Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 96
November 25, 2022
Gratitude and Friendship
Our table was blissfully filled with a dozen fabulous friends.
Feasting and frivolity were the order of the day. I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2022
Happy Thanksgiving!
One of the most influential voices in the 19th Century was born in Newport, New Hampshire in 1788. Sarah Josepha Hale was born to parents who believed in education for both boys and girls, so she was encouraged to study and then became a writer. After only 9 years of marriage, her husband passed away, leaving her with 5 children. Relying on poetry for income, she wrote the famous nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Hale moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she became the editor of the leading women’s publication of the day, Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1837.
In 1846, she started petitioning the President of the United States and other leading politicians to create Thanksgiving as an annual American holiday. Largely ignored, finally, in the midst of the Civil War, it was President Abraham Lincoln who was moved into action by her letter in 1863. Thus, at long last, an annual celebration of Thanksgiving and Praise was established.
Remaining a strong voice, she worked hard to get the Bunker Hill Monument completed, among other accomplishments. Hale retired in 1877 and died two years later at the age of 92.
Many thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale… and Happy Thanksgiving to all.
(Photo by Stephanie McCabe)
November 23, 2022
Lessons and Learning
While visiting the island of Kauai, we stayed at the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club on the south shore in the Poipu Beach area.
The grounds are simply gorgeous… so much so that hubby says he wants to marry the landscaper and take them home.
A large koi pond was nestled beside the adults-only relaxation pool.
And there were two additional pools… a large primary swimming pool, plus a smaller one directly on the shore.
Outside our room was a lagoon with waterfalls all set amidst swaying palm trees with views of mountains and the Pacific Ocean, of course.
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Your hammock awaits you!
I was impressed to see that even resorts continue to protect and preserve sacred lands and temples. We had the remains of one such temple right beside a swimming pool.
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This proved to be both an ideal location to watch the early morning surfers and catch the glorious sunrise.
Our “room” turned out to be a large apartment with two king bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a dining table for 8, a laundry, 3 wide-screen TVs, and a private lanai in the back.
As our space was so enormous, Sir Ronald invited my sister, Deborah to stay with us during our visit to her island. This gave us super sister time!
Naturally, we also continued enjoying many local foods. Deborah had made some Bruddah’s Ulu Bars. Totally vegan in her diet, these bars deliver a yummy treat with no flour… just ripe breadfruit, dates, bananas, ginger, cinnamon, and allspice.
Ulu is breadfruit. Quite common in Hawaii, ulu is a starchy carb like rice, corn, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. It originated in New Guinea and the Philippines.
She also introduced us to Kulola, a sweet confection made from kalo (taro), waiu nu (coconut milk), and kopaa (sugar) by the Aloha Aina Poi Company in Waimea, Kauai. Kulola has a dense cranberry jelly-sort of texture, though finer. The flavor is reminiscent of fig, as in a Fig Newton cookie, but not as sweet and with no seeds. We sliced it and munched the yumminess atop crackers.
And she brought apple bananas, which look like the more familiar traditional bananas, except they are about half the size.
Plus, we gobbled up a yummy lilikoi (passion fruit) pie, with a crust made from breadfruit, macadamia nuts, almonds, honey, vanilla, and sea salt.
Finding a few local haunts, we enjoyed beef potstickers at the Cabana Bar and Grill, which also served up absolutely ahhhhsome ahi tuna tacos.
We also found that Portuguese sausage regularly replaces traditional breakfast sausage and even bacon. It was delicious on my giant grilled croissant sandwich with a fried egg and cheese. Portuguese sausage has been a staple in the Hawaiian Islands since the Europeans first settled here and started ranching in the early 1800s.
On an interesting side note… Hawaii was the first state in which McDonald’s varied its menu to suit cultural diversity. Even back in the 1970s, they offered both Portuguese sausage and poi.
The first European to set foot in Hawaii was Captain Cook back in 1778 when he came ashore at Waimea Bay on Kauai. What we now know as Hawaii, he named the Sandwich Islands, after the Earl of Sandwich.
There’s no escaping history here, which I greatly enjoyed as the rich culture is so deeply diverse. For instance, just off the coast of Kaua’i is a large island of which I was totally unaware.
Ni’ihau in distance across the water from our hotel
Ni‘ihau is the westernmost and 7th largest inhabited island in Hawaii. 17 miles southwest of Kaua’i, it contains 69 square miles. It is owned by Bruce and Keith Robinson, descendants of Elizabeth McHutchison Sinclair Robinson. She purchased Ni’ihau in 1864 from the Kingdom of Hawaii for $10,000, or about $175,000 today.
