Farewell to 2017

Hawaii Night Sky

"Night Sky"

To see more of Miles Morgan's amazing photograph -- www.milesmorganphotography.com

Studying the night sky,
I find that starlight falls
quite gently on my face.
It is not as if I had
anything to hide, though
my hot mammal thoughts
simmer endlessly.
The stars do not mind.
They are cool and remote
shining without passion
or possession through
the long cosmic miles.
It is their distance
that comforts me.
Above the stirring
and blood violence
they are serene.
Their dispassionate light
coolly lingers on my skin.
I taste the cold immensity
of distance and grow calm.

Sherri Rose-Walker
Copyright 1987

Last night was the longest night of the year and the stars from the back porch at 3am were glorious. While I cannot capture their beauty either in photograph or poetry, I am very grateful to those who can, like Miles Morgan and Sherri Rose-Walker, who as been my friend since about 1986; she is my absolute favorite poet.

Solstice Surprises

When it came time to think about a seasonal holiday tree, we actually went out and topped five feet off one of our pine-like ironwood trees - it seemed a simple solution to  over-priced imported trees.

Then, as close to 30 Monarch caterpillars (from our aviary) transformed into 24k gold decorated jade ornaments, and we transferred them to two bare branches, we realized we would actually have a rather unique "Chrysalis Tree." ("click"on photos to enlarge)

Wings finally dry -- ready for first flight

"Rooms For Rent" - by Lunel Haysmer

Over the past week, we have witnessed nearly 20 Monarch butterflies emerge and take flight, and, there still about 6-8 remaining that will fly off by Christmas. It has been such an unexpected joy. And, by carefully transferring chrysalis to tree branches, we have shared some with friends and classrooms. WATCH: Caterpillar to Chrysalis


With all of our chrysalis "hung up with care,"  Phil also found a perfect small cut pine tree that we have loaded up with lights, and all of our favorite traditional decorations. So, we are blessed this year with several trees!

Above are a few pictures taken in this last week. As the butterflies come out of their cocoons, their wings take a little time to dry. Then, we carefully carefully take them out to some of their favorite places in the garden for their first flight.

The last image is an artfully adapted photograph I took of one of the "chrysalis trees" after all the monarchs had hatched.

caterpillar dreams

of wings and sweet nectar

while munching tough leaves

david de la croes

Lunar Leo

Born in mid-August, I fall into the astrological sign of Leo, but my true affinity has always been for the moon; no surprise with a name like LUNEL.

Facing East - Sun through the trees

Turning West - Full moon setting

Each month for the full moon, I head down to "da pond" - Ahalanui where, at high tide, waves crash over the lava wall protecting our favorite local swimming spot.

During most of the year, I can make it down for an evening swim. Watching the sun fade and the sky turn pale lavendar, pink and blue, the moon will rise large over the ocean. During the winter, a moon light swim at night sometimes presents more of a challenge as it is darker earlier.

Last Monday, for the full moon, I rose at 6am for a drive down to swim. Going out the door to the car, I had to stop dead in my tracks as the sunrise coming through the trees on the east side of the property was so glorious. I took a photo, and then, turning to the west, I found another stunning view -- the moon setting in the west. Not a bad way to start the day!

Down the Rabbit Hole

On December 1st I had what I can only describe as an Alice in Wonderland kind of day.

Many things happened that were well within the norm for us -- dogs, mail, meals, some yard work, a painting project a little news and a movie. It began with coffee, feeding the corgyn and a discussion about what the day would bring, ruled tyrannically by the weather -- go with the flow and all that.  Then the monthly Civil Defense siren went off -- as did the singing dogs, of course. But THEN... the second siren went off...playing a different elongated blast!!

AND   DOWN 
      THE  RABBIT HOLE 
                    I WENT

While it was blasting, I wondered if any other states, on the continent, were practicing BOMBS INCOMING drills. I experienced an odd unreality temporal dislocation of some kind - f**k me! I was in elementary school hiding under my desk. What reality is this? For better or worse, I didn't stay in that lane for long because our friendly yard guy showed up to unload some mulch.

