Phil heads to Michigan today to help with Margaret's memorial service which will be held at the Methodist Church of Charlotte, Michigan.

Service to be held on Tuesday June 10th at 11am.

We thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

Rainbow Memories

When Phil was a little boy, he often spent time at his grandma's house (Mabel Scott) where he would take his afternoon naps on her big bed. As he fell asleep, he remembers watching rainbows dancing around the room. A number of years ago, Phil's mom graciously gifted us with the very same lamp that Phil remembers and a leaded cut glass window from the same old family home in Charlotte, Michigan.


For many years this beautiful old lamp (now wired for electricity) hung in our library in Eureka, California, where an east facing window reproduced the same results.

This lamp was one of the many treasures we carefully packed for our relocation to Hawaii.  It has taken a while to determine just where it should go in our Hawaiian hale, but its time has come.  We have asked our contractor to install electrical wiring in our beautiful stairwell -- where much of our art will be displayed.

On January 11th I posted a blog about how the light moves through our house, passing from one corner to another at different times of the year.  At THIS time of year, as we approach the Spring Equinox, the sun is coming directly through the east windows where it hits prisms hanging in the window -- splashing rainbows through the whole open floor plan of our house.

Wickedly Wonderful Wild Wise Women!

When ever you move from a place you have lived for many years, the hardest part is leaving your friends behind.  And, while emails, phone calls and letters are always welcomed, there is just no substitute for a REAL hug from your girl friend.

Recently I have been adopted by a group of women who have been gathering for many years every week.  As I have gotten to know them and they me, somehow it feels as though we have been friends for a long time.  Why is that?

I think it is because no matter your age, women have a kinship -- a bond of experience that serves to unite them and helps them build rich, lasting relationships.  Helena brought a card with her for all of us to sign for her mom, Anita, who is having brain surgery very soon.  Although several people left, a few of the remaining women bunched together to take a photo to send to her with our love and prayers.

When we started talking about our moms, mothers-in-law, grandmothers and sisters, it was as though our women-web spread out wider and wider.  So, we are sending out love to all of our KUPUNA.  And that includes MY mother-in-law, Margaret spending a chilly winter in Charlotte, Michigan!   ALOHA!

HI MOM!!!

Ever since I met Phil and had the opportunity to become acquainted with his mother, Margaret, I have been impressed with this grand lady!  She is smart and full of great stories. She was born in Charlotte Michigan and has lived there all her life.

When we visited her before our move, she told us many tales about the history of Charlotte.  She remembers all the businesses and people she has known over the years, as well as having detailed information about the family genealogy.

Margaret was instrumental in a personal goal she had of building a Senior Center in her home town.  Now in her 90's she stays abreast of current events, reads the Wall Street journal daily, enjoys puzzles, and rooting for the home team, Michigan State Spartans.  When we moved to Hawaii, we provided her with letters and photographs about our new home, and she has been very involved with the progress of our newly completed apartment.

"Sunflower" by Margaret Haysmer

Phil's parents and grandparents grew up in Michigan where they built several houses which they rented for supplemental income.  Margaret gave us a "thumbs up" when we figured that if it worked for them, it would also be a good self-investment for us too.  Of course we sent her pictures of the progress of our new ohana.

Recently, with the help of a dear family friend (Mahalo Ken!) Margaret was introduced to an amazing new world via her own I-Pad so she can follow the events of our new retirement adventures.

This is a beautiful water color painting Margaret did of a sunflower.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!   
Welcome to 21st century technology,
and congratulations on your new I-Pad.


 

Ohana Door

This week we did whatever would help our contractors.  Last week we painted all the 4x8' sheets of siding.  Since the contractors got all the siding got up that we had painted, this week we painting all the 3" trim that goes around the windows  (you can see it around the downstairs windows.)  We also filled the nail holes in the siding and did touch up painting.

Phil spent a lot of time sanding, staining and finishing a beautiful wood door that will open onto the upstairs balcony. (You can see the hole for it ...but you will have to imagine the balcony that will go between the two windows.)  In the picture you will also see the guava tree branches that Phil has stained - those will be the railings around the balcony -- and they match the door beautifully! 

Although we orginally were going to use a double french door, we found it took up too much space on the little balcony, so we decided to use a single wood one instead. 

Here's a picture of Phil inside his spacious (2 car garage size) shop doing the final sanding on the door...with Dexter helping of course.  While working on the door he had a psychic "hit" from his childhood.  He remembered that his grandparents had doors like this in the house they lived in  right across the street from where Phil grew up as a boy. His grandfather build several houses in his home town of Charlotte, Michigan.