Elizabeth McHutchison, born in Scotland in 1800, married sea Captain Sinclair in New Zealand and bore 13 children. He was later lost at sea with their eldest son. Looking for a fresh start, she moved the entire family to Vancouver, Canada, and then California in the U.S. Not caring for either location, she moved everyone to Hawaii, where the King found her a fascinating person. Because her late husband had always fancied having an island of his own, she purchased Ni’ihau in 1863 when the King offered it, but that was only after turning down sites including the Waikiki area and Pearl Harbor on Oahu and Kapa’a on Kauai’s east side. She remarried, became a Robinson, and had 3 more children. Cattle ranching was the initial activity, but due to the island’s arid conditions, this became too difficult. Fishing is the primary activity now.
http://goodliving123.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/11-23-22-23-2022-10-30-07.11.16-Kauai-surf-w-Niihau-in-distance.mp4In 1915, Ni’ihau became closed to outsiders, reflecting the Robinson family’s dedication to preserve Hawaiian culture and tradition. People must be truly 100% native Hawaiians to live there. Truly “The Forbidden Island,” Ni’ihua is off limits to all outsiders, except for the Robinson family and their relatives, as well as U.S. Navy personnel, government officials, and invited guests. The residents speak only the Hawaiian language. Transportation on the island is by horse or bicycle. There is no modernization, which means, no telephones, television, radio, nor computers… no indoor plumbing, refrigeration, nor electricity. Anyone traveling to Kauai or anywhere else can return as long as they did not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or gamble. Thus, the population has dropped from 700 in 1915 to just 30 in 2022.
The natives make a gemlike shell lei, called lei pūpū. A single lei can sell for thousands of dollars. The one in the photo (not my photo) is a genuine Ni’ihau lei pūpū necklace, for sale on eBay for a cool $32,000. Yikes! Hawaii protects this native trade by laws that require all shells to come from Ni’ihau, and the jewelry must be made entirely in Hawaii.
For Hawaiian natives, including those of many mixed cultures, children are still raised by grandparents, because the parents work all day. Specifically, your tutu, or maternal grandmother is the one who is most responsible for raising the children. As our Hawaiian guide, Kana’e explained, “She is the one you know is your grandmother. Hawaiians did not have a society where there was one man and one woman in a marriage. A woman could have multiple husbands, and a man could have multiple wives. You may not know who your birth father is, but you know your birth mother and her mother. So, the maternal grandmother rules. She even names all children. A child is named by destiny at the moment you are born. You cannot change your name, as it would be disrespectful.”
The Hawaiians remain a highly spiritual people. In an earlier article, I mentioned seeing a prominent, double peak on the northern shore of Kaua’i as our ship approached the island. This is part of the Kalalea Mountain range near the town of Anahola.
As these mountains stretch toward the Pacific Ocean, one particular “spike” stands out. The wider one is Hokuyalele Peak, and the skinny spike is Mono Mt.
It appears like a shark fin, and the word mono means shark. The gap or space between the mountains was actually a lava tube, worn away by thousands of years of erosion.
Together, the two peaks form the entry point for all souls coming to the earth. Is this local legend, faith, or folly? A great many people still hold fast to the belief that it is here in these Anahola Mountains where all souls enter the earth. Visiting in 1994, the Dalai Lama agreed with the strong spiritual connection that this “hole in the mountain,” called a Puuanakoua, is where souls enter the earth.
On the spiritual note, March 30, 1820, is noted as the date that Protestant missionaries from the northeastern U.S. first arrived on the Big Island, the eastern most island.
On the western end of the archipelago, The town of Hanalei still has one of the very earliest Hawaiian churches.
Wai oli Hui’ia Church has been holding regular services since 1834 in both English and Hawaiian.
Hubby Ron and my sister, Deborah by the church
November 22, 2022
National Cranberry Relish Day
Leave it to cranberries to get two official days back-to-back. Because my cousin, Barbara Cote asked if I make our Grandmother Burnham’s Cranberry Orange Relish, I knew I needed to post a recipe today in celebration of all the marvelous meals that came out of Grammy’s loving kitchen. Sorry, because I do not know if this recipe is or is not a spin on the way she made the relish. I just know I always loved it! She likely prepared it with no recipe card at all!
