Wheel of Fortune?

THE GAME??:         WHEEL OF FORTUNE!
THE CATEGORY:   BEFORE AND AFTER
THE ANSWER:        "HURRICANE-ARMS-OF-FLOWERS"

As the arms of the hurricane Madeline spiral in closer to the Big Island of Hawaii we are experiencing "waves" of weather. (Udate below**) There are hour long bursts of tremendous rain and wind, followed by lulls of blue sky when your senses tell you it is "over" -- but it really isn't. Such is life in Puna on the Big Island during hurricane season.

Enough flowers to create 5 lovely arrangements

As has been the pattern since we retired and relocated here, the weather determines everything. Yesterday, we followed our checklist:  secure loose items around the property including umbrellas, chairs, yard equipment, garbage containers, flower pots, etc.  It also meant we needed to mow NOW because in another few days it would be hard pushing.  Phil started the generator and I walked the property looking for suspicious long branches or plants that needed to be pruned to prevent breaking.

The brunt of Madeline is expected to arrive around 2-3pm today. So, for now, in between the alternating waves of weather I strolled out to gather arms full of flowers, and Phil made a trip to a friends house to pick up some koa wood for his art projects.

As neighbors, we are all checking on each other, rounding up stray pets, sharing "remember when Iselle hit" stories, emptying the rain gauges (2 inches in last 12 hours) and focusing on indoor projects.   A HUI HO!!    ((Update** lots of rain, wind and storm surges, but we are safe.  Some damages along coastline for residents.  The gift of Iselle is that we KNOW it can and does happen and are better prepared.)

Rack 'em Up!!

We are as ready as we can be, having had some experience now....so how about some MUSIC??

MUSIC!!  Play "Rack 'em Up" while you read!

Madeline is expected tomorrow followed by Hurricane Lester

We aren't very far into hurricane season here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but it looks like we have some serious weather headed our way.

Looking at this NOAA image that was in the Star Advertiser, all I could think of was "rack 'em up." and of course a great song by Jonny Lang.  We have had pretty good luck so far because our "storm cruncher" volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea do tend to disrupt the arms of the storms as they approach the Big Island.  But, as always, the east side of the island, where we live, is pretty much where they all swing in to upon arrival. And, for better or worse, we have had some practice! We'll just make a bowl of pop-corn, light the candles, put on some good music, and dive into our favorite books....

"Oh NO, Mr. Bill...not the blender!!" 

All we could think of with this photo was SNL's -- Mr. Bill

Just for fun, we have included another very interesting image -- an artists view of the island that shows the shape of the islands below the water. We recommend you visit regularly or subscribe to dailygalaxy.com website!

Pele Greets Sister Namaka

Things are really flowing here on the Big Island of Hawaii!  Down here in Puna, where lava has been flowing continuously for over 30 years, "Punatics" are living on the edge -- literally.  A couple years ago, as you may know, the lava flow from Kilauea's Pu'u O'o vent rather suddenly changed directions and headed straight toward our little Village of Pahoa.  Stopping only a few hundred feet from splitting the town in half, thankfully the flow returned to a path taking it toward the ocean.

"Moon Rise at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

"Sunset at Mokuna" by Lunel Haysmer (c)

Once again Pele has made national news as lava is now flowing into the ocean. Or, as Hawaiian traditions tell, Pele has returned to embrace her sister, Namaka, Goddess of the Sea.

Like many local artists, I have been inspired to created two versions of one of my "lava drawings" -- to feature a MOON RISE in one, and a SUNSET in the other.

Please do not use these images without asking.  As with my other images, they are copyrighted, and available as 5x7 note cards ($3 each..)  They are available as gallery-wrapped 18x24" canvases.

For Christmas I will be offering them as quilted soft sculpture fabric art for wall hangings. You may contact me through this blog site for more information.   MAHALO


 

Big Island Lava!

Thanks to "Hawaiian Sailing Adventures" - Mahalo!!

Lunel's "Lava Moon"

Everyone here in Puna is pretty excited about the lava flow on the Big Island right now -- especially because it is NOT headed our way (this time) but flowing into the ocean. The national news has pick up some of the images. There are so many we are just posting our favorite (for this week.)

Our thanks to those people who are able to get up close and personal -- by taking the 4 mile hike....and trekking over some pretty treacherous terrain. *** Some are also taking lava tour boats for some amazing photos like the one shown here.

Helicopter tours are also available. Another image that got national attention this week was when "Tropical Visions Video" (Paradise Helicopters) flew over the Pu'u O'o crater and found....what?!  A "Smiley Face!"  If you click on this link you will have your own personal 5-minute tour of what can be seen from an aerial perspective --  Pu'u O'o "Smiley Face"

The power and energy of this is awe inspiring, and Lunel wanted to create her own interpretation with this image from her new "Moku Moe'uhane" Island Dreams collection.  (Available as a 18x24" stretched canvas print for $150, or in boxed note cards (8 for $22 variety includes images from July29th post.)

*** Visitors and locals can easily get injured on these treks -- "skim" lava that looks solid can still break through to molten hot spots below.  Use caution.