A L O H A From Honolulu!
June On Oahu: Bursting Shower Trees!
Here the Moonlight Variety
Even a wounded world
is feeding us. Even a
wounded world holds us,
giving us moments of
wonder and joy.
I choose joy over despair.
Not because I have
my head in the sand,
but because joy is
what the earth gives me daily
and I must return the gift.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Perfectly Said
Political Season.
We wave signs for our candidates
here in Hawaii. This is
my incredibly young State
House Representative,
Adrian Tam backed up
by his top Hype-Woman:
Me!**
National vacuum cleaner circa 1911
I even bought a stick
vacuum cleaner today!
Though not the one seen
here. This beauty is steered by the
wooden handle at top, as you
furiously pump the other handle
up and down creating suction.
Would have saved dollars at Amazon,
but my pleasure to patronize
a long-time local shop.
(Where I met the antique above)
I grew up in the cleaning business.
So the jumbled little shop redolent
of hard work and repaired vacuum cleaners
powerfully took me back to
my dad's little home office
filled with such. I never rode
in a car that did NOT smell
like vacuum cleaners until
leaving for college.*
Despite the news, the
wear & tear on us all,
I found myself hopeful today.
Spring perhaps?
A good thing about age is
that we've lived through LOTS
of bad news and challenges.
Even wars and social upheaval.
One learns that life goes on.
One begins to realize
that we each do NOT
go on indefinitely.
Strangely liberating.
Gratitude guilds
everything like sunshine.
I feel for the
young people and children,
whose world contracted due
to Covid. But I also trust
that they will grow in ways
Not given me to understand.
Such ARE generations.
We do not let
human nature's
dark side win.
Not for long.
If your world is not singing,
perhaps it IS humming
just a bit?
I am grateful to those
who are keepers
of the groove.
The babies and the grandmas
who hang on to it and help
us remember when we forget
that any kind of dancing is
better than no dancing at all.
Lynda Barry
ᐛ☆ᐛᐛᐛᐛᐛᐛᐛᐛᐛᐌ
Love You
Pixie & Cloudia
* Being thrifty with wooden floors I chose a super versatile and affordable Bissell Model No 20334
FeatherWeight™ Lightweight Stick Vacuum Link
** A hype man in rap and hip hop supports the primary rappers with exclamations and interjections, and attempts to increase the audience’s excitement.
Emmanuel C. M. says, “the hype man is essential to a live performance. He is an integral piece to the whole show. It’s his job to be the support for the performer, give the performer energy and keep the crowd engaged at all times”. Music writer Mickey Hess expands the term as follows: “a hype man is a figure who plays a central but supporting role within a group, making his own interventions, generally aimed at hyping up the crowd while also drawing attention to the words of the MC“. Link
Beautiful collection of photos.. keep clicking
ReplyDeleteThere is certainly a hum in the air...
ReplyDeleteWhenever we meet dear!
ReplyDeletePixie is a little surprised at the woman humming along with skulls on her shirt and leggings. I think that Pixie would like a fancy outfit like that, too, for when she chases the chickens as she hums along.
ReplyDeleteThat's one odd looking vacuum cleaner.
ReplyDeleteJolly!
ReplyDeleteThe first picture and the title of the post does compliment each other. That vacuum cleaner is a collector's item.
ReplyDeleteAny kind of dancing is better than no dancing. I love it, Cloudia!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the old vacuum and your story to go with it.
That old vacuum looks like a lot of ... WORK!
ReplyDelete"to patronize a long-time local shop"
If you grew up in the business these are your people. Do you hang around the shop for old times sake?
Very thoughtful sentiments, Claudia. It does get one down, but there is a future.
ReplyDeleteWhat has Pixie so interested?
ReplyDeleteMy comments keep vanishing.
ReplyDeletePixie is a sweetie.