Mailbox Series II

Finally, by popular demand, a continuation of the blockbuster Mailbox Series! Our Series features examples of the fanciful mailboxes in the neighborhood.

In our neighborhood, mail box architecture is a big issue;

with a wide range of styles, including no style at all;

and the vertically challenged;

and some in really, really bad taste.

Lots of mailboxes feature animals --

geckos;

a dolphin;

a whale;

a duck;


California quail (although we don't have any in nature);

horses (which we do have, but not wild);

and seagulls (which we don't have either).



Or you could have a simple grass shack, which we don't have any of anymore!

Plumeria, aka frangipani

Who's hogging the heat?

For the last seven days we have had record-breaking or record-matching heat -- the official temps being about 92 at the airport, so we figure add another 4 or 5 degrees. The week before was also in the 90's. Last night the heat was temporarily dampened by a brief rainstorm, which simply brought the humidity to about 100%. They say that by the end of the week temps should dip -- to highs of 88. So much for the tropical breezes and warmth of the islands. This is positively blistering.

We spend most of our time waiting for the tolerable heat of the morning to become intolerable. Only once have we turned on the AC in the bedroom to take the edge off before going to sleep. As Tom says, waking up bathed in sweat is not a refreshing way to start the day. I have been taking my walk/ride at 6 AM, after drinking at least a pint of water.

Yesterday we decided to go "upcountry" to the annual Upcountry Fair near Makawao. We saw the 4Hers getting prizes for pigs and calves, and a tent of local produce of various kinds and the wool from local sheep. There was a rodeo, but it was far too hot to watch, and the food booths provided unusually inedible food. So after an hour of admiring the produce and livestock, we cranked up the AC in the truck and sped back to the house.


And rainstorm or no, we still had our sunset....

Hibiscus

So the trades have returned, and the humidity has slaked off a bit. So even though it is about 88, it does not feel like it. All you tourists can confirm your reservations without fear.

Yesterday we snorkeled, and had a great day. Tom spotted an eel, a type we have not seen before and have not yet identified. The eel slithered along and looked into a hole as a possible hiding place, and quickly retreated. As he headed off in another direction, a larger zebra eel, dark red-orange with white stripes, emerged from the hole and followed along, just to make sure the intruder did not change his mind. There were a couple of turtles, including one who came rather close as he hit the surface to breathe a few times, but then Tom spotted the big winner -- a manta ray. It did not come very close, and was "only" about 6 feet across, but he was spectacular. this was quite an unusual sighting for snorkelers.

In the afternoon we went upcountry to a nursery looking for some plants for the yard. Typically Maui, we were going to the legendary Ace Hardware garden center, but when we got there, it had a True Value sign on it. Just to make sure, Tom asked -- yup it is called da Kula Ace, even though it became a True Value almost 6 years ago. We wonder how long it will be before the name catches up to it.

We found some wonderful hibiscus, and though we did not bring any home with us, these were pretty enough for closeups.





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Flower-walking

Due to the humidity, I have been walking earlier and earlier, until this morning I left at 6:30. Not early enough -- tomorrow I'm aiming for 6:00. One of the neighbors that I see from time to time saw the baseball cap and the camera and mistook me for a tourist (we do get them in our neighborhood -- usually making noise 24/7 and acting like banchees let loose in a library). Nope, just a new installment on the ole blog....

Lanai is Back!

We still have vog, but it is not as think as it was, and the weatherman says it will be gone tomorrow as the trades return. None to soon not so happy about the 97% humidity.