tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35533442736144706102024-03-13T12:58:29.010-07:00Il RegaloIl Regalo means "the gift" in Italian. Life is a gift and every morning there is a new gift waiting for us to unwrap.Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-44264741896615835522014-11-10T16:58:00.001-08:002014-11-10T16:58:45.276-08:00The Fire Within - Jewelry for a Cause<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gr88rGWKo9o/VGFe0s7wW1I/AAAAAAAAE1Q/3WYWWQPoBwo/s1600/the%2Bfire%2Bwithin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gr88rGWKo9o/VGFe0s7wW1I/AAAAAAAAE1Q/3WYWWQPoBwo/s1600/the%2Bfire%2Bwithin.jpg" height="162" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-43070726611912968772013-11-21T08:44:00.000-08:002013-11-21T08:44:43.758-08:00A Dam Fine Day!My long-time buddy, Nancy, loves nature as much as I do. Our first adventure in my new stomping grounds was to walk to Nine Mile Falls dam.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bB-cI_Rt9gA/Uo4qfJiKLOI/AAAAAAAAEr4/niWNBRckmQ4/s1600/nancy+and+diane.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bB-cI_Rt9gA/Uo4qfJiKLOI/AAAAAAAAEr4/niWNBRckmQ4/s320/nancy+and+diane.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy and Diane with Spillway in background.<br />
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There's a lot of history connected to this dam as it's over 100 years old and it is on the National Register of Historic Places.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvsqqRxg9HY/Uo4thsRW6zI/AAAAAAAAEsg/YBVPWvMT2Qg/s1600/1908+dam.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvsqqRxg9HY/Uo4thsRW6zI/AAAAAAAAEsg/YBVPWvMT2Qg/s320/1908+dam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OI798_l05vA/Uo4riyc1X7I/AAAAAAAAEsE/wJgEgCvv6u4/s1600/dam+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OI798_l05vA/Uo4riyc1X7I/AAAAAAAAEsE/wJgEgCvv6u4/s320/dam+sign.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dam was originally built to power electric trains linking Spokane with rural communities.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately, Avista did a major renovation over the last couple of years, so it should last a lot longer.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWln3l2ILO4/Uo4tdZ1GIGI/AAAAAAAAEsY/MvZ3OhvwOFg/s1600/dam+with+one+spillway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWln3l2ILO4/Uo4tdZ1GIGI/AAAAAAAAEsY/MvZ3OhvwOFg/s320/dam+with+one+spillway.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Only one spillway is needed right now.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I'm still glad that I live <em>above</em> the dam!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vc_fWm-4LJc/Uo4tXvn5U2I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/_EyHotAlx2c/s1600/dam+and+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vc_fWm-4LJc/Uo4tXvn5U2I/AAAAAAAAEsQ/_EyHotAlx2c/s320/dam+and+house.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1h_ANGa_iy0/Uo4tlEfnwDI/AAAAAAAAEso/HYmjLCMwK9o/s1600/lake+to+river.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1h_ANGa_iy0/Uo4tlEfnwDI/AAAAAAAAEso/HYmjLCMwK9o/s320/lake+to+river.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Nine Mile Falls Reservoir on the left;<br />
Spokane River on the right.<br />
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Next adventure . . . bird watching! :)</h4>
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Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-55272130484722808722013-10-31T09:27:00.001-07:002013-10-31T09:27:28.684-07:00Welcome to The Res
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I'm listening to Yo-Yo Ma plays Ennio Marricone. It is
one of my favorite albums because it is so soothing. In fact it is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so</i> soothing, it's the music I chose
for my colonoscopy. I bet you thought I was going to say wedding, didn't you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wedding, colonoscopy . . . anything that is
high stress; this album will soothe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So,
why am I playing it today? Well, we recently moved and I still have about 100
moving boxes to unpack. When the towers of moving boxes are taller than I am, I
tend to feel overwhelmed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7ZKSRxnbOc/UnKCK539CHI/AAAAAAAAEq8/5u2vsmT6ZN8/s1600/boxes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z7ZKSRxnbOc/UnKCK539CHI/AAAAAAAAEq8/5u2vsmT6ZN8/s320/boxes.JPG" width="188" /></a></div>
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also helps when the sun comes out and I look out on the lake. Speaking of the "lake", I am no longer sure what
to call it. My first clue was when I Googled Nine<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mile Lake and nothing came up. My second clue
was when our neighbors gave us a card that said "Welcome to the River".
This was after I had already added a number of lake-related word art to my
Amazon wish list, so I found myself a bit disappointed. Our waterfront home is
on a section of the Spokane River that has been dammed. The next body of water
below the dam is called Long Lake. It is also a section of the Spokane River
that has been dammed. So, why does that one get to be called a lake? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it just because it is bigger? Sounds like
discrimination to me! Technically, we live on Nine Mile Reservoir. So, I guess I will need to
start shopping for wall art that says "Welcome to The Res".</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiIOfAvJcYU/UnKDEYeERiI/AAAAAAAAErE/h5-0gUqG2sU/s1600/view+of+lake+from+inside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fiIOfAvJcYU/UnKDEYeERiI/AAAAAAAAErE/h5-0gUqG2sU/s320/view+of+lake+from+inside.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-36278372174993805702011-07-10T20:38:00.001-07:002011-07-10T20:50:37.103-07:00Lavender Harvest 2011<p align="center"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxyN9nQC8HQ/ThpxD-pH-nI/AAAAAAAAEmM/meMOncRP1c8/s1600/preharvest.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934997521889906" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxyN9nQC8HQ/ThpxD-pH-nI/AAAAAAAAEmM/meMOncRP1c8/s400/preharvest.JPG" /></a></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxyN9nQC8HQ/ThpxD-pH-nI/AAAAAAAAEmM/meMOncRP1c8/s1600/preharvest.JPG"><div align="left"> </div></a><p></p>Before the harvest.
