Summer Storm

Holy cow! I'm sitting here on my bed (with my WiFI Internet and my laptop) watching Mother Nature's fireworks show. Amazing. Lightening, thunder, and now a gentle rain as the worst of the tempest has moved to the east.

A few years ago, we added a large window to our bedroom and having two (one to the south and one to the east) made this experience like watching a major motion picture filled with special effects. I couldn't make up my mind which vista to view, and the sharp claps of lightening and roars of thunder coming in the two open windows was surprisingly "surround."

Too bad my camera's not the kind that could have captured this in the dark.

When I was a girl, we spent two years in the Philippines, and Typhoon Ella hit us dead on. We were living on Sangley Point across Manila Bay from the city, and we were without electricity for a week. The power of the winds blew over a huge number of trees on the base. When the Eye passed over us, we all went outside to examine the damage for ourselves, and the Shore Patrol had to drive around and warn everyone to return to their homes because the storm wasn't over. The direction of the wind in typhoons and hurricanes changes depending upon which side of the Eye you're on, so when the second half hit, the winds forced many of the fallen trees upright again. Unfortunately they couldn't be saved once their roots had been ripped from the ground.

I love extremes in weather; I find them exciting. It's humbling to see the force of nature in its fury, and it also makes me feel grateful. Grateful that I can watch from the comfort and security of my home, but also grateful for the majesty of this world.

It's wonderful to be alive!

Flesh

Ever wonder at what grade level you write? As a new student of fiction writing I'm curious. Thought you might be as well.

CLICK HERE

It's Official

I can finally announce it to the world. We're going to have another grandbaby. I had posted a hint about it earlier, but had to edit it out because Erin said it was too early yet.


So, I've been patiently waiting ...



But enough time has passed now, and it's official! Woot!

These grandkids are going to get a new baby brother or sister ... due on February 10th. Funny, because their mother's due date was on February 9th.

And it's the first of our grandchildren born outside of Utah (none of my kids were born in Utah. One was born in Germany and the others were born in Sacramento). This will be first (born and bred) Hawaiian grandchild.

Baby Pics

Erin's wanted me to scan a particular picture of her when she was a baby to show how much Madelyn looks like her. I finally found it again, so with her flying home to Lihu'e today, I thought it time to get off my duff. I'm including four generations of baby pics showing the resemblance.

Doris Lorraine


Donna Rae


Erin Elizabeth


Madelyn Elizabeth


Hmmmm ... on second thought perhaps I can't see any family resemblance. =D

More from Erin's Visit

Trip to Gardner Village



Aidan didn't want to go into the Shop "Just for Girls" and the cards were the only thing he'd look at. Check out his body language.


Kelsey and Madelyn


Feeding the baby ducks

Erin's Visit from Hawaii

Erin arrived today for a visit with the kids. It's wonderful to see them. I took Sienna and Aidan to see How to Train Your Dragon. Paul and Kelsey came for a visit, and Adam got out the telescope. The kids played in the grass and looked at the moon and Venus.

Wyoming - Montana Trip

Last Friday we got back from a fun trip to Wyoming for a family reunion, up into Montana to see Shanna and her partner Nancy, and then over to Lewistown which is the location for Part 3 of my first book (my second book is Science Fiction and set on a colony planet in the distant future).

In the picture below, taken on July 2nd, from left to right is my cousin Jaylene (cousin Richard's daugher), then there's Uncle Ned's sister Judy and her hubby Leo, then cousin Cindy, and her brother Richard on the right:


This picture of Jaylene and her dad Richard is from the reunion on the 3rd:


Richard and his friend Linda:


Judy and Leo:


Uncle Ned and his lady friend, Marie:


Uncle Ned and Richard:



We left early on July 5th to visit Shanna in Great Falls, Montana.

Stupid GPS sent us on 16 miles of dirt road:


We hit an ugly hail storm on the way:


Ed, Shanna, and Nancy:


Black Falls in Great Falls:


I had no idea the Missouri River flowed in Montana:


Then we took a little side trip to visit Lewistown, Montana which is the location for a large part of Part 3 of my first book. We stayed at the delightful Symmes/Wicks Bed and Breakfast. I fell in love with the B&B and this delightful little community.







The town:


Fergus County Courthouse (Lewistown is the county seat):


Historical church:


Beautiful view: