Our hostess, Holit, and Diane

Tap came all the way from Pahoa and enjoyed meeting Tali, her husband and son, Gaian.

Tali and Tap

4 year old Gaian who speaks 4 or 5 languages, already!

Tali and her hubby with Maddy on the right

Kathleen, always the “party animal”, was on hand to celebrate with Holit.

Kathleen

John Olsen arrived from Puna

He was actually happier than he looks here.

Kala'i wouldn't tell any one where she was from....

Colleen knew where she was from but wouldn't tell....

Jherrie always snuggles up to the most handsome men at the party.

Jherrie and Gian lovin' it up!

Susan arrived late and would NOT tell anyone where she had been!

....not even would she tell her husband, Dan! However, he didn't seem to mind....

He was just really happy to see her!

Holit explained the ritual of the Sabbat

First we drank the wine, then we lit the candles with a song….

Lastly, we all broke the delicious bread sent to the gathering very thoughtfully by Melanie, who made it especially for Holit’s gathering!

mmmmm, delicious!

After we ate a simply scrumptious meal there was nothing left to do but BLOW BUBBLES….

Gaian the bubble blower!

We all agreed.  Holit’s new home and her hospitality are fantastic, fabulous and supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Hawai'i Island Grandma's

Have you ever seen more beautiful women in all your born dayz?  These Grandmothers met on Valentine’s Day to celebrate LOVE, CHILDREN and most especially GRANDCHILDREN.   They invited a very special Grandmother to join them.  Our very own….Grandma Nan!

Grandma NAN!

She WOWed them with her razzmatazz and spunky ideas!   We all sang her original song:

Take that Grandma Out To Play

by

Nanette Verla Norman

Take that Grandma out to play

Don’t you know the only way

to keep a grandma lookin’ good

and havin’ health the way she should

is

Take that Grandma out to play

What do we wanna do today?

We wanna take that Grandma out to play!

What have we gotta’ do today?

Well, let’s get it done early and out of the way

so we can take that Grandma out to play.

Listen children everywhere

walk that Grandma off that chair

walk and walk into a run

just kids and Grandmas havin’ fun

so

Take that Grandma out to play

don’t you know the only way

to keep a Grandma seein’ good

and havin’ youth the way she should

is

take that Grandma out to play!

Revolutionary ideas spilled forth...

Imagine….Grandmothers (Grandfathers can come too) taking over the food court (it is empty after every one has had their lunch), the grandchildren can come after school to the food court and the kupuna (wahine and kane) would be there to supervise.  The important key is that there will be drums, rattles and other musical instruments.  Why?  To teach the children to enjoy music, make music, dance to music rather than having them go to football, basket ball and other sports which cause our keki to become “wounded” at very young ages.  ”It will be so much better for the keiki to learn to love music, play it, dance to it.  We must stop sending them to sports activities which bruise and bang them up and cause them pain later on in their lives,” Grandma Nan exclaimed!  ”We can talk to the owner’s of the Food Court, get their permission to have Kupuna/Keki music practice on a regular basis.  Parents will know their children are being supervised and not need to worry about them and the keiki will be learning to socialize as well as learn music.  Win, win, win!”  All the grandmothers agreed to think about the idea.  They were smiling at the thought of being able to spend quality time with grandchildren of all ages and being able to “play” with them!

Rose and Charlotte really loved Nan's idea!

Lee agreed with them,

Roselyn was skeptical, yet willing to try it out...

Pauline said she was a "born revolutionary" and was willing to teach ballet!

President, Jherrie, was ready to set up a committee to organize the revolution

The Hawaii Tribune Herald thought this idea was worthy of sending their photographer….

Hollyn from the Hawaii Tribune-Herald

Who rushed off to meet her deadline at the “Trib”.

This entire table voted "Yes"! (Jherrie, Walt, Norma, Gene and Fred.)

Mei-Ling shouted "count me in!"

Maxine and Ka'pio were a bit doubtful, yet interested....

And thus began a revolution to be led by the Grandmother’s at the urging of a small scrap of a woman named Nanette!

