T IS FOR....

T   is for.....

                    ......TUG BOAT

Isn't she beautiful?  Sturdy, strong, seaworthy, (whoops,  maybe I should have used this for 's' day).  On a previous blog I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.  Well I answered  "a pilot" meaning a pilot of an airplane, but I also thought I would like to have been a TUG BOAT skipper.  This photo is actually of a pilot boat, which are sometimes used as a tug boat.  This was taken at one of our stops in Peru last year. Here are a couple of photos of tug boats in action.

I think it is fascinating to watch how these little workhorses maneuver massive ships through narrow passages into harbors and into their docking place. I could watch them at work for hours.  It seems to me that it takes great skill and excellent communication with the big ship to do all this without any calamities. The massive, giant ship is so dependent upon the skill of the little tug boats.  Whoever hears of these heroes of the harbor?

Now for a change of pace...here is a different kind of TUG.

T is also for a TUG at the heart strings.

Yesterday we drove up to the north of the island to see the Na Paali coast.  We parked  in front of a wide stretch of grass that bordered a scenic beach.  Of course there were chickens  pecking and scratching away at the grass and also begging food from the tourists parked there. (There are chickens running loose all over Kauai.  The reason why is a story for another day.)  But there in the midst of all these chickens was this:

...another Kauai Cat -- actually not much more than a kitten.  As I watched the chickens and the cat I thought how strange it was to see a cat among the chickens.  In fact the cat seemed to be playing with the chickens , or at least trying to play.  But they mostly ignored her.

She was following them around, batting at their tails and even rolling onto her back, exposing her tummy -- a sure sign of submission.  I called her over to me and she came running across the grass on her short stumpy legs.  She looked like a mixed munchkin breed.  She was meowing all her way over the grass coming to me and of course several chickens also came with her looking for a handout. She meowed and meowed but wouldn't come near enough to let me pet her.  She hung around close to me and the chickens, but I had no food.  Then one of the more persistent hens pecked at her to chase her away.

                            

Then it dawned on me.  All the 'playfulness' between the chicken and the kitten was actually the kitten trying to persuade the chicken to let her have a share of the goodies coming from the tourists.  No wonder she never stopped meowing.  She was hungry -- and I didn't have anything for her!  Her plight tugged at my heart strings all the way home.  Poor little thing.  If I'd been on my own, I would have driven back to a store (about half an hour away) to buy some food and bring it back to her.  Not very practical I know, but that's me when it comes to cats!

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For more takes on the letter T, visit ABC WEDNESDAY by clicking on the link to see what everyone else has chosen to highlight.

The letter 'T is brought to you by Mrs. Nesbitt and her TRUSTY TEAM  

Thought it was Time for a Change

Unfortunately what I wanted to do, Blogger doesn't let me do.  I have to create my header all in one piece   and then post it through the design page.  I don't have a program on this laptop to do this so I shall have to wait until I get home to our desk top computer.  So bear with me, please until I have a chance to fix it how I want it.  Mahalo.

In the mean time here are a few views of our island get away.

I'll be back :)

THANKSGIVING DAY

No, no pictures of turkey and mounds of good food, although we certainly had our share.  We did what has become a tradition in our family.  We went to GAYLORDS on Kauai.  A wonderful restaurant in a plantation setting.  It was everything that we have come to expect -- over-the-top excellence.  


My first stop was to visit the sunny steps where every year we have seen what we call 'our Kauai Cat'.  I have photographs of her on the same sunny step every year on Thanksgiving Day since 2007.  Would she still be there again this year?


OH-OH....

THE STEPS ARE EMPTY!!...

Then my husband called.."Here she is!"   And there she was curled up  on a comfy chair.  When I got closer I saw a notice on the chair...

 Can you read it?.... AWWW...!

(Taken on the way out.)

So we let her sleep.  Hope she's there next year!

S IS FOR...

S  IS FOR...
                  ...SUN, SAND, SEA, SURF  and SORRY... Sorry, that is, for not having any up-to-date photos of our SHANGRILA  in Kauai, Hawaii.
We just arrived last night and today was not a SIGHT-SEEING or picture-taking day.  Too busy SETTLING in, SLEEPING in, (me, to recover from the long flight which doesn't agree with my fibromyalgia) and SHOPPING so we won't STARVE in the days to come.