Cranberry Orange Relish
There are many renditions of cranberry relish that add finely diced celery, chopped walnuts, apples, or pears. Here’s a family favorite, time-tested rendition, simply with oranges.
3 c cranberries, chopped
1 c sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
1 tsp grated lemon peel
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves
2 oranges, peeled & chopped
Combine, cover, and refrigerate 24 hours before serving.
KISS Tips: This is an old recipe, as I made it back in 1980. I now tend to cook without sugar. Replacing the sugar with granulated monk fruit works great. As I prefer it less sweet, I only use ½ cup. This is also yummy with the addition of a T of liquor, such as Grand Marnier or even peach schnapps.
November 21, 2022
National Cranberry Day
Cranberries are easily one of my favorite fruits. I get caught popping these fresh, tart little berries into my mouth all Fall.
Being Thanksgiving week in the U.S.A, cranberry sauce, cranberry bread, and even cranberries in stuffing become wildly popular.
Knowing that many of us host large gatherings, I know that easy, make-ahead brunch dishes are also sought. Here’s one from my 2014 release, “Cranberry Cooking.” (Yup! This little 5×8 gem is still available in both print and digital formats.)
Cranberry Orange French Toast
This was a 2004 creation for a big family brunch during the holidays. Definitely feel free to toss in a half cup of fresh cranberries!
1¼ c dried cranberries
4 T finely chopped pecans
16 slices (1” thick) of soft French bread 3×2-1/2” diameter
6 extra large eggs
2 T finely grated orange peel
2 c milk (or half-and-half)
1½ c orange juice
4 t butter, melted
1 c 100% maple syrup
Butter a 13×9” glass baking dish. Sprinkle cranberries and pecans evenly in bottom of the dish. Arrange the bread slices on top in a single layer. In large bowl with whisk, beat eggs. Stir in orange peel, milk, orange juice and butter until smooth. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover tightly with foil. Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove from fridge at least 1 hour before baking. When ready to bake, heat oven to 425°. Uncover baking dish; bake 25 to 30 minutes or until bread is puffy and edges are golden brown. Serve with warmed real maple syrup. Makes 8 servings.
November 20, 2022
National Absurdity Day
This is a day to be zany and do silly things as if we need a specified day. History is full of examples of human absurdity. For example, in 1913, when the U.S. postal service launched, children falling within shipping weight limits could be “mailed” cross-country for as little as 15 cents.
Our states are packed with examples of interestingly bizarre laws. They are apt to make you say, “Duh” or “Huh?”
For instance, billboards are illegal in the state of Hawaii. So, folks get creative, as evidenced by an auto dealer’s gargantuan gorilla atop the building.
Eavesdropping is illegal in Oklahoma.
An Alabama law prohibits driving while blindfolded.
You can’t honk your car horn near a sandwich shop after 9pm in Arkansas.
In Iowa, you may not sell cars or RVs on a Sunday.
In Minnesota muddy tires are considered a public nuisance.
In Indiana, you mustn’t ride your horse faster than 10 mph.
In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to race or test a horse’s speed on a public highway.
In Massachusetts, it’s illegal to tell fortunes without certification, and you must live in the state for at least 1 year before you can apply for a license. Well, at least you can then work. In Pennsylvania, it’s not allowed to pay a fortune teller or psychic. Oregon law took it one step further mandating that no occult arts may be practiced, including “fortune telling, astrology, phrenology, palmistry, clairvoyance, mesmerism, spiritualism, or any other practice generally recognized to be unsound and unscientific.”
As of 2011 in Tennessee, it’s illegal to share your Netflix password, even with someone living under the same roof.
Also in Tennessee, you cannot hold public office if you’ve been in a duel.
In Georgia, it’s illegal to live on a boat for more than 30 days.
A 1973 law in New Hampshire outlawed carrying or picking up seaweed off the beach at night.
In Montana, all live performers must remain onstage.
In Massachusetts, you must sing the National Anthem correctly, without any embellishment or addition of other melodies. (I guess they did not care for Jimi Hendrix.)
In California, it’s illegal to whistle for your lost canary before 7 am.
It’s illegal to hunt on Sundays in Virginia unless you are killing raccoons.
In North Dakota, you need a health department permit to exterminate a pigeon.
In Washington, it’s illegal to kill Bigfoot.
In Missouri, wrestling a bear is banned.
In Kentucky, you may not bring a reptile to church.
It is against the law in Arizona to spit on a public sidewalk or in a park or public building.
As of 1999 in New Jersey, it’s illegal to wear a bullet-proof vest while committing a crime.
