Hawaii - Land of Fire and Water

We took our five grandchildren, ages 8 to 13, plus our children and their spouses for a vacation to Hawaii on June 25 and I know all eleven of us have different stories as to what we experienced.  This is my story.  

When we started planning the trip last year I knew that the best way to see some of the islands would be to cruise.  So we chose Norwegian Cruise Line which was the only one that started and ended in Honolulu.  We decided it would be good to stay two nights in Honolulu to get used to the time change before we boarded the ship.  On the non stop flight from Chicago, our son Brett, sat next to an elderly couple who were on their way to Honolulu for a Lion’s convention and had a condo in the city. They told him of many good places to eat and soak up the atmosphere.  

We didn’t waste time getting acclimated.  We settled into the Equus, a small hotel on Ala Moana Boulevard, a main thoroughfare of the city.  We were within walking distance of a huge mall which had a food court on the bottom floor.  There I was astounded at the new world we had stepped into.   Asian food was the main fare and the colors and languages of the South Pacific were everywhere.  

Honolulu

View from the 8th floor of our hotel Equus.

Jay, Avery and Brett with Diamond Head in the background.  Photo taken by Heather.

The Ramseyer family made it to the top of Diamond Head.  Waikiki Beach is in the background.  Avery, Jay and Carter were troopers to make it to the top on a steamy hot day.  Photo by Brett.

We were also close to Waikiki Beach and spent the second afternoon there. We discovered that this is not the best beach on Oahu or Hawaii even though it is so famous. The rocks on the bottom of the ocean there are formidable and can cause pain.  

The weather was hot and muggy and we learned that it was more like the weather they have in August and the trade winds weren’t blowing. The weather made all of us eager to dive into the ocean.  The kids also swam in a small pool back at the hotel.

The gang walks down Wakiki beach on a hot and humid afternoon.  

Bella and Avery soak up the sun and water at Waikiki.

When I saw these parrots on Bella, Avery and Carter's shoulders I just starting taking a picture.  I didn't read the sign which said I had to pay to take a picture or pay the owner to take one.  He got a little salty with me so I apologized,  and he didn't make me pay.  

In order to save money we had two children in each room with their parents, and Carter, the youngest in our room.  On the ship he had a bed that folded down from the wall at night and we folded it back up during the daytime. He seemed to enjoy being with us and usually spent his last hour or so in the morning sleeping with us in our bed. Every night he was asleep within five minutes after his head hit the pillow.

In Honolulu there was good shopping, but shopping was not my intention this time.  I only picked up a few little things like soap, postcards, jewelry and some quilted items. Hawaii has their own unique patterns for quilting and that fascinated me.  

A Hawaiian quilting pattern.

Four out of five grandchildren bought  a ukelele in Honolulu. They were miniatures ones, but they have a good sound.  Photo by Brett.

Once on board the ship, The Pride of America, life took on another rhythm. Because our children had signed up for excursions, some of which we were going to go on, it was early rising and hitting the breakfast area before it got too crowded.  

Our ship - The Pride of America

Our ship, The Pride of America is anchored off the big island of Hawaii near Kona.  The small transfer boat was everyone's way to shore.  In every other port we just walked out of the ship onto the dock.

Leaving Honolulu, Adrianna, Avery and Bella dress for dinner on the first night on the ship.

Bella, Avery, Jay and Adrianna liked to swim at night when no one was in the pool.  Here they sit in the hot tub enjoying each other's company.  Photo by Brett.

Small pool at the back of the ship.

Side deck chess board.

Main pool area on ship.

In another attempt to save money I signed us up for inside staterooms. Without a window to look out I found them claustrophobic, but adequate. When I mentioned the claustrophobic part to my son-in-law Damon, he said he thought they were cozy. I then knew there would be a different perspective about the trip from everyone.  

Of course we only had Carter in our room and the others had two kids.  I wish I had counted the times there was a tap-tap at our door and a grandchild was standing there wanting to come in.