Here is a SAMPLE

Kauai is one of the less populated and less 'touristified' of the Hawaiian Islands.  It has been our place of destination for quite a few Thanksgiving Holidays.  It is known as the Garden Isle.  I think that a really good description of its beauty is to say that it has all the lush greenness and beauty of England with temperatures at a balmy 78- 80 degrees, and mild sea breezes. 

More photos to follow, I promise.

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S is also for  Scottish girl -- one of my earlier paintings, which I don't think I've posted before.  I love her red hair and green eyes.  I can see things in this painting that I would change or add now, but then of course, I always can.  I think I never know when to stop with my paintings.

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S is also for STEEPLES.  We are doing a bit of globe hopping on this post.

This magnificent cathedral is in Ecuador, which was one of the places we visited last year.  In fact I sat quietly for about half an hour here in the cool shade and away from the busy park square, while Moth was buzzing around taking photos. (I took this one.  He wouldn't have cut off the top of the SPIRE as I have done!) It was a great people watching spot.

S is also for Scruffy -- how could I not include him?  I have to stop myself from looking at his photos all the time, because I miss him -- yes, even with all this beauty around us.  

That look is just so typical of him (see similar photo in side bar).  It is a patient, expectant look.  He sits just this way with his paws so neat and looking up at you, saying, "I'm being a very good boy.  So please will you let me go outside?"

I am sure he is blissfully snoozing, even snoring and not missing me at all, (but I'd like to think he is missing me a little bit).

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On Thursday we will be going to GAYLORDS and will see if that tortie cat is still asleep on that very same step as he has been every Thanksgiving for years. See my post for the letter K on September 27 this year for more details about this.

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This post is for ABC WEDNESDAY, Mrs. Nesbitt's SOUNDLY, SUCCESSFUL SEGMENT.  To see more SIZZLING S's please click on the link above.

COFFEE KLATCH NOVEMBER 18TH

This week we are to share a photograph a day  from the past week of things for which we are thankful.  Not too difficult to do because there are so many things for which I am thankful.  I really should have tried to be a little more creative but our vacation is coming up very soon and my days are crammed full of getting things together for it.

Nevertheless, here are my PHOTOS OF THANKFULNESS

SATURDAY: My family. (So obvious, but still true).  The three handsome men in my life who I love deeply and who have been a major support and encouragement to me throughout the ups and downs of my life.  I am so proud of them!

The Boss

                                           Son #1                                       Son #2

SUNDAY:  My Church which, after nearly 40 years, is my other family. What would I do without them and what would I do without the Lord?

MONDAY:  Scruffy, my sweet and beautiful cat who brings me so much fun and joy. There is another cute photo of him on my side-bar. He is a sweet, sweet charmer.

TUESDAY:  My home -- the outside, front and back, some of which I helped design. You can't see the patio on which I'm standing, but it has a waterfall and bird feeders. My favorite summer time spot.

WEDNESDAY:  My Ladies' Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study, when I learn as much, if not more than they do.  This group has been going for 3 years.  Before that I had another group for 10 years.  Such a blessing!

THURSDAY:  My home, the inside.  It's not that I am so proud of my home, but that it is just how I like it --  convenient and comfortable.  We've had many years in this house and lots of opportunities to make changes.  It's never perfect, but it reflects me.

                                Part of the Living Room                        Kitchen/dining area 

FRIDAY:  My hobby of painting and drawing, which I found later in my life but which gives me hours and hours of pleasure. ( Water colors and Prismacolor pencils).

Rooster in Hawaii

Thanks for this opportunity to share.  I may not be able to make it for the next couple of weeks -- but 

I  WILL BE BACK!

Meanwhile, visit Tapestry of Life to meet the other members of our group.  Click on the button below.

R... IS FOR...

R ...IS FOR ....

...Christina ROSSETTI

Christina was a British poet with a famous father, Gabriele Rossetti, a poet and political exile, and a famous brother, Danti Gabriele Rossetti who was an artist and poet.

