Once Upon a Time

It is hard to believe that we were HERE last year in October, or that it has been almost two years ago we bought this sweet hale; where has 2013 gone anyway?  Last year in October we spent hours every day whacking back the jungle, staking our claim.

This year,  we are seeing the fruits (and flowers) of our labor.  The rhododendron here (whose name is on the tag but I am not going out to get at this moment because it is raining) won the coveted 'rhody of the year' award a few years ago.

We are expanding one bed that hosts white flowers and selected a beautiful angel trumpet flower for it.  The little tree is only about 24" tall, but is already loaded with enormous flowers, as you can see from the photo with gardening-helper, Dexter.  And, if you look closely, you will see that the yellow flowers (that turn white) below don't just have a long stem -- that is part of the flower!

Later, I'll try to get the names of these delights -- for those of you who are interested.  However, today, we are off to Hilo to meet with the orthopedist for a discussion about my knee -- and the next step of possible arthroscopic surgery.

Storm Waves Over Puna!

We had a REAL dramatic storm last night over Puna that went on and on -- for about four hours.  What a light show it was, and poor Dexter was so frightened, we finally pulled out the tranquilizers we used to give him on the 4th of July. 

First of all this kind of storm is a bit unusual.  Even though we do get some occasional lightning with storms -- not like this -- not for an extended period of time.

What was also unusual is how the storm rolled over us in isolated, identifiable "waves." Remember, on the Big Island, PUNA district where we live is the farthest western point of the island, so we see the sun first, and in this case got the storm first as well.

In mainland storms we were used to storms that would come and then pass on and be gone. Last night, however, the "waves" of storm came in with big lightning and loud claps of thunder exploding IMMEDIATELY  -- because it WAS right over Puna!  You could also count the seconds after the flashes, and identify that the storm-wave was moving on -- further and further.  However, during several hours, we had four "waves" of storm with an INITIAL big flash of lightning followed by immediate thunderclaps, and eventually fading as it passed.  It was fun to hear each successive wave come, and then move on.  Very dramatic indeed with lots of "snap crackle and POP" -- depositing about 8/10 of rain.

(This is exactly like what we saw, but this lovely photo was taken by Kyle Nishioka)

More Building!!

In the warm tropical climate of the Big Island (especially in Puna where our annual rainfall is 120+ annually,) handling garbage and compost is a serious matter.  We HAVE to empty the kitchen compost container EVERY day, nor you let garbage accumulate either.  AND, it rains every day.

So, I hired this cute contractor and la'au lani  (chief of the woods) to build a garbage enclosure off the west and back end of the house.  I appreciate Phil's capabilities at seeing what needs to be done and not just doing it, but doing it well! In a couple days I will be off to Kona side for a few days swimming with the dolphins at meeting friends and I'll just bet it will be PAU (done) when I get back.  MAHALO Phil!

PS  We are not "accumulating" compost as we are using it up as fast as we can get it onto the pile.  In fact, it is not uncommon to find banana skins, lilikoi rinds and pineapple peels still decomposing when we put it a new plant bed.  But, it's all good!




   

Prayers and More Art

My friend Dhiresha on Kona Side saw my blog and sent me a photo of a Praying Mantis who was visiting at her house -- on the railing just outside her apartment!  When I saw it I was IN LOVE with all the potential I saw and wanted to play with it and see what I could bring out, enhance and highlight.

Dhiresha has a great eye for composition, so I worked to maintain that quirky view, but bring out the mantis with an abstract twist.  Here's my first attempt, but I might want to try a couple other tricks.    What fun!

Praying Mantis Knees

Last evening, we found a visitor on our front porch.

We decided he might be Lunel's Spirit Insect -- here to guide her safely through the process of attending to her right knee, physical therapy, MRI, meeting with orthopedist, possible surgery and recovery.

At this point we are very pleased with our local Bay Clinic's Pahoa Family Practice, Pahoa Physical Therapy, and well-recommended orthopedic office-- everything within 30 miles of our house.  It is a process; we won't know much for a while, but will keep you posted.

