Aloha tootsies!
I’ve travelled several paths already this year and it is only just the end of April.
The paths are sometimes real and sometimes metaphorical and yet they are all a means of sauntering along on my journey.
We sauntered our asses over to Hawaii’s Big Island again a couple of weeks ago for a fabulous little journey in the warm sunshine.
A beautiful view!
The sky was bright blue, the ocean was navy, the clouds were fluffy, and the golf courses were awesome!
Our hotel room was a bit fancy but we didn’t complain.
Lounging in our yukatas in the living room area…
We somehow landed this one-bedroom, ocean-view, corner suite on “cyber Monday”… a day that is uniquely American and geared to online consumers.
One of our 3 lanais this last trip… we fell asleep every single night under the stars and waving palms listening to the ocean and the monorail below… talk about loving our Aloha!
Generally, we aren’t much for that type of thing but the rates last fall for the Hilton Waikoloa were 50% off! And then we found a conference for Alistair at a resort ‘down the road’…. I mean, we HAD to book, right?
Many paths throughout the grounds at the Hilton Waikoloa!
I loved exploring the resort and the area around me when Alistair was off at the Hapuna Prince for his morning conferences.
Pathways leading me around the resort
Its amazing to think that one week ago we were waking up all excited to play golf at a non-resort, more local golf course over by Kailua-Kona called Makalei.
Every hole at Makalei was uphill or downhill…. a fun, friendly course we highly recommend!
Getting ready to wrap up the round with our new friend, David, from AZ taking the picture at Makalei
Its amazing because here I am today, back in Montana, on a dramatically different farm than the one we left.
For starters, the weather is a bit different this morning.
Our stallion, Dash, not overly thrilled about the weather situation…
It wasn’t all that cold before we left for Hawaii. Our local golf course had re-opened and we had played a couple of times.
My step-daughter, Whitney and I before we left… we introduced golf and Norman to Whitney… a new journey for her, perhaps. (Note: no snow on the ground and no jackets on our bodies!)
Little Loki is missing her Mummy a lot and was a bit unsettled yesterday.
That could also do with the main reason our farm is so different now- Casey finally succumbed to his laryngeal paralysis while we were gone.
Casey & Dad a couple of years ago riding in Steve, our Ranger
Casey.
Jumpy, eager, goofy, happy, silly, clumsy, fun-loving Casey.
The dog who was always there is gone and the hole left behind is tremendous.
On one of many, many hikes on one of many, many paths
We had all hiked together before we left and Casey’s breathing had been labored so we did a much-modified, shortened hike. I had explained to Whitney that his disease was a matter of ‘when’… not ‘if’ and that we had already surpassed expectations by over a year.
Alistair and Whitney were adamant that we keep things as they were- that I wasn’t to step in and end things before we left.
Before he had a few more bumps with UB.
Or cuddles with Cleo.
Or sniffs with Loki.
UB, Casey & Loki goofing around a couple of months ago
And I was and I am completely fine with that.
Because each day really is a gift and nobody knew that better than Casey.
The physical embodiments of the words, “Oh, BOY!” lived each minute as the BEST one ever, regardless of what came his way.
Casey & Mummy, probably 12 years ago
As a puppy he never looked back when his former humans shattered his rear limbs with some blunt object. He became a ward of my vet school and joined our family for the rest of his own journey.
Young Casey Fyfe! Oh, BOY!
He took every opportunity to cuddle and enjoy each companion he could, human or otherwise and there was always such joy in his eyes.
Young (and bright-eyed) Loki with one of her BFF’s, Casey back in Bismarck about a dozen years ago. xo
His clumsiness seems more endearing to me now as I look through my rear-view mirror back down the paths we traveled.
At the time, though, I’m sure a few naughty words flew when he would slam into me.
Or when he knocked Alistair over post-knee surgery into a puddle on the driveway. I can only imagine what was being said as Alistair struggled to get his crutches while Casey was leaping all over and on top of him.
Casey & Dad hiking this winter
Casey lived and loved at full throttle.
If you were in his way (as my brother’s boys discovered) you would be slammed into and then licked and loved as you laid on the ground.
His wiggly ass and wagging tail knocked Cleo into the hot tub one time.
That was the BEST dunking of Cleo!
All 4 of the outside gang this winter
Something changed for Casey when we unexpectedly lost Harry in January.
He was still eager, keen, bright and goofy but he didn’t go for his kibble with the same gusto… and his runs through the pastures seemed more like he was looking for someone.
This is the BEST time on the couch, Mummy!
I believe he has found Harry again and the 2 of them are on a different journey of their own now.
We laid our big boys to rest with pink roses along with Cousteau, Mae Mae, Oscar, Cadbury, Marmalade and Mulder on a cloudy morning with patches of blue peeking through and a breeze strong enough to keep me from keeping my Memorial candle lit.
Typical.
Oh, BOY! This is the BEST photo opportunity ever, Dad!
And I miss Casey like I never thought possible and Cleo has moved primarily inside and she’s eager to cuddle and take over the bed and all of the animals are sorting this out and I still look for Mulder and long to hear Harry’s “Woo Woo’s” and I think I hear the guinea pigs whistling at me and I’m crying again but trying to be that strong, independent woman I think I am when clearly I’m not and our hikes out back are SO different now because although its the same path I have hiked for years, its a completely different journey.
Oh, BOY! My first agility trials with my DAD!!!!
And we will all be okay.
Little things make me smile or laugh- like seeing my golf club head covers at the Mauna Lani resort 2 days after Casey had laid down in the grass with Whitney and Cleo on a sunny afternoon for the last time.
Who knew Muldie and Casey would join Jinxie in the spirit world when I got these late last summer?
The fact we were an ocean away maybe even helped because of the Aloha surrounding us.
View from the big lanai
We played golf and raised our glasses to one of the BEST dogs ever to join our rag-tag band of merry misfits.
I had just made par on the par 3 hole below. People had been watching from this lava and had cheered me on. Seemed like a good time & place to celebrate 🙂
And I continue on my journey and I’m hoping that’s enough loss for awhile and that I can retain some of that Aloha ’cause it really is something special.
Post hula lesson at the Hilton Waikoloa!
And I am okay with the hurt because it means the love was real.
And I still think I am the luckiest girl in the world to have known some amazing spirits.
Mahalo, Casey. That was the BEST of times! xo
golf ball hunting in lava fields
Ocean-side golf!
Their last hike together. “That was the BEST hike ever, Dad!” April 13, 2015
tanyafyfe 