Both our son Brett and I get motion sickness so we had to take a pill at certain times when the ship was moving.  We had to take one before we went out on a smaller boat to go snorkeling as well.  That solved the problem for me.  Each day had planned events once we got on the ship.  The first day we docked in Maui and while our family went on a hike in the jungle and jumped into rock pools, Hack and I headed to Laihaina, a small village on the western side of Maui. We had been in this town on a previous trip, but this time we took a bus from the dock area of Kahului. We rode along the coastline which I think is such a beautiful one.

Laihaina on the western side of Maui

Funky sign in Laihaina.

A Sunday art fair under a huge banyon tree in Laihaina.

It was a gentle wave day off Laihaina.  

The second day we all went bike riding 26 miles down the outer rim of the volcano Haleakala. Many people get up early to try to see the sunrise, but we decided to join up with an independent company that would take us up to 6000 feet and turn us loose. The top of the volcano is at 10,000 feet.

Our guide Remy told us stories all the way up to our starting point.  We learned that many people live off the grid in Hawaii.  In Honolulu we noticed countless homeless and a man told us it is a major problem in the islands. One woman told me they come from other places, but my question is how can they afford to get to Hawaii to be homeless. I’m sure there is a more accurate story.  

Having had some recent problems with my knees I was having a hard time getting my knee over the bike bar.  When I thought I had accomplished it, the bike tipped and I when flailing on the ground.  Remy, bless his heart, came over immediately and asked if I was O.K. and if I wanted to go back down to the bottom with him in the van.  I got up quickly and said, “No, I’m biking down.”  

Since there were eleven of us I seldom saw anyone except the one or two in front of me.  I was concerned about the children and cars passing on our left. But they adjusted well, even 8 year old Carter, and for the first umpteen miles I rode the brakes hard.  Then as I began to relax and we got to lower levels I let it fly.  We went from cool to warm to hot weather as we came down Haleakala.  We stopped in a little town close to the bottom and had lunch.  I was dying for a drink of water, but a margarita tasted just as good.  

Bike Riding down Haleakala on Maui

All of us helmeted up and ready to head 26 miles down Haleakala.  

With the valley and ocean below me, I cruise down the volcanic mountain.  Photo by Brett.

It was 26 miles downhill on Haleakala. First in line is Carter, then Heather, followed by me, Aimee and Hack.  Everyone else was further ahead. So much fun.  Photo by Brett.

Day three the ship docked at Hilo on the big island of Hawaii.  We couldn’t miss Volcanoes National Park and didn’t want to be stuck on a bus excursion so rented two mini vans.  It was a fascinating day as we hiked around the steaming holes and drove almost to the ocean in the park.  We had lunch in a delightful place called Volcano House and could see a steaming volcano from the big picture windows where we lunched.

Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii

Even though the park was arid, there were pretty blooms in unexpected places.

An orchid blooming in the heat gives one hope.

Dripping with color, I have no idea what this flower is called.

Steaming volcano seen from restaurant window.

Carter, Bella, Avery and Jay pose on a lava rock.

A view showing where lava once flowed to the ocean.  We wanted to go that far, but had to time it to get back to the ship which was moving to the other side of Hawaii that night.  

During the night, the ship sailed to the other side of the island and set their anchor in the ocean as there was no port in Kona.  We then had to board transfer boats to get to Kona.  This was the whole family’s day for snorkeling.  Since I had never done that before, I wasn’t sure I would go in the water.  Our boat served lunch and drinks and also had gear for those who wanted to dive.  My son-in-law Damon decided to try diving which totally surprised me as it didn’t seem like something he would do….just like snorkeling didn’t seem like something I would do.  But I couldn’t resist the coolness of the ocean as the day was heating up and I went in with everyone else.  

