In the Pink? Yes and No

Here is picture of me taken yesterday -- BEFORE I realized there was a long tear in the back of my shorts!

Yesterday while I was planting a new bed under the shade of enormous hapu’u ferns I wiped my muddy battered hands across the fanny of my favorite pink work shorts only to find they had a long tear in them exposing my underwear.  It took me only a moment to assess;  I had been wearing these short regularly now for over three years – bent over, butt to the sky lovingly tending our sweet one acre of heaven.

Today I decided to repair rather than replace my faded, thinning pair of pink work shorts. While cutting out patches for them from an equally thin (and pink) handkerchief, a series of odd metaphors about life and love and loss came to mind.   

You see, recently we got notice that a dear friend had died suddenly – only weeks after announcing his retirement, last week my sister (and only living relative) went to the emergency room in serious condition, and yesterday one of my remaining dear “grandmothers” also died – she was 97. 

So, today, with tears in my eyes, holding the reality of loss in my heart, I realized maybe I would sit quietly and repair my poor old shorts.  Then, I realized that these silly old shorts aptly illustrated LIFE and LOVE and LOSS.  It also reminded me of my skin, which I find is getting thinner as I approach 70, and more easily punctured by brambles, broken stag fern ends and dog toenails.  

Thin – that’s what happens isn’t it? Bodies wear out, damages don’t repair as well as they used to.  And patches on hearts and minds and bodies will only last so long.  So, here is a picture of  my humble wearable metaphor, now repaired and ready for another day, another week, another year – as long as they last – as long as I last. 

Another Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving   Thanks to the local reporting by Big Island News, we can watch the newest outbreak of lava from the safety of our house.  Last year we all had a vivid reminder of the power of Pele as we watched lava head directly for our little village of Pahoa.  The map here reminds us of just how close that lava flow came.  We remain thankful that the lava flow shifted dramatically . Thursday, there was another massive flow, but on the north flank.  (I drew on the map to help show both old flow, that reached Pahoa, and where the new outbreak is.)

PUNA, Hawaii – A huge breakout on the north flank of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō vent on the East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano is sending waves of molten lava cascading downslope. Video of the event was recorded on Thanksgiving by Mick Kalber, filming from a Paradise Helicopters overflight.  If you would like to watch the video by Mick -- just click on this link: NEW Pu'u O'o outbreak

Kalber says the tube opening begins about 150 yards below the vent and over the past two days has sent hot liquid rock more than a quarter mile down the north flank.

The breakout was noted in today’s USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory eruption update. “A breakout close to Puʻu ʻŌʻō was prominently visible on a nearby webcam beginning yesterday afternoon and continuing through the night,” scientists wrote. “The lava flow is not currently threatening any communities.”

...a very special reason to be THANKFUL!  Mahalo!

Lanai PAU!!

Believe it or not, these were the only "plans" for our Lanai!

Round window - Round tub

When we first sat down with our fabulous contractor, Rob, to discuss plans for building our 12x24' screened in lanai with hot tub, he had already built our rental/ohana unit, and the wood shop beneath it, and our two car carport.

So, with a very compatible relationship of creativity and flexible thinking, we knew any formal plans were unnecessary. What happened during that initial discussion is typical of how creative minds can work together: He simply grabbed a piece of left over painted siding and began to draw, and within a very short time we were in agreement.

Lanai is PAU!

The building was delayed due to hurricane Iselle, and the more urgent needs of crushed roofs and damaged houses, but we were enjoying it fully by winter of 2014.

During 2015, however, we actually had a chance to re-think using solar and propane rather than electricity, which we shared in our October 28th blog.

Great fabric from Fabric.com

I always knew I wanted to swag a fabric ceiling between the big beautiful beams and last month I finally got around to ordering 30 yard of fabric -- Jupiter Malachite -- cutting and installing the fabric ceiling.  I love the way the swagged fabric appears wave like, and further, how the negative space of the beams look like sloping volcanoes!

On December 12, 2012, (12/12/12) our one-way tickets landed us here in our new retirement home.  Now, three years later, it is a good feeling to be PAU (finished/done) with the last major building project.

Happy Three Year Anniversary to us!

