On Vacation...

We're taking a long-needed break in Kauai. We've both been working our tails off, plus 2015 brought some unforeseen challenges, so we deserve it! I got some shopping in yesterday after hitting the resort's gym (I feel pretty proud about sticking to my fitness program!), had a wonderful plate of coconut shrimp and mango chutney for lunch, got to see a Pacific Golden Plover in full breeding colors (which we don't get to see in California, because they don't breed there) and got to see a ton of the endangered Nene goose... It's been a good week!

Today we're off to see the botanical gardens and maybe get a little birding in. Mr. ShellHawk has his cap set to see the sky lark, so it's off for an adventure in birds!

But not until I work this plan to move to the Big Island for a year with him... ;)

And Now For Something Completely Different...

Wannabe Hawaiian, Christmas Ape, at the Nakalele Blow Hole on Maui.

Confession time: Hawaiian music? I freaking love it. Whether it's in the Hawaiian language or in English sung by a great big Hawaiian guy (he happens to have passed on to the great Luau in the sky, so maybe that's sort of topical to a Hallowe'en blog...), I am a total sucker for it!

Since I've been listening to this music off and on since I got back from our fantastic Hawaiian vacation (in which Mr. Ape, above, made BFFs with a real dolphin), and I know many of you are stuck in snow right now, I thought I'd offer you a moment of paradise.

Sunset on the Big Island

Someone was thoughtful enough to put together an Isreal Kamakawiwo'ole playlist on YouTube, which I think is full of all sorts of fabulous. Just between you and me-please don't tell  anyone; it would totally ruin my reputation-his voice is so beautiful that some of his songs just bring tears to my eyes! (If you spill the beans, I will totally deny it, as I am a Hallowe'en person, and a completely bloodthirsty and not at all sentimental or sappy in any way imaginable!) I am also once again amazed at the difference in appearance vs. voice. You would think this man would have a basso voice to rival my beloved Thurl, but no!

There's another great Islander and very talented guitarist by the name of John Cruz, who is fairly legendary in the Islands and massively underrated everywhere else, as far as I can tell. I just made a John Cruz YouTube playlist with a few of his tunes for you to get a sense of his talent.

I'm thinking about getting a Hawaiian language learning thingie so Mr. ShellHawk and I can learn it and talk smack about just about anyone without their knowing about it. Of course, then, we wouldn't be practicing Aloha (I'm pretty sure it translates to, "Don't be an a-hole"), which would make me feel somewhat guilty--unless you really, really deserved it!

I really am ready to head back over there for just a week or three... I'd move there if I didn't have to put my dogs in quarantine for six months. And if I could afford it. And have a gas kiln.

And...