Blog Archives

Unnecessary Stuff

4/28/2013

GINGER FLOWER

Wonderfully aromatic flowers blossom in our yard every day of the year on beautiful Kauai .. lending truth to the name given this wondrous place .. The Garden Island. Since Kauaiians are also fortunate to enjoy what is possibly the best weather on our planet, we can sit inside our homes with the windows open year round, enjoying the heady fragrances and perfume of these tropical beauties.

SPIRAL GARDENIAS

The beautiful aroma of ginger flowers accompanied my morning coffee today. It was a peaceful morning that stimulated a bit of thinking.

Over the last few months I've noticed just how much stuff is around the house. In fact, there is an over abundant supply of stuff.   I mean really, how many different varieties of our basics do we need .. isn't one of everything sufficient? And how many appliances do we need .. have we really become so "electrified" in our daily lives that we can no longer perform the most basic culinary tasks without a compact industrial device which slices, dices, chops, shreds, and macerates Mother Natures bounty for us?   And clothing .. don't even get me started .. I've got socks and underwear in bottoms of drawers that haven't seen the light of day in years. Go look .. bet you have them too. Let's face it, we are a society of purchasers and we have a lot of stuff.

I'm not judging  or saying it's a bad thing to have stuff. Get all the stuff you want. But something happened today .. a brief flash of reality .. a glaringly obvious sign I may have gone over the edge, into the abyss reserved for people with too much stuff.

While enjoying my coffee, accompanied by the incredible aroma of ginger flowers, I took a moment and walked into the bathroom.

Now remember .. I live on the Garden Island .. heaven on earth .. flowers every day of the year .. scintillating nose candy which is ever present .. beauties like this ....

PLUMERIA

As I walked into the bathroom and glanced around, the question of whether we have too much stuff or not was immediately and definitively answered.  I knew my ultimate goal of becoming comfortably poor was in grave jeopardy.  Reality struck like a bolt of lightning. If I continue living like this, I will forever be bound and ruled by stuff. Not just stuff, but the ultimate demon Unnecessary Stuff .

                            You are not going to believe this ..

UNNECESSARY STUFF

                                           I am so screwed.

What is your Unnecessary Stuff?   Please Click Here and share your Unnecessary Stuff with the rest of us. I can't imagine anyone having something as unnecessary as a can of febreze Hawaiian Aloha house spray while living on the Garden Island, but something tells me each one of you will find an item of totally frivolous Unnecessary Stuff ...

From Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Aloha et Au revoir
Bill

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Navigating on two wheels

4/27/2013

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Upon arrival at our Kalaheo Post Office this morning, I was greeted by the sight of this seemingly impossible situation. Not having time to stay for the outcome, one can only wonder what became of the perplexing situation the motorcycle rider was facing. Can you imagine coming to check the mail on your moto and discovering you've just received a pile of boxes as large as the moto itself! How I wish I could have stayed for the final performance.

Moto riders are an amazing breed. I'm reminded of the daredevil antics of Parisian riders who fly through unbelievably small gaps between cars at speeds no sane person can fathom. They are most assuredly the bravest of the brave or the craziest of the crazy. In either case, they are always the first to reach their destination .. because they dare think big and have no fear of taking actions necessary to get where they are going.

Something tells me the Post Office Moto Rider found a way .. as do most who are brave enough to navigate life on two wheels .. taking that extra risk to be the first arrival at their destination.

Do you think these Moto Maniacs also "unwind" on two wheels of a different genre?   Reveling in the breeze on their faces while enjoying sights, sounds, and aromas not possible to experience while flying down a highway at supersonic speeds? Is this the ultimate reward for their bravery?

I choose to envision the perfect day for Moto Riders as a soft and silent ride down the beach on a machine designed for reward and recognition of a life lived with gusto. No heavy loads or burdens, only a small basket to carry the essentials for happiness.

Whether you are flying down the highway or peddling down the beach .. live life on two wheels with no fear and you will be the first to reach your goal ...

From Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

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Life

4/26/2013

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The magnificent San Juan mountains of Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Have you ever wondered if our existence begins like a great mountain .. then life comes along and works its magic .. tossing and rolling us from one place to another ... ?

Coastline on Kauai's south shore

... taking everything that is unnecessary as it forms us into a compact and unique individual form, leaving each newly crafted person as a ...

... Happy Little Rock

I wish a "rockin" day for You! Remember, you are unique ... tossed and turned by Life into "one of a kind" perfection. Now get out there and Rock n' Roll ! Your unique self is needed .....

From Kauai to Paris ... and everywhere between

Aloha et Au revoir
Bill

Got a Rock story to share? .. click here to Comment

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French Girls, Horses, and Tonton Bill

4/25/2013

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Carla et Maude

Carla et Maude .. daughters of my dearest friends in France. They are a joy to me and I proudly wear the name "Tonton Bill" next to my heart.

Two daughters of the same blood, but so different. Carla is the adventurer .. with energy that seems to be unbounded. Maude is the intellect .. the deep thinker. I'm certain both are destined for full, rich, colorful lives. That is my dream for them.

