No More Beach Days for Sophie

During all this madness, I was grateful that I could still take Sophie to the beach. The ocean was great for my mental health, and the walk was good for both of us.

Until yesterday...

We went to multiple beaches and were met with signs like this everywhere we went:

 

 






A sign of the times...

... pun intended....

My friend, Barbara, has implemented Curbside Service at her veterinary clinic.

People can drop off their pets, but the humans cannot come inside.
She's keeping her staff safe without having to close the clinic. Brilliant!

Do whatever you have to do to keep you and yours safe!

We are all safe in Kona

It took a while, but the COVID-19 virus finally made it to the Big Island. The first case showed up on Monday. It's been making its way across the islands for a couple of weeks.

Because the news media told people to stock up on toilet paper, people hoarded toilet paper and now there is none to be had anywhere in the Kona area. Such a bizarre problem to have! I always have spare everything, so I'm not too worried.

We are pretty much in the same lock-down mode as the Bay Area.

• Restaurants and bars are closed (except for takeout).
• All public events are canceled (no Merrie Monarch this year).
• Group gatherings of more than 10 people are forbidden.
• One of the charming new situations is that grocery stores (not Costco) are opening an hour earlier some days just for kapuna!!! (That's the over-60 crowd if you don't speak Hawaiian.)
• Kauai is implementing a nightly curfew from 9PM-5AM.
• The governor and the county mayors are actually asking visitors to STAY AWAY.
• Looting and rioting and the zombie apocalypse can't be far behind.

My plan is to be appropriately paranoid and avoid people and public places. Sophie and I are happy to go to the beach and never get close to other people. I've intentionally been practicing social distancing for some time now. :)

Stay safe, everyone!

Aloha!




 

Barbara and Steve and Megan and Eddie

Barbara and Steve and Megan and Eddie are here for the week. They've been doing all the fun things: paddle boarding, snorkeling, hiking, eating, shopping, general beaching.

Last night, Steve, Megan, and Eddie did the nighttime manta snorkel.

Megan took this video (view in full-screen mode for total immersion):

Aloha, Gene

Last night, we lost our dear friend, Gene Yamasaki.
Gene and his wife, Betsy, were friends and neighbors in Avalon and will forever be friends in my heart.

Much love to you, Betsy. And aloha, dear Gene.

Happy 2020 !!!!!!!!!!

We made it to 2020 !!!

2019 seemed like a really busy year. My highlights:

• Ziplining with girlfriends in February
• Shooting over to Maui for a day with friends in April
• New neighbors in the newly built house next door
• New kitchen floor in September
• Lots of guests in September and October
• Redecorating the upstairs guest room
• Sophie's 7th birthday

... Nothing on a global scale, but it kept me pretty busy.

I was a good girl this year, and Santa brought me a WaterRower:

This should keep me busy for a while...

I hope you all had a wonderful 2019, and I hope to see you (either here or there) in 2020!

Here's the small (but exclusive) group that came for dinner on New Year's Eve:

Aloha y'all!

Dana

Busy October

Friends left last week, more are coming next week, and yet more arrive the week after!

When Cris, Julie, and Maurine were here, we went to the Kona Stroll on Sunday and of course there was lots of eating out -- all my favorite restaurants: Keoni's, Jackie Ray's, Sam Choy's, Sansei, Kona Inn, and Umeke's.

Next week, friends will be here for Ironman! Kona town is a busy place during Ironman season. Bikers and runners are already lining the highway as they prepare for the competition on Saturday the 12th.

And the week after that, Debbie and Colleen will be back for their annual October visit. We always do the Stroll and get a head start on our Christmas shopping. 

November will be just as busy with the Palisades Artists Tour at the end of the month. My new friend, Heather, promises to walk the 2-mile tour with me!

Aloha y'all!