 First of all, I admit the error in my previous post of my prediction that Thursday night's Presidential debate would amount to little more than a glorified game of Gotcha.
I was very wrong. Painful as it was to watch, this turned out to be a debate of great import and one that we needed to see. We needed to see Joe Biden as he was, looking every day and then some of his 81 years, shuffling, stiff, frail, elderly. We needed to see him standing at the podium, staring off in the distance with an empty, slack-jawed expression. We needed to hear him stumbling, at times incoherent, often unable to make a clear and effective point, barely able to raise his voice above a raspy whisper. We needed to hear Donald Trump evade question after question that was put to him, instead veering off into a fantastical verbal stratosphere, spewing out the most brazen, ridiculous, fly-in-the-face-of-reality lies, fabrications, misinformation and nonsense: That Nancy Pelosi was responsible for the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol; that Democrats would allow abortion up to the moment of birth and the killing of babies after they're born; that Biden indicted him, Trump, because he was Biden's political opponent; that Biden encouraged Russia to attack Ukraine; that Biden is being paid by China. And these are only the tip of Trump's iceberg of blatant falsehoods and fantasies during the debate. Seeing this alarming face-off between, as CNN commentator Van Jones put it, "an old man and a con man," one or the other of whom is slated to be the next leader of our country, was a heavy hit of reality. It rocked my world. Alas, I'm afraid my world needed to be rocked.
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 I'm starting to think the debate - and everybody knows which debate I'm talking about, unless they've been hermiting for the past decade or so somewhere off in a hidden cave or cast away on a remote desert island, which at this point is starting to sound like a not terrible idea - anyway, I'm starting to think this debate is dumb. Not that I'm not going to watch it, 'cause of course I am. I'm just thinking it's dumb. It's dumb, because what's the point? Of course, we all know what the point is. To get to know the candidates? No, we all know the candidates. We've seen their Presidencies in action. To find out what their campaign platforms are for a second term? Eh, maybe a little. Not really, though. You can look up their platforms online. In fact, in case you're interested, here's what Joe Biden has promised to do so far: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2024/04/politics/biden-campaign-promises-dg/ ...and here's what Donald Trump has promised to do: https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2024/04/politics/trump-campaign-promises-dg/ But no, the reason we're watching the debate is in hopes that our guy won't flub and the other guy will. Right? The Trump supporters are hoping that Biden will look like a doddering old gaffer and and Biden supporters have fingers crossed that Donald Trump will act like an impulsive unhinged meshuggener. It's going to be a sports event, the Gotcha Superbowl, where the objective is not for your team to score points, but for the other team to lose points, by which your team scores points. Does Biden at some point hesitate or trip over his words? Gotcha goal for Team Trump! Does Trump go overboard in an offensive rant? Gotcha home run for Team Biden! (Though it's to Trump's advantage that muting the mics, a tactic to try and force Trump to behave himself on stage, will likely force him to behave himself on stage). I can hear the alternating cheering and gnashing of teeth. And for what? What if this debate turns out not to be Joe Biden's best 90 minutes? Will that cancel out all the accomplishments of his Presidency? What if it turns out to be Donald Trump's best 90 minutes? Will that cancel out his 34 felony convictions and his role in inflaming the January 6 insurrection to overturn our democracy? Will this one 90-minute Circus Maximus event determine who should be our next President? Alas, for some people it will.    Books by Patti Liszkay available on Amazon: "Equal And Opposite Reactions" http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa "Hail Mary" https://www.amzn.com/1684334888 "Tropical Depression" https://www.amzn.com/B0BTPN7NYY |
10. I get my haircuts from a barber named Ted,
...whose best-kept secret is that, though he's technically a barber, he knows how to give a stylin' gal cut.
Anyway, here are some words of wisdom from my talented barber, Ted: "Consider that you've married well if your spouse is a good person who isn't crazy."
11. Try using popcorn for croutons - it's really good.
11. Try using popcorn for croutons - it's really good.
12. If you're going to apologize for something, say "I'm sorry," not "I'm sorry you feel that way." The latter is not a sincere apology, just a self-excuse that puts the blame on the offended person, rather than on oneself for offending. If you can't give a sincere "I'm sorry" then don't apologize at all.
13. If you're full, don't feel you have to clean your plate (or clean somebody else's for them) because you don't want to waste food. If you eat more food when you're already full you're wasting it just as much as if you threw it away. Except you'll be stuck with the extra calories.
