Island Maintenance

It has been raining steadily for several days.  In fact in the last 12 hours, we have had over two inches of rain.  So we shift to those kinds of indoor projects like reading, sorting books to return for credit at the used bookstore, art projects, reviewing the food stock in the pantry, and, the dreaded (but highly essential) "Maintenance List" and realize...it is the end of the month AND and stuff does need to get done!!

Maintenance in Hawaii, especially in the rural sections, like Puna on the Big Island is no small challenge, and varies widely from the urban life we lived on the mainland.  For example:

• Because of the heavy rainfall and lava content of the "soil," faithful fertilizing and composting plants and fruit trees is essential since all the nutrients are flushed away.  
• House compost materials are taken out regularly to the compost boxes and rotated to create new soil additives. 
• The generator needs to be run monthly to keep it in good working order, and the batteries on the solar system have to be equalized regularly to function well.  
• Our water system needs to have filters changed to keep our drinking water pure, and pest control is a never ending responsibility.  
• Gutters have to be cleaned out by hand from accumulated leaves and debris (which requires a climb to the roof of 18+ feet up a very tall ladder.)  We take turns going up top with gloves and a scoop, while one stand on the bottom rung for stability.  Yikes.
• Three propane tanks (shared between the house and the ohana have to be checked and refilled because they are our source of hot water, and keeping the freezer supply of food organized and frost build up under control is important too.
• Oh yeah, we can't forget the mowing, weeding and edging one acre....(who's retired??)

3 x the Poop!! for 3 dogs

Keeping the house clean is not simply for the "white glove test" but to reduce the number of pests. Our window screens and windows need cleaning because they are open 24/7 and accumulate dust, some mold, and dead bugs.  Our lovely hot tub has to be tested each week so it stays clean and clear, and...the dogs?  Yes, they have their monthly flea/tick and heart work medications.

So, it is a rainy day, and creating a new blog post was much more FUN than actually DOING any maintenance at all!  OPPPS - the sun just popped out....BYE!