I swore that I’d prune our lemon tree once it stopped producing for the winter, but it never did, so I never did, and now it’s full of little green baby lemons again. So, I picked all the old yellow … Read More

I’ve never known a window screen to give more than a polite suggestion that small flying insects and spiders (and the tiny vertebrates who might one day grow big enough to eat them) might all be happier living outdoors. And … Read More

I want to thank author Keta Kendrick for giving my books a shout-out in her latest newsletter! In return, I’ve been reading her book Roots of the Wicked, which drew my interest because of its beautiful cover–which should’ve been charred … Read More

Our puppy Kailani has reminded us that dogs (especially mouthy puppies) need a variety of enrichment items to keep them busy and satisfied. One of her favorite enrichment items is Pupcicles! I fill two 1/2 cup Souper Cubes lidded freezer … Read More

Our yard is solid lava, except where the previous owners (who built the house) brought in a backhoe and broke up several rows of lava to make room for the roots of the trees they wanted to plant. Many of … Read More

I almost feel like I’m being lazy by including this recipe, but you know, laziness is one of my superpowers, and I want to honor that trait because it has saved me a ton of work and worry in my … Read More

Bette Davis said that getting old isn’t for sissies. She’s right. I spent my youth thinking that once I got older, I’d have all this shit figured out, and life would get easier. I’d just have to slog through life … Read More

The other day, we went walking in Volcano National Park. There’s a lot of volcanic activity there these days, with a sulfur-scented mist rising out of fissures in the ground. It’s important to stay on the path, because a wrong … Read More

Welp, my stainless steel cookware has noticed that I’m writing again! Hans loves to say, “Where in the recipe does it say to walk away from the stove and start doing something else?” I don’t know about that recipe, but … Read More

You know how it is when you’re not at all in the market for another dog, but you’ve decided to go to a Farmer’s Market on the other side of the island (or wherever), and lo and behold, a rescue … Read More

New York Times bestselling author Teri Wilson writes heartwarming contemporary romance with a touch of whimsy. Three of Teri’s books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel Original Movies, including UNLEASHING MR. DARCY (plus its sequel MARRYING MR. DARCY), THE ART … Read More

Nancy Herkness is the award-winning author of contemporary romance novels, including the Royal Caleva, Consultants, Second Glances, Wager of Hearts and Whisper Horse series. Her work has been honored with the Book Buyers Best Top Pick Award, the New England … Read More

Our dog Pearl has been bugging me to write this article to help other dogs—and their humans—and the clueless parents of semi-feral children—to avoid avoidable traumatic experiences. Pearl is a Covid puppy, so she didn’t get socialized as much as … Read More

I tried this recipe and it was fantastic! I will never make broccoli any other way! Mix together honey and red pepper flakes and cook until it boils. Steam broccoli to your preferred level of doneness. Drizzle honey and red … Read More

I’ve been trying to entice some Gold Dust Day Geckos to live indoors with us. It’s not unusual around here for geckos and/or lizards to live inside homes and eat the bugs who come through open windows and doors since … Read More

You’d probably think that living on the Big Island of Hawaii is a form of self-care. And you’d be right. The decision to move here was a big one, and there were plenty of fears and worries to consider. The … Read More

You know when your favorite person makes a mistake so grave that they really ought to do something to redeem themselves, even though their mistake was just stupid and wrong-headed and not mean-spirited? Welp, my husband knows when he makes … Read More

People who don’t live in the tropics year-round say they’d miss having four seasons that are separate and distinct from one another. I love warm weather and despise being cold, so that’s not a problem for me. And it’s cool … Read More

I LOVE living in Hawaii. There are so many things I love about living on the Big Island, it’s hard to decide which wonderful thing to write about next. Today, I’m going to write about something I love that also … Read More

I’ve been loving a Netflix series called One Mississippi. You might not like it, but I do. I like it because it’s clever, and it’s true (written and acted by the woman whose story it portrays), and it strikes a … Read More

I recently bought a book I’ve been looking forward to reading. Then I realized, to my dismay… It’s written in present tense. Not She said, but She says. Not he walked into the room, but he walks into the room. … Read More

Born and raised in south Alabama (a Girl Raised in the South), I never thought I’d be living in Hawaii. I never even felt the desire to come here on vacation. But when we got off the plane in Honolulu, … Read More

Tonight, for my dinner I ate a cold piece of chicken standing up in the kitchen, because my Granddogters are beggars. I usually edit as I type, and as I typed this sentence, my mind had already found fault with … Read More

Okay, y’all know that I’m allergic to most of the Big Eight food allergens, a condition that causes me to get very creative in the kitchen. Breakfast is a big challenge. I’m effing tired of oatmeal and granola, so this … Read More

What is a pendulum, anyway? Pendulums are a cool way to point yourself in the right direction when you’re not sure which way to go. A pendulum is a way of opening the door from your conscious mind to the … Read More

Okay, first of all, stop being so dramatic. That’s your cat’s job. Your cat doesn’t hate you. If they’re indifferent, then you’re in trouble. But if they hate / love you, you’re okay. Yes, cats can be drama queens. The … Read More

At 4:00 a.m., roosters from my neighborhood and beyond start talking to one another. Singing up the sun, is what I’ve heard it called, and I believe it. I can imagine that roosters the world over are all connected, singing … Read More

You know how it is: You buy that celery, those onions, the package of stoplight bell peppers with the best intentions. Then on Monday you feel like ordering Pizza, on Tuesday you eat out instead of cooking, Wednesday’s pasta carries … Read More

To be honest, dogs don