I will never take my washer and dryer for granted again! When I had a nice home with a laundry room and a utility sink, I found it a chore to do laundry. Confession here: I’m not really that into cleaning. I miss my biweekly housekeeper too. If I could, I would hire one to clean the treehouse, hehe. No mom, unfortunately I did not take after you in that way. My home is clean enough...
Now, I have to use precious hours in my day—hours in which I could be writing, reading walking the dogs, taking naps, making meals or doing yoga—shlepping my laundry to the laundry mat down the hill. Collecting quarters along the way. Now, I am grateful that I have the quarters and a place to clean my clothes. It’s all about perspective.
Meanwhile, I have a laptop that I am extremely grateful for and I can write while my clothes take a spin. I suppose since Stephan King wrote Carrie on a child’s desk in the tight quarters of a laundry room in a rented trailer before he made it big, I’m on the right track!
I’m feeling a little discouraged about writing. I know I’m a newbie, I need to learn the ropes. I know I will get a lot of rejection letters before I get an acceptance one. I know I am lucky to have writing jobs that pay as it is. It still frustrates me when I craft a query letter, even send in a sample or two of an idea, and I hear nothing back. I would like a formal rejection please. I will persevere. It will happen someday. And, just like my promise to be kind to new comers on the island, I promise to at least send a formal rejection letter or have one of my people do it!
We have the great fortune of being friends with a wine shop owner. Tuesday he called and asked us if we wanted to come to his house for an impromptu wine tasting. We spent a fun evening with friends old and new, in a beautiful home sampling 4 wines. The most expensive bottle was $1000!!! The rest were $300 to $500!!! Our friend has a client who has a “small” 3000 bottle cellar here and she wants him to tell her what wines need to be drank and when. Tough job!
I am unbelievably fortunate in many ways. I miss my folks dearly. I know this move has been tough on them and I know they miss Dan and I a lot. I hear it in my mother’s voice every time we say goodbye. I’m sorry mom, I didn’t mean to hurt you.
I feel your love and concern thousands of miles away and appreciate all the little things you guys do to show your love and support. From sending me a magazine that I can’t find on this island because we have no longer have a book store and I need to do research, to sending thoughtful birthday cards, my favorite chewing gum, or our down comforter. I really appreciate the countless hours you spend listening to my small triumphs. I am grateful Susan is there to love and take care of you.
I am also grateful for my husband. He works hard, very hard to bring income into this household while encouraging me to stay home and write. He still finds the energy to spoil me with little things. Opening the jeep door for me to get in, getting me a blanket or glass of water, running to the store for chocolate covered macadamia nuts, easing my worried mind with his strength and courage, lightening my load with his laughter.
It seems that stripping away our comforts of money and stuff has unearthed the true gems in my life. The ones that really matter. I also have my health, my dogs and I live in paradise! We may be poor monetarily but we are rich in things that really matter!
Mahi mahi wrapped in prochuitto with pesto, white beans and a saffron broth at the East Side in Kapaa
Speaking about being grateful: Dan and I came home all fat and happy after doing a restaurant review at The East Side. After we watched a movie, we got on Facebook and Dan saw a posting for the tsunami. We spent the night safely tucked in the treehouse and glued to the TV and Facebook watching things unfold. We set the computer up in the bedroom and fell asleep watching about an hour before the wave hit. Thankfully we live high enough no damage was done on Kauai. Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers and mom don’t worry! If one hits we’ll be ok—it’s just the following days would be a challenge. The day after our local DJ said, “Lucky we are all alive, breathe it in Kauai.”
I came across this quote and thought I’d share.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
~ Nelson Mandela
Aloha Nui Loa
