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!