Sisters--Part One

It was a year ago this month that Aunt Louise and I flew to Hawaii to visit sister, Mary, and brother-in-law, Jim.  Their home in  Hawaiian Paradise Park just a short way from the town of Pahoa on the big island is not (at present) in the line of the lava flow.

However, that could easily change, as the flow is going to keep coming until it reaches the ocean and their house is along a possible trajectory.  

The nearby town of Pahoa is almost 100% assured to be destroyed, along with many homes, plus the only road into or out of this area.  The flow could continue for years (!) and the fumes from the lava are noxious and potentially deadly.  

Their yard sits above a long abandoned lava tube so they have always been aware that their little piece of this paradise was tenuous at best.

They have rented a container to store their belongings and will be leaving this lovely home that Jim built.  However, they don't know where they will go, or for how long.

They are stowing away their keepsakes, her new kiln, all her pottery supplies, Jim's tools, his coffee-growing hobby,  and all the while trying to stay optimistic. It is a nerve-wracking vigil to be watching the lava move slowly, by inches, ever closer, destroying everything in its path.

There are a number of good websites that are following the lava flow.  The easiest way to find info is to go into Google and type in "Hawaii lava flow".  There are dozens of government and media sites that show maps and give daily progress.  My favorite site is "Hattie's Web" and the link is on this page on the right. She lives in Hilo and is a very good friend of Mary and Jim. She is keeping close tabs on them and has a remarkable vantage point from the balcony of her house as well.

I have done two postings at once so please read the next one as well....

Sisters--Part Two

Sister, Jo, left yesterday after a whirlwind 3 weeks in Ft. Worth.  Fires keep raging in Northern Calif. but it is nice not to be worrying about her living up in those mountains.  A year ago she sold her aerie of an isolated home, that was surrounded by the most volatile forest of crispy dry firewood, and moved down into Redding to live next door to her sister, Caroline. 

Her visit with Aunt Louise provided a break in the otherwise intense pressure being felt by the 93-year -old who was trying to adjust to a new abode and a new lifestyle.

During Jo's stay we paid a visit to my favorite grocery store in Ft Worth--Central Market.

Friday and Saturday nights they have bands playing outside in their patio, and families sit around eating and occasionally dancing.  It is a relaxing and very pleasant way to end a day.

 I love all these goofy pumpkins, squash and gourds that come out at this time of the year.

We do like to frequent restaurants that offer the added benefit of relaxation--such as Cracker Barrel.  

Here at Aunt Louise's house, where I have been parked and living in my RV for these last four months, the internet reception comes only in small spurts.  I have typed endless tidbits of relevant news only to discover I cannot return to the web to save it.  So today I am trying again and as soon as I complete this posting I will dash the 7 miles into Aledo to the library and use their WiFi to post. 

BTW, this road runner  has become a good friend.  I can get within a few yards now before he goes "Beep Beep", stretches out in a near straight line and dashes off into the brush with his legs moving so fast you can barely see them.  

Jo got a chance to re-unite with cousin, Jerry, and meet his family.  Jo and Jerry were pre-teen pals and it has been about 55 years since they've seen each other.  

Jerry's wife, Kathy; daughter, Chelsea; and son-in-law, Blake, got to hear all the goofy "Remember When" stories over our Mexican lunch.

Sigh Me prefers to be left alone, and thinks there is too much sun in Texas.

But I think there is too much humidity....

These were my morning pills & supplements.  I have never seen them do this before.  I have also discovered that towels do not dry and laundry has to be done every 4 days to keep the mildew from happening.  Ugh!  

Yesterday, I drove Jo, in her cute little sleeveless sundress, to the airport and said, "farewell".  It was an hour later that I discovered she had left her jacket behind and I feared she would get cold on the plane but it was too late to get the jacket to her.  When she arrived home she called me and I asked her if she got cold.  "Nope," was her reply.  And in pure 'Jo-fashion' she explained that when she dressed that morning, in the last minute, she stuffed her housecoat into her carry-on bag.  She simply donned it over her sundress and proudly wore it all the way home.  All she was missing were a few curlers in her hair and a little cold cream on her nose.