PUPPIES

Didn't expect to post two blogs in 24 hours -- hope you will check the previous one -- but, in the meantime, here are the PUPPIES. First picture is at 4 hours, and the second (with working names) is this morning.

While they appear black, they may lighted up. Some have redish brown cheek spots. Mom and pups doing well. With only 3 hours sleep, the "great grand parents" (us!!!) are a little worse for wear.   GOOD JOB "Lani"

Malama o ka 'Aina

Pohoiki is 4 miles (as crows fly) - but the meander through mango trees, papaya fields and organic farms takes 15 min

Life on the 'wild side' on the Big Island -- no high rise condos, no fancy hotels or 4-lane highways. In fact getting down to the ocean is part one-way because no one will be cutting down an old mango tree! We think we are the luckiest folks.

We are fortunate also for great activities in our local association facilities and that a lovely local educator offers weekly classes in Hawaiian language and culture here in our small subdivision called Leilani Estates.

We have long been interested in indigenous cultures and traditions, and it was important to us that we learn about the values of traditional Hawaiians. A few words specifically address some of the depth of the Hawaiian language..

kuleana - responsibility and commitment
malama - caring for 
'aina - the land (not as "land ownership" 
but in relationship with all aspects of the environment

Some of our nearby friends and neighbors have lived here for 25-30 years and we feel very lucky to have found them and be included in our Leilani Ohana (extended family.) Phil joins other volunteers with weed whacker and rakes to join a group of local citizens who care for our local park and swimming area. By doing regular weed whacking along the park, they are helping to eliminate the use of pesticides along our local shoreline.

Even an I write this blog entry on 6/27 we had two small earthquakes last night just off the coast in this area -- once again a reminder that our adventure here is at the grace of mighty forces -- it is a vital, living land like no other we have ever encountered.

Please enjoy watching  this very short video. The first section is of of the area where the volunteers work, and near the end (about a 1/2 mile) is of our favorite swimming spots. Both are only a few minutes from our house. -- 
Video of Pohoiki Bay

Surprises Everyday!

Six years ago we lived in Humboldt County -- our house (built in 1860's) was paid off, our 22-year old gallery was doing well with a staff of 4-5 who helped to cover seven days a week - 12 hours a day.  We were busy and had actually given very little thought to what retirement might mean or look like. It took only one visit to the Big Island to conceive of a whole new adventure -- retirement in Hawaii!

Now, this many years later, we continue the learning curve that living in rural Puna means, and we are continually surprised at all we are discovering and learning. Sometimes it's the simplest things that offer the most surprise, and any day holds the potential discovery of something new and unexpected.



Such was the case today which began with a drive around the 'hood, following a few 'garage sale' signs. But even before we left the driveway, we were delighted to find that the bright orange Jade Vine we planted only a few months ago was loaded with bright (BRIGHT) orange blooms. But, stepping over an ohia log to get a closer look, we found another bloom -- the "Devil's Trumpet" -- the  plant itself is less than 12" high but has two open blooms and three more pending.

Off for our neighborhood drive, we circled around the block to visit one of the newest neighbors who had offered to give us some scraps of heavy concrete fence materials for use in the garden and then to an estate sale where we found yet another treasure -- a hippopotamus -- that has a water spout in his mouth -- and which we think will be a great feature to our (slowly) developing lava pond.

Spirit of the Mo'o

Reptiles and serpents of all shapes and sizes have been my favorite beings since I was a little girl. I was enamored with snakes in rural Oregon; I found it delightfully devious to put them in my teachers’ desks.

As a kid, I remember reading about mythological flying creatures in my Child Craft Encyclopedia. China's flying serpents-dragons were in the oldest writings of that culture. India's "Ramayana" describes humans and their "serpent-god" ancestors, and African myths refer to dragon-like beings who brought civilization to humankind. Ancient texts from Sumer (3000 BC) describe sapient, fiery, flying serpents. There are numerous other examples from Japan, China, Australia, etc. My all time favorite has long been Quetzalcoatl of Meso-American literature. Reading Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey as a young adult was also influential.

Papermache (old phonebook) over chicken wire -- the beginning.

When we bought our retirement property in the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii (2012), I drew out a possible design along our long driveway for landscaping -- that, not surprising, included an aptly descriptive (and prophetic?) title, "Path of the Serpent."

"So," he asked, "do I get wings?"

In Hawaiian mythology the Mo'o are the most mysterious creatures found in some of the oldest stories and are associated with a deep ancient magic. Citing from an article by Shannon Wianecki (Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine) Mo'o possess profound powers, are omniscient and are also shape-shifting beings who guard and protect fresh water pools. Most Mo'o are female, but a fierce Mo'o on Moloka'i is a male protector..

According to language experts, "the word mo'o" also refers to spine and a succession or lineage, and a mo'oleo is a story...a progression of words strung together like a vertebrae.

Recently while clearing a large section of overgrown jungle area of invasive shrubs, weeds and vines, we discovered a rather interesting deep hole (puka) in the lava that we are now shaping to become a fountain/pond feature -- and what could be more appropriate to guard it -- a six-foot long Mo'o, who now takes up residence in our spacious open-air art studio. A few days ago while I was sculpting his face, he asked if he was going to have wings which prompted a significant change in design -- but who is going to say "no" to a Mo'o...not me! (As the water feature and the Mo'o develop, we will post new pictures.)

"The Sacred Spine" - Shannon Wianecki; "Wise folks don't mess with Mo'o" - Bob Krauss; "Mo'o Dragons of Hawai'i" - Mike Limatoc, "Flying Serpents and Dragons" - R. A. Boulay

Puppies in my Tummy!

"I'I Lani" ( ee-ee lani) - with very full belly

Today we made the important trek into Hilo for an x-ray of I'I Lani's belly to hopefully confirm how many puppies she will whelp in just a couple weeks. Sometimes the mom's bones partially hide the tiny skeletons of the puppies inside, but it looks like there are four. That's a perfect number for such a little girl. Her Hawaiian name, I'I Lani, means midget from heaven -- and she is!!

Delivery of puppies (whelping) should take place on June 30 (give or take a day or two). We are "keeping it all in the family" so to speak -- here's a photo of Lani with her mom, Reba (in back) who has some real experience to be a "mid-wife" and "tutu" for the new batch. Lani was from Reba's very last batch of pups.

Today we set up her nursery area so she can begin to feel emotionally comfortable there. Until then, there's not much to do -- and even after the pups are born, she will take care of them for the first four weeks when they really begin to start waddling around. Of course we will include a few pictures when that all happens. (FYI: All puppies are already spoken for, in case you were wondering.)