Irelands King

Today may have been unlucky for some

raineyireland@comcast.net — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:16:17 GMT

Up after a lack of sleep night.
Shave, shower and breakfast. Then off to Cougar Mountain for the day of labor.
Paul and I on the job. Installed the two big windows. Too heavy for two guys but oh well.
Finished out the wet day well. Then off home.

We had planned to go and see the movie 2012 but the reviews said it was basically "Pure Shite" so we decided to stay in and watch "Supernatural"
In the meantime Natasha made a great spaghetti dinner. I made the crepes.
Carmen came by and had tea and chocolate covered almonds. On the Shop NBC channel there was a grater that looked good so Carmen and I bought one each. In the mail soon.

Now I will wait for the arrival of Realta from work.

Long Movie

raineyireland@comcast.net — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:51:24 GMT

Off down the freeway and across the bridge and down along a wee bit of 405. Started a window instillation job up on the hill between Newcastle and Factoria. Installed the big window and went down to Factoria for lunch.
Got the back side of the house ready for tomorrow. Well nearly ready. Talked to the girl there and the young lad gave me a gold fish cheese sandwich along with a ginger cookie.
Home
Dinner Dessert.
Watched some more of the movie "Brothers Bloom" while I exercised. It is a long movie and I will finish it the next time I ride the bike.
Watched some more of Season 1 of Supernatural. It is an ok show but just ok.

Realta @ 19

raineyireland@comcast.net — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:20:33 GMT

Up after a good sleep. Shave, shower, packed up a wee lunch and out the door.
Today I head over to Town Homes of Kirkland. Larry and I install sliding doors all day. I sit in the job shack to eat during the breaks. I notice the conversations there are all about work. Work work work and work. There is more to talk about than fucking work. I would prefer to talk about the dug out of cows than that.

Home like a rat. Well a slow rat. Traffic was bad. Too many feckers working on Veterans Day.

Today Realta turns 19. We go down to the UDistrict Mongolian Grill for dinner. The apple pie is baked when we get home. Devour that. Sing Happy Birthday and give her a gift. It is easy now that she is older. Money is an easy gift, saves all the looking.

Over 30 minutes on the bike while watching tha movie. I should finish the movie tomorrow. It is ok so far.

Tonight after the lad at the Gilman Apts. recommended me to watch "Supernatural" We started Season 1.

Fecking You Too

raineyireland@comcast.net — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:36:18 GMT

Began watching a DVD last night and finished it in the wee hours. "Echelon Conspiracy"

Not the best movie. This type of movie was done before.

Up and off to work with Paul.
Finished up at Judy's today. Well we will be back to put up a wee bit of trim in the future.
I am glad to have this place behind me.

Home

We will be in Scotland sometime in June and not sure when but went ahead and got frigging God awful U fucking 2 tickets for their concert here in June also.

Put on the dinner.
Then dessert.

Last night I rode the bike for 30 minutes. I may do it again tonight.
I need to find another DVD to watch too.

Later
Ok I began a movie for 30 minutes while I rode the bike. I look forward to the rest of the movie tomorrow. And the exercise too of course.

The Lack of Exercise

raineyireland@comcast.net — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:01:33 GMT

Woke up after a good enough sleep.
Paul came by and we headed off up to Judy's. Worked on installing fascia board and gutters along with paper and metal flashing. Got soaked through.
Wendy's for lunch.
Back to the job after a visit to Home Depot. Finally got the job done. This was the worst wetting I have got in a long time. When I got inside home I had a roasting hot shower.
Carmen visited.
Dinner ala Natasha.
Dessert ala Donal

I will watch a movie tonight. I may do a wee exercise or something too.
Let's see what the night holds.

