Grandparents’ delight times two

29 03 2014

It’s been six months since we saw our granddaughters in Italy where they live. The sisters have grown up so much since then.

They go to Italian school during the week and holiday throughout Italy with their parents on weekends.

These updating photos were made by their father who posts them to a blog for us to see. When we’re half a world away in Hawaii, we also video chat via FaceTime on our iPhones.  It makes up for the distance.

Who knows when DH and I will see these beautiful children to love them in person next?

Perrin, 2, and Ayla, 4

Perrin, 2, and Ayla, 4

Ayla. We introduced here to you as Miss Marvelous.

We introduced her to you as Miss Marvelous. Her name is Ayla. She’s a princess.

Perrin

Perrin. She loves going to school.

All photos by Travis Hylton
Copyright 2014 Rebekah Luke

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Uncle Pete the storyteller

10 03 2014

Today I want to applaud and give a shout out to DH, or my Darling Husband as he is known here, Papa to his granddaughters in Italy, and Uncle Pete to others. Something very special occurred on Friday during his day at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu where he has been a volunteer docent for about eight years.

Just when he wondered how effective he was with school children, an age group he has only recently addressed in his role as a docent, the Museum’s education staff passed him some mail. “Here.”

He phoned me at the studio at the end of the day with excitement in his voice, “What do you want for dinner? I want to celebrate! Check out my Facebook page.” I read:

A couple weeks ago we gave an hour docent tour to a group of 4th graders from Iolani School. Today I share this book of letters addressed to Uncle Pete, not only giving thanks but validating that these folks listened and reflect. A very humbling and wonderful gift. Mahalo kids from Iolani.

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You may click on the photo to enlarge the letter from Josh.

Uncle Pete with the book of thank you notes from Iolani School fourth graders

Uncle Pete in front of Hawaiian Hall at the Bishop Museum with the book of thank you notes from Iolani School fourth graders (Photo by Taueva Fa’otusia)

Of course he was tickled. I’ve always thought being a docent is perfect for Pete. He likes to talk a lot, and he likes history, particularly Hawaiian history. At home, his family just rolls their eyes. In fact, the baby would move her lips with her fingers for that rude sound when she was tired of her Papa talking so much!

But at the Museum, Uncle Pete has a new audience every time. The average length of a docent tour is 25 minutes. He really has to convey the facts and hit his marks. No editorializing! Do you really want to know the history of Hawai‘i in just ten minutes? Uncle Pete can tell you. A whole hour with the fourth graders? He must really have been in his element and enjoyed every minute.

After reading the congratulatory comments from friends on the Facebook post, I have to agree Pete is a gifted storyteller, and the thanks is well deserved. I am so glad his talent and generosity were recognized in this way.

Copyright 2014 Rebekah Luke
Uncle Pete Krape’s regular docent tours at the Bishop Museum are on Friday afternoon in Hawaiian Hall.

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Honors for Ivalee Sinclair

22 02 2014

The Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii honored my hanai mother Ivalee Sinclair tonight at a dinner at the Pacific Beach Hotel.

Mom was the founder of Hawaii’s advocate groups for learning disabled people and their families in Hawaii more than 40 years ago, obtaining Federal funding and legislation for support in subsequent years, and making sure services were consistent with the law.

Tonight she was honored for “her vision, her guts, and her drive for the organization,” working tirelessly for many years, and she was recognized as “a legend, historian, and feared advocate.”

The Learning Disabilities Association of Hawaii named a new library center of resources for parents after her. Ivalee’s family was there to help celebrate.

Pictured below are, from left, me, Julie (Mrs. Karl) Sinclair, Ivalee Sinclair, Cherie (Mrs. David) Sinclair, and Dawn Yoshimura (Mrs. Brian Sinclair).

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The Sinclair men are David, from left, Karl, James, and Brian.

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Copyright 2014 Rebekah Luke


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Ask

18 01 2014

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. – Matthew 7:7

One’s birthday, the actual date, is when I think most people want something special to celebrate it. Even when you get to my age. It’s true, isn’t it? Admit it. Okay, I thought so!

