Standing Into Danger

Friday, March 21, 2025

An Unusual Place

Oʻahu⁩ continues to surprise me, and I was really surprised

when our friends Kathy and Bruce took Terry and me to an unusual place

nestled at the bottom of Oahu's lovely Ko'olau Mountains.

Pali of the Ko'olau Mountains

Valley of the Temples Memorial Park

⁨Kāneʻohe, ⁨Oʻahu⁩, Hawaiʻi⁩, ⁨United States⁩

March 14, 2025

I first knew Kathy when we attended high school,

and we reconnected a couple of years ago in Honolulu.

Since then, Kathy and her husband Bruce have been generous

with their friendship, hospitality, and time,

and they have introduced us to special places in O'ahu.

So when Kathy turned into an expansive cemetery

in Kāneʻohe on the windward side of the island,

I knew it was for a good reason.

Bruce and Kathy

Byodo-In Temple Grounds

March 14, 2025

The cemetery, Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, is the final resting place

for thousands of Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, and Catholic residents of Hawaiʻi.

And its most beautiful area contains the magnificent Byodo-In Temple.

The Byodo-In Temple at the Base of the Ko'olau Mountains

March 24, 2016

The Byodo-In Temple

The temple is a non-practicing Buddhist shrine,

a scaled-down replica of the almost 1,000-year-old Byodo-in temple in Uji, Japan.

Byodo-in Temple means “Temple of Equality – not to discriminate,"

and it welcomes all people, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The main building of the temple is the Phoenix Hall or Hoo-do.

It contains a central hall, twin wing corridors,

and a tail hallway, resembling a phoenix in flight.

Surrounding the temple are koi-filled ponds, colorful flowers,

lush greenery, and stately trees where you can wander freely.

The Tail and Right Wing of the Phoenix

An Inviting Forest Floor

Trimezia (Apostle Plant, Apostle's Iris, Fan Iris, Poor Man's Orchid, Walking Iris)

After crossing the bridge to the temple's grounds, we did what most visitors do first,

stop at the Bell House and ring its sacred bell, or bon-sho.

Doing so is said to bring you a happy, blessed, and long life.

The bell, cast from bronze and tin in Osaka, Japan,

is five feet high, weighs three tons, and rings with a calming resonance.

We each struck the bell with a soft wooden log, or shu-moku.

During our visit we continued to hear the voice of the bell rung by other hopeful people.

The Bell House and bon-sho

A good Strike!

After ringing the bon-sho, we walked to the Meditation Pavilion,

passing by koi ponds, a waterfall, and flowers running among the trees.

Terry really enjoyed relaxing in this peaceful space.

Serenity

Azaleas

Tranquility

For me, the best part of our visit, was stepping inside Phoenix Hall

and standing before the stunning Amida Buddha hovering above lotus leaves.

The nine-foot wooden statue of the Buddha is covered with gold lacquer

and finished by gold leaf, giving it a lustrous sheen.

Directly behind the Buddha are smaller sculptures of bodhisattvas, or enlightened beings.

The Amida Buddha represents the teachings of Buddhism about life and death.

I am not a Buddhist, but I felt a profound calmness looking at the serene Buddha.

The Amida Buddha Surrounded by Bodhisattvas

After leaving this deeply spiritual space, we wandered around the beautiful grounds

spending time with our good friends Kathy and Bruce.

Terry and Bruce Exploring

Kathy and the Byodo-in Temple

It's hard to beat a special day in a special place with special friends.

I'm linking to Tom's Aloha Friday, Nicole's Friday Face Off, and Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date,

For Tom: Aloha ~ Big thrills in the beautiful land of Aloha!

Catching a Wave

Sunset Point Beach Park

Pūpūkea⁩, ⁨Hawaiʻi⁩, ⁨United States⁩

March 14, 2025

For Nicole: Koi Faces! ~ Koi fish were swimming in ponds throughout the Byodo-In Temple grounds. In Japanese culture, koi symbolize perseverance, good fortune, and courage. They are seen as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles, and are prized for their beauty and longevity.

Hungry, Hopeful Koi Looking for a Handout

Byodo-In Temple Grounds

Hawaiʻi⁩, ⁨United States⁩

March 14, 2025

A Favorite Face ~ Little Laki

Ignoring the Treats I Have for Him

International, Market Place, Waikiki, Hawaiʻi⁩, ⁨United States⁩

March 15, 2025

For Rain: Microphone ~ I always enjoy seeing Rich Embry of Alter Ego LV when I'm in Las Vegas. Alter Ego performs downtown on Fremont Street along with other talented bands.