Later there was a stunning bacon-lettuce-tomato-cucumber-avocado sandwich on rye, a few emails and preparing "puppy lunch" for "Tudor."

Monarchwatch.org gives instructions on care

Then, another kind of rabbit hole experience -- the care and feeding of over 30 Monarch caterpillars who are all creating exquisite pale green jade chambers for their magnificent transformation. Many more are now hanging from the "ceiling" of the enclosure.

NEXT -- carefully following the instructions of the folks at Monarch Watch GO MONARCHS  I carefully tied thread around the base of the cocoon to remove it so I could transfer. I am getting some ready for local teacher to use in her classroom.

Pleas and Deals a comin'

Another Rabbit Hole experience was its own brand of weird -- for the first time in months, I think I saw a hint of grin on Adam Schiff's face today.

But then again I saw another grin on the faces of the Trump children after the tax bill passed.

Not my usual post, but a response to the current UNREALITY.

Typical Days in Phil's Week

Puna Rain Man

One of Phil's Koa Butterfly

Imagining our retirement was a pretty vague pastime before we vacationed in Hawaii in 2011 Since moving here, we have each continued to enjoy those things we love most -- our amazing corgi dogs, our independent and collaborative artistic adventures, and being outside much of the day. (Click on any photo to enlarge.)

Phil's day begins in the kitchen, making coffee and feeding the four corgyn. Phil usually spends some coffee time with morning news, checks the nearly nightly rainfall, and then heads down to his workshop full of tools. One thing we both knew when we moved -- Phil would somehow incorporate his passion for WOOD into the retirement plans.

Watch the "open space" behind Phil...

Heck ya -- they've lost their marbles

Phil has a good network of guy friends who get together regularly for guys night, dinner, darts, talk-story of favorite pastimes world travels and adventures.

But, mostly it's Puna-Talk -- solar conversions, pot holes in da road, latest prescriptions for pests, new tools and toys, (vehicles, building equipment) drone-madness, trapping feral cats, who's got pigs in their yard, and, who's got the "meanest green." (Phil marble-izing with a friend)

Phil's Newest Wood art for Gallery

Phil in his Santana T-shirt, directing

Talk includes property maintenance like cutting trees. So, recently we had our favorite tree guy over to cut down a junk tree near the front of our property that was nearly covering the wires to our house -- as well as the street lines for electricity and cable along our street.

Somewhat jokingly, the professional appointed Phil as traffic manager (like there are 17 homes on our mile stretch, so there's little to worry about -- that is, except when you invite your tree trimmer over.) Sure enough all of a sudden there's cars and people stopping, chatting, and having a spontaneous party in the middle of the block. At one time I counted 7 or 8 people!

Wall created and
windows added.
Now a sitting area

Need local gift? $29 each

And, of course, Phil continues to sell his beautiful hand carved fish made from local wood through his galleries.

A couple weeks ago Phil began to create a wall along one side of the carport -- an area that could provide an additional work and storage space. We had some left over windows from previous project, so they were used after it was framed in. After cutting siding and painting to match the house -- it looks like it was always there!

Bamboo Babes

Artists: Lunel, Jane and Jennifer

We began the background  using the wall of our house

Our friend Jane had the brilliant idea of creating a free-hanging canvas/mural for Thanksgiving. She and her  partner Doug, are currently in the process of  building their house (The "Jungelo") just down the road from us here in Leilani Estates.

While they are building their house, they have small out buildings they use for a kitchen, bathroom and sleeping. Part of the house has a roof, parts are covered with canvas, so the entertainment area is open to the beautiful surrounding jungle and forest. Our April 26, 2017 blog talks about "two friends who live near a crater" - that's Jane and Doug!  Life on the Edge

Hanging from bamboo pole

Jane's inspiration was to enhance that outdoor experience with a mural to hang in the front open area of their structure. She wanted an impressionistic look -- of bamboo and foliage.

"Bamboo Babes" done painting

The first use was for Thanksgiving dinner. Jane and a local chef have developed -- a "Jungle to Table Supper Club" that will present monthly epicurean  feasts serving local produce. For this gathering the mural will hang in the entry way and serve as a "wall" for their house -- which currently does not have walls.

