Virtual Labor Day, Vicarious Golf, Nullified Workout, Steamed Minnie

[Note: This is another blog based on my weekly emails to my family on the mainland.] 

9/11/21 (An anniversary to be remembered but not celebrated)

Aloha Everybody --

When we lived in Ohio we almost always marked the end of summer by going to the massive fireworks display on Labor Day, held on the Ohio River in Cincinnati.  This was a hugely popular event, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators who would line the river bank to watch the show.  Despite the crowds I always thought it was worth it to get as close as possible – to feel the booms and experience how huge some of the fireworks were.  We handled the crowded conditions and inevitable traffic problems by arriving close to show time, leaving our car parked far away, then hustling back to the car afterwards and beating most of the traffic out of the downtown area.

The show was canceled last year, though they set off the fireworks at another site that was kept secret so that people wouldn’t try to congregate. The local tv channel recorded the display and broadcast it.  

This year the event returned to the river, despite the rise in Covid cases.  Our friends in Ohio with whom we usually attended were leery of going, even though they are both vaccinated, but decided to see how close they could get without getting into a really crowded situation.  It turned out the attendance was down so much that they were able to enjoy the show fairly close to the action.  They sent us the link to the televised version and it was AWESOME.  We hooked up our Ipad to the tv and ran the sound through our good speakers, with the volume cranked a bit high – not quite as good as being there but much safer.

Karen and her friend from Oregon played golf on Monday at another course.  This one was further up

Makani Golf Course

north and almost as beautiful as her favorite one closer to Kailua.  The weather was again gorgeous for them, and Karen again did quite well.  She also saw a mating pair of Nenes, the first of the season.  I enjoyed all this vicariously through Karen’s photos and texts.

Pizza at Sunset

 

On Tuesday we joined our friend for pizza, sitting on her shoreline lanai watching the sunset. She left on Wednesday morning but will return in December for another short visit.

That same night our Mazda got steamed –it looks like the radiator has developed a leak and will probably have to be replaced.  Minnie will go in for surgery on Monday, along with my wallet. I’ll let you know how this turns out.

On Thursday we did our usual workout at Planet Fitness, then completely nullified the benefits with lunch at Quinn’s Almost by the Sea restaurant.  Despite the self-depricating name, this is one of the oldest and most successful restaurants along the waterfront, and very popular with locals.  It is a stone’s through from the bay but has absolutely no view of the water – or of anything else.  However, the atmosphere is about as friendly and welcoming as you can get, and our lunch was delicious – blackened fish tacos with possibly the best fries in town, boneless Kalbi ribs, and a very good draft beer.  We took half home for dinner, and as soon as it was in the refrigerator we both took a long nap.  That’s my kind of workout!

We are still on track to go on our trip to Mexico.  Covid there remains much lower than here, and their downward trend in cases has continued.  Tomorrow we are going to try to get booster shots.  We think we qualify, but we will have to convince the pharmacy of that.  Again, I’ll let ou know.

Ok, that’s about it.  There is way too much strife, natural and unnatural disasters, and just plain craziness right now.  Take a deep breath (not in the presence of an anti-vaxer/anti-masker) and try to concentrate on whatever is good in your life.