Finding Your Way on Hawaii Island

Today we had a chuckle when we drove in for my doctors appointment.  When people first move to the Big Island they can experience a learning curve when it comes to directions and street names because 99.9% of all Big Island street names are Hawaiian.  First, that means that although there are some familiar vowels, they are pronounced quite differently, A = ah, E = eh, I = ee, O = oh, U = oo, and, there are only 7 consonants:  h, k, l. m, n, p, w.

Secondly, you learn that local folk don’t refer to north, east, south and west.  This is an island, and directions are given in relation to the five volcanoes (mountains.) Mauka means toward the mountain and Makai refers means away from the mountain.  Sometimes directions are also given in relation to a village or town.  For example – Kona-side, or Hilo-side. 

So, driving in for our appointment went like this:  Leaving our house on Luana in Leilani Estates, we drove mauka (toward the mountain) past Pahoa.  Once onto Kanoelehua we turned mauka again on Kekuanaoa until we came Kilauea and then mauka to Ponahawai, turning mauka once again up to Komohana, and finally onto Pu’uhonu. Got that??    (PS Yes, we can actually pronounce them.)

Dengue Fever Comes Too Close to Home

All is not well in paradise, here in PUNA on the Big Island of Hawaii.  A few weeks ago the first cases of Dengue Fever were reported on the Big Island over on the Kona side shortly after the Iron Man marathon...and day by day, there have been more and more reported cases -- slowly creeping across to the Hilo side.

The symptoms of Dengue Fever are SEVERE and there is NO REMEDY, NO SHOTS or PILLS you can take.  We just came in as we have daily, from spraying soapy water in and around all the most obvious places, emptied all plant bases, and gave everything a close look for more suspicious areas. There are reports that using young papaya as a supplement in juices can help the immune system fight some of the symptoms. 

Delivered by Health Department today

When the County Health Department comes to your gate, as they did TODAY, warning you that a case of Dengue Fever has been reported within a few yards of your home -- suddenly it is pretty f'g real!  We have been doing things we can to help -- but the issue of STANDING WATER is nearly unmanageable in a place where it rains a minimum of 1/2 inch every day or night....and this is a JUNGLE so there is "standing water" everywhere!

The information handed to Phil at the gate this morning tells you what you can do, but there is a limit to dealing with standing water which is around the base of all plants -- and in every crevice in every hunk of lava! We are in the middle of many outdoor projects but are finding indoor projects instead, using bug spray on ourselves.  The dogs HATE being sprayed, and although they are not affected by a bite, they can become carriers.  All we can do is wait it out.  (Hmmm...it just started to rain again.)

PS:  It is of note that even the Pope is travelling 
with mosquito repellent these days (trip to Africa)

Our Very Own "LAVA TREE"

Tall stately formations at the park

One of the sites to see when visiting the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii is Lava Tree Park, and, it is only 3-4 miles from our house.  There is a path that navigates around the park which is filled with eerie dark shapes that used to be living trees.

Conditions have to be just right for the formation of these monolithic abstracts; as moving lava slowly creeps through a forest, it piles up around living trees, creeping up higher and higher on the trunk.   The lava cools around the tree, but the remaining hotter lava soughs off leaving the tree wearing a jacket of lava.  As the tree dies, the lava formation remains. Here is a photo we took on a recent visit.

Debris piles in front of the cleared area

Peeking out through the brush!

In the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, I like others have felt a range of emotions.  Sitting in front of the TV I found myself paralyzed with a sense of deep sadness and shock.  But, after two days, I also felt I had to just get up -- GET UP and find something very physical to do to help release the emotion.

Gratefully, I continue to find a calm grounding energy as I select another wild corner of our property to address.  Some of our ohia trees along the north property live have died, so we are clearing places to plant a variety of new trees.

Our own "lava tree" formation

Three days ago, I randomly chose a spot that needed clearing -- about 10-12 feet back to the property line.  The invasive vines and shrubs were about 12 feet tall, and I have been working on it for three days steadily.  In the process I continue to find old bus parts and rusted metal. But, today, as I got almost back to the property line I was astounded to discover that we had our own (albeit small) LAVA TREE!

It was totally overgrown with invasive shrubs, with roots growing around and through the formation, so it was careful work because the outer "jacket" can be quite brittle. Our lava tree is only about 3.5' tall, but I am clearing a path around it that will eventually feature ferns and flowers instead of ugly stubble and debris.

A to Z!

East facing lava wall

Stairway runs L-to-R up to the top with beds in front.

Amphitheater to Ziggurat!  When we first bought our house in Puna on the Big Island,the only thing that was somewhat disappointing was the property was pretty flat -- but that was the back half of the property around the house. The front half of the property was virtually covered with brush, vines, junk trees and invasive species.  It has only been in the last few months (3 years later) that we have begun to uncover some large lava features.

Amphitheater sweeps back and around in half-circle. 

On opposite side of the driveway -- continued lava flow.

So, as described in yesterday's blog, here are preliminary photos -- of what we have uncovered so far.  We are still clearing away debris and sculpting lava of course, but there is a spiral stairway that leads up to the top of the lava outcrop, beds along both the "wall" side, and the "stairway" side. As you come around the feature, the terrain loops back into a large sloped amphitheater.  Talk about an exciting 3D palate of raw material!!

 

Wholly, Holey, Holy!

Items for Craig's List?   "Free to good home....7 left-hand gloves (in good condition)"   This has been a week of LAVA! What with converting the boring driveway "slope" to more attractive terraced beds and the further development of two stunning "lava features" recently excavated from layers of vine, invasive species and debris, I have managed to destroy 6-7 right hand gloves.

Landscaping projects are about as close to "church" as I get -- it is a true communion with nature and I consider it truly holy work.  But, as we wrapped up 5 days of further terra-forming I found myself scrounging for any single right hand glove that had no holes.  Alas, they are now wholly holey!!

Switching gears from working on the "slope" our young friend, neighbor, poet, philosopher and musician, Sam, Phil and I have been uncovering two beautiful lava features on the property.  Most of our blog followers have been aware of last year's "lava event" which stopped just short of dividing the Village of Pahoa in half -- for which we are very thankful.  However, the district of Puna on the Big Island is some of the newest land on the planet!!  The map here shows the various flows -- some of which went through our small subdivision in 1955 and before that in 1850's. So when we discovered a couple of lava outcroppings on the west side of our property, we were excited to see how we could feature them.

View from SW at top of lava outcropping -- view to NE

One flow came from the southwest, and flowed northeast -- and forms the small rise across our property.  When the property was first developed, the earth moving equipment had to cut through part of that flow.  This left a tall 15' escarpment on the right side of our driveway.  (This is not easy to explain and even the photographs don't help much.)  The photo on the right is taken from the TOP of the lava outcropping with our house shown "down" the slope.

We are now clearing away debris so that this beautiful formation can be featured.  Phil has already planted two redwood trees, Sam is helping to dig out invasive shrubs, trees and vines, and I am using broken lava to create curved beds around the lava hillside.  This same hill wraps around a few yards to the right, and then forms a beautiful concave amphitheater. (More photos to come.)

TERRAFORMING

Uninspired slope along the length of the driveway

The term TERRAFORMING was coined by Jack Williamson in a science-fiction story (Collision Orbit) published during 1942 in Astounding Science Fiction,  (Even as I write those words, I fondly remember over 700 issues of 1930-40-50's Sci-Fi Zines I sold just a few weeks before we moved to Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii in 2012.)

Part of the challenge of moving to a totally new undeveloped land (or planet) is the chance to have a very big pallet of new shapes to work with -- a delight for artists who think in 3D.  After the earth-work we had done in August for my birthday (blog 8/19/15) we have begun to develop the front 1/2 of our property, which includes planting over 30 new trees, palms and flowering shrubs.  (More on that to come.)

Ah HA!!  Raw Materials to play with!

SO... there is this uninspiring slope along the south side of our long driveway that we have been simply mowing and edging to control the weed mass growing over the lava.  For nearly three years I have been eyeing that slope -- feeling sure there must be a more creative way to address it.  A couple days ago, I hoisted my pick ax and decided to just play with the raw materials --- and VOILA!! 

When the original work was done to create the driveway, the cat must have just shoved piles of broken lava over to the side -- because i found lots and lots of wonderful raw materials once I began to dig.  I sorted out all the various sizes of lava and began to re-shape the mound into a tiered bed.

Once I had done one 2-yard section I was inspired, and for the last three days, it has been a stimulating project.   OK, yes, it will take a while since the length of the section is about 66 feet long...but it will be such a nice feature when we come up the driveway to our hale.