As my birthday is soon after Christmas and New Year’s, it doesn’t bother me too much that people remember it belatedly. For years now I celebrate all month long. January is my birthday month. 😉

So when the earliest appointment I could get with a cardiologist to learn about some test results was on the 9th, my birthday, I took it.

The cardio tests were done to clear me for surgery the day before New Year’s Eve–the removal of a (thankfully!) benign mass from my colon.

I was “cleared” for the operation that was the priority, but I still wanted to ask what the tests showed because I was given a complete cardio work up and because I had “heart scares” in the past. What did my cardiovascular system look like now?

Bless his heart, the physician spent 60 minutes drawing diagrams and explaining everything. He was passionate about teaching patients about how wonderful the human body is. The bottom line: my heart is A-okay! Don’t worry, just keep active, he said. Oh, boy, that and the fact that my colon was cancer-free was the best birthday present I could have!

After that my Reiki sister and friend Lori took DH and me out for lunch: dim sum at a fancy restaurant. These are the images from her camera.

20140118-212312.jpgIf that wasn’t enough, on the way home DH said we would stop for some new plants for the garden.

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It was my idea to renovate the raised vegetable beds at the Studio. I sent out an evite to my friends to join Rebekah’s Birthday Green Team that weekend, explaining that I needed help.

Recovery from surgery takes about 4 to 6 weeks, and my surgeon said I was allowed to ask other people to do things for me. Really?

It was short notice, but several of my buddies adjusted their schedules and showed up. Wow, what a big help they were! What a garden transformation! Below is the “after” photo.

All I had to do was ask. Thank you!

(Pictured below, from left: Pat, Karen, me, and Piʻikea. Tomato, basil, arugula, cilantro, romaine, eggplant, rosemary, garlic chives, mint, turmeric, oregano, pineapple, parsley, Hawaiian chili pepper. – Pete Krape, photographer)

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Categories : About me, Friends & Family, Reiki Healing

Ula the Cat; she’s back

13 01 2014

Ula the Cat is back. When Pua the bigger dog came to live with us, Ula became a nervous wreck and moved out. One dog, okay, but not two!

When Ula disappeared, DH and I thought she had gone away to die, as cats do. We looked everywhere for her until I spotted her resting quietly under the front porch, largely hidden from view by ferns.

I crawled around under the steps for awhile with food and water. Then we tipped an old ice chest sideways to create better shelter and a level place for Ula to hang out. From that spot she had a 180-degree view. No way would she come back into the house.

DH got tired of serving Ula there, so he moved the ice chest to ON the porch. Not rain proof. Not sat.

Here’s a photo of the current fix designed by DH, a handmade hardwood and granite table to go over the ice chest.

Whenever Ula is not in her box, as she wasn’t this morning, we worry. But now she’s back again. She will pad up to the front screen door to meow for breakfast, but still no further. She is used to being the Queen.

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Be well! Hauʻoli Makahiki 2014!

4 01 2014

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Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!
As you can see after a brief rest between Christmas and New Year’s, we are well, and I hope you are too. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes.
DH and I have a few more days with the kids before they return to Italy. That means most likely we’ll be planning another trip to Europe in 2014. Something to look forward to. Priorities, you know!
Miss Marvelous and her younger sister came over to play and have lunch today. This afternoon we’ll take a ride over the mountain to visit GG – great grandma – and round up a few more presents from under the tree. Yes, Christmas can be every day. 🙂
Love,
Popo


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Make a wish, Papa!

20 12 2013

Miss Marvelous, 4, came to DH’s birthday dinner tonight. She’d taken a two-hour nap during the day and was allowed to stay up past her regular bedtime. The surprise treat was an after-dinner show she put on entitled “The Adorable Show” starring the dogs Alice Brown and Pua.

... Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Papa ...

“…Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Papa, happy birthday to you!”

"Now make a wish and blow out the candles!"

“Now make a wish and blow out the candles!”

Copyright 2013 Rebekah Luke

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