© 2009….RaeDi

My family has been serving in the military since the Revolutionary War.  I thought the war of 1812 was one of the wars that our family did not fight in, but resent history from archives as brought new information, my Great~Great~Great~Great Grandfather Samuel served in this war.  The only war to date that my family has not served in was the Battle that occurred at the Alamo during The War for Texas Independence.

My father served in the USMC during WWII, he was on one of the ships in the Midway and then served out his time on an Island in the Pacific.  My father did not talk about his service during the war or where he was stationed.   The subject we knew even as children was off limits.  I did not know until after his death in 1989 that he was even in the Battle of Midway.  He had horrible bouts with Malaria over the years. He had contacted this infectious disease in the tropical island where he served his country.

I can remember as a child all the local parades, watching the Veterans march in these parades.  They represented those that served our country from several generations, in numerous wars.  I just remember seeing them march in their uniforms.  The pride they had, I learned with age that they deserved more than just that pride that showed on their faces, but the highest of honors for serving our country. Some were even in wheelchairs being pushed by other Veterans.  It always made me so proud of my country and of those that served.  At the time, I had no idea how or where they served or to what degree they had served our country and to what extent the atrocities’ some were made to face for the freedom and humanity for all.  They then had to live with the enter turmoil and conflict that was the after math of what they endured and witnessed.  Such depth of courage, bravery, and loyalty each had given in as many ways as there are veterans.  It is a fellowship of common purpose for all veterans of wars that they will be a part of for eternity. 

One veteran I had the honor to know was a neighbor that I met in the early 1990’s.  Bill, he had served in WWII as a USMC.   His service was filled with strong morals, he stood for ethical principles and it was a genuine honor to have gotten to know Bill.   He was not boastful about his service, I did not find out what he had been through until just months before he passed.  Then it was only in casual conversations that I learned the truth about this man that I had grown to love and respect from becoming very good friends as neighbors.

He was such a jovial person, you could not be around Bill without him putting a smile on your face as soon as you would sat eyes on him, nor did you stop laughing when around him.  I have even had a few laughs to date about some of his wholesome jokes and seeing things through the eyes of Bill.  He had an unusual knack of always finding the positive in life, making life full of wondrous joy.  He had a propensity of bringing out the best in all folks that crossed his path.

The glimpse he gave me of his service to his country was heart breaking.  It was hard for me to see this strong man as anything different from what I had known him since our first meeting.  I often then and even to this day wonder what made this man so whole, filled with so much hope that his personality flowed over to all he would meet and more.  To have gone through what he had and survived was without question miraculous, astounding, and incredible, things that I had not known first hand until Bill.

There was not a day that Bill did not check in to see how I was doing.  I was going through a pretty rough stage from chemical and toxin exposure.  It was one of the most arduous and challenging times in my life.   Not one day pasted without Bill stopping by to put a smile on my face and usually he did not come empty handed.  He had a sweet tooth and loved the local bakery.  I told him he was trying to fatten me up for market.  We would just laugh and he would always say I have the bricks ready for the next big windstorm; I will tie them to your backside (not the word he used) to keep you from blowing away.   I had to have a tonsillectomy and it is not an easy thing to go through as an adult.  He would check on me several times a day.  He brought me soft serve ice cream, his homemade chicken soup and rented movies for us to watch.  He was so worried about me.  He even took care of my dog and cat.  All this he did without being asked.

One day I was out walking my yellow lab, Elmoski.  Elmoski loved Bill; he always had a treat for him each day too.  On was such day Bill was sitting out in his front lawn with another man.  They both waved as I passed by and on my return Bill called me over to introduce me to his longtime friend.  This man was a year younger than Bill, but looked like he was twice Bills age.  He was not in the best of health and you could see this man was in a lot of pain.  He like Bill had a recognized nature in their personalities that would touch the spirit of all who met them. 

I noticed not only his health but also at times his eyes seemed to go somewhere far away.  He was there present in body but his spirit would take leave at times.  He would not leave for long; he would be back bantering with Bill like young schoolboys.  I loved the time I spent with these two old goats, as I called them.  They both loved teasing me to death and laughing until tears come to all of us.

One day in 1994, I was out with Elmoski and noticed that Bill and his friend were out in the yard and waved their customary waves as I went by, and invited me to join them on my return, the same each time.  We would all sit there and talk, these two men had so much knowledge and their stories would keep me drawn in.  One day they got started on when they met.  It took a whole new turn, a complete dissimilarity to the conversations we had had on numerous of occasions over the year I had gotten to know Bill and his friend.

I had no idea that these two men were part of the Bataan Death March.  I was told as POW’s the treatment they endured was almost without words.  In the 1929 Geneva Convention guidelines, procedures were set for the rules on how Prisoners of War were to be treated in the hands of the captors.  At the time Japan and Russia, did not endorse the guiding principles set for POW’s.   The infamous Bataan Death March was considered to be the worst of violent crimes against POW’s in WWII.   This all come about by the way of thinking of the Japanese Military.  Their belief about surrender was the ultimate shame and a dishonor to the Japanese soldier.  This lead to the meanings of the POW’s treatment, they did not deserve humane treatment.  The Japanese felt and were actually taught that capture would bring dishonor to themselves and their families.  The percentage of Japanese POW’s was very small in comparison to the POW’s of the Allies.  They would rather die for their honor than live in disgrace. They would not allow Red Cross or any group that was a part of the Geneva guidelines to come and inspect the POW’s.  They felt it was a way for propaganda and that spying would take place in these inspections.     

The Allies believed that Japan was treating the POW’s by the Geneva Convention, but they agreed to do so only as long as it did not interfere with their military policy.  They said that the POW’s would be expected to do only what that their citizens were doing.  In reality, the treatment was horrific, unspeakable, horrendous acts beyond belief.  Inadequate food and medicine, discipline was capricious, illogical beating, executions for trying to escape, executions for having souvenirs of Japanese soldiers, even if they had just found them.   When the Red Cross tried to publicize worldwide what was being done to the POW’s treatments at the hands of Japanese soldiers, Japan denied it.  When Japan realized they were losing the war, the abuse became harsher.  They murdered or caused the deaths of thousands of POW’s.  They did not want any POW’s to be liberated.  The white POW’s in Japanese prison camps received the harshest of treatments.  One in three POW’s died in captivity, beaten to death, starved or worked to death; they were given no medical for diseases or wounds, which too caused death.  They were not only taking the lives, but wanted to break their bodies and souls, even their spirits.  The horrendous acts that they put the soldiers through were inexcusable, it was criminal.