Having watched these two young ladies grow since the day they were born has been an incredible experience. Each time I return to France, they surprise me with new found wisdom, flourishing talent, and depths of knowledge I could never have foreseen. I'm proud of them, inspired by them, and love them as if they were my own daughters. What a gift .. I will always be thankful to my dear friends for sharing their family with me. Merci, Philippe et Veronique .. Merci Beaucoup.

But this post is not about the sentimental ramblings of a proud "Uncle" .. this post is about empowered women and their horses.

Last May, while staying in Versailles, I was invited by Philippe & Veronique to attend an afternoon equestrian event in which youngest daughter Carla (on left in photo above) was scheduled to participate. This day was an unforgettable experience and a unique view of a generation of empowered young French women exhibiting a competitive nature and skillset I could have never envisioned. One could feel the competitive spirit in the air from the moment we parked our car and walked onto the grounds of the meticulously manicured and austere riding club. This was serious business.

Precise preparation .. and ever present cell phone

There was a dignified quietness about the event, a reserve I have always found very attractive about the French .. and there was also a very strong and focused energy which was unmistakable. These young ladies had come to compete. From her preparation at home to the gathering of her horse and equipment at the club, I knew Carla was here to win, and it was obvious the other young ladies were of similar mind.

Preparations prior to the event

It felt wonderful to be outside on this beautiful day with my dear friends .. here to celebrate Carla's equestrian accomplishments and support her. Seeing the camaraderie amongst the participants was equally as uplifting .. reminding me that this generation of sophisticated young ladies is certainly as socially adept as previous generations, if not more so.

Preparing to enter the arena and enjoying the day

Like Amazons .. they prepare for battle

With preparations underway and we adults "in the way", it was time to "make our way" to the arena and await the arrival of all contestants. I regret that I was not thinking fast enough to capture the entrance, but I'm happy the brain cells kicked in as the competition began and I was able to capture a small portion of the action on video for you. Click Here to enjoy a unique and exhilarating bit of action, as provided by the young ladies of the riding club and their fantastic ponies.

Proud Mama Veronique (center) capturing the action for future memories

The pre-event parade

The competition

Carla (left) on her mighty steed

I'm happy to report that Tonton Bill's pride and joy won the day! You can Click Here to enjoy another short video of the final event, and the Victory Celebration and Award Ceremony.
It was a wonderful day. Philippe and Veronique were obviously very proud of their youngest daughter .. as was Tonton Bill.

But what about Maude? Do you really think I would chance writing about one and not the other? Not in a million years. The Intellect .. The Reserved Daughter .. The eldest, with dreams of success and potential beyond description. What about Maude?
Maude has her mind set on a "Horse" of a different type. I suspect she will also Win the Day .. that is my dream for her.

Magnificent Maude .. with her future pony

Happiness is not the place we visit nor the attractions we see .. It is the love we share outside ourselves for all Humanity ...

From Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Aloha et Au revoir,
Bill

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Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion

4/20/2013

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Kristin et Jean-Marc Espinasse

Real estate is my bread and butter. Because of this wonderful lifestyle, I have been blessed to travel, own a nice home, help others who need more than myself, and have a comfortable existence on a daily basis. But deep within I dream of achieving something significant .. something based on "higher" ideals than simply making a living .. something creative to stir emotional response inside another human being. This blog is one vehicle for that dream.

So few of us truly live our passion. So many of us go through life on a false treadmill of "One of these days" and "I'll do it when I have the time" .. slowly letting life slip by without making the perceived sacrifices necessary to do what we love on a daily basis.  We were each given gifts beyond imagination .. gifts we bury beneath the all too common misperception that "work" is not meant to be fun, or uplifting, or celebrated every moment of our lives. What a wonderful dictionary of life it will be when the word "work" is replaced by "creativity".

I often remark to others that I am deeply envious of Child Prodigies .. those who were born with a gift so deeply entrenched in their souls that they have complete and total focus .. nothing can dissuade them from the inner passion and drive to excel. They know ... their life is a fantastic mission to reach the full potential of an innate gift. These fortunate few were blessed, for whatever reason, to reach heights of the human capability. I believe they were gifted in order to provide an example to the rest of us .. an example that clearly shows the possibilities available if we will simply cast all the false trappings aside and give ourselves completely to what we know to be our unique and personal blessings.

Aside from those born with innate knowledge, there are those few who "find" their passion, recognize what they must do in order to realize their potential, and live a life filled with joy, gratification, and fulfillment. Many of us recognize these truths .. few are then willing to make the necessary adjustments and changes to bring the creative life to fruition. Those few are who the masses aspire to be .. reaching great heights of joy only available to enlightened persons and their creativity .. creativity which only blossoms after  it is recognized then acted upon. My personal goal is to be one of them.

In my experience, and maybe only my own faulted experience, one of the stumbling blocks to reaching this goal of being creative and happy is the odd human trait of possessiveness. We humanoids seem to be very guarded about sharing the most treasured entities in our lives.  The simple act of introducing a best friend to another, a favorite restaurant, music we feel is "ours", special experiences that for some odd reason we feel will be diminished of importance when told to others. And, having become aware of this disturbing trait in myself and others, I have simultaneously begun to notice an absence of that quirk in many of those I consider to be evolved into that rare strata of "living their passion on a daily basis". This post is to honor, thank, and recognize one such person and her extraordinary husband, Kristin and Jean-Marc Espinasse.

