"Cane and STILL* Able"

A couple months ago Lunel fell.  The initial injuries appeared modest -- bloody tear on the elbow, pulled muscle on inner thigh, a little twist in the ankle and torqued knee (the last being the most significant.)

We had hoped the knee part was muscle, but when it was still sore after a couple weeks.....maybe ligament?  It is the same knee she had surgery on 15 years ago for a torn meniscus.  So, after waiting over two months while it actually got worse, she is jumping the hoops and headed for arthroscopic surgery.

Just before the final move to the Big Island, Lunel was moving a broken wood pallet into the pile for the dump when three rusty nails tore a gash into the same leg.  It healed, but has produced some nerve damage that has been compounded by this latest injury.

The good news is her doctor is referring her to the same surgeon who repaired the doc's knee a year ago, and she was back to work in 10 days.  Anyone know knows Lunel also knows it takes a brick wall or mac truck to slow her down, however, she is wisely using a brace and cane now, and limiting her activities until we can get this attended to properly.  *STILL, she is out weeding, and transplanting plants from small to larger pots, directing our yard guy on projects, etc.  Physical therapy is set up to start, and MRI and appointment with orthopedist, etc.  As everyone (our age especially) knows, it takes time.

AND THAT....reminds us of our favorite sign in PUNA.  You see it discretely posted on a humongous mango tree on the Pahoa-Pohoiki road, (better known to locals as Mango Road).  The sign simply reads, "It's just a matter of time."   

"La'ua Lani

"La'au Lani" -- High Chief of the Forest

We both breathe art in and out of whatever we do whether that was running a gallery for 22 years, restoring a 150 year old Victorian house in Eureka, or building our retirement dream on the Big Island of Hawaii.

However exciting our newest projects have been, we both yearn to get back to our own unique artistic expressions.

With the completion of Phil's spacious new shop, as well as the new "Luana Ohana," he's been playing with all the pieces of wood scrap he's been saving, including some driftwood, root, mahogany (used for the ceilings in our house) and, of course koa!

So here's his latest creation.  The top head piece is from a palm on our property. 

Hapakolu Hale

WHOA! -- we just revised this blog entry BECAUSE...we are a little tired of projects.  The ohana is done...and this project can be put off a while.....and, our contractor lives close and can get it done when we are ready.




While we have access to this creative contractor, we are moving ahead with what we have been calling the "gazebo project."  Here's a photo of our working concept.

"Hapakolu Hale" (third house) will be charmingly situated near the orchard, a separate building that is more rustic, and minimally furnished.  It is essentially a fully screened mini-house with futon couch/bed, and a modest adjacent toilet/shower and minimal kitchen.  And, in true 'island style' the bath and kitchen area will be on the porch area but still private.  It will be tiled throughout, and features a screened, wrap-around covered porch.  The "interior" will weather protected have partial walls with built in shelves, cupboards and a futon style couch/bed. 



Here's the preliminary drawing our contractor did the other day -- on the back of a sheet of dry wall; of course we will have accurate plans drawn up, but we love this informal, organic, creative process....don't you?

SO, instead of moving ahead right now, especially since Lunel's knee is "needy" -- we're looking at spring 2014. 

Haysmers In Paradise

Impossible not to grin!

A short drive from our house down to the "red road" (between Pohoiki and Kalapana) gets us here!

Backyard Sex!

Humpin' Cane Toads! Although we have seen toads around our pond, and built them a special lava puka, we only recently began to hear their mating call -- that can last from 10-15+ seconds long.  (click below to listen)

http://www.larkwire.com/library/bird-sounds/2058/Cane-Toad-songs-and-calls

We thought you might enjoy listing to the male's call for the female.  You will notice that she is much bigger.  These toads (like many other species) were introduced;  people thought they would help eradicate sugarcane pests, but they have  become somewhat "pesty" themselves.  PS  larkwire.com is a great place to check out!

Phil's New Shop!

Now that the ohana is completed, Phil is changing gears and beginning to work on a new art piece.  His new shop space is huge (full two-car garage space) and there is room for all his tools to be out, at the ready.


Dexter loves going downstairs to hang out with Phil where he can lie with his belly on the cool cement floor.  The breeze that moves though this space is delightful, and Phil's views include papaya plants, ohia forest.

