Poppin' PINK!

One of the first trees we planted is commonly called a "firecracker tree" and even after asking around, we have yet to find it's botanical name. (do YOU know?)


 It usually blooms just in time for New Years and here are the baby PINK buds, just waiting to burst.  I'll include another photo after the explosion.

Next are some PINK orchids that we found hidden under piles of overgrown vines and ferns.  Last year we divided them, and it looks like they too like to bloom in January.  We placed a few at the feet of our Frank Lloyd Wright statue -- our front door greeter.





Finally, is our Double-D size passion fruit, now sporting a PINK make-shift support bra.  The fruit is now over 9" long, and if it fell off the vine at this point, it might just splatter and we'd never see it ripen.

Aren't we just Pretty N Pink!!

Best Christmas Gift EVER!

Some of our friends and relations may recall a tearful December in 2012 when the moving company arrived to load up all our personal belongings for shipping to Hawaii.

The lovely woman who bought our house was to take possession the following morning at 8am, and it was midnight when the movers informed us , "sorry, we can't take it all." After being assured for months that we had nothing to worry about in terms of space, we were in shock, and ended up leaving several boxes, which at that point we didn't even know what they contained.

This month, having completed all the projects for our retirement house in Puna on the Big Island, we began to sort through art supplies only to find, alas, that many treasures were missing.   Included were a set of colored pencils (about 100 or more) a set of 50-60 colored pens, good metal rulers, color wheels, watercolors, etc.  All totaled the replacement cost would be well over $200.

We took a chance, and with a prayer, emailed the new owner of our sweet Eureka house and inquired -- "did you happen to find a box -- a year ago, filled with art supplies."  Of course, we had no way of knowing whether they were MIA (as many thing in the moving process were), or whether it may have been a box we were forced to leave behind.  Ridiculous, right?  Well, have a little faith!

Imagine our surprise when Emily's prompt email not only informed us that YES, they still had them, but that she would be happy to ship them off to us priority mail.  TODAY, over a year later, we are celebrating the Best Christmas gift EVER....and grateful for the simple reminder that asking for what you want and need can yield amazing results.  MAHALO & ALOHA EMILY!!

RAMBUTAN

Blue Fenton bowl for Christmas!

Well they are not hairy alien sheep balls!

But what ARE they?
RAMBUTANS

At the market on Sundays we are always on the lookout for one of Phil's favorite treats! Simply split the skin and pop out the succulent little ball.  To us they taste like a grape, but more hmmm... "tropical."

Rambutans are a fruit from South East Asia.  They have been cultivated by local people for many years.  In fact there are still jungle tribes who cultivate them at their settlements.

 

Brrrrrr! Hu'ihu'i

Much of the mainland is experiencing REALLY cold weather, but in Puna, on the Big Island, we are cold (Hu'ihu'i)  too.  Yesterday we found ourselves rummaging around for jeans and sweatshirts -- and glad that we did save a few.

All those baby seeds I planted two days ago in 80 degrees need sun!  OK, we are not going to whine about the weather!  However, it is day to cook up a pot of potato leek soup with real butter and milk, and just to completely clog up the arteries, crumbled bacon as a garnish!

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!  HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

A New Year!

Since Phil graduated from Michigan State, and the Spartans got to the 100th Rose Bowl to face down Stanford's football team, of COURSE we spent part of the day watching the game -- ending with a WIN for the Spartan Nation 24 to 20!

 Phil's mom in Michigan was watching it too.
 (Hi mom!  Wasn't that a great game!)

The new year began bright and beautiful and today, I planted more seeds in the shade house.  Green onions, beets, several basil plants.  The lettuce varieties are already up and the bok choy is looking great too.  Spinach is on it's way and a new batch of green beans and radishes are popping up too.

All in all -- a great start for a new year!

PASSION in 2014

In Feburary 2013, we wanted to include passion fruit in our mini orchard. There are many varieties of passion fruit from all around the world, and in Hawaii, the common name used for them is Lilikoi.  The most common variety produces a small yellow fruit 2" in diameter filled with seeds and juice.  These vines are ubiquitous, grow like crazy and the flavor is intensely tart and sweet. 