If they tried to escape it meant sure execution, but they too knew if they tried to escape they would not be the only one executed, it meant that fellow soldiers would also be executed because of their action.  It kept them in line; it took little to nothing to give the subjugator reason for beating, killings, taking away what little food they got.  They usually did not get food but every few days and most of the time it was only a handful of contaminated rice. 

When the POW’s in the Philippines could see the American planes their hopes of liberation could not be soon enough.  The fate of the POW’s near war’s end was as felonious; they left those to weak and sick for the march at the camps to die.  They put thousands of soldiers on Japanese ships that were sunk by American submarines and torpedoes, so their ultimate fate was that thousands died at the hands of America.  They called these the hell-ships. 

There were trials for hundreds of top Japanese Officers accused for their war crimes, but only a couple dozen of these were tried and sentenced.  Some were convicted and put to death.  However, there were several thousand of other Classes of offences-criminal acts that the Japanese service members were convicted and sentenced to prison, and there were almost a thousand that were executed for the crimes against the prisoners of war.

The fate of the POW’s in Philippines was unnecessary, thousands died.  Not only from the hands of the Japanese, but because Europe had priority over the Pacific, most all decisions were being made in Washington.  We can hope that these atrocities will never happen again.   (I sometimes wonder about the treatment of the prisoners at Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp, the terrorists, they say without the water boarding and such they would not have had information to deter other terrorist attacks.)  

This march began in March of 1942.  They needed to move the prisoners to Camp O’Donnell about one hundred miles away, where the POW’s would be released to the Americans.  The prisoners were in abhorrent conditions.  They had been on little to no food rations, without medical attention, their bodies were beaten down to nothing.  This march was for the surviving soldiers, and they were ill and undernourished; the 100 miles they had to march for some meant walking to their deaths, not liberation.  Japanese ignored offers for the POW’s to be driven to the prison camps. Once the POW’s were in the hands of the Japanese, they could do with them as they wished, it always meant harsh and disgraceful treatment even in turning over the POW’s to the new Prison Camps where they were to be liberated.

On the march, any troops that fell behind were executed.  The Japanese beat the soldiers and denied them food and water for many days.  For only a brief part of the march, the POW’s were packed on railroad cars and allowed to ride.  Those that did not die of suffocation in the boxcars were forced to march the last seven miles to the camp.  It took the POW’s over a week to reach their destination.

Bill and his friends were both POW’s at the hands of the Japanese.  They both felt they were lucky they were not executed or beaten to death.  I now knew why Bill’s friend was in the shape he was in.  The most heart rendering of this story being told to me was the fact that Bill’s friend was only alive because his friend, now his brother for life, Bill had carried him every step of the way.  Bill was nothing but bones, he had been starved, beaten and broken, but he never gave up hope.  His friend told me that Bill single handedly saved many POW’s lives, only to be punished harshly, he was close to death several times for his stoic actions, he faced all the adversity the Japanese threw his way and survived.  His friend said that all the soldiers wondered if he was their ‘Lucky Charm.’

Hearing this from two soldiers that were on that march, gave me much to think about and a given realization that freedom and liberty does come at a high cost, the highest was dying for your country.  That was Bill’s friend last visit.  He passed away a few months after that afternoon of talk about patience and endurance, and what it means to fight for the rights of all human kind.  

Bill had a heart attack on Sunday April 16, 1995, fifty-three years from the month he was on that march.  I was there and so was another neighbor, we did CPR on him until the fire department arrived.  We found out that he had passed before he had landed on the ground.  I remember sitting by him and thanking the Lord for putting this person in my life.  If only I could have brought him more time, but it was not to be.   Bill is what America stands for.  He was the cream of the crop.  Not a Veteran’s Day will pass without me thinking about Bill and his friend.  The Lord truly blessed me when he brought them into my life.   Bill said life lessons turned him to all of life’s possibilities.  He learned to scuba dive to deep depths.  He flew his own planes high over mountaintops.  He said that he wanted to experience all that life had to offer and he indeed experienced more than most of us can even imagine.

I was thinking of Bill on the morning of April 19, 1995 (three days after Bill had passed,) when the large bomb decimated the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, which killed 168 people what would Bill be thinking.  He fought so hard for this country and to have this happen on American soil, against our American Government.  I too thought of Bill on 9/11 attacks and so many other horrendous acts that have occurred, I rather knew what Bill would think and how he would react.   

Reach out and let all veterans know what they mean to you.  Help them, and help their families.  Our men and woman in service at this time need our support.  Their families need our support.  No matter what you think of the wars, put them first.  Reach out and touch those that serve and protect this country….RaeDi

