This is Andrea's ficus bonsai after leafing out after defoliation and restyling.
Monday the 2nd I got my blood drawn for my quarterly checkup and then came home and fixed myself a lunch while Andrea helped
at the Hula Camp week at Mānoa Heritage Center. I made a duck sandwich, a slice of cake that Paul and Faye gave us, and a bowl of cherries.
The first OLLI Writers Circle meeting of the summer session was held Tuesday.
The author has woven a captivating narrative that seamlessly blends elements of science fiction, romance, and everyday life. The characters of Edward, Cindy, and Brent are well-developed and relatable, with distinct personalities that shine through in their interactions. The story’s pacing is well-balanced, with a mix of action, conversation, and introspection that keeps the reader engaged. The author’s use of descriptive language effectively transports the reader to the futuristic world of flying cars, space travel, and advanced robotics.One of the most striking aspects of the story is its exploration of the intersection of technology and humanity. The character of Brent, a robotic valet, is particularly intriguing as he navigates the complexities of artificial intelligence, free will, and personhood.
The romantic undertones between Edward and Cindy add a sweet and tender dimension to the story, while the friendships and camaraderie among the characters create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The event banner is already up at the school.
After eating we relaxed and had conversations.
I had a group of eight, all kamaʻāina. They were interested in the house, Kūaliʻi, and the heiau, Kūkaʻōʻō.
Malama Maunalua posted this photo of Wailupe Valley, our home, from the ocean.
Wednesday I started getting eight bonsai ready for the Pacific Club sale this weekend.
This is the before shot. The tree has been in bonsai training for over a decade.
Using the reciprocating saw to cut the trunk above the second branch.
The result of cutting the trunk.
I give the tree a good soaking in a tub of water before putting it back on the bonsai shelf.
I also gave my hau tree a good soaking. It will be in the show this weekend and needs a good drink beforehand.
I took this photo after the setup was complete. My book signing station is on the left.
Photo by Andrea.
The sales area is all set up and waiting for the public to enter at nine.
I'm ready for door security duty. Some baked goods are also for sale.
A large crowd entered at nine.
A lovely large crowd.
At the cashier table.
Andrea posed with the holding area crew.
All the Pacific Bonsai Club members posed at the end.
I got my blood test results. They changed websites without telling anyone. I walked in there and they gave me a card with the URL. My PSA is still undetectable, hooray! My testosterone doubled to 22 but is still way below the normal of over a hundred. Everything else is cool. I put a bottle of bubbly in the fridge. Party tonight!I also got the final book cover for Love Beyond Orbit as a PDF and converted it to JPEG for social media.
Our planned barbecue got rained out but we had the birthday bubbly.
Kilohana put on her head lei.
Group photo.
Kilohana with keiki.
Ka halau.
Ka eke eke dance.
Ka eke eke dance.
Kala au noho hula.
Kala au noho hula.
ʻIliʻili noho hula.
ʻAuana hula.
ʻAuana hula.
ʻAuana hula
ʻAuana hula.
Gift and lei for Kumu.
Lunch after ka hoʻike.
Andrea received several birthday lei from her hula sisters at the halau practice today.
In the afternoon Andrea worked on the sun coaster party favors for our upcoming Summer Solstice Soirée.
I had the expresso martini drink called Help Lose My Mind.
The Arden menu for the evening. They frequently have new custom drinks. Click the image for the full resolution version.
We had the romaine salad to start with.
Andrea got lychee sherbet with a candle.
Midway through a week of celebrations, we decided to combine birthday and anniversary into one delicious evening out at a favorite destination. Arden did not disappoint. The romaine salad was delicious, as was the steamed kanpachi. Beverages were delicious (I can recommend the Sacred Bird and the French press coffee). We enjoyed watching the Kapiolani Park scene.
Meat and vegetables on the grill.
We were able to get six baby Dopey Donny balloons into the back of the Leaf.
Saturday morning I put out the flag for Flag Day before our morning walk before breakfast.
We parked in the Saint Andrews Church parking lot and got the ballons out of the back.
Joleen, Andrea, and hula sister Jill.
The crowd was big.
The crowd was enormous. Click the image to see the full resolution version.
Beth had arranged for the DJ to bring the equipment and play music.
We had some passing drizzle to keep things cool. Click the image to see the full resolution version.
Enthusiastic crowd with creative signs.
The people kept on coming. Click the image to see the full resolution version.
I walked into the capitol rotunda and saw the Flag Day ceremony.
When the color guard passed by I saluted our flag.
Photo by Tana.
Nonviolent and exciting. The DJ also played Dylan and Hendrix.
Photo by Andrea.
After repotting.
Wednesday morning Andrea photographed our maiapilo blossom on our before-breakfast walk.
Wednesday morning I photographed my blooming naupaka han kengai (semi-cascade) bonsai. Janet came over and gave us both haircuts.
Andrea and I attended the Aina Haina Prepared meeting on Zoom Wednesday evening. The Preparedness Fair in July seems to shaping up nicely.
Rainfall statistics for my station on CoCoRaHS, the "Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network."
Guests began arriving at five PM on Saturday. This was taken at 5:41.
Everyone who responded in the affirmative came, except for two spouses who couldn't make it.
We had seating for 30 outdoors, including the two bamboo benches.
Drinks table with ice chests on the left. We had a water dispenser and a non-alcoholic punch bowl.
I put bottles of Pelegrino on every table so people could stay hydrated. It was fairly humid.
Andrea made 100 souvenir cork coasters. On the back of each they read "Summer Solstice Soiree 2025." People were invited to take some home.
Noe and Hal came for the first time to one of our parties.
Andrea relaxed with a glass of prosecco.
Solstice sunset at the Mānoa Heritage Center, photo sent by Keala.
We held a solstice trivia contest and Andrea photographed me with the winners: Joyce, second place with Starbuck's cold drink cup, Maile, first place
with signed copy of my novella and Starbuck's cold drink cup, and Matt, third place with Starbuck's large coffee cup and Planned Parenthood pink sunglasses.
Andrea photographed this red hibiscus flower on her mid-morning walk Monday.
This is the tree I will be taking to tonight's meeting of the Pacific Bonsai Club in Mānoa for Andrea and me to work on.
Andrea with her halau in the afternoon after dancing at Beckwith care home.
Andrea waiting for the meeting to start.
Meeting called to order by Lawrence, our president, and Janice, our secretary. My tree on the table ready for working on.
After working on my ficus, I helped another member work on her ficus of a different species.
I showed her some recommended branch placements that she photographed.
Andrea and I worked on the bonsai ficus simultaneously. I took this after shot the next morning.
Having eaten dinner at home before I left, I had a dessert plate of brownie, blueberry cake, and mini-muffins.
The meeting got underway while people were still getting plates from the potluck tables in the back.
Good coffee. Photo by Andrea.
Andrea had the breakfast bowl with pork bellies while I had the two eggs over with Portuguese sausage. The hash browns were ulu.
Moving off with the orange group to the first of five monologues.
Heading down to popup number two.
Waiting for the actor to start. Photo by Andrea.
There was a dramatic sunsetty sky.
Photo by Mike Smola via Facebook.
Before shot of the citrus.
My four books on Amazon, soon to be a fifth.
I removed the wire, let the tree relax for a day, then transplanted into a bonsai growing pot.
After wiring and repotting into a cascade growing pot.
Auctus Publishers proof cover graphic. Click the image to see the full resolution view.
I now have
five books on Amazon. Working on a sixth.
We had a tabel with a great view.
Monday morning, the 30th, last day of June, I photographed my bonsai plumeria, from a cutting and in the bonsai pot for about six years.
Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com