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IykngJ3kZc/Thpw9L0z0WI/AAAAAAAAEmE/RRLW02vTBSo/s1600/uncut%2Blavender.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934880801476962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IykngJ3kZc/Thpw9L0z0WI/AAAAAAAAEmE/RRLW02vTBSo/s400/uncut%2Blavender.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChtMFylWm5M/Thpw9Bp7rRI/AAAAAAAAEl8/8XamdlwXRbA/s1600/ready%2Bfor%2Bharvest.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934878071500050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ChtMFylWm5M/Thpw9Bp7rRI/AAAAAAAAEl8/8XamdlwXRbA/s400/ready%2Bfor%2Bharvest.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Ml-SNrfLE/Thpw8w4WnGI/AAAAAAAAEl0/inic0a4oGZ0/s1600/supplies.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934873568582754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f1Ml-SNrfLE/Thpw8w4WnGI/AAAAAAAAEl0/inic0a4oGZ0/s400/supplies.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-wMVSF80Kw/Thpw8hRFvoI/AAAAAAAAEls/3w7oMCTBUoY/s1600/Diane%2Bcutting%2Blavender.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 345px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934869377367682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h-wMVSF80Kw/Thpw8hRFvoI/AAAAAAAAEls/3w7oMCTBUoY/s400/Diane%2Bcutting%2Blavender.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMBEt0OUM6A/Thpw8XDxBTI/AAAAAAAAElk/E6oY69sfd_Y/s1600/Gicle%2527e%2Beating%2Blavender.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 284px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934866637129010" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jMBEt0OUM6A/Thpw8XDxBTI/AAAAAAAAElk/E6oY69sfd_Y/s400/Gicle%2527e%2Beating%2Blavender.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltg2O3wregc/ThpwncqK4LI/AAAAAAAAElc/z4ajrKwThF4/s1600/Wanda.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934507363131570" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ltg2O3wregc/ThpwncqK4LI/AAAAAAAAElc/z4ajrKwThF4/s400/Wanda.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE-1-DieqP8/ThpwnKsx2rI/AAAAAAAAElU/sfj4XFnaHLs/s1600/partially%2Bdone%2Bwand.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 300px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934502542236338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lE-1-DieqP8/ThpwnKsx2rI/AAAAAAAAElU/sfj4XFnaHLs/s400/partially%2Bdone%2Bwand.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvY6CdP-9Uo/ThpwmwqTdeI/AAAAAAAAElM/WV2GHjOfCnU/s1600/harvest%2Bfor%2Bdrying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 321px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934495552533986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nvY6CdP-9Uo/ThpwmwqTdeI/AAAAAAAAElM/WV2GHjOfCnU/s400/harvest%2Bfor%2Bdrying.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JysjudhmPEA/Thpwm9JQVNI/AAAAAAAAElE/KnUzYbtyMQY/s1600/Harvested.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 400px; height: 293px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934498903577810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JysjudhmPEA/Thpwm9JQVNI/AAAAAAAAElE/KnUzYbtyMQY/s400/Harvested.JPG" /></a>
<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpD0rlH4VaE/ThpwmplT8NI/AAAAAAAAEk8/aTTXkbKJXjg/s1600/wands.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 300px; height: 400px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627934493652545746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpD0rlH4VaE/ThpwmplT8NI/AAAAAAAAEk8/aTTXkbKJXjg/s400/wands.JPG" /></a>Ready to be cut.
<div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Pristine</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>All the necessary supplies are laid out.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>First cut.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Gicle'e is "helping"</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Making a lavender wand with Wanda. I think I'll called her Lavender Wanda from now on. :)</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Partially done wand.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Harvest for Drying.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>All trimmed up.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Wands!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I look forward to this each year. It was fun to share it with a few friends this time. I know of nothing else that you can make wands of like this. So fun, relaxing, and beautiful!</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-74638014927442453342010-12-30T18:15:00.000-08:002010-12-30T18:15:03.226-08:00<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TR08puQRaXI/AAAAAAAAEkI/sEJqN0NkY00/s1600/IMG_3879.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TR08puQRaXI/AAAAAAAAEkI/sEJqN0NkY00/s320/IMG_3879.JPG" /></a> </div>
My brother, Kenny, took my "Sunbird" picture and made a handmade box for me of it with the picture in marquetry. Is this cool or what? The box is made of figured Maple with Bubinga insets in the corners. The sky is figured Koa and the sun is mottled African Satinwood with some yellow dye. The mountains are figured Walnut.
Wow! What a special Christmas gift!!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-52667021504534657762010-10-30T09:59:00.000-07:002010-10-30T15:20:09.071-07:00Sunrise Hike in Dublin Hills Regional Park<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxcxYWZGlI/AAAAAAAAEjE/wH4uCes8xyc/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG"></a>
<div align="left">I awoke at 7 am and threw on some warm clothes, grabbed a small water bottle and my camera and hopped in the car for a short 1 1/2 mile drive to the Donlon Point trail head of Dublin Hills Regional Park. Knowing that the sun would rise at around 7:30, I felt some urgency as I huffed and puffed up the trail.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxP96aplFI/AAAAAAAAEi8/ZPwc5gUdg9o/s1600/IMG_2594.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533885967203144786" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxP96aplFI/AAAAAAAAEi8/ZPwc5gUdg9o/s400/IMG_2594.JPG" /></a></div>
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<div align="center"></div><div align="center">When I rounded a bend, I got my first glimpse of the sun lighting up Mount Diablo and turning it red although the upper part of the mountain was shrouded in cloud cover.
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<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Looking to my left, I could see that the sun was now casting its golden glow on the grassy hills around me. </div>
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<div></div><div>Nearby was a coil of rusted old barbed wire, remnants of the portion of Schaefer Ranch that is now parkland. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPwGiWNcI/AAAAAAAAEiM/37Nn7SS4R-w/s1600/IMG_2614.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533885729938486722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPwGiWNcI/AAAAAAAAEiM/37Nn7SS4R-w/s400/IMG_2614.JPG" /></a>
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</div><div align="center">There was also a pile of old fence posts from the old ranch. </div><p align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPv9oQYgI/AAAAAAAAEiE/xrEYl5TzC7Q/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533885727547351554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPv9oQYgI/AAAAAAAAEiE/xrEYl5TzC7Q/s400/IMG_2622.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div></div><div>
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<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Then there was the view overlooking the tri-valley area.</div>
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</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">And below me the campus of Valley Christian Hill School. What a wonderful location for a school! No wonder they named the road "Inspiration Drive". </div>
<p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPedgDnDI/AAAAAAAAEhs/dYUH7FYJygc/s1600/IMG_2633.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533885426865249330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPedgDnDI/AAAAAAAAEhs/dYUH7FYJygc/s400/IMG_2633.JPG" /></a></p>
<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">What an amazing, spectacular show I got to witness this morning. Millions of people in the Bay Area and yet this was a private showing; not a soul in sight. The price of admission? Simply to rise a half hour before sunrise, drive a short distance, and enjoy a 15 minute hike.
</div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPeMWlQ0I/AAAAAAAAEhk/JXtUnPhguCQ/s1600/IMG_2628.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533885422262108994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPeMWlQ0I/AAAAAAAAEhk/JXtUnPhguCQ/s400/IMG_2628.JPG" /></a></p>
<div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I felt myself feeling so thankful and praised God for the beauty of His creation. </div><p align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPdxsFw0I/AAAAAAAAEhU/lF6FPMA7RiY/s1600/IMG_2630.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533885415104561986" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TMxPdxsFw0I/AAAAAAAAEhU/lF6FPMA7RiY/s400/IMG_2630.JPG" /></a></p><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I wondered to myself how someone could have the same experience and not believe in God; not be thankful to the Creator. I just don't have enough faith to believe that all of this beauty came about randomly.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-52875331856955384302010-10-14T12:30:00.000-07:002010-10-14T12:38:01.964-07:00Nice Clouds<div align="center">We don't get clouds like this very often.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLda4F_0o2I/AAAAAAAAEhM/33mNXl6uf18/s1600/IMG_2459.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527986987349615458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLda4F_0o2I/AAAAAAAAEhM/33mNXl6uf18/s400/IMG_2459.JPG" /></a> It was fun to watch them interact with the sunrise.
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLdasuDpT8I/AAAAAAAAEhE/9dOmv9oVP5Y/s1600/IMG_2470.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527986791944638402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLdasuDpT8I/AAAAAAAAEhE/9dOmv9oVP5Y/s400/IMG_2470.JPG" /></a>
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<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLdapdXNQII/AAAAAAAAEgs/7tk66mIlar4/s1600/IMG_2486.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527986735923675266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLdapdXNQII/AAAAAAAAEgs/7tk66mIlar4/s400/IMG_2486.JPG" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLdaoatRrcI/AAAAAAAAEgk/9e1GYKHK3Ro/s1600/IMG_2489.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527986718031064514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TLdaoatRrcI/AAAAAAAAEgk/9e1GYKHK3Ro/s400/IMG_2489.JPG" /></a>Even starlings have to scratch now and then</div><div> (see far right bird with his leg up in the air).
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</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-86777482357466414632010-09-29T16:44:00.000-07:002010-09-29T17:01:18.650-07:00Montana Weekend<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPRigXsTxI/AAAAAAAAEgc/0Tl_qAkHG80/s1600/IMG_2355.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522487958821424914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPRigXsTxI/AAAAAAAAEgc/0Tl_qAkHG80/s400/IMG_2355.JPG" /></a> <div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>
<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPRS_cYgpI/AAAAAAAAEgU/zWCxd1xJPC0/s1600/IMG_2358.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522487692284691090" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPRS_cYgpI/AAAAAAAAEgU/zWCxd1xJPC0/s400/IMG_2358.JPG" /></a>Along the side of the freeway
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<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPQMfZHeCI/AAAAAAAAEfk/VGmBJCilRKs/s1600/IMG_2327.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522486481090213922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPQMfZHeCI/AAAAAAAAEfk/VGmBJCilRKs/s400/IMG_2327.JPG" /></a>Happy girls
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<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPPlmhEmUI/AAAAAAAAEfM/dk8DtF_H7z8/s1600/IMG_2316.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522485812987730242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPPlmhEmUI/AAAAAAAAEfM/dk8DtF_H7z8/s400/IMG_2316.JPG" /></a>Papa sure has big shoes!
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<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPPlVKAMQI/AAAAAAAAEfE/cuR9D9qYgGk/s1600/IMG_2306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522485808327569666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPPlVKAMQI/AAAAAAAAEfE/cuR9D9qYgGk/s400/IMG_2306.JPG" /></a>Meskerem's first Shirley Temple
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<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPPlHG99mI/AAAAAAAAEe8/BliB0j1Zrr0/s1600/IMG_2304.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522485804556744290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TKPPlHG99mI/AAAAAAAAEe8/BliB0j1Zrr0/s400/IMG_2304.JPG" /></a>Kidist's first Shirley Temple. The cherry was their favorite part. Come to think of it, it's still my favorite part as well.
<div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-43623503309746074252010-09-19T17:29:00.000-07:002010-09-19T17:53:00.294-07:00Birthday Memento<div align="right"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TJauOaO5KZI/AAAAAAAAEes/j9WXQo-3LIo/s1600/straight+bracelet.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518789955972311442" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TJauOaO5KZI/AAAAAAAAEes/j9WXQo-3LIo/s400/straight+bracelet.JPG" /></a> </div>My brother and sister-in-law sent me a box of memories for my birthday this year. I pulled this out and couldn't quite figure it out. It's my mom's first initial and her last name.
I asked my friend Wanda about it since she's worked in hospitals for a long time.
Wanda: "What color is it?"
Me: "Pink and white"
Wanda: "Is it big or small?"
Me: "Very small"
Wanda: "It's the bracelet they put on you in the nursery so they'd know you belong to your mommy".
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TJauDBlRfOI/AAAAAAAAEek/CeqFPFLIbpU/s1600/bracelet+round.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 356px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518789760376732898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TJauDBlRfOI/AAAAAAAAEek/CeqFPFLIbpU/s400/bracelet+round.JPG" /></a>Wow. I have to admit that gave me goosebumps and made me tear up over the significance of it. My mother passed away a number of years ago so I'm so grateful to have this special tangible memento.
<div> </div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-7806970793406509672010-07-17T15:25:00.000-07:002010-07-17T15:51:05.406-07:00Hawaii Trip<div align="center">Del has a well-travelled hat.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIvGICSElI/AAAAAAAAEd4/VmnKS77fCf0/s1600/Del%27s+Hat.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495006277628203602" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIvGICSElI/AAAAAAAAEd4/VmnKS77fCf0/s400/Del%27s+Hat.JPG" /></a> Here it is in Hawaii, decked out with lei, on a tripod, in the midst of its beloved camera equipment.
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIvADbIbKI/AAAAAAAAEdw/PrTX9xFPFB0/s1600/Del+and+Di.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495006173311036578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIvADbIbKI/AAAAAAAAEdw/PrTX9xFPFB0/s400/Del+and+Di.JPG" /></a>Del's hat loaned Del the lei for the evening. Diane got one, too. A gorgeous white ginger lei. Too bad blogs don't have a smell option. It was fragrant!
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu_oz78YI/AAAAAAAAEdo/oM9HxCIL4Us/s1600/room+view.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495006166167318914" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu_oz78YI/AAAAAAAAEdo/oM9HxCIL4Us/s400/room+view.JPG" /></a> The view from our room in Wailea on Maui. If you look closely, you can see Molokini in the distance (the darker island in front of the larger land mass across the water).
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu_egyevI/AAAAAAAAEdg/BFzN8MMounI/s1600/spotted+dove.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495006163402652402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu_egyevI/AAAAAAAAEdg/BFzN8MMounI/s400/spotted+dove.JPG" /></a> Even the pigeons in Hawaii are exotic. Not suprisingly, this one is called a spotted dove.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu_EsA16I/AAAAAAAAEdY/JM9JTmZmwBw/s1600/bird+of+paradise.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495006156470409122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu_EsA16I/AAAAAAAAEdY/JM9JTmZmwBw/s400/bird+of+paradise.JPG" /></a> Thought I'd throw another kind of bird into the mix (Bird of Paradise).
