May 30, 2012

I'm off to run the Rouge River in southern Oregon.  I'll be back in 4 days!
Kailua, Hawaii

May 29, 2012

There's a brush fire on the back side of Kalaheo High School.  It butts up to BLM land and then on to H3 highway, so there are few to no houses in harms way, but it's awfully early in the season for a big brush fire like this.  The news is saying H3 highway is closed so the firefighters can try to control and push back the blaze from that standpoint.  Several places are being evacuated due to heavy smoke.  What we need is rain and for the winds to settle down.

Kaneohe, Hawaii

May 28, 2012

Guard dogs?  No, not really.  They are just trying to avoid the extra boys at our house.  Last night we hosted a farewell bash for several of the young guys who are leaving the island this summer.  A dozen boys hanging out at the house eating pizza, chips and jell-o, drinking too much soda, playing video and computer games, watching movies, running around outside, laughing and having fun.  Until 3 a.m. when we finally had to throw the wet towel on them and tell them to hit the rack.  Anyway, the puppies like kids, but at this point, late in the morning, they were ready for their normal, peaceful house back.  This spot was the farthest they could get from the central game station/boy convergence zone upstairs.  Oh, and correct... I now need to go to the commissary.  There's no food left in the house.

Kailua, Hawaii 

May 27, 2012

Today the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts honored our veterans by attending the annual Memorial Day holiday ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.  Together with Scouts from across Oahu our young men placed flags and leis at each of the 13,000 headstone markers. The Punchbowl cemetery's Hawaiian name,"Puowaina," translates to "Hill of Sacrifice."  Thank you.

Honolulu, Hawaii

May 26, 2012

Zach and Nate helped fellow Boy Scout, Aaron, with his Eagle project today.  They got to sweep, rake, clear, pressure wash, tape and paint at the United Methodist Church parking lot.  The task at hand seemed somewhat daunting until 17 young men took tool to task.  The project was finished in less than four hours and the boys were enjoying some pizza while admiring their handywork before parents could arrive.  Helpful eager scouts and a well organized plan made for a very successful project.  Nicely done, Aaron!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 25, 2012

"No, we haven't finished school yet.   We have about another month."  I've lost track of how many times I've said this in the past couple of weeks.   I'm not complaining because I do appreciate the genuine interest in our home schooling schedule.  We started later than most people due to a move, change of job position, visitors,  nice weather and well... we just didn't want to start school when everyone else was.  We we're too busy enjoying life to hunker down and get serious.  We're now working extra hard and for longer spells so we can complete our year.  We're ready to get to the business of summer fun!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 24, 2012

I'm not really into the psychedelic thing, but this motion shot is interesting.  It's been a trippy kind of day around here, so I guess this is fitting.  What I was going for was a simple shot of the Greek yogurt I made yesterday.  I finally got it right!  And sinking yellow slur is some fresh mango from the back yard.  The whole thing looks as if it's being pulled into a black hole.  I've got to figure out how I did this!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 23, 2012

According to Zach, today is National Turtle Day.  He's taking Marine Biology this semester.  He's got many facts just like this one which he shares with us every day.  Here in Hawaii, the turtle, or honu in Hawaiian, is classified as endangered and is protected by many state laws. Nobody has informed the honu of these laws though, and they keep breaking them by swimming too close to humans!

Kailua Beach, Hawaii

May 22, 2012

I just love the way the root system of many of our trees grows above ground.   If you are familiar with spelunking.... this system reminds me of bacon fat, upside down.
Kailua, Hawaii

May 21, 2012

The great mango hunter!  I had climbed up about 15 feet into one of the trees to secure myself for searching and grabbing.  The boys stood on the balcony outside the apartment and guided me to where the largest and ripest mangoes were located.  Once the finger hooks were around the fruit all I had to do was tug lightly until it dropped into the basket.  It was some good teamwork and we'll be able to have a fresh tropical fruit salad along side our gazpacho for dinner this evening!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 20, 2012

It was a working weekend around here.  Zach had his Boy Scout Order of the Arrow Ordeal and Nate, Sam and I had some testing to finish up. By late afternoon I decided we needed to hit the beach.  After much moaning and groaning, the adults left both human and canine boys at home so we could have a relaxing dip in the warm Pacific Ocean.  Not need to listen to whining.  A storm was brewing and the clouds were rolling and waving in a magnificent show. We did finally get a bit wet, but only as we were walking back to the house.  It helped to rinse off the sand!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 19, 2012

Just outside our front lanai.  Through the centuries the pineapple has become the universal symbol of hospitality and welcome around the world.  Here in Hawaii, it's also a common staple in our diet.  The juicy fruit is available year round and is used for all occasions.