In 1931 (repealed in 2010) a West Virginia law banned “lewd and lascivious cohabitation and conduct before marriage.”
A South Carolina law (repealed in 2016) made a man guilty of a misdemeanor if he seduced an unmarried woman using “deception and promise of marriage.”
In Vermont, a woman may not wear fake teeth without her husband’s approval.
In Kentucky, a woman cannot marry the same man four times. (Ummm… Was this an ongoing issue?)
In North Carolina, it’s illegal to hold a meeting while wearing a costume.
And in New York, you must not wear a mask at all, unless you are at a party or a gathering that’s received proper approval.
In Louisiana, sending someone a surprise pizza is considered harassment, warranting a $500 fine.
To prevent traffic jams in Maine, a law prohibits parking in front of Dunkin’ Donuts.
In Georgia, a 1961 proclamation in Gainesville made it illegal to eat fried chicken with a fork.
There will be no sleeping in cheese factories in Wisconsin.
Kansas made it illegal to top a slice of cherry pie with ice cream, but it seems the law was never enforced.
In South Carolina, you can’t play pinball if you are under the age of 18.
In North Carolina, it’s illegal to sell or consume any alcoholic beverage in a room where bingo is being played.
In Minnesota (until 2015), nursing homes and senior centers were limited to just 2 days of bingo per week.
In Maine, dancing is prohibited at establishments that sell alcohol, unless that establishment has been issued a “special amusement permit.”
Okay… all such amusement is welcome on this National Absurdity Day.
Special thanks to USA Today and Good Housekeeping for these delightful tidbits.
November 19, 2022
Be Positive
“Positive anything is better than negative nothing.”
— Elbert Hubbard (1856 – 1915)
American writer, publisher, and philosopher
(Photo by Joshua Earle)
November 18, 2022
Adoption Update
Because November is National Adoption Month, I thought you might enjoy a little adoption update. Back on June 10th, I posted about our friends Rick and Claire Johnson watching over two tiny, twin fawns that had been orphaned when their mom was struck by a vehicle on the road near our ranch. Keeping them safe from predators at night in a stall in our barn, but opening the door during the day, the struggle was on to help them stay alive while awaiting space with a wildlife rescue service. Thankfully, after just a couple of days, a doe in a herd of deer on the property appeared to have lost her own fawn, and she sniffed out the babies and chose to adopt them, nuzzling them to join the herd and slip into the woods.
It’s fun to report that the fawns are growing up gracefully! We see them once or twice a day, romping about the pastures, still very much under Mom’s watchful eye. They can now even bound beautifully over our horse fencing… with a bit of a running start! But they mostly just prance and play.
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The Oldest Hawaiian Island
Cruising toward Kauai, our final island on our Hawaiian tour, I spied where the Kalalea Mountain range stretches to the sea in the northeastern portion of the island.
I later learned that the two jagged peaks at the very end are revered by locals as the place where all of our spirits enter this planet.
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And suddenly, there was my sister, Deborah, waving both arms from the lighthouse as we entered the Nawiliwili Harbor. Tears flowed down my cheeks the entire time as we sailed into the harbor.
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My sister has lived on the island of Kauai for 22 years. FINALLY, we got there to visit her Paradise for the first time.
She knew we had a full island tour, but she also knew the first stop that we would make, so she met us at the Wailua River State Park.
Deborah enjoyed meeting our guide, Kana’e, who is half Hawaiian native and taught us a great deal about the culture.
Displaying the true essence of my highly spiritual sister, Deborah offered a blessing at the sacred site there known as Hikinaakala Heiau. Since the 14th century and until the traditional Hawaiian religion was abolished in 1819, this was the political and religious center of Kaua’i.
In ancient times, a heiau was a place of royalty, yes… but also refuge. This was a pu’uhonua or place of refuge. In times of war or turmoil, if anyone in trouble could make it to the temple, they would be safe as long as they remained there.
The remains of the temple still call for great respect. Entering is even ka’pu or forbidden for non-natives.
Also at the State Park is the Lydgate Beach Park. A mighty undertow threatens swimmers at the mouth of the river and has carried many out to sea, including the Lydgate’s 2-year-old son. They wanted no other families to suffer their loss and had large lava boulders added around an enormous area by the beach, forming a natural, yet safe swimming and snorkeling area. The beach park was named in this family’s honor.
Leaving my sister for a while, we continued our tour of Paradise.
