Wheel of Fortune?

THE GAME??:         WHEEL OF FORTUNE!
THE CATEGORY:   BEFORE AND AFTER
THE ANSWER:        "HURRICANE-ARMS-OF-FLOWERS"

As the arms of the hurricane Madeline spiral in closer to the Big Island of Hawaii we are experiencing "waves" of weather. (Udate below**) There are hour long bursts of tremendous rain and wind, followed by lulls of blue sky when your senses tell you it is "over" -- but it really isn't. Such is life in Puna on the Big Island during hurricane season.

Enough flowers to create 5 lovely arrangements

As has been the pattern since we retired and relocated here, the weather determines everything. Yesterday, we followed our checklist:  secure loose items around the property including umbrellas, chairs, yard equipment, garbage containers, flower pots, etc.  It also meant we needed to mow NOW because in another few days it would be hard pushing.  Phil started the generator and I walked the property looking for suspicious long branches or plants that needed to be pruned to prevent breaking.

The brunt of Madeline is expected to arrive around 2-3pm today. So, for now, in between the alternating waves of weather I strolled out to gather arms full of flowers, and Phil made a trip to a friends house to pick up some koa wood for his art projects.

As neighbors, we are all checking on each other, rounding up stray pets, sharing "remember when Iselle hit" stories, emptying the rain gauges (2 inches in last 12 hours) and focusing on indoor projects.   A HUI HO!!    ((Update** lots of rain, wind and storm surges, but we are safe.  Some damages along coastline for residents.  The gift of Iselle is that we KNOW it can and does happen and are better prepared.)