Illegal Aliens! (in cages?!)** OK, bad pun!

Michel (with 3 'horns' -- and Janet Jacksons

After our home was destroyed (by fire and then lava)  back in May of last year, we were grateful to find two temporary living situations. While living in our second temporary home on the 6-acre farm we found out there is a population of green illegal aliens -- living right here in Volcano!

It appears that a pet store owner on Oahu in 1972 got a permit to import them from East Africa, but since that time with numerous escapees, their population has grown and they are now considered a pest with prohibitions on raising them to sell or transport between islands.

At the farm the local cats found them entertaining and would bring them inside to play with. We helped rescue a few, and decided they would make fun (caged) pets. Here's a photo of Michael and Janet Jacksons -- because they are "Jacksons Chameleons" -- Trioceros Jacksonii.

They live up to 10 years and grow about 13 inches long. It's hard to tell how old these two are, but they are obviously mature. This last week we have been watching their slow-motion courtship. We do NOT plan to incubate eggs when she lays them because we don't want to contribute to the population as they compete for insects in the native forests.

So, now our weekly grocery/shopping list includes buying crickets which they each eat every day. And, speaking of weekly lists -- here's a sample of what a "Hilo Day" typically looks like. Of this overwhelming list of 15 stops, we only we able to get 12 done -- but we at least managed to stop for the Jacksons' crickets and for us --  a tasty take-home dinner.

FINALLY!!!  We are moving into our newly completed art studio. Today we began to schlep boxes of tools and supplies from the temporary "shop" where Phil has been working with his wood art. We will be posting photos of the inside and outside very soon.

** Of course the use of 'cages' is a hot topic -- no offense or inference intended, just a bad pun.