Richly Blessed

Monday, November 8, 2010

FLORENCE
A Wine Parade happening just outside our Hotel Window. Some sort of Celebration of the Grape Harvest.

In front of Hotel Brunellecci.

At the LDS branch in Florence

One of our famous pasta dinners...just after Shari and I got 'lost' diamond shopping!

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HAWAII POEM

HAWAII ONE-ONE

The holidays over a new year begun,

It was looking like time for some fun in the sun!

Lindsay’s call with a ‘deal’ to Hawaii one day,

Had us packing our bags without any delay!

Off to the airport before break of dawn,

Swimming suits packed and sunglasses on!

Eldredges, Riches and Lindsays took flight,

Couples one, two and three, what a glorious sight!

Kona or ‘bust’ was the get-away cry,

The big blue Pacific our view from the sky!

A perfect landing on Hawaii’s big ‘Isle’

We were off to the Marriott, Waikoloa style!

Should we wait for our rooms or go straight to the pool,

‘Waste not the sun’ was the general rule!

Quick to the courtesy room for a change,

We’d left winter for summer, how ‘happily’ strange!

Met at the pool, relaxed and renewed,

Anyone needing a drink or some food?

Fresh mango smoothies, salsa and chips

Then with sunscreen applied, to the water for ‘dips’!

Look, a kids slide, now does that not look fun,

How ‘bout it guys, hey, don’t everyone run!

But then with some coaxing cute Cynth, she did go,

Down, down the big slide to the coolness below!

Bruce and Brent too, then Jim and Joanne,

Shari would just rather work on her ‘tan’!

Beautiful scenery, so lucky to be,

Here on Hawaii in sheer luxury!

What a beautiful place, a sunset sublime,

Unpacked and showered, could it be ‘dinnertime’?

Kings Shops and Marimans outdoor café

A delicious end to a fabulous day!

Next day to the beach for a swim or a run,

Saw sea turtles taking their naps in the sun!

Lounges for reading and chatting and knitting

Sunning and snacking, and sometimes just sitting!

Bruce, ‘King Snorkel’, assembled his gear,

‘Prince Heime’ joined in, both with nothing to fear!

Back to report, both dropping their jaws,

“We saw …humu humu, nuku nuku apua’a’s”!!!!!

Brent and Cynthia serving fruit by the sea,

Talk about life being slightly ‘carefree’!

Then Shari and Jo thought it just about time,

To find us another great place to ‘fine-dine’!

Back to our rooms, all dressed up and…presto,

We ended up seated at restaurant ‘Pesto’!

Delicious pizza and fish served up clever,

And ‘yum’, apple crisp, the very best EVER!

On the ride home feeling full, all the same,

It seemed a good time for the travel song game!

Everyone joining, but to our delight,

Shari took over in vocal cord flight!

Mahalo for the day (that’s Hawaii Isles lingo)

But how ‘bout a quick game of Jim and Jo’s bingo?

Jimbo our caller, showed keen discipline,

But darn it that Shari did nothing but…WIN!

Then back again to our fluffy ‘cloud’ beds,

Grateful for rest and a home for our heads!

Up the next morning assembled to tour,

The fabulous Hilton hotel, right next door!

Flip flopping whales on our route by the beach,

Wonder of wonders as we’d watch them breach!

What’s this, a sign in the lava, uncanny!

A tribute to Jim and Jo’s 34^th ‘Anni’!

Brunch at the Hilton, again we were ‘eating’,

But when on vacation why not do some treating!

Then more of a beautiful day in sea air

While it snows back at home, Bishop B says that’s fair!

Dinner at Sensei, with Japanese flavor,

Another delightful-some cuisine to savor!

Island entertainment outside at Queens Court!

Thursday already, our time’s running short!

Not too tired for a few games of ‘Pit’,

Diving for spoons ‘till we just had to quit!

More prizes to win but was it getting ‘dull’,

That Shari was winning much more, overall?

Friday dawned to more lovely blue sky,

Brent and Jim set a ‘tee time’ near by!

But first into Kona to eat and explore,

Bubba Gumps lunch, then shopping some more!

Walks down the beach and snorkel time still,

Where there’s a way, for some there’s a will!

Sunning and swimming we walked and we read,

Storing it up for the cold week ahead!

Is there a buffet, could we possibly EAT,

Oh yeh, if there serving prime rib and crab meat!

Jim was appalled at the gluttonous site,

Of some pilling crab on their plates thru the night!

To full and relaxed for game time and so,

To bed couples one two and three all did go!

What, is it Saturday, no it can’t be,

Not much time left to be footloose and free!

Next day up for tennis, the Riches will try,

To take on the Eldredges, do it or die!

Cynthia, Brent…please, company manners,

We fought a good fight, ok, we got hammered!

But go Heime go, go in for the ‘kill’,

Brent and Jim battled with razor sharp skill!

A fight to the finish, Jim barely squeezed by

With a 5 to 4 win over Brent, that’s my guy!

Sublime ambiance for our holiday stay,

More sun, more relaxing just any old way!

A final snorkel for Jim, Bruce and Jo,

Touched a sea turtle (don’t tell)….way to go!

Shari and Bruce reserved Roys for the night,

Gourmet hors d’oeuvres, molten chocolate delight!

Company grand, conversation so easy,

Palm trees so restful, sea air light and breezy!

Sunday arrived with NO EXTRA meetings,

Church in Waimea to ‘Alo-ha’ greetings!

Meaningful talks and music with ‘zest’,

A ‘Rich’ was our speaker, ‘twas all just the best!

Restaurant ‘Bamboo’ was Brent’s recommend,

So to ‘Hawi’ to eat after church times end!

Eggs benedict, a delectable treat,

Cute hula dancer with cash at her feet!

Then off to a place I think called ‘Po-o-lu’,

Of the cliffs, sea and mountains, a wonderful view,

Another great day with nary a ‘bump’,

Then back to our place, as Bruce said, ‘what a dump’!

On the Sabbath one rests, that’s the general rule,

But who is that in the infinity pool?

Don’t worry, your secret is kept safe and well,

Not to mention some others things no one should tell!

What happens on trips should stay on trips too,

The strange things and funnies we all say and do!

But surely one thing we will always recall,

Were friendships shared and camaraderie with all!

A final walk as the Kona sun set!

Guess we have to head back to the mainland, and yet,

Isn’t it nice that we’re got things to do,

Work, family and weddings and callings, wahoo!

With Monday upon us and packing complete,

All insisted a buffet should be out ‘last’ eat!

Full and content though a bit melancholy,

We arrived at the airport, our grand trip finale!

An easy flight to San Fran, planes to switch,

But then the trip hit a bit of a ‘hitch’!

A broken part on our plane was our test,

A motel for the night was where we would rest!

Up the next morning and off without care,

Quick to Salt Lake and the brisk winter air!

Safely home to our dear families

Three cheers for responsibilities!

So happy to share such a marvelous week,

Grateful for change, for sun and for treats,

Here’s to more years ‘tripping off’ for a rest,

Making memories with friends who are simply ‘the best’!

Jpr

January 2011

Richly Blessed

Monday, November 8, 2010

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