Kailua, Hawaii

May 18, 2012

Yep, out on the water again today.  Angela and I paddled over to the mouth of the Kaneohe Yacht Club and then back to our marina.  We got a great show for our "Out in Nature" Stand Up Paddle adventure.  Along the way we saw a turtle pop up his head and wave a flipper, too many red wormy sea cucumbers in the sand flats to count, a couple of manta ray float underneath our boards, several different kinds of colorful fish dart away, many jumping fish all around us and a flock of birds skimming the water in search of the small (slower) fish as tasty morsels.  Behind us was the usual flight pattern, with the P-3 practicing approaches and landings.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii  

May 17, 2012

This household didn't get the memo: fish need to come down now.  Per Japanese tradition, these fish windsocks are flown in honor of our children.  More specifically, the 3rd day of the 3rd month is Girls Day and the 5th day of the 5th month is Boys Day.  The top flags represent the parents and then any others represent the child(ren) of the sex on their designated day.  Because of the two holidays and the Japanese influence in this area there are many beautiful designs and unique windsocks available in the local stores.  I wonder if there is a Fish Day?

Kailua, Hawaii

May 16, 2012

Wednesday is Home School Water Sports day and is usually spent down at the marina sailing.  Well, Ken and the kids had another idea for this week.... a hike to a Hawaii water area.  Fourteen students ranging in age from 8 to 15 years of age and four adults.  We hiked up near the Makapu'u Lighthouse and then climbed down the lava rock face to the tide pools.  It was amazing!  We jumped into the tide pools, traversed porous rocks, waited for active blow holes to explode - screamed when they did, hunted for crustaceans and identified fish or various other sea life creatures.  Sack lunches were compared, shared, rated and (eventually) eaten while drying out and warming up on the black craggy rocks.  Despite all adult objections, computer and video games were hotly discussed!  This shot is one of the older students being rewarded with the spray from one of the blow holes close by.  That's the Makapu'u Lighthouse in the background.

Hawaii Kai, Hawaii

May 15, 2012

The USCGC Kukui is tied up to the Marine Corps Base Marina for a few days while they do some scheduled work in Kaneohe Bay.  The channel leading from the open ocean into the bay used to be nicknamed "Shipwreck Channel" because, due to poorly visible to nonexistant markers, boats had some difficulty navigating the narrow passage.  The Coast Guard will be using their crane to pull up, repaint, repair and re-secure all of the buoy channel markers.  They do this every year and it's been a necessary job for quite some time now.

Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

May 14, 2012

My latest running shoes.  The black Nikes are the newest addition as of last week.  While we were living in Belgium a few years ago, I tried out these funky 5-finger things made by Vibram.  Because they can be used for water sports, hiking, yoga, rock climbing, running and other sports they are common place here in Hawaii.   I'm hooked.  In fact, I don't like wearing traditional sports shoes.  I decided to buy the cute pair above only as a precaution for my upcoming Girls running weekend in Oregon.  I'm not sure my calves can handle 3 consecutive days of 9+ miles on trails....   We'll see.  In the meantime, when I wear them it feels as if I've got clunky cinderblocks on my feet!
Kailua, Hawaii

May 13, 2012

Mother's Day breakfast on the front lanai: Yogurt pancakes with fresh pineapple topping and a large iced coffee.  Prepared by me.  Without extra helpers in the kitchen.  Just what I wanted!  Later today, we have a Boy Scout hike up the old Pali highway.
Kailua, Hawaii

May 12, 2012

This is one of the flowers currently in bloom in the yard.  I love the flower in a flower bud.  Delicate white or light green with a simple pink line then,  POW!  scarlet red!  I'm sure many of you think I live in a jungle from all the post I've done about the plants around my house.  It feels that way sometimes, but really most of the plants are compact and/or are on the perimeter of our property.  Some are on the neighboring lots and hang over ours.  Anyway.... this plants IS in my side yard tucked up under another big bush.  It happens to be spreading though.....  We'll watch and see where around the house it's heading next!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 11, 2012

Well after sunrise this morning and the moon was still so bright and clear.  A promising start to a glorious day!  Happy Military Spouses Appreciation Day to all my amazing and supportive friends.   This crazy ride we call the military lifestyle wouldn't be much fun without you!
Kailua, Hawaii