Tags: Veterans Veterans Day Bataan Death March Humanity

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Copyright © 2009 ….RaeDi

Early one morn this spring while the grass was still wet with dew a doe came into the front lawn.  With her, she brought her little fawn not more than a few hours old.   The newborn little one was perfect.  She stood out from all the other fawns we see each year.  This fawn had a personality that did not quit.  She was in such high spirits; she had come into this world ecstatic with life.   She could not stand still.  She shuffled and skipped even as she stood next to her mother.  Her personality was dissimilar to most newly born fawns.   She more resembled a playful goat or fowl.  She danced, pranced and frolicked without pause.   I watched her in awe.  Her rufus color stood out against her white spots.  Watching her amused me exceedingly.  I always stop what I am doing to watch this delicate but lively little one.  Never had I seen such an animated little fawn before.  My spirits are stimulated just watching the animation of all her actions.     One second she would be down on her front knees with her tail wagging as fast as her backside.  Then before you knew it she was up and frolicking about like a little fowl.  She would kick up her heels and charge like a little goat.  Next, she would run as fast as she could, doing figure eights around the apple trees, she went nonstop until she needed breath.  Once revived, she was off again.  Her energy seemed to be endless. It made me wonder about her survival, with all that liveliness would she put herself in danger.  Her mother was very patient with her and just watched.  I thought she was going to be a handful.  Her little nose actually pointed up and her persona reminded you of a little ballerina dancing the full stage, all she needed was a pink tutu.  She could have been Bambi’s sister.  I called her “Gaiety,” from the first time I saw her.   Her joviality has never let me down; each time she visits, she exhibits no less gaiety than on any of her previous visits.   I am very entertained each time I get to see her.  The name fits her; I am always on the lookout for Momma and Gaiety to visit me again.  They usually come through no less than three times a day.  One of their favorite places is among the apple trees.  The apples are a special treat for them and they are kept busy eating the lower branch leaves and the apples that fall from the trees.  They too enjoy the plums.  I more than enjoy the time I get to watch them each visit.  What is in a name, her name fit her to a tee, until yesterday.  When they came yesterday just before dusk at early eve, I noticed that Gaiety had little bumps growing where ‘his’ antlers would be.  Do I now call him Glad to be Gus, Frolicking Fred, Ecstatic Eddie, High Spirited Henry, Rapturous Ralph or maybe Jubilant Jack?   I have settled on Glad to be Gus.  He has grown exceedingly this summer. His stance is defiantly a buck now; he has one very good male specimen for a father by the looks of this young buck.  He is thick necked and very large for his age.  It is hard to believe that the little one with the personality plus was not a doe, I would never have guessed!  But I did not see which direction ‘she’ urinated or I would have known from the beginning….RaeDi

Check my gallery for pictures, could not attach here....

Tags: Doe Fawn Buck Nature Names

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Copyright © 2009 ….RaeDi

I was out on my walk yesterday taking in the scenery and checking to make sure, we had not missed any vegetables.   The garden is spent for the season, a few tomatoes may still ripen, but for the most part our gardening season is over.  Watching leaves fall to the ground and the audible range of the sounds of a flock of geese well before seeing them headed south were all signs that summer has ended and autumn has begun.  The cool crisp air and all the colors of autumn in the leaves and the beautiful fall Mums are true markings that summer has ended and autumn is here.  When I was in grade school, I heard this song for the first time; Nat King Cole was singing it.   The song was before my time, but the words seemed to speak to me.  Maybe I had an old soul before my time, but it words made an impression on me from the first time hearing this song, it still feeds my soul each time I hear it.  It gives me pause, I reflect and yesterday and this morning as I walked and took in my surroundings the music kept repeating in my head.  This song and all the signs that are so clearly ‘autumn’ brought about the way I felt and how I observed all that was taking place as I took my scroll around my home.

“Autumn Leaves”

Lyrics by Johnny Mercer and Music by Joseph Kosma

Written in 1945, French,”Les Feuillet Mortes” (The Dead Leaves) by poet Jacques Prevert


The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold

Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall

On my walk this morning, I see the beginnings of our third stage of nature cycles.   If I had to choose, autumn would be my choice of the four seasons.  Spring her beauty, the rebirth of beginnings of the new year.  Announcement is made with colors of varying splashes of an assortment of greens, diverse the colors in a range of blooming flowers, the buds that swell and open on the trees.  The winds carry the fragrance that is abundant from the mixes of floral, some for beauty and some to yield our harvest at summer’s peak. Spring the time we set aside to plant our gardens for visional display and immense pleasure, satisfaction in an array of colors and textures, from ground cover to vines that climb. Too, for those who have a love of cultivating the soil and planting gardens for produce that facilitate our dietary needs that are homegrown, healthy, organic, and freshly picked.  Gardening is self-fulfillment from very hard work giving you a deep sense of pride.  Each garden can range in dimension and design, from small, or large, garden boxes to just a pot in size.  Herbs, their savor, add interest and essence, adding flavor to our food, wonderful profuse bouquets in diverse flavors and aroma infusing pleasure, pure distinction each its own.  Now cut and hanging to dry for future use.  Summer is that time we share and seek out all forms of enjoyment, contentment from the season of sun and long days, setting time off to relax, and time for escapades. 

As fall approaches, the days get shorter, harvest time is at its peak.  This time of year, we put in time and energies readying ourselves for the wintry days that are fast approaching.  We see the colors of fall; colors are bright and draw you in.  A special scent comes with autumn as you walk, you feel and hear the leaves that are shed from the trees; things are going dormant, soon to rest.  Autumn mandates the start of migration of those species of birds that gather and follow their innate map sending them south.  Here in the Pacific Northwest the salmon, the species of large fish, spends most of its life, several years at sea to return in mid-summer through autumn to migrate up freshwater to spawn; returning to what were their beginnings. 

The dark of winter starts to get its hold; days are stunted, as the weather turns cold.   Fleeting from our summers past, there lengthy hours now no more with evidence our autumn colors and harvest, over time the reflection and wintry wraps, comes with autumn’s conclusion.  However, for now, I will take in the display of colors that are cast and draped, her scenery like on a stage playing out for all to see.  This her time for rest from utilizing great energy needed during her flourishing season.  She now makes known, a fanfare of colors exposed before her decline, leaving all bear as she settled into her wintery sleep.  This season between summer and winter, her birth and her decline to rest for rebirth to come as we start our new cycles of seasons at winters end….RaeDi

Tags: Autumn Leaves Cycles Nature Migration

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I DO NOT NORMALLY GET THIS POLICTICALLY INVOLVED BUT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE SAID AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE….

Dear Mr. President, Vice-President, Senators, and Congress-persons,

I am writing you in hopes that you or your staff will read this before they vote on the Medical Health Care Bill for our American Citizens.  I want you to take the time to reflect on what your medical benefits are.  When ‘we citizens’ voted you into office to ‘serve us’, you not only got a nice salary, and a good retirement but you also receive wonderful medical benefits.  I hope you will stop and reflect on the fact if you have benefits that are not feasible in this Health Care Bill for you to give the same to the American Citizen then help to advocate a vote of “NO.”  The American Citizen should have nothing less or better than you or any other person sitting in DC as servants to the American Citizen in whatever state, and it does not matter what party you belong to.

IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO GIVE US THE SAME HEALTH CARE AS YOU AND OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, OR CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE, THEN IN TURN WE CANNOT AFFORD FOR YOU TO HAVE YOUR HEALTH CARE!

