What was I thinking!

What a beautiful morning in paradise. 3:30 am Phil and I are off to Ala Moana and Queen Street – the starting point of the Honolulu Marathon. As the name indicates, this is a 26.2xxx mile long race. My first and Phil’s third. So what was I thinking of those many months ago when I first stated my intent to try this “fun” event out for myself? This decision made in the face of many proofs that a race of this length is painful – bruised and blistered feet, blistered toes, lost toenails and many not so obvious injuries to muscles, ligaments and joints.
I’ve stated many times in answer to the question that I was looking for motivation to exercise more – and this did work. But at least a part of the reason has to do with Phil’s description of his experiences, the total circus atmosphere, the people that run, the volunteers and those along the road that take time to provide a little sustenance and many cheers as everyone goes by. At about mile 15 I told Phil that I just had to rest a few minutes, so we stopped along Hawaii Kai and sat in a shaded area. There was a man with a cooler in the parking lot who came over to ask if we were OK. He had water, gator aid, and even ibuprofen for any who were in need. No connection with the event – just a kind and generous soul along the way. We saw this many times along the way – awesome people.
What was it like for a first time marathoner? It was horrible, wonderful, painful, triumphant, humbling and much that can’t be described without more time to get over the pain. I think of the discouragement of Kalanianiole Hwy and its interminable length – seeing all those runners stretched out ahead of me and recognizing that I have to get way up there before I pass the halfway mark. And seeing also all the runners far ahead of me already running back the way I had already been toward the finish line. It was a temptation to just step to the other side and go with them. Do you have any idea of how painful feet can get? If I had to put a word to why I felt so tired it would have to be “discouraged.” Seeing all those people ahead and knowing that to get to the finish line I would have to go all the way to where they were and then about 12 miles more. But that kind soul along the way and my loving husband (his feet were blistered already) gave me the courage to keep on going. So we got up and kept putting one foot in front of the other. Back on the interminable road I decided to put my head down and just keep walking. The pain was still there but unless something broke I was going to keep on going.
I could probably make a lot Christian applications from some of this, but I’ll leave that to you and give a few stats from the race.

Youngest finisher – 7 (finished 14 out of 47 in her category 7 to 14)
Oldest finisher – 88 (finished 1 of 1 in her category)
Shortest time – 2:13 (elite)
Longest time – 15:40:28 (and this wasn't the 88 year old!)
Costumes – here are a few:

• Japanese Samurai - ran in clogs (I believe he finished way before us!)
• Bride & Groom costume (it could have been the real thing)
• Old person costume (whoops – think that was me!)
• Robot-type costumed character carrying a raygun
• Supergirl and many other weird and wonderful sights.

It's funny but a couple of things stand out (other than the pain). One is sloshing through the detritus of cups & water left by the faster runners. The other is the sound of all those thousands of feet hitting the pavement - not loud or intrusive, but there through most of the marathon. This is written a few days after and Phil and I are almost back to "normal." We haven't received any pictures from the marathon yet but will share a few when we receive them.

From the Doghouse 2

Ajax here! Your responses are acknowledged, appreciated and are deemed worthy of comment.

Tom: I do not write as Phil writes. Reverse the order please. Phil writes as I write. I taught the boy everything he knows (but not all that I know). Think of it in this manner: As Maggie naps so you nap (I am given to understand that is quite a lot). I do honor your wisdom in changing your vote to me. Thank you for your confidence and regards to Maggie.

The Brumley Clan: Congratulations! As Tom did you are displaying great wisdom (in fact, greater wisdom) in placing your family under the tutelage of a bright and sensible K-9. May God bless you with his long and happy life. Actually, the Border/Yorkie combo, known as “Corkie”, is quite popular in some circles. Thank you, too, for the vote of confidence.

The Davis Ohana: My sincere and heartfelt condolences at the passing of your dear Indy. If unconditional love is the key to Heaven your dog surely awaits you there. Is this not a good reason to pack up and return to Aloha Land?

