Is my Pulitzer in the mail?

This is Abner saying a-a-a-aloha! Actually, I was trying to tell him today how excited I am that I've finally gotten a story published here in Hawai'i nei, but he was a bit bored by my tale. Oh wait. I don't have a tale. I mean tail. I have a tale. He does, too. A tail, that is. Anyway, I am thrilled. It's technically my second story, but the first was a bit of a fluff piece previewing an event. This one is a full fledged feature. It will be available to read online in a couple of weeks. For some reason, the Hawaii Island Journal only puts an image of its cover on its website with access to current calendar and classified info, but only last issue's stories. The cover story is my story. You just can't read it yet online. You have to wait until the next issue comes out before you can read the story from the current issue. A'ole pilikia. No problem. I've picked up about a dozen hard copies to send to friends and family and to keep for clippings to use in future job applications. I'm now jazzed to write more. It's all about the by-line, baby. Ego, ego, ego. I don't need my name in lights; just in print.

Today, I noticed a pretty orchid blooming in the yard. It's one I transplanted from an overgrown pot to an old log. It bloomed, so that means it didn't die. It didn't die, so I don't have the brown thumb I thought I had. Or maybe I do and I'm just getting lucky. After all, things do tend to grow quite nicely here in the rain forest, with or without my help.
Tomorrow's another day at ye 'ol wine factory.
A hui hou. Aloha!

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Mom

This is my beautiful mom. She died last Sunday. For those who knew her, my heart breaks with you. For those who did not, here's an introduction to the best confidante, role model and mother a girl could hope for in life. This is the obituary I'd planned to submit to the local paper, but have opted instead to publish here. Obituary: Beverly Todd Bev -- my mom -- was a longtime caregiver, advocate, and dear friend to countless elderly in South Salem. Hers was a kind and generous spirit. She devoted much of her life to the welfare of others, giving wholly of herself and doing so always with great affection and humor. She was born Beverly Marie Steinberger in Silverton, July 23, 1938, the first child and only daughter of Art and Marie Steinberger. Her brothers called her Bevvy Buns, a nickname she grew fond of and wore proudly within the family circle as an adult. Bev attended St. Paul’s Elementary School in Silverton, Silverton High School and Marylhurst Co...

Back at it

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It was a long drive from Glenwood to the northern tip of the island -- three hours -- so for sustenance, we stopped at Baker Tom's for malasadas on the way. My pal Kathy and I were headed to Kapa'au for a hike, one we'd read about in the local newspaper. The couple who run Baker Tom's (not sure if the husband is actually Tom or not) are delightful, with enduring stamina. They're as old as radio, yet they're always on duty, ready to serve behind the counter, as they have for many years, frying, baking, brewing and smiling, there in Papaikou , gateway to the Hamakua Coast. The malasadas are enormous, cheap and delicious, the coffee OK, the tourists all happy to have discovered this place, buzzing with sugar and caffeine. They make a killer pumpkin cheesecake at Baker Tom's, too. It's always a pleasant stop. Ahapua'a . It's a Hawaiian land division, usually a strip or wedge, stretching from mountain to sea. Hawaiians lived in villages wit...

Mountains and Islands

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