A question I have on Medicare and Tricare.  I have Medicare because I am disabled and Tricare because I was a dependent of a veteran that served 24 years in the military.  I feel blessed to have the insurance that I have, but at the same time, without having preventative medical, things progressed to the chronic stage on all my medical problems.  Do you have any idea how much it costs to be disabled and have chronic medical conditions and with ‘two’ medical plans to help me, it is still very expensive.  I now am hearing from all sides that Medicare, Tricare, and Medicaid all are sub-standard medical policies (government sponsored); if that is the case, I would like to know why our American Senior Citizens, our American Veterans, and those American Citizens with Disabilities are getting sub-standard care?  Do you feel the health care benefits that come with your package to serve us are adequate?  If so, why should we citizens have anything less than what you are getting.   Do you have eye care, do you have dental, do you have preventative medical and the list goes on.  If you do, why do we not have equal medical benefits ~ no less and no more than what you have. 

We are all citizens of this great country, from North to South, from coast to coast including all the other territories under the United States of America flag.  Are we not all equal citizens of this great country?  Then why do we not all have equal health care?  I find it hard to swallow seeing you all act the way you are in deciding on how and what to do with this Medical Health Care Bill.  It should be very easy, give us the same as you have, and as far as all the federal employees of this great nation, they too should have the same health care plan.  I do not call it socialized medicine I call it fair medicine.  This great country is not for just a few; it is suppose to be for all and it is unmistakably as Abraham Lincoln said, “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”  It does not state anywhere that I can find that there should be any difference in those that have and those that do not.  I find no place where it states that those that serve this country at any government level, no matter the capacity from city, county, state, or federal should have anything more than the citizens that they serve.  It should be equal across the board. 

I will be passing this along to all members of the Senate, the Congress, with a hope that maybe it might trigger something that will do some good for all of us as one nation.  I too shall be passing it along to as many citizens of this great country as I can.  I hope the citizens keep this going and let all those that ‘serve us’ know we want nothing less than any government employee has.  Just because they held their hand, up and swore an oath to serve this country, makes them no more of an American Citizen than anyone else that is a citizen of this Great Country.  When it ceases to be equal, what will this country stand for then?   You do not need lobbyist to help you make this decision, if you need help, go to the American Citizens and have them tell you what they want, what they feel is fare.  Keep the lobbyist out of this and any other bill that is for the American citizens.   They are there to serve who they work for, do you want to serve those who voted you in to your position or serve those that lobby for business.  That is not why you are there, just remember this one fact, you serve no lobbyist, you serve the American Citizen of this great nation, no one else.  As a whole, you all are there to serve each and every one of us American Citizens.

I found out that if I mass mailed this email to all Senators and Congress-persons, that if your zip code were not in their district it would probably be deleted.  I do not understand this fact, I know when Senators and Congress-persons from other states are voting, and how they vote will indeed affect me.  Therefore, I come to each of my fellow Americans to do your part.   Below you will find the email address to the President and Vice-President and a link for all those that serve us in the Senate and Congress.  Do your part let them know how you feel?  You can copy and paste this letter or write your own, pass it along to all you know ~ “Keep It Going, Let all of our Reps know what we American Citizens Want and that we won’t settle for less than those that we vote into office.”   

The only way we are going to be heard is if we all join in and tell them what we want.  I know a lot of those that read this will wonder how will we pay for this type of medical benefits:  Do any of you know what the National Gross Income is for United States? (GNI)  This is the total combined annual income of ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS, ~ including Salaries, Bonuses, Wages, Tips, Inheritance, Interest Capital Gains and every other Type of Income.  Can you imagine if we each had to give 1 percent of our earned income for medical, which is all of us American Citizens.  The medium wage earners, those that have lower wage plus tips and this includes all the millionaires and billionaires – their entire income earned – all of it at 1 percent.  In Social Security, there is a cutoff at a certain point if you make over so many thousands of dollars they do not pay any Social Security from that dollar cutoff.  However, with this American Medical Plan, everyone would pay their share of his or her total earned income that would be taxed at 1 percent or make it 2 or 3 percent, whatever it takes.  If you make $7.50 an hour or 40 billion dollars, it will all be taxed at the low percent for the American Medical Plan.  No deductions, no taxes to be paid on medical benefits, it is equal for all.  Those that make the millions and billions are making most of that off the backs of hourly wage earners, and for all of us consumers too; they can in turn pay what they have earned in their total earned income the same as those at the bottom of the income scales. This would probably be cheaper than what some employers are paying for health care packages for their employees (this I am not sure of.  I think it would be close.)   It would still be harder for a medium wage earner to pay their 1 or 2 or maybe 3 percent of their wages than those that have millions and billions. 

So many companies are making millions, billions of dollars on products that affect our air, water, soil, what we eat, and they are making big bucks from products that do affect our health.  These businesses  oil, chemical, many types of manufacturing each and all have put a strain on the health of us American Citizens.  Let them help by paying their share on their earned income.     

There has to be other ideas out there from our American Citizens.  Let all know your idea.   I think one brilliant idea would be to have some ordinary American Citizens sitting in on what they are discussing and how they are making these decisions.  They should not be allowed to take a vote without each of us knowing what they are voting on including anything thing they slip into the bill that is not a part of what they are actually voting on.  I wonder how many of you are feeling good about how the stimulus packages are going.  How do you think they handled the bank troubles or the foreclosure tribulations?  How many American did the car stimulus help?  How many Americans are being helped with the house credit?  Do you feel that the American Government knows where all this money is going and to whom?  I myself would like full disclosure of where all the monies that the American Tax Payer is paying(where is it going?) and it should not all be for business.  The banks got trillions, we got higher interest rates, some higher membership fees, and some they lowered their credit limits all of these actions affect the FICO score.  They let us borrow from them and the interest rate is all depending on your FICO score.  What do you think about them lowering credit balances and increasing payments and such.  For those that this has happened to it has hit your FICO score so they will make more money off a loan the you next time you want to buy a car, your home, it will affect your car, home, health insurance, you name it.  One of the things I love is when they increase your interest rates or change membership fees or any changes you can opt out ~ is not that nice of them, if you opt out they close your account, do any of you know what that will do to your FICO score.  I feel if a bank lowers a credit limit, increases interest or membership fees, if you do not carry a balance or you have not used your credit card (they are now saying they will close these accounts, it costs them money, what happened to those with good credit, spending and payment history let them close the account, but it should in no way affect our FICO scores.) ENOUGH! They get you coming and going and the government has put them before the American Citizen.   They were boisterous just before they voted in the new banking rules, letting it be known loud and clear that if they made reform in the banking policies, that they would hit the consumer harder in other areas, that they did.   We are now hearing the same type of boisterous calls from the Medical Insurance Companies and Pharmaceutical Companies.  Make sure however, when this Health Care Bill is written that it covers everything that they could and will change to their benefits. It is time that we have A REAL OPEN DOOR POLICY THAT GIVES US AMERICANS TIME TO RESPOND BEFORE OUR REPS CAN SAY THEIR (YOUR) NAYS AND YEAS.    

