The Lake and Me

I have given some thought over the years why I like spending time at the lake.  Some like racing up and down in a boat or hanging on behind on a rope.  For me it is different.  I thought about it again while taking this rare picture (for this year) of a Bald Eagle pair giving me an "eagle eye" this morning.  I am convinced they dislike me because with a digital camera, a laser light shines to determine focus.  As soon as I take a picture or two they are off.

Part of what I enjoy is the variety of God's creatures like this Red-Bellied Woodpecker which showed up yesterday. I think my Uncle Carl got me interested in nature and though a bachelor for most of his life, he taught his nephews and nieces to appreciate nature and in my case, to enjoy taking pictures.  He would have loved the digital revolution in picture taking.

Common visitors include this tiny Hummingbird and the Bald Eagle.  The smallest and largest of the bird world in our area.  The Hummingbird migrates far south and the eagle hangs around all year.  Seems odd that the little one has to travel while the big one hangs around.  And how does he know when to leave or find his winter stomping grounds?  I understand his heart beats about 1200 beats a minute and drops to around 35-50 in the cool night while in Tupor.

Our lake is one that has nesting loons.  The DNR is concerned about them and capture and put on tracking devices to discover why so many are dying after visiting the Great Lakes on their way to the Atlantic Coast or Gulf Coast.  On a web site you can actually see when and where they are in their migration.  It won't be long and they will leave.  When they returned this Spring, they found the lake still frozen.  How do they find the same lake without GPS?

These large birds, while not only beautiful, seem to spend their time taunting the loons in the lake who cry their distress calls whenever they spot them. 

This guy, whom I cannot identify other than it is a Dragon Fly, is another reason that the Lake gives me times of what I would call a spiritual experience.  Look at those eyes and those wings like transparent tissue paper.  I asked my parishioners once to simply make me a Lady Bug... it couldn't be that hard, could it?  No one did.  Yet look at the variety and amazing number of creatures that God has made in the world.

These Dragon Flies are part of the cycle of life in the North Woods feeding upon the mosquitoes that have made their appearance earlier in the summer so we are glad to see them.  They all fit into the cycle of life which Someone obviously has planned.

This noisy rascal brings his whole family to get free sunflower hearts.  They are beautiful and sort of bullies as the other birds scatter when they come.

How can anyone deny a Creator when you look at something so exquisite?  This blossom looks like a tiny bouquet of flowers.  All these flowers and creatures fit into a grand scheme in which they are interdependent upon one another and yet live individually in a world in which they know how to survive, how to reproduce, and how to survive the seasons that are pretty harsh in the north.

The tiniest creature and the big bright sky all speak of a Creator who loves colors... vibrant colors.  So while some may not understand, I find myself often in awe at such a fabulous Creator who cares about these many creatures and has made them and this world for us to enjoy.

And we get to enjoy this place with other friends in the same stage of their life as we are.

All good things...

Yesterday we made a drive to the west side of the island for a day of exploring before heading home.  It is very dry and doesn't have the tourist crowd.  Most are locals and the atmosphere is entirely different from Waikiki.  Sort of puts the place into perspective realizing that the whole place isn't a paradise.

It reminded me of Arizona with its stark hills and dry landscape.  But even here, there are little pockets of believers who are sharing the Lord with others much like the book by Hiram Bingham that I have been reading about the first missionaries who came to Hawaii in 1820.

I named this "Monkey Mountain," but the kids didn't see it.  Do you?  Looks like a chimp to me.

I will miss being here and hearing the roar of jets overhead protecting our shores.

I will miss the beautiful flowers that never seem to stop blooming.

I will miss the colorful trees...

and the unusual birds.

Of course I will miss the beautiful surf and beaches.

But most of all I will miss this little family and their constant antics, surprises, and endless energy.  I will miss their Mommy and the great hospitality she has shown me.

I am pleased however with the great time we've had. The flight will take about 15 hours to get to Fargo.  It seemed like a long time until I read that it took the missionaries who first came here six months and two days to travel from Hawaii to New York by boat (No planes then, nor Panama Canal).  I guess I can handle 15 hours.

 Aloha for now.