Paulette said "let the games begin!"

Many games were played.  Many prizes were awarded….

Prizes galore!

As if that were not enough, musicians arrived and the dancing began!

Musicians extraordinaire!

Gene and Jan "cut-a-rug"

Shake, shake, shake... Shake your booty!

Nan and Jherrie reviewing one of the most spectacular Valentine's Day parties in recent history.

Shall we do it again next year, same time, same place?

Carol and Rich

Polar Bear Parties take on a whole different flavor in the  tropics.  Hey, Carol, hows the water?

76 Degrees?

Count Down – 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and we have blast off!

Polar bears Kathleen, Georgia and John jumped right in.

By-standers cheered them all on…

Tap and Charlotte

and…Ahoy, there, Polar Bears!

Suzannah and Melanie

Joe (John in background)

Ice bergs floated freely for bears to climb on and cool their "jets".

Some spectators preferred the relative calm of the living room, away from the frolicking polar bears.

Roger and Joyce

Our hostess with the mostess directed traffic inside and out…

Kathleen (Georgia and John in background)

Da' Boss!

Lola and Ralph arrived, a little late, unfortunately (no picture, darn it).  However, Ralph earned his PBC. Polar Bear Certificates were earned by five Wise Old Women and  honorary wise old women, too, as Ralph, John and Rich will attest.

Polar Bear Certificate

Humane Society registration table

All the happy dogs brought their humans to this table to register for the Dog Walk.  They were greeted by very happy humans and beautiful Halloween decor.

Pumpkins, witches and spiders!

Things were happening soooo fast!  Dogs coming and going.  Humans running hither and yon!  It was hard to keep up!!!

Where is everybody going?

” Attention pooches and humans!  Line up and we will begin our Walk!”

Line up, witches, goblins, spiders and sorcerers!

Hey, there’s my friend….

Sir Oliver, aka "Ollie" was dressed and ready to go!

Sir Oliver and Danielle ‘hang’  together.   She is the one responsible for getting us up and out to the park to support the Humane Society.  It’s all her fault!  :)

Danielle

There were witches and goblins and many scary creatures!

There were even…

Kings!

There were two pooches claiming to be “a pair of dice in Paradise”

Pair of Dice!

There were game players….

A double aught player???

The referee was blowing his whistle….

Doggie walk referee.

This sorcerer bewitched his human into carrying him EVERYWHERE!  No walking for him!

The Magician!

Pretty dog, pretty collar!

Plaid....Scotsman or Irishman?

Wise Old Women just want to have fun!

Next year, same time same place!

Happy Halloween!

Look your best!

Don't eat too much candy...

and….

Stay away from strangers!

Momi receiving her diploma

On Sunday, September 9, 2012, our dear Momi (AKA Gyongyi) graduated from a three year study of Hawaiian feather Lei making.

Three years of intense study culminated on Sunday, September 9, 2012

You can see a sampler of the works she had to complete perfectly over those three years.

Breath-taking!

Her Master Kumu

Master Kumu, Doreen Henderson

Momi will be continuing  with her studies after graduation.  Momi, BRAVO!

Her kumu is teaching seven classes in our area.  If you have interest in taking up lei-making give Momi a call.

….and thanks to our roving reporter, Marion, for sharing this delightful bit of paradise with us!

Dave, Diva and Susan

This picture is from Life Care Center, Hilo,  Thursday, August 28.   The Diva’s “hanai” son, Dave, came all the way from Ocean View, near South Point, to visit our Diva!  Luckily, Susan and I arrived just in time to meet him and the very handsome physical therapist.   She is continuing to heal and we have a report posted by her “Dadre”, Cindie  (Daughter/Madre) this morning, September 3rd.

Good Day All,
Sol and I went up to visit Mom last night and took her a cup of Starbuck’s coffee, with lots of half and half.  She took the cup as one might take a newborn babe and held it as gently.  Then she raised her eyes heavenward and proclamation it to be Manna.  When she took her first sip, she closed those lovely brown eyes of hers and hummed with pleasure.  Eventually, she remembered that Sol and I were there in the room with her and thanked us profusely (just a little dramatic, that Mother of mine!) for saving her life.

