Christmas Morning - 100-word snippet

The phone rang and woke me up. As I fumbled with the iPad on the nightstand to see who called, I thought I had disconnected the call. It was shortly after five o’clock in the morning. The call was from a daughter who lives five hours behind us. Perhaps it was a butt call, but I should call her back. I got out of bed to go across the room to get my phone. The call was still on. Cheerfully my daughter said, “Merry Christmas. It’s time to get up.” Ah yes. That’s how it was. The sweet old times.

Thankful

I am thankful for the morning coffee, the beauty of nature, the graceful flowers, the gathering of family and friends, the joy of living, the journey of life, the things that make me smile, the anticipation, the heart-warming stories, the fragrance of a burning candle.

October

October. Leaves change colors, creating stunning visuals. The soul is refreshed, as the cool breeze blows on the body wrapped in a warm sweater. Dry leaves produce pleasing sounds as they scuttle on the ground. The body utilizes all senses to process pleasing thoughts and pictures which have entered the mind. Pumpkins. Spices. Birthdays. Carousel. Wooden horses. Swings. Climbing ropes. Flowers. Butterflies. Dragonflies. A lone horse. A carrot. Biscuits. Thyme. Chicken stew. Malbec. Forrester. Togetherness. Fireplace. Warmth. Snuggles. Kisses. Coziness. A walk. A tractor ride. Sand burs. Piano. Train whistles. Ice cream in half-gallon cartons. Crab melts. Pies. Cowboy boots.

My Love

I don’t want September to pass by
Without telling you how much you’re loved
When autumn air blows on your hair
Your soft skin glows I hold you tight
You are as beautiful as ever you were
The first time we met and every morning after
You greet me with a sweet smile

That warms my heart the whole day through

With you I will never feel alone

You’re my steady rock I’ll never let go

In Peace

Today we lost a member of our family. The world lost a WWII veteran. We share the sadness and hold the memories of which we were all a part, we will be brought closer together. We will cry and laugh and rejoice together. He had gone in peace and our hearts will be at peace. Many stories will be told about him. The youngest generation got to see him and witness the family love surrounding him. They will recall the time they flew across the country to spend one full day with him. Their mother had chosen the right date.

Disney 2019

July came and July’s gone
But our memories linger on
We had fun in rain or shine
In blistering feet or sweltering heat
Under ponchos or soaking wet
We didn’t complain nor did we pout
Rides got cancelled? We didn’t slow down
We made them up next time around
We never mind repeating rides
If in riding pleasure we found
We changed the rules and fixed the times
We skipped our naps if that’s required
We set the pace that few can match
We had the fervor many desire
We welcomed Ông who came this year
With anticipation and without fear
We raised a toast in celebration
For the Prodigal Son’s inspiration

Emotions

What if evil wins
When Superman can’t save the day
Don’t we all yearn for
Justice and Love prevailing
Will we continue to fight
When evil threatens to win
Who will drop a tear
If things don’t go our way
Can I turn away
And pretend nothing bothers me
If I make a cry
Will anyone really hear
Will I be drown out
In the battle cries for victory
I pray for the strength
My raw emotions will carry me

Collage #52

It is a pleasure
To see you grow each day
To witness the journey
We’re a part of yet far away
It is a delight
To be holding you tight
Though not as often as we like
We love being caught in your collages
It is our wish
One day we will be close
In distance and in all
Things that truly matter
As we await
Our next reunion
At the usual place each summer
Do have a wonderful time

I Am a Boy

I am a boy and I have long hair
I’d ride a purple dragon if one were near
I’d catch a horned lizard and take it with me
On the road to find the Lion King that has disappeared
Wherever I go I’ll bring books for read
A soccer ball for kick plus sushi for eats
I’ve learned so much in the year just passed
I am still a boy and I have long hair

You Will Be Missed

It was expected

And yet unexpectedly

I heard the news

My friend had left

I have in my mind

The memories of a trip

We took together

And friendship formed

As easy as pie

You were unpretended

You were kind

I liked you

And your ideals

I am so sad

We will no longer meet

A road trip spoken

And not taken

With you and Anh

You will be missed

By many

Your life has touched

So many

May peace be with your family

And angels keep them under watch

Your legacy lives on

And the world’s enriched

Epic New Zealand Road Trip - Karangahake and Hot Water Beach

Feb 16th & 17th
The kitchen provided us with cereals, bread, and coffee for breakfast. We ate and took it easy before checking out. We decided to skip the Hobbiton and went for a Windows Walk hike at Karangahake Gorge.