Anonymous (Donna, I suspect): In a misbegotten attempt to flee your Christian responsibilities you wrote that Phil should find a wife for me. If you read the column you would understand that when it comes to such things my adopted charges are, in the kindest of terms, “weak.” How weak you ask? I want a wife! Easy to understand, correct? So, what do I get? I am currently sharing my home with an 11 year old Golden Retriever with hip displacia, assorted food allergies, skin issues, and a breath that peels paint. Worse, Beau (I refuse to call him Bo – so redneck) is a quasi (used-to-be) male. Do you understand what I am up against? If you have any charity in your soul help me!

Editorial comment: What is it with this fixation to “fix” puppies? When did they start to arrive broken? Indeed, I would argue that your “fixing” is to us “breaking.” Do you really believe God has failed to provide the appropriate hormonal balance for us? It is that delicate chemistry that you are destroying. And for what reason? The underlying issue is not the K-9’s chemistry or the God given drive to procreate. The real issue is that you don’t want to put in the time to interact properly with and discipline your four legged buddy. Instead of time you invest a few dollars and have the vet “alter” them. Yes, I know; dogs are indiscriminate begetters and difficult to discipline. May I point out that is even more true for many teenagers today? Hmmm.

From the Dog House

Greetings my bipedal friends;

No, your correspondent is neither Sandy nor Phil. They are away visiting the lovely island of Kauai and are, intentionally or otherwise, providing yours truly with a well-deserved respite from the endless bickering prompted by that ridiculous “election.” (See the previous entry.) Neither of my “children” will set aside their pride long enough to type a few words.

Permit me to introduce myself. My name is Ajax. I am a border collie. For almost 8 years it has been my arduous assignment to train Phil and Sandy – house break them, if you will. You laugh and think, “Yeah, right. Like a dog can type.” Indeed we “borders” can type. We can also set your VCR’s to record our favorite shows! Can you? The truth is we are far more advanced and sophisticated than humans. As we herd sheep so we herd you sheeples. It isn’t particularly difficult, just a bit of mind control and my bowl is filled with food or the house gets vacuumed or the windows get washed or “they” purchase plane tickets and get out of my fur for a while. In other words, we run the world. Really, someone had to step in and take control. You should be grateful.

As good as we are at mind control there is one area where I have been unable to make an impression upon Phil and Sandy. (Could the fault lie in the poor material over which I am supposed to exercise control?) I am a healthy and intact male pure bred border collie. If I do say so myself, I am noted for my good looks, keen intelligence (obviously) and a winning personality. Can we cut to the chase? I need a wife! I NEED A WIFE! Fifty plus dog years of chastity is too much! Please help me find an appropriate young lady. I would be ever so grateful.

Fervently,

Ajax

PS: By the way, kudos to Mrs. Sue Timmons! You accomplished what few others have been able to do – shut Phil up! Thank you!

VOTE "no" redux

For the Christian who suffers from an overwrought sense of their own iniquities politicians and politics are a divine gift. They provide us with an entire class of individuals to whom we can, to our advantage, compare ourselves. What is it about politics and political personalities that permit us to enhance our self-image. Many things! Here is one: A candidate spends millions of dollars for a job that pays but a fraction of that. Immediately, this disparity between money spent and benefits received places a gloomy shadow of suspicion across the candidate’s intelligence or his integrity.

Election season is upon us. This is that brief period when we are inundated with testimonials, promises and allegations worthy of the epithet “mud slinging.” Every candidate has “the plan” while every candidate’s opponent is a disaster in waiting. Our intelligence is brought into question when we, in the face of the experience of repeated election cycles demonstrating the truth that politician’s lie, believe the promises of a candidate.

The names and faces change but not the misrepresentations. Elections are upon us again and so is lying season. Solomon might have been issuing a political editorial when he wrote: Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is that which will be. And that which has been done is that which will be done. So, there is nothing new under the sun.”

