Always Missing Someone

Philadelphia. We moved there in 1989. It was a career move for my husband. I got a job there, made friends there, and grew to love it. We lived there for sixteen years. Then we decided to move back to the Midwest to be closer to our families. Of course I had mixed feelings. I still have mixed feelings. In many ways it was the right thing to do. I have seen my nieces grow from little girls to teens and tweens. Before we moved we saw them only on holidays when we came to visit. I sent their birthday presents through the mail. Not too long ago my youngest niece, Molly said to me, "Aunt Judy, we didn't know you very well before you moved here". We were able to be at the hospital for the last days of my husband's mother's life. We have been here for my 87-year old mom.

Now we are visitors when we go back to Philadelphia. Instead of having our home to stay in, we stay in a hotel or at friends' homes. I still miss the home we had there. The first time we went back I started crying as we took our old exit off the turnpike. I still miss our neighbors and friends. If we moved back there, I would miss my family here. It seems I will always be missing someone. I envy those who have everyone they love in one place. I guess that's less common these days, with modern life what it is.

This is Where I Want to Live!

Waimea (also known as Kamuela) is in the North Kohala district of the Big Island.

This is the main street through town (I think it has two traffic lights).

These pastures are just outside of town:

Snow on Mauna Kea:

This is where we went for coffee and breakfast:

The Waimea Coffee Company.

This is where I decided for sure I want to live here. A group of women came in for coffee after their exercise class. Everyone was chatting and laughing. I could tell it was a true community, not just a tourist place.

Everyone seemed happy and relaxed. There was a laid back feeling. I think I would be happy here. I could wear my flip-flops every day!

Hawaii Photos from My IPhone

I finally got around to downloading these from my phone. Now I want to go back!

First stop, LAX. We have a bite to eat and get ready for our next flight.

After five more hours; we have arrived!

Sunset that night:

The colors are perfect; fleeting, but perfect while they last.

First morning breakfast:

Outside our room, the beautiful surroundings. We were here last year, too; it's so good to be back. It smells the same, like the sea, the sand, the trees and the foliage. It smells like Hawaii. The air feels the same; it's soft and it caresses you. I find just breathing here almost intoxicating.

I am SO happy! This is my "Hawaii face".

What I Did On "Black Friday"

I went over to my sister's house, where they were putting up the Christmas tree. That's Aubrey holding the angel. How do you place the angel on top of a nine foot tree?

It helps to have a gymnast in the family. That's Sarah in the pink shirt; she's an award winning gymnast.

Sarah climbs up:

Just a little higher:

a little more...

She almost on the ceiling!

Mission accomplished!

Molly: "Where should we put this one?"

Sammy in the back yard:

Down the road:

I guess the Christmas season has begun!

Black Friday

Not me... not ever!

Some Things Never Change

About 25 years ago I bought this Rookwood vase at an antique show. I loved the delicate colors and the ethereal vibe they evoke.

Well, here are the same delicate colors I saw in the Hawaiian sky just last week.

Odds and Ends about Hawaii

The entrance to our hotel. I like the chairs; I like the rugs; I like the whole Hawaiian vibe.
The front is open to the air and the back is open to the beach and the ocean. I love being half outdoors even when I'm indoors!

The hallway to our room; I walked this hallway many times, always happy, always smiling, just to be where I was:

This is the door to our room; the hallway is outdoors. I love that!

and out the back door you can walk to the beach and the ocean!

I love the sunsets:

but I also love the blue in the sky just after sunset:

The kitties we fed outside our room:

Halloween in Hawaii:

"Strength, resilience, and longevity of this place and its people; spinner dolphins, whales, sea turtles and the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal." So much to love about this place.

If you drive to the end of a road,

you come to a spectacular view:

Remember how much I loved photographing the foam that comes in with the surf?

Well, I found a blouse with trim that reminds me of that:

See the resemblence? Every time I wear it, I will think of the surf.

ALOHA!