Seaclaid

raineyireland@comcast.net — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:21:58 GMT

Woke up bollixed. Too much chocolate last night.
Bollixed away the day.
Measured up the window opening in the living room to get some ideas on prices.
Talked with Angela again. She will meet us in Scotland in June for all or part of the West Highland Way.
Fecked over to the mall to VS and the book store. Met Robert, Nellie and the kids on the way out.
Then over to Home Depot and chatted to a nice fellow there about windows and a new front door. It is good talking to these fellows when they have no idea this is the kind of work I do. They think I am just a simple home owner coming in for ideas.
Over to the Cash & Carry for a few items.
Talked with Mary back home.
Home
Carmen visited.
Down to Pagliacci for dinner.
Dessert at home.
Now I will find something to keep me busy.
Today I ate a pile more chocolate that Natasha hand made. Fecking Yummy

From A to Zzzzzzzzzzz

raineyireland@comcast.net — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:47:13 GMT

Woke up in good form. Angela called early and put the day into a great start. We booked our tickets to Roatan yesterday.
Watched the Late Late Show from Ireland. Then watched the U2 360 tour from the Rose Bowl via Youtube on the DVD. It was better this time.
A day of relaxing with the sins of our fathers.
Went to Choi's Mongolian Grill for dinner.
Had a gwall of homemade truffles and the like that Natasha made for dessert. So frigging good.
Then we went up for a get together with our fellow Slugonians. Found the house and in we went. Met the owner and he showed us around. A big pool, hot tub, saunas and the like here. Togged off and in for a swim. Talked to a few people there. New friends we have now. Hot tubbed it for a while but pretty much spent most of the time in the pool. Had great conversatiosn with lots of nice people there. When we were leaving we ended up chatting to a couple A & C. We exchanged numbers and talked for a long time. My favorite people of the night.
Went home early
Now some truffels.
Fecked.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

The Saint of the Goats

raineyireland@comcast.net — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:28:25 GMT

Last night I watched "Molokai" on DVD.

It was nice to get a rough idea into Father Damien's life on Molokai. Worth the watch and now I will have to seek out the truth on his life there.
There was a great thunder and lightening storm while I was watching it. I love those, always did.

Got to sleep late.
Up
Paul picked me up and off to Judy's. I met her when we got there. It has been nearly three years since I talked to her. She showed me a pile of photos from her trip to Ireland. More photos from Cape Cod and Memphis.
Went to Wendy's with Paul for his lunch. I got a potato and a Cola to supplement my veggie wrap.
Got the soffit removed and rebuilt at the house. Dunn for supplies. Cut out the fascia board and primed it. Cleaned up and it was time to go home.

Holman Road for Mongolian. Sheena was back working there again. We talked for a while.
QFC for stuff for the pool get together tomorrow.

Oak Tree to see a movie. "The Men Who Stare At Goats"

Not so good, just about shite.

Dessert here at home and now maybe another movie or something.

Another day.

raineyireland@comcast.net — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:36:10 GMT

Woke up after a good nights sleep. Well at least a long enough one. I was restless throughout the night.
Down to Gilman Apts. to check on a leak. Cut out the ceiling in the laundry room and found that the dryer vent fan was unattached to the outside and all the lint was in the bay. The bathtub drain up above was leaking. Off to Morgans and got the parts for the fix. Back and repaired it.
Over to Theo's. Then Whole Foods to pick up something for lunch.
Up to Powers to do a repair. The brick guys were in our way so we worked on punch list items inside after picking up supplies for tomorrow.
Home
Cooked dinner and the dessert.
Totally bollixed the evening away.
I began a movie last night and now maybe I can finish it tonight.

I also thought it was good that The Yankees won the world Series last night. They needed it.

just a day

raineyireland@comcast.net — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:47:57 GMT

Woke up after a long sleep
Breakfast
Work @ St. Theo on installing deck door and trim and a lot of odds and ends.
Costco
Home
Dinner
Carmens visitr
Dessert.
Irish shite on You Tube
Now I hope to watch a movie.
Done

Work work work

raineyireland@comcast.net — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:51:28 GMT

No matter how I tried I could not sleep last night. Got a couple of hours before the day of labor hit. Talked to Mary back home for a good bit. God she has a good memory. Mine is not so anymore.
Down to St. Theos. Paul, Jason and I on hand along with Mike. Wearing Jeans was unusual after Maui. I wore a hat all day too to keep warm. I put brick molding up on doors
Whole foods for lunch and to deposit a few checks in the bank.
Went to Franks Lumber to get a door jamb.
Got tabs for the Malibu and a bulb for the Jeep. I felt so accomplished.
U-district Mongolian Grill for dinner. Trader Joe's for provisions.
Home.
Went down to cast my vote to approve Ref. 71 and for Mike McGinn along with a few other items I cared about and even some I didn't really care about. My local voting place was no more. I had to feck down to Lake City for the ballot drop. I got some free low energy light bulbs to boot.
Home and made crepes for dessert.
I would like to watch a movie now but I may not be able to stay awake.

