Little (big) Changes

Here in the tropics changes in weather are more subtle. We don't get the same dynamic climate changes that we were used to on the mainland. Some people miss this, contract a form of "Island Fever" and have to get outta here! What we have discovered is that there are still just as many changes, they are just far more subtle. As we have acclimated to these micro climates and micro changes they have become, albeit small, increasingly more profound. The subtleties have become magnified! That being said, here is an example:

Here we have a rather spectacular rainbow (click the picture to see it full size and notice the subtle double), aka "AFR" (Another F'ing Rainbow). Maui is famous for rainbows and we see them almost daily, hence the acronym. What we hardly ever see is one like this. The normal weather pattern  here on Maui comes from the trade winds which blow from the northeast and east 90% of the year. That means that our rains come from the east and because the sun sets in the west, we normally see rainbows in the east around sunset. The sun being low in the west and the rain clouds hanging out in the east = rainbows. The exciting thing about this rainbow is that it's in the west! Why you might ask ...  maybe, you're asking that, maybe? Well I'm going to tell you. This time of the year (winter) is usually when the 10% part of our weather patterns happen. The winds reverse at times and blow from the west. This is called a Kona wind here (Kona means west in the Hawaiian/Polynesian languages). So, what's happening here is the "Kona's are blowing" and they are blowing up against the mountains in the west causing rainfall over there. This picture was taken just after sunrise. I'm standing in our front yard and the camera is pointing west with the wind blowing in my face.
A rare, complete reversal of the norm and therefore, very EXCITING for our Maui micro-minds. Aloha!

Simply Put

If we were "religious" this would be ours. Covers our political views as well.
Created by Bruce Edwards December, 2011:

"Not so Almighty"

~Amen

New Neigh-bors

We heard, about 2 years ago when we first started talking about moving into our place here, that we might get some new neighbors next door. Well, it finally happened:

Just moved in last evening. It's the field right next to us.

Tracy paid a visit this morning in her jammies welcoming them to the "hood'"

Brother John

John came to visit for the first time in mid January.

Somewhere along the Hana Hiway

Maui Sunset taken by John from our front yard!

*****More Firsts In the Yard*****

We seem to have had a lot of them over the last 6 months and here are a select few:

8/29/2011

Turmeric flower. Grows well here, the root is a tasty spice and very very good for us humans. We were amazed at the beauty of the flower and it stayed beautiful for about a month. Turmeric is sometimes referred to as the poor man's saffron.

Closer view

First Kabocha Squash 

10/8/2011

These are sometimes referred to as Hawaiian Pumpkins here.

The inside story - very delicious

Our patch grew out in all directions easily covering a 50 foot radius. The plant is still producing with at least 3 still on the vine. Total harvest will probably be around 12 -15 of them. Size ranges from biggest like a bowling ball on down.

First rather gnarly sweet potato harvest

10/13/2011

Pretty ugly pile, but we did enjoy a few good meals with them included.

First Compost Harvest

10/13/2011

Perhaps the most exciting "First" of all. The soil here needs lots of amending causing us to be diligent about composting. We call it "Food for the food" - every scrap of organic waste is collected and used. This was our very first look at the results.

We were thrilled to see such luscious soil. No bad odor, filled with bugs and bits, beautiful stuff.

Knowing how our chickens love the bugs Tracy couldn't resist bringing Blondie over for some snacking ... worms, ants, ant eggs, potato bug types, cock roaches, beetles and even centipedes were all there doing their part in the composting process. Blondie wasted no time gobbling them up and continuing the cycle by giving us poop and fabulous eggs!

One last look at the joy!

Author's note: If all this raving about compost and natural cycles rings a bell it might be because you've read, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. If you have not read it and this sort of thing sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend it - it has changed my life, altering my perception and consciousness regarding our natural world today. 

Liliko'i

As you may have noticed from previous posts, I have a liliko'i disorder (aka Passion Fruit). I have a passion for them, indeed! They grow on a vine so we built a special "fence" and planted 3 of them - all started from seeds gathered here. This brief post is just about two different kinds of rather beautiful flowers that appeared on our vines at different times and obviously indicate different varieties.

7/25/11

11/26/2011

We extract the juice from the fruit and freeze it in ice cube trays and then store the cubes in zip locks. Used for drinks, marinades, syrups and our fave: Roasted Liliko'i Chicken.

Full Moon Over the Koa Tree

'Twas the December, 2011 full moon that was also a full eclipse.

From our back yard. Caught this just after sundown between clouds which eventually covered our whole sky so, no eclipse at our house but the next day we heard from many people on the island that is was one of the best ever!

More Underwater - the glorious green turtle and it's habitat

Happy coral reef

 Always a thrill to come across these

Coming up for air

This day was a happy accident in that my cheap little underwater camera set-up actually took some 

decent photo's - always having trouble with focus. Trying to figure out why is worked so well this day????

**********Firsts**********

One down and dozens to go!

FIRST EGG - JULY 9, 2011

First Bites - 6 Pullet Egg Omelet  -July 17th
So far just one of the four is laying. Called pullet eggs due to small size and our gals are still under a year old.

FIRST LILIKO'I (Passion fruit)

FIRST BROCCOLI!

FIRST YACON

A tuber kinda like jicama only sweet, very juicy and crisp. Quite a surprise that it's excellent raw. Also sometimes called Peruvian ground apple ('cuz of that sweetness, I suppose).

Roots at harvest time. (acquired through Google Images)

Toyota dashboard garden produces first tomato!

46th Annual Makawao Paniolo Parade

"Friends and families gather Upcountry each year to celebrate the Fourth of July with a weekend filled with cowboys, cowgirls and country western festivities that make smalltown Maui so special. And what better place to celebrate than Makawao Town, with its rustic charm reminiscent of the old Hawaiiana days, a place many local folks are proud to call home." (Maui Weekly) 

Baldwin Avenue - the heart of Makawao Town (Makawao is pronounced mock'-ah-wow), 

the start of the parade route.

The parade kicks off with the kids' stick pony race. You can witness many riding styles here.

The leaders breaking away.

This little buckaroo is sporting a fine steed!

Strolling along in last place, the crowd erupted, cheering him on to finish, but the big fuss was just too intense. A few seconds after this, he dropped his little pony in the street and ran off into mom's arms.

It takes all kinds to watch a parade:

Tracy & Betsy in line at Komoda Bakery to get

"Donuts on a Stick"

Cars:

       

Horses & Riders:

Whoa, big fella!

Clowns

Hawaiian Slack Key guitar band rolling along on a flatbed trailer.

Pretty much anybody can be in the parade!

 "Rainbow Rentals" rents portable toilets and gives away free T.P. to those lucky enough to be in the front row.

Truly beautiful float near the end of the parade.

As the parade ended a rain squall came by and the crowd dispersed rather quickly.
In the background is the street sweeper truck bringing up the rear in cleanup mode.


It was a sweet little hometown parade and well worth the 10 minute drive from our house.
Fun from a photographer's point of view as well - such an abundant variety of subject matter.