I am a very concerned American Citizen, as such; I want to keep my privacy.  Thank you! 

Puget Sound, Washington

To contact the White House ~ http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

To contact your Senator or Congressperson ~ http://www.congress.org  All you will need to do is put in your zip code and your state reps will be listed.  You can send them each a message let them know how you feel.  You can also ask to be put on the Mega-Vote list to show what they are voting on and how they voted!

Tags: Health Care Citizens Equality

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            &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                   Copyright © 2009 ….RaeDi

One of the dear pleasures in my life I have is right at my back door and it is the Puget Sound.  It is a place I go to for enjoyment, when I need to find spiritual peace, for thinking and giving thanks.  Living at the tip of a peninsula has as many variables as there are minutes without end.   Ever changing, but always having a quality of similarities, a constant like that of a reliable lifelong friendship.   The weather changes; the seasons come and go, as do the people, but the sound is always there whether gray blankets our skies or when the sun glistens off the water.   It seems no matter the weather conditions or time of day people are attracted and are drawn to her shores. The magnificence and pure beauty seems to catch the attention of all ages.

A variety like one would find sitting in an airport lobby with a long layover.  I discovered as a child a certain gratification in watching and studying people, complete strangers.  It kept my mind and imagination open to all possibilities.    Thoughts of where they came from and where they were going opened my mind’s eye to what each of their lives might be.  It always seemed to me that these strangers must have lives more interesting and exciting than my own, being a young girl raised in rural Missouri.  It was not until years later that I learned that where and how  I was raised was just as important in my makeup as those people that I loved watching and wondering about.

Being on my beach leads me to wonder about all the pathways, I have journeyed on.  Looking around me, I see and take in all the wonders close at hand.  This body or bay of water has so much to offer with all the different waterways, the numerous channels and branches with the patterns of the many islands, inlets, outlets, peninsulas, and tributaries that are fed from the two mountain ranges that are formed on the east and west.   It makes me feel so small like a grain of sand that lies at my feet.   The Cascade Mountain Range as I stand on my beach can be seen as I look to the east, it is as far North and South as the eyes can see with Mount Baker to the north and Mount Rainier to the South.  Sitting behind me, to the west, the Olympic Mountain Range each brings such beauty into my life.  This whole scene was brought about when our last Ice Age retreated carving out the landscape that I see on this day.  The huge boulders that lay at shores edge and the formation of the shoreline, the maze of all that is that makes the Puget Sound one very special place to observe, being up-close and feeling very blessed at this gift of all her sights and  a glimpse of nature at her best. 

The past has made the future; we now realize and are concerned about the carbon footsteps we are leaving.   I too think about all the (footsteps) places that I have been blessed to live and visit.    I think about all those pathways that I have journeyed on over my lifetime in so many wonderful places, each in its own way just as special as where I stand today.  They too seem like a maze with lots of inlets, and outlets and so many branches of which many I have taken myself off the main path following these branches that have made my life and me what they are today. Each defining me as a whole and making my life’s passage an adventure building my spirit and allowing me to share and give along the way.  Each footprint left is just as important as the previous one.  Along these passageways just as significant and vital to me are the folks I have met, these souls have had and are of great consequence to making me whole, helping to magnify who I have become.   

Those souls, which have included me in their lives, have enriched me far more than I dared to dream as a child watching and studying others so long ago.  Feeling their energy, their hopes and dreams, seeing and sharing their elations and difficulties, they too mine; all is relevant and significant as to who I am and what I have become.  What I share and in all that I do, it does make a difference to all the souls that are on my pathway.   If I am observant, taking time to be one with nature one with all the souls that pass me on the street, shop with me at the stores and even those that I watch at my beach each and all are contributing  to making me whole. 

I find myself with a smile on my face and spirit when watching those that are having so much fun.  I find myself hoping the angler who has had patience from early morn unwearyingly waiting to have just one good catch for the day.  I am just as jubilant in my heart as he is, the whole time he works his reel, pole and line with a fish at the other end walking up and down the beach to wear out this catch.  Once reeled in to the shore taking hold, seizing the prized catch from his hard time-consuming work, that it took to bring this one in and the pride is etched on his face and in his spirit.  I see and feel it all just as I do when the fish frees itself from the line after a good arduous fight from both ends.       

Those that I watch give me moments of pause to reflect and believe that my actions should replicate and sincerely touch those around me whether they are a stranger or not.  Being aware of this allows my internal spirit to light my way, it is what essentially makes me whole, and it enlightens me to lead by example. My hope is that in all things beyond me that I will strive to make a difference. This in turn opens my eyes, it exposes all the beauty that surrounds me,  the combination of everything that I can see, hear, touch, smell and taste, these senses are the quality and trait seekers in our lives.  They are what make our life experiences inspiring, exciting, extraordinary stirring up all those senses that make life agreeable, pleasant, satisfying and pleasurable.  Each has made me realize this truly is the whole of all that is along with our faith.   I come to realized that my childhood and the way I was raised prepared me to become a better person that material needs and wants do not make you a whole.  The only way to distinguish your true character your moral fiber in life is by the way in which you live your life and what you do for others.      

Playing tag with the waves small children are still so free in their spirits and their hearts are still so pure and honest.  They invariably play tag with the surf and they run towards the open waters as the waves recede and then turn and run as fast as they can as the water surges, as it rapidly approaches, charging towards them on shore.  You see and feel such delight as the rushing water reaches and quickly flows up the legs of these wonderful little souls.  Hearing their shrieks and squealing of delight as they run and the water has made the tag, “Your it!”  The water announces with its cold wet touch.  They turn to start again and try as hard as they might not to let the water win and tag them again.    Such innocent, but hearing their high spirits expressed by their laughter, their vitality- joie de vivre, has made my heart leap with theirs and put a smile on my face and my spirit just watching and knowing what it felt to be young and playing similar games. 