So, after this diatribe why would I jump into the swamp of politics? As is true for all politicians because I have an agenda, a selfish agenda. My dear beloved spouse initiated this blog. She penned several worthy articles and created a modest fan base. And just when she got things really rolling she ceased to write (that fear of success nonsense). Here is the proposition: Sandy will write the next blog article and do so within the next week. Please cast your vote “yes” or “no” (if you are tempted to vote “no” please consider my good friend Guido) via the comment section. I now officially step from the political quagmire to clean myself up and thank you. (vote "no")

10/14/06: Sandy, my dear and precious wife, you are tampering with the election. I am stunned that you would stoop to threaten the electorate. Cease and desist! If you continue this grossly inappropriate behavior you will suffer a purgative tickling. And you voters: What’s with all this offering alternatives nonsense? It’s very simple (Tom): a “yes” or “no” vote. Vote “yes” and Sandy writes the next blog article. Vote “no” and you will suffer my scribal wailings and gnashing of tooth (and the one tooth I have is long). By the way, upon closing of the poll and the counting of the ballots the votes totals will be referred to the electoral high school.

Red Dots!?!

No, you don’t need a passport to visit Hawaii. Yes, American money is accepted here. No, Hawaii is not in the Caribbean. Yes, Hawaii is actually a state and part of the United States. No, spam is not the state bird. Yes, you can watch American TV in Hawaii. Regarding the latter response, how about a bit of proof? Perhaps you have seen the ubiquitous (Special thanks to Mrs. Hyman, my 12th grade English teacher for that term. You were right after all, Mrs. Hyman, there would come a time when I would use “ubiquitous.” However, I do not employ “ubiquitous” ubiquitously.) television ad where the boss asks, “Who's aggravating my red dots. Are you aggravating my red dots?” Not at the moment, but I am about to aggravate those red dots. It’s only fair! After all, many of them have been aggravating me for months. If you are reading this blog then on the right side of the screen you should encounter a map of the world. Select it and it becomes large and legible and filled with aggravatingly anonymous red dots. Not all of the dots are annoying. Those in Texas, Mexico, Germany, New Zealand, and lovely England are not the least irritating. We know whom those dots symbolize. I am confident that we know the Japanese dots and the dots of the Philippines, as well. But who are you who dot my screen from the West Coast of Africa, Scandinavia, the east Coast of Canada, Lebanon (?), Portugal (We do not know anyone who has flown over or around Henry the Nav’s home), Florida (we have suspicions), all those dots between California and Texas, and who is it living between Georgia and Canada that have poxed our map? Be brave little anonymous crimson dots. Step from behind your little red shields and reveal yourselves to those of us you have been aggravating. Creditors are heartily encouraged to ignore this invitation!

Phi-il . . .!

Do you have a favorite movie? We have several and among them is the classic Arsenic and Old Lace. The story occurs in a single evening. Carey Grant, the “hero” (if this sort of movie has a hero) believes he is related to two delightfully eccentric old ladies. Adding to the confusion Mr. Grant’s character is also about to marry the girl next door. In his evening of wild discoveries, Mr. Grant learns that these two dear old ladies have for years been dispatching lonely old men with arsenic. Soon after this discovery, Cary’s long lost brother (played by a wonderfully creepy Raymond Massey) and his “doctor” menacingly appear. Quickly it is discovered that the brother is also a serial killer. To his chagrin, Carey’s brother learns that the two old ladies have a “larger” body count than he does. In the end, the two old ladies are sent to an institution, the brother is arrested, the marriage is on and, best of all Cary discovers that he is, in fact, not related to the arsenic lacing old ladies. The film is a truly amusing, if at times, dark comedy.

On to completely unrelated matters. We just received a sad report from Sandy’s mom, Modene Braham. Our favorite equine, Starboy, has passed away. The 34 year old horse was a long time resident and fixture on Modene’s 235 acres of Texas land. On his sturdy back many a visitor enjoyed a gallop across the grassy meadows. On his last day the stately lonely old fellow was hand fed by the 90 year old Mrs. Brabham, who does not wear much lace. Soon after Starboy was discovered to have left this realm for equine eternity. Flowers are discouraged. Teddy Roosevelt was not available to dig the Panama Canal for the deceased. (See the aforementioned movie for clarification if you do not understand that reference.)

Messages from . . .

Saturday was designated as an informal work day on the church of Christ Pearl Harbor 2.5 acre campus. At 6:45 am, before the tropical summer sun does what it does so well, I was up in the trees cutting back offending limbs. At 10 am a baby shower for Teri Zurn commenced and was fully attended. That brought out the men and limbs began falling in earnest, broken sprinkler heads were replaced and fences were removed for later replacement. Toward the end of the work day activities one of our heroes, Rick Cheney, cut down a rather large branch. I stood it up and tilted it upon my shoulder and prepared to stand up. It is a drill familiar from practice. I began to push with my legs and a message arrived from body central to the brain. “This isn’t happening.” Why not! I’ve done this a thousand times. That is the reason I couldn’t do it this time. Age!