I chose Christina Rossetti for "R' day because she is actually the first poet I ever knew anything about.  Several of her poems were featured in my school Reader when I was in the equivalent of Grade 2 at about 6 years old. (British schools started at age 5 back then and perhaps still do.)  I was of course drawn to her because of her first name.  Mine was Christine so it was near enough to intrigue me. I read her poems with great interest.  I liked to read and would read almost anything I could get my hands on even at that young age. 
I have since discovered that she wrote quite a lot of children's poems, but these two posted here were in my school book.  They actually don't seem as much like children's poems to me as do some of her others written specifically for children.

Do you remember this one?

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you:

But when the leaves hang trembling

The wind is passing thro'.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I:

But when the trees bow down their heads

The wind is passing by.

How about this one?

"Ferry me across the water,

Do, boatman, do."

"If you've a penny in your purse

I'll ferry you."

"I have a penny in my purse,

And my eyes are blue;

So ferry me across the water,

Do, boatman, do."

"Step into my ferry-boat,

Be they black or blue,

And for the penny in your purse

I'll ferry you."

Christina Rossetti is also the author of a famous Christmas Carol.  I'm sure you'll know this one, but I'm going to place it at the end of this post because it is long and Christmas will be a tiny bit closer (about one minute) than when you began reading this blog! ( I do dislike having Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving!)

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R is also for RAINBOW...

...which is a pretty obvious choice for 'R' day, but this photo taken by my friend Charlene is so outstanding that I had to include it here: 

This is taken at Iguazu Falls, which are found in the middle of the jungle, on the border of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.  I've been there and it was one of the most exciting days of my life. To be standing in the middle of a South American jungle, in one of the most exotic places in the world was a dream come true.  It was on my bucket list!  Thanks Charlene!

R is also for Reflection...

... I've been waiting for a chance to post this photograph:

It was taken by my sister in my back yard when she was visiting us a while ago.  I thought it was cool because she caught the reflection of the philodendron that was growing above this very cute planter that was full of rainwater.  I have a very talented sister!

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Now here is the Christmas Carol written by Christina Rossetti:

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

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AND THAT'S MY CONTRIBUTION FOR MRS. NESBITT'S ABC WEDNESDAY'S  'R' DAY.

For more entries in this intriguing and informative project please click on the link above.

Q IS FOR...

Q IS FOR …QUOTATIONS … AND QUESTIONS…

  
“The power of man has grown in every sphere except over himself.”

                                                                        Winston S. Churchill  

           

I came across this QUOTATION a few weeks ago and the truth of these words struck me forcibly. Yet the QUOTATION raises the inevitable QUESTION….WHY?   Why hasn’t man gained power over himself? There must be thousands, if not millions who genuinely want be perfect – strive to be perfect, want others to be perfect so that we can live in a perfect world. But for as long as man has existed he has never attained perfection.

    

BUT WHY?  Why can’t we make ourselves perfect? We can do so many other things through the modern miracles of science.  We all want the kind of perfection that would remove hatred, war, anger, theft, greed, murder and all those horrible imperfections that ensnare our daily lives. Why can’t we make ourselves perfect?

Christians believe that we can’t make ourselves perfect because we have an innate sinful nature and only God can change that.

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 Now here are some more  excellent quotations from that great, but not perfect, man 

Winston S. Churchill:

(Warning:  some need thinking about).

1.  (This one’s for me…) “A fanatic is one who won’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.”

2.  If you destroy a free market, you create a black market.

3.  One should be just before one is generous.

4.  Where there is a great deal of free speech, there is always a certain amount of foolish speech.

5.  War is horrible but slavery is worse.

6.  The price of greatness is responsibility.

7.  The last thing that represents democracy is mob law.

8.  I am going to give a long speech today.  I haven’t had time to prepare a short one. (Think about this one.)

9.  When the eagles are silent the parrots begin to jabber.

10.  Nourish your hopes but do not overlook realities.

AND….”A gentleman does not have a ham sandwich without mustard.” (Gray Poupon).

This is my contribtion to Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday.  Why not click on this link and see what others have contributed for this week's letter Q.