After the walk, we went across the street for lunch at a picturesque setting where we saw a 20-million-year-old petrified tree from Indonesia. We shared desserts and it was hard to pick among the many delicious-looking choices, but we managed. 

We drove on to Hot Water Beach in Hahei, our last stay in New Zealand, about three hours away. We checked in, rented a shovel, and took a bus to town where we began our walk to Cathedral Cove. Liên and I went into the water and that felt very good because the weather was hot. Even though we were short on time to catch the last bus, we made sure to stop at both Stingray Bay and Gemstone Bay on our way back. We didn’t miss the bus. 

We had the most ordinary dinner of all dinners we had in New Zealand: fish and chips. Then we set out for the Hot Water Beach two hours before low tide. We were lucky because we found an empty dug-out spot that was big enough for the four of us. We lay down side by side and enjoyed the hot water coming up from underneath. We used our shovel now and then to dig deeper and get more warm water. What surprised us was that the water temperature can vary quite a bit depending on where you sit. Water could be comfortable in one spot, and yet a bit too warm if we moved one body over. We lay in our “hot tub” and enjoyed listening to the waves while looking up at the stars and moon. 

We regretted having to leave, but we had to go eventually. In the morning when we dropped Debbie off at the office to check out, we talked about leaving her there and driving off to the airport without her, because she was sad about ending the vacation and leaving New Zealand. But that didn’t happen. All of us made it to the airport to return the car and fly out. The four of us split up into three flights. When Debbie and I got to LAX, we had to get our luggage to go through customs. At that point, we decided to keep our luggage with us. When we got to our home airport, I got a message from American Airlines telling me that our luggage was delayed. But that didn’t matter. We had made the right decision.

Tomorrow

I close the last chapter

And open the new one

In anticipation of something grand

I’m a little afraid

But optimism and faith

Will guide me all the way

What obstacles there are

I won’t be dissuaded

Because you are beside me

When the curve balls fly

I’ll be ready to get them

With your steady hand on mine

When in bed at nights

Sweet dreams will replace

Chaos that do not calm me

I’m thankful for you

The love that embraces

And holds me upright

I face the world anew

With courage and grace

Tomorrow is another day

Epic New Zealand Road Trip - Thermal Wonderland and Zorbing

Feb 15th
It was going to be a more relaxing day, but it was packed with activities. We checked out of Plateau Lodge in the Tongariro National Park to head north to visit the Thermal Wonderland in Waiotapu. On the way, we stopped at a coffee shop where they topped our coffee cups with pieces of licorice. The first thing we did at Thermal Wonderland was visiting Lady Knox Geyser. After watching her induced eruption at 10:15am, we walked around the geothermal park to see its collapsed craters, mud pools, sulphurous pools, lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, vents, sulphur crystals, and more in a showcase of vivid colors.

This is a mud pool.

We then drove on to Rotorua where we stopped at the Polynesian Spa in hope for a massage for each of us, but could not book them. We ate lunch and booked two private hot pools for later. Then we went zorbing. None of us had “zorb” before and nothing in our imagination could have prepared us the experience of being in a giant plastic ball, partly filled with water, rolling down a hill. We split up into two pairs and went down a zig-zag hill. I was thinking that was enough for me, but when Liên and Satomi said they wanted to do it again, I agreed to go on another round with three people. This time we chose a straight hill. It was more fun with three people and this time we were able to videotape ourselves using Debbie’s cell phone with a waterproof case.

We checked in our rental apartment. Debbie and I stayed back to organize and relax while Liên and Satomi went to the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest to see it in the daylight. When they got back, we returned to the Polynesian Spa for our private hot pools. We were there early and had time to peruse the gift shop where Liên found a swimsuit to her liking. I bought it as a birthday gift for her. The private hot pool was very nice and we wish we had more time. 

We decided to leave the car at the Spa and walked to town from there for dinner. The restaurant of our choice happens to be in a very lively square with tons of restaurants, shops, and people. They didn’t have a table for us right away, so we picked a quieter place with fewer patrons. That was okay because the food at Ambrosia was very good and we shared another delicious cheese board.   

After dinner we went to the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest to do the Redwoods Treewalk in the dark. We waited forever in line and when it was finally our turn, it was almost as if we were all alone in the forest. I suppose there is some magic in the dark, I do wish to see it in the day light also.