June 2020: Isolation Fourth Month

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Viewed: 4/25/2024	Page Views: 827
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Many projects come to fruition, new ones are started and we add a medical emergency for spice.

By June Keith and I were settled in for the long haul. We've accepted that this will be our way of life indefinitely. Of course, when one's way of life is in paradise, that's hard to complain about! However, the month ended with me in the hospital. Still, it was a hospital in paradise!

Water Features

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/2/2020	Page Views: 661
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
In addition to the ocean, we also have access to a waterfall and a (sometimes) hot tub.

As I keep reminding anyone who will listen, I used to be a lifeguard. (That was 50 years ago, but some things you never forget.) I have always loved being in water, although I must admit I prefer water that isn't ice cold. Here on Maui, we have several options for when we want to get wet, or even just to look at water

Trimmed

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/7/2020	Page Views: 483
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
I'm no longer 'full-on Gandalf'.

My hair, especially my beard, began whitening 20 years ago or so; and I immediately started dying it. Not to fool anyone else into thinking I am younger than I am, but so I would continue to recognize myself in the mirror. But then we moved to Maui, and there are no stores here carrying the kind of hair dye I prefer. So, I decided, what with the coronavirus shutdown and people not being able to go to a barber shop anyway, this was as good a time as any to go au natural.

Sunrise, Sunset

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/8/2020	Page Views: 692
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
In these increasingly unremarkable days, sunrises and sunsets become our markers of time.

So, in these days where so many people remain at home for safety, those people are getting a taste of what retirement is like. No job means no schedule means no set getting-up time means no set going-to-sleep time. Streaming entertainment means no TV schedules—no "must-see Thursday!" or Friday or any other day. Our day for a supply run is Thursday; and even that is subject to whim. So, what day is today? I have no idea.

Attack of the Turkey Berries

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/9/2020	Page Views: 714
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
In which I come out second in a fight with an edible plant.

As an island paradise, Maui has every reason to want to keep its ecology intact as much as possible. As with all volcanic islands, every plant and animal here when the Hawaiians arrived by boat, had arrived via wind or waves, over 1000 miles from the nearest non-Hawaiian land.

Zach's Back!

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/11/2020	Page Views: 717
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
My eldest grandson returns to his Maui home.

My grandson Zach flew back to Arizona with his mom and siblings about six weeks ago, leaving Keith and me alone with our dogs on 28 acres. Which was hardly purgatory. But yesterday, Zach returned and it's a lot nicer having him near.

Wiring The Solar Shed

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/13/2020	Page Views: 675
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
After months of planning, building, and assembling, the Solar Shed is finally producing electricity!

Zach's early vision for the property was for it to produce all the electricity it needs, from solar power. That involved a lot of elements, and project management which is not something he ever studied for. Nevertheless, he's managed to pull off a major engineering feat.

Framing Begins

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/14/2020	Page Views: 685
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
The day we started framing the interior of the Zach Shack.

The first thing one sees from the road of our property is a ten-by-twenty foot shipping contaner. These containers are used all over Maui to be turned into tiny homes, as they are already sturdy and waterproof, and the shipping companies don't want to sail them around empty so they sell them here on the cheap. Zach intended from the start to make this container his home, and so I call it the Zach Shack. And, today, with the needed wood purchased, Keith and I helped him begin the interior frame that eventually will support a paneled wall complete with recessed electrical wiring, switches, outlets and so on.

A Hike Along Hana Bay

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/17/2020	Page Views: 496
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
An opportunity to take a stroll (or rock climb) around a local bit of scenery.

Today was a wonderful one. We got to explore, soak in the ocean, hike, and generally have a good time.

I Came, I Sawed, I Conquered

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/19/2020	Page Views: 688
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
An opportunity to take a stroll (or rock climb) around a local bit of scenery.

The past two days haven't been too eventful, but I got a couple nice pictures andf learned a new skill.

Dramatic Skies

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/20/2020	Page Views: 686
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
We basically took the day off today; it rained a lot. But the skies!

It rained a lot today so we basically took it off, with Keith playning video games and me working on this blog. However, during breaks in the weather I ran the quad up top to check on things, and the skies were just amazing! So, enjoy.

I've Been Framed!

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/21/2020	Page Views: 685
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
In which I finally acheive an erection. Of metal. In my yard.

A few days ago, Zach and Keith and I took down the "carport" tent Zach had been using to protect a table saw and other tools. However, he was no longer using it for that purpose and deemed it an eyesore from the highway, so we took it down and transpported the parts to our cabin, because I want to put it up there. For something, I'm not quite yet sure.

Rain and a New Porch

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/25/2020	Page Views: 691
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
When life tears off your old porch, assemble a new one.

It's been almost a week since I assembled the frame for a carport tent. Now, after a rather windy rainshower, we needed to finish it.

An Ordinary Day in Paradise

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/26/2020	Page Views: 690
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
We didn't do anything special today, and it was wonderful!

We do our best to keep busy, which isn't hard around here. Actually, there's so much to be done, that, rather than finding ourselves bored during the shutdown, we have to take care not to burn ourselves out by trying to do too much at once.

Touring the Property

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/27/2020	Page Views: 715
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Today we played with the quad and created a tour on video.

Having tried to make sense of the photos before I got here, I could understand why my son requested a video tour of the property. And, since we decided to spend today playing on the Quad, we had the perfect opportunity.

Cellulitis_Again

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 6/29/2020	Page Views: 891
Topics: #Coronavirus #Maui
Back to the hospital.

I had my first bout of cellulitis some 20 years ago. The second bout, 9 years ago, resulted in my near-death and 2-day coma due to necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating bacteria). Today I was hospitalized with my third.