It was the second such message in three days. Thursday several of us went surfing. The waves were large, wind blown and chaotic. One particularly large wave not only separated me from the surfboard it also separated the surfboard from the leash. Back before leashes, when I was, a-hem, younger to lose a board and swim for it was no big deal. Now it is a big deal. I work hard to keep the years at bay. The inevitable encroachment of the years may be temporarily hindered; however, there is no doubt that they will not be denied.

What then? What else? Rejoice! The passing of the years is bringing me (and you) ever closer to life with the family eternal. Each diminution of physical prowess is indicative of the need to change mortal flesh for immortal and the imperative for a life lived in reliance upon our Lord. I couldn’t lift the log and the swim through the surf was severely taxing, so I must be getting closer to home.

Courtyard of Heroes

The proceedings were conducted in the Courtyard of Heroes. While there are plaques highlighting military bravery mingled among the courtyard’s trees and plants it is the scars on the walls that bring home the reality of heroism. The building surrounding the courtyard was, in 1941, a barracks, the home to American Air Corps enlisted men on Oahu. The deep ballistic wounds that gash the concrete are the remnants of that December Sunday that lives on in infamy. Many young men died here. This is hallowed ground.
This day was not set aside to honor the death of a man but the worthy conclusion of a 27 year military career. Dan Ciufo accumulated almost three decades of service in the Marines and then the Air Force. His numerous and remarkable accomplishments were reviewed. He, his lovely wife Daphne and their equally lovely daughters Leah and Anna were all thoroughly and properly honored. Dan and his family are the Christian’s Christian.
In an era when political correctness permeates all aspects of the American Government it was pleasantly shocking to repeatedly hear the title of God and the name of Jesus invoked during Dan’s retirement ceremony. Why is Jesus important to many in the United States military? The answer was long ago etched into those walls by Japanese bullets and bombs. Our military understands what we civilians fail to grasp: The integrity of a nation or the Kingdom of God is insured by sacrifice. Our military understands and appreciates sacrifice and so it is that they understand and appreciate our Lord. They get it. Dan and his precious ladies get it. May we be as wise!

Dan, thank you for your service to our God and to our country. Daphne, Anna, and Leah thank you for sharing this fine man with us.If the good people of Woodlands, Texas have an ounce of wit among them they will grab hold of this family, hug them and encourage them in all things godly. Should you tire of the Ciufo family send them back home to paradise!

We bought an air ship!

Yes! We finally did it! The deal was done on line and the aircraft was delivered by, what else, air mail. You are correct in assuming this is not a full size human carrying contraption. This is an inexpensive “easy to fly”(so much for truth in advertising) remote control trainer. We knew we were in trouble when the accompanying DVD containing the instructions for building and flying this winged wonder were entirely in Chinese. (This they drop on a family who has accumulated perhaps 6 semesters of Spanish to complete Spanish II.) Apparently, we have an affinity for the language (all those fortune cookies, no doubt) and the fancy plane came together.
It came with landing gear. LANDING GEAR! NOT TAKE OFF GEAR! Trust us on this one, there is a difference. The one Chinese phrase we did not translate was the warning to be sure to hand launch said aircraft. Attempted take-offs from mother earth resulted in collisions with trees, shrubs, curbs, and a truck (not moving). To hit a moving vehicle or person will take a bit more practice.
We have taken the Terry version of the Predator out twice. Yes it has been airborne – sometimes for extended periods of close to ten seconds. We now know that birds can and do laugh – it’s sort of a mocking sound. Happily, it is a rugged craft and has survived several unique perpendicular “landings” with minor dings. What have we learned so far? While it is far more expensive it is also far easier to fly a real aircraft.

Another Farewell!