Such excitement and jubilance from something that is as natural as nature and what she has to give, it opens my heart and mind that with everything comes cycles.  These young ones will one day be the elders and they too will watch life as it comes and goes.  They will see the same and experience things physically, mentally, and hopefully spiritually as each one has done before them as it has since the beginning of time. 

I love to walk the beach and find beach glass and pottery shards from long ago.  What time and the currents of the water have done to reshape these wonderful little pieces of glass into such odd shapes, the edges that once would have cut are worn and now ground and are so smooth to the touch.   They come to the shore and beachcombers like me collect these wonderful pieces of glass of varying colors of green, blue, violets every color in the rainbow.  I wonder as I gather the beach glass when it was first dropped in the water for whatever the reason.   How many tides of time have gone by since it first started its journey? 

Like the glass with time, it is worn down, but it does not lose its appeal, it is aged and sought by many for its beauty.   The same with nature, time goes on; we see births and deaths in all things, if one takes the time they will find the beauty in all, that long pass was and always will have beauty.   If we take the time to watch and learn, to feel what we are seeing and cherish those around us, age is beauty even when it loses its luster.   I sit here on my beach and take it all in, the beauty, the fishermen of all ages and the children and their families and how they are building whom they will become with examples set in motion with each emotion, expression, and reaction of their fellow man.   I do not want to live just for myself; I want to live outside myself.  I want what I do and say to make a difference.  I use my life as an example hoping others will see and have the realization of the faith that has made me whole, my deep abiding faith completes me.

The mountains and water are here forever; nature is always in cycles of change but will always be a constant.   The only thing that will change in time the fishermen will be replaced with the same and the children and their families and friends they will one day be the elderly and at the end of their pathways of life.  I hope that as each age and grow with time that they reap the insight needed so they too can value all their gains and help to mold spirits with the examples of the way they live their lives.   That their families and friends will gather with compassion, affection and respect for what each person has been and represented in their lifetime.   That by example the keen awareness of all that is spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically, this is the final finishing point of time-shared and giving closure the love and respect it so rightly deserves.   This closure is the continuous journey that is eternal, there is more to life than what we live, it is how we loved, lived and shared.   Seeing and sharing with them as they pass on to a new pathway, an eternal pathway where they too shall be waiting our turn for timelessness.   

At that point, our earthly pathway ends, I hope I have made the best of what was put on my path.  I know I have a love of nature and beauty and try hard to find both in all the souls that have been put on my life’s journey.  Time is without end as with the tides each marking a moment in time, and beauty, those pleasing and impressive qualities of our center (spirit) can be found in all.   Do not let a person that has been in your life not know how you feel and let them know that you are because they took some time to help shape you, they have taught you to live by example and may it continue through you….RaeDi

The Heart (Gratefulness):

“Thanks to the human heart by which we live,
Thanks to its tenderness, its joys and fears,
To me the meanest flower that blows can give
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears.”

William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850) feeling the same similarity that draws me towards the sights, sounds, scent… (Quote from Encarta Encyclopedia)

Poems in Two Volumes (vol. 2), 1802?-1806, "Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood

Nature:

“For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing often-times
The still, sad music of humanity.”

William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850) British poet (Quotes from Encarta Encyclopedia)
Subtitled: "On Revisiting the Banks of the Wye During a Tour, July 13, 1798." Lyrical Ballads, July 13, 1798, "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey" 

Tags: Life Journey Change Nature Future Experiences Examples

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            &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                         &nb sp;                Copyright © 2008….RaeDi             

That summer my children and I took to the road and visited everything of interest from our history’s past. We were living in Yorktown, VA. Not twenty minutes down the road was Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary. Thomas Jefferson our third President and James Monroe our fifth President are just two of its Alumni. We were living in the historical triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown, surrounded by our countries history at its very beginnings. The Virginia Company of London settled in Jamestown, sending the first permanent English settlers here from England. They did the framing of our revolution in Williamsburg; we won our independence in the final victory at Yorktown, Virginia. Williamsburg was the “Colonial Capital” of Virginia. This triangle was the birthplace of American Democracy. I have always had a love of history, since I was in Elementary School. I could not wait for my next excursion and the any new historical facts I would acquire.

I have been very blessed in the fact that I have lived in the Midwest, Southeast, Northeast, and the Northwest. I have traveled extensively in the Southwest.  I took every advantage one could imagine seeking out all historical sites in each region to see for myself the history of our past. For most of that time, I had my children along for the ride, and they enjoyed it as much as I did. Maybe it was seeing their Mother so thrilled and excited at each little tidbit of information, I could gain. I know that I am always in awe to think the little girl from rural  Missouri was in the home of the first President or walking in the same halls where so many of our countries leaders debated and then gathered to sign our Decoration of Independence.

Our agenda that summer was to visit each home of our countries President’s from Virginia. I always read books and material to my children about where we were going, and what we would be doing. They learned to read a map at a very young age.

Our first stop that summer was Mount Vernon, home to our first President George Washington.  His beautiful Plantation Home is located on the banks of the Potomac River, near the city of Alexandria, Virginia. Washington took a scientific approach to farming and kept extensive and meticulous records of both labor and all results. One of his most successful ventures was starting a distillery; he became one of our country’s largest distillers of whiskey. They started the distillery back into production and monies made help to maintain the home and grounds.

Of course, a trip to “Mount Vernon” is just down the road from our country’s capitol. We loved to go to DC and go through the Smithsonian Museums anytime we got the chance. Always first going in the same building with the grand rotunda knowing that standing; there is the biggest Mammoth you could imagine. My children would take the better part of an hour just walking around it and taking in everything from the tips of its gigantic tusks to the end of its tail. The dinosaurs were always next on our list to visit. Then taking a trip to the Space museum was last each time we went. Walking the Mall area was one of our favorite things to do.  They were amazed at how big Abraham Lincoln’s Monument was.  The height of George Washington’s Monument always held excitement. They loved all of our American flags - the red, white, and blue that flew everywhere.  

