And It Came To Pass....

This phrase is a well-known one from the bible -- in fact, counting the various translations, it appears over 600 times. It's generally applicable in most situations. When we first arrived in Hawaii in 2012, we found a local translation nailed to a mango tree on the drive down to the ocean; it said simply -- "it's only a matter of time."

And so it is -- Lunel has reached the decision to proceed with bi-lateral knee replacement. It was this time last year she met with two orthopedic surgeons whose opinions both resulted in the same diagnosis. There will be continued pain, inflammation and swelling due to bone-on-bone condition in both knees. But it was only a year-and-a-half since the traumas of 2018, and she was not prepared to make the decision at that time. Since January of this year the situation has deteriorated further.

Surgery is set for June 16th here in Hilo, so between now and then, she is directing a massive up-tic in the landscaping projects. Since we have cleared back so much undergrowth, there are now numerous blank canvas areas. Fortunately, we have a weekly young friend who devotes four hours every Wednesday to bring Lunel's vision to life. The photo below are rough -- but she hopes to have lots of plants, and shrubs in the ground so she can simply enjoy her recuperation watching them grow.

Of course Phil and the three corgyn will be on 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th helping her achieve a "home run" recovery!

Giving Thanks

HAPPY THANKS GIVING ALL!  We know it's been a long time since our last update.  Phil haS been very busy trying to keep up with the sales of his beautiful hand carved koa reef fish, and has even had a couple of special orders.  Lunel continues to find pleasure in manicuring the gardens and flower beds around the property. While it is cooler here at 3500 ft elevation, when the sun is out -- it is very pleasant to be outside (with long sleeves.)

She also continues to add pages to her art journals and is now working on #3.

The Corgyn have been supervising the goats as they are led from one grazing pasture to another -- and this week -- they were just on the other side of the back yard fence -- and a constant source of entertainment.

This last week Lunel was practicing a beautiful Hawaiian chant (oli) of thankfulness -- "Oli Malaho." She learned it a couple years ago while attending an informal language class. Words and translation are below.  If you'd like to listen here's the link:
   OLI MALHAO CHANT





WE DO HAVE OTHER NEWS -- but it is still under wrap, so be patient and we will tell all, soon!!

Green Green GREEN

Clear day view of Mauna Kea

Many decades ago (1963) the New Christy Minstrels sang it, and most of us sang along (though we probably wouldn't admit to that or any other kind of "green" we may have done soooo long ago).

Green, green, it's green they say
On the far side of the hill
Green, green, I'm going away
To where the grass is greener still...

Lonely female chameleon who lives in the olive tree
just outside our back door lanai

Up here at 3500 ft elevation, there are different kind of flora and greens than we had in Leilani Estates on Luana Street. Although there are still hapu'u ferns and ohia trees, there are also walls of bamboo, eucalyptus and several kinds of pine trees.

"Instant picnic" just out our front door

View of the farm

We went on a guided walk early this week offered by Volcano Art Center and were awed by the size and shapes of several different kinds of ohia trees and some massive koa trees as well.

"Their grass is greener..."

The Volcano Art Center offers many opportunities to learn about the island from many different perspectives -- geological, ecological and cultural.

LINK to Volcano Art Center

Here at our new temporary home, we are enjoying new greens -- some of which come from the organic and hydroponic gardens. The view from our back porch/lanai is of the back portion of the farm/garden where there are many varieties of rare chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, and goats -- their milk is made into taste cheeses!

The corgyn (who surprisingly enough are green-grazers) are particularly interested in the goats, and have decided that the greens on the other side of the fence just must be better than the grass on their side.

Hobbits and Corgyn

"TUDOR" - is 8 weeks old and is waiting patiently for his ears to perk UP

Corgi dogs (plural, Corgyn) and
Hobbits have several things in common, particularly Corgi PUPPIES!

• They obviously have short legs
• They are fond of snugly, cozy places
• They believe mealtimes are critical
• Meal times for both are identical
• They love many occasions to frolic.
• They know naps are very important 

Happy Birthday to Me!

TUDOR - age 7 weeks

It is probably true that some birthdays are more memorable than others, but this one was spectacular in ways even I, as a consummate organizer, could have never anticipated. As our blog readers will know, recently we got to be surrogate parents as our young corgi, "I'I Lani" had four adorable puppies. During the process, we decided that we really would like to keep one...but which one?

"Mom, I can help you with these boxes."

As the puppies were fully weaned, we were able to see them safely transported on Sunday to the breeder so they could be adopted...all except for the one we chose to keep, "Tudor." He is named for Tasha Tudor who wrote and illustrated children's books featuring corgi dogs, (Corgyn) of which she had several. So, awakening on Monday (my birthday) I got up early, made coffee, and while the rest of the family (Phil and our other three corgyn) were still sleeping, I got to play with the new puppy...who had fun not only with his toys, but with the boxes and wrapping from my birthday.

of course it ain't this big...YET!

My friend, fellow artist and weeding partner, Kate arrived around 8:30 along with our dependable yard guy. As a team of four, we managed to cut of a big limb from a dying ohia tree, weed a shady area called "The Terraces" (all of our landscaping beds have names,) and plant a bunch of anthuriums, hibiscus, and a new Jacaranda tree near the sculpture described in the previous blog.

After cleaning up, we were delighted by visits from friends and then off to Pahoa Village for a late lunch. Then another unexpected thing happened. A couple blogs ago, we showed a photo of what we envisioned for a structure to go on top of the lava outcropping near the front of the property. Well, a new neighbor had a large pile of wood left over from their project and offered it to us at a good price. The best part? It is already sanded and stained -- exactly the color of the photo in our previous blog!  (Thurs, July 20th)

I got a lovely large solitaire peridot necklace from Phil, and lots of cards arrived in the mail -- some from people I've not heard from in some time. All in all, a fabulous birthday -- including homemade, tart lime bars from Penny who lives one block over, and a rousing party with the "Girlie Girls" who meet every Tuesday evening.

Tasha is Three Weeks Old

Tasha Tudor with her Corgyn

OMG!! Just look at those tiny little toes (and toenails!)

Ms. Tasha is three weeks old today and is growing fast. For 6-7 years, we have had the name "Tasha" in mind for a puppy girl -- because of our appreciation for Tasha Tudor's love of corgi dogs and her lovely illustrated children's books about gorgyn. I'I Lani (mom) is getting a little slim on milk, so we are supplementing the puppy's diet with some goat's milk.Her tiny toenails are long, eyes are open and mom and pup are doing fine. Holding a puppy first thing in the morning is SO much more rewarding than watching the news...or most anything else for that matter. What a great early Christmas present!

Corgi Tug-of-War

"Poko" making the challenge

Recently I had my first colonoscopy and was fortunate to have a rousing referral to a well-liked gastroenterology doctor whose team made the experience a good one.  Really!  The staff at the surgery center was great -- and as part of their patient care, they provide cute purple socks to all the patients.

3-way tug-of war

If you live with corgi dogs, you soon learn that things "on the floor" are considered fair game, whether that is candy wrappers, desiccant bags (yes, Lani recently ate one) or purple socks.  So it came as no surprise when Poko nabbed one and challenged the girls to a game of tug-of-war.  Days later both socks were shredded.

The "Mighty Hunters"

Now, the other picture is one you probably don't want or need to see.   Yet, it IS part of rural living in Puna on the Big Island!  Two days ago, while I was working on the new driveway lava beds, I noticed a commotion and when I looked, Team Corgyn had captured a mongoose and were excitedly tossing it up in the air -- a volley to the next team member. As I headed to the scene, I witnessed a quick "snap" that broke it's neck so it's end was at least quick. Reaching the ruckus, however I could see more fun was in store as the game strategy quick shifted to another favorite game (yes, you guessed it) tug-of-mongoose.

Smart dogs that they are, they responded quickly to the command "Put it DOWN!" so we were able to avoid the dreaded and bloody "drawn and quartered" scene and the body was appropriately dispatched.  They were, however, understandably proud of themselves and suggested that their escapade as "Mighty Hunters" would make a good post for the blog.  Being the doting parent, of course, it was easy to comply...however, I decided the death grip would be most appropriately represented by a cartoon.

Paws for Dirt

Our three Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Corgyn) are such a source of entertainment and fun.  Especially the young ones -- Ao Pokole Poko, and Princess I'ilani (Poko and Lani for short.)

This last week we got another delivery of rich dark cinder/soil.  And Poko bradda convinced lil' sista Lani to explore the new (giant) hill -- what fun to climb!  Their very white sock feet, of course were no longer white after this escapade.  The "hill" they are climbing is 1/3 of the delivery -- which the driver was willing to deposit in two other large piles elsewhere on the property for easier disbursement to needed projects.

(For many years we had Corgi's with short (bobbed) tails...but we LOVE their "paintbrush" tails -- so expressive.)

For those of you on the Continent, we can buy a variety of "soil products" from red cinder which is OK for driveways and for keeping the soil from packing, to black cinder...rich in nutrients, to any combination thereof -- including crushed macadamia nut hulls.  Our delivery is composed of tiny grounds of black cinder mixed with good wholesome soil (from elsewhere on the island, but hard to come by in Puna where the land created by lava is so new.)

20 cubic yard delivery of cinder/soil

How aquifers under the island are formed

Admittedly, a 20 cu yard delivery is costly, $400-500.  But when you find lava only 1" down...you gotta supplement the garden with something for your plants, vegetables and fruit to grow in and produce.  And, for your further appreciation -- a couple of factoids:  First, because the "ground" (ie, lava) is so porous, 140 inches of rain a year simply disappears down into a huge aquifer below the surface, making the amount of fresh water under the Big Island one of the largest in the world.  The good part of that is you rarely have to water your garden.  However, the flip side of that is that what little nutrition there is is washed away completely every few weeks.  Daswai (that's why) we have to use heavy doses of compost, fertilizer and mulch on all our garden beds -- flower, fruit and vegetable.

Two weeks ago we made the pilgrimage to the Hilo Dump -- well-loved for its recycling -- green waste and FREE mulch.  We drove up with a tarp, and in 5 minutes flat had a HUGE Tundra 8' bed fully loaded and ready to bring home -- all free.  Not only does it enrich the ground, it helps keep weeds under control.

Just another slice of every-day life for the Haysmer Tribe in the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii.