Thinking Outside the Box

"Instead of thinking outside the box get rid of the box."
                                                         (Deepak Chopra)

This has to be one of the main reasons we love PUNATICS so much!!  The challenges of living in Puna on the Big Island are of many shapes; most folks on the Continent have no real idea of the learning curve involved when you decide to "move to Hawaii."   It's not all palm trees and white beaches.  Here in Puna life is remote and rural and the terrain is diverse, ranging from full forest to dense jungle.  The people who live here are fiercely independent creative problem solvers.

So, when *SHIT* happens, there's always an opportunity to learn what went wrong, and how to find a "work around" that will solve the problem.  And most often, it does require THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

Master & Commander of Parts

Such was the case when the heater on our hot tub died.  Of course we were annoyed, but we had to admit the our electric bill was high.  So, together with our amazing contractor Rob (who is known for getting rid of the box) we came up with a better solution.

Boldly going....

We purchased 500 feet of black heavy-duty irrigation hose which was hauled up onto the roof and strapped in place to utilize passive SOLAR. We found a small, efficient, quiet pump on line to move the water through the pipes. Using a simple garden timer, next we measure the time it takes to heat the water in the black hose so that it periodically flows into our hot tub.  (As a back up for cloud-cast winter days, we have installed a small propane on-demand heater.)

By also adding a couple batteries to our existing solar system, we can now operate all our most expensive equipment through our solar set-up -- including water pump, tub, and refrigerator!!  Net result will cut our electric bill in HALF!

Shit happened -- AND we got to think of a better way to do it!

Pua in Pots & Plates

PUA means flower in Hawaiian -- over a dozen are blooming right now.

Our new dishes have a LEI of PUA around the edge

We made a recent trip into Hilo Town to tackle a long list of stops including our dentist where we each had appointment.  After several hours, hungry, we stopped at one of our favorite Thai restaurants.  As we passed by we notice a sign in a pawn shop that said 50% of everything.  Since we didn't even know a pawn shop was there, we sauntered after lunch to have a look-see.

The building itself was a little mysterious, and each room seemed to open out into yet another space which lead to another room, etc.  It was a little like visiting one of our favorite antique stores in Old Town Eureka.  After poking around for a while, I found a set of dishes that was very pretty.  Of course we already have an adequate (if boring) set for eight (which we got at a garage sale. ) There was no price on the box -- and it was a FULL set of 12!!   I figured it would probably be a few hundred dollars -- BUT one thing I have learned -- ASK.

So, I did, and was shocked to find out they only wanted $50.00 for the whole set.  My response was easy ...."SOLD"    Today, as I was cleaning them all, and packing up the old boring dishes, I noticed what a profusion of orchids were blooming -- and how beautifully they went with our new dishes.  The remaining problem is -- just what does one DO with 12 small matching cups and saucers -- since we all use BIG mugs for our beverages nowadays.

Saying Goodbye

If you remember either your grandparents or parents review of the newspaper obituaries, you are not alone.  This was particularly true for Phil's mother, Margaret, who grew up in a very small rural community in Michigan -- and where she lived all her life until she passed last year at age 96.  She knew everyone, and knew when the kids graduated and got married.  She knew which parents passed locally run businesses on to their children, and when grandchildren in the community were born.

Our First Corgi Family

Reaching this age, Phil and I are finding that we too are saying "goodbye" to various members of our community and friends -- most of whom we consider our ohana (family in Hawaiian.)   This last month two very special friends have passed, and as is our custom, we pulled out our collection of photos and memorabilia of those we remember.  We decided to set up our "All Saints" altar early this year, to honor those who had an impact on our lives. My former husband and our adopted daughter passed away many years ago, as have both of our Best Persons at our wedding.

This last week, however, my dear yoga teacher and friend, Elsa Rubio, passed peacefully in her sleep.  As we began to assemble some of the many keepsakes, we also pulled out the collection of dogs tags all strung onto one of their old collars -- in remembrance of our four-legged family too.  (Chauncy R. Valentine, Abbey Ennis Puddin'chin, and Dexter Dinkums Wigglesworth III.)

...and we open our hearts to all the memories of these beloved ones especially as we draw closer to All Hallow's Eve, (Christian) Hallowmas, All Saints Day (Catholic), or Samhain (Gaelic/Celt) -- or the more familiar/secularized "Halloween."   Many of these traditions also include a celebration of the year's harvest with special feasts.

UA!! Got Rain!!

With an El Nino year like this has been, we have almost lost track of the number of fully formed, named hurricanes that have swept close to the Big Island this year -- 13 or 14 and counting.

Last week we watched as "OHO" blew by dropping a ton of rain...we had four inches in four hours.  Then, during the night, Phil got curious and trudged out with umbrella and flashlight to check the rain gauges again.

In the morning we checked again -- 7.2 inches in 24 hours...and only one small puddle!

When we retired from Humboldt County and relocated to the Big Island, we made a thorough investigation of rainfall so we knew what to expect.  Just south of Pahoa, we get approximately 120-140 inches a year.  We continue to be delighted that 80% of that falls during the night.

CLICK to enlarge map.  Beginning at Hilo, and going mauka (toward the mountain) rainfall increases fast--from 100'/year to 300++ in only 15 miles!  Altitude directly affects rainfall,  especially on the East side.

Channeling Anger

ANGER?!?  Our culture does not teach us (particularly women) what to do with anger -- only that it is a bad thing we shouldn't have or should not express.  (As a friend pointed out, rouge males frequently get to bash and batter in all forms of entertainment.)  Anger is a natural response to many situations -- but learning how to channel it so we don't do harm to ourselves or others can be a valuable lesson.  This year I have been angry because a person we trusted with our taxes let us down -- acting unprofessionally and failing to communicate during the whole process, leaving us in the dark as to possible resolutions that could be achieved by a more  honest and open attitude.
  

Thinning it down to see the potential for what "could be."

Hindu Goddess Kali

Cultural Anthropology introduced me to a few options I found helpful -- not in a religious way, but more to address unidentified parts of my psyche.  t was interesting to find out that, particularly the mythic art of other cultures not only made room for anger, but found ways to incorporate anger in creative ways through art, ritual and myth.

I found it helpful to re-define anger as a "fuel" or a "tool" that may first appear threatening and destructive, but provides a needed venue for creative forces.  In Tibetan Buddhism some of the most wrathful deities are highly honored because they are so big and tough and powerful the keep the really bad guys under control or scared away.  The Egyptian goddess Sekmet is another example, as are the Hindu goddesses Kali and Durga.

After moving to the Big Island of Hawaii, we have experienced Pele's powerful energy first hand as she threatened to cut our charming Pahoa Village in half.  We had a close encounter that epitomized the dual nature of destruction and creation seen in these amazing volcanic islands.

The result of months of work -- a beautiful, lush new garden bed.

Since May, when we first discovered the tax mess I chose to use my anger as my fuel and tool -- with my pick axe, chain saw and o'o bar as my weapons of choice.  We never expected it would take over six months to resolve the tax mess, but   my garden, and I, have benefited greatly!  There were many dense, wild areas of our one acre that were a mess -- overgrown with invasive vines, shrubs and trees.

This situation presented me with an  opportunity for TRANSFORMATION -- the kind that uses DESTRUCTION to complete a new CREATION.