It is fun to hunt around the island for new raw materials like this piece of palm frond that came off one of our plants.  Of course Phil is having fun playing with the native woods here in Hawaii.

He's also made a few contact with other artists working in wood and with his shop, he's hoping to line up some collaborative associations.

(When he is done with the piece, we'll post it!)

Name That Succulent!

We found this succulent nearly dead when we first landed at our new home, but after nursing it back to health, it has produced this very cool alien flower.  If anyone knows what it is, let us know please.  The flower's pedals are very firm and to the touch feel almost like plastic.

Which Way?

Puna Tsunami Sign

Humboldt County Tsunami Sign

Recently as we were headed to the beach and driving down the "red road" near our new home on the Big Island,  our visiting friend noticed a sign we had driven by numerous times. However, she saw something we had missed!  She laughed as she got out of the car to take a photo of a tsunami evacuation because the person on the sign appears to be running TOWARD the approaching disaster.  She decided it must be a surfer!

While living in Humboldt County, tsunami signs were just a bit different, with people heading away from the danger.

Maybe it's just what Punatics do?  (Or, maybe it was just a graphic artist with a twisted sense of humor.)

Luana Ohana!

This is the "first set" of photos of the new ohana, taken just before Cheryl's arrival.  There are many things they do not show, so we will be taking more photos showing completed curtains, art on the walls, etc.

But for now, and for those of you who have been faithfully following this building project, this will give you some idea of the inside.

When you first walk into the ohana, you are in the best part!  The expansive living room area.  Immediately to your left there is a sweet bookcase and mini-desk area for computer.  The little cane rocker was one we brought with us from Eureka.

The next photo features the other half of the front of this living area with love seat, coffee table, and french window that opens out onto the balcony (facing west.)

If you turn right as you come in the front door, there is an area we are featuring as a dining area with one of Phil's grandmother's tables and cane chairs.  You can also see the kitchen.



The kitchen has lots of cupboards and drawers, and Cheryl found an electric screwdriver, some paint and a hammer in one of the drawers....ooops!  There is a full range/oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster and coffee maker.



(While you can't see it well, we were pleased to have found a RED toaster and microwave that goes perfectly with our color scheme.


The bathroom features a clawfoot tub with Victorian fixtures and hand-held shower.

Directly opposite the tub is the vanity, sink and cupboard.  The next photo is a peek from the hall looking out toward the kitchen.

Finally, is a  photo of the bedroom...but we have installed a QUEEN mattress for more comfort. The room is small, but features a well-designed built in closet along one wall (no photo yet.)

Swimmin' Every Day!!

Since our friend Cheryl arrived, we have been too busy to post much, but here is where we have been swimming every day so far. Lunel took four days off though, to accompany her friend Yani over to Honolulu for cataract surgery

Honolulu is a combination of LA and SF....really big, hot, crowded and noisy.  In the photo below, we can't even FIND the Alamuana Hotel where she was staying -- it is there, someplace!

Honolulu

She thought she might try swimming at Waikiki beach (which was across the street from the hotel) but the beach was closed due to an ecological disaster of a container of spilled molasses!

So, as soon as she was back, off we went to cool off and swim!

Luana Ohana

"Luana Ohana" has a nice ring to it don't you think?   Everything has been concluded in just 16 weeks, and we have several people signed up for visits!

The inside is all done, and there are just a few little outside details remaining that can be completed in the next couple weeks.

Not only do we have a charming one bedroom apartment/ohana upstairs (with full kitchen and bathroom) for guests, but Phil now also has an wonderful and expansive shop too.

We are excited to have our friend Cheryl arriving tomorrow.  After we catch our breath, we will post a complete set of photos, but in the meantime, here are a couple of teaser photos.

The living room and bedroom have bamboo floors with nonslip tile in the kitchen and bathroom.  The kitchen has a range, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, toaster and spacious cupboards.  The bathroom features a charming old fashioned claw foot tub,and the bedroom has QUEEN sized bed and a wall length functional built-in closet.  On the west end of the living room we have a french door installed that features sunsets though the native ohia forest in the front half of the property.  Overall the unit is about 720 sq ft of space with a 18' high ceiling.