Rich Embry

Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

July 18, 2023

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be

Friday, March 28, 2025 🤞

On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved

Friday, March 14, 2025

Out on the Water

When Graves Eye Disease scrambled my vision in 2021,

one of the things that kept me going was the thought of getting on a paddleboard again.

Standup Paddleboarding

Waikīkī Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

March 24, 2016

I had last gone paddleboarding in March 2016,

never expecting that travel changes, the pandemic,

and Graves disease would keep me from enjoying the sport so long.

Standup Paddleboarding

Waikīkī , Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

March 24, 2016

Last spring when I had successful strabismus eye surgery,

I asked all my doctors if I could go paddleboarding again.

"Yes," said my surgeon, as did my endocrinologist and primary care doctor.

So with great anticipation I signed up in advance for a refresher lesson

with Waikīkī Beach Services at the Sheraton Waikīkī.

Thinking I had lots of time, I had been swimming lengths in the Royal Kuhio's pool.

But when my lesson day and hour arrived,

the trade winds had blown in after days and days of calm.

Usually the trade winds bring cooling breezes, lower humidity, and pleasant weather.

But this time the winds were strong and gusty, whipping up the waves and currents.

Nevertheless, I went for it, with the guidance of a patient instructor named Tyler.

Tyler Giving Me the Refresher Course

Waikīkī Beach Services at the Sheraton Waikīkī

March 5, 2025

Tyler

Waikīkī Beach Services at the Sheraton Waikīkī

March 5, 2025

Tyler Giving Me the Refresher Course

Waikīkī Beach Services at the Sheraton Waikīkī

March 5, 2025

Into the Water

Terry was there to support me and take photos,

and our friend Janeth from Ottawa was there to cheer me on.

Janeth rode Slotzilla with me in Vegas last year,

but she was not going near a paddleboard.

Tyler Giving Me the Refresher Course

Waikīkī Beach Services at the Sheraton Waikīkī

March 5, 2025

Getting Ready to Fly Like Superman

Fremont Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

March 27, 2024

Terry did his best to capture photos, but he forgot how to zoom and was shooting portraits.

Nevertheless, he did catch me standing up on the paddleboard.

Actually I stood up at least 12 times, but I kept getting knocked down,

once head over heels off the back of the board into the ocean.

We kept swimming to a sandy spot near the Royal Hawaiian breakwater,

and the current kept sweeping us back to the Sheraton to the west.

But what fun!

On the Water

As you can see, no one else was on the water paddleboarding or surfing.

Tyler was cheering me on, saying "You're 99% there!"

I'd be up and down I'd go. Over and Over. 😂

On the Water

But Terry managed to catch the shot I wanted most,

me standing up, even if it was only for five seconds.

On the Water

After about forty minutes, my muscles were seizing up.

So, I reluctantly said I'd have to try again another day.

We chatted side by side on our boards as the currents swept us

from the Royal Hawaiian breakwater back to the Sheraton Waikīkī's landing spot.

We had a great conversation trading stories about ourselves,

and I was so comfortable I chanted my hula Permission Chant for him.

(Obviously I was riding high from the exhilaration of being on the water. 😂)

Returning to Shore

Coming Ashore

The big hot cup of coffee I had at Starbucks afterward was so welcome!

Terry and Janeth were the best, listening as I talked while my adrenaline surge dissipated.

I felt so alive and happy!

This won't be my last time on a paddleboard!

I'm linking to Rain's Thursday Art and Dinner Date, Tom's Aloha Friday, and Nicole's Friday Face Off.

For Rain: Surfing ~ Catching a wave in an outrigger canoe is lots of fun!

Catching a Wave!

Waikīkī Beach

March 14, 2015

For Tom: Aloha ~ The beautiful land of Aloha!

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue

Waikīkī Beach

March 13, 2025

For Nicole: Feathered and Furry Faces! ~ Cheeky birds raid a bread basket at the Liliha Bakery.

Doves and Sparrows Hit the Jackpot!

Liliha Bakery at the International Market Place

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

March 6, 2025

Little Laki at Cat Café MOFF

International Market Place, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

March 1, 2025

See you next time! ❤️🌺🍀

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be

Friday, March 21st 🤞

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

IWSG: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 ~ Who or What Would I Be?

It's the first Wednesday of the month,
the day that members of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles
and writing successes
and offer their encouragement
and support to fellow writers.

To visit the IWSG website, click here.

To become a member of the IWSG, click here.

