Cleaning Days

Aloha Everyone,

Hypersensitivity to chemicals including normal strength laundry detergents and household cleaning agents means that I need to be resourceful.  

When I came across an updated article on Hydrogen Peroxide, it made most sense for me to reach for the unadorned simple brown bottle and to use baking soda.

From kitchen counter tops to bathroom, laundry room to even outdoors, Hydrogen Peroxide is nontoxic and simple to use.

Aloha -- Cathi

Our 4th of July Celebratory Meals

Aloha Everyone,

Lots of fruits and veggies, Norwegian farmed salmon, and vegetarian pasta noodles were on our table to celebrate this year’s 4th of July.

Aloha -- Cathi

Trader Joe’s Shopping

Aloha Everyone,

The Trader Joe’s store located with a 7 minutes drive has a good size parking lot for Honu.

Today, we went to purchase fresh fruits and veggies as well as some specialty items to replenish our refrigerator.

Aloha -- Cathi

Madeleine & Dilbert

Aloha Everyone,

Madeleine and Dilbert are daughter and father. I’ve seen them numerous times on my early morning walks around Nobel Park. What makes them stand out is that his interaction with her. My guess is that she is between 4-6 months. Her eyes are wide open and attentive to surrounding scenes. Dilbert is all about Madeleine. He usually pushes her in her stroller but on one occasion, he had placed her in a stroller wagon along with a few of her sandbox toys.

Dilbert is tall, built like an athlete. His strides are long but in no hurry to complete his walk. He is often singing to Madeleine familiar children’s songs. When he sings nursery rhymes such as “Wheels on the bus go round and round...” Madeline makes circular motion with her little arms.

Today as he greeted me the second time with cherry good morning, I asked him how many times does he walk around the park. He makes two large circles in the morning which usually takes about an hour. He then returns with Madeleine to the library for their reading time.

To my question on what do you do when you are not spending your time with Madeleine, he some what sheepishly replied, “That’s all I do right now. I am 100% Dad and loving it.” He is an engineer but taking a hiatus.

Aloha -- Cathi

Happy Month of July!

Aloha Everyone,

For those of us who celebrate 4th of July, Independence Day, have a great holiday weekend!  

I had an interesting experience this afternoon. Went out to the Nobel Recreation Park to complete my daily walk regiment, I came upon a huge group of people who were celebrating Hajj. This year’s Hajj began on the evening of Monday June 26, 2023. It ended today, Saturday July 1 at sunset.

A couple with a daughter in a stroller was waiting for their family to join. To my inquiry of what is the occasion, he explained to me that Hajj 2023 is to inspire unity, tolerance and brotherhood among Muslims worldwide. He quickly added that the celebrations are not limited to Muslims and extended their invitation to join his family to participate in good food, good company and good laughs.

There were two large covered tents with benches to accommodate large groups. I saw several men wearing ibraam, two piece white clothes but they were mostly in western clothes. Women, on the other hand, were wearing clothes that cover the length of their body and a hijab which covered their hair.  

It was a carnival-like atmosphere with pony rides, inflated bouncing houses, pseudo rock climbing walls, venders of colorful costumes, cotton candy, ice cream and more exotic food with unfamiliar names and smells. It was as if I was transported to the African continent. There must have been at least over 200 people at any given time.

Aloha -- Cathi