She has moved to a much nicer, larger room and as of last night, did not have a roommate in the other bed, so she is living life in bliss.  For some strange reason, she has had NO physical therapy for a few days and blames it on the holiday weekend.  To me, that sounds a bit fishy, since whatever the Diva wants, she usually ends up getting.  I would imagine that exercise is not as important as dark chocolate, coffee, flowers and visitors in her mind, but I was ready to raise some hell of my own, but she wouldn’t allow it.  She promises to inquire today and get back with the program asap.

Her knee is healing nicely, although it is still bandaged and I have not seen under those big wrappings myself.  She has spoken to the Dietician and they are doing better with her meals.  I plan on taking something better to her today, although I have no idea what that will be, but she will be happy and that is the main thing.

I apologize for the delay in reports, but no news is usually good news, so bear with me.  She misses everyone and should return to her little pink castle during the week of September 17.

Aloha,
Cindie

Webmistress’ Post Script:  If any of you decide to go visit the Diva, I am certain she will appreciate any and all diversions, chocolate or diva morsels.  Entertainment and food are not a rehab facilities first priority, it would seem.

Well, perhaps it was not a total surprise.  However, we did our best.  Kathleen, of course, was the first one in the pool.

Kathleen

Jherrie was the first invitee to join her in the pool.

Jherrie

Liz

Liz was second and so it went until everyone was all wet!

Marianne our newest "home owner" dropped in.

One of the few who stayed dry.  Oliver said he wouldn’t be caught dead in a pool with a bunch of WOWs.

Danielle and "Sir Oliver" (our token male)

Presented our hostess with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Of course, pool time whetted everyone’s appetite so the next order of business was FOOD!

Ono-licious grinds!

WOW women cook as well as they swim.  Move over Esther Williams and Julia Childs!!!

They are pretty good at eating, too.

Melanie brought her famous brownies.

Well, they ARE famous, now!  YUMMMMM!

No, you people with devious minds, they were not "da' kine" brownies.

However, they WERE addictive, mmmm!

Marion brought the cake....

Complete with red roses….

Kathleen blew them clear to Kona….

and promptly divided the tasty morsel among us.

Either of you "luscious" ladies bring ice cream?

“I did!”  sang Bobbie.

Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Creme Brulee, Super Fudge Chunk, Red Velvet, Cherry Garcia.....on it went!

Bobbie does the BEST ice cream!

Jherrie, Dyan and Deb know what to do with those bad boys, Ben and Jerry, mmmm!

Jeanne has made her decision….

I'll have a big scoop of each one! Mahalo!

Time to open cards and gifts

Beautiful! ...and it is Kathleen's "amakua"!

We need a close up of this!

Show this to "you know who"...you know when.

Raunchy stories were told by Dyan and enjoyed by Kathleen and Deb!

The party was long and loud and lots of laughs.  Wanna do it again next year, Kathleen?  Oh, YEAH!

Oh, and by the way, Kathleen revoked her decree of  ”no more Saturday Pool gatherings!”  See you there next week?

Glenna Diva and Francois

The date was August 20, Monday.  All the preparations had been made and the Diva was firmly ensconced in the Pre-Op Room at North County Hospital in Waimea.   This was to be the day she received her second bionic knee in as many years.  The first one was a great success and we all look forward, again, to the day the Diva will Dance.  Yes, I said DANCE!  It has been many and many a year since we have seen those dainty be-jeweled and painted toes in dancing slippers.  But I digress….   I believe the Diva’s adventures in the hospital are best described by her daughter in her e-mail to me and the rest of Glenna’s ohana this morning:

“I swear, there is no one else on this planet who compares with my Mother!!”

Good Morning Everyone,
My cup of coffee and myself will now bring you an update of The Diva Does Knee Replacement, part 2.  Most of you were on board for the last sitcom, but this one is more hysterical, because she took advantage of knowing what to expect this time around.