You all know I love France, and in loving France I spend many hours pouring over "things French" on the web. Some years ago I came across a wonderful website, titled French-Word-A-Day. To compact a very long story into a very short statement .. I've been a transfixed and loyal follower of Kristin's "work/passion" ever since. As I followed her blog, I soon became aware of her husband, Master Vintner Jean-Marc. If Kristin's writing had not been enough (and it was .. and it is), after tasting the wonderful wines Jean-Marc was producing in The Vaucluse I knew I had to go meet these extraordinary people on my next trip to Paris .. and I did .. and I found two wonderful new friends. Today I recognize them .. I recognize them because they deserve to be recognized .. I recognize them because in order for me to be like them, that mantel of possessiveness must be lifted from my life. Recognizing another is a great gift .. one that I intend to practice fervently on a daily basis .. join me, I think you will like it.

Kristin Espinasse began her blog in 1999 and she is my absolute heroine as applied to those words in todays title .. Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion. While raising a family, renovating homes, living in a new country, and who knows what other possible life distractions may have been there, Kristin has steadfastly followed her passion for writing and has become one of my favorite contemporary writers on the planet.  I won't talk about her blog because I don't really feel I would do it justice. I do invite you to click here and view what I have been possessively guarding for many years .. and when you get there, subscribe to her blog and enjoy many, many days of the joy she shares with her following of over 40,000 readers.

Now, Kristin and Jean-Marc have no idea I am posting this today. I took the photo of them at their previous home and invited Kristin to utilize it .. thankfully she hasn't done that, so I have the pleasure and honor! They are both lovely, and humble about their accomplishments .. so I do hope I'll be forgiven for this blatant photo release.

Thank You, Kristin, for demonstrating that our Muse can be found. Thank You, Kristin, for being a wonderful example of giving and sharing with your words .. baring yourself with no fear, for all to see. And Thank You, Kristin, for being an inspiration to me .. proving that Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion are a reality when we dare to master our given gifts. I am freed by your excellent example of sharing.

Jean-Marc ... Thank You for being the rock and providing the loving and nurturing home where your family can continue to be enlightened and special. Famille Espinasse is a gift to all .....

From Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

Please click here to visit French-Word-A-Day

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Uncle

4/12/2013

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My first Tropicana Rose with early morning Kauai dew .. perfect!

One of the most special occasions I've ever experience on Kauai is the first time a young person called me "Uncle". In all the many places I've visited in my life, nothing comes close to this respectful term given from a younger person to an older person. I call many persons older than me "Auntie" and "Uncle" as a matter of respecting their wisdom gathered over a lifetime which exceeds my own .. it is commonplace on this wondrous island I call home. I am so very thankful to the people of Kauai for allowing me to be part of this traditional greeting. Just speaking the words is uplifting and meaningful beyond measure. I was at a loss for words the first time I was referred to as "Uncle" and that single act solidified my relationship with a culture I still marvel at. So giving are the Hawaiians .. such wonderful teachers of what Humanity is meant to be. I am forever grateful for their gifts and how those gifts have made me a better person over the last twenty six years.

Yesterday I met with my tax advisor .. yes, it's that time of the year again. In preparation of that meeting I spent the previous day getting everything together. Every year it's the same thing; waiting until the last minute them "cramming" as if I were a college student preparing for the big exam. I spent a full 14 hours at the task, until 3:30 in the morning, hoping beyond hope I wouldn't owe an arm and a leg. I'm certain this amount of preparation is completely unnecessary
if I would simply keep everything collated and organized throughout the year, but for some inexplicable reason I just never learn that lesson .. and the beat goes on .. and on .. and on.

I believe in taxes and I believe in paying my fair share. Tax monies are how we maintain our cities, counties, and countries .. so I don't squawk.  Like everyone, I still find the task of giving a portion of my hard earned money less than pleasant, but I enjoy the comforts and securities in life provided by all of us sharing the burden. However, since discovering that my portion of the burden this year could support a small country .. I have decided to stop calling Uncle Sam "Uncle". Just sayin' ....

And what does a photo of my first Tropicana Rose have to do with "Uncle" ? This morning I walked outside, stood over the newly opening beauty, then bent down to smell its enticing fragrance. When I stood again I was smiling .. reminded that all is good in the world and one need only communicate with the miracle of nature to heal all fears, uncertainties, and insignificant problems. It is that way now and has always been that way.

If your experience with "Sam" this year is on a parallel with mine .. please, reconnect with the wonders around us. I promise .. you will come away with new life, hope, and joy within your Spirit.  Like the feeling of being called "Uncle", the gift of nature is there for all of us    ......

From Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

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Unnecessary Stuff

Navigating on two wheels

Life

French Girls, Horses, and Tonton Bill

Talent, Patience, Persistence, Passion

Uncle

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