Nearby, my eye-opening cultural education continued. A large cluster of rocks featured a flat, square one in the front and center. Any princess or queen who was pregnant delivered her baby here in front of all to see, as they wanted the people to witness the birth of the next king or queen. Yes, they have medical centers now.
Further along, we learned that the 20-mile Wailua River is Hawaii’s most navigable river, as it flows from the 5,148-foot Mount Wai’ale’ale in the center of the island. Weaving through lush jungle landscapes, the river weaves through the settings of seven different ancient temples or heiaus.
Among our stops was one for the famed Opaeka’a Falls, from the north branch of the Wailua River. Interestingly, Opaeka’a means “rolling shrimp,” which once were readily available in the stream.
This 40-foot-wide waterfall drops 151 feet into a hidden pool. A lookout also offers a perfect peak into the Wailua River Valley.
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En route to the Waimea Canyon, we drove down Tunnel Road, with its arching trees creating a beautiful tunnel effect. It is also known as the Tunnel of Love, as many couple choose to risk the 50 mph traffic to say their “I Do’s” under the tunnel. Go figure.
This is near one of Kauai’s stunning country clubs, including one where we saw the Hawaii home of famed NFL quarterback Drew Brees. There are many multi-million-dollar celebrity homes.
But as our guide pointed out, the $80,000 annual membership fees are mere “chump change” for them.
One phenomenon along the lava rock coast is something called blowholes. When large waves crash into the shore, the pressure pushes water straight up through a vertical lava tube hole, delivering a whale-like vertical blast of water. On Kauai’s south shore in the town of Koloa just after Po’ipu Beach, we visited a most spectacular one called the Spouting Horn. The surf crashing into the rocks forces the spout of water as high as 50 feet into the air, bringing smiles to all faces visiting this most highly photographed site.
Then came the highlight of this day’s tour… Waimea Canyon. The word “Waimea” means “reddish waters.” When it rains, waters pull color from the red rocks as the river makes its way through the canyon to the sea. Colorful and lush with birds, plants, and wildlife, this is a must-see for any visitors to Kaua’i. Dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it does not begin to equal the size of the one on the mainland.
Waimea Canyon is a mere 3600 feet deep versus 5280. It’s also only 1 mile wide, rather than 18 and only 14 miles long, rather than 277 miles. (Of course, the entire island of Kaua’i only measures 33 x25 miles.)
This all acknowledged, the dramatic beauty of Waimea Canyon is staggering. Whether viewing from the various lookouts that are accessible by road or hiking the multitude of trails, its dramatic vibrancy remains unforgettable in all directions.
The weather was on our side. Only as we prepared to depart were the misty clouds forming down the side canyons. This happens daily by the trade winds picking up the warm ocean waters and getting caught up, forming clouds beside the high volcanic peaks.
Serving up a stark contrast is a crazy little town on the southwest shore. A small village now, Hanapepe used to huge and was known as Party Town from WWI to the 1950’s. Then it was filled with bars, brothels, and US military personnel. Then Kauai closed all the bars and brothers, and they were replaced by a dozen churches. Due to its Friday night “Art Walk” event, Hanapepe is now known as Art Town. Not through with this day’s Hawaiian adventures, our next stop was some shave ice at Jo Jo’s in Hanalei. (Naturally!)
We were then off to the Luau Kalamaku at the historic Kilohana Plantation. The sounding of the conch shell signaled the Imu Ceremony for the unearthing of the roasted pig.
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This was followed by what was dubbed a “scrumptious buffet” of local Hawaiian specialties. In truth, the food was sadly mundane, especially after we have enjoyed so many delightful local dishes. (It even made the cruise ship buffet look gourmet.)
However, the music and choreography made up for it. Through music and dance, the professional cast relayed the legends and lore of the first Polynesians finding their way to the Hawaiian Islands.
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Such a day and evening… and our time on Kaua’i was just beginning!
November 16, 2022
National Fast Food Day
Yikes! Who knew??!
Popularized in the U.S. in the 1950s, fast food is here to stay. Drive-thru, take-out, or dine-in… we all have our favorites and those we love to hate. Seriously, have you ever gotten a fast-food sandwich that actually looked like the ones they picture?
Grilled, fried, or broiled… what is your favorite? Or your favorite one to despise?
I used to say that McDonald’s french fries were the no-contest best… crispy and perfect every time. However, that is no longer the case. No other spot has topped them, but consistency in the franchise world has simply vanished. You can now order a great favorite one day and get something quite unrelated the next time you order it, even from the exact same location.
