symbolic of love for centuries,
Inspiring poets to write.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c) 2008 by Carmen Henesy

All rights reserved.  . 

2.     The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok,

        Thailand.- he is 15 m high and 47 m long

The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
Bangkok, Thailand

What is that you contemplate
As the crowds go passing through?
You lie in gilded splendor,
With nothing else to do.

Is there meaning to your dreamy face.
Could it be nirvana near?
Can you hear the faithful praying,
As they bow before you here?

Though you lie alone, Wat Pho is filled,
With Buddhas large and small,
A thousand other figures here,
So you are not alone at all.

Your surroundings are exotic,
Chedi graceful and serene,
A vast temple of great beauty,
A never forgotten scene.

Carmen Henesy

Copyright ©  1997 

3.     Iguazu Falls - on the border of Argentina and Brazil, was named as one

        of the winners of "The New Seven Wonders of Nature" - rent "The 

        Mission" with Robert de Niro which shows the splendor of the falls

from Bing Images, domain free

4.     Mysore Palace in Mysore in southern India - the official residence of the 

        Wodeyars who ruled Mysore for over seven centuries

5.  The Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy is a freestanding bell tower that

      began to lean during construction.  The ground was too soft on one side

      to support the tower's weight.

6.     The Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, in Kyoto, Japan is officially named

         Rokuon.  It is a Zen Buddhist temple built in the midst of classical

         gardens with a reflecting pond.  It is part of a World Heritage site.

7.     The Sydney Opera House, in Sydney, Australia is also a World Heritage

         site looking out at Sydney Harbor.  It is a multiple venue site and is one 

         of the world's most famous performing arts centers.

from Bing Images, domain free

8.     Butchart Gardens is a National Historic Site of Canada, located at

        Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, near Victoria.  It receives over a

        millions visitors a year.

from Bing Images, domain free

9.     The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California is one of the most

         internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco.  The American 

         Society of Civil Engineers named it one of the Wonders of the Modern

         World.  I crossed this bridge, as a visitor from New Orleans when I was

         eighteen.  I'll never forget the thrill I felt - because I feel it every single 

         time I travel over it - and I have hundreds of times in the 35 + years 

         I've lived in the San Francisco area.

10.   Senso-ji is the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, located in the Asakusa

         area.  Next to it is a Shinto shrine.

11.    The Byodo-In Buddhist Temple on the island of Oahu in Hawaii is 

          a replica of a 900-year-old temple near Kyoto, Japan.  It is set in

          beautiful gardens, with the Ko'olau Mountains behind.  It has a

          9 foot Buddha and a three ton brass peace bell.  I see it every

          time I am on Oahu since it is in Kaneohe, about fifteen miles from

          Honolulu.

from Bing Images, domain free

12.    La Boquerria - (  Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria )  located on 

          La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain is my favorite of many markets I've

          visited about the world.  The produce and vegetables are so 

          artistically arranged and there are wonderful spots inside to have a

          quick meal of Padron peppers or calamari, or to sip a glass of

          Spanish wine.

13.    The Acropolis of Athens, Greece is an ancient citadel that looks out

          over the city, reminding all of its importance to history and the world.

I have been blessed to travel about much of the world so I could easily do

another post about thirteen wonderful places!!!

I am participating, for the first time in 

Thursday 13

Check it out and jointhe fun!

  

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