14. Consider this quote by James Michener: This is the greatest evil that grows out of a wrong act. Somebody always remembers it..." (So be careful how you act. And also what you say.
15. Remember that whatever you set out to do in life, it's a pretty sure bet that there will always be someone who's better than you and someone else who you are better than. So don't go through life comparing yourself to others but rather be comfortable in your own skin, whatever that skin may look like,
...and go out and pursue your destiny, whatever it might be!
Best wishes, class of 2024!
Best wishes, class of 2024!
Books by Patti Liszkay available on Amazon:
"Equal And Opposite Reactions" http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa
"Hail Mary" https://www.amzn.com/1684334888
"Tropical Depression" https://www.amzn.com/B0BTPN7NYY
"Equal And Opposite Reactions" http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa
"Hail Mary" https://www.amzn.com/1684334888
"Tropical Depression" https://www.amzn.com/B0BTPN7NYY
Columbus Pride Festival 2024
This past Friday evening Tom and I headed to Goodale Park,
...a beautiful and serene patch of green in the downtown Columbus, Ohio neighborhood known as the Short North,
...for this year's Stonewall Columbus Pride festival.
Now, we'd only ever been to a Columbus Pride fest once before, back in pre-COVID 2019 when the event was held in the heart of downtown along the Scioto River and was a vast, colorful, diverse and joyful community celebration,
...as was this year's in the park.
But if asked to describe the overarching vibe of the festival on this Friday night, I would say it was...nice. It was a nice stroll in the park along with all the other folks out enjoying this lovely June evening while showing solidarity for a just cause:
Young folks,
Young folks,
...old folks,
...and all the folks in between,
...including fur folks,
...some decked out for the occasion, and some making the scene in their everyday threads.
The paths were lined with merchants offering their wares,
...as well as public service tables.
There were corporations there to show support for the LGBTQ community.
...and there was lots of free swag being given away.
We passed one young lady holding a bowl of fancy-looking condoms who asked me if I knew anyone who could use one.
I told her thank you, but I was afraid that everybody in my crowd was post-condom.
There was an array of food stands, mostly of the State Fair variety,
There was an array of food stands, mostly of the State Fair variety,
...and a meadow with lots of picnic tables and chairs.
At one point early in the evening the clouds rolled in and we were hit with a downpour,
...during which Tom and I took shelter under a overhang on the rec center building.
But the shower was over in a few minutes and in no way dampened the spirit of the festivities,
...which was friendly, harmonious,
...and peaceful.
Some people wore flags representing different groups within the LBGTQ community,
...some of which I didn't know the significance. I asked these three friendly youngsters what their flags represented, though I knew the one in the middle was a trans flag,
...as, in fact, I have that one hanging on my front porch,
...but I didn't know what the other two were. They explained to me that the one on the left was the lesbian flag and the one the right represented bisexuals.
And it occurred to me as we spent this lovely evening in lovely Goodale Park that, though the world is still far from the place it should be and too many people still navigate life guided by ignorance, small-mindedness, intolerance, and unkindness that cloaks itself in the ugly rags of self-righteousness, still how much better it is to be living in this time and place than it once was.
And it occurred to me as we spent this lovely evening in lovely Goodale Park that, though the world is still far from the place it should be and too many people still navigate life guided by ignorance, small-mindedness, intolerance, and unkindness that cloaks itself in the ugly rags of self-righteousness, still how much better it is to be living in this time and place than it once was.
TODAY thru June 16
"Equal and Opposite Reactions"
will be 0.99 cents on Amazon Kindle
"Equal And Opposite Reactions" by Patti Liszkay http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa
Adventures in Paradise Bay, Part 3: Kailua, Kualoa, And Mokoli'i
...Continued from previous post:
The next morning we asked the friendly young lady staffing the lobby desk where we might find a nice beach in the area. She recommended Kailua Beach for the wide smooth beach and good swimming, but also suggested that we visit Kualoa Beach for the scenery, including the small off shore island of Mokoli'i, also known as Chinaman's Hat. She then offered us some of the resort towels to take with us, which we accepted.
We set off first for Kailua Beach, a state park about half an hour south of Paradise Bay along the Ko'olau ridge.
The next morning we asked the friendly young lady staffing the lobby desk where we might find a nice beach in the area. She recommended Kailua Beach for the wide smooth beach and good swimming, but also suggested that we visit Kualoa Beach for the scenery, including the small off shore island of Mokoli'i, also known as Chinaman's Hat. She then offered us some of the resort towels to take with us, which we accepted.
