Seeking Beauty From Ordinary

Aloha Everyone,

I look forward to my daily walk at a wonderful park near our son's house. Today the sky was gray and the sun had not come out yet. The morning actually looked rather dull and uninspiring. Yet, when I paid attention to my surroundings, there were beauties all around.

"The more often we see the things around us - even the beautiful and wonderful things - the more they become invisible to us. That is why we often take for granted the beauty of this world: the flowers, the trees, the birds, the clouds - even those we love. Because we see things so often, we see them less and less."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin

Aloha -- Cathi

Return to La Jolla, CA

Aloha Everyone,

Woke up a little before 5:00 am and walked around the RV park to photograph the sunrise for our granddaughter. J.J. and I made efficient use of our time so by 7:00 am, we were on the road.

On US 395 South, we were delayed at two sections due to on-going road maintenance. Flagman would stop one side of the road and a pilot car leads the way escorting cars for nearly 3 miles. One of our waits was 16 minutes and I counted l at least 52 vehicles following a pilot car from the other direction. Federal and state jobs In constructions seem to have areas where they can use efficiency experts. We saw a lots of workers standing around looking idle.

We stopped at Chili's in the city of Lake Elsinore located in Riverside County.  

I enjoyed a small spring mixed salad and J.J. liked his enchiladas platter.

Our waiter came over to ask if we like a printed bill or would we prefer to use their "do-it-yourself" payment system. Curious as to how it works, J.J. used one of his credit cards to try the system. In addition to making the payment, you also add the tip. You can also use the gadget to order food and drink without calling for a waiter. When the waiter returned to us asking how we like the system, I posed the question whether or not he feels threatened about his job security since all he does is to bring the food to the table. You can order food and drink plus dessert using this gadget and pay your bill as well without assistance. His answer was, "well, with the extra time we have will allow us to provide better service to our diners!"

Wonderful to be back with our son's family in La Jolla to celebrate our granddaughter's 9th birthday. We played card games, went to a park to ride on her new scooter and wrapped up a lovely day.

Aloha -- Cathi

Starting Our Drive Back To La Jolla, CA

Aloha Everyone,

We are grateful for our friends who have come into our life to share their knowledge and to teach us some valuable lessons. If I compare LuLu to a flower, she would be an exotic orchid. Unique, colorful and unforgettable with unlimited kindness and sense of humor, she breezed into our life over a dozen years ago and stayed. LuLu's birthday month is June and ever since we've known her she has spent the month of June somewhere around the world. One year, she was in India to save orphaned elephants, Then she was in Nepal to work in an orphanage. This morning, LuLu sent us an email from Rapa Nui (Easter Island). She wrote: "I am following my passion of chasing spiritual ancient sites around the world! "

Thinking of LuLu and our other friends who are far in distance but close at heart, J.J. and I enjoyed our drive on US 395.  A lunch stop at Jack's Restaurant in Bishop where noontime temperature was 103 degrees. Yet the surrounding mountain peaks still have snow.

My lunch was one half meatloaf sandwich without bread, gravy on the side, and coleslaw instead of mashed potatoes. It was excellent. Our waitress looked incredulous when she heard my request so she gave a sigh of relief for J.J.'s order of regular hamburger and fries.

J.J. and I are staying at the Boulder Creek RV Park. With Honu's AC working well, we are ready for a warm night.

Aloha -- Cathi

Morning Sadhana* (Sadhana is a sanskrit word for daily spiritual practice).

Aloha Everyone,

Some RV Parks have what the writer, James Michener in his novel, Iberia (Spain) describes as DUENDE. This quintessential Spanish word had various meanings, but here I am referring to the definition of "quality of passion and inspiration or spirit."

My practice of Kundalini Yoga includes Sadhana, daily spiritual practice. It is very private and personal. My Sadhana is impacted by my immediate environment but always include physical exercise and some form of meditation.

Prompted by the wonderful DUENDE of the RV park, I practiced Sadhana everyday except for two mornings when I was fortunate to attend Angela's yoga class. With mind and body in tune and focused, I always find that a day that begins with an hour of Sadhana is most satisfying.

The rest of the morning was spent doing laundry. In the afternoon, I finished the birthday card for our granddaughter and worked on my Hawaii real estate licensing requirements.

J.J. and I shared steak and broccoli plus baby spinach and arugula salad. We are going to bed early in preparation for our drive tomorrow.

Aloha -- Cathi

Meeting David & Judy From Mountain Home, ID

Aloha Everyone,

Honu stands out among large motor homes and fifth wheelers (living quarters pulled by truck or car). Often, we are one of the smallest vehicles among the giant rigs. Therefore whenever we see Honu's siblings or relatives, it is inevitable either we or the other party approach for conversation.

David came by to satisfy his curiosity. A confident man with a great sense of humor, he had retired from the US Air Force. We walked with him to meet his wife and see his Roadtrek. Both David and Judy were teachers and they are a very outgoing couple. When he found out that we know little of his adopted state of Idaho, he gave us their contact info and invited us to look them up.

Q's Steak, BBQ and Salad is located just across from the CVS Pharmacy where J.J. and I've been going to make color prints for the birthday card I am making for our granddaughter. Not wanting to deal with noontime parking situations, we walked over to give it a try.

J.J.'s chicken tortilla soup was delicious. The corn bread was soooo good that he had to share it with me.

J.J. was happy with his BBQ ribs and my vegetarian quesadilla was tasty, but I could only finish one and had the rest wrapped for J.J.'s dinner. 

Q's Steak & BBQ along with San Marcos Grill in Carson City merits return visits.

Aloha -- Cathi

Downtown Farmers Market

Aloha Everyone,

I had another treat of joining yoga practice with Angela and her class this morning. J.J. and I then proceeded to the downtown Farmers Market where my breakfast was waiting for me! Absolutely delicious juicy, tree ripened white peach! 

So many appealing fruits and vegetables for sale. We noted that many are brought in from California. I have to be resolved and refrain from over-buying.

For our dinner, we purchased a piece of Alaskan Smoked Salmon from Jordan, Operation Manager of Fresh Way Fish. Learning that we are from Hawaii, he pointed to us us that his ahi steaks are from Hilo, the Big Island of Hawaii.

Aloha -- Cathi