Now, just look at THOSE knees, and they can climb up walls too!  So, we have made our visitor the mascot for the NIDINI Support Group (quasi Hawaiian for needy knee and pronounced the same.)  So far, there are offices in Ferndale and Eureka, CA as well as here on the Big Island in Pahoa!

So, a shout goes out to all of us ageless hippies-at-heart!  As we all deal with our KNEES -- Jerebob, Cheryl, Lunel.....AND....

Drive in the Clouds

We have mentioned in previous posts that you plan your day around the weather. Often, we choose to use rainy days for errands, which may seem backwards.  Our thinking is that we would not be outside in the rain if we were home, so why not run errands.

Such was the case yesterday, when we found a lovely queen sized mattress for our ohana -- all the way up to Waimea, but the price was right, and it was a perfect day for a ride (round trip would be four hours.)

Anyway, as we left, both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa were blanketed with rain clouds, and even though we could not see either of the 13,000+ peaks, we thoroughly enjoyed the dynamic light show on the lower elevations.  Fortunately, we always travel with rope and plastic in case of sudden showers.

We chose to ride of the "saddle" between these two spectacular volcanic peaks, and on the way home, the clouds were at the ground level and visibility was limited, dropping our driving speed from 65 down to 35 for safety.


We wanted you all to know that not every day on the Big Island offers blue skies!  The weather is changing every hour.   Below is a map that shows the FIVE volcanoes on our island.  Mauna Loa erupted in the 1980's for a while, but lava has been flowing constantly from Kilauea's Pu'u O'o crater since 1983!

And, we can't forget our newest volcano, Loili, who is currently underwater of the south coast.

Lilikoi (Passion Fruit)

One of Hawaii’s most popular exotic fruits is the lilikoi, or passion fruit. Lilikoi fruits are extremely tart yet incredibly sweet, and so while only the bold tongue will eat them raw, when added to your favorite drink, jam or dessert, lilikoi make everything better.  We have two varieties that we planted early in the year.   They can easily grow out of control, so we built a fence for them attached to a dead ohia tree.

With only a few available, we simply cut them in half, scoop out a couple tablespoons of the innards along with the seeds.   After straining out the seeds, we simply freeze the potent nectar and add it to juice.  When we have a bigger crop, we can experiment with making lilikoi jam, or lilikoi butter (which is a little like lemon curd – tart and sweet).

Final Projects

The ohana is done, including the guava railing around the balcony.  The final project is installing a wood deck out front of Phil's wood shop, and creating an outdoor shower (with bamboo enclosure) underneath the balcony.

The deck will be about six feet wide at the narrow ends and bump out to about 10 feet at the wider spot -- in front of the double french doors leading into Phil's shop.

Access to the ohana is separate from our house -- its own door and stairwell are just to the right of the wood shop doors, and the deck will extended past that door and provide a good place for the BBQ and a few chairs.  Lunel is planning a garden area, of course, but some of that will have to wait until her knee is recovering.  In the meantime, she has lots of cuttings she has started in gallon pots -- gardenias, hibiscus, coleus, palms, etc.

It is hard for us to imagine that we were HERE last year in October.  The weather has shifted to what we call "fall" with more big clouds hanging out longer, and rainfall increasing a bit -- right now we can depend on about 2 inches/weekly (90% at night) -- just the perfect amount to keep everything green and our catchment tank full of tasty, free rainwater for all our needs. 

TOAD 'M POLE

On a previous post, we were chuckling about the cane toad who was serenading in the pond.


However, since that time we now have a entire Tabernacle Toad Choir and have decided to fight back!


If you can, enlarge the photo so you can see the details:  Phil's cane toad staff, toad hat, and carved toad-m-pole in the background. Below is delightful  and TOADALLY hilarious cane toad song!!

“Cane Toad Muster”

Dana Lyons of  the

Musicians called “Cows With Guns”  (click on to watch)

http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2013/05/10/3756553.htm

YES, they DO grow 'm big here on the Big Island