Ride along with the Chang Gang

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Right Now- Recap August/September

RIGHT NOW....

I'm listening to the silence. After a busy few weeks, things finally seem to be quieting down...at least enough for me to fix myself a cup of tea and reflect on all that has happened since I last updated the blog

This girl loves a good quote- and what comes to my mind right now is this one...

Life brings tears, smiles and and memories...the tears dry, the smiles may fade but those memories...live on forever.

In the early morning hours of September 6, my fiercely private, stubborn and independent father, Richard passed away after a year of steady decline in his health. He was slated to transfer to a care facility later that day, and I believe he called out with a "No Thanks, I think I'll pass" and so he did.

My dad and I have had a complicated relationship for most of my adult life- and yet- these past few weeks, I have found myself setting down those complicated emotions and instead, celebrating the many gifts he shared with my sister, our families and his friends!

And that is what I'm loving right now- the tears, the smiles but best of all... the memories!

When my mom died, I was just 22- in my own bubble of Army life- so I missed all the work that goes into planning and preparing a memorial service.

This time- it was my sister and I who were kept busy, busy that first week...

As we sorted...

Does this bring you joy? we giggled

Sifted

Can you tell what was recycling and what was trash?

Yeah, we too quickly lost track and soon we just said..

Trash it...

We found ourselves scratching our head...

As we found pictures that left us saying "Ok, what's the rest of THAT story?"

to being reminded that he had a sentimental side after all...

because had it been left up to me- this jacket would have been pitched long ago..

We paused for some comfort food...

which HELLO- WI has plenty of choices...

Be it donuts from Linda's

Sweets from the Sweet shop..

Or how about the best bacon and brats in town from

the Holmen Meat Locker...

We made sure emotional eating was a routine part of our day!

We giggled as sis signed the papers

and while it didn't trend on social media

like King Charles' signing for his inheritance...

We did still find a crown for the Executor to sport...

Our families would join us as the service date approached...

And while they were willing and able to help...we'd pretty much gotten things sorted on our own..

Harper had just started a new quarter at school-but was with us in spirit..

On Saturday, September 17- we gathered at Halfway Creek Lutheran Church

to celebrate the life of my dad...

We sang-

ok...they sang- nobody needs to hear me sing..

We saluted...

my dad having served briefly in the 1950s

with special friends serving in the honor guard..

Golfing and Happy Hour Pals- Buck and Dave R

we shared stories at Richard's

Farewell Tailgate Party...

and hosted his "Last Call" Happy Hour back at the house

Where more stories were shared..

connected with cousins (We missed you Kay!)

Passed the torch...

for after 50+ years..

no Granum will be calling this place home..

and found comfort in the arms of "forever friends"...

and we even learned a little bit more about that chamber pot

that had sat outside the basement bathroom

for as long as any of us could remember...

Seems it was part of a "shivaree" gift for Vera and Art Lysdahl..Aunt Birdie's mom and dad...How Dad ended up with it is anyone's guess (we suspect he bought it at an auction- the man loved hunting for treasures at auctions!

I'm feeling at peace.

In 2020- after some gentle natured teasing by sis and I- when we discovered our uncle had written his own eulogy- Dad sent us an 8 page document with all his wishes spelled out- from preferred bible verses and hymns to be sung, to what to serve for lunch. Shucks- he even requested a New Orleans Jazz parade (sadly- we weren't able to locate that request-) but we did end the service with the UGA-fight song (ok, most of you think it's called the Battle Hymn of the Republic).

Anyways- along with the requests was this poem- "The Dash"...I knew this was a favorite as he's referenced it a few times when he was in story telling mode.

I feel that my dad used his Dash wisely- living a full and vibrant life-

be it traveling the country with his family in tow (determined to show "his girls" the joy of exploring new places),

making friends and maintaining friendships

(no easy task in a world before email/texting/and affordable long distance phone calls!)

He would show us that contrary to popular belief- one can "return home" as he settled back in Holmen-where his story began.

Reconnecting with his past friendships while exploring new roles- from golfer to artist...Dad had some serious talents worthy of admiration.

