Dreams of Santorini

If I had a wish, what I would wish for is to be at sea sailing for the island of Santorini. You may ask why I might choose to visit Santorini, when I live on the beautiful island of Maui. My answer would be that there is no place in the world quite like Santorini. My first trip to Greece was many moons ago...

At Santorini, the ship pulls up to let off the passengers and opens its doors to reveal probably the most exciting place on the planet. Or at least, so I believe. Santorini is full of historical monuments, great hiking trails, gorgeous black beaches and views to die for. 

After you arrive at the dock on Santorini, you are met with easily 100 young boys trying to sell anything from fresh squid to rooms for rent in funky hotels. Once you escape the young boys, you must find a way to get to your room near the top of Santorini. Be ready to open your wallet and pay the necessary drachma to someone who will take you on the journey up, up, up, up, up  the hill to find a room that will hopefully be perched on the side of the hill with an indescribable view. You usually will use a donkey for this journey, which is part of the excitement of Santorini. Make sure you plan a sunset with your favorite beverage on the side of the hill, where most of the views are. 

Santorini is so incredible because of the astounding views it has of the Mediterranean and of the crater in the distance. Once I arrived and unloaded my bags, I got to see the whitewashed walls and the views of Thera or Fira. The volcano blew up and formed a massive caldera. To this day there is still a tiny cloud of smoke rising from the volcano. You can also hike up to the crater. It's very hot and you need the right shoes for this steep volcanic hike. 

There was a small town called Ia. 3000 years ago the people of Ia, also called Oia, made fabulous frescos depicting the everyday life of the people of this time. These frescos were beautifully drawn on the walls of buildings, including the most famous fresco called, "The Fisherman."  When the volcano blew up 3000 years ago, the people obviously had advance notice, because the island was completely vacant. Crete was the new location for the ancient Minoan civilization.

Plato spoke of an island of Atlantis and he believed that the actual location of the island of Atlantis was Santorini.  Jacques Cousteau too believed that the island of Santorini was the location of the lost island of Atlantis. He believed that the eruption of is what covered it up. My fervent hope and plan is to one day return to Santorini and its special magic. 

Symptoms Before a Stroke

Knowing about the symptoms before a stroke is of paramount importance in preventing the occurrence of  a stroke. I wish I had known what to look for, so that I could have avoided my stroke. I really hope that I can help spread the word about the important symptoms before a stroke, so that fewer people suffer the same fate as I did.

1. Painful headache with no known cause. The pain supersedes all other headaches. You might also feel pain around your eyes, in your neck and in or around your face. Often this headache comes out of the blue is a major symptom before a stroke.


2. Difficulty walking. You might notice that you're stumbling, feeling dizzy or experiencing a lack of coordination. If you're having a stroke, you may stumble or have sudden dizziness, loss of balance or loss of coordination. It can feel like you've just gotten off boat and haven't gotten your land legs yet.


3. Problems with speech. You might notice some problems with speech like slurring your words or even difficulty understanding other people speaking.


4. Vision problems. You might notice that you're having problems seeing with either eye or with both eyes. You might suddenly experience blurred vision, double vision or even just see black.


5. Numbness or paralysis on one side of the body. You may suddenly experience numbness or paralysis in your face, arm or leg. One thing you can do if you think you're having a stroke is lift your arms up over your head. If one arm starts to fall down, you might be having a stroke.

The common denominator among the above symptoms is their SUDDEN onset. Should you experience one or more of these stroke symptoms, call 911 immediately and tell them that you believe you might be having a stroke. 

Please share this list of symptoms before a stroke with everyone you know. I know from experience that the key to recovery from a stroke is immediate medical attention. I was not so lucky and therefore would like to save other people from the exhaustingly slow recovery that I am still enduring. 

Take heart and know that should you experience a stroke, time is of the utmost importance. Of this I am positive. Wishing you loads of aloha. Tara

We all need Ha Ha time

I'm going to try something new with my blog today. I have a few minutes until my friend leaves and I need to accomplish something today. My friend is my typist, as I'm not yet able to type due to the stroke. So, I'm going to share what my day has been like.

My day has been filled with more doctor's appointments than I would like. I spent half of the day at the doctor's and the other half on hold with the doctor's office trying to make my next appointments. Yikes, what's up with that? LOL I would much rather be dancing under the stars at the beach than struggling to discuss meds under florescent lights. 