In the company of a Saint on Molokai

raineyireland@comcast.net — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:03:27 GMT

Last night we watched "The Proposal"

Had a couple of good enough moments other than that it was shite.

Now on to today.

Up early and out the door. Drove up to Lahina. Stopped into Safeway for Coke and 78% dark chocolate. Then parked the car and headed over to the harbor. Boarded the Molokai Princess.

Rode the one hour and forty minute crossing over to the island of Molokai. I did this tour back on June 12 2007 and here I am again. We got off the boat and up to our awaiting mini van. It wasn,t the same driver as the last time. It was a fellow by the name of Rudy. Van was the fellow last time. Off we go.
First stop is at the Kalaupapa peninsula overlook. http://www.nps.gov/kala/index.htm This is where Father Damien now Saint Damien did his work.
We walk down through the Ironwood forest to get there.

Then back up through the ironwoods

The other trail you can take here is up to Phallic rock. A fertility rock where girls who cannot get pregnant come and sit on it. And low and behold they end up preggers after this. Well and the help of their men too.

Next stop is at the Coffees of Hawaii farm. http://www.coffeesofhawaii.com/ This is where we had the Mamma's Mocha Madness.

Coffee beans green

ready for the picking

my favorite mule

Back on the bus we go

Next stop is Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/molokai/html/sites/purdys_nut_farm.html He is nuts and doesn't go for the world wide web mumble jumble. The only place you can buy these nuts in the world is here on his farm. And on this other web pages too. http://molokai-aloha.com/macnuts/
Tuddie gives us the tour of his farm

Next off to Hotel Molokai for our lunch. http://www.hotelmolokai.com/

Then off with Rudy again. He gives the history of the island as we drive along of course and cracks all kinds of jokes. His mother in law takes the blunt of them. Next we stop off at one of the churches that Father Damien built. It is the only one left that wasn't added on to so it is original.

Next stop is another church that was built by Damien "Our Lady of Sorrows"

Low and behold when we got there there were a load of people there. One fellow said the Relic of Saint Damien was inside. Rudy asked if we wanted to go inside. We all agreed to have a look. The shin bone of the holy saint is put into a box and then put into another box which is called a reliquary. Then swnt on tour of the islands here and will end up in the Cathedral on Honolulu. I felt good been in the presence of a saint. Goes back to been a Catholic I suppose. I lay my hand on the box and make a request.

Off we go to the east and stop off at a spot. We can see the island of Maui across the way.

Back to the town of Kaunakakai we go. We walk around here for a while.

Back on the bus and Rudy drops us off at the boat. Goodbyes to all.
We board the Princess and take off across the choppy ocean. Water sprays up and over the seats where we are sitting. After three dowsings we go down inside for the ride across. Rudy let me know Van the driver from the last time I was on Molokai is doing great and works driving the school bus now.

We get back to Lahina in one hour and fifty minutes.

Then over to the Maui Theater to see "Ulaena" http://www.mauitheatre.com/html/story.html

The show is well done. Good music, story and dance. There were about 16 or 17 actors on the stage and four musicians off to the side. Gave the history and culture of Maui past and present.

Off home after the show we go.
Have the crepes and go to bed.

More of a little beaching

raineyireland@comcast.net — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:00:18 GMT

Went out for a 72 minute walk over four miles in the morning after breakfast.
Then down to Little Beach. This is the best stretch of beach I have ever been to in all my travels and all my days.
Met a nice couple from England there. They now are living State Side. We talked for a while. He let me use his hand surfing board. It was ok. I may pick one up on our next trip back here. We ate lunch there and swam for a good part of the time.
Back to the Cobalt and off to Stone Cold for ice-cream. Our friend from California on hand.
Back to Condo 253 and relax for a wee bit.

