A 19 HOUR DAY ... WOOHOO!

ALOOOOOOHAAAAA!!  Yup I'm back in Maui after twelve years.   But first, I have to GET there.  The drive to Sacramento wasn't TOO bad, and I cruised right along in my Jeep.  It's smaller when it comes to parking, since the town I stayed in is tiny.  

The bedrooms at Cyndae's house are full to the brim, and though I would gladly have slept on the couch, she took me over to her daughter's house to spend the night.  This is the one who is the Southwest Pilot, and we just happen to be flying on what else ..... Southwest.  This is the same family I visited not long ago that have the beautiful garden in Davis.  Just look at the spoils here and on the kitchen sink.  Yummy stuff!!

I set my alarm for 5:00, and wasn't I surprised when it went off at 4 am.  Apparently it has a mind of its own since I had to update the phone, and now all my settings have changed.  I hate it when it does that.

I tiptoed around until Cyndae picked me up at 6:15 and we were off to the airport.  It's so simple now ... and so different from the last time I was here.  Check in at the curb, run through the TSA-check point, not taking anything out, and in no time, we were on the plane in our exit row seats.  It was rather a long reach to the fold down tray for me, but I found one in the arm of the chair.

I've never seen an airline pass out so many snacks.  I got six altogether and ate every one.  Not bad!!

In a flash we were over the ocean and above the clouds, but this is a 5 hour LONG flight.  I read most of the way and didn't sleep a wink.

In no time, we were flying over Maui heading to the airport.  This runway is a little different, and landing is fun fun FUN!  The crosswinds were dramatic as usual and the runway short.  Everyone hit the brakes to help the pilot, and there is always a rousing applause when they finally get the thing stopped.

We were picked up by one of Cyndae's tenants who drove us to her apartment.  We sort of settled in, but didn't stay long.  The beach was calling.

Just as a tease, we stopped in at the condos where we both owned many weeks years ago when it was affordable.  We were treated to an hour in the pool with not another soul before walking across the street to the beach.  This is where I spent many a week in years past.

The tide was coming in and it was way too rough for us lightweights.  We parked our chairs, and Cyndae said "let's walk down to the rocks".  I thought she meant the OTHER rocks, and before I knew it, we had gone over half a mile in the deep sand.  My legs protested.

I haven't seen the tide come in quite this far in years past, and we got blasted several times.  

These guys were all over the beach and in the middle of every road.  I've never seen so many birds before.

And it got rougher .......

This is looking the other way on the beach, to the area where all my turtle pictures came from.   The fish and rays under the water here are amazing.  We'll get to that eventually.  Right now we were waiting for the sunset.  

With another two hours before the sun hits the water, dinner called our name.  The same food truck has been in the same spot by the condo all these many years.  We could not resist the coconut shrimp ... the biggest I've ever seen.  It was enough for three meals!!

Still waiting on the sunset, we drove ... or rather "I" drove because Cyndae forgot her purse ... to McKenna beach to check on the turtles.  There are almost always six or seven that pull out onto the rocks for a rest.  You can barely see him back by the trees.  And sadly, these are all phone pictures because I didn't have room for my big camera.

This guy was completely exhausted and sleeping up a storm.  Not many people know this location, so we had him all to ourselves.

The next 30 minutes of the drive was in a BIG car on a LITTLE narrow road where the beachside was caving in.  We went almost to the Fishbowl, if anyone knows where that is.  Sadly, it has been closed to humans.  Coming back, we found another beach access where two weddings were being performed.  We fit right in wearing our bathing suits!!!!

That was it ... the end of a VERY long 19 hour day before we got back to the apartment.  There is one bad thing about the sun going down .... it's DARK ... and you can't see when the car lights don't really work well.  I was driving narrow barely visible roads, all unfamiliar to me since new bypasses have been created.  The traffic here is the worst I've ever seen in my entire life.

We made it back and went to bed at 11:00 our time.  I think today is going to be filled with REST!!  

The roosters are crowing as I sit on the patio at 4 am.

See you tomorrow!!

LAST MINUTE STUFF

Gosh ... another half a month has vanished in the blink of an eye.  It was a HOT day around here, and it began at 7:00 in the morning.  That's when the electric guys showed up to fix the light fixture.  Come to find out, they all have two springs on each side ... that are breaking one after another.  

After a long discussion, he agreed to replace all eleven of them with new ones made of metal instead of plastic.  These are like baby chicks ... cheap cheap ... and probably from China.  Too bad for me they are coming at 6:00 THIS morning to beat the heat.  No worries, I'm always up early, but my morning witch look might scare them a bit. 

