The start of Route 66

 Mahina was bright and full enough to wake me early for the start of my 66th year, The Year of Joy Riding on my personal Route 66.

 I mixed up a small batch of gluten-free/oatmeal and banana pancakes, drizzled with coconut oil and lili'ko'i syrup, drank some young coconut water and felt the Gypsy queen in our little Quonset.

 Once filled with food, and changed into birthday clothes Pete was my driver for this first of joy-rides on Route 66. Phone calls began with greetings in 'olelo Hawaii, "Hauoli La Hanau, Mom." Could it get any better.  It did, and I relished in it, answering the cellphone for other birthday wishes and visiting friends along the way. We headed for one of our treasure of beaches that faces the open ocean and Hawaii, Libby Beach on the west side of Whidbey Island. The tide was full and the waves busy.

 Pete called our son back to leave him a voice message of the waves coming in over the pohaku (rocks) on the shore.

 I chanted to the akua of air and water, sending my voice to Hawaii. E Ho Mai. What I am to know, let it be known to me.

 On the way back we stopped to visit the Madrone along the road at Deception Pass

 and were blessed with cleared skies and a sunset as electric and orange as my birthday card.

It has been a day of Joy, Luck, no Cake ... but lots of Joy and Luck. I have a prize of birthday apple pie waiting for me at another friend's home. What a lucky ole gal I am to be blessed with such gifts. Mahalo Laurence for the sweet camera that is taking all these photos.

Thank you all!!!!xoxo

What fun!

Happy Birthday, Pete

Moonlight Lady

"Moonlight Lady eyes dark as the midnight sky
Not too many men forget your smile.

Moonlight Lady arms strong as the valley walls
Not too many men forget your touch.

You work in the fields by day
In the sun while your children play
River sings their lullaby
And rainbows fill their youthful eyes.

Moonlight Lady voice like a running stream
Not too many men forget your song.

Moonlight Lady skin warm as the noon day sun
Not too many men forget your soul."

Lyrics by Carlos Andrade and Pat Cockett
Music by The Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band, Blah Pahinui sings lead

When I'm 64

The Beattles, Sargent Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?

You'll be older too
And if you say the word
I could stay with you

I could be handy, mending a fuse
When your lights have gone
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride
Doing the garden, digging the weeds
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?

Every summer we can rent a cottage in the Isle of Wight
If it's not too dear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck & Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away
Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?
Ho!