"We're All in our Places...."

During the past two years Phil has been painting watercolor images of local native birds -- including two Io (hawk) which visited the Ohia trees in our yard!  Recently, he has completed a third painting in his series of native birds -- the handsome Nene (geese.)   He is now laying out his fourth painting -- Koa'e Kea (white tailed Tropicbird.) Yes its name is "Tropicbird" one-word.

The light in the art studio is perfect for painting, as Reba-Bo-Beeba offers her encouragement.


 In the meantime, with the help of our yard helper and friend Sam, Lunel is continuing on-going terraforming projects in another part of the property, using the accumulated lava for new terraces bed.

The cairn of lava was created by digging up and leveling areas of the yard, particularly as we dug holes for fruit trees and Hapu'u ferns.  The lava pile dwindles, however, as the walls are created for new beds. 

 

Death to a "Duck"

It's a WHAT?

In its former life, it was a hedgehog we bought for Dexter when we first got the new new family members, Reba and puppy Poko.   When Dexter dislodged and destroyed the cheap plastic squeaker, he had little use for it, but was neither was he willing to share it with the new kids.

"Look mom, I killed it (again.)"

So, as I have done for all the Corgi's favorite toys, I sewed it up repeatedly.  (This being next to impossible to do while it is slick with dog slobber.)  After numerous disembowelment events and subsequent surgeries, the hedgehog eventually turned into a sort of anteater.  However, after the amputation of the anteater's front legs, it took on the appearance of a prehistoric duck.

Poko's baby teeth did not come out like they should, so our last visit to the vet included the two infamous "procedures." -- the dental work being the least painful.  Yet, one stubborn baby tooth remained annoying both him and us.  After destroying one of Phil's books (a signed first edition too), shredding numerous pieces of hardwood scraps from the wood shop floor, and gnawing holes in the front porch, back porch and the deck, Poko finally settled on playing tug-of-war with Reba -- with the hedgehog-cum-duck.  At last!!  The baby tooth came out and the duck is finally dead!   Funeral services will be private.

Blooming and Growing

Our April 14th blog entry showed photos of our tall, strong and graceful Ohia trees ** covered with beautiful red Lehua blossoms.  This week, we had an unexpected treat because one of the Ohia trees we planted a year ago had its first YELLOW blossom.  Most all trees bloom red, and yellow blooming trees are rare.  Even more rare are salmon colored blossoms. 

When we moved, we spent months reclaiming our one acre from the encroaching jungle vines and ferns, and many of the islands introduced invasive species.  Next we began planting our mini-orchard with a variety of fruit trees.  We found a local nursery man who had his own yellow Ohia tree and we got two small rooted cuttings from him about a year ago.  The trees are less than three feet tall at this time, so we didn't expect to see blossoms for a few years, but we got lucky as one of them bloomed.

Patiently (sort of) waiting for breakfast on the front porch.

Dexter and Reba are being tolerant and polite with each other, but Dexter prefers to be inside the house, and Reba has been an outside dog for year, so that helps with the family dynamics.  Ao-Pokole (Poko for short -- and "Poko" means short too) is growing fast and has more than doubled his weight and length.  We are taking turns with the early morning breakfast preparation; each of them gets different proportions and Dexter has Rx added to his food as well.


** The Ohia trees are the most abundant native trees in Hawaii and are among the first life in new lava flows. According to Hawaiian mythology, the tree represents a young warrior. Pele, the goddess of fire, wanted to marry the warrior. When he refused, she turned him into a tree. The other gods weren't able to turn him back, so they turned his true love, Lehua, into the blossom so the two lovers could be reunited. It is also thought that if you pick one of the blossoms, it will rain – representing the tears of lovers.




 

Puppy Mornings

Mornings are different now.  For the past year we would awaken to bird songs somewhere between 730 and 800, leisurely saunter out to the kitchen for coffee and wake up slowly.  Despite the fact that Ao-Pokole-Poko (Poko for short) is fed 4x a day (with half-n-half and puppy chow) he is HUNGRY at 7am!

So, all the dogs get fed first and THEN we have our coffee, followed by a poop-n-pee stroll around the yard.  Dexter is doing his part too -- "here's a good spot" and they both lift their legs.

Reba has made a good adjustment to Dexter's age and dignity -- giving him space.  Dexter doesn't mind the puppy's following his every move, and will even occasionally roll around with him in a tolerant and avuncular manner.

Blossoms!

From this distance it may be a little hard to see hundreds of small Lehua blossoms that now cover most of the Ohia trees in the forest where we live.  Our one acre is surrounded by these beautiful and stately trees -- some of the first plants to grow in newly formed lava.

These trees dance in all the breezes, whether it is the trade winds from the north and east, or the kona winds from the south.
(In the background you will see our "shade house" which actually 9 feet high, so you will have some perspective on the size of these trees)

We still find that people have a generalized image in their minds of hot white sands and tall swaying palm trees when they think of Hawaii.  But as you can see in PUNA, there is a great deal of variety in the climatic zones and flora.

This week our focus has been on helping all the dog-kids get acquainted with each other, helping Dexter retain his dignity in the face of all that wild vivacious puppy-energy from AO POKO.  REBA has been used to running rough with the boys on the farm, so she has had to learn to be more respectful of Dexter, but is making good progress. All in all a good week.

New Family Members!

If you have been following our blog, you know we have been waiting patiently to adopt Ms. REBA.  She has been very busy having puppies and wants to RETIRE with us. When we went to pick her up, this little guy wanted to come too.

Meet POKO (full name Ao Pokole) who is eight weeks old.  POKO is an abbreviated form of the word POKOLE which means "short."   AO means "cloud."  He is a "tri" which means, as he gets older, his black coloring will come out more. 

Ao Pokole Poko

Dexter (age ten) is being as gracious as he can be.  They are all doing the butt-sniffing thing, a few snaps and growls, but mostly tail-wagging.  Dexter was part of our pack-of-three for a long time, and we feel that these new family members will keep him active and more engaged.


You will notice that both REBA and POKO have their tails.  POKO says, "I am all EARS."