To learn more about the Supper Club: Info on Jungle-To-Table-Supper-Club  
You can also check them out on Facebook.   Facebook: Jungle-to-Table

Beautiful view from driveway after dinner

Our local ohana (family) for Thanksgiving

Save the Monarchs!

Brown and Green Anole

Butterfly atrium installation

Seems like these days everyone is trying to save something. Used to be endangered species, but lately, there are massive efforts to save the free press, environment, health even democracy.

This week I am choosing something small, immediate and in my control to focus on instead.

Our blog on February 3, 2017 About our Monarchs provided great photos of one Monarch emerging from a chrysalis. Since then we have witnessed lots of egg laying, many caterpillars, and fewer chrysalis. At first we thought birds, but never really saw any around the Monarchs' favorite Crown Flower plant.

Watching more closely, we have determined it was actually some of our typical Hawaii reptiles!!  The ANOLE -- which are not the more recognizable geckos. These are actually small lizards who emigrated from elsewhere, around the 1950's with thousands of non-native species introduced from around the world.

New hatch of eggs produces many caterpillars

Top hinges to add caterpillars, and allow butterflies to escape

In an effort to protect our Monarch population, we decided to build a screened in butterfly atrium.

Today after construction, we slid the unit down over rooted cuttings of Crown Flower -- the leaves being the food source for caterpillars. After sliding open the top, we carefully transferred close to two dozen caterpillars into the "nursery."  As they mature and eat the leaves, we can easily slide cut branches down into the cage.

Update: 3 days later the larger caterpillars are already creating chrysalis, and we are having to add new leaves as the two dozen caterpillars are eating so much so fast!

Update: week later -- LOTS of chrysalis forming -- enough to share with local classrooms. Thanks to monarchwatch.org I learned how to tie off the chrysalis and place them into jars to watch the emerging butterflies.

This week's HAPPY colors!

I am a color junkie. I suffer sensory overload in a fabric store and have been known to steal paint chips. I always thought I would like a job naming paint colors. Well, this week's colors are....

Pantone 585U, 381U, 386U, 345U... huh?
Don't you think they need appropriate NAMES!

Amazing bananas and avocados abound, and orchid cactus are blooming and even compliment the billowy fabric ceiling in the lanai.

A friend asked for help in painting a 9x12' fabric mural to hang up for Thanksgiving, and we also had fun painting tables and benches --- in some of the same colors.

Phil harvesting limes

We had a relatively dry summer and were considerably under normal rainfall, but in the last three weeks have had some flashy storms and good long rains -- the garden is loving it. And, there's every shade of GREEN imaginable n

Leilani Estates is a very quiet neighborhood, occasional dogs, lawn mower, or toot-toot of the UPS truck. I don't use music - just the birds. Working with the land I am able to just turn off my thoughts; it is so peaceful, rejuvenating and healing. Just this week I've planted trees, flowers, ground covers, dozens of colorful ti plants.


Politically, in contrast to this vibrancy, this year looks and feels like some kind of really awful, sickly unnameable color! Trying to read and understand current events in America and throughout the world has been difficult. It has been a challenge to not clinch up in anger, frustration or fear, and I have spent an extra number of hours beautifying nearly the whole acre. We are so THANKFUL for this blessed home; has become a sanctuary - a healing place for soul and spirit. This 'aina is truly a living land!

Wishing you and yours 
a whole WEEK of giving thanks!

A Rose is a Rose Except When It's Not

"Confederate Rose"

Here in the Puna District on the Big Island, some people do seem to have success with certain kinds of roses. I never did when we lived in Eureka (the green county of Humboldt) on the chilly, grey coastline of the Pacific, so I never got very attached to the idea of having roses. Here, where the average rainfall is 140 inches annually I’m not much inclined to even try.

Phil with last night's and this morning's "rose" 

That being said, who wouldn't want a flower like this? It is called a “Confederate Rose” and our first ones are blooming right now. Like my Bat Flower, I got small starts from a friend and cared for them tenderly in the greenhouse for over two years. This is the first time they have bloomed. 