Before the end of this excursion I realized how daring our three youngest grandchildren were.  They were going down a slide into the ocean, jumping off the boat and swimming without life jackets or noodles.  As the boat made its way back to the transfer boat and then to the big ship, mellow music was playing and I soaked up the sun and the thrill of being in Hawaii.

Snorkeling off the Big Island

Aimee floats in the ocean with her snorkel gear on.  

Carter balances on a paddle board. He is a fish in the water. 

Hack jumps off the boat into the ocean.  

Bella and Avery float in the snorkeling area.

From the big island we went to Nawiliwili, Kauai, an island we had not visited on our previous trip. This island is less populated and seemed a bit more laid back.  I must admit I did not see much of this island as I opted out of the zip lining adventure the rest of the family went on.  I decided to go to the ship’s spa and enjoy some quiet time after exploring the nearby town and looking at the fantastic beach close by. The final day on Kauai we had the morning to swim in the ocean for the last time at the delightful beach near the port. The kids loved the power of the waves.

We were off the boat by 8:00 a.m. on July 4 and since our flights didn’t leave until late afternoon we decided to once again rent vehicles and do a little more exploring on Oahu.  We stopped at Nu'Uanupali Lookout for a great picture taking view.  Then we drove to Waimanalo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches we had seen on the whole trip.  Of course the kids would have loved to have gone swimming, but we couldn’t get all wet with salt water and then fly home.  

We stopped at the Halono Blowhole which was fascinating to watch.  Avery said she could watch it all day and I agreed with her.  The movement of the water through the blowhole was both a squirt and then giant explosion.  No two waves brought the same result.  

Final day on Oahu

Nu'Uanupali Lookout north of Honolulu.  It shows a great view of the valley and ocean.

Avery and Carter gaze longingly at the ocean at Waimanalo Beach.  It would have been a great day for swimming on this July 4th, but we had to fly home so there was no swimming that day.  

The Halono Blowhole was fascinating to watch.  Every time a wave came in, it erupted to a different height.  

The beauty of the Pacific Ocean.

From there we drove to Leonard’s in Honolulu for one more taste of their Portuguese pastries. Brett had heard about this bakery from the couple on the plane and had found the place on a morning run the first full day we were in Honolulu.  He said that first day he got there at 5:30 a.m. and he was the head of a line that formed after him.  On July 4 there was also a line and we got in it to order the pastries with the creamy Hawaiian fruit fillings. We had never had anything like them and they were to die for.   We ate lunch once more at the food court and then headed to the airport.  

I am always glad to go home from a vacation, but this one will linger in my memory as a special time spent with those we love the most.  I hope our grandchildren will some day tell their own stories of when Grandpa and Grandma took them to Hawaii and they saw and experienced many new things. Avery, our 10 year old granddaughter, has already said that when she has the money she wants to take us all back and especially go to Leonards. She already has a story.  

The Fun & Foibles of Facebook

As I was perusing something on Facebook last week, a little blurb popped up that said, “See the 3 people who have unfriended you on FB for free.” Apparently sometimes a person has to pay to see who has unfriended them.

I was going to push the button when I finished taking one of those inane quizzes that told me what the color of my eyes predicted for the future. However when I finished, the space where I could find out who didn’t like me was gone.

But I didn’t have to push anything to know who had unfriended me over the last three years. And actually I think the number of “unfriends” is four.   All right….let’s just say when a presidential election is coming up, I can not keep my mouth shut.  There is so much misinformation out there and if people don’t follow politics as we do at our house or read a newspaper or watch TV, they seem to just form opinions based on gut feelings, prejudices or just plain misinformation. Two people unfriended me when I called them out on untruths.  

The other two unfriended me because of their beliefs which didn’t coincide with mine and it wasn’t over politics, but just good common sense as I could see it.  Plus they are young and I am old and my generation, according to them has caused all the problems in the world.  I don’t disagree with that, but like so many in our country, they want to go backward and do away with many of the things that keep us safe and our children safe namely vaccines.