Down to the pool for a visit and a swim. Spent some time there swimming and talking to the gang there. As I was walking away the whole pool area was talking about Ireland.

Made and ate dinner and the dessert.

Now maybe a movie.

It Might Get Loud

raineyireland@comcast.net — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:20:38 GMT

Last night we watched a DVD "Fragments"

It was an odd movie but good for your mood change so give it a look if you can rent it from the dollar machine.

Woke up today in a relaxed state.

After breakfast we headed down to Little Beach for bit of water and sun. Had lunch down there too

Back to the condo in the afternoon and went for a swim at the pool for a while.
All of a sudden it was time for dinner and then we left for the MACC in Kahului. Found it no problem this time. Tonight we are here to see the movie "It Might Get Loud"

We get front and center seats in the lower balcony. The movie was fucking brilliant.

Stopped off at the Stone Cold on the way back.

Now I can relax and think of Ireland.

10 things you need to know before you go to Ireland

1. Hailing a cab (taxi) with your hand or a whistle is not acceptable. It will be considered rude and you will have no chance of getting a spin to your destination. Ask the locals for a taxi company suggestion and call ahead.

2. When someone says “Do you want a bit of craic tonight,” they don’t mean they can hook you up with some drugs and get you high. They mean they can find you somewhere to go to have some real Irish fun (no drugs involved).

3. Irish people don’t appreciate non-natives trying to take off their Irish accent. You may come off sounding like fools, Leprechauns and the pretense irritates natives.

4. On the subject of Leprechauns, they really don’t exist! No really, they don’t. Please don’t arrive in Ireland expecting to follow the rainbow (of which there are plenty) to find your pot of gold (of which there are none – you may have had a chance before but now with the recession your pot our of luck). You will be bitterly disappointed!

5. Drinking Guinness is a nice tradition but make sure your stomach is up for the challenge. It’s not very nice to go to the local country pub and spend an hour occupying the one and only toilet because you have a dose of the scutters (as we say back home).

6. You only need to flush the toilet once. Unlike the U.S. the toilets in Ireland are ultra modern and just need a tiny push of the handle to carry all your waste away.

7. Telling locals you are Irish irritates the s**t out of them. Try a different approach if you want a more welcoming family hails from such and such. Then they will be more willing to help you trace your roots or offer you a cup of tea.

8. Speaking of tea, tea is the coffee of Ireland. If you enter someone’s house it’s very offensive to turn down a cup of good Irish tea. Say yes and if you are offered a sandwich (pronounced in Kerry as sangwhich) then gladly accept or you won’t be asked back again.

9. Do not be shocked or offended at the use of colorful language. Irish people are great storytellers and often use foul words to be descriptive. Hint: if they are smiling while using profanities it’s all in good jest. If their eyebrows are frowned and their lips curled, it may be a good time to get out of there.

10. Irish people have their own concept of time. They don’t adhere to schedules too well and are never on time. Advise: if it’s in your schedule to meet someone for lunch at 1:00 p.m. suggest meeting at 12:30 p.m. and you should be okay.

The Dolmen of Haleakala

raineyireland@comcast.net — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:11:02 GMT

Last night I swam with the Canucks.
Today we headed out after breakfast. Up to the highest point on Maui. Halealaka Summit. 10.023 feet. http://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm
We park up on top and hike on The Sliding Sands Trail down to the Ka Lu‘u o ka O‘o cinder cone.
We look down into the largest dormant volcano in the worlds crater.

and off down we go.

The trail is sandy and you do slide in parts too.

We come upon the reclusive Silversword. This plant can be found only one place in the entire world and that is up here. It has been on the threatened species list since 1922. Tread lightly my good friend.

We make the 2.6 miles down to the cinder cone in 58 minutes of walking. It was a nice hike going down. Great colors and sights along the way.

Then we walk around the whole rim of the cone.