The week of July 4, 1982, we decided we would take all the time needed to visit Central Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountain Country. It is one of our countries’ most beautiful places to visit. We rented a cabin and stayed there each evening as we took day trips to all the surrounding venues. Our first trip was to Montpelier the estate of James Madison, fourth President of the United States. It is four miles south of Orange, Virginia.

We went to James Monroe’s our country’s fifth President Plantation Home the next day. It was adjacent to Thomas Jefferson’s land. Thomas Jefferson talked James Monroe into buying this piece of land with over a thousand acres. Highland Plantation was the name of his new home. The name now is Ash Lawn - Highland and now owned by his alma mater, the College of William and Mary, which has kept it, open to the public. It was surprising at how small the home was.  His wife used huge mirrors to make the rooms that were so small look bigger.  We then visited the Michie Tavern established in 1784; it served as the social center of its community and provided travelers with food, drink, and lodging.

On July 4th went to the home of Thomas Jefferson our third President of the United States.  Monticello is in Albemarle County, Virginia. It was very amazing how this man lived and how he knew just about everything on every subject.  He had his chambers set up with the bed in the middle of the room; windows were continuous on a circular three quarters of the room. Below all windows was workspace for all the different things that he was working on. Books, this man loved reading and had books on everything you can imagine.  His home was comprised of all of his inventions of which two, I have not forgotten. One was the cannon ball clock in the main entrance to the home. He had actually made a mistake in his calculating the timing and had to make holes in the floor for the chain of cannon balls to drop as time went forth. I could not believe he would make a mistake like that. The other I thought quiet ingenious for his time, he had invented a copy machine. He attached it to his writing piece, and as he wrote, the attached copier wrote the same thing on another piece of paper. It was sitting there on his worktables under his chamber windows, with his glasses.

We also took in the Independence Day Celebration and the Naturalization Ceremony held there on the grounds of his home. It was very moving to see all these people from all different lands taking their pledge of allegiance to our country and becoming new citizens at the end.

That evening we went back to our cabin and were readying for the fireworks they were going to put on just after dark.  They had a floating dock set out in the water from shore, with all the fireworks waiting for the big moment.  We got everything ready on our deck, our chairs and drinks and snacks. We had front row seats, sitting on our deck with a clear view of the lake, there was a crowd of people at the main camping grounds, when the fireworks started all you could hear were the sounds of surprise as each firework exploded into beautiful color. I had even thought to bring one of my favorite cassettes of classical music with us. As the first fireworks lit up the dark skies, I started my music, and I remember I was listening to the Tchaikovsky’s Miniature Overture, 2. March – Dance of the Reed Pipes - Waltz of the Flowers and it went into the 1812 Overture at about the same time one of the teenagers who was helping to light the fireworks dropped a hot lighter into one of the boxes of fireworks on the platform. The next thing we knew it started the explosion of all the fireworks, you could see in the light from the exploding fireworks all of the people on that deck diving into the lake. No one got hurt.  The music played on as the fireworks continued to explode, it was one of those moments that none of us will forget. Our week of adventure ended in a blaze of glory.

Just a few months later, we were moving to our next adventure.  We were leaving our home in Yorktown, Virginia for the great Northwest, the state of Washington.  My children’s heads filled with visions of nothing but the old west.     

Tags: Jule 4 Fireworks Presidents VA

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Copyright © 2009 ….RaeDi

A few days ago, I was sitting on our back deck.  I had taken a book with me to read.  The songs of nature kept calling to me.  So, I finally put down my book.  I closed my eyes and just listened.  It really feeds my soul.  I am not only hearing multitudes of different bird songs and calls, but also I see such a diverse gathering of birds all in varying sizes and feathers of all colors.  It is almost as if you drink in the sounds and sights.  I know what things look like and am able to name the sound; but that is because I have lived my life with sight and sound.  If blind and deaf now could I remember what the word stood for be it color,  hearing the color would I see it or  the shape, texture, music, name and so much more could I still hear the source with thought .  When I think of this quote from Helen Keller, the meaning in the quote has only intensified my need to take that special time and become one with my spirit, one with my maker and one with all the wondrous things that surround me.    To me, it makes me whole.  It makes me want to know as much as possible about all of nature.

“Make the most of every sense, glory in all of the pleasures and beauty which the world reveals to you”….Helen Keller

This is something I have kept in my wood box for over a ‘few’ decades.  The first time I read this it gave me much pause to think what this truly meant.  I had always been fascinated with Helen Keller. As an infant, she contracted an illness that caused her to become deaf and blind; she could no longer see the world or her family, nor could she hear the words being spoken, there would be no more sounds of laughter.   

The senses she had left compensated for her loss of  sight and sound.  The other senses became aware and bonded to interchange.  Helen Keller learned how to use each of her senses that she had left.  I sometimes wonder if she gained more than a disability.  She saw things that most do not even notice.  She heard things that most of us are not even aware.  How many times have I not heard the songbird or did not see all the colors that surrounded me for one reason or another, being too busy?  She was deaf and blind, and she missed nothing.  It also brings to my mind taking the time to smell the roses along the way.   

The gifts we are each borne with should never be wasted.   I find taking some time each day, wherever it may be, in my woods, at our beach, in one of my gardens, on one of our decks or even our balcony or  just sitting at a window because of cold and rain to  just relax and let go.  I ask in prayer for the world to be put in the palm of my hand, to let me experience what my maker has given us in sight and sound.   I put a little time aside to take in all that surrounds me.  I watch for natures calling cards.  It does not take long and nature will put on a show for me.   I have learned to hear without sound, and to see without sight, I open up my spirit and take in all of what nature has to give me. 

I cannot imagine not hearing anything, no songbirds, music, conversation, laughter and so much more.  I close my eyes and cannot imagine not seeing all that surrounds me.  I can picture it in my mind, but I wonder for how long?  When you are born deaf and/or blind, you have no memory of such.  Those that lose their hearing and sight as young children how long after losing hearing will the memory of words being spoken, the rain on a tin roof, our four legged friends and our friends with feathers how long before they fade away?  No songs to be heard, no animal sounds, not seeing what family and friends look like, the sunups and sunsets, children at play.