So there you have it…..I was wrong because I was an old fuddy duddy who didn’t know what I was talking about even though in my mind, experience counts for something. I tried to tell them what it was like before the polio vaccine, but they were born after those times and it meant little to them. However I refuse to go backward in any kind of scientific achievement or civil rights for anyone. I happen to think that is just good progressive thinking.

Most people want Facebook to be a place where pleasantries are exchanged and likes are given liberally, but don’t mess with someone’s opinion.  As one of the people who unfriended me said, “My page is for my opinion and not yours.”  Really?  It is very easy to hide these people if I don’t agree with their train of thought and I have done more of that in the last year rather than engage or unfriend. If someone gets too right wingy in their posts, they disappear for awhile so I don’t come across what they put up. But once in awhile, someone needs the other side, and I’m not shy about giving it.  I’m sure I have been “hidden” on some people’s sites as well and in the case of four, they made me disappear completely.  

The fun of Facebook though is immeasurable.  I would not be connected with family and friends from early teaching and college days if it weren’t for Facebook.  It is easier than it used to be to know when someone is joking. All the little blurbs that are funny and make me giggle are good for my mental health.  

It is impossible to "like" everything I enjoy reading, as the shelf life of anything someone posts is about two seconds before the next post comes down the pike.  

Sharing pictures and news can be both heartwarming and sad. There seems to be a community of friends who come together when something bad happens in a person’s life and they rally around the person in need. The same is true if there is a joyous event.

Keeping in touch with our many relatives is another positive.  

I enjoy seeing new babies that have come into the world from nieces and nephews and now from their children.  I love seeing my two granddaughters who live three hours away and their accomplishments posted.

Facebook for me has been a jumping off place to write longer pieces and share my blog with those who are interested in reading what I have to say.  For that I am eternally grateful.  

Please feel free to express your opinion on this blog, especially if you disagree with me.  I welcome all opinions, even if they don’t jibe with mine.  I promise not to jump down your throat if I disagree.  I might “hide” you for awhile, but that is the worst that can happen.  

Bikes Down

Wheels still spinning

Bikes thrown down in a rush

  to get to the house

Screen door slamming

  and two blonde headed children

  pushing each other out of

  the way into the kitchen

Cookies cooling on the breadboard

Noses like dogs had made them

  come peddling hard

Grandpa pulling the last pan

  out of the oven

Cold milk, warm cookies

 no time to put the standards down

'Go Outside and Play'

Our childhood bedroom faced the southwest and on summer mornings when my sister and I awakened in our double bed, the room was cool and shadowy. For many years there was no door on our bedroom and I could see the sunlight shining on the wooden floors in the hallway.  I can still feel the newness of each summer day and picture my favorite pink striped cotton shorty pajamas.  

The rallying cry of my mother after we dressed and ate breakfast was, “Go outside and play.”  Most of our summer was spent out of doors.  Except for two weeks in the summer when we had to pick cherries, the days were free and unencumbered.  

On hot days my mother would turn the sprinkler on or set galvanized tubs of water out for us to plop into.  It was always special if we could have a popsicle my mother made out of Kool-Aid and froze in ice cube trays.  On Saturday nights we often got a float, our favorite pop poured over vanilla ice cream.  My father liked red pop floats. My brother and mother grape and I always wanted root beer.  My sister probably had orange, as my mother always got a variety pack.  

Sunday afternoons were  spent taking a ride to relatives or swimming at Stony Lake.  My father was a good swimmer and never hesitated if we wanted to go to the lake.  If it got too hot during the week, my mother sometimes took us to Crystal Lake which was not very far from where we lived.  However we always preferred to go to Stony if we could. We knew more of our friends would be there. It is also the lake where we took swimming lessons.  