I build a dolmen up here as planned for Realta Gray who died last week.

Mat God speed her journey along the way.

Relta M. Gray (Story)

Relta M. (Story) GRAY 10/8/15 ~ 10/23/09 Relta Gray, born Oct. 8, 1915 in Mt. Vernon, WA to Lemuel (Jack) & Anna May Story, died peacefully on Oct. 23, 2009. Graduating from Mt. Vernon H.S. in 1933, she came to Seattle to further her education and pursue a career. She met Westley Harrison Gray on a blind date and in November 1937 they were married, a marriage that lasted 45 years ending with his death in 1982. Communications became her career field, chosen while in high school and pursued all her life mostly centered on the architecture, building and construction professions. She was editor of several journals, in particular Architecture/West. In 1976, she opened her own PR agency, Relta Gray Associates, where she worked until age 88. Relta was a member of the Assoc. of Women in Communications, Construction Specifications Institute, and founding member of National Assoc. of Women in Construction. She served on boards of United Cerebral Palsy Assoc., Group Homes of Washington, St. John's Parish Council and Teen Club, Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Org., among others. Her passion for living independently into old age prompted her to recently author a book, "The Independent Elderly." An avid sports fan, she followed the Mariners from their humble beginnings as the Seattle Indians, Rainiers and Pilots; and was also a huge Seahawk and Husky fan. She is survived by her daughter, Molly Hughes (Dick); grandchildren, Kara McGinn (Joseph), Ken Hughes and Colleen Dillon (Brian); great-grandchildren, Sean & Ian McGinn, Reilly Jane Mack-Hughes, Michaela & Luciana Dillon; nephew and nieces, John Christensen (Donna), Susanne & Jeffrey Christensen, Michael Leavitt (Tina), Wes Gray (Joanne), Gloria Gray Schatz; Indiana Gray family, Nancy, Shelley, Brad, Bryan, & Steve; and several great nieces and nephews; extended family who lived in her apt. building and helped her remain "independent" until the very end: Tim Leckband, Tullus & Mary Ann Gordon, Larry Knapp. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to St. John's Catholic School, 120 N. 79th St., Seattle, WA 98103. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, October 31st, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's Catholic Church, 121 N. 80th St., Seattle. Rosary to be held Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:00 pm also at St. John’s Parish in Seattle. If you like, please sign the online guestbook at www.legacy.com Hoffner Fisher & Harvey

Now the price you have to pay for this relatively easy hike down is you have to hike up hill all the way out in high altidue where the air is thinner and the sandy trail is hard to get a grip on too. We take off at a good enough clip at first. Then as the second wind kicks in we take it up a notch and make it out in just less than 55 minutes.

The tops of Mauna Kea to the left and Mauna Loa to the right on the Big Island can be seen above the clouds from here.

Walk around for up here a bit. Look over at the Maui Space Surveillance Complex

look down at the clouds below

We have our lunch up here and then head out.

Stop off at an overlook on the way down.

Then through the lovely town of Makawao

and then we stop off at Mana Foods in Paia for a couple of things.

Head back towards Kihei. We stop off at Cold Stone for some ice cream. I pop into the ABC store to buy a new pair of sunglasses. Then into see our buddy Art next door. He had brought us in a bag of Passion fruit from his garden as a gift. This may help with the 101 day challenge along the way.

Home
Dinner
Dessert

Now I will watch a DVD.

$283

raineyireland@comcast.net — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:22:56 GMT

Had a huge bowl of fruit for breakfast.
Then down to Little Beach for the day. Talked to a couple of people there. Also to a famous Hawaiian who I will not name here.

Spent a bit of time in the water today doing the usual. I spent more time on the beach today than any other day. I was feeling a wee dizzy, maybe from all the sea salt or something. Ate lunch there. Swam a bit more and then time to get some provisions at the Safeway. Gassed up the car too. $3.59 a gallon. It will run all the sweeter now with the more expensive gas on the island here.
Popped into see Art at the activity center. We will go over to Molokai for a tour on Friday and take in a show that evening back in Lahina. We can do it all for half price if we do a vacation ownership tour of the building in Kannapali. Half price will save us like $283. so we decide to sit out the sales pitch on Saturday since we will be in Lahina for Halloween anyway.

