Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, Honolulu

Pear Harbor far larger than I had imagined it being. We watched a very informative documentary relating the details of the attack before taking the barge over to the Arizona Memorial. The ride was free but we had to get their early to get tickets for that day - we were in line at 20 to 8and got tickets for the 11 o'clock trip.
As we crossed the immense and deep bay I realized the magnitude of the terror and destruction that reigned thatfateful day so long ago. A reverent feeling prevailed as we contemplated the lives lost and bones still resting in
these waters.  

 The Arizona still sits on the bottom of Pearl Harbor. You can see the ghost outline of it in the map above. The white line on top is the location of the memorial we were about to visit. Rusted remains of the Arizona protrude from the water below. 

 Every name of every life lost is on the memorial wall. I found one Judd name, below, A.J.Judd. Not related that I am aware of, but a connection just the same. 

 The memorial was open to the elements; which are most always hospitable in Honolulu. The warm humid air made my hair curly and my skin soft. The heat at Pearl Harbor got rather oppressive. 

 The barge dropped us off with crowds of others, picked up a bunch and headed back across the water, back and forth, about every half hour,  steadily, all day. I remember a tiny thrill run through my heart when I realized we were in a structure in the middle of Pearl Harbor with no way off! for 20 minutes!
I enjoyed the breeze off the water on our way back to starting point......we browsed the touristy book stores full of great things for WWII history buffs. 

We rode a bus to the Missouri tour, the only ship still floating after it all ended......

August 29, 2012
Read this quote from 
In Praise of the Slow Read by Jeremiah Jacques

"Recent studies show that the desire and ability to undertake a slow, thorough reading are rapidly going the way of the dodo. 

Rather than reading books at length and thinking deeply, we erratically sample our knowledge morsels from a vast array of fast-food factoids buffets. 

For the the sake of connectivity, we sacrifice our *capacities to reflect and synthesize these facts into a coherent bigger picture."

*we sacrifice our ability to articulate our own voices

Think about this deeply and publish a response...............

AUGUST 29

2012

This flower garden is not in Hawaii; it is in the backyard of some of my in-laws on Vancouver Island, in a tiny beach community called Fanny Bay. These are hydrangea; the colors are rich and invigorating.
I love the beauty of flowers in my life. This backyard is a healing balm to my soul.

The Dole Plantation

 The  morning of July 5 we left Waikiki and headed around the edge of Oahuto the windward side of the island and a more rural setting. I must admit I feel far more comfortable in
the country than the city. We journeyed along fantastic scenic highways twisting around little bays and under Palm and Monkey pod and Myrtle canopies and along glorious beaches until we reach the very little town of Laie. We soon found our little cabin on Bathtub beach where we lived for the next 11 days. That  afternoon we continued our adventures driving along the north shore and heading back over the middle of the island looking for the Wal-Mart in Milliani Town.

 On our way we came to the Dole Plantation. Well, we had to stop . These pictures show Chris and I
in the botanical gardens. And you can see how the heat and humidity was curling my hair!

I think these were papaya? or was it mango?

Yes, this is a Bird of Paradise flower! A flower, what creativity!
And below are Mangrove trees, walking on tip toe.

Like giant pick-up-sticks, the roots lift the tree right off the ground. and consider the
hibiscus below; the glorious color. Peering through my camera at them sent some kind of
power - some shock of electric creativity igniting my very soul.

My articulation, my vocabulary, my use of metaphor is woefully weak! The effect of my experiences
upon my being was wonderful and profound and I realize I have control over very few words that
adequately convey the message. I struggle onward in my quest.................

We did find the Wal-mart and we found Hawaiin shirts to make us 'official'. And I discovered chocolate covered macadamia nuts and ..... I am still having withdrawals!!.

More about pineapple next time.

Mrs. J at the Zoo

One more posting tonight, while I await a phone call. 

This is ME on Waikiki! We had just crossed the street from hotel row and were entering the Honolulu Zoo grounds. I was tired after a long flight - we arrived at our room about 2 in the a.m.
But, obviously, happy. Trying to collect, organize and share my thoughts, now, after the fact, I realize the impact of SETTING in a story. I was  in a totally unfamiliar setting. Old habits and agendas just didn't apply here. Chris and I had to create a new script. We sat under the Banyan tree by the front gate in the immense shade and read for a while, and began to relax and breath deeply and ponder our opportunities.

We visited with an 'information' volunteer at the Zoo gate, before entering, and discovered she was a transplanted Albertan!

July 4 on Waikiki

August 17, 2012
We were on Waikiki Beach on the 4th of July; the streets were flowing with masses of tourists
from widely separated corners of the globe. We talked to many people from New Zealand and
Australia. The beach, the blue sea, the surfers, were incredible to watch. Across the street from our
Aston Waikiki Beach hotel was the Honolulu Zoo. Chris and I spent the entire afternoon at the zoo.

Here we saw our first Banyan trees. I chose to include this image of a Banyan tree. It poorly portrays
the immensity of the tree. A human standing next to one of those roots would would be barely a 5th
of the way up the image. The trees grow up and up to create a canopy probably 60 or more feet
overhead. The various branches drop roots straight back to the ground creating walls and rooms
and a castle-like structure. Kids played hide and seek between the roots; some young boys climbed to a 'knee' and swung on 'root' vines, teasing each other all the while. A photographer was doing a fashion
photo shoot in now of the alcoves. I like trees and these were fascinating.

The sun went down every night at 7:15 and it was dark by 7:30. Just after dark on July 4, we watched fireworks exploding out over the water.

Articulation score: h-m-m ?

Hibiscus on Oahu

                                                            Welcome to Hawaii!

 August 16, 2012  I will be posting pictures from my experiences this summer and working hard to refine my ability to  ARTICULATE my own thoughts by writing my responses to the images portrayed. I hope you can learn from my growth. Enjoy!

 Hibiscus flowers grow everywhere in Hawaii. I took these pictures and others that were reds and
oranges. They were growing in gardens and hedgerows and over back fences and covering utility boxes and... they were a treat for the eyes and the heart. My husband and I spent the first two weeks of July in Hawaii; the flowers, shrubs and trees (especially the palm trees) were....here I struggle to find the words...soul nourishing..?  Work needed....

Articulation is hard work, but empowering. I will share more of Hawaii in the days ahead as I work on this personal growth project.
Yours in learning,
Mrs. J