Happy Birthday :"Reba-Bo-Beba"

Lady of leisure on her birthday

One pancake for each dog

"Hey dad -- ??more?"

Everyone who know us at all knows how crazy we are about our FOUR corgyn (plural for corgi.)

Today was a special day because it was Reba's 10th birthday. She, like us, has been on glucosamine for a couple years, and thankfully, she seems to be doing well. 

Waiting very patiently while they cool

Today, her two kids, Poko and I'i Lani, and grandson Tudor joined the celebration with special (gluten free) sour dough pancakes, made with our own daily-fresh kefir. 
Tudor (with the black tuxedo) is only nine months old. Hopefully he'll still be around for his 10th and my 80th birthday!

Just because they had theirs doesn't mean they didn't want more!

Heiau (shrine) for our Corgyn

But, on a sad note, all of us share the sadness of the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth's beloved "Willow" who is the last of a long line of corgi dogs in the Royal Family. While our family/ohana is not royal, we lovingly remember all of our corgi family too: Chauncy, Abbey, Dexter and Paka.  Queen Elizabeth's "Willow"

Farewell to 2017

Malama o ka 'Aina

Pohoiki is 4 miles (as crows fly) - but the meander through mango trees, papaya fields and organic farms takes 15 min

Life on the 'wild side' on the Big Island -- no high rise condos, no fancy hotels or 4-lane highways. In fact getting down to the ocean is part one-way because no one will be cutting down an old mango tree! We think we are the luckiest folks.

We are fortunate also for great activities in our local association facilities and that a lovely local educator offers weekly classes in Hawaiian language and culture here in our small subdivision called Leilani Estates.

We have long been interested in indigenous cultures and traditions, and it was important to us that we learn about the values of traditional Hawaiians. A few words specifically address some of the depth of the Hawaiian language..

kuleana - responsibility and commitment
malama - caring for 
'aina - the land (not as "land ownership" 
but in relationship with all aspects of the environment

Some of our nearby friends and neighbors have lived here for 25-30 years and we feel very lucky to have found them and be included in our Leilani Ohana (extended family.) Phil joins other volunteers with weed whacker and rakes to join a group of local citizens who care for our local park and swimming area. By doing regular weed whacking along the park, they are helping to eliminate the use of pesticides along our local shoreline.

Even an I write this blog entry on 6/27 we had two small earthquakes last night just off the coast in this area -- once again a reminder that our adventure here is at the grace of mighty forces -- it is a vital, living land like no other we have ever encountered.

Please enjoy watching  this very short video. The first section is of of the area where the volunteers work, and near the end (about a 1/2 mile) is of our favorite swimming spots. Both are only a few minutes from our house. -- 
Video of Pohoiki Bay

Easter -- "Puna Style"

Phil's feather boa, wild turkey claw and baby.

Happy Easter -- New life and rising from the dead were themes we chose for our Easter Bonnets this year.

Lunel's "life and death" themed hat

Last year at our annual "white elephant" gift exchange on Christmas Eve, Phil's exchange gift was a lovely feather boa...perfect for re-purposing at Easter! Lunel simply used what was out laying around the studio to decorate, but couldn't resist her usual bemusing play with iconic image of life and death.

So, later we will be gathering with lots of our friends and neighbors (our ohana) for a potluck, talk-story, games, music and....Easter hat competition. We'll be meeting at friends Jane and Doug who have been building their house here in Leilani, just a few blocks from our house.

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.

Two Year Anniversary

Two years ago, on 12/12/12, our one-way tickets delivered us to our retirement home in the Puna District on the Big Island of Hawaii.  We had NO idea that our vacation here in February of 2011 would result in a massive two-year disengagement from Humboldt County.  Early in 2012, when we saw this house we both saw immense creative potential for a warm retirement, but it has also taken us two more years to reach our goals.  Here are a few before and after pictures that gives an overview of the construction projects and land terra-forming.


With our fabulous contractor we designed and built a wood shop/studio for Phil (below) and a one bedroom apartment (top) on the existing cement pad. We have had fun with friends and guests staying in the furnished ohana.

Very little had been done to the one acre, so we began to create beds using lava rock dug out from the property. We are surrounded by beautiful ohia tree forest.

We planted fruit trees, gardens, raised beds, and enhanced the area around our rain water catchment tank.  We also have a "shade house" where we grow many vegies.

We turned a "spare room" into a light and airy art studio where Phil added book cases.  This is only one-half of this spacious room -- Lunel's art space is the other half, featuring a large hammock, another set of book cases, large art table, pantry, and double bed for short term guests -- an an unobstructed view of acres of forest -- no neighbors in sight!

Although we are very proud of our 10,000 catchment water-wealth, we also felt it needed some beautification. Other completed projects include the addition of the carport with 24x24' deck on top, and the beautiful lanai where we enjoy our cedar hot tub with a 180-view or the surrounding forest.

Happy 2-Years!!

Mountain of Wealth

20 yards of wealth

Here in PUNA on the Big Island of Hawaii, wealth is  measured in a variety of ways.  For native Hawaiians it is measured by their strong family relationships -- ohana.  Wealth is also measured by the relationship with the land and its gifts to us as we care for it -- aina.  Here, wealth is also measured by the rain water in our catchment basins and our garden produce.


In almost two years here, we have had numerous deliveries of soil and cinder to create rich beds for fruit trees, flowers and gardens.  And today, we received another load of rich dark cinder/soil.  The black crushed cinder is rich in nutrients.  As you may know, this land (particularly in PUNA) is so new sometimes there is less than 1/2 soil on top of lava, so building up beds, or breaking down through lava is the only way we can plant and grow.

POKO found the mountain of wealth too inviting  --- and who knows what might be on the other side!!

(Couple people inquired where we got it: Check out Sanfords website:  http://sanfordsinc.com

"Ohana in the Ohana"

Three generations of a sweet Hawaiian-style ohana/family.  Hard NOT to fall in love with the people we are meeting since we moved.  Rob, in the background, is our contractor, whose daily work partner is his step-son Jordan, who is already skilled in many fields.  And, what's not to love about Shira and sweet keiki, Naja.

But in addition to all the creative contractor sounds today, we also had the terrific gutter team from Cory's Gutters in Keaau bangin' out an awesome gutter (our second one from Cory's - be sure to ask for Jay!)  Big thanks go Jay, especially, who sniffed out a gas leak we had -- and to Rob who had the right pipe wrench and propane sealing tape (yellow, not white, he informed me) to fix it on the spot!