You may be wondering what Purna Yoga, Volcanoes, and Old Hawai`i could possibly have in common. All contribute to my creative growth as a writer and my joy in the history of Hawai`i. So let us begin. Purna Yoga I didn’t post last week, because I attended a four-day yoga workshop at Big Island Yoga
Articles Tagged Sandra Wagner-Wright
SIX FEBRUARY HOLIDAYS IN THE SAME WEEK
Whew! There were more holidays last week than during the official “Holiday Season.” Funny word “holiday.” It’s a contraction of Holy Days. Most folks don’t think of holidays as religious – we think of free time, decorations, special food, gifts, and shopping. But, for those so inclined, there is opportunity for contemplation and purification. CHINESE
GUNG HEI FAT CHOY – HAPPY LUNAR (CHINESE) NEW YEAR
“Okay, I’ll bite. Why are you wishing me a Happy New Year when we already celebrated the New Year on January 1?” Excellent Question, Grasshopper. (Historian settles in for a lengthy chat.) The January 1 date is completely arbitrary, a result of the introduction of the Julian calendar in 45 BCE. “Could you answer my
GUIDE DOG SPENCER McGARRETT-PUPPY BLOGGER
Hello. Guide Dog Spencer McGarrett here. Have you been reading Sandra’s recent blogs? Clearly Writer and Historian are completely out of control. I tried to get Travellor to impose some discipline, but she refused. Probably because she thought she would get the next blog spot. While they were squabbling, I pulled Sandra aside. “Please, can
HISTORIAN & WRITER DISCUSS A PICTURE
Historian sniffs: “It isn’t a picture. It is a painting. Oil on canvas, mounted on a parquet panel.” Writer pouts: “You know what your problem is? You are too literal. What are paintings if not pictures telling a story. Who do you think this woman was?” Historian: “As the title indicates, she was an
SANDRA WAGNER-WRIGHT’S BLOG: WRITER-HISTORIAN-TRAVELLER
Regular readers may have noticed my slogan: “Sandra Wagner-Wright – Writer, Historian.” Actually, it was supposed to say Writer-Historian-Traveller, but Traveller didn’t show up at the web designer appointment. Writer and Historian arrived early, and may have locked the door. Lately, Historian has been dominating this blog, and would like to point out that today
LORETTA & THE BOLLYWOOD DANCER RESOLUTION
Resolution: A firm decision to either do something, or not do something. Did you make New Year’s Resolutions for 2013? Loretta resolved to find an exercise program she could stick with. Voice Over: During the first week of January, gym memberships spike. Loretta, a normal could-be-in-better-shape middle-aged woman, walks into gym full of young hard
ELEVENTH DAY CHRISTMAS BASH
Sorry I missed last week. Christmas village residents did not want to go back into storage. The ungrateful wretches attacked me and tied me up with cheap garlands. While I gnawed my way out, I got a song stuck in my head. Which brings me to today’s topic: What famous Christmas carol takes a long
CHRISTMAS IS COMING — THE GOOSE IS GETTING FAT
Christmas — Some celebrate the day as a holiday for presents and feasting. For others, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, honored by Christians as the Messiah. On that first Christmas, angels appeared to shepherds (talk about a light show), and a few weeks/months later wise men appeared with gifts. Such diversity of
HALLELUJAH! – It’s Time to Sing Messiah
Christmas is a time when otherwise ordinary people burst into song. Children and adults sing carols to their families, their friends, unsuspecting pets, and even venture into assisted living facilities. Little kids learn Jingle Bells. Adults throw caution to the winds and participate in Messiah Sing-a-Longs. An extreme version of this activity is “Christmas Food
On Christmas Pudding
I sat enjoying the evening breeze, when the Handsome Bloke said, “I fancy Christmas Pudding this year.” Was he joking? No, he wore a meaningful look. “Oh,” said I. “I don’t suppose our grocery store has any in for the holidays?” “I’ll ask.” Wait a minute! What about the picture? What is the picture
How I Attempt to Pack Light
I traveled to India this year, also the United Kingdom, Seattle, and made several short trips within my home state of Hawai`i. Day trips are not such a big deal, so long as I remember to put my hand gel in a plastic bag. But any trip requiring an overnight stay looms over my head
TICK TOCK GOES MY CLOCK
I suffer from intermittent Time Evaporation Syndrome (TES), a curious state in which one wakes up at 6:00 in the morning, and suddenly, without warning, it is noon – or dinnertime – or midnight. You get the idea. And there is absolutely no indication what transpired between, say, 6:00 and noon. TES is most often
On Gardens
I like gardens that are gracious, well-kept, and delight the visitor with a multitude of textures, fragrances, water features, and vistas. I like gardens that allow people to walk on the grass, assuming they pick up their litter when they leave. Gardens give me space for contemplation and renewal. Many people are able to coax
York: City of Ghosts
A very good day to you, me hearties. I’ve been sitting at the bar of The Golden Fleece in York for a very long time, judging by my attire. (Ah-hem) And, since it is approaching Halloween, I have taken over this here blog from Sandra Wagner-Wright. She don’t know nothin’ about ghosts, but I can