We set off first for Kailua Beach, a state park about half an hour south of Paradise Bay along the Ko'olau ridge.
The beach was tucked behind a sandy copse of palms,
...that opened to a stunning view of turquoise blue water and ancient rock formations off in the distance.
While the waves weren't big, the day we were there it was windy and the water was quite turbulent, which made us think it wouldn't be a good day for snorkeling.
After a few hours at Kailua Beach we decided to go and seek out some lunch.
After a few hours at Kailua Beach we decided to go and seek out some lunch.
We found a nearby shopping center where there was a restaurant called Big City Diner.
Tom ordered scrambled eggs which were served with a mountain of rice and a bushel of bacon, all very tasty.
Tom ordered scrambled eggs which were served with a mountain of rice and a bushel of bacon, all very tasty.
I ordered a club sandwich with a side of garlic fries, assuming that the garlic would be in the seasoning. The fries in fact arrived overloaded with sauteed garlic, which, while I like garlic, was somewhat overwhelming.
(Note to self: should I ever again find myself dining at the Kailua Beach Big City Diner, DO NOT order the garlic fries).
After lunch we drove north along the coast,
...until we reached Kualoa,
...a regional park with a beach on Kaneo'he Bay located across from Kualoa Ranch, a former working ranch that is now a vast outdoor activities park, areas of which were used for the filming of Jurassic Park and Godzilla.
Though the beach was mostly grass with just a strip of sand, the scenery was breathtaking, with the bay in front of us,
...and the ridges of the Kualoa Ranch behind us.
Out in the bay was Mokoli'i, the Chinaman's Hat, upon and around which thrive plants, birds, and aquatic life.
After our visit to Kualoa we returned to Paradise Bay, where we ended the day listening to one more performance by Danny of his lovely Hawaiian music.
The next morning, Thursday, April 11, we said good-bye to beautiful Paradise Bay,
...and soon we were on our way back to Honolulu,
...from where we flew to Los Angeles, where we stayed until April 19, thankful for a little more time among the palm trees by the sea.
TODAY
June 10 thru June 16
my romantic comedy
"Equal and Opposite Reactions"
will be 0.99 cents on Amazon Kindle
"Equal And Opposite Reactions" by Patti Liszkay http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa
Adventures In Paradise Bay Part 2: Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens
...Continued from yesterday:
The following morning, Tuesday April 9, after stopping by the lobby for some post-breakfast pastries and coffee for Tom, tea for me,
...we took a little walk around - that is to say, up and down - the hilly grounds of the Paradise Bay Resort.
During our walk - hike - we made the acquaintance of some of the friendly Paradise Bay residents.
There was also a little black and white dog named Oreo who I didn't manage to snap, but he was also a nice little guy.
In the lagoon there was a large raft where the guests could lounge about,
In the lagoon there was a large raft where the guests could lounge about,
...and upon which there was a yoga class each morning.
The guests could rent kayaks and paddle from the lagoon,
...out to Kane'ohe bay where they could paddle around.
(I was firmly against going out to the bay in a kayak, being neither a swimmer nor a lover of the water in general, even when one of the Paradise Bay staffers kindly offered to accompany Tom and me if we wanted. But it was me, I was the problem, it was me. Looking back now, though, I kind of wish I'd given it a try).
Soon afterwards we set out along the Ko'olua range,
Soon afterwards we set out along the Ko'olua range,
...to the nearby Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, a vast nature preserve where we spent the day among the tropical gardens and trekking along the hiking trails,
...against the breathtaking, Jurrasic Park-esque backdrop of the Ko'olau.
On our way back from Ho'omaluhia we stopped at the Windward Mall for Subways. When we arrived at Paradise Bay I felt the need for a nap while Tom felt the need to do some laundry.
When evening rolled around we went up to the lobby to listen for a while to Danny's sweet music of the islands.
Then we went into town for dinner to a local spot called Zippy's.
...where Tom had some tasty fish with rice,
...while I was hankering some sunny side eggs.
For dessert Tom had a generous slice of key lime pie,
...and I had my favorite, warm bread pudding.
How sweet it was.
To be continued...
To be continued...