May 10, 2012

Early evening as the sun was setting, the boys and I attended the Change of Command for our friends, the Revor Family.  This was a significant change for many reasons.  First, the Lucky Red Lions (HMH-363) had just come to the end of a tumultuous time with difficult work-ups, various detachments,  misfortunate mishaps, devastating loss of crewmates and helicopters, a long deployment and a joyful homecoming.  Second, the CH-53D helicopter flown by this squadron has been the Marine Corps' workhorse aircraft providing support around the world for more than 30 years and will be replaced by the new Osprey.  HMH-363 was redesignated the Lucky Red Lions of VMM-363.  Congratulations Mark and Beth on a job well done.  Fair winds and following seas.... Montgomery, Alabama will never be the same again!

Kaneohe, Hawaii

May 9, 2012

Wow... I'm late posting this today!  I've been preoccupied with planning our big island trip for the summer.  Yes, Girlie, you are included!  Anyway,  this is for my friend Kristie B who just moved away from Hawaii.  The Plumeria is seen all over the islands and in a full range of colors.  This is the Singapore variety.  Known as the easy-to-string blossom, the plumeria is grown commercially for lei making and are incredibly easy to grow from cuttings.  The two in my backyard were broken branches from the neighbors tree which I just shoved into the sand.

Kailua, Hawaii

May 8, 2012

This triple mast sailboat was about to get some repair work done up high on the stern mast.  The gentleman on the dock brought his boatswain's (also spelled bosun's) chair out and ready to go.  At least it's tied up to the dock and the water is calm!
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

May 7, 2012

This guy is only about 5 inches wingtip to wingtip.  It's not nearly as big or ornamental as the blue moths (butterflies) we encountered last year.  Interesting thing about this kind is he's furry.  That's right, he's sporting a coat of fur.  I was blowing on him (lightly) to ruffle it, but I couldn't quite capture a picture of that.  Besides, I was afraid it would fly off the screen right at me.  Grody!  No thanks.
Kailua, Hawaii

May 6, 2012

A day at the beach would be fun!  Aside from the Portuguese Man-o-War stings on a few of the boys (human kind), we all had a good time lounging, splashing, swimming and digging.   It was nice to have a totally "off" day!
Kailua, Hawaii

May 5, 2012

The boys had a big regatta in Waikiki today.  All day.  There are many marinas in this area and they all pretty much run together.  Here is a small snapshot of the row upon row of boats, both sail and motor.  Oh, and results.... two 4th places and one 3rd.

Waikiki, Hawaii

May 4, 2012

I have to admit, this was my second attempt at making almond butter.  I failed on the first try.  Miserably.  Well, maybe not so miserably because the boys ate it, but that's not a very good gauge.  Anyway, we discovered the key to making good, smooth, creamy almond butter is patience.  The butter needs the time to run through it's various stages before it releases it's oils and becomes smooth.  It didn't blow up and burn out the food processor despite my concerns.  The boys wanted to add honey and sea salt for a little more zip.  So good on toast.... or with apples.... or smeared on a banana.... or on a spoon.....

Kailua, Hawaii

May 3, 2012

The boys have another regatta this Saturday, only it's not in our home waters.  It's over in Waikiki.   Since we need to transport 5 boats and all the paraphernalia that goes with each vessel, the lead coach designed and (had) made a trailer.  This is a HUGE relief because the last time we raced in Waikiki we had to transport the El Toros with our own vehicles.  Not possible with a 1997 Honda Accord and 3 hulls.  So the last half hour of racing class was spent learning how to load and secure the trailer.  Good skills to know for the future!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 2, 2012

This is my former neighbor and friend Sally's back lanai.  It's beautiful and well maintained, isn't it?  Well, Sally got into some hot water with the housing office for this.  Why?  Because the housing authority doesn't like the tenants (the military families they're here to serve) planting their own flowers.  What did she have before, you ask?  Just the 4 green shrubs around the fencing (they weren't trimmed up at all), dirt and weeds.   Shame on you, Sally!  How dare you make your (temporary) house a home.  I think your punishment should be to help design and plant all the beds around my house.  Thanks Sally and Julie for joining me for lunch today!

Kailua, Hawaii

May 1, 2012

Happy May Day!  I saw a couple of these while driving around Kailua today.  Okay, Hawaii friends, what's the significance of these colors here in the islands?
A great big Aloha to the Lindsey Family who just arrived here for a tour on the island.  You're going to love this paradise!
Kailua, Hawaii