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.

Saying Goodbye

If you remember either your grandparents or parents review of the newspaper obituaries, you are not alone.  This was particularly true for Phil's mother, Margaret, who grew up in a very small rural community in Michigan -- and where she lived all her life until she passed last year at age 96.  She knew everyone, and knew when the kids graduated and got married.  She knew which parents passed locally run businesses on to their children, and when grandchildren in the community were born.

Our First Corgi Family

Reaching this age, Phil and I are finding that we too are saying "goodbye" to various members of our community and friends -- most of whom we consider our ohana (family in Hawaiian.)   This last month two very special friends have passed, and as is our custom, we pulled out our collection of photos and memorabilia of those we remember.  We decided to set up our "All Saints" altar early this year, to honor those who had an impact on our lives. My former husband and our adopted daughter passed away many years ago, as have both of our Best Persons at our wedding.

This last week, however, my dear yoga teacher and friend, Elsa Rubio, passed peacefully in her sleep.  As we began to assemble some of the many keepsakes, we also pulled out the collection of dogs tags all strung onto one of their old collars -- in remembrance of our four-legged family too.  (Chauncy R. Valentine, Abbey Ennis Puddin'chin, and Dexter Dinkums Wigglesworth III.)

...and we open our hearts to all the memories of these beloved ones especially as we draw closer to All Hallow's Eve, (Christian) Hallowmas, All Saints Day (Catholic), or Samhain (Gaelic/Celt) -- or the more familiar/secularized "Halloween."   Many of these traditions also include a celebration of the year's harvest with special feasts.