First of all, Mom planned this entire thing herself, while I was away in Las Vegas, attending the wedding of the century.  No, not the Royals or Brangelina, but Maggie’s and Jon’s, which was amazing by the way!!  When we returned, I was informed that Mom had decided it was time to do her second knee and that the preparations were all laid out, so I best get with the program and not give any protestations of any kine.  Yes, Mother.

She had arranged a ride to Waimea (THANK YOU, SANDY!!!!), pet care (THANK YOU, ANDREA!!!!), House/lawn care and check ins (THANK YOU, EDWARD & ANNA and PAUL & HELEN!!!!) along with a change in newspaper delivery and mail pickup.  When I asked what I could do, she reminded me of the body’s need for dark chocolate and a Mother’s need to be visited in Life Care (Hilo) as much as possible.  Then she also added the body’s need for other types of food sources, such as pastries, Biscotti and poke.

Sandy drove Mom up to the hospital on Monday morning and stayed at the Kamuela Inn to be close by until the procedure was completed and Mom was in the clear.  According to Sandy, Mom was a champ and delighted all those that she encountered… but of course!  However, when I spoke with Mom last night, she filled me in on a few of the details that Sandy left out, such as Francoise the Flamingo.

Like I said, Mom knew better what to expect this second knee around, so she took a little bit of home familiar comfort with her, in the form of the blue stuffed flamingo that normally sits at the top of her bed.  I was rather shocked to hear that this stuffed animal was allowed to go into the surgical unit with her and was outfitted with a blue surgical mask, which didn’t quite fit properly over his rather protruding beak, so was used as a hat instead.  The blue matched his beak exactly, according to both Mom and Sandy and was adored by the surgical team.

When Mom went under the knife, she did not go under anesthesia, but had a spinal instead, so she was awake for the procedure (is your stomach turning with that news as mine did?!) and could hear (MOM, did you wear your hearing aids through the operation?!) the knife scraping her bones, or rather feel them (No, she did not wear them during the operation!!).

As we all know, hospital food is not always the best, but what the hospital didn’t quite catch were the dietary needs of The Diva.  The first day Mom received any food, she said it consisted of 4 items on her plate, all of which contained High Fructose Corn Syrup, so she didn’t eat any of it and asked that the Head Dietitian report to her room.  Apparently, “a short-order cook” was sent in place of the head honcho, “who never made eye contact and hemmed and hawed about costs and food quality”. Well she sent him away and renewed her request for the HEAD Dietitian, who arrived shortly after the “lackey” left.  Mom said they had a lovely, yet informative, talk and the next thing you know, the HD was across the street at KTA buying all the favorite food items of The Diva, to include organic produce, almond milk and oatmeal.  I’m not sure if dark chocolate was also purchased, but I wouldn’t be a bit surprised.

Next came the directions/preparations for her ambulance ride to Hilo tomorrow.  Per The Diva’s directive, there are to be two “CUTE” male attendants in her carriage and the one who sits with her in the back must be the cuter of the two.

Which only leaves the issue of Francoise the Flamingo.  He stands at attention in her room in a prominent place and all those who enter must say a few words to him, before addressing The Diva.

I questioned about any “new meds” (the kind they give to somewhat crazy people, perhaps??)that The Diva may have been placed on during her stay, but she assures me that none have been prescribed, except pain meds.  Thanks to Sandy Percoset was discontinued and a milder form of relief was administered.

She will be released from the hospital tomorrow and with her cute attendants will make the journey to Hilo Life Care Center, where she will receive any and all visitors, AFTER 2:00 PM, as long as they come bearing gifts of dark chocolate and other healing foods.

OK, that brings you up to date and as I find out more, so will you.
Aloha,
Cindie

P.S. (from Sandy)  Alas and alak, the Diva just left a message on my phone that she will  not be released from hospital on Friday as planned.  She now has an infection in her sutures.  Darn and Damn!  It was all going so well, too.  Any way, please stay tuned for additional news releases as I receive them.