He was the epitome of living your best life possible...and for that I am grateful to call him dad.

Oh but wait- the title says August recap too- What happened then?

Seriously- I have no idea...

got off the plane from Hawaii on August 1st- and was in the office 2 hours later.

August was a hot blur- back to school, brunch with the besties,

and well- just every day stuff I supposed

Until next time...Remember your dash!

Friday, August 12, 2022

Summer of Fun-Chapter 4- The Aloha Edition

SAW-HEARD-DID

SAW: Just like most summers, with the turn of the calendar page to July- time seems to pass at warp speed. This summer I saw a shift in my perspective. I had one last big adventure to experience- an adventure that would take me right up until the final hours of summer break. And as a result-instead of that sense of dread and a hint of melancholy- well I had a lot of pep in my step- We are going to Hawaii!

HEARD: I still pinch myself when I reflect back on when I heard my hubby agree to this trip. Last summer, over perhaps too much bourbon (is there such a thing?), our good friend Larry pitched the idea of joining him and his wife for 2 weeks on the island of Kauai. Hubby shrugged and said sure!

Most likely when Operation Hawaii first took shape..

I just figured we'd never prioritize a trip to Hawaii. Hubby grew up in tropical areas- both in Honduras and later in south Miami. The sun and surf are not his jam. And me- well, I wasn't going to advocate too much to make it a priority. I prefer travel that is less mainstream (Yes, North Dakota-I'm looking at you!).

With Hawaii- it seems like everyone has been to one of the islands. And the moment you share that's where you are headed- you are greeted with enthusiastic travel recommendations. Hearing these suggestions is all well and good-as I do enjoy connecting with people, and what better way than to connect through shared travel experiences. But, I also get a bigger thrill of "Ooo, I've never been there, you'll have to tell me what it's like".

Don't get me wrong- I wanted to go- I mean- HELLO- Hawaii, two weeks, free lodging with friends...sign me up! But it remains a "pinch me" moment that we actually ended up going!

DID: Enough with the chatter, let's talk about what we did when we were in Hawaii!

For 14 days....

We would catch the first morning light...

and celebrate the setting sun on yet another "DNS" day

DNS was code for Does-Not-Suck..which yep, applies a lot in somewhere like Kaui.

We got to know the beauty that is Kauai

Kauai is known as the Garden Island...which was apparent

whether traveling through the Tunnel of Trees

or climbing the narrow winding road of Waimea Canyon..

.so much to take in and fully appreciate!

We met the locals-

The Honu -also known as the Pacific Green Turtles...

why they come to soak in the sandy beaches remains somewhat of a mystery- whether to avoid predators or digest their food- they are indeed an impressive sight to experience.

The Monk Seal-in native Hawaiian known as lilo holo I ka uau

These majestic mammals are few in number (so few that they are on endangered species lists) but are making a comeback. We were fortunate enough to see two moms nurturing their pups...but alas in each circumstance they were too far for us to take a picture.

Red Crested Cardinal

The condo had beautiful landscaping that provided a welcoming environment to a wide range of feathered flock, but this little guy (and his kin) really caught my eye. We don't see many cardinals back home, and so to be greeted by this guy each morning as we sipped our coffee was an unexpected surprise. I was constantly reminded of the poem- When cardinals appear, loved ones are near. Yep-lots of cardinals, and surrounded by loved ones.

Feral Roosters (and chickens too)

Experts note that while they were originally brought to the island by the Polynesian people, why they are in such an abundance on Kauai is up for debate. Filipino people would later move to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations. Cock fighting was one of their favorite hobbies, so they brought their own aggressive strains of chickens. Neither types of these chickens lay many eggs or get big enough for much of a meal so, eventually modern productive breeds were imported and kept in hundreds of backyard flocks throughout the islands.

Then mother nature took over. In 1982 fierce Hurricane Iwa hit the Islands. A decade later, Hurricane Iniki again tore through Hawaii destroying buildings, crops, and fences, freeing many backyard flocks. No matter the reason...they are everywhere- and takes a bit to get used to the sight of the rooster strutting his way across the restaurant!

We did a little hiking...