As we got older my sister and I sold sweet cherries by the side of the road.  It got boring, but I could listen to a radio station from Milwaukee on a transister radio.  My father had some fancy signs painted and we got our share of customers even though we knew another girl was selling cherries on the south side of town.  She accused me once of taking business away from her.  I should have said, “Blame my parents.  It wasn’t my idea to sell cherries by the side of the road.”  

By the time I was 12, I was riding my bike into town to take part in rec activities.  I played softball and had my very own glove.  I loved the game and was either pitching or playing first base.  The games were in the afternoon and we must have just chosen up sides.  However there was always an adult present.  It was before the days when parents came to watch their children’s every move in sports.  No one from my family saw me hit a homerun.  

Because I was in high school in the 60’s, before Title IX, we girls had no organized sports teams.  So it was only at recess when I was in elementary school that I could play sports with both boys and girls.  We often played kick ball which I enjoyed and was good at.  The softball I played at the age of twelve was an all girls’ event.  That was it.  Now I feel like we were cheated during that time. How much luckier girls are today with all the sports they can choose from.  

Summer seemed to stretch on forever when I was a child and by August I was asking my mother when school would start again. If the upstairs of our house got too hot to sleep comfortably, my mother would make a bed for us on the living room floor. Air conditioning was unheard of. Another memory is camping with the neighbor kids between their house and ours and sleeping outside all night.  

On Memorial weekend our five grandkids were told, “Go outside and play.”  It was a beautiful weekend to be out.  Their grandfather got a row boat out of the barn and put it on the pond.  The girls floated and rowed back and forth and even went into the icy water.

Jay and Carter ran remote control boats that were given to Carter for his birthday. The pond was a perfect place to race them and they would run them into the boat the girls were floating in.

As summer comes again I wonder how many children will be told to go outside and play.  We seem to be a nation that has turned being outside and free to roam into a thing to be feared.  There is a name given to the movement of parents who allow their children that freedom….Free Range Parenting and many consider it a negative thing.  

Yet in our little corner of the world, it is still encouraged and allowed.  When our son was around four he disappeared.  We looked everywhere, checking the ponds close to our house first. Since we live on a dead end road, we were not fearful of strangers as we seldom had anyone drive down our road except the mailman.  

Our son had wandered down to our neighbors and they were trying to call us while we were out looking for him.  When they asked him if we knew he was at their house he said, “They don’t need to know where I am all the time.” They gave him potato chips and candy and sent him back home.  

I am not one to wish to go back in time.  I know that every decade has had its negatives.  However there should still be time in children’s lives to lie in the grass and look at the clouds.  They can only discover the pleasure of that if they go outside and play.  

Avery and Bella floating on the pond.

A boat load of kids....Avery, Adrianna, Carter and Bella rowing.

Changing places....

Remote control boat....

A gaggle of girls...

Just Wandering

I just came into the den to get some scissors and tape to wrap a present and I glanced down into the corner and noticed there were children’s books on the floor that needed to be put back on the shelf.  I stopped myself from doing that job because I have been wandering around all day from chore to chore and not getting anything completely done.  Now I am writing about my predicament while I should be wrapping a present.

A few minutes ago I went into the backroom of the basement with an intended purpose  and forgot why I was there.  I looked around at the mess of paint brushes from a project that I needed to complete this winter, but is still awaiting the final coat of paint.  I could have worked on that while I was trying to figure out why I had entered that messy room in the first place.

Then it came to me.  I needed wrapping paper.  I found that in a sack on the floor.  I came back up to the kitchen to wrap the present and saw the small bottles of wine on the table that needed to be put away.  So I did that.

That’s when I got back to the gift that needed to be wrapped and came into the den. I saw that my desk was a mess and needed to be cleaned off, but I’m writing all this down so can’t do it now.  After I finish writing I’m going to wrap the present, and then go upstairs and look for vintage linens I want to sell.  Oops...I have to find the tags I use to mark the linens.  I think those are down in my craft room.  I’ll go get those before I wrap the present so I’ll be ready to go upstairs to find my linens.  