In front of the Kurtistown Post Office

We all decided to take the saying on this sign to heart!  It was Nanette’s 77th Birthday and we all smiled as we enjoyed her party on Sunday Afternoon.  We combined the Wise Old Women Triathalon (some called it a WOW-a-thon) with Nan’s birthday party and the festivities began to unfold….There were games of croquet

…and of course, there was a “Chicken Toss”….

Step right up and take your turn!

Pamela stepped up to the plate and…

Great toss, Pamela!

Squawk! What did I ever do to deserve this?

Don't squeeze me so hard or I'll burp!

Some people’s daughters just don’t get it….

WOW! What a wild and crazy toss!

….and it went, it went, and it went….right into the top of the mango tree!

You've heard of "chicken in a basket"? How about "Chicken up a tree"?

Sir Bruce

to the rescue!

He saved the "Chicken Toss" by fishing the chicken out of the top of the mango tree! Where was his PRIZE?

Jherrie was our next contestant in the Chicken Toss

No mango tree for her....36' ...er...37'! An excellent throw!

Sandy decides to take up a different game….Pole dancing!

Much safer than the "Chicken Toss"

Well….back to the games.  The chicken toss was won by none other than Jherrie!!

Nan presented Maria with her prize ....a FROG!

….And Jherrie won the Chicken Toss!  She won a prize, while I wasn’t looking.   I did not take a picture for posterity (Woe is me!  I sure hope I don’t get fired???)

Berta thought it was all just GREAT!

Cheryl totally agreed with Berta

Aren’t they both beautiful?  There were other beauties to be found that day….

Va, va, va, vooom as they say!

We must not forget the other contestants.  John really checked out his bird looking for the best grip for the best throw.

How do I hold this thing????

In the meantime…. the croquet game was heating up!

Do we need an umpire over there?

Do they even have umpires for croquet?

Marcie demands a decision from the umpire!

Ump, you got double, triple copies of all those scores?

Meanwhile, back at the club house….Wanda our Wonderful Musician was warming up!

This woman sings from her heart!

She really got Aunt Marion working makin’ the place rock!

Aunt Marion

The birthday would not be complete without ice cream cake brought by none other than Teresa!

Yea, Teresa!!!

The cakes were arranged with candles….who but a loving son would come up with candles like these???

No caption needed.

Verena seemed to really enjoy her cake!

Verena

In the meantime, Nan began to open her gifts.

Oh, yeah! Just what I need! Gotta have my java first thing in the AM!

For those cold Puna mornings this will be purrrfect!

Nan's new bathrobe

So many wonderful friends came to celebrate with Nan!  There were….Barb and Mike

….and there were Deb and Georgia…

and….Tap and Melanie

….and…..Susan and Lee…

Love is in the air!

…and…

Holit and Kathleen

…and…

Danielle the new kid on the block

with her faithful escort….

Sir Oliver

Nan’s next door neighbor came….

Tina

Did I mention there were many beautiful people at the party?

There was, also….

Jeanne Carole

…and…

Larry

Nan’s main squeeze….

Larry + Nan = true love!

One of Nan’s biggest surprises was….

Sharon the mermaid

Everyone agreed...This was Nan's best ever birthday celebration/WOW-a-thon. What ever will she do for hana hou, next August 19????

#1 Yarn Spinner, Kathleen

DAMN YOU MONICA LEWINSKY

In August of 2004, I stayed in Kazuni Safari Camp, a small wilderness lodge on a lake in Malawi on the African Continent.  I was one of only two guests in the lodge.  It was a lovely spot right on the shore of a lake where hippos romped and fought.  Because of the hippos’ presence, guests were not allowed out of the camp area without a guide.  Our camp manager/wildlife guide was Vasco J. K. Munthali, an ebony man of small stature but vast knowledge who took his hospitality seriously. Since he found me enchanting (I don’t know why, really, except he hoped he could slink into my cabin at night and the other guest was a Frenchwoman) he lavished his attention on me.  I didn’t mind;  I got real good service and could hold the attentive man at arm’s length. [As I travel in sub-Saharan Africa, my unyielding policy is, I never exchange body fluids with anyone in Africa - or anywhere else for that matter. ]