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu-5XlLOI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/70vqeE61uAc/s1600/Myna.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495006153431919842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIu-5XlLOI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/70vqeE61uAc/s400/Myna.JPG" /></a>Myna. Remember the obnoxious character in the Lion King? They got it exactly right.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIusTEyuTI/AAAAAAAAEdI/-c9cZh_lF0s/s1600/francolins.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 338px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005833914923314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIusTEyuTI/AAAAAAAAEdI/-c9cZh_lF0s/s400/francolins.JPG" /></a>Francolins. Kind of like our California Quail, but without the fun top-knot.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIusGNWdMI/AAAAAAAAEdA/R1oyjZQzdXE/s1600/Japanese+White+Eye.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005830461158594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIusGNWdMI/AAAAAAAAEdA/R1oyjZQzdXE/s400/Japanese+White+Eye.JPG" /></a> Japanese White Eye
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIurqshSPI/AAAAAAAAEc4/A7q4eFENGlc/s1600/baby+bird.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005823075698930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIurqshSPI/AAAAAAAAEc4/A7q4eFENGlc/s400/baby+bird.JPG" /></a>Her baby begging for food.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIurYXMhFI/AAAAAAAAEcw/SYGfwZhSFy4/s1600/red+crested+cardinal.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005818154419282" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIurYXMhFI/AAAAAAAAEcw/SYGfwZhSFy4/s400/red+crested+cardinal.JPG" /></a>Red Crested Cardinal. Gorgeous!
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIurMCodeI/AAAAAAAAEco/bP7LzFubtRI/s1600/cattle+egret.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005814846944738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIurMCodeI/AAAAAAAAEco/bP7LzFubtRI/s400/cattle+egret.JPG" /></a>Cattle Egret. Like our White Egrets but with tawny head and without black legs and yellow feet.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuUTq6REI/AAAAAAAAEcg/GGRs9bNEVF8/s1600/looking+down+on+pool+II.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005421757940802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuUTq6REI/AAAAAAAAEcg/GGRs9bNEVF8/s400/looking+down+on+pool+II.JPG" /></a>Eerie downward shot of pool from Waikiki Marriott 20th floor.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuUAhrazI/AAAAAAAAEcY/MMHahLTerBg/s1600/looking+up+palm+trunks.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005416618945330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuUAhrazI/AAAAAAAAEcY/MMHahLTerBg/s400/looking+up+palm+trunks.JPG" /></a>Upward shot of palm trees.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuTtujcoI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/4rBlPArtLJM/s1600/sunset.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005411572675202" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuTtujcoI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/4rBlPArtLJM/s400/sunset.JPG" /></a>The obligatory Hawaii sunset shot. This was from the deck of Maya - a wonderful restaurant at the Wailea Marriot where we stayed on Maui.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuTSmYjaI/AAAAAAAAEcI/LREc5H97DhQ/s1600/Kailua+Bay+Buddies.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005404290649506" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuTSmYjaI/AAAAAAAAEcI/LREc5H97DhQ/s400/Kailua+Bay+Buddies.JPG" /></a>Our favorite local band. The trio version is called the "Kailua Bay Buddies". We look up Mark Caldiera (the guy in the middle playing the Cahon) and whatever band he's in every time we come to Oahu.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuTG_nIeI/AAAAAAAAEcA/LKVLXMebt8o/s1600/Del+and+Di+at+Alan+Wong%27s.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 392px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495005401175237090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TEIuTG_nIeI/AAAAAAAAEcA/LKVLXMebt8o/s400/Del+and+Di+at+Alan+Wong%27s.JPG" /></a>Dinner at Alan Wong's in Honolulu. Yummm!
<div> </div><div>All in all, not bad for a business trip. Del was on vacation the whole time; I had to work two full days in the middle of it. I don't recommend that. It's hard to truly wind down. That said, we did really enjoy the beauty that Hawaii has to offer. It is a special place. Aloha!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-36548945469739640062010-06-13T20:02:00.000-07:002010-06-13T20:07:50.266-07:00The Grandkids - Meskerem and Kidist<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcMBG8OyI/AAAAAAAAEb4/LLGndiw5kvQ/s1600/Del+with+M%26K.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482459851663358754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcMBG8OyI/AAAAAAAAEb4/LLGndiw5kvQ/s400/Del+with+M%26K.JPG" /></a> Proud Papa</div><div align="center">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcLrtuq0I/AAAAAAAAEbw/g8UMsL85epk/s1600/Del+making+bed+with+K%26M.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482459845920467778" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcLrtuq0I/AAAAAAAAEbw/g8UMsL85epk/s400/Del+making+bed+with+K%26M.JPG" /></a>Meskerem helping Papa build her bed with Kidist being playful.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcLbeH69I/AAAAAAAAEbo/WiUDhttaf0Y/s1600/Del+making+bed+with+K%26M.JPG"></a>
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcLG3pCaI/AAAAAAAAEbg/8IKC3E58h-g/s1600/Kirsten+and+Del+with+Meskerem+building+bed.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482459836029929890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcLG3pCaI/AAAAAAAAEbg/8IKC3E58h-g/s400/Kirsten+and+Del+with+Meskerem+building+bed.JPG" /></a> Mama Kirsten and Papa Del building bed with Meskerem looking on.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcK3pc5yI/AAAAAAAAEbY/xrl748jvsIg/s1600/M%26K+coloring.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482459831943882530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWcK3pc5yI/AAAAAAAAEbY/xrl748jvsIg/s400/M%26K+coloring.JPG" /></a>Meskerem and Kidist in Coloring Zen. Very quiet. LOVE IT!!
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWb2jirgOI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/DFOaQAzOPYE/s1600/M%26K+on+horse+etc.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 393px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482459482949386466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/TBWb2jirgOI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/DFOaQAzOPYE/s400/M%26K+on+horse+etc.JPG" /></a>Kidist with antique baby stroller and Meskerem with antique horse passed down through two generations.
<div></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-44563893880816670342010-05-25T19:22:00.000-07:002010-05-25T19:44:10.295-07:00My first videos of our new granddaughers<p>Del and I are having a good time staying with Kirsten in Montana this week and getting to know our new granddaughters. They call Del "Papa" and me "Ayat" which is grandmother in Amharic (national language of Ethiopia). </p><p>This snippet is of Kidist helping "Papa" build her new bed.</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzH3xluvGvdCzE--h21KnD9Ssm3N-Voyss_mbI1U1RoyegA6OUJ6STgNjUzP_P_H4rNUi0s9CMbkLi7Jxc1CQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>And this one is of Meskerem "talking" on the "phone"</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwb40pF3STmyWUXdzsfZwRhJ7zy2oeBov0gHDDdv8hstfuhuxLFEDuDFB9GE81H6R1QrvWX4vrj5BXhd9_4uA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-63008086252542459112010-02-20T20:41:00.000-08:002010-02-20T20:51:07.235-08:00First Visit to the Vet<div align="center">Gicle'e and Ashley had their first visit to the Vet today. They were great! They allowed themselves to be gently poked and prodded without crying out. They saw Dr. Utchen at Bishop Ranch Veterinary Clinic, who is our favorite Vet. He really love animals more than profit. We found out that both of our 1 1/2 year old kitties are in perfect health. And, we found out that Gicle'e is not a calico but it appears that one of her parents was an orange tabby and the other was a grey tabby, and one or both also must have had patches of white on them. I believe she represents a whole new breed of cat which should also be called Gicle'e. BTW, the pronunciation of Gicle'e is "Zhee Clay" which means squirt in French. It looked to us like God squirted her with various kinds of cats and we found out today that we were right! </div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S4C6PJsqDoI/AAAAAAAAEas/7hCDSI1ndSc/s1600-h/Gicle%27e+and+Ashley.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 202px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440553119327587970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S4C6PJsqDoI/AAAAAAAAEas/7hCDSI1ndSc/s400/Gicle%27e+and+Ashley.JPG" /></a>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-76984682979986949042010-02-15T07:31:00.000-08:002010-02-15T07:51:05.800-08:00Table for Two<div align="center">Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div align="center">Del and I trade each year who plans Valentine's Day and who plans our Anniversary celebration. This year was his year for Valentine's Day, and he sure made it special! I woke up to a sweet card and what looked like a box of chocolates, but it actually contained a freshwater pearl necklace. He had also gotten me 3 dozen roses at Costco that are simply gorgeous.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpRDlJvaI/AAAAAAAAEak/P0J5ko7Eszc/s1600-h/VDay+table.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 386px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438493766766411170" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpRDlJvaI/AAAAAAAAEak/P0J5ko7Eszc/s400/VDay+table.JPG" /></a>Then, instead of going out like we usually do, Del cooked me a wonderful Valentine's Dinner at home.