Our wonderful co-hosts who are volunteering today,
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are

Ronel Janse Van Vuuren, Pat Garcia, and Liza@Middle Passages!

Stop by their posts and thank them for hosting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer
with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.

Or, the question can inspire members
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.

Remember the question is optional.

This month's optional question is:

If for one day you could be anyone or *thing* in the world, what would it be? Describe, tell why, and any themes, goals, or values they/it inspire in you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy March, Everyone!

I hope things are going well for each of you.

The first image that popped into my mind

when I read this month's question was a red-tailed hawk.

Red-Tailed Hawk Soaring

Wikimedia ~ License

The thought completely took over me.

I could feel my wings riding the thermals rising up from the desert floor,

as I soared hawk high over Monument Valley scanning the rugged landscape below.

Monument Valley

Ralph Earlandson ~ License

This was no surprise.

I have experienced this vividly a number of times in the past, awake and in dreams.

When I first visited Monument Valley, I felt a powerful connection to the landscape.

For a while I thought that I might have genetic ties to the Navajo or the Anasazi.

Nope, tests confirmed not a drop of indigenous blood in my past, recently or deep in time.

My dreams had me soaring above the magnificent rocks,

and then I thought, perhaps, it was the geologist in me searching for an aerial view.

The Three Sisters in Monument Valley

I have stood above them on the mesa and looked down.

by Dsdugan Wikimedia ~ License

And then one day, in a profoundly relaxed state during a massage,

I became one with a red-tailed hawk.

I was that hawk riding the thermals in Monument Valley,

and suddenly I realized that the red-tailed hawk is my spirit animal.

Red-Tailed Hawk

by AstroDoc Wikimedia ~ License

I know, this sounds ridiculous. I've told myself that many times.

But I can't shake that intuition, that compelling feeling.

Over and over I have soared as a red-tailed hawk.

I've looked into what this means over the years,

and I have come to interpret these vivid red-tailed hawk experiences

as signs of my unending desire to learn and my ability to see the larger picture,

as reminders to trust my powerful intuition

which has changed the course of my life repeatedly,

and as confirmation of my inner strength, courage, and resilience.

Most of all these experiences make me feel protected and lifted up by God's grace.

Much Higher Than a Hawk Over Monument Valley

January 14, 2025

This *thing* in the world that I have experienced has not been for one day only.

I hope I continue to soar hawk high over Monument Valley.

Wishing each of you a great IWSG Day,

and a big thank you to our awesome co-hosts.

Have a healthy, happy, and creative March!

Take care!

Till next time ~

Fundy Blue

Standing Into Danger https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com

My next post will be March 14th 🤞

Books Read in 2025

'A City on Mars" by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith
"6:40 to Montreal" by Eva Jurczyk
"A Fall in Denver" by Sarah Andrews
"A Gambling Man" by David Baldacci
"American Wolf" by Nate Blakeslee
"Cane River" by Lalita Tademy
"Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College" by Victoria Marie Lees
"Football for Dummies" by Howie Long with John Czarnecki
"Imagine Hatt Season 1" by Patrick Hatt
"Just One Look" by Harlan Coben
"Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
"Meditations for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman
"Mother Nature" by Sarah Andrews
"Never Too Late" by Danielle Steel
"Nothing to Fear: Demystifying Death to Live More Fully" by Julie McFadden, RN
"Philosophy Now: Digital Philosophy" Issue 168
"Philosophy Now: The Politics of Freedom" Issue 163
"Philosophy Now: The Thoughts on Thought Issue" Issue 164
"Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir
"Shadow of the the Wind" by Carlo Ruiz Zafón
"Tensleep" by Sarah Andrews
"The Cove" by Patrick Hatt
"The Deadly Rise of Anti-Science: A Scientist's Warning" by Peter J. Hotez, MD, PhD
"The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments" by Hadley Vlahos, RN
"The Light Eaters" by Zoë Schlanger
"The Power of Touch: A Story of Redeeming Love" by Pat Garcia
"The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
"The Warlord" by Gena Showalter
"Think Twice" by Harlan Coben
"Unless" by Carol Shields
"We Who Wrestle with God" by Jordan B. Peterson
"What Matters Most: Lessons the Dying Teach Us About Living" by Diane Button
Imagine Hatt: Season One" by Patrick Hatt

Standing Into Danger

Pages

Friday, March 21, 2025

An Unusual Place

Friday, March 14, 2025

Out on the Water

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

IWSG: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 ~ Who or What Would I Be?

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