As many of you know, Southern California is currently experiencing a tropical storm. So far where I am the rain is steady but nothing that I haven’t experienced before as far as the severity goes. I think the largest obstacle in our area is the warmer weather so it is kind of humid. In a lot of ways, it is like being in Hawai’i.

Mind you, there are other spots in California that are under severe flooding so if you are in one of those areas please stay safe. Also, I just got a message from one of my friends up in Ventura that there was an earthquake. Now, all we need is a mudslide because we already had a wildfire and we will have pretty much taken care of all of the elements.

Just stay safe.

I am slowly but surely hacking away at my manuscript which while it is going slowly for me at least I am able to get words down. That has been the hardest thing to overcome with all of this is the surgical fog. My doctor and I actually spoke about this in our last call because coming out of the surgery was really rough compared to the others and she just thinks my body has finally said; I am done with this shit. I am going to fall apart for a little bit.

So been able to get words down is good.

The cat in the photo at top is Gojira who is the chunky one a bunch. While I have been reassured by the vet that she is an okay size, I swear to God she just gets bigger and bigger. Harley and Badger are doing well, although Badger has become extremely needy and wants to be held a lot.

There has been a lot of contribution and factors that has made it possible for me to attend GRL this year. I am better than I was last year but I still am definitely not even 80% yet but I will do my best. One thing I am really excited to see is the illustrated hardcover of Wolf at First Sight and I was lucky enough to be sent a picture of my hanai puppy, Zoey, doing a Price Is Right model of the book for me. She is a very good girl.

That is all I have for updates because the wind is picking up a little bit but not so much that it’s alarming. Hopefully everything will stay calm and once again, if you are in this weather, please stay safe.

As we talk about what is happening in Hawaiʽi, please remember that “Hawaiian” refers to the native people of Hawaiʽi. It does not mean someone who resides there. We are a people with our own culture, language, and history. Hawaiʽi residents or locals are a term for who live there.

And no, telling me that Hawaiian is an acceptable term for Hawaiʽi residents is erasure. When a Native person asks you to recognize them, please respect that. We shouldn’t be made less just because it’s easier for people. Be better. Be respectful.

If you would like to help with the tragic consequences following the wildfires in Hawaiʽi, please consider donating to the Maui Strong Fund.

https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong

Now, I do love this song and Brenda Lee fucking killed it, like she does so many songs. But oh, she’s 13, I think in this clip, and I would like to point out that yes, she IS old enough to chick but a girl her age shouldn’t. She still should be allowed to be a young woman learning her way around the world.
There are still states in the US where a 13 year old girl is considered to be of marrying age. It’s another war front to fight, one of many in the battle to gain body autonomy for women. We have so much to do.

Phone call with my mother usually has some kind of tech support involved.

Or rather… hunting something down.

This time, it was a poi making business. Poi is very expensive and there are many varieties. Also, it gets sourer as it gets older and there’s a point where it’s just too far gone for the palate. So finding fresh, thick poi is key to having great poi.

I had two possible clues… Honoka’a and a word that started with K.

This leads us to the Mokuwai Piko Poi Inc which is not far from Tex Drive In. Gave her all the details. Owner’s name is Kahealani (I’m assuming no okina in hea because hea means “call” and he’a means “fire-burnt, bloody red”).

So now my mom has a place she can go get some poi from. Their taro patch is a bit lean and sometimes there just isn’t any ready to be turned into poi. Also, a lot of poi companies apparently are making very watery poi and not using a good taro variety. So she’s happy to find Mokuwai Piko.

Now if only I can find fresh ‘ulu in San Diego. Or even frozen. ‘Ulu as in breadfruit. Not the knife used by Native Alaskans.

Today is the Fourth of July and for the first time in forever… like over three decades… I’ve not had a pupper to worry about with the fireworks. It does make me sad in so many ways but I also know that others are trying to keep their fur babies safe and not scared. So I hope you all are doing okay.

I’ve been really nose down trying to finish this book. I do need to get a cover for it and figure out where I’m going. It’s a bit of a two path book and whichever one I choose will change its tone. That’s always the case of things, isn’t it?

I’ll probably be messing around with this blog’s appearance at some point this month. They changed the tools and look of how my posts are done and as many of you know, change isn’t good for the spicy brained. It’s actually kind of annoying.

So if you are around anyone setting off fireworks, please be careful. Also, stay hydrated and if you’ve a chance, be sure to pamper yourself a little bit. You deserve it.

Surgery this time was rough. Came out of it sicker than I normally am but I’m at home and waiting for the cats to settle down. Everyone wants cuddles. And for some reason, my hair has just gone wild so God knows what I did in my sleep.

Catching up on watching the Japanese diners / restaurants. This one is quite interesting. I haven’t watched it all the way but the chef is classically trained in French techniques but his father passed away so he returned home to continue the family restaurant. Which is in an abandoned mall. Doesn’t it sound like a premise to a movie? So go and watch. Let me know what you think. I’m watching it now.