Robert and Finley's Visit April 2015

Last week, son Robert and Finley visited. We had a wonderful time. They arrived late Saturday night. On Sunday, we played Bocce Ball and Tennis in the afternoon. We all pitched in to make a delicious lamb roast dinner. Dick prepared the roast, Aly made Yorkshire pudding, Rob and Finley made the veggies, I made the potatoes.

On Monday, Aly had school and work. In the afternoon, we took a hike at Hidden Hills Regional park in Lincoln. In the evening,the guys went into the hot tub. On Tuesday, Aly had school and worked, the rest of us went to Point Reyes National Seashore, had a picnic and took walks on the trails. It was sunny and very windy at the coast, a beautiful day! We found a sheltered area at Drake's Bay for our picnic. Inland at the visitor's center, we walked the earthquake trail, it was nice and warm. The drive there and back home was great. Northern California is such pretty country, with fields of rice, tomatoes, wheat and hay, orchards of almonds, peaches, walnuts, etc., the foothills, the mountains and the coast. The transition of the terrain from green to brown.

On Wednesday, we had a nice breakfast at home. After Aly got home, Rob, Finley and Aly went to Grass Valley in the afternoon and hiked, we met for dinner at Bootlegger's in Auburn. I had the best turkey lettuce wraps. On Thursday, Finley, Aly, Rob and Dick went to the Nugget grocer to get ice cream for milk shakes using the old milk shake maker, it still works.

Friday, was the big trip to Yosemite for Rob, Aly & Finley via Latrobe Road and Highway 49 stopping at Sutter Creek and Groveland to name a few places then to the park and hiking up to Vernal Falls and grabbing a beer at the Ahwanee. Quick visit on Saturday morning and then Rob and Finley left to go back home to Cary, North Carolina.

Oh, the left over roast was made into cottage and shepherd's pies, Dick combined it with the leftover steak that Rob barbecued on Monday night. In the evenings, we visited and watched a series on Acorn called "The Accused" and "Murder in Paradise"! I think Finley is hooked!

A wonderful week had by all!!

Mother's Day 2015

Mother's Day, woke up, called Mom to wish her a happy Mother's Day, she was going to Brunch at Sheila's. Sent Christine and Sheila texts with well wishes. Got a text from Aly. Dick was not going to go to church, he was tired. He decided to go anyway. I really enjoyed the service. We then took a drive to Salt Pond beach and beyond on the south west side of the island. Salt Pond beach is fantastic with places to swim and snorkel. The water felt so good. There are no resorts, hotels or restaurants there to speak of. I am looking forward to going back on Tuesday with a picnic lunch to hang out, swim and snorkel. It is about 20 miles or so from us.
When we got back, we changed, went to the pool relaxed and did 12 laps. Dick did all 12 in a row. At the end, his oxygen level was 98 percent and the swelling in his ankles and calves was gone.
We are now back in the villa. Dick is making a salad for dinner with fresh onions that we bought at the farmer's market yesterday.
Last night, we had a wonderful dinner at Gaylord's Plantation. Excellent service and atmosphere. The food was good too! Tomorrow planning on going to the gym and pool, then dinner at the Bull Shed.
Thank you, Dick, for the Mother's Day card and the wonderful day. Mother's Day is/can be difficult for me. I am glad that I did not have to go to church by myself or be alone today.

Will and Aly's Lava Rock, Kalapaki Beach, Kauai

For many years, Aly and Will spent hours playing here, creating a ride as the waves would carry them from a small section of the rock to and from the water and sand.

May 9, 2015 Kauai, Hawaii

Sitting here in the middle of the night, it is now 5:24 am, I have been reading, catching up on the news, thinking and writing for about one hour.
The predictable sound of the waves outside is soothing.
The essence of Will abound. The memories of all those years running out to the beach to greet the early morning. Playing in the water and on the rocks
from beach to pool all day long. Since the age of 4, Will loved Kalapaki Beach in Kauai. The memories, the sounds, smell of the ocean breezes embrace me like a gentle hug from Will. I still can't believe that he is gone, taken from us in such a cruel and horrifying way.
Will and Aly, brother and sister, loving every moment together at this garden paradise, playing, running, laughing, happy, the best place on Earth! Tired, in the afternoon, they would come back to the Villa, eat and rest. The next day, returning to the same.
Now Dick and I are here, alone, with each other, with our memories and looking to the future. We are blessed with our family. Aly is doing very well this semester at Sierra College and working, part time, as a care giver, we are happy to have her home this year. She will go back to Auburn University in the fall majoring in Quantitative Economics. Son, Rob and Granddaughter, Finley visited last week from Raleigh, North Carolina. Dick is finalizing travel plans for the rest of the year. At which time, we will be with the rest of our grandchildren, Dylan, Kyle and Ryleigh, now all in their teens in middle school, high school and college.
Dawn is breaking, it is cloudy with a gentle breeze. Aloha for now, blessings and peace.