Wheel of Fortune?

THE GAME??:         WHEEL OF FORTUNE!
THE CATEGORY:   BEFORE AND AFTER
THE ANSWER:        "HURRICANE-ARMS-OF-FLOWERS"

As the arms of the hurricane Madeline spiral in closer to the Big Island of Hawaii we are experiencing "waves" of weather. (Udate below**) There are hour long bursts of tremendous rain and wind, followed by lulls of blue sky when your senses tell you it is "over" -- but it really isn't. Such is life in Puna on the Big Island during hurricane season.

Enough flowers to create 5 lovely arrangements

As has been the pattern since we retired and relocated here, the weather determines everything. Yesterday, we followed our checklist:  secure loose items around the property including umbrellas, chairs, yard equipment, garbage containers, flower pots, etc.  It also meant we needed to mow NOW because in another few days it would be hard pushing.  Phil started the generator and I walked the property looking for suspicious long branches or plants that needed to be pruned to prevent breaking.

The brunt of Madeline is expected to arrive around 2-3pm today. So, for now, in between the alternating waves of weather I strolled out to gather arms full of flowers, and Phil made a trip to a friends house to pick up some koa wood for his art projects.

As neighbors, we are all checking on each other, rounding up stray pets, sharing "remember when Iselle hit" stories, emptying the rain gauges (2 inches in last 12 hours) and focusing on indoor projects.   A HUI HO!!    ((Update** lots of rain, wind and storm surges, but we are safe.  Some damages along coastline for residents.  The gift of Iselle is that we KNOW it can and does happen and are better prepared.)

Rack 'em Up!!

We are as ready as we can be, having had some experience now....so how about some MUSIC??

MUSIC!!  Play "Rack 'em Up" while you read!

Madeline is expected tomorrow followed by Hurricane Lester

We aren't very far into hurricane season here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, but it looks like we have some serious weather headed our way.

Looking at this NOAA image that was in the Star Advertiser, all I could think of was "rack 'em up." and of course a great song by Jonny Lang.  We have had pretty good luck so far because our "storm cruncher" volcanoes Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea do tend to disrupt the arms of the storms as they approach the Big Island.  But, as always, the east side of the island, where we live, is pretty much where they all swing in to upon arrival. And, for better or worse, we have had some practice! We'll just make a bowl of pop-corn, light the candles, put on some good music, and dive into our favorite books....

"Oh NO, Mr. Bill...not the blender!!" 

All we could think of with this photo was SNL's -- Mr. Bill

Just for fun, we have included another very interesting image -- an artists view of the island that shows the shape of the islands below the water. We recommend you visit regularly or subscribe to dailygalaxy.com website!