Have to say I really don’t feel like doing the linen thing right now so maybe I’ll clean off my desk. Or maybe I’ll open a small bottle of wine and read a book.  On a cold gray day in Michigan that sounds like the best plan to me.  A day of wandering tires me out.  

Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child

My grandson Carter and I made a rhubarb pie this afternoon and while we were working I started singing the song, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. Carter said, “You aren’t a motherless child.  You have a son down the road who bought you a present for Mother’s Day and you get it after dinner “

I told him that although I was his father’s mother, my mother was gone so I was a motherless child.  Carter started to contemplate what had happened to my mother and remarked that she must have gotten ill and not been able to live. I have never told my grandchildren about my mother’s passing but I said to Carter, “My mother didn’t want to live anymore, so she didn’t.” Then I changed the subject.

This morning as I was perusing all the Mother’s Day greetings, pictures and love effusing on Face book I felt weepy. I am now 17 years older than my mother was when she died. Yet I still feel like a child when I think of her.  

I decided to go for a walk in the rain to lift my spirits.  I took the camera and discovered that a cool rainy spring day brings out countless shades of green. Water droplets emphasize blossoms and violets are a soft purple in the wet grass.  

We now having stepping stones in the pond where a bridge used to be and I marveled at the beauty of the large field stones my husband and son put into place because I thought it would be a good idea and reminded me of some we crossed in England.  

Groupings of trillium stood out on this rainy day as large white reminders of what it means to live for a short time and bring complete happiness for those who can see their beauty.  

I went back home knowing it is alright to still miss my mother after all these years.  It is alright to feel the emotions that a day like this can bring no matter what the circumstances.  

As Carter and I finished up making the pie I felt that having the little guy by my side was a gift I would always treasure and maybe in turn I was giving him a gift as well. The other day, out of nowhere, Carter kissed me on top of the head while I was playing the piano and Avery was singing.  It was an unexpected joy that lasted for a second.  What more could I ask for? 

If I wasn’t a mother or grandmother I would find a child to mother. There is nothing better than caring for someone who might miss you when you’re gone.  

My mother Ellen holding my sister Nancy
along with my older brother Jerry
and me ca. 1949.

If you do not know the song Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child there is a very soulful rendition by Odetta on You Tube.  You might also like her singing This Little Light of Mine.  

  

Beauty Beyond Repair

I was struck by the old porcelain door knob, the bay windows, the corbels near the roof line, and the stone work close by.  Yet I was saddened by this house in a tiny berg where there was once an elementary school and a thriving community.  The house had to have been a magnificent structure at one time.

The dilapidated house had caught my eye when two friends and I were coming back from a road trip to Fremont and we decided to drive down what was once and probably still is the main street of this town - to see what was left. Two churches, a sawmill, a park, the old school and a few houses and trailers are what remains. Oh yes, and the old house.

I returned on a warm spring day to photograph what seems to be a symbol in our country of all the old beautiful buildings going to wrack and ruin.

I was curious about the story behind this structure.  Who built this dwelling and in what year?  And why was it left to rot?  Who owns it now? Unless someone has money to burn, the old dwelling seems beyond repair.

I love old buildings and barns.  I realize not everything can be restored, so in this case, wouldn’t it be better to tear the building down?  Broken windows and wood siding that has separated to show the inside bones are a sad thing.    

Yet I must admit, there is a forlorn beauty to the place.  The gray weathered wood contrasted with a small group of jonquils along a side door.  

Next week I am heading to the County Historical Society because I want to know more.  I will return to the house when the lilacs are blooming because I think they are the bushes covering one side of the house.  With some background knowledge, maybe the walls will whisper to me.  

If I knew I wasn’t breaking and entering, I would try to get inside. However I might fall through broken floorboards into a cellar I couldn’t get out of. Best to admire what it once was from the outside.  Still…..