Creativity

I always thought that free time would unleash creativity but I'm finding that they're not automatically linked. It still takes determination and attention to task to get anything done. And this doesn't even begin to address the creativity level of those activities. Then, I think, perhaps creativity is over valued and the focus should be on activities that are of value to our communities and the planet. But that feels too overwhelming so I'm stalled. In any case, I'm planning to make a tote bag out of an aloha shirt. We'll see.

Trip to Town

On Saturday morning, I went holoholo to Hilo Town. This means I went on a "pleasure" trip to Hilo. I started out at Home Depot. This was followed by a visit to Target. Lucky me; I encountered Ana and Miss Logan. Logan has really grown into a beautiful young lady.

On Saturday night, we went to the electronic music show at the Palace. It was great! The visuals that are designed to go with the music are mesmerizing. You almost feel as if you fall into a river of time. last night's visuals included clips from old movies that were chosen and manipulated to enhance the music. The wholeness of the experience is amazing.

A Walk to see the Whales

I had the pleasure today of walking with Carol and Lina along the cliffs. It was a bit overcast; perfect hiking weather. We saw far off whale spouts and counted ourselves lucky. After our 77 minute walk (thank you, Lina), we went to Pahoa and observed the lava from the transfer station. Although I had seen many photos of the lava from this vantage point, I am still in awe of nature's power. Lava does what lava wants.

Pahoa

Today was another cool day in Hawaii. The Pahoa Pool was quite cold; my goosebumps were shivering. After my morning water play, I went to look for the Tin Shack Bakery. I've heard many great reports of the wonderful baked goods available at this (not so) new bakery. Anyway, after I found it on a back road behind Jan's Barber Shop, I couldn't find a single parking spot. Business was booming. Maybe tomorrow when Carol and Lina come to go hiking????

The threatening volcano makes every visit to Pahoa more important. I've loved Pahoa from my very first visits. It's a place different. Sometimes it almost feels like time left it behind and other times it seems like it's ahead of it's time. I am so happy that the volcano has been hesitating before bisecting Pahoa or even isolating Pahoa. Almost makes you wonder if Madame Pele isn't reconsidering her invasion of Pahoa.

Visit from a Friend

Today, my friend came to visit my home for the first time. It was a special pleasure because, while we entertain a fair amount, this is the first time this sweet friend has come to my home.  I think she enjoyed seeing some of the projects I had told her about. I was proud to be able to say that I did indeed assemble and install my kitchen cabinets. In fact, I used stacks of books to help me support the upper cabinets as I screwed them to the wall. That's the thing with a house, as you look around you see your labor. It's evident that I designed and cared for my gardens; it's evident that my husband works in the greenhouses on a regular basis. My friend was very impressed by the ginormous, tasty cucumbers that sweet Ray grows for me.
The weather was warm but the wind had a little bit of bite. A winter day in Hawaii.

Daughter and Mother

Daughters and mothers are the very best presents in life. I am blessed to have both in my life. My mother, Margaret, is an insightful observer of my life. The insights she shares with me are often the very bits of light that I need in the moment. It's a funny thing to notice that my mother has been part of my whole life and we have both been parts of my daughter's whole life. You just don't meet people who inhabit your life in that way - those connections are only through birth. My daughter, Rebecca, surprises me as she passes me in her accumulation of knowledge and certain experiences. The best thing about it is the fluidity of change in our relationship. I drift between mother and daughter. Finding mooring and wonder at both mouths of the river.

Bike Ride

Today we rode our bikes from our house in Paradise Park to Sherri's house in Hawaiian Shores. We went via Railroad and returned via Beach (or Old Government Road). It was quite grueling for me. However, I did have a real sense of accomplishment when we made it home. In addition, we saw a pod of humpback whales breaching about in the waves.

It's such an eerie thing to exist through an active lava event. Everyday, we check on the status of the lava flow. Did it move? What direction? What are the implications of the reported movement? Although we bought a house on a volcanic island, it never crossed my mind that I would need to worry about the flow. And I don't think that I'm the only one who didn't plan for Madame Pele to wake up and decide she wanted to go where I needed to be. I know it's real when I smell the volcano. Not the burning brush, the burning trees or even the burning pavement, but the real throat of the volcano. The smell is different - hot and elemental.

Saturday in Hilo

After last night's big storm, Hilo skies were very clear today. No vog. The mountain was partially snow covered and there was a bit of a breeze.

There is a lot of residual fear about wind and trees. We weren't here for Iselle but many people had such a bad experience that any wind triggers something like PTSD. The sound of the creaking albezias even scares me and I didn't suffer the barricaded roads or the lack of electricity. So, it was great to drive around Hilo and see that there wasn't any damage. I did hear that there were some felled trees and some people are still clearing the roads but all was well in my small corner of paradise.

Swimming at the Pahoa Pool

Today was the first day of my water aerobics class at the Pahoa Pool. The last time I was at the pool, in November, I was counseled out of joining the class because the lava was directly up from the pool and the gases and smoke from the lava were very heavy.

Anyway, I decided I was going to join the class and go as long as possible.
When you live near a volcano, there is a real sense that you "are on the edge" because you are!

It's 2015

Spent New Year's Eve at the Aloha Theater; we danced to Leche de Tigre. Michael and Precille, our longtime friends were with us.

This blurry photo captures the movement of the evening. Lots of dancing and music.

The New Year's Celebrations sure whip around; before I can digest one year, the next one is upon me. I know that this is the way time will be for the rest of my life. The days slip into each other with little demarcation. It's so different from childhood, where each day stands on its own. Several years ago, I heard an NPR show that discussed this changing perception as we age. There were several possible reasons. The one that sticks with me had to do with the fact that as we age, each day represents a smaller and smaller portion of the whole of our life.