Home and cooked dinner along with dessert of course.

Now I will do a bit of emailing or swim in the pool or something.

Salt to chlorine

raineyireland@comcast.net — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:49:52 GMT

Today we lazed the morning away. I talked to Angela for a while back in Killrush. She was visiting her momma. Talked to her mamma too.
After a late breakfast we went for a 72 minute walk down by the vet clinic. Oh yeah
I had my first ever star fruit today in the tropical fruit salad we had for breakfast.
After our walk we headed down to Little Beach. We relaxed the day away there for a few hours. I body surfed for a couple of hours. Conversed with a couple of people there. Had the lunch and more of the same until the evening. As we were about to leave, Danny and Courtney who we had met here in January and a couple of years ago showed up. We had to head out without saying hello.

We went up to Foodland and Star Market for provisions. Home and had plantains for starters and then Hawaiian purple sweet potatoes mashed with coconut milk along with a pile of veggies for dinner. Then a crepe with nutella and whipped cream for dessert.

I headed down to the pool for a swim for 90 minutes. Talked to a lovely fellow from Bainbridge Island there. His wife came along for a wee visit. After that a woman from Alaska came along and we talked for another while. I was getting tired from threading water for so long I decided to do a few laps up and down the pool before going home. I just thought that this was the first time this trip I wore swim wear while swimming. Not good.

Now I am unsure what to do.

still unsure

Relta M. (Story) Gray 10-8-15 - 10-23-09 - Rest In Peace

raineyireland@comcast.net — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:01:59 GMT

Relta Gray who I got to meet with last December passed away this morning at 6 am in Seattle. Email updates were coming in from her granddaughter Kara over the last couple of weeks.

The First Update
She fell at her apartment on the night of Sept. 30 and laid there all night until her valiant neighbor, Tim, checked on her in the morning to find her in the same position as the night before, poor dear. He quickly called the EMTs who transported her to Northwest Hospital where she spent about 5 days.

She thankfully didn't break any bones, but while she was there and they were performing tests, found out that she had a blood disease that was causing her so much weakness and fatigue. This disease was brought about by a chronic bladder infection that spread to her blood recently. She has had chronic bladder infections for many years. They gave her antibiotics that helped her immensely, but while she was at the hospital she was continuing to decline since she couldn't eat well. She has had an ongoing problem with her very narrow and weak esophagus and the antibiotics caused a thrush infection in her mouth. This problem gives her all kinds of fits when she tries eating or drinking anything at all. They also discovered via x-rays that the fluids they were attempting to give her intravenously were going straight into her lungs (due to a lack of the protein albumin in her system) and could cause pneumonia (which can be a very painful condition), so they had to remove any feeding tubes. The doctors have told us there is nothing more that can be done at this point. She is not a candidate for a soft feeding tube since her esophagus is so weak that it would tear and any food or water given intravenously or by mouth will go to her lungs. She has been clear that she doesn’t want a feeding tube even if they could find a way to get one in her. She also is having congenital heart failure. Since there was nothing more medically that could be done for her, she has been transferred to Columbia Lutheran Home.

Second

Current Condition – Wed., Oct. 21

My grandma has now been at Columbia Lutheran Home for about 16 days. She has had no food/water or anything intravenously for 13 days now (see explanation in background below). She is mostly sleeping all day, but wanted to take a walk today around the floor in her wheelchair this morning. She is on oxygen all day now and is being given small doses of pain relievers. She cannot speak any longer. She can write a note to say what she needs. She continues to have visitors come through. It is encouraged that if you choose to visit, please limit your stay to 10 minutes or less. She may not realize you are there if she is sleeping, but your presence is felt. She still recognizes everyone. She is very weak now and is not expected to live more than a few more days at most. It is incredible that she has lasted this long in her condition. She still says she is not in much pain, thank goodness. She feels a strong connection to the rosary and I would request that if you know how to pray the rosary, please pray it as a vigil to my grandma within the next 24 hours if possible. Thank you

Please continue to pass this information along to any family and friends that you may know and, as I said, please try to send me their email address so that I can add them to my list of correspondence.

