March 2,2024
Welcome to Blog #53
This week has passed so quickly and it has been a fun few days thinking about plants and landscaping. On Tuesday I had a garden consult from Michael a very knowledgeable aborist, horticulturist and landscape architect. We first traveled up on the mountain to a 160 acre property he has been working on for three years so he could show me some ideas. Then we came here and he gave me all kinds of ideas for different tree and plant locations. I love gardening and it is such a joy to plant beloveds and watch them grow. I also just heard a secret to long life is gardening. So, we keep a good thought about that. We have been gardening till dark.
Michael and his wife were blown away with the beauty of the Pride of Burma tree. It is in full bloom looming spectacularly over the driveway with the ground covered in pink orange petals. Another favorite is the lichee tree which has lots of blossoms after it was pruned last summer.
Kira and I continue to lay weed cloth, spread chips out and make little manageable burning piles. It has been raining a lot so no fires this week as the branches have been too wet. A friend who visits here fairly regularly said he cannot believe how the hill is getting transformed. Even the potatoes who people said would not survive in chips are looking good. The soil on the hill is black with richness so I think the coconuts will thrive and mature quickly.
As I understand Chris will return and building will continue this next week. I am looking forward to running water for dishes. We have a little outside place now, but it is a lot of work taking the dishes and pans in and out.
Book club was today so I am getting a late start without many pictures to show. The club is just for women, but Beth’s husband Grant made this beautiful table display for us. Even though I sometimes don’t read the books the group of women is so special and supportive of each other and all wonderful to know. I continue to love this place more and more.
The weather is starting to warm up and the days are getting really beautiful. Kira’s a big help and we are having a lot of fun besides the work. Last night we went to Hana Farms, a local pizza place with Friday night music, dancing, and a community get together. While waiting for a chair at our designated table I sat at a picnic table with several couple. After some conversation, one lady, Paula, had attended Waianae High School during it’s early days in 1960. These were the days of very few haoles. We enjoyed sharing as I was there teaching much later for twelve years. WHS was a rough and rugged place but, culturally interesting.
There were two frogs living happily in a water garden here, but I had to relocate them around the corner on the edge of this water fall early Wednesday morning. I did this because they are highly poisoneous for dogs. If Mana had seen one of these jumping around the yard it would have been curtins for her.
Time to sign off and feed the cats. Thanks for tuning in and I hope you have a great week.
Aloha Nui,
Vicky
Wave Woman: The Life and Struggles of a Surfing Pioneer by Vicky Durand 