a video for mom/grandma of itchy and Haile

Tarps from Trash

I haven't taken time to post anything for quite a while - but a news article caught my attention this morning and I'm motivated to share about it. A college student here in Oregon has devised a way to use plastic grocery bags to make tarps for the disaster victims in Haiti. What a great use of a messy product that most of us find a real hassle to deal with. Her solution is simple and cost-effective.

If you live in Oregon and would like to partner in this please contact me.

http://www.oregonlive.com/environment/index.ssf/2010/04/university_of_oregon_senior_ma.html

Day Three - Volcanos to Hilo to Waikoloa

We returned to VNP as the air quality was much improved and we were able to get a better view of the plume from the active vent. Then on to Hilo where I scored a huge bag of papayas for $2, wonder carrots and a few other treats. We really wished we had a place to cook with the plentiful fresh veggies which were so inexpensive. On along meandering side roads with more amazing flora....mongoose count is up to 5 live ones, one of which we encountered on a walk on the grounds of the Marriott tonight. We traveled to the overlook at the Waipo Valley - the road descending to the valley floor is a 25% grade which requires (obviously!) 4 WD. We stopped for a late lunch in the cow-town of Waimea which was very peaceful and pretty.

The area where our hotel is located is nothing but a huge lava field. It's remarkable to think that they were able to build here. I'll take photos of the grounds tomorrow - we were very tired so we wandered the grounds, watched an amazing sunset and relaxed.

Big Island Day 1 and 2 in brief

We flew from Portland to Kona on Thursday, and then drove 2.5 hours to the tiny village of Volcano, HI, which is perched at the edge of Volcano National Park. We spent the night at a cozy Bed and Breakfast and had a great time meeting the other guests at breakfast. We spent the day exploring VNP and the surrounding area. The fumes were very noxious at the park and just about as we arrived at the Jaegger Scientific museum they stopped allowing people to be outside due to the fumes. So we traveled back to the Kiluea Iki trail which was upwind and took about a 4 mile hike through lush rainforest, down a lava cliff 400 ft and across the base of the caldera past old and active vents, and then back up into the rainforest. Just a few photos show the lava, orchids and the distant plume from the volcano.

After lunch we drove to a gorgeous area with huge trees, pools heated with volcanic heat,and scenic seascapes. On the way back we stopped at a home where a guy was cooking huli huli chicken on a wood fire in his yard - a pretty ingenious spit using a motorcycle chain...he had an abandoned truck set up as a dog house and a couple goat tethered nearby.

We are ready for sleep and have another day of exploring from Hilo up the coast and across to our next stay in Waikoloa. Just a few sample photos for tonight!

I made it through another year....part two.

It's my birthday...what have I gained this year? Weight where I don't want it, more life experience which I hope makes me more sensitive to others, more passwords and log-ins which keep my tired brain fit.

I'm amazed at the blessings in my life - wonderful family and friends and a caring faith community which encourages and challenges me to grow in my faith and my walk with God.

Oh, and pie.....
Tomorrow I shall post pix of the goodies!