Water Fun and Not so Much... fun

So what is new in Hawaii, you ask?  Well, not too much.  We went to church and met some people who knew Uncle John and Aunt Lydia Rhoads.  And a man came and turned on the new sprinklers.

The inspectors gave their approval.

Papa is still trying to get the best picture he can of the F-22s overhead...

And coming in for a landing.

 Mommy surprised the Grands with a new pool that fits perfectly on the lanai.

Since my time is getting short on the island, we decided to do dinner out.  What a great time to get some pictures to remind me of the trip.  Notice peanut.

In case you missed it.... this was her smile for Papa.  So let's try Grandson.

Not any better.

Well the view from the open air restaurant was nice.  Planes running into Diamond Head.  So after supper the kids will be in the mood to get Papa a new picture for the blog header.  Right?  Especially since Mommy can take the pictures.

First attempt.  Too dark, but she is using my camera.  Ok kids, look at Mommy and smile.

Well, let's try another one.

Ok Son, I love you too, but look at the camera and smile like your sister.

Another try... Sister, look at the camera... look at Mommy, like your Brother!

Oh for Pete's sake... Papa, open your eyes!  Let's try another.

Son, where did you go... smile.

Ok, one that isn't too bad, but who are they looking at?  Not Mommy for sure.  So let's try one by the anchor... yeah, right.

If I can't get a good one, let me get one of you and Mommy.  Ready?  Snap,

So it isn't MY problem.

Let's call this good and go home.

No wonder I'm such a .....

When Birthdays are still fun

I don't recall many birthday parties for me when I was growing up.  Maybe it was because I was the last of the four boys.  Not that I mind, but jus' sayin'.  But today when you are young or have youngin's around, birthday parties can be fun.  Especially when you can celebrate with a pirate and a princess.  The sight of the cake was enough to keep them in anticipation for most of the day!

Tutu sent little gifts for the kids so I wrapped them up so they could have something to open too.

That's because the birthday was for Mommy.  Her gifts were little things I could pack in a suitcase, not that she would have gotten big things if I hadn't come to Hawaii, but you get the idea.  Again Tutu provided the wrap and the kids were just as surprised to see what "they gave Mommy" as Mommy was.

We spent the morning at Kailua Beach where the sand is a fine as talcum powder and the winds blow the hair in your eyes... that is, if you have hair.

I hope these young ones will have some memory of living on an island and enjoying the sun and the waves.

Happy Birthday to the best daughter anyone could ask for!  A fun day to share with the little family in Hawaii... and the cake was good too!

Tango at the Mango and other interesting things

Mangoes have never been my favorite.  However, the birds seem to like the ones that fall on the ground in the back yard.

There is definitely a pecking order as to which bird gets dibs on the fruit.

It does seem that the bigger birds get first choice so you have to keep a look-out for them.

Unless you are pretty, then you can crowd in... just like in real life.  There was such a ruckus that I entitled the blog "The Tango at the Mango."  I thought it was pretty good, but you can see what the Grand kids thought of it.

We did go down by the docks and had breakfast at Nico's. 

Large container ships load and unload right near our breakfast spot.

Then there is the excitement of putting in sprinkling systems throughout the whole neighborhood.  Two of the neighbors are moving this week so won't get the benefit of watered lawns.

It is a mess now but will be nice when they actually start running.  We have some grass seed but will wait until we find out when the water will be on.

I was taking a picture of this Rainbow Eucalyptus tree trunk and a man in uniform stopped to ask what I was doing.  This was at the mall not the air base.  He said he didn't want me taking pictures of anyone's property.  So I guess when I explained I was from ND and we don't have trees like this, he was ok with it.

Apparently no one has claims on this piece of property cuz it was alright to photograph it.  I do believe that the Creator did a better paint job on it than on most of the shops I saw at the mall, don't you?

These last photos are from a botanical garden on the east side of the island that I can't spell nor pronounce.  I figure I won't put it on here because you won't be able to either.

Some flowers don't smell as good as you first thought.

This little one says she only loves Mommy.  That is the case unless she needs something from me, and then she says, "But I do love you, Papa."  It starts early with these gals.