On my second afternoon in the camp, after lunch and a short nap, Mr Munthali asked me if I wanted to go on a walk in the forest to see what we could see.  Sure, that’s why I was there.  To explore.   It was late afternoon and the air was cooling down.  We walked quietly not knowing what we were going to encounter.  We saw acacia trees that had  been destroyed by elephants feeding on upper leaves and bark but no elephants.  We saw almost no wildlife at all but it was a nice walk.

Mr.  M. brought along a canister of cold tea and some cookies so we could take our time and enjoy a snack.  We got out of the jeep, sat down and leaned against a mopane tree, sitting quietly, listening to the sounds of the dry forest.  I took off my glasses so I could  close my eyes and completely enjoy the atmosphere surrounding me.  Then, “Ahhhh   oh S***!”  I leaned on my glasses and broke off the earpiece.  I panicked.  My spare pair was back in my cabin and we were miles from camp.  No worries, Mr M., using a pair of small pliers, fashioned a fastener out of a small piece of wire that he had in the jeep.   Good enough for the walk back.  I was grateful for his clever solution.

As we walked along, we stepped over a swath of leaf-cutter ants as they hurried on their way with their leaf harvest.  I stopped to snap a close-up of the workers then we continued on our way.  As we walked, Mr M. asked me if I was politically involved.  I replied that I wasn’t and I was disappointed with my government.  Then he asked if he could ask me a question.  “Sure, what?”  “What was the trouble with Bill Clinton and that woman, I don’t know her name?

Taken off-guard, I hesitantly tried to explain what had happened in the White House hallway when Ms. Lewinsky favored President Bill Clinton with a blow job.  Apparently the scandal had reached into the back waters of Sub-Saharan Africa.  When I’m asked a question by anyone, I always try to provide an answer, but this one was tricky.  I mused a while and said,  “It was no big deal.  They had oral sex in the White House.”  Mr M. quizzed me further, “What is oral sex?”

How to answer that without being too graphic about sex with a man who I barely knew and certainly didn’t want to lead on talking about sex?  He asked me to write “blow job” in his journal, which I did with a nervous hand.  He was amazed and really wanted to know what that was. He had never heard of it.  [I found that incredulous but went ahead with the explanation.]   I explained:  Sometimes when a man isn’t ready for sex his woman will put his penis in her mouth to make him ready.”  He mulled this over, then said, “I’m getting ready already.”

“What’s for dinner? “ I asked.

Copyright Kathleen Boyd 2012

You get da' picture?

We always celebrate to da’ max when we get a chance.  Our gracious “host with the most” plied us us with beautifuland yummy dishes….

"Miss Berkley"

errrr…oops not this “dish”!  :)

These dishes —get it???  Well maybe I need to work on my routine?

Casseroles….

Quiches… and potato salads…

Kabobs, hamburgers and more!  There were presents, of course!  

...and surprises galore!

There were contests of skill and daring….

Is it "cro-lf" or gol-cro or ?

It IS a combination of croquet and golf with prizes for the winners!

serious business!

and as in every game….there must be on-lookers!

Couch potatoes?

Skeptics....

Did this guy get too close to the "action"???

Best to eat while on-looking....

Don't forget your "Hawaii Star's" hat!

....A very happy Hawaii Stars Fan!

….some folks just are not sports fans!  There are other arenas of endeavor and Nan (our host’s proud mother)

Nan da' Mom

Regaled us with stories of doctors who insisted she keep swatting the bottoms of Rod’s premie feet and how she is still swatting his tootsie bottoms 55 years later!!!

Maria and Grizzley stopped by on their way to Colombia!

Lady Dyan and...

Her Majesty, Vareena

and even….

Ms. Tamara

Ms. Tamara were spectators!

We spotted several handsome gentlemen in the crowd….

some "John" gentsYep, 2 of them

….and another “Larry”!

Larry # 2 or is it # 1???

We had a fleeting glance at Bruce...

…and a close-up of Lennie 

While his “main squeeze” was showing us all just how to strut our stuff at the next “Mermaid Ball”

Spiffy Sharon turned into...

Is there such a thing as a "Tiger" mermaid?

Spectators came from a great long distance!  Maui sent their two of their hottest and best…

Claudia

and….

Sue. What? How did you get in there, Nan?

Cheryl had fun driving the Maui-ites through moonless black nights after the festivities were declared "DONE"!

Gosh, have we missed anyone?

Holit our resident archaeologist came all the way from Israel and...JJ came out of the jungle...

JJ

Marcie whose claim to fame is that she never, never participates in dumb stuff!

Tappan T. mosseyed all the way from.....Hawaiian Paradise Park!

Characters showed up from just about everywhere to watch our host, Rod, blow out his candles.  WHAT???  Candles on an ice cream cake???

They were only lit for a little while...

On the other hand, Rod was "lit" for the year!

Rod's "Year of the Dragon" Birthday was absolutely purrrrrrrfect!

Seven Wise Women gathered....

Is this the beginning?  Is this the end?  Where are we now?  Where are we going from here?  Just a few of the personal questions which remain unanswered….yet….pondered on a rainy day in June of 2012.  Women of a “certain age” are wondering, contemplating and providing their mana’o.  The Grandmothers started the movement, we will continue it….

Celebrant #1 - Marion

Our newest Wise Old Woman, Marion, shares her Birth Day with Susan, the “wisest” of the Wise Old Women!

Celebrant # 2 - Susan!

We ate, we laughed, and we celebrated two wonderful lives!  Then….and then we gave thanks to The Woman who allows us to live our joy-filled lives in Hawaii Nei.

Madame!

Happy Birth Day, you Wonderful Old Women, you!

Wanda our Second winner!

Just who was the mystery woman…..why, it was Maria!

Mystery Woman

The first woman to comment and tell me who this “mystery woman” really is will win a great prize….maybe even a trip to Las Vegas!

The "Great" Grandma Nan!

Before you knew it, we had her talking on the phone long-distance to Pennsylvania and connected to our long-time “AWOL” WOW sister, Rosalie!  It was 11 pm for Rosalie so they chatted briefly and promised to “meet” by phone again soon.  Grandma Nan then wanted to show me her “sexy hair over the eye look….

Not sexy, Nan, surprised perhaps....

Nan’s two caregivers, Larry and Rod, have obviously been working over-time to put Humpty Dumpty together again.  There she was in all her verbal and   physical glory for all to see!  Definitely not ready to “exit stage left”, yet!

Larry....no, his nose is not broken....

Rod was no where to be seen.  He and Larry had just spent hours weed wacking the GNQ or Grandma Nan Queendom.  We all assumed, and hoped, he was taking a hot shower!  Even knights in shining armor must take a shower now and then!

The Great Grandma Nan in the middle of a Great Grandma Nan story....

First she would tell a lie.  Then I’d get a turn.  When we swapped as many stories as possible in a half hour, she booted me out with a kiss good-by.

Phoooey, I was hoping to report something grizzley apropos of sensational and all I got was this wacky Wise Old Woman’s cackle saying, “nope!   Not today, darlin’, come back in a few years.  I’ve got stories to tell, and herstory to make.  We’ll soon have another party and a cake to bake!”

Why do they giggle when I tell them I'm Queen of the World and the Reverend Mother Goddess? I just don't get it....

Elated, I sped home with a smile pasted on and my ears glued back.  If she’s going to make the cake, I’ll make the Guanabana Ice Cream to top it off!  ….Oops, it topped me off.  It’s real hard to lick those ice cream paddles and retain your Queenly dignity!

beneath the clouds and lightning in a forest whose squirrels and hares had long departed, before the storm, before God’s mind had parted the seas between ruse and intellectFeed it honey and the buzzing of bees, it will shake off sleep and rise with the ferns.