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpQxS8yVI/AAAAAAAAEac/WuWRd8dvB9I/s1600-h/bruscetta.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438493761858226514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpQxS8yVI/AAAAAAAAEac/WuWRd8dvB9I/s400/bruscetta.JPG" /></a>It started with our version of bruschetta: roasted garlic, cambozola cheese, marinara sauce with golden raisins in it and chives for decoration, all on asiago cheese bread. Yum!
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpQqZKRPI/AAAAAAAAEaU/NMasEaPaXbY/s1600-h/spinach+salad.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438493760005227762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpQqZKRPI/AAAAAAAAEaU/NMasEaPaXbY/s400/spinach+salad.JPG" /></a>The salad was baby spinach with feta cheese, pepitas, apples and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpQGhgiOI/AAAAAAAAEaM/_aEnZipbV_U/s1600-h/main+course.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438493750376564962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S3lpQGhgiOI/AAAAAAAAEaM/_aEnZipbV_U/s400/main+course.JPG" /></a> The main course was shrimp scampi, steamed King Crab legs, roasted asparagus, and mushroom risotto topped with grated parmigiano reggiano cheese. Everything was cooked wonderfully (OK, Costco helped with the risotto) and tasted delicious!</div><div> </div><div>Then we had individual chocolate lava cakes for dessert (also from Costco), Breyers vanilla ice cream, and fresh raspberries on top.
And best of all, he didn't expect me to clean up. I ended up helping a bit, but even that was optional. What a great guy. </div><div> </div><div>Note to my dear husband: Thank you Del, for making this Valentine's Day a very special one. </div><div>I love you!! XOXO Diane
p.s. I guess I'd better start planning a special anniversary celebration this year! </div><div></div></div>
</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-91731242815137774702010-01-24T09:09:00.000-08:002010-01-24T09:30:12.488-08:00Morning Walk<div align="center">Heading out for my morning walk, I was greeted by a brilliant show.</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCrC2bq0I/AAAAAAAAEaE/SE0PYaMqZq8/s1600-h/morning+walk.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430358926713137986" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCrC2bq0I/AAAAAAAAEaE/SE0PYaMqZq8/s400/morning+walk.JPG" /></a>I love a fiery sky through winter trees.
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCqnORR6I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/d-nqGJpFgrY/s1600-h/sunrise+through+trees.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430358919296927650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCqnORR6I/AAAAAAAAEZ8/d-nqGJpFgrY/s400/sunrise+through+trees.JPG" /></a> Today's the day our star will finally come down - weather permitting.
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCqay19vI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/D3rp0H3mKlk/s1600-h/Christmas+star+at+sunrise.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430358915960665842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCqay19vI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/D3rp0H3mKlk/s400/Christmas+star+at+sunrise.jpg" /></a> At least today looks better than yesterday.
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCqHyJS-I/AAAAAAAAEZs/rytNhMZfMFk/s1600-h/rainbow+on+dark+day+from+patio.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430358910857464802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCqHyJS-I/AAAAAAAAEZs/rytNhMZfMFk/s400/rainbow+on+dark+day+from+patio.JPG" /></a>But even with the dark stormy sky, there was a rainbow.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCpx_NXTI/AAAAAAAAEZk/yLX6wzmXF0w/s1600-h/white+houses+in+storm.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 236px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430358905006677298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/S1yCpx_NXTI/AAAAAAAAEZk/yLX6wzmXF0w/s400/white+houses+in+storm.JPG" /></a>And the strange light made for a stark contrast for the houses below us in the valley.
Every day is different and has treasures of its own and walking is a great way to discover and unwrap those treasures.
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</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-83490092555999206982009-12-29T20:10:00.000-08:002009-12-29T20:13:47.569-08:00Log Cabin on Whidbey<div align="center">The view from the dining room<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTDWeqh0I/AAAAAAAAEZU/8ls5D5_6ZC4/s1600-h/from+inside+log+cabin.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420877156021077826" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTDWeqh0I/AAAAAAAAEZU/8ls5D5_6ZC4/s400/from+inside+log+cabin.JPG" /></a>Cabin and Swing
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTDN6AOgI/AAAAAAAAEZM/oySPmBVmqek/s1600-h/cabin+and+swing.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420877153719826946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTDN6AOgI/AAAAAAAAEZM/oySPmBVmqek/s400/cabin+and+swing.JPG" /></a>
Front of Cabin
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTCyVxJeI/AAAAAAAAEZE/x8uvQN_EzWs/s1600-h/cabin+outside+front.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420877146320086498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTCyVxJeI/AAAAAAAAEZE/x8uvQN_EzWs/s400/cabin+outside+front.JPG" /></a>
Looking back at the cabin from the duck pond. We'll be back!
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTCihtB8I/AAAAAAAAEY8/Do0fXAUrUwM/s1600-h/log+cabin.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420877142075180994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SzrTCihtB8I/AAAAAAAAEY8/Do0fXAUrUwM/s400/log+cabin.JPG" /></a>
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</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-16244140770452981772009-12-11T07:58:00.000-08:002009-12-11T08:05:19.135-08:00Christmas Decor - Simpler this Year<div align="center">I decided to go for a simpler look this year, especially on the fireplace mantel.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SyJseCVDIJI/AAAAAAAAEXs/xFS8gB5fk2w/s1600-h/mantle.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008965329789074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SyJseCVDIJI/AAAAAAAAEXs/xFS8gB5fk2w/s400/mantle.JPG" /></a>
<div align="center">Of course some things never change. Why is that kitties love wreaths and garland so much?
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SyJsdr_fA4I/AAAAAAAAEXk/I4oofsY11-U/s1600-h/Ashley+in+Wreath.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 337px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008959333761922" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SyJsdr_fA4I/AAAAAAAAEXk/I4oofsY11-U/s400/Ashley+in+Wreath.JPG" /></a> Speaking of garland, we can't forgo that, even for a simpler Christmas. Growing up in a single story house, I always dreamed of a house with a bannister to festoon with lighted garland. I have it on a timer so that it greets me when I get up in the morning as well as in the evening and it always puts a smile on my face.