We thought it would be fun to have a second variety, so we bought another one someone told us was a purple passion fruit (passiflora edulis).  Well, when it began to flower, and we looked it up, it was NOT the purple passion variety at all.  In November it began to fruit and is now the size of a eggplant!  Supposedly it will take another month to ripen.

Now that we have correctly identified it Phil has the final questions:  Just how many Lilikoi cream cheese cakes will this make?

Dexter Mingles with the Rich and Famous

(Dexter is wearing Gucci, of course.)

Happy New Year from HAWAII and NEW YORK

Goes to show you it's not what you know, but who! Cathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper invite well-known and beloved Corgi, Dexter Dinkums Wigglesworth III of Hawaii, to ring in the new year at Times Square.

Puna Squall

Up until yesterday, this year December has been much drier than last year at this time.  All of a sudden, we are catching up for lost time. If you have never experienced over eight inches of rain in two days, it is a phenomenal monsoon-like experience.  This photo is what it looks and feels like, however, the photo is from an simulated rain exhibit at NY's MOMA.  Here in Puna, all we have to do is go outside! 

Hawaiian Geese - Nene

Phil has been having fun exploring parts of Hilo while Lunel has been doing physical therapy.  These are few of the local geese (Nene) he saw just a few yards from the parking lot.  Wouldn’t you love to have a pair of these handsome creatures in your yard?

After watching K54 & K55, we are sure they are a pair!

Hawaiian geese are found only in the Hawaiian Islands and are currently restricted to Hawaii, Kauai and Maui. They are very distantly related cousins to the Canadian geese; it is surmised they were blown off their migratory course hundreds of years ago.  They like to build their nests in both sparse and dense vegetation on beaches, shrub lands; grasslands and woodlands on well-drained soil, volcanic ash, cinder and lava rock substrates. Females typically nest on the ground and lay an average of 3 eggs. 

The Hawaiian goose is among the most isolated, sedentary and threatened of all waterfowl.  They are the sixth most endangered waterfowl species worldwide. These cautionary signs are seen around the Big Island.

To LISTEN to them CLICK on this LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-xAJZ-TvX0

.

Mele Kalikimaka

Dexter here -- Oh no!  Tell me they didn't just do that.  This gives new meaning to the complaint, "My mom dresses me funny."

You can tell that retired people sometimes have too much time on their hands.  But, we are having fun, and hope that your holiday is filled with joy and good health.

We have been discussing the possibility of a puppy...maybe for my birthday in February.   We take turns thinking, it's a good idea, or hmmm...maybe we should wait.  We have been talking about it for a few months.  Mom even went to see corgi puppies in Kona.

Would a puppy fit inside a Christmas stocking?

Dexter Dinkums Wigglesworth III

Winter Solstice

Words are inadequate to describe this image or, there are so many I drown in them. 

I am floating in warm olivine waters under the full moon at Ahalanui staring deep into star studded skies limned by back lit clouds. A few feet away waves crash over the sea wall and with my eyes closed I feel the power of the wave sweep under and lift me and my body merges with all that surrounds me.  I stare at the moon so long that even when I close my eyes the curved image remains illuminated on the cave wall of my eyelids.  As the boundaries of my body dissolve I wonder, fleetingly, just how does one artistically express the shear enormity and intimacy of this moment as the photons of moonlight invite my DNA to dance.

Winter Solstice 2013

Lanui Paina (Holiday/Anniversary Tree)

Happy Anniversary to US!!

A year ago, we planted a Norfolk pine tree that was about 2' tall.  Our container of household goods did not arrive for about 8 weeks, so it was our Christmas tree (minus decorations.) We also planted it to honor Phil's mom, Margaret.  Today 12/12 marks the one year anniversary of our arrival in Puna.

This past year this little tree has grown 300% -- it now stands over 6' tall.  Phil bought some outside decorations, and while we were decorating it, yesterday, the sun was bright and warm.

THE KNEE???   Oh yeah; I just got back from surgery, and here I am functioning (pretty much), great drugs too.  Surgery went well, the people were SO FANTASTIC.  The sun is out for our one year anniversary today, the sky is a beautiful bright blue, clouds are amazing, and temperature is 74 in the shade.  So I think I will amble out to our new deck and read in the sun, then have a nap.

MAHALO to all you who have called, emailed or written.  Ho'omaika'i - expressing gratitude!