 
Being deaf and blind can be a disability, but I have seen that they can be equal in sight and sound by matching other senses to compensate for the different.  The variable being we are blessed with many kinds of senses.   They may not have sight or cannot hear anymore, but they seem to hear and see so much more than some people without the same deficits.  They are very much aware of what is going on around them.  How many of us go through life where we choose to hear no sounds, and are blind to so much around us.  To some it makes it easier.  Don’t see, don’t hear, and so don’t have to deal with it.   They bury their head in the sand.    I am so blessed to have all my senses.  I choose to use all of them to the fullest.   I always have, that is where my inquisitive mind comes into play.  I needed to see the minute details; I wanted to be aware of the slightest of notes.  Each and all gave me color in my life, allowed me to study the masterpieces and to hear the faintest of sonatas.  All this from smelling my rosebuds, as I was gathering a few from the different rose plants in my rose garden.  Helen Keller words reminded me enjoy all that surrounds me; let nothing not be found as a pleasure of one kind or another.  

I know she saw and heard things that neither you nor I have yet ascertained there are so many things yet to discover.   What path lies ahead that will teach us a new color or new note, think of all the souls that we meet and can share all of our combined knowledge. I am waiting to hear and see what discoveries each and all have made.  Open my eyes and let me hear....RaeDi

I tried to put my picture of the rosebuds I gathers the other day with my post, but could not figure it out, so will put the rosebuds with my pictures. 

Tags: Sense Deaf Blind Color Notes Sight Sound

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Copyright © 2009 ….RaeDi  

Okay Friends I will admit it, I sent the rain to you all!  My feet were starting to evolve into webfeet!  Rain, Rain, and more Rain is what we live with here; I got tired of it and told it to go and visit some other parts of our Great Country for a while; just give us a break for a change.  Do not worry, it will return to the Northwest quicker than we here would want. 

When we first moved here over twenty-five years ago, it was not just a move; it was a complete change of lifestyle.  One of the first greetings we received, as we got closer to our destination was drops of rain: we were just about 75 miles out of Seattle on I-90 coming west.    We had managed to come clear across the country from Yorktown, VA to Washington State without even seeing a drop of dew. 

It took us three weeks, we looked like packman coming here, going there and going everywhere.  I do not think there was a family member that we did not see, nor did we miss visiting with each and all of the friends we had made over the years.  Add to that all major (and some not so major) tourist attractions along the way.  I do not believe we missed a thing or anyone.  It was a fun trip that turned into work about the last four days.  Our vacation had turned into a vocation, temperaments and comradeship had shifted. Traveling in a sparse, compact space had taken its toll on each of us.   We had car fever caused by our long stretches in prolonged, confined travel space.    We were all ready for our own beds.  To get back to something that resembled our ordinary lives.

We soon found out that living normal here in the Northwest was not the same as it had been anywhere else that we had lived.  It is God’s country, beautiful from mountains high to desert low and the beauty of all the coastal waters from the Pacific Ocean to Puget Sound.  I cannot complain about what my eyes have beheld.  I love it here, except for the rain.  That first year here, I will say I went into a depression.  Seeing no sun since that first day we arrived lasted for almost a year.  I do have to convey that the news said something about we had something like four sun days for the year.  However, they also said that all the sun had to do was show its face and it was considered a sun day.  For a sun person that is not good.  They actually have special lights that you sit by to get the benefits and fill the need of certain sunrays you do need ~ without these special rays it imbalances your system.  Thank goodness my body adapted to the lack of sun, but it’s the bones that are always screaming go to a hot, dry desert.                    &nb sp;                         &nb sp;           

Our normal summer with sun usually does not start until 4 July.  This is the first dry spring/summer we have had in over a dozen years!  We have not had rain in almost 30 days.  That does not mean we do not still have our cold, cloudy, dreary, and gray days.  However, it sure is nice to see the sun!  It makes one go around with a smile on your face for no other reason than the sun is shining. 

This brings to mind something that I witnessed yesterday.  I was getting ready for my first cup of tea and decided to sit in my window and start the day with quiet and mindless thought.  I had not been there in my window more than a few minutes when a doe brought her new little fawn into our front yard.  This little one could not have been older than a day.  Her coat was the brightest rufus color.  Its white spots were so bright.  This little one was so animated she just could not contain herself.  She had such a gaiety about her.  She was just prancing in place and following her mom around and she would get so excited about life that she would run in little circles.  She would kick her back legs up and just dance.  At one point, she even got down on her front legs and had her little tail moving from side to side.  She looked just like a little pup trying to get someone to play with it.   She had the cutest little black button nose and it actually turned up at the end.  I could almost imagine her in a little pink tutu.  She looked like she could be Bambi’s sister.   These little creatures always amaze me in one way or another. 

She made me think about the impact of how much sun we have had these past few weeks and its correlation with our brighter dispositions, the way the sun has put a smile on our faces and I see everyone has a little ship to their steps.  It is astonishing what a little bit of sun can do to a community that usually has to wait until after the 4^th of July each year and just hope we will indeed be getting a few weeks of summer weather. 

It seems all is doing well here in my corner of the world.  The only problems we seem to be having many folks have forgotten where they put their sunglasses the last time they needed and used them.   I have been saying for years to invest in sunglasses and umbrellas.  I had never owned an umbrella until I moved here.  The bumper shoot almost becomes like a part of your body and how many of you can say you have actually worn out an umbrella or two.  The other side is once you have lived here long enough; you do not need the bumper shoot, a hooded sweatshirt worked really well.  The only ones you see using a bumper shoot and or a raincoat are the people who work in the high towers of Seattle.  I was ecstatic to retire my raincoat and bumper shoot with my move to the country.   I have more sweatshirts with hoods and zippers than I thought I ever would.  Life goes on.   We are so use to the rain you sometimes forget it is even raining.  The only difference I can think of right now that we would not do because it is raining is hanging clothes outside to dry.  We know that would never happen.  Here rain does not cancel a picnic.  An added bonus you get to see many rainbows.   Did you know that in Washington the people do not tan, they rust?  I hope there is sunshine in each of your days….RaeDi 

Tags: Rain Sunshine Attitudes Fawn Doe

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Copyright ©2007 revised 2009 ….RaeDi

Tags: Whales Beach Fluke Dive Alaska Mountains

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