Photo Time

Squirrel Fun!

My backyard squirrels are a bit nuts! No pun intended! Happy Thursday All!

Sunsets: Don’t Under Estimate Them!

It gets old driving up to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, but at least the sunset was beautiful on the water.  Wishing I could turn toward the ocean and cast my gaze on the sea sounded so much better than standing in line at the pharmacy.

Pearl Harbor-Few Words Needed

Pearl Harbor is not like any other museum experience.  One must prepare for this excursion.  I get up at 0530 in the morning in anticipation of getting free tickets.  Driving to Pearl from Waikiki is a half hour and I want to be sure to be there in time to stand in line to get tickets especially for my girlfriend who has never been.  Yes. FREE.  Tour guides ask for top dollar to take you to this site.  Tourism is high up as a way of making a living on the islands.  I think the price they ask is a bit high.  I was quoted $115/person.  I rented a car..

Entering sacred waters toward the USS Arizona Memorial .  The ship is beneath the white structure  

The Case Of The Missing Fish

There is a story here, but you have to think deep or perhaps very shallow. You choose. 

Life involves much contemplating. Fred the heron from the PNW is listening carefully and will make a decision soon.

Ok. I guess I didn’t get that. What did you say? I am all ears. 

Got it! Yep. Your mine. 

Dumbfounded Fred is sad. There is always next time. Well. Not always. Perhaps Fred there are bigger fish to fry. Your turn will come.  Life brings rewards at times and sometimes we are left empty handed. Fred’s face says it all. No words needed. 

Thanks from Fred for dropping by and attempting to fish with him. Wish him luck!  I think deeper waters brings a prize!

Ospreys In Action

One of my best photographs I have taken.  I am moved really about the way I caught the birds in action.  It is as if you are looking at the anatomy of the birds as they reached out toward each other. Thought provoking. 

Blooming

Forward thinking health is my story. Blooming at just the right timing  can depend on many factors…. My truth is no other. Walk in my shoes just one time and you will see.

“Move your foot forward. You can do this.”

The therapist evidently knew more than me..

This was in January of  2011.  My hospital physical therapist had begun working with me in the acute rehab. I was status post one week crainiotomy for a large motor cortex brain tumor.

“It will not move.” I remarked

“Yes. It will. We will get you there.”

I looked up at her admiring her being strong for me.

That almost seems a lifetime ago, yet everyday I am reminded one way or another of my past medical history.

Today that blooming effect keeps rolling along five years later. This past few months , I started working closely with physical therapy for a  left knee injury. While being assessed, it became apparent to the therapist I also had another condition called Left Neglect.

I was absolutely shocked with this. Apparently damage to the opposite side of my brain ( in my case right side of brain) caused my left sided neglect.  Surprising enough, a left-sided neglect individual may not even know anything is wrong. I sure did not.

Damage to the right side of the brain also may cause cognition issues such as  attention. This is where we need to understand paying attention involves complicated neuro circuits being fractured.

I did not realize this neglect and if I did , I would have taken steps way before now to retrain my brain to use my body in equal footing.

As a mother, I wondered how all these complicating issues were going on in my body all the while doing my mom job.  This whole issue is not just one area or disorder, but multiple in nature.  I am thankful to my sons for always accepting mom through so much.

Barriers happen. These blockades will be overcome by an attitute of continual blooming. As I look out into my backyard, I see this in action. Flowers almost blooming or already have, yet I also see precious squirrels looking to get food and jump at the chance when he can.

It all may sound crazy, but this left neglect is a real neurological condition. In  fact, I had to keep a key viewpoint alive in my head that my issues are real. I do not have but one energizing answer to my rehab. It is simple. Keep blooming. Keep smiling. And yes. Keep moving!

A Garden

  
I am writing this from my home, but believe me in my head I am touring a Hawaiian garden. While recently on vacation, I had the opportunity to do a self guided tour at Wahiawa Botanical Gardens.

 

Wahiawa Botanical Gardens began in the 1920’s prehawaii statehood.  It was first considered an arboretum experiment.  When Hawaii became a state in the 1950’s, the department of parks and recreation  took over its operations.   

The county of Honolulu is home to 650 acres of botanical gardens at five sites. Wahiawa comprises only 26 of those acres with  a large amount of tropical plants. Some of these plants are rare. 

  

Upon entering  the botanical gardens, you are surrounded with quiet reflective walking trails. A visitor center is also on the premises upon going through the main entry.  There was no cost to us as visitors. 

  
Sections of the  botanical trails are divided into Australian and bamboo forests,  different palm gardens , and other flora and Hawaiian gardens.

  

Wahiawa gardens is for plants that love moisture. As much as 80 inches of rain may fall here. This unique gardens is definitely a home for rare flora.  

  
As I finish my thoughts about this Hawaiian garden, spring has really sprung here in my hometown of Seattle. So please enjoy a view from my backyard garden to yours as I bid adieu.

  
  
  

 

War

Eerily you can see into Pearl Harbor’s waters what once was the great ship the USS ARIZONA

I hated thinking about the many who lost their lives when I was on vacation in Hawaii, but it is a part of the story when you come to our 50th state.  In honor of those lost and the powerful military we do have here in America , I wanted to share a few shots of “our” equipment utilized by our brave men and women who have served and continue to serve nation across the universe.

Ocean Watching

  
People talk a lot about people watching. I suppose I spend my time more bird watching , but in Hawaii I had extra special views. This egret sums it up nicely. I ocean watched. 

  
I truly admired this woman who never stopped to look at anything else, but the beautiful waves coming from the Pacific Ocean here on the island of Oahu. This is as peaceful as my mind can get. I enjoyed being on the island during the pipeline surfing contest .  Swells got as high as 70 feet. The islands had not seen that in 50 years. Fortunately the surfers were able to compete!  For myself and my traveling companions, we were content watching the surf! Scary seeing those guys and gals riding the waves, yet spectacular too. I promise soon to post some adventures I had on this trip. It was truly a wonderful time had by all.