What I need at this point is some real Ha Ha time. I long for the light feeling of just letting go of the everyday struggle of healing from this stroke. This is not my idea of a good time! However, I will persevere! 

On a lighter note I am looking forward to this evening, where Hope Chapel is giving a tribute to Dr. Kit Lauer, a dear friend of mine. I believe that Kit may be sharing his last days with his beloved congregation. The group of people that come to hear Kit speak has become huge here on Maui because Kit's message is straight from the heart.

There is going to be an opportunity for members of the church to speak tonight about how Kit has touched their lives. I hope that I'll be able to express my deep feelings without bursting into mass of tears. Stay tuned. I'll let you know how it goes.

An Ode to Kit - My Pastor, My Mentor and My Friend

When I say the word, "friend," I as a Christian know that it means more than just a simple "hello and good bye" kind of friendship. I remember in Jesus' time the wearing of robes was customary and therefore when someone offered you their robe in friendship, it was the same as saying they would give their life for you.  My dear friend Kit, I would be honored if you would take my imaginary robe and wear it as a symbol of our friendship. 

You have been such a phenomenal teacher to me throughout the years. I have come to know deeply our God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit through your teachings. You visited me in the hospital when I had a broken hip and when I had my life changing stroke that no one thought I would survive. You have been there for me as a true friend. To say that I admire you does not come close to the feelings that I want to express. 

Kit, you have been an inspiration to so many that I could only wish to make a mark on this world as you have done. The mark you have made is huge. Thank you for teaching me that when one door closes, another door opens. And so it is, Kit you have taught me how to deal with my own future passing with the knowledge that I am going to live forever in the arms of the one you have taught me to love. 

Benjamin Franklin & The 13 Virtues

Benjamin Franklin wrote so long ago about the 13 virtues that I believe are still relevant for today.  For this reason I am writing about the virtues that still seem as valid today as they were so long ago in Ben Franklin's day.

1. Temperance. Eat not to Dullness Drink not to Elevation.

We are to respect our bodies there by not to overindulge in any way, shape, or fashion: i.e. drugs, alcohol, or other mind altering substances.  I believe that this virtue speaks of not doing anything to an excess. 

2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling Conversation.

This virtue is huge in my opinion.  We all need to speak our truth quietly and clearly without unnecessary verbiage.

3. Order. Let all your Things have their Places. Let each Part of your Business have its Time.

I believe that Mr. Franklin was addressing the need for cleaning up clutter, whether it be in the office or nearly in your mind.  Clutter causes confusion.  So clean it up, whatever it is that is 'causing the mess'.

4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.

Resolve to always do what you say you will do.  

Be an individual of honor.  Never lie, cheat, or steal.    

5. Frugality. Make no Expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.

Be frugal; make no expenses that are unnecessary.  I believe Mr. Franklin was saying the old adage of 'waste not want not'.  He really got this right in my opinion!

6. Industry. Lose no Time. Be always employ'd in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary Actions.

In your work be productive and stay focused on the task at hand no matter how small or large the job is.  It is a real gem in the changing fortunes of time.    

7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful Deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

I believe that Mr. Franklin was "right on" with this comment.  Speak innocently do not use your tongue as a sword.  Let the goodness of your heart shine with all of your words and always BE SINCERE.   

8. Justice. Wrong none, by doing Injuries or omitting the Benefits that a

re your Duty.

Wrong no one instead treat others as you want to be treated.

9. Moderation. Avoid Extremes. Forbear resenting Injuries so much as you think they deserve.

Avoid extremes instead be balanced in all that you do.  Do not be resentful but instead be glad for the goodness they bring.

10. Cleanliness. Tolerate no Uncleanness in Body, Clothes or Habitation.

Never be unclean but instead be clean from head to toe including you home space.

11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed at Trifles, or at Accidents common or unavoidable.

 Do not be disturbed at things that are truly out of your control.  Instead have a mild mannered countenance at all times with all people.

12. Chastity. Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dullness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or another's Peace or Reputation.

Be certain of whom you share your inner most feelings with.  Those special feelings are God given,  private, and wonderful.  Enjoy them to the hilt.