TODAY
June 10 thru June 16
my romantic comedy
"Equal and Opposite Reactions"
will be 0.99 cents on Amazon Kindle
"Equal And Opposite Reactions" by Patti Liszkay http://amzn.to/2xvcgRa
Adventures In Paradise Bay, Part 1: Valley of the Temples And Other Wonders
Much as I love Honolulu, prior to this most recent trip I found myself longing to make the acquaintance of more of the island. To this end Tom and I planed to spend a couple of days on the east side of Oahu, known as the Windward Side, at a place called Paradise Bay Resort located on Kaneohe Bay.
And so on Monday, April 8, we checked out of the Hale Koa, our hotel in Waikiki (see post from 4/21/2024, https://www.ailantha.com/blog/another-spring-another-visit-to-the-hale-koa), and headed east from Honolulu over Ko'olau Range, the remains of the ancient shield volcano that runs up the eastern spine of Oahu (see above map).
About forty minutes later we found ourselves on a narrow, jungle-y stretch of the road known as the Kamehameha Highway,
...and soon after that on a narrower road in a small rural neighborhood.
"Um, I don't see anything that looks like a resort around here," I said, wondering if our GPS had led us astray.
But no, a few feet ahead between a couple of buildings we caught sight of a sign in front of a driveway that read "Paradise Bay."
But no, a few feet ahead between a couple of buildings we caught sight of a sign in front of a driveway that read "Paradise Bay."
We turned into the driveway, which was at the crest of a hill and opened to this breath taking view,
...and led us to the lobby of the Paradise Bay Resort.
The lobby interior had an island feel and was quite beautiful,
...and offered a panoramic open-air vista of the Ko'olau,
...and Kaneohe Bay.
The front desk staff was friendly, welcoming, and overflowing with island aloha. As we had arrived early our cottage (as the units were called) was not yet ready, but this was no problem since it was lunch time and we wanted to get a head start on seeing some of the things to see in the area.
We had lunch in the town of Kaneohe at a Vietnamese restaurant we found called Pho My Vi.
We had lunch in the town of Kaneohe at a Vietnamese restaurant we found called Pho My Vi.
After lunch we decided to check out the nearby Windward Mall that we'd been told about by the Paradise Bay staff.
The Windward Mall
The Windward Mall
We saw a poi place along the way that we decided we'd check out for dinner, as I'd always wondered what poi was all about.
First on my list of things to do in Kaneohe Bay (that is, after lunch and the Windward Mall) was a visit the Valley of the Temples, a vast memorial park at the foot of the Ko'olau divided into Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant and Catholic burial grounds.
...and where there is located the Byodo-In Temple, a non-practicing Buddhist shrine where visitors can come to worship, meditate, or simply enjoy the beauty of the place.
On the temple grounds there was a giant bell called a bon-sho with a deep, mellow tone that visitors were invited to ring before entering the temple.
I found ringing the bon-sho to be a curiously gentle experience that did, in fact, somehow impart a peaceful sensation.
At the temple entrance it was requested that all visitors remove their shoes,
At the temple entrance it was requested that all visitors remove their shoes,
...which Tom and I did.
At the center of the temple was a large statue of Buddha,
...and around the room were tables laden with tropical flowers and incense sticks that one could light in the flame of a glass lantern.
There was also a lovely, serene meditation garden up on a little hill,
...and a park with a fish pond.
...with bushes onto which prayers were tied.
After our visit to the Valley of the Temples we returned to Paradise Bay, where our cottage was ready for our occupation.
Now, the Paradise Bay Resort is rather a topographical wonder. It's constructed vertically on a steep hill that slopes down to a lagoon, with some of the cottages at the top of the hill, some at the bottom, and others built into the side of the hill.
Now, the Paradise Bay Resort is rather a topographical wonder. It's constructed vertically on a steep hill that slopes down to a lagoon, with some of the cottages at the top of the hill, some at the bottom, and others built into the side of the hill.
Our place was halfway down the hill, though to get there from the lobby building we had to first walk down to the bottom of the hill,
...then halfway back up the hill,
...to cottage number 37.
Ours was a cute studio suite consisting of a bedroom,
...a kitchen with a light-up mirror,
...and a bathroom also with a light-up mirror.
Fresh blossoms had been left here and there around the cottage.
We had a lanai, or veranda,
...with views of the lagoon,
...the bay.
...and the cottages at the bottom of the hill.
When early evening arrived we could hear from our cottage some lovely Hawaiian music coming from the lobby, so we went to listen for a while,
...and made the acquaintance of Danny, a golden-voiced ukulelist who sings every night in the lobby.
At one point a lovely lady entered and began dancing a graceful hula to the music.
She was friendly and gracious, and after her dance Tom and I chatted with her a bit - I shared with her how much I love hula - and we learned that she was an old friend of Danny's who was from Kaneohe but now lived in Texas. She had been in Hilo on the Big Island for the Merrie Monarch festival (see post from 5/21/2024, https://www.ailantha.com/blog/hula-the-beautiful-dance-of-hawaii) and had stopped here to visit friends and family on her way home.
Next we headed back to the Windward Mall to the Waiahole Poi Factory to try some poi for dinner.
In truth we weren't quite sure how poi was supposed to be eaten: Alone? As a side? Mixed with something? Not wanting to look too much like the clueless tourists that we were, we just ordered the Kalua Pig Combo that included an enormous helping of delicious pulled pork and sides of lomi salmon - a yummy dish made of tomatoes, onions, green onions and salmon - and poi.
Next we headed back to the Windward Mall to the Waiahole Poi Factory to try some poi for dinner.
In truth we weren't quite sure how poi was supposed to be eaten: Alone? As a side? Mixed with something? Not wanting to look too much like the clueless tourists that we were, we just ordered the Kalua Pig Combo that included an enormous helping of delicious pulled pork and sides of lomi salmon - a yummy dish made of tomatoes, onions, green onions and salmon - and poi.
We still weren't quite sure what to do with the poi, which was smooth and bland, but not really in a bad way, if that makes any sense. Anyway, we tried mixing it with the pork (was that right? Was it wrong? We don't know) and it was quite good that way.
On our way home we stopped at a Safeway we came upon,
On our way home we stopped at a Safeway we came upon,
...to buy some food for breakfast, which we planned to eat in our cottage.
And suddenly, for a few moments we were no longer on a scenic Hawaiian island, but back in anywhere USA,
And suddenly, for a few moments we were no longer on a scenic Hawaiian island, but back in anywhere USA,
...until we caught a reminding eyeful of the prices.
Alas, all God's children must eat.
After our shopping trip we headed back to Paradise Bay, then down the hill that was now beautifully - and thankfully - illuminated.
To be continued...
TODAY
June 10 thru June 16
"Equal and Opposite Reactions"
will be 0.99 cents on Amazon Kindle
Pride Comes To Theori Avenue
In the midst of all the bad, sad, disheartening news that we're being bombarded with nonstop these days,
...this past Sunday, June 2, I heard of a little event that cheered my day and gave me a spark of hope in the goodness of people's hearts.
It was around 8:45 am Pacific Time - I was still in Los Angeles (see previous post, https://www.ailantha.com/blog/another-unforgettable-where-were-you-when-you-heard-moment) - when I received from my friend Karen,
It was around 8:45 am Pacific Time - I was still in Los Angeles (see previous post, https://www.ailantha.com/blog/another-unforgettable-where-were-you-when-you-heard-moment) - when I received from my friend Karen,
...this text:
My friend's message made me laugh as I tried to picture a splendacious LGBTQ Pride Parade in all its glory rolling down Theori Avenue, a small, quiet street in our small, quiet, Columbus, Ohio suburb of Gahanna.
Theori Avenue:
Theori Avenue:
I thought it was terrific, though. I texted back to my friend:
I truly did wish that I could be there to see the Theori Avenue Pride Parade, whatever it would turn out to be. I asked Karen if she would take pictures for me, which she did.
The parade turned out to be a group of mostly Gahanna folks, moms and dads,
The parade turned out to be a group of mostly Gahanna folks, moms and dads,
...grandparents,
...friends,
...and neighbors,
...and dogs.
It was kids on their bikes,
...and scooters,
...and on foot, waving their flags and seeming to have a fine time.
And it uplifted my heart to see these children being taught to support and celebrate our social diversity, value lessons in being good Americans and good human beings,
...and to see the folks here in my neighborhood marching in solidarity for our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, standing up for civil rights over injustice, inclusive community over otherization, love over hate.
It was probably among the smallest, simplest, shortest of Pride parades. But it was sweet. And it was nice. My friend's daughter Krista videoed the whole thing,
...so you can watch it here if you'd like:
Next June I'm for sure going to be with Karen and my other neighbors on Theori Avenue.
"Tropical Depression"
by Patti Liszkay
Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTPN7NYY
by Patti Liszkay
Buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTPN7NYY
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I am a traveler just visiting this planet and reporting various and sundry observations,
hopefully of interest to my fellow travelers.
hopefully of interest to my fellow travelers.