May the coming year bring something new!

I love how this nest is heart shaped.

Ko'olau Range

Today was a pretty cool day for me and this is a nice picture to help me remember it...
I'm am hoping that with this project, I will be able to remember more since I will have a visual clue for each day of this year.
This is looking toward the Ko'olau Mountain Range.  Such a nice lookout spot, just before the end of the freeway.

Mokuluas

I like the reflection in the sand.

Oh, the interesting things we might see if we look around once in awhile! Someone hung ornaments handmade from coral on this tree.  They are above eye level, but once you notice them...what a little treat.

Almost gave myself a headache staring at the sunlight dancing on the water.  Mesmerizing.

Chili Peppers

We made tamales for Christmas...these red chili peppers just seemed festive...they bring so much color and flavor to the table.

Christmas Eve

Goofing around a bit on Christmas Eve...I rather like how this one turned out though.  Merry Christmas everyone!

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky ~Rabindranath Tagore

Road King

Not my favorite bike, but not too bad either.

Is it a tree or collection of vines or roots?  I don't know, but it was kind of gnarly looking.

Cool Find

Came across these peacock feathers on a hike in waimanalo.  I had no idea there were peacocks over there.

om

So, the yoga teacher who gave us an ornament last year, gave us an OM cookie this year.  Love her.

Om...the sound of the universe.

Namaste

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments...a gift from my yoga teacher last year.

Albatross Collage

Working on a new series of collages... from my photographs.

Double Rainbow

Can you see it??  It was faint, but it was there!!  We are really into the rainy season now; I've been seeing several rainbows everyday for about a week now.  It's been lovely.

Frustrating day as I did not like any of my images from today.  This bird's nest caught my eye as I was trying to capture some of the blossoms on this tree.  I don't understand how these nests stay in place.

Orchid Tree

My neighbor calls these Orchid Trees...I'm not sure if that's really the proper name, but they certainly are pretty.  We have several around the neighborhood.  They just recently pruned them (looked like they were trying to kill them) and they had blooms within two weeks!  Amazing.

Art's Obedience Christmas Party

My Mackey and I attended the Annual Christmas Party today with our Obedience Class.  It was a blast!  They had games that we played with our furry friends, ono food, and a gift exchange!  All that aside, he had so much fun playing around with some of the puppies that had just graduated from the puppy class.

Pearl Harbor...70th Anniversary

Missing Man Formation

I attended the Pearl Harbor Memorial today.  I have been meaning to do this for years and am so glad that I finally did.  Approximately 120 Pearl Harbor Survivors attended today's ceremony.  I was amazed by this high number.  It was a moving ceremony with a few survivors speaking, acknowledgement of all the survivors and their location during the attack, Secretary of Navy speaking, wreath presentation, and color guard.  The USS Chung Hoon passed through Harbor by the Arizona Memorial.  There was also a Marine Rifle Salute & Taps which I find just as moving as the Missing Man Formation.

Memorial on Pearl Harbor Naval Base reads:

IN RECOGNITION OF ALL THE GALLANT MEN

AND WOMEN, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN,

WHO PERFORMED UNPRECEDENTED DEEDS

OF BRAVERY AND HEROISM IN THE SERVICE

OF THEIR COUNTRY AT PEARL HARBOR

ON DECEMBER 7, 1941;

IN MEMORY OF THE BRAVE MEN WHO MADE

THE SUPREME SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING

ON THE VESSELS THAT WERE SUNK OR

DAMAGED IN THAT ATTACK;

IN ADMIRATION OF THE MILITARY AND

CIVILIAN CREWS WHO SALVAGED AND

RETURNED TO MERITORIOUS SERVICE

ALL BUT THREE OF THOSE VESSELS;

IN LASTING TRIBUTE TO THE SPIRIT OF

 THESE PEOPLE, MAY WE FIND EVERLASTING PEACE

Java Sparrow

a striking fellow...

Eddie Aikau, Opening Ceremony

I've made it to the actual contests that have gone off while I've lived here, but never made it to the Opening Ceremony before.  This is the sport that I'm a big fan of.  Other people have football or soccer, but surfing is exciting for me.  The very cool thing about this is, the athletes are right there next to you walking down the beach to the water.

Some well knowns here including: Keone Downing, Michael Ho, Ross Clarke Jones, and yes that's Kelly Slater on the far right.

Kala Alexander

Ramon Navarro

Sunny Garcia about to head out.

Peter Mel, I believe

The Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational is a one day event.  It only occurs if the waves are consistently 20' or bigger and conditions are good.  The holding period is Dec.1-Feb.29.  The conditions have only been right 8 times out of the 26 years it's been in existence.  I've been lucky enough to witness 3 of those days;  truly amazing to watch.  This past January the waves got up to 20', but it was inconsistent and it didn't go off.  Let's hope nature sends big waves this winter!

North Shore

I hadn't been to the North Shore in quite awhile.  With the winter surf coming, I have a feeling that's about to change.  Winter = Big Surf  \(^o^)/

Lunch Break

This spot is less than a mile from one of our offices.  I had the opportunity to work out of this office and I turned it down.  I had my reasons, but every time I visit here I wonder if I should have decided differently.  One could realistically have lunch here everyday.

Playful Spinners

I was so happy to see some dolphins jumping as I was driving home today.  Just had to stop and enjoy the show!

There's something about boats just floating about in the afternoon that I find very relaxing.

I came across this small memorial garden at the clinic on base.  It's really a lovely area.  I hope to visit it many more times.

The Nanny Dog

aka Saffordshire Bull Terrier

Hiking Maunawili Ditch Trail

Mackey and I joined the Hawaiian Humane Society for their monthly hike today.  This hike in Waimanalo is relatively easy and is only about three miles long.  It was a nice morning except for getting stung by a bee...

Red-Crested Cardinal

Our view at Thanksgiving dinner this afternoon. 

Zebra Dove.  I like that they are not too afraid of people and let me get fairly close to them.  I had not seen any before with a spike!

Strolling in the Gardens

Under the Monkey Pod Tree

Neighbor's Hibiscus

Now that the sun is setting earlier and earlier, it's a challenge to get home in time to take the dogs out for a nice long walk.  We made it today and watched the sun set on the way back home.