Holiday Story About the Rat

As we pulled out our Christmas decoration, we realized we had reduced the number of boxes for our relocation to Hawaii -- in fact, there was just one small box with a few strands of lights and only the most precious ornaments.  However, while doing so, we noticed a strange odor coming from the storage area, and the decorations were set aside until we found the source -- a dead rat.

Phil has been diligently putting rat poison out for a few days hoping to catch the "one" before they became "the many" -- unfortunately, the dying rodent managed to squeeze under the fully loaded freezer to find a place to die.

After successfully removing the carcass, we remembered a charming pidgin poem written (and performed) by our friend Jozuf Hadley -- about the cat "Ehu" and how effective "Ehu" was at catching 'da rat.' 


So, for your amusement and enjoyment, here's the link to BradaJo's reading "Ehu."
(just click on the link below)
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSGEtkVOLTk

Spectacular and Subtle

Sitting on Kilauea's caldera edge.

We are enjoying a visit from our friend Esther from Kalamazoo, Michigan -- a long time friend of Phil's who has been a Taiko drum performer and instructor for many years.

Grasses inside the park area just before sunset, with the soft, low back-light glow.

Last night, just a dusk, we drove up to Kilauea Volcano and had a great visit at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, galleries and visitors center.   After our home-bound late night drive-by on Thanksgiving, we knew we wanted to come back soon when we weren't so tired.  Esther's visit presented us with a great opportunity.  The temperature was cool (at 4000 feet) but we waited through the magnificent colorful sunset, temporary showers, rainbows, and very low clouds that blocked the entire view of the crater.


Before sunset, we found several meadows of grasses that were back-lit with a lovely low subtle winter light, so we had fun seeing another aspect of the area -- this area was a few yards away from the caldera edge.



Then, our patience was rewarded and as the clouds lifted, we got a fabulous show!   The background clouds caught the setting sun and as it got darker and darker the volcanic lake inside the small Halema'umu'u Crater gave us a brilliant glow (and just who brought the marshmallows??)

The small crater is only about 1/2 mile wide, but is inside the larger crater of Kilauea (3x5km).  If you want to know more, just search it all out -- there's way too much information to include here.

   From USGS/Wikipedia

New in the Garden

Ever since our visit to Hilo's Botanical Gardens a year ago, I have been waiting (sort of patiently) for the day when our yard and new beds were ready to receive Heliconias!  While not native to Hawaii, they thrive in this rain forest environment.  Some grow to be over 15' tall, sending out unbelievable blossoms. 


We bought ours at the local Maku'u Market, most in one gallon, and some in five gallon containers, so it will be a year or two before they produce blooms as seen in these photos, from plant books and on-line sites.

From top to bottom, the names are:  Pogoantha

Champneana Mayan Blood,Indica Striata, and

Indica Spectabilis

The last photo is our beautiful new banana tree -- it is called Siam Ruby Red Banana, and while it may not produce fruit, just look how amazing those leaves will go with the rest of the bunch.

Anyway, with knee surgery this week, it was important to get these new plants into the ground, since it will be a a few weeks until I am able to use my pick axe and shovel.

Ke-ahi-a-laka - Leilani Estates

WHAT'S IN A NAME?


When we first bought our house in Puna on the Big Island, I remember reading about some of the historical place names, including Keahialaka which was the prehistorical cultural place name for Leilani Estates. 



Now that we are done with our major projects, we have returned to learning more about this beautiful new home.  
Reading more legends, I came across this interesting story about Pele and how she is associated with the place where we live.  


This information was taken from Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes, William Drake Westervelt 1916

"When Pele came to the island Hawaii, she first stopped at a place called Ke-ahi-a-laka in the district of Puna. From this place she began her inland journey toward the mountains. As she passed on her way there grew within her an intense desire to go at once and see Ai-laau, the god to whom Kilauea belonged, and find a resting-place with him as the end of her journey. She came up, but Ai-laau was not in his house. Of a truth he had made himself thoroughly lost. He had vanished because he knew that this one coming toward him was Pele. He had seen her toiling down by the sea at Ke-ahi-a-laka. Trembling dread and heavy fear overpowered him. He ran away and was entirely lost....  She laid out the plan for her abiding home, beginning at once to dig up the foundations. She dug day and night and found that this place fulfilled all her desires. Therefore, she fastened herself tight to Hawaii for all time."