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SyJsdeJVxoI/AAAAAAAAEXc/_vW9eFdpUrY/s1600-h/garland.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414008955617003138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SyJsdeJVxoI/AAAAAAAAEXc/_vW9eFdpUrY/s400/garland.JPG" /></a>
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</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-53468923443269454412009-12-01T18:01:00.000-08:002009-12-01T18:08:03.099-08:00Star Raising<div align="center">Thanks to great friends and neighbors, we had another successful star-raising party. This year, thanks to Del's reinforcements, there was much less drama. No folding back on itself or splintering apart. Here's a picture of the star at twilight . . .<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SxXK4_oSMjI/AAAAAAAAEW4/ekAlVVQZnXU/s1600-h/star+at+dusk.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410453607857402418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SxXK4_oSMjI/AAAAAAAAEW4/ekAlVVQZnXU/s400/star+at+dusk.JPG" /></a> And at night . . .
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SxXK4tLRQHI/AAAAAAAAEWw/TIIrw-iwk3g/s1600-h/Star+at+night.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410453602903867506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SxXK4tLRQHI/AAAAAAAAEWw/TIIrw-iwk3g/s400/Star+at+night.JPG" /></a> And here's the back patio (and probably all of Dublin and Livermore) aglow by the light of the "Dublin Star" . . .
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SxXK4ZQM6wI/AAAAAAAAEWo/NBUhHcGSdtE/s1600-h/basking+in+the+star%27s+glow.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410453597555845890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SxXK4ZQM6wI/AAAAAAAAEWo/NBUhHcGSdtE/s400/basking+in+the+star%27s+glow.JPG" /></a></div>
</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-53688601491557117102009-11-07T07:49:00.000-08:002009-11-07T08:22:16.152-08:00Backyard Flower Close-ups<div align="center">Simple backyard flowers can be even more beautiful close-up!</div>
<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWc5ScFAgI/AAAAAAAAEVs/l_wyKXdEERI/s1600-h/IMG_0499.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401395836116861442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWc5ScFAgI/AAAAAAAAEVs/l_wyKXdEERI/s400/IMG_0499.JPG" /></a> Paper White</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">
</div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWc4x_Wr5I/AAAAAAAAEVk/Z_6AXDcsFl0/s1600-h/IMG_0516.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 367px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401395827406450578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWc4x_Wr5I/AAAAAAAAEVk/Z_6AXDcsFl0/s400/IMG_0516.JPG" /></a> Raindrops on Rose Petal
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</p><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXU-ZltJI/AAAAAAAAEVU/IgDOpvUPfx0/s1600-h/IMG_0448.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401389714704282770" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXU-ZltJI/AAAAAAAAEVU/IgDOpvUPfx0/s400/IMG_0448.JPG" /></a> Center cone of an Echinacea blossom
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXUqg-ZhI/AAAAAAAAEVM/lsWkIwaYX1g/s1600-h/IMG_0456.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401389709366552082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXUqg-ZhI/AAAAAAAAEVM/lsWkIwaYX1g/s400/IMG_0456.JPG" /></a> Shasta Daisy
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXUZ03GgI/AAAAAAAAEVE/67QuEP7Pnrc/s1600-h/IMG_0462.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401389704886557186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXUZ03GgI/AAAAAAAAEVE/67QuEP7Pnrc/s400/IMG_0462.JPG" /></a>Tomato plant leaves
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<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXUBsRvJI/AAAAAAAAEU8/aoY3bpaCdE8/s1600-h/IMG_0469.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401389698408103058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXUBsRvJI/AAAAAAAAEU8/aoY3bpaCdE8/s400/IMG_0469.JPG" /></a> Bougainvillea
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<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXT2pF7jI/AAAAAAAAEU0/snhwhF73lGY/s1600-h/IMG_0482.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401389695441956402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SvWXT2pF7jI/AAAAAAAAEU0/snhwhF73lGY/s400/IMG_0482.JPG" /></a>Potato Vine Blossom
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Pause and look closely next time you're in a garden. It's another universe!
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</div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-48389501611651640012009-10-31T17:08:00.001-07:002009-10-31T18:41:13.804-07:00This Morning's Walk<div align="left">I love this moment when sunrise happens. I try and witness as many of these as possible.</div><div align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR7fhTgvI/AAAAAAAAEUE/vPXzSdnyeiw/s1600-h/IMG_0369.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398920873314058994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR7fhTgvI/AAAAAAAAEUE/vPXzSdnyeiw/s400/IMG_0369.JPG" /></a>
</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">On the way back I met two "Westies" (West Highland Terriers). One is named Oliver and I didn't catch the name of the other one. They are father and son, out for a morning walk.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6wtbxCI/AAAAAAAAET8/h1CVT2lxg5s/s1600-h/IMG_0378.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398920860748465186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6wtbxCI/AAAAAAAAET8/h1CVT2lxg5s/s400/IMG_0378.JPG" /></a></div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6lgsjmI/AAAAAAAAET0/aX-vueTbleo/s1600-h/IMG_0365.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398920857742249570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6lgsjmI/AAAAAAAAET0/aX-vueTbleo/s400/IMG_0365.JPG" /></a> Next I met a really cute Corgy with a regal Japanese-sounding name that I can't remember.
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6VefXgI/AAAAAAAAETs/C1yCyq0ASH4/s1600-h/IMG_0366.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398920853438029314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6VefXgI/AAAAAAAAETs/C1yCyq0ASH4/s400/IMG_0366.JPG" /></a>
</div><div align="left"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6elYIxI/AAAAAAAAETk/cXW2YI_gHE4/s1600-h/IMG_0348.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398920855882834706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SuzR6elYIxI/AAAAAAAAETk/cXW2YI_gHE4/s400/IMG_0348.JPG" /></a> <- I don't generally appreciate Halloween Decorations, but I must admit, this was so tastefully spooky and the right scale for the house that I really like it.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">Happy Halloween everyone!!
</div><div align="left"></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-30937945277378189472009-09-04T06:47:00.000-07:002009-09-04T08:13:31.644-07:00Huntington Beach Birdwatching<p>Birdwatching at sunrise in Huntington Beach California.</p><p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzagAPmpJPbtAP3sOmhvv7uaNJrPwMk8xX_0LjufCv6NlJELKIYT4Ge91lq_F2Qde73v18SqzSLEct5vvhywA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>
<p>A Willet and a Marbled Godwit digging for food with their long bills in between waves.</p>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-85599346756063316482009-09-01T20:42:00.001-07:002009-09-01T20:52:15.268-07:00Surf City USA (a.k.a. Huntington Beach, CA)I made the most of my recent business offsite to Huntington Beach. The ocean is such a magical place to lose oneself in the immensity of it all, especially early in the morning . . .
