December 20, 2009
It’s 4 AM. I’m writing by flashlight. Outside a monsoon rages.
The avalanche of rain pounding the roof has drowned out the frog’s song, or maybe it is too much for them and they are snuggled in their bed as I am.
This is the most severe rainstorm we’ve had since our arrival. It rained before, but mostly at night–You know, like Camelot, “It never rains until after sundown.”
Yesterday, because of the rain, we opted not to unload any goods from the shipping container, but to use electricity not made on our property. We drove into the little town of Kea’au–washed clothes at the Suds shop, went grocery shopping, and took ourselves to a restaurant called Hokulani's Steak House.
One couldn’t possibly sit inside at Hokulani's for the outside is splendid even if it does overlook the parking lot. While the rain pounded, and the temperature was set to bathroom comfort, we watched the rain hit the people and the cars, and the Niagara Falls of water course off the downspout. I could see Gene Kelly dancing under it as he did in the movie Singing in the Rain.
Hokulani's makes the best garlic, ginger (with a Thai dressing kick) chicken sandwich this side of De Friscos in Eugene Oregon.
After wading the parking lot we drove home through 10 thousand road lakes. DD said if we poured cement in those lakes we would have a smooth road. Imagine, though, cars would be stuck in it like the dinosaurs in California’s La Brea Tar Pits.
Trudging inside, and flipping on the kitchen light, we began to unload the truck and “Wham.” The lights went out! Guess with all the rain the solar panels weren’t soaking up rays, for there was none.
Unpulsed this time, we got out the solar pack that DD had the foresight to order one for her and one for me. This pack has lights, plug-ins, and it will even charge the car battery. (Given it is charged, of course.) DD, BD and I climbed into bed with the laptop we had charged with the car cigarette lighter on the way into town. We snuggled in and crafted a business proposal while baby D, like a persistent cat, was determined to get my pretty red lighted mouse.
When the thunder and lightening began this morning I was hoping it meant the storm was moving on, but soon the avalanche of water fell again. I wouldn’t care except some sunshine on the solar panels would be nice.
"CRASH!" The thunder and lightening is fierce. I tremble to think about how much water is on the road right now, but I am thankful we got home last night. Remember the Hawaiian lady who said living as we were would make us appreciative? Yesterday I was thankful for clean clothes and a wonderful lunch, and getting home, and having lights by some source, and a laptop that worked, and DD and her darling son who is happy through it all.
It is quiet outside, I wrote through the storm, and I just heard a frog sing.