It isn’t every congregation of the Lord’s Body that can boast of its own merry-go-round. Is a merry-go-round even remotely scriptural? It is if we are speaking metaphorically, and that we are. The single negative aspect to this congregation is the constant loss of military members as they move to new commands.
It has been suggested that where the mainland congregations fire their ministers every three years the church of Christ at Pearl Harbor fires the congregation. Or, so it seems. With painful regularity we conduct farewell fellowships - many of those at the beach.

May 27th was the date of our most recent goodbye gathering. Our awesome cooks provided an abundance of fine fodder. Laughter and tears were common. So was the occasional, if unintentional, “baptism.” Six families are preparing to leave. Each takes a hunk of our hearts and our gratitude.

The redeeming quality of merry-go-rounds is that they bring you back to the starting point. And while we bid farewell to some, at least five families have or are returning to us. God’s mercies never cease!

A Preacher's Worst Nightmare!

What is the preacher’s worst nightmare? I nominate last Mother’s Day at the church of Christ as Pearl Harbor. The plans included flowers for each and every mom and a sumptuous steak feast prepared and served by their loving husbands. And for an added attraction the plans included the installation of two new deacons. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Not a bit of a nightmare in these activities, is there? How about this for a daylight nightmare: No one comes to church. No one! Nada! Not the elders, not the deacons, not the deacons-to-be, not the Mother’s Day cooks, not the mothers, not the children, not the song leader, not the Bible Class teachers; just the preacher, Mrs. Preacher and their ever faithful PD (preacher’s dog). The parking lot was an acre of empty black top. Was the sermon from the week before really that bad?

A phone call by a desperate cook revealed that it wasn’t the sermon. He and everyone else couldn’t get to the church building. In its secular wisdom the Honolulu County traffic deacons decided to close Nimitz Highway for a Triathlon. In other words, other than by helicopter there was no access to the church. Further calls indicated that the road would be opened at noon, 11 am or 10 am. Pick one! The elders set up a conference call and it was decided to conduct the meal at 4:30 pm and services at 6. All the members of the congregation were called and so informed. Apparently, the Highway Department learned of the postponement of the services and, having accomplished their purpose, opened the roads at 9 am. Humph!

The congregation rose to the challenge. The cooks arrived at 3:30. The mom’s arrived at 4:30 and a grand feast celebrated our moms. If you are familiar with the Pearl Harbor family then you know that the level of fellowship is always elevated. However, Mother’s Day proved to be very special. In services, Jesus was remembered, our mom’s were acknowledged and our new deacons were installed. Isn’t that just like our God? Taking the worst moments and turning them in to the best!

Day off in Hawaii

Last Monday Phil and I took a day off from work. With a whole day to ourselves we had the usual exchange: "What would you like to do?" Reply, "Oh, I don't know, you decide!" This went on for several rounds with suggestions to see what was playing at the theater (nothing) to sitting around and do nothing (that was probably mine). We finally decided to get out of the house, take a hike up Makapu'u Point and take Ajax with us. To get to the start point we took H1 East till it, drove through Hawaii Kai, past Hanama Bay, Blow Hole and Sandy Beach. We parked on the side of the road and started up the trail.
Above is one of the pictures we took of Ajax at the top of the Makapu'u Head where the old lighthouse is located on Oahu. The next picture is at the beginning of the trail. The trail winds up about 500 feet above sea level and is advertised as a two mile walk.
Phil been thinking about running up this hill since Christmas so he wore his running gear. So once we got on the more paved ground he gave me "control" of Ajax and took off up the hill. Ajax found more rocks and bushes to water than he had water to water with (does that make sense?) But he didn't give up. He seemed to enjoy all the new smells and all the other people that passed us on the way up and down.
I mentioned that the advertised length of the trail was two miles. After running it in just a little over 15 minutes, Phil declared that it couldn't have been much more than a mile but the run was a welcome bit of exercise. It took me a little longer and I blamed my slowness on Ajax's desire to investigate each and every bush along the way and I won't deviate from that story. We all enjoyed our excursion to the top of Makapu'u Point and once we arrived back home enjoyed a really nice nap. The last picture included in this post has nothing to do with our day off. It is a picture I took from my office. The ridge rainbow was so beautiful and I just wanted to share it with my friends and family. Enjoy! Here is a link to more pictures of Makapu'u. http://www.pbase.com/aukipa/makapuu

Ford Island Bridge Run/Walk

Saturday 8 April was a beautiful day to be outside in Hawaii. Although our day began early, unlike most of the events we have participated in, this run actually started after dawn had broken - 7 AM. Arriving at the start area around 6:15 in order to pick up our timing devices, we had plenty of time to take care of last minute details - like a visit to the ubiquitous porta-potties and note the fashionable black raingear seen above.