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rHCd0CtI/AAAAAAAAETc/u6OAB9t3l-k/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rHCd0CtI/AAAAAAAAETc/u6OAB9t3l-k/s400/Huntington+Beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376712036303768274" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rGvMJAnI/AAAAAAAAETU/ezYILZUgs50/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rGvMJAnI/AAAAAAAAETU/ezYILZUgs50/s400/Huntington+Beach-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376712031129371250" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rGPmOQjI/AAAAAAAAETM/ZSXmkawpe50/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rGPmOQjI/AAAAAAAAETM/ZSXmkawpe50/s400/Huntington+Beach-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376712022648832562" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rF6GmtoI/AAAAAAAAETE/2ymmXHMgyzg/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rF6GmtoI/AAAAAAAAETE/2ymmXHMgyzg/s400/Huntington+Beach-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376712016879072898" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rFcgMQxI/AAAAAAAAES8/uuIavLfU5M0/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3rFcgMQxI/AAAAAAAAES8/uuIavLfU5M0/s400/Huntington+Beach-8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376712008933327634" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qyMO5qgI/AAAAAAAAES0/m4U1y_xTs6o/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qyMO5qgI/AAAAAAAAES0/m4U1y_xTs6o/s400/Huntington+Beach-9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711678148323842" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qxs90LAI/AAAAAAAAESs/z6dt1ugM9zE/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-10.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qxs90LAI/AAAAAAAAESs/z6dt1ugM9zE/s400/Huntington+Beach-10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711669755161602" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qxcpA03I/AAAAAAAAESk/JJivhZdQ3UU/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-11.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 322px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qxcpA03I/AAAAAAAAESk/JJivhZdQ3UU/s400/Huntington+Beach-11.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711665372943218" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qwwP2xDI/AAAAAAAAESc/eixSmIxJaX8/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-15.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qwwP2xDI/AAAAAAAAESc/eixSmIxJaX8/s400/Huntington+Beach-15.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711653456266290" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qwfVIv5I/AAAAAAAAESU/c9wmkDmwUtw/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-17.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qwfVIv5I/AAAAAAAAESU/c9wmkDmwUtw/s400/Huntington+Beach-17.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711648915013522" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qZzNzrjI/AAAAAAAAESM/EPKDRADDFqQ/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-20.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qZzNzrjI/AAAAAAAAESM/EPKDRADDFqQ/s400/Huntington+Beach-20.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711259115990578" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qZKaKypI/AAAAAAAAESE/vuafOisv6FE/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-21.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qZKaKypI/AAAAAAAAESE/vuafOisv6FE/s400/Huntington+Beach-21.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711248161983122" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qYyyKwwI/AAAAAAAAER8/5hz5YEvMK-Q/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-23.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qYyyKwwI/AAAAAAAAER8/5hz5YEvMK-Q/s400/Huntington+Beach-23.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711241820193538" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qYRnSl9I/AAAAAAAAER0/dHssFcN1-88/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-24.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qYRnSl9I/AAAAAAAAER0/dHssFcN1-88/s400/Huntington+Beach-24.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711232916199378" /></a>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qX3g4gnI/AAAAAAAAERs/nPVFROrtZJ8/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-25.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qX3g4gnI/AAAAAAAAERs/nPVFROrtZJ8/s400/Huntington+Beach-25.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376711225910002290" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qAK06CgI/AAAAAAAAERk/WSRNN-3-MDU/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-26.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3qAK06CgI/AAAAAAAAERk/WSRNN-3-MDU/s400/Huntington+Beach-26.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376710818777401858" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p_gSmzoI/AAAAAAAAERc/8xiNALubJrs/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-28.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p_gSmzoI/AAAAAAAAERc/8xiNALubJrs/s400/Huntington+Beach-28.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376710807359245954" /></a>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p_QhNwyI/AAAAAAAAERU/Nx0edSTG0W8/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-29.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 237px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p_QhNwyI/AAAAAAAAERU/Nx0edSTG0W8/s400/Huntington+Beach-29.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376710803125551906" /></a>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p-kuyR_I/AAAAAAAAERM/Kr-DNSFrTSk/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-30.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p-kuyR_I/AAAAAAAAERM/Kr-DNSFrTSk/s400/Huntington+Beach-30.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376710791371311090" /></a>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p-SOs3pI/AAAAAAAAERE/HRLvC0qL510/s1600-h/Huntington+Beach-31.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/Sp3p-SOs3pI/AAAAAAAAERE/HRLvC0qL510/s400/Huntington+Beach-31.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376710786404900498" /></a>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-35032368157023046952009-08-21T20:31:00.000-07:002009-08-21T20:49:42.704-07:00Last installment of Hawaii Pictures - Flying Home<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9o-te4AkI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/oD76-4bUUu4/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628307046564418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9o-te4AkI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/oD76-4bUUu4/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII.jpg" /></a>
<div>^ Taking off from Honolulu.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9o973zijI/AAAAAAAAEQs/cTz-0xDQjuY/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628293729356338" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9o973zijI/AAAAAAAAEQs/cTz-0xDQjuY/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-2.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>
^ Nice view of Waikiki
</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9ouwWV_TI/AAAAAAAAEQk/JN56RpKUsfo/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628032938179890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9ouwWV_TI/AAAAAAAAEQk/JN56RpKUsfo/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-3.jpg" /></a>
^ View inside of Diamond Head </div><div></div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9ouW7VjFI/AAAAAAAAEQc/2UP4AWKga3g/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628026114018386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9ouW7VjFI/AAAAAAAAEQc/2UP4AWKga3g/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-4.jpg" /></a>
<Heading out to sea.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9ouC-R__I/AAAAAAAAEQU/7tEQZEu_eK0/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628020757659634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9ouC-R__I/AAAAAAAAEQU/7tEQZEu_eK0/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-5.jpg" /></a>
Aloha beloved Hawaii. I'll be back yet again.
</div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9othAdftI/AAAAAAAAEQM/7FxHKZioC0c/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628011639996114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9othAdftI/AAAAAAAAEQM/7FxHKZioC0c/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-6.jpg" /></a>
Sunset along the horizon.