Thank you so much to all who have visited her, sent her mail, prayed for her or called her! She is so thankful and loves you all dearly. Your continued prayers of comfort and peace for my grandma are very much appreciated!

Today

I am writing today to let you know that my grandma, Relta May (Story) Gray, passed away peacefully this morning at 6:00 am in her bed at Columbia Lutheran Home at the age of 94. Thank you for all your prayers and words of love and support. They have been my strength through this difficult time. Thank you also to all who wrote cards, letters, and visited her. Your presence helped her say her final good byes and leave us that much more peacefully. We are so grateful that she passed quietly and without pain and that she was cognizant until the very end. The date and time of her services will be announced shortly. Her services will be held at St. John’s Parish in the Greenwood neighborhood in Seattle within the next week. Grandma has asked that donations be made to St. Johns Catholic School in lieu of flowers.

I will be in touch with all of you later today.
God bless,
Kara

She was a wonderful woman and lived a very interesting life. I am glad to have met her. I will build a dolmen on the highest mountain on Maui to help send her into the heavens.

A Whale Of A Time

raineyireland@comcast.net — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:54:27 GMT

Woke up very early but well rested after less than five hours sleep.
Fecked around for a bit until breakfast.
We went out for a 66 minute walk in the morning up past the vet.
Back and headed down to Little Beach.

Down along Big Beach and up the cinder cone to our beach.

Lay in the sun doing crosswords and the like. Swam for quite a long time too. Body surfed the huge waves onto the beach for fun. I got rattled around a few times. Realized a person could get injured or even die here.

No matter how much I tried I made it back to the chair to dry off before we left.

Back along the Big Beach to the car.

We went up to the natural food store in Kahului for lunch. http://www.downtoearth.org/ We spent a bit of time in town getting items for our Christmas card photo this year. Then back to Kihei stopping off at the clothing Outlet store on the way. Not outlet prices. We pulled into "Cold Stone Creamery" for our dessert. Safeway for water. Then back home.
Cut up and cooked a pile of veggies for dinner.

Ate dinner and a healthier than usual crepe.

Later on we went out for a 60 minute walk to see the sun set.

After the sun went down we continued walking up along past the whale

and on up for a lot longer. We stopped off in the markets on the way back.

Back home. Our 60 minute walk became a 132 minute walk.

Now some more relaxing.

Paia

raineyireland@comcast.net — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:59:20 GMT

Up early as usual. Had the breakkie in the condo here.

Then out for a 77 minute walk.

Packed up our stuff and headed down to "Little Beach"
We snorkeled and relaxed in the sun down here for a time. Had lunch. More sunning and body surfing.

Then we drove up to the town of "Paia"

We strolled through town for a while.

Somebody in this photo wanted to sell me weed.

Went by the Dharma Center for a wee visit. http://www.mauidharmacenter.org/#
A quick prayer at the prayer wheel and we were gone.

Then into "Mana Foods" http://www.manafoodsmaui.com/ and got some more odds and ends. We always come to this store when we are here.

We popped into see Chetanaa at the Real Estate office. We talked for a couple of hours. She gave us a list of properties to look at. Who knows if we will buy a place here this time but let's see.

the sun was setting as we drove back to Kihei.

Cooked dinner and dessert.

Now relax some more.

Home Sweet Home

raineyireland@comcast.net — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:17:46 GMT

Fell asleep on the couch in the early morning. Woke up a wee later and watched "Year One"

It had it's moments. Jack Black can pull out a laugh every now and again.

Shaved, showered and packed my bag. Ate the breakfast with Realta. She gave me a good scalping with the haircut yesterday. I will be cooler in Maui.

We headed down to Seatac and parked the Jeep. Went straight through security, well after they went through the electronics.
Had a cup of tea while we waited. Then the Hawaiian Air/flight 29 call came in and we boarded.

