These flowers were delivered by my grandchildren (K & C) way back in October 2008, and I love to look at them today via the photo.  Blue corn flowers and yellow daisies.  On Sunday I  put the paper white bulbs in the pots for spring.  I couldn't dig in the garden today, but I'm writing about it.

Christmas 2008 already.  Travel will be local in 2009.  Lots of family, friends and history right in our own backyard.

We made the decision to put dear Beeswax down last April. I miss her a lot. Her kidneys.

Joyeux Noel. I'm posting a picture of Beeswax tonight. She will be 18 years old in September.

I'm so proud of this picture I took of the Lilly Pond at the Audubon Center.

The geiko is having a sunbath at the Audubon Center in Waimea. My grandson sure loved to spot them. They are everywhere.

When we went for Matsumoto shaved ice, we happened upon this church in Haleiwa. the frame is Christmas cactus. It must be beautiful when it in bloom.

Carole M has the gift. Peacocks were everywhere at the entrance to the Waimaea Audubon Center. I love the lights and shadows she captured with her digital caused by the sun and tropical foliage. The white ginger plant is not only beautiful, it's fragrance is superb . . . lucky the root I brought home is now showing green leaves. I've got my fingers crossed, that I'll get this plant in all it's glory in N. California.

Carole M took this wonderful picture when we visited Waimea Bay. There were strong surf warnings and the life guards were discouraging swimmers.

The Tagami & Powell Gallery Garden is at 47-754 Lamaula Road in Kaneohe. Call 239-8146 . We were there for the reopening on April 21-22. The gardens were lovely. Did you know that orchids are parasites? Here are a couple orchids on the property and a beautiful view of the mountains. Michael Powell and Hiroshi Tagami are pictured. This picture was taken by the Star Bulletin just before we arrived on Thursday before the weekend opening.

I took one picture of the Gallery. They also had art, antiques, pottery and jewelry in the Tea House.

The Buddha is thought to be the largest figure carved since ancient times. Towering more than 18 feet, the immense figure is an original work of art carved by the famous Japanese sculptor, Masuzo Inul. When the carving was completed, it was covered with cloth and painted with three applications of gold lacquer. Gold leaf was later applied over the lacquer finish. The hall and all of the artistry it reflects are regarded as representing the essence of the culture of the Fujiwara aristocracy.

The Bell House, called kanetsu-ki-do, contains a five foot high, three ton brass bell, called bon-sho (sacred bell), cast in Osaka, Japan from a mixture of bronze and tin, by permission of the government of Japan. It closely resembles the bell hanging in an identical Bell House at the Uji Byodo-in. The original is said to be more than 900 years old and to have come from India. It is revered for its distinctive shape, and the tone of the bell sounds a message of deep calm and peace, cleansing the mind of evil and temptation. A soft wooden log called the "shu-moku" is used to strike the bell. the bell is customarily rung before one enters the temple to spread the eternal teaching of Buddha. 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744

O'ahu, Hawaii, April 2007. We visited the Byodo-In Temple in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was built in 1968 to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-in was built entirely without the use of nails. It is a scale replica of a temple in Japan constructed over 900 years ago. It is built to represent the mythical phoenix, its wings upheld by pillars of stone. Folklore tells of the phoenix arising from the ashes to reflect the promises of hope and renewal. The location of the Valley of the Temples is located in Kanahoe on the windward side of the island.

I love this photo I took of Monte Carlo and Monaco. Julio parked the car at a vista that all of the tourist use before decending down the winding road. The palace is located center back behind the rocky formation.

Here are some photos I took of the King's Chapel at the Blois Castle including the vaulted ceiling, altar and a carving of a scene after Christ's passion. I've included photo I took from the castle that shows a partial view of the village in Blois. I just read somewhere that this is the chapel that Joan of Arc came to to be blessed by the Bishop before she went into battle.