Three reasons to finish the treehouse

Ben's argument in favor of finishing the tree house. It worked!

ONE LAST PHOTO

Just got this from Nicole. It was taken on her phone. As you can see, the trees are in bloom here. What a nice way to start spring!

Max and Maya

With John, Nicole and Susan

Some photo's from last night. Went to Happy Hour at the Bent Brick with John and Nicole and then to Salt and Straw for ice cream. That place is unbelievable! A line of people out the door and down the street. I don't really understand why, except that people really like their ice cream. Guess I'm not that great an ice cream connoiseur. Fred Meyer's ice cream is OK with me. I think I may be missing some taste buds. Anyway, we came back to the apartment and invited Susan and Max and Maya and they all came up for ice cream and chai tea, and conversation. Here they are."A good time was had by all."

March 16, 2013

Gene and Roz Meieran, Sharon's parents

Ella with her "buddies" Julia and Sophia

                                                      Birthday cake

Well, I haven't posted anything lately. But I have been busy. Went to SMART, the program to help kids learn to read. I used Pua's book with some of the kids and they really found it interesting. One girl noted the page where she left off, so that she could go back to it the next week and finish the story. Donna's been around and we went to see Arco, an exciting movie about the rescue of hostages. Supposedly factual. March 17th was Fred's 51st. birthday and we went to Pastinie's for dinner with the kids and friends and Sharon's parents. Now I will try and import pictures. (Wish me luck.)

How could I forget to put this is my blog!!! We had a party the night before I left Hawai'l and I wrote some poems for those who attended. Here they are!!

Jake

Tall, thin and handsome

His shy ways beguiling

He's kind and he's thoughtful

and often he's smiling

He knows about gardens

terarriums are his passion

He cares for mother earth

with love and compassion

Makenna

She has beauty and brains

Also courage and daring

She's studied geology

with her own special bearing

She can swim, she can hike

She can stand on her hands

Her future looks bright

and she makes few demands.

Like a bird in migration

she'll find a place to light

We'll have to wait and see

I know that her future's bright.

Gail

If a goat could express

All the love it must feel'

Than Gail's goats would tell her

THat she's the real deal.

Her goats are her children

and grandchildren too

mischievous, playful

to Gail they are true

When she leaves them they canter

all around her two acres

and baaaaa with longing

for their loving caretaker.

Alex

He is bright, he is kind

Well read and in his prime

His dog, his books, and his friends

are sublime

He's a gift to Hawaii

and a gift to me

For I've spent six weeks

In paradise by the sea.

Pua (Fleur)

Double named flower 

Pua and Fleur 

Cares for the universe 

Cares for the stars 

Her books, her photos 

Have joy and beauty 

She creates them for fun 

Not as a duty 

Since Pua joined the human race 

Earth is a better place

From heavenly pies to moonlit skies
She lives with charm and grace.

Back Home, Feb. 26, 2013

 March 1, 2013
It's hard to believe, but I'm back to reality. Was Hawai'i a dream, a vision? Sunny weather, wild downpours followed more sun and more downpours. And what fun to wake up to coffee already made by Alex, Makenna wearily arriving in the kitchen, and me in a bathrobe and sweatshirt to keep out the morning chill. But no on cares what you look like. Lucy comes over with her sad, begging eyes. "Won't you please feed me? They're letting me starve around here,"she seems to say. Mama cat is not so diplomatic. She gives a few loud growls to let you know you had better feed her. Or else!
       And so it goes. Back to my lovely bedroom to shower, dress, read, then maybe work in the garden, maybe go to the beach. To Carol's coffee shop for coffee or lunch later? Or how about the pizza place in Capa'au. If it's Wednesday, the WWOOF-ers ( Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) are coming for dinner. What will we cook? Maybe meatballs (for the not-vegetarians).
      I've gotten used by now to Bird of Paradise, fruit trees, avocado trees, and Lilikoi, just to name a few, in bloom. Maybe we'll have some papaya, from Robert's farm with lilikoi (passion fruit to you mainlanders.) Lilikoe looks like a lemon, but is hard on the outside. Inside is a slimy seed mass, not very beautiful, but when you taste it, oh my, sweet and tangy and perfect with mango. Well, I did leave a couple of pieces of clothing at Alex's just in case I need to go back next year and retrieve them!
      So now,  here in the "old world," the weather is surprisingly warm- 40's and 50's. No surprise, it sprinkles a lot, but no downpours.  Donna is back from her many travels and we went to Smith's tea shop for tea tasting and buying. Also to "Fishsauce" for happy hour. Delicious Asian fusion food.  To Fred's last night. Ella did a presentation at the school science fair, on DNA. When I was her age, it hadn't been discovered yet. Very good presentation Ella! I still havn't met Max. Maybe today I get downstairs to do that. Now I'm supposed to be getting my tax stuff togetner, so maybe I had better do that. More another day. Sorry there are no pictures.

PS: If someone doesn't post a comment soon, I may have to do my own, with things like "brilliant job Judy, I think the NY Times would llike to interview you for a job!"

Banyan tree, goats Feb 24th

"Head Stuck in Tree," a strong willed goat and mother of Goldie.

This is Goldie. He's tiny and wants to nurse all the time. The rope is actually tied to Head Stuck.

Billy, the proud papa

Today I got a few more goat pictures. Also, I can't fail to let you see the banyon tree in the park on the corner. Actually there are two of these giants.