I ate a little breakfast while Kitters sat on the arm of the couch.  It's her second favorite spot to hang out.  It's weird to look at her ... like her chin, she is half and half.  Half white and half black, including her whiskers.  You can see the white ones, but the black ones on the other side are invisible.

You can tell where I am because she follows me everywhere.  She would love to make her bed in that quilt cabinet, but she's not allowed.

Lunch was quick and easy.  It's National Mac 'N Cheese day, so how could I resist?  I thawed out the last of the BBQ deliciousness, saving half for dinner.  I finally figured out why this is so good.  It has Gruyere cheese in it, which I will be buying upon my return so I can make my own.

I was definitely lacking in an attention getter and roasting from the 99 degree heat.  I finally turned on the AC and sewed binding on a couple of quilts.

So here they are ... three that will have to be hand sewed when I get back.  

I packed ... unpacked ... packed again and tried to diminish the size of what I'm taking.  I get two small carry-ons, one of which has to be my purse.  That means leaving it INSIDE one carryon.  If it were not for all the camera gear, it might be much easier.  That's coming up next.

In the meantime, I cleaned out the fridge, deciding to make two more cheesecakes with the cream cheese and cream before it expired.  At the last second ... after they were done ... I remembered I forgot the vanilla.  Oh well ... they will still taste okay.  Into the freezer they went.  This will be a nice treat when I get back.

As for the camera gear ... you KNOW I could not go snorkeling or diving without a camera.  I searched for hours for my case, but it did not want to be found.  As I mentioned, I ordered a cheap Chinese GoPro thing that will suffice, but I had nothing to hold it with.  This was a quick solution, and Amazon delivered it at noon.  The camera mounts to the top of the blue/black stick and the orange strap wraps around my wrist.  I'm not sure how I'm going to swim with this, but I'll figure it out.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed the camera doesn't get wet inside.

By 4:15 I was once again scrounging in the fridge for dinner when the phone rang.  Yessiree ... they called me already.  They were having trouble with the townsfolk fighting over who was going to be first in line.  Good grief ... there is NO .... NO FIRST IN LINE!!  Those ladies weren't having any of that!!  They were complaining loudly 5 seconds after they entered the building.

I had to promise my best gal I'd bring her something from Maui so she didn't run off into the night!!  And so ended another day.  What a relief to miss bingo for once.

There won't be a blog tomorrow morning.  We have to leave very early for the airport and I won't have time.  See you in Maui!!!

I'm still missing this sweet face every second of every day.  He was the happiest puppy I've ever known.

LEARNING NEW ELECTRONICS

 It looks like our skies might be clearing up a bit, though that means our temps will be going up to the 100's.  I've never been a fan of anything over 78.  Being over 100 makes for a dull girl since I'd rather just sit on the couch than go out and come back soaking wet!!

The first order of business ... drive the van.  What a pain this has become.  At least once (better if it's twice) every ten days I have to drive it.  I could take it to town except finding a parking spot at the store for such a long rig is not easy.  Truly, I'm a run in, run out girl.  I never want to spend any time perusing the aisles.  

On the other hand, I am realizing that I have no puppy at home who is missing me.  I don't have to rush home any more.  The route I take is a 45 minute drive on the back roads, using up more diesel for nothing.  Whoever said Mercedes was a GREAT company, wasn't telling the truth.  Anyway, the battery should now last until I get back from my trip.

I arrived back home to the telltale signs of rain.  Big drops these, but it ended up being just enough to wet the concrete and make it muggy.

Miss Kitters met me at the door.  Why she choses to hang out on the patio in the heat, is beyond me.  She has become quite territorial since Cooper is gone, fuzzing up and chasing off two cats who wandered through the corrals.  She also doesn't seem to mind 98 degrees.

This is me staring up at the sky while trying to gather up a bit of tan before landing in Maui.  It was actually not bad with the clouds, but when they went away ..... OH MOMMA ... that sun was HOT!!!  Needless to say, I didn't last long in this endeavor.

With my routine completely dismantled, I wandered the halls until I remembered this quilt still needed one last border.  It's now ready for quilting.  I did make one mistake ... this is NOT the last one, I still have ONE to go.  If they all look the same, they basically ARE all the same.  They don't make that many patriotic fabrics around here and I'm running out of border ideas.