</div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9otC0rOWI/AAAAAAAAEQE/25stOz0Ekig/s1600-h/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372628003537500514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/So9otC0rOWI/AAAAAAAAEQE/25stOz0Ekig/s400/RETURN+FROM+HAWAII-7.jpg" /></a>
</div><div></div><div>Almost dark. G'night.</div><div></div></div>
Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-30109849877492780442009-08-14T17:18:00.000-07:002009-08-14T20:05:41.692-07:00<div align="left">I love birds and I find all Hawaiian birds exotic. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAg0lZ2EI/AAAAAAAAEP8/jrC9BM21Ky0/s1600-h/Red-Crested+Cardinal.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369980169557235778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAg0lZ2EI/AAAAAAAAEP8/jrC9BM21Ky0/s400/Red-Crested+Cardinal.jpg" /></a></div><p align="left"></p><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Here's a great example. Is this cool or what? It's like a cardinal that you'd find in the Eastern US as all red, but it was introduced from Brazil and is called a red-crested cardinal. (BTW, these pics are not mine. I saw these birds but didn't photograph them. This is courtesy of this website:<a href="http://www.explorebiodiversity.com/Hawaii/BIRDS/Birds/Rock%20Dove.htm">http://www.explorebiodiversity.com/Hawaii/BIRDS/Birds/Rock%20Dove.htm</a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAca0x2qI/AAAAAAAAEP0/L7SjDGeWdmk/s1600-h/Java+Sparrow.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369980093922925218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAca0x2qI/AAAAAAAAEP0/L7SjDGeWdmk/s400/Java+Sparrow.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAQQWEavI/AAAAAAAAEPs/2NzlEQicRFg/s1600-h/Myna.jpg">I love these little guys . . . Java Sparrows. From Indonesia. So cute!<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979884951333618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAQQWEavI/AAAAAAAAEPs/2NzlEQicRFg/s400/Myna.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Myna birds. Noisey great songs. Might get annoying after awhile if I lived in Hawaii, but I don't, so I love 'em!
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAP-4MO3I/AAAAAAAAEPk/ChumLs75ZyA/s1600-h/Zebra+Dove.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979880262613874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAP-4MO3I/AAAAAAAAEPk/ChumLs75ZyA/s400/Zebra+Dove.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Zebra dove. Even the pigeon-like birds in Hawaii are exotic!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">
</div><p align="right"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAPJcGNnI/AAAAAAAAEPc/P_IiRWU0hx4/s1600-h/Red-vented+Bulbul.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 263px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979865917699698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAPJcGNnI/AAAAAAAAEPc/P_IiRWU0hx4/s400/Red-vented+Bulbul.jpg" /></a></p><div align="center">
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">The Vented Bulbul. Very cool. Saw some of these on the hike to Diamond Head. Love the rocker hairdo.
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAO_dkzXI/AAAAAAAAEPU/401YGdzbgtw/s1600-h/Spotted+Dove.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979863239544178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAO_dkzXI/AAAAAAAAEPU/401YGdzbgtw/s400/Spotted+Dove.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Spotted dove. Another exotic pigeon!
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAN48j85I/AAAAAAAAEPM/iZCgzCB6VdY/s1600-h/Rock+Dove.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 350px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 263px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979844310594450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoYAN48j85I/AAAAAAAAEPM/iZCgzCB6VdY/s400/Rock+Dove.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">The Rock Dove. OK, these I had personal experiences with . . .
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_6ZHWKqI/AAAAAAAAEPE/dRUt1A9Pfsk/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-27.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979509348379298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_6ZHWKqI/AAAAAAAAEPE/dRUt1A9Pfsk/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-27.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">This one was on my balcony, 31 stories high.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_6HDIXtI/AAAAAAAAEO8/bSTmJ7uLD60/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-29.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979504498859730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_6HDIXtI/AAAAAAAAEO8/bSTmJ7uLD60/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-29.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Checking me out.
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_5vxBn8I/AAAAAAAAEO0/Jtz1QGxo0Rg/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-30.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979498248904642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_5vxBn8I/AAAAAAAAEO0/Jtz1QGxo0Rg/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-30.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">And then there were two . . .
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_5LnjEfI/AAAAAAAAEOs/PTpVQvvIGI8/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-31.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979488545477106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_5LnjEfI/AAAAAAAAEOs/PTpVQvvIGI8/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-31.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">A long way down
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_49A_TgI/AAAAAAAAEOk/BXtwmHp8TB0/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-32.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369979484625653250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoX_49A_TgI/AAAAAAAAEOk/BXtwmHp8TB0/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-32.jpg" /></a>
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Hey! Wait a minute! How come you closed the door on me? I was just getting used to having Cheerios for breakfast with you!! </div><div align="center"></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3553344273614470610.post-54096991891669513402009-08-10T19:20:00.000-07:002009-08-12T07:35:29.332-07:00Waikiki<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWiJnmEiI/AAAAAAAAEOc/yhbW62hnENk/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526638011519522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWiJnmEiI/AAAAAAAAEOc/yhbW62hnENk/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip.jpg" /></a>
View from my hotel room at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort.
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWh3I2c8I/AAAAAAAAEOU/fFBt8YY6GE8/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526633050731458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWh3I2c8I/AAAAAAAAEOU/fFBt8YY6GE8/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-2.jpg" /></a><- Did I mention that my room was on the 31st floor? I don't mind heights so I ate breakfast every morning on my balcony. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWhRGa-wI/AAAAAAAAEOM/vgXo7QEF-sQ/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 276px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526622839995138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWhRGa-wI/AAAAAAAAEOM/vgXo7QEF-sQ/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-3.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWhLxa4FI/AAAAAAAAEOE/u0rNBPXh5nk/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526621409730642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWhLxa4FI/AAAAAAAAEOE/u0rNBPXh5nk/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-4.jpg" /></a> ^ I was intrigued by this guy making plumeria leis by holding the end between his toes.
<div></div>The surfer and dolphin seem to like them.
<div></div><div></div>
So I gave the street lei-maker $5 and got one to decorate my room. Seems appropriate next to the botanical print of a plumeria.
<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWJvjejYI/AAAAAAAAEN8/Das-Qt3QOTc/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 339px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526218698067330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWJvjejYI/AAAAAAAAEN8/Das-Qt3QOTc/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-5.jpg" /></a>
<div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWJFQpLXI/AAAAAAAAEN0/fkfrQ5Nfwj4/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526207344782706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWJFQpLXI/AAAAAAAAEN0/fkfrQ5Nfwj4/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-6.jpg" /></a>
This picture is from my cab ride on the way to the Diamond Head trailhead. It was the morning of the Tinman Triathalon (not to be confused with the longer and more intense IronMan).
</div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWId5rPtI/AAAAAAAAENs/Aq-O-BJUL9Q/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-24.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 211px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526196779466450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWId5rPtI/AAAAAAAAENs/Aq-O-BJUL9Q/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-24.jpg" /></a>
This picture was taken at a local restaurant. Not a sign I tend to see in Dublin or Oakland.
<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWIF2b1MI/AAAAAAAAENk/UsjrpMJLzeE/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-25.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526190323422402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWIF2b1MI/AAAAAAAAENk/UsjrpMJLzeE/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-25.jpg" /></a>
Looking down, the carpet is just as tropical as my dress. (Tropical Camo?)
<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWHzFPpUI/AAAAAAAAENc/eItr8UVPLZo/s1600-h/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-26.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368526185285264706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_oGFgeKVGoXg/SoDWHzFPpUI/AAAAAAAAENc/eItr8UVPLZo/s400/Hawaii+July+2009+trip-26.jpg" /></a>
Cloudy Sunset over Waikiki. </div><div>I'm glad I made the most of this business trip, at least in the early morning and evening hours. It's not as fun to be in Hawaii without my husband, though. Oh well, there's always next time.</div><div></div><div>Aloha
</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15428193635495360624noreply@blogger.com3