The weather can be beautiful at this time of year, perfect. Yes there can be days of rain in the part of Maui where we live. That’s welcome, one because we need it, and two because for me days and days of sun can get a little old. But when the trade winds wind down, when the sun does not beat too strongly, there is a quality to the light and temperature that feels…well, perfect. Indeed, inspiring as well. Today is such a day.

Silhouettes

Silhouettes in a back lit window at night.

Well no dream last night, at least none that I remember, but I did sleep like a log. I was exhausted and asleep just after 9:00pm.

I spent some time tinkering with my website this afternoon, and sending out some gratitude to various people who make it possible. I’m happy with how it’s looking…until I’m not and the next tinkering session. 😉

Miffy

A children’s night light looking like Miffy, a fictional rabbit

A Dream - Reading to the World

I had a dream last night in which a good friend, Maique Madeira, was sitting on the floor reading Harry Potter to his daughter, surrounded by a larger group of intent listeners. Not only that, but through the power of the internet, people were listening all over the world (I remember an Apple HomePod Mini positioned next to Maique, which I assume was doing the transmission?). I also assume that by the power of the internet Maique’s reading was being simultaneously translated into whichever language people around the world understood?

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We’ve had a lot of rain over the last two days. With that I’ve felt an increased pressure in the air, and I have put that down to headaches that I have been having. Initially I thought that it was because I was tired, but I think not know. I’ve mentioned this before. Increased pressure in the air, normally I find when storms are brewing, gets my head hurting directly above my nose, a thumping pain. Once the rain has passed and the air has cleared, I feel better, lighter.

🌧️ We are waking up to rain this morning, a lot of it. I hope that the rest of the island is getting this as it needs it. We live in the wetter part of Maui, and sometimes I can drive fifteen, twenty minutes from here and I go from rain to sun and blue skies.

🌧️ We are waking up to rain this morning, a lot of it. I hope that the rest of the island is getting this as it needs it. We live in the wetter part of Maui, and sometimes I can drive fifteen, twenty minutes from here and I go from rain to sun and blue skies.

Finished reading: People From My Neighbourhood by Hiromi Kawakami 📚

Following the devastating fires on Maui, both Upcountry and in Lahaina, there has been much coverage in the local press about the clean up process. For me, one thing that it has brought to light is the number of toxic materials that surround us on a daily basis. This article on the disposing process for lithium-ion batteries found in Lahaina is just one example. According to the article there are between 4,000 and 7,000 AA sized lithium-ion batteries in a Tesla, depending on the model.

Well we lived to tell the tale. My wife and I spent five days looking after our grandkids while the parents were on the mainland. Sleeping with them - and being kicked out of bed - going to a birthday party, soccer game, getting them out of the house for school, functioning on little sleep. Today we are catching our breath. It’s amazing how two young children, more than fifty years our junior, can run us so ragged…or maybe because of that age difference.

A spiral staircase in a Lisbon hotel.

Looking down an artistically designed spiral staircase in a Lisbon hotel

Occasionally, through something that I see or hear, I am reminded of a line inserted in the middle of the lyrics to the 1984 single Two Tribes, by the English band Frankie Goes to Hollywood,

Just think, war breaks out and no one shows up

I don’t know what to do with that, but I do think about it.

Finally we have rain, along with two rainbows 🌈

Two rainbows and grey sky above a garden of bettlenuts and vegetable planters

This Praying Mantis was there to greet us when we returned home yesterday.

Praying Mantis on door frame

😩 Jet lag sucks. Needing to sleep. Trying to stay up so that I don't wake up in the middle of the night...which I inevitably do anyway. Trying to function, get things done, but not really. Finally surrendering and just going to sleep, to wake up whenever the body feels it's ready to....only to feel wiped out again in the middle of the day!

😩 Jet lag sucks. Needing to sleep. Trying to stay up so that I don't wake up in the middle of the night...which I inevitably do anyway. Trying to function, get things done, but not really. Finally surrendering and just going to sleep, to wake up whenever the body feels it's ready to....only to feel wiped out again in the middle of the day!

💦 I'd forgotten how humid Maui can be.

💦 I'd forgotten how humid Maui can be.