Randoms.

"Your life is what your thoughts make it."

~Marcus Aurelius

Double Rainbow in Salt Lake City on 15 May 2013
Photo Credit: Lennie Mahler, found here

... We had a beautiful rainstorm the other day, which was a welcome relief after the uncharacteristcally hot week. It's supposed to be spring, so I invite any and all rainstorms our way! Especially when they result in stunning double rainbows like the one we had (shown above). The colors were so brilliant.

... Do you think women who name their children Braxton never consider the name until they are going into fake labor? Maybe, except then there might be an equal number of babies named Hicks. Either way, I can't figure out the appeal of the name. (It was the 125th most popular baby boy name in the U.S. in 2012. Whaaa? Want to see others click here.) (Also for a good laugh, read about Idaho's baby names here.)

... Speaking of babies and pregnancy... apparently someone is trying to pose as me and got a 14-week ultrasound in my name in March. Hahaha. I got a bill a week and a half ago, from a familiar company (since I had so many tests and xrays, etc. done last year). Since it looked familiar I didn't open it right away, even though I wondered to myself what it might be for. When I opened it, I still couldn't figure out what it would be for, but when I spoke with them on the phone today, they said, "Oh that's for the ultrasound you received on March 27th." Ultrasound? Haha. Sorry, see that's the problem. I didn't receive an ultrasound. And for the record, I'm not pregnant. :)

... Showtune Saturday night on 106.5 FM in Salt Lake is no more. SO sad. I was really sick during the middle to end of December and not at work, so I wasn't listening to the radio much. At the beginning of January, I took a marvelous cruise to Hawaii with my family (more on that in a post to come), and so I didn't start listening to 106.5 until mid-January. A month hiatus, if you're pay attention. For two weeks, on my way to work, I couldn't figure out why 106.5 had such weird, songs. I finally heard that they were bought out and completely changed the genre of music and did away with Showtune Saturday night. Five months later, I'm still in mourning.

... Still obsessed with Kate. Which Kate? HRH The Duchess Kate. I am my grandmother's daughter.

... In my absence from this blog, I became addicted to Grey's Anatomy. They are now an extension of my family. At least that's how it feels sometimes. In three months, I shared eight years with them, thanks to Hulu. I got caught up in time to step into the last half of Season Nine and watch with Kate. You know, The Other Kate. KDJ The Other Kate. (She pines after Harry, as much as I pine after Pine.)

... I have lost the majority of motivation to cook for myself. You'd think this would help me lose some of the weight I gained last year being sick. No such luck.

... Because I can.

... After buying my house, I soon learned that I live parallel to a helicopter route. While this might annoy some people, I absolutely love it. Whenever I see a helicopter I always wonder where it's going and imagine its occupants. Unfortunately, all too often, it's Life Flight, so I say a little prayer.

... I've decided to add "extensive experience dealing with stupid people" to my resume. That has GOT to be a marketable skill.

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Kauai: Abandoned Houses, Trees, Chickens, Waimea Canyon, and Rainbows.

"i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes"
~e. e. cummings (1894–1962)

Kauai is widely thought to be the most beautiful and lush of all the Hawaiian islands. Known as the "Garden Isle", it is geologically the oldest of the main islands.

We forced Mom out of bed, which I hope she thinks was a good idea, despite the fact that I knew exactly how she felt, having had the illness before she did. Absolutely zero energy and very limited lung capacity. But I had her bring her pillow and a blanket so she could rest if she needed to.

After renting our car, we set out for Waimea Canyon. Along the way, we stopped at this random deserted house. Really, I'm not sure how we even found it. We talked about buying it and fixing it up. Pretty great, isn't it? I was already daydreaming about sitting on the porch sipping lemonade.

Right in the front yard was this beautiful tree, limbs twisting about, providing perfect shade for the hundred feral chickens, for which Kauai is (in)famous, that roamed the yard.

Our presence in front of the old house intrigued a new transplant from the mainland. Maybe she ended up buying the property.

I still think I should buy the place...

We finally made it to the Waimea Canyon Lookout. If you've never been to Waimea Canyon or even heard about it, let me preface these pictures by saying that it is often called "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific" with good reason. As you'll see it has the look like the massive canyon in Arizona with the red earth, but the Hawaiian touch of green lush beauty is added.

The ten-mile-wide canyon is truly a dramatic sight to behold.

Shortly after we arrived at the lookout, we heard a man performing some kind of ceremony. Listening and watching was a pretty surreal experience. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a private moment, but I took pictures since I figured he was out there in the middle of the day and didn't seem to even notice anyone watching.

As you can tell I took many pictures. The canyon was just so beautiful that I couldn't stop staring or see a new angle from which to shoot a photo.

I know I don't look too excited to be there, but I'm not sure I was ready for the photo. :)

While we were there, we saw several helicopters flying through. I can imagine that would have been an amazing view.

Stunning, don't you think? It's worth the trip. Even in spite of the feral chickens lurking around.

On our way back down we stopped at the Shrimp Station for some lunch/dinner or whatever meal that ended up being.

To be honest, I can't remember what I had, but looking at this menu I'm pretty sure I had either the garlic shrimp or the shrimp tacos. Whatever I ate, I remember it being so delicious, so filling, and so messy. Luckily they had a nice tub to wash up in once you were done.

As we continued back to port, we came across the most beautiful rainbow. I think that means "any rainbow in Hawaii." But seriously, I was trying to take pictures from the car, but then we were able to stop. I ran across the street to get a good view in the canyon. And once again, you're getting a photo dump because I can't just pick one. :)

What a perfect way to end a pretty perfect day on Kauai! Thanks Mom, Stephen, and Shep for a great day.

Stay tuned for one last Hawaiian port and one last Hawaiian post. Maui.

(Written August 12, 2013)

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