 

Keahialaka (known today as Leilani Estates) is at Latitude 19.47/Longitude 154.91

Approximately 8 square miles south of Pahoa.

Night Lights In Leilani

This time of year the sun goes down early; by 6pm it's dark.  Since we've completed the ohana apartment, we've also added some solar powered pathway lights leading up to the porch. I took the first photo from our front porch looking down toward the apartment.

After I took the photo, I turned around to go up our steps into the house -- and caught this lovely view through our front door into the living room.

Dexter has become an awesome watch dog, and because our door is open at night, he chooses to lie right there acting as our protector, alerting us to any unusual sound he hears.



 

HI MOM!!!

Ever since I met Phil and had the opportunity to become acquainted with his mother, Margaret, I have been impressed with this grand lady!  She is smart and full of great stories. She was born in Charlotte Michigan and has lived there all her life.

When we visited her before our move, she told us many tales about the history of Charlotte.  She remembers all the businesses and people she has known over the years, as well as having detailed information about the family genealogy.

Margaret was instrumental in a personal goal she had of building a Senior Center in her home town.  Now in her 90's she stays abreast of current events, reads the Wall Street journal daily, enjoys puzzles, and rooting for the home team, Michigan State Spartans.  When we moved to Hawaii, we provided her with letters and photographs about our new home, and she has been very involved with the progress of our newly completed apartment.

"Sunflower" by Margaret Haysmer

Phil's parents and grandparents grew up in Michigan where they built several houses which they rented for supplemental income.  Margaret gave us a "thumbs up" when we figured that if it worked for them, it would also be a good self-investment for us too.  Of course we sent her pictures of the progress of our new ohana.

Recently, with the help of a dear family friend (Mahalo Ken!) Margaret was introduced to an amazing new world via her own I-Pad so she can follow the events of our new retirement adventures.

This is a beautiful water color painting Margaret did of a sunflower.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!   
Welcome to 21st century technology,
and congratulations on your new I-Pad.


 

A Dog's Life

Such a face!  "Hey, get me outta here, OK?"  (In the photo, he is not growling or snarling -- he just had his nose pushed through the wire, wanting to get up to the front seat with us.)

When Dexter had his first seizures a year ago, of course we were scared, and rushed him to the new vet -- not the best way to make our introduction, but the staff at East Hawaii Veterinary Center was fabulous and helped us (all) get through the diagnosis and difficult adjustment period as he got used to his phenobarbital medication.  

After that he did not seem to enjoy going for rides like he used to, being in the car made him nervous, and he got overheated easily.  So, when we were graciously invited to share Thanksgiving with friends in Kona and have a sleep over, we tried to set it up for his comfort.  His kennel, covered with a towel seemed to cut down on the overstimulating flash of lights and trees during the ride.

We made stops so he could get out and walk a little, but overall we were able to interpret what he was trying to tell us -- "No, I really don't want to go traveling -- I got to Hawaii fine, but I don't like it much any more." OK DEXTER -- we got it!

Photo was taken at one of the rest stops along the way -- at Whittington Park which is about 1/2 the way to Kona (2-hour drive.)  Even at the end of November, we are still delighted to have 75 degree weather and a beautiful sunny day for a ride.

Feathered Friends

We are happy many of our feathered family have returned for winter.  Phil took this picture yesterday while hiding behind the bushes.

#1 Northern Cardinal
#2 Java Sparrow
#3 Yellow Front Canary
#4 Yellow Billed Cardinal
#5 Saffron Finch

(We have two varieties of doves and regular visitors not in the photo include Japanese White Eye and our favorite, Melodious Laughing Thrush.)

Someone recently scolded me because I use a slingshot with small lava pebbles to scare away the aggressive mongoose.   Why?  The mongooses were introduced to eradicate the rats that came migrated off exploration and trading ships.  Problem was that a mongoose hunts during the day, but rats are active at night. The exploding mongoose population has had a negative impact on wild birds in Hawaii because they hunt and kill many ground feeding species and destroy their nests.

The second photo was taken from my desk where a wall to wall window looks out onto a beautiful stand of Ohia trees (about 15 feet away) where the Saffron Finches love to flit about catching bugs.