13. Humility. Imitate Jesus

Imitate Jesus, for he was the only perfect man.  His humility is known throughout the world.  He is amazing and will always be the best example of what a man should be.

Be Here Now

I would like to start off by thanking you for continuing to read my blog.  For all you new readers, I hope that I can give you a chuckle, or a smile, or a warm hand shake through the miles that separate us.   As it is my goal to offer something that will enrich your life in some fashion today.  

I went to see the fabulous Journey concert, and OH MY they are amazing.  If you get a chance to go to one of their concerts, I highly recommend it.  One little tip is to make sure you wear ear plugs if you are at all sensitive to loud noice because WOW it is loud but it is also awesome.  They play so loudly that I cant go without wearing them.   I rate their concert as an A-.  The only reason for the - is because the extraordinary loud music they have.  Other than that, it really made me feel like I was 20 all over again.  I had a blast!

Thought for the moment * In reference to thinking about age.  It's a funny thing thinking about what age you are at any given time because some people tend to have an opinion as to what one should have accomplished at any given point.  The difference between who I am now and what I was 5 or 10 years ago is merely that I have just been on this planet a little bit longer or shorter.  Even though I have been through what seems like about 10 wars , with all the appropriate scars to manifest those years.  I can honestly say that you really are as old as you feel.  Thus I believe in setting my heart free and doing a dance that says, thank you God, for this magnificent time you have given me in which to either laugh and play or quietly reflect on where I am right now.  That is hopefully in a space where I grab a moment and kind of do a snap shot of the moment.  So within that snap shot I realize that this moment in time is perfect and I am exactly where I want to be.  In other words if I had a choice to be anywhere else in the world if I could, I would be right here, right now. That to me is bliss.  

That is how I felt when I was dancing at the Journey concert.  It was utter bliss.  

I have had an incredible amount of those moments where I afore mentioned.  In that I feel very lucky.  At the same time my mind can easily crawl into another head space; one that ponders the idea of maybe I should be doing something more.  Or I could be doing something different and thereby causing me to think far too much instead of the age old saying, 'just be here now'.  

As the old saying goes, life is what you make it.  If you think that you are going to have a struggle, then most likely you will have a struggle.  Conversely if you think something is funny and worthy of laughter, it probably is.  Its all in what you make of it.  

These words are easy for me to say and they can be very difficult to do.  I want to say quite honestly, while I know what I should be thinking and feeling, I too am an imperfect person merely trying to do my best and thereby, offering you my friend, some words you might jive with.   And so for now I am wishing you Aloha and all good things.   :)  

Make your own Kaleidoscope, it's all in how you see it.

Feeling broke sucks.  Yes, indeed, it truly sucks to feel financially strapped and to not know how you're going to find your way out of the confusion that being broke makes you feel like.

Like many of you I too have had the security of an equity line from the bank.  Enabling me to feel secure that rain or shine I will always be fine.  But what happens when the very bank you go to has gone BROKE?  This in fact happened to me!  I have always had the security of my equity line being there for me.  But what happens when your bank fails?  Who could have imagined such a thing as that?  It kind of feels like I have just awakened from a deep sleep where nothing appears to be the same anymore.  Are you feeling scared or worried that something you could not have foreseen nor plan for may actually happen?  Are you one of the lucky ones who has had nothing change in their life?  Or are you like me and have had nearly everything change in their life?  All we want to do is yell for help but then nothing comes out.   

Until 6 months ago, I could not fathom the idea of my equity line going bust and leaving me with only questions of What Do I Do Now? 

Now is the time when I need to pick myself up by the boot straps , dust myself off and say 'okay well I'm alive and I'm not going hungry, I will be okay.'  When it comes to thinking about worry and the toll it takes on you I like to remind myself of a scripture in the Bible that says, 'Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.'  

A thought for today, Worry is like a rocking chair, it is something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.  So the bottom line is that we all need to slow down and take care of the things that we can and let the rest go.   The only thing that I know for sure is that the real treasures are the ones you cannot buy.  The real treasures in fact are found in the simple things. It's not how it appears it is how you think about it that determines the outcome.  Always remember to think positively because it really works.  I look at it as though life is like a kaleidoscope.  If you turn the kaleidoscope this way or that way, each turn gives you a whole different look.  Life is what you make of it.