Breakfast and lunch were the same ... trying to clean out the fridge before I take off.  That's when I remembered my underwater camera.  I definitely want to take that to Maui for snorkeling.  I searched through every single cupboard and closet in the house.  Nothing.  I have no idea where I might have put it and even Saint Anthony couldn't help me.  

So I did a thing .... I ordered a cheap underwater Go-Pro-like camera from Amazon.  It's always so much fun trying to figure out how to use a new electronic device.  Of course it did not come with a mini memory card, so I had to make a quick run to Walmart.  

I'm truly not sure how to put this thing together since there are of course no directions.  You have to go online to find a 239 page users manual in twelve languages.  I was able to charge the batteries ... they give you two ... but it took forever to figure out which button actually turned it ON.  

The "format the card" part completely slipped by me, but eventually I even got the DATE programmed.  This thing is 2.5" x 2" x 1".  Rather small to be handling. Add to that the twelve little extension thingies to attach underneath that have no rhyme or reason, and no directions.  Apparently this is really made for the top of your bicycle helmet ... which begs the question "why the waterproof case"? 

So late last might I ordered a handle that I can hopefully attach that has a wrist lanyard.  No use losing a cheap Chinese camera in the ocean.  We'll see how it goes once I get there.  If it works well, I just might have to get another Go-Pro.

I spent the rest of the night changing passwords on nine accounts.  Apparently CHASE BANK has had another major information leak including everyone's passwords, so if you have an account there, change your passwords immediately.

Today will be a packing day ... you will be amazed to hear I am NOT going to Bingo!!  I'm sure they will survive, though they were pretty shocked when I told them I would be gone.  I just need a break from the chaos!!  

Now to figure out how to get 5 outfits, one camera, one computer, one iPad and two pair of shoes, not to mention all the toiletries, in one little carryon bag!!!

Mr. Cooper and another of his 55 toys.

SILVER PLUMS

 It's 75 degrees this lovely morning and spitting rain.  What's up with that??  I just don't ever remember it raining in July before.  Anyhoo ... I took off early and headed out on a run.  My run versus walk time is getting better, but my sore versus stiff body is getting worse.  It's all good until you sit down for an hour ... then it's a groaning match to stand up.  I'm a little better this morning, but was hoping for some nice warm sun to lay out in.  So far it STILL looks like this.

Which turned into this, before returning to complete cloud cover for the rest of the day.  That's okay I guess because it kept the temperature down while I ran a couple of errands in town.  

I needed fuel in the Jeep for my trip north.  Though stations get advertised on GasBuddy at $4.40, the one I had to stop at was $5.00 ... for regular gas!!  I could have driven 20 miles for $4.29 I suppose.  I see a big credit card bill in my future.

The main reason for the trip out was to pick up a big box of fancy plums.  The Sourdough Gal that got me going, also cans everything she can.  She has a Simca Plum tree (at least I think that's what she called it) and offered to share.  I never say no.

They were silvery on the outside and super dark purple on the inside.  A freestone variety, meaning you can get the pit out fairly easily, they made my fingers purple in no time.  Into the pot they went to cook.  

This is not your normal recipe.  This one only has plums, sugar and lemon juice.  I cooked them up, hit them with an immersion blender and boiled them for 18 minutes.  No pectin required.  I really didn't expect it to set up without it, but I decided to try it anyway.

Once it was packed in the jars, she called.  She asked if I double stacked the boiling water bath.  Yeah ....... and then she said I should do that when I water bath them.  But wait ... the recipe doesn't say I have to do that.  I better do what she said, so inside this canner are 13 jars of jam.  I'm hoping that doesn't turn the jam into syrup since the recipe did not call for it.

So here we are ... 13 jars.  How in the world am I EVER going to eat all this?  I've already earmarked three jars for donation to people who probably don't really want it.  Everyone clamored for homemade jams and jellies in the past, but nowadays I think they are afraid of getting food poisoning.  Me included, if I'm not satisfied they know what they are doing!!

I did a taste test ... this stuff is AMAZING!!!!!  I'm going to put it on everything!

That took up all morning.  By noon, it was time for the Calgary Stampede finals.  It was a weird year.  Hardly any of the best in the world guys won.  It was all new up and coming kids.  I have to admit I really like the rodeo attitude though ..... if God meant for me to win, I would win.  

Almost five hours later I got off the couch with a big groan.  No pain, no gain!!  Overall, I feel much stronger since I went back to running.  I admit however that I get UP much slower.  

The day ended with huge clouds hovering over.  I suppose that kept us cooler, but it ruined my suntan plans.  No one wants to see a white girl in a bathing suit in Hawaii.

In no tine, it looked like this.

We rarely get sunsets here, and definitely NOT in summer.  When you look out and see these colors, you run to see what's up.  It was most unusual on this night ... a nice way to end the day.

I of course end every day with pictures of my Cooper boy.  Oh how I miss this sweet face sleeping on the end of the couch.  Absolutely nothing is the same without him.

By the way, it seems many of the blogs I read have discontinued writing.  What blogs do you read????

PALM TREES AND HORSES

 This is how I used to spend my mornings, trying to corral two sweet puppies.  That's Jessie on the left and of course Mr. Cooper.  Most every morning while traveling with the Chance family, these two would be parked at their doorstep because there was a KITTY that lived there.  Jessie didn't like kitties, and one day while on a trip to Maine, she chased one underneath an RV, got the harness hooked on something and escaped to run rampant across the huge campground with me screaming after her.  

I figured she was gone and would never return, but luckily she got stopped by a concrete barrier just a little taller than her.  From then on, she could hardly breathe because I kept the harness so tight when we walked!!!  I loved these two kids so much, and sadly, they are both gone now.  I'm heartbroken.

Life goes on I guess, but it will never be the same for me.  I woke up to a weird sky yesterday, with this mornings temperature sitting at 75 and it's sprinkling.  Is this Florida?  Or maybe Arizona?  It's surely not California.

This is a pretty nice view ... I wonder if the weather is the same at this location?  I guess I'll be finding out pretty soon, because Wednesday I'll be off to the sunny oh-so-warm skies of Maui.  Yes, Nurse Patty and Cyndae have talked me into returning to the days of old when we spent many weeks a year on the island.

It's not the right time of year to take pictures like I did in the past, nor do I still have the camera OR the case any more, but we can have a great time snorkeling.  Maybe it will ease the pain a bit.

So while we talked all things traveling like we used to, we stopped in at Habit Burger for a salad this time.   It's a little late to try and fit into that bathing suit, but better late than never.  This is what I ordered.  Looks good with all that chicken, yes?

This is what I got.  There are more croutons on this salad than pieces of chicken.  This was a BIG disappointment.  Besides that, it is half the size of the salads they used to serve just a few weeks ago.  It's a caesar salad, and you could count the pieces of parm as well.  Two salads and one fried green beans came to over $30.00.  I'm pretty sure this is false advertisement!!!

After eating, Cyndae took off for home and I headed to Walmart.  Why you ask?  Because I've been looking for a couple paperback books to take to Maui.  Did you know they have changed the size of those books?  Instead of the 3" x 6" version, they are now 8" x 6".  That doesn't fit in a purse well at all.  Who wants to carry a full sized book on the airplane?

I could use my phone I guess, but staring at a phone for 5 hours hurts my eyes a LOT, not to mention is probably making me go blind.  Cyndae says she uses an iPad ... and Walmart had them on sale.  

I brought it home, plugged it and looked for the instructions.  There were none.  No kidding ... not even a single tiny piece of paper about how to set one up.  It's a good thing I'm a little computer literate.  That's when I discovered they now basically mirror your phone.  Back in the old days, you had to have a separate subscription to an internet to work.  Now it works off my wi-fi and even off my phone's hot spot.  

I downloaded a few books, played a couple of my games and deleted everything iCloud.  I am not a "cloud" person.  I like my data kept closer to home.  How I'm going to carry this on a plane any easier than a book, I've no idea, but I guess I'll come up with something!

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching rodeo.  I was waiting for this ride to happen.  THIS is Black Tie ... probably one of the best bucking horses ever, not to mention he has gone down in history as the first horse EVER to have arthroscopic joint surgery.  No kidding ... in years past, those horses that had joint injuries had to be put down.  

In this case, though all the Vets said no, ONE of them said I think I can fix it.  Let's try.  The surgery removed loose tissue, just like you would have done to your knee, and he made a full recovery.  Basically, if you draw this horse at a rodeo, you are going to win.  He pulls a 90+ every single time he bucks, and you can see why in this picture.  What an amazing horse!!  Kudos to the Vet who said I can do it when everyone else said no ... and saved this horses life. 

That was it for the day.  I'm packing up my mask, snorkel and fins and not eating for the next three days so I can fit in that bathing suit.  It's a losing proposition, but I'll try anyway.  Wish me luck.