Down the runway and off on the fine Boeing 767. The flight was great with a few bumps along the way. A new New York Times crossword book and a lot of fecking around on the lap top and we were landing in Maui less than six hours later.

Off the plane and out through the terminal. The waft of heat once outside is so frigging nice. I have loved this feeling up on ten times since 1995. My face was hurting because I couldn't stop smiling. I feel so happy and at home here.

Over to Alamo and picked up a Chevy Cobalt and headed to Costco for some wine and provisions. Then down to the "Kihei Kai Nani" http://www.kiheikainani.com/ Found it pretty much right away despite not having the address for the place. Checked in at the office there,

Unloaded the bags and provisions. Then headed up to Safeway and the Star Marked for some additional provisions later on,
Home and cooked dinner and the dessert.

Now time to relax. I still have the smile on my face.

Kentucky Fried Feck

raineyireland@comcast.net — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:54:31 GMT

Woke up fecked.
I began to pack my bag for the trip tomorrow but then said "Feck it"

The Mallet came by to visit me. He looked good and healthy. We had a discussion about eating meat and you needed to eat meat to gain muscle. I reminded him cows are vegetarian. I wasn't trying to defend vegetarians but I had to give him a wee insight to been a no meat eating lifestyle. Yes even fish and chicken. Chicken

Went to see a movie down at the Metro. "The Boys Are Back"

A well made mind and emotion fecking film but wait for the DVD.

To the Law Office. Talked with Judy there for a bit.
QFC for the last of the provisions.
Home and cooked dinner and the dessert.

Decided I would pack in the morning.

Now I will find something to do until I find time to sleep.

Heaven

raineyireland@comcast.net — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 05:06:48 GMT

Woke up early and had the breakkie.
Watched "The Late Late Show" from Ireland.
Headed down to Costco on 4th to buy some items. Met Tom H there. He was just back from a great vacation. Good to see him.
Home
Lunch
Over to the mall. I called Mary while Natasha went in shopping. Then I met her at the Barnes And Noble and we got books for the Maui trip on Monday.
Next down to the Varsity to see "Five Minutes Of Heaven"

This was a great movie. Well acted, well made and mind provoking.

Dinner at home along with dessert.

Fecked away the evening on the computer here.

Rock N Roll

raineyireland@comcast.net — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 05:19:41 GMT

Woke up early and passed away nearly five hours before I went to work. Picked up the dump truck on the way. Jamie and I on the East wall sheeting and glass. Then interior drywall. Pissing down rain so I ate my lunch in the truck while I spoke to Mary back home.
Edgar came by for a visit to the job. I like that man. I gave him the tour of the building for his bid.
Home.
Dinner & dessert. Carmen came by and she had dessert with us. My external 500 GB of memory arrived on the UPS today too.

Down to the ACT to see "Rock 'N' Roll".

The play was well written but I found it wasn't well portrayed tonight. Well I was tired and it didn't hold my attention. After a few head drops and a couple elbows from the good woman we left at the end of Act 1.

Home to Realta.Opened up my package from earlier.

Now I hope to relax and sleep a good night.

A Great Play

raineyireland@comcast.net — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:27:02 GMT

Woke up feeling ok enough.
Talked to Eamon back home for a bit.
Lazed the morning away. Then off for the day of work.
Picked up the dump truck on the way.
Jamie and I on 305 framing, sheeting and densglass. Prepped inside for drywall.
Lunch at Whole Foods.
Home

Dinner at Mongolian Grill in the U District.
Went to the Bathhouse Theater in Greenlake and picked up out tickets for the play. "Tryst". We had an hour to kill so we walked around Greenlake. This killed 45 minutes. In we went to see the play.

Right off the bat, this play started well. It kept my full interest all the way to the end of Act 1. Frigging brilliant. I was getting a headache from eating nearly a whole bag of the Bliss dark chocolate. No harm, Act 2 started. From here all the way to the end the play was great. What a play. Certainly one of the best done plays I have seen in my life. If you read this as a friend or happen upon this posting go and see "Tryst" at the Bathhouse or anywhere it is playing near you.

Home

Even if you are as strong as an oak tree, death will still vanquish you.