Quote of the day: “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. — Marcus Aurelius
Overlooking Kilauea Caldera
What a gorgeous day! I am sitting outside in the shade with a cool breeze blowing, the sun has shone all day so far, and there is beauty all around me.
This morning I went into Hilo to do laundry and now I am sitting in the shade writing my blog post. What could be better? Clean, dry clothes and nothing else that needs doing.
Yesterday I went up to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to explore by myself. I hiked for a couple of miles here and there with my camera and tripod. The rain forest was alive with birdsong and the giant ferns were so peaceful to walk through. And best of all, no mosquitos!
Clear Mountain Air
I was pleasantly surprised by how good it felt to hike yesterday. I had hoped to stay for nightfall, photograph the glow of the volcano, and see the Milky Way from way up high. But it started raining about 3:00 PM and looked like it was not going to clear off. I decided not to stay for nightfall as I really didn’t want to drive back to Hilo in the dark and rain.
Kilauea Iki – Lake of Lava formed in 1959
At first I felt bad about not staying at the volcano for nightfall. “It’s no big deal driving back in the dark,” I told myself. But I immediately realized that I do not need to push myself out of my comfort zone all the time. Learning to respect and accept my limits is good. Today, even though the weather is gorgeous I am not out exploring or swimming at the beach. I can feel that I need a quieter day so here I am enjoying the warm beauty of a shady place in the breeze.
Thurston Lava Tube
I am learning a lot about my limits or my “edges” as I like to call them and how I fool myself into believing they are different than they are. My first deal with Akiko to work 15 hours per week was wishful thinking in the extreme. My plan to spend six weeks on a farm here working 10 hours per week was more than wishful thinking. It was based on the false premise that I like farming. Here’s the deal. I like the idea of farming but I don’t like the dirt and pain and bugs and working in the rain and mud and all the real stuff of farming. Heck, my mom (a farmer’s wife) told me that she knew when I still very young that I was not going to live on a farm when I grew up. And she was right, bless her soul!
Wild Orchids dot a field near Kilauea Caldera
I visited the farm where I had planned to stay, on a rainy day earlier this week and decided there was no way I was going to spend 6 weeks there. While the room looked fine, it was a farm, and it was very wet and muddy everywhere. The folks staying there were really into permaculture and it felt like a very hippy place to be. If you know me, you know I’m not a hippy kind of person. While I consider myself very open-minded I live a very conventional life.
I cancelled my reservation at the farm. I’m not sure who was more relieved, them, or me.
A Garden at the Farm
Akiko and 2 Guests from California
We have had a lively week at Akiko’s. First there were visitors from California here for 3 days and now there is Russian family who live in France, staying here for several days. This is a very international little outpost. Sara, who has been here all of December on work-trade is from Belgium. Linda who is here longer term on work-trade is from British Columbia. Misha was born in Moscow and once worked for Cirque du Soleil (her father also worked for Cirque do Soleil). She comes to Akiko’s 3 days a week to work.
Misha Clowning Around
Mochi pounding preparations will get into full swing this coming week. About 15 people arrive from Honolulu on December 26 to help and then on mochi pounding day itself, I am told to expect 700 or more people visiting here.
Today, I officially moved all of my belongings into the room I have slept in for most of my time here. Since so many people will be staying here in the coming week, the new house has been officially set up and opened for guests. I now have a bedroom, with bathroom and shower in the same house! No more vagabonding between my bedroom across the street, my daytime room upstairs in Akiko’s house, the kitchen in the old gas station building and the shower and bathroom, also in the old gas station building.
My bedroom at Akiko’s
Living Room at the House Where I Stay
Now my big challenge is finding a place to connect to the internet (across the street from the house I’m staying in) and using the kitchen, also across the street. I now have a spot that works well, in front of the gas station building. It is right in front of Akiko’s office so the wireless works better there than anywhere else. The overhang provides shade when it’s sunny and protection from the rain when it’s raining and I get to be outside in the breeze.
My Shady Internet Work Spot
I sit and enjoy this moment. Breathe in, breathe out. Nothing more to do.
I hope you are having a great day wherever you are and that you take a moment to just breathe. Life is good, every moment is a blessing.
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