Native to China, "Confederate Rose" obviously isn't a rose, but a species of hibiscus (Hibiscus mutabilis).

Confederate Rose Quilt, 1850. Made by Lucy Jane

 Fowlkes Nunnelee and daughters

According to legend, it gets its name from the flowers soaking up the blood spilled on Confederate battlefields. It is widely thought that ladies gave these flowers to Confederate soldiers returning home from the war.

Although there are many forms, with either single or double flowers, the classic version looks like this. Showy blooms, 4 to 6 inches wide, appear in fall. They open white, fade to pink during the day and finally end up bright pink or red. You'll often see all three colors on the same plant.

(Some info from southernliving.com)

For Halloween!! Marvel Comics Announcement

MARVEL COMICS 
PROUDLY ANNOUNCES A NEW BAT  CAVE
OPENING IN PUNA HAWAII 

(just in time for Halloween)


About three years ago I saw the most unusual black flower in a vase at a friend's house. When I admired it, she offered to give me four tiny little seedlings which I have carefully tended in the greenhouse (they would be quickly consumed by fast growing vines if planted in the jungle.)

In the meantime, however, I found a white one for sale, blooming,and bought it for Phil. Recently I noticed that one of them was blooming and since they seemed pretty well established I decided to plant them....but WHERE? They do love shade, and since so many of our ohia trees have died, finding just the right place was an issue.

Under the protective leaves of our giant Monstera I cleaned out a little "cave" area for them and planted them in a semi-circle with the white one in the middle. So, we now have an unofficial "bat cave."

The website EashGrowBulbs had this to say about the "Tacca" plant:
Spectacular. Bizarre. Tacca! Lurking in the shadows of the tropical jungles, the sinister seeming blooms of the tacca rule the shaded depths of the understory. Lush, emerald green foliage makes a beautiful backdrop for the dramatic blooms. Widely flared bracts (8-12 inches across) mimic the look of a bat's wings in flight, while the rounded lobed blooms beneath may appear to be the animal itself. Extraordinary trailing filaments remind others of a cat's whiskers, leading to other common names for this most uncommon of plants.

Hawaiian Frigate Birds

Knowing that a huge storm was blowing into the islands, I decided to head out early yesterday morning for a swim. The weather reports had warnings of high tides which meant Ahalanui  pond right along the ocean would be clean, cool and frothy. I ran into a friend, and had a great swim, but also got a rare treat -- witnessing the arrival of three huge Frigate birds -- blown toward the Big Island by the storm.

Male with extended display chest

With its extraordinarily long wings and deeply forked tail, the magnificent Frigate bird is unmistakable when seen in flight  The massive wingspan enables the magnificent Frigate bird to soar effortlessly, and make graceful aerial manoeuvres, which so captivated Charles Darwin that he dubbed this species “the condor of the ocean” . Frigate birds are the only seabird family that have obvious, significant differences in plumage between the sexes. The male has entirely black plumage, glossed green on the head and purple on the upperwings and back..

These birds live on Frigate Shoals -- a large crescent shaped atoll in the island chain just above the Hawaiian islands.

GREAT MAP! -- Click on it to see interesting DETAILS

'Iwa / Frigate Bird  - A large, wide-winged sea bird of the tropical seas (wing span up to 6 feet), the 'iwa soars for hours on updrafts and may stay at sea all night or for days. 

These birds sometimes travel great distances, though generally are non-migratory and stay within 50 miles of their home islands. As they are incapable of taking off from the surface of the water, they swoop down and pick fish just below the surface or leaping above the water (see mahimahi); or they may attack other birds in flight and steal the fish that their victims disgorge or drop. The 'iwa nests in remote areas or islands on bushes or vegetation. 

NASA image of Frigate Shales

OK; hard to see - click to make image bigger

More about the unique habitat of this area follow this link:  Frigate Shoals.

UPDATE another friend who teaches school near where I was swimming yesterday forwarded a photo of the sky FULL of Frigate birds. 

Info from: Wikipedia, www.arkive.org, and Polynesian Voyaging Society, NASA