I had planned to run and walk the course but during the first mile a friend and I crossed paths and ended up walking most of that mile together. After that bit of time had passed I decided to just do a fast walk for the whole course - which I did until about the last two miles. Well, the whole course was only 6.1 miles so my "fast walk" only lasted about 3 miles. What happened during the last couple of miles was that a high schooler started talking to me and I couldn't seems to break away from the conversation. Everytime I started going faster again, she would do a quick run to catch back up again and start talking again. So I just kept to close to her pace and "kinda fast walked" the last mile and a half. She was a nice young lady and it turned out that she only found out she was participating in the event the previous evening. Her uncle was on Maui and not able to get back so her father told her she would use his entry number.

Phil finished the course in just over one hour. A couple of the young men from church also participated in the event and said that "Mr. Phil had just run by them early in the race." Here they are prior to the race. Congratulations to Taylor and Gary for finishing the race in such good time.



The next picture is Gary's mom, Shana at the beginning of the course. It was fun walking with her as we talked our way through the first bit of the course.
This picture if of something called a "sea-based radar" and from what I understand is undergoing some refurbishment or repairs here in Hawaii. Here's a link if you are interested in the arcane. http://www.raytheon.com/feature/sbx-1_05/

One last picture should overfill my quota for this day is of the USS Utah Memorial that we passed on the way around the small Ford Island. Should you want to learn more about the Battleship Utah you can read about her at this site: http://www.ussutah.org/. The picture is just after the flag had been raised on Saturday morning and evoke so many emotions. I am so blessed to be living in this time and place and thank God for the many places around me that remind me of those blessings of liberty.

Rain, rain and more rain

Hawaii has been blessed with more rain than the ground knows what to do with. After more than 40 days (and nights) of rain we feel as if we should have begun to imitate Noah. Just as those thoughts began to be entertained, the sun re-emerged from behind the clouds. There was a lot of squinting and scrambling for sunshades all around the islands.

For the record, Oahu has received more rain in the first three months of the year than our annual average. Yet, we in the midst of all this water we are still being advised to conserve. It seems that it takes about 20 years for much of the water to seep through the soil, rocks and whatever else is under the ground to the aquifers. We learn the most interesting things!

Another interesting aspect to all the rain is that the ground outside our home has turned from its usual brownish shade to a lovely green color. So instead of wading through water to the car we wade through a jungle of knee high weeds and stuff to the car. It's been too wet for the mower to be used. Life in paradise keeps us on our toes.

Current events - well this weekend Phil and I are running in the Ford Island "fun run." Actually Phil is running, I'm probably going to walk most of the way. The course is around Ford Island (which suffered in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor due to many of our battleships being anchored around it) and is about a 6 mile jaunt. It should be an interesting trip around as we pass by the moorings for many of the ships hit on that day including the resting place of the USS Arizona. We will also pass the historic Battleship Missouri Memorial - on her decks the allied forces accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese thus ending World War II. We are both looking forward to the run and to the views offered during the run. Hopefully the weather will be dry!

Well, that's enough of this for tonight. I'll try to post again after Saturday's festivities.

Remembering Electra

It was about this time last year that our Electra died. More often than I would have thought, her name arises in various conversations that have nothing to do with her. We may be speaking with someone about the new fence by our house and reminisce about how she managed to get all four feet into the post hole - it was so funny. She looked like a long chocolate-brown snake! Cameras are never around when you need them. But we do have a camera on occasion and here one picture that I like.

Electra was a very social animal.
If we sat on the sofa, she would be right at our feet; if I was in the kitchen, there she was, too. What a hole in our home was left when she departed. A sweeter more lovable animal can't be imagined (at least by me). We both still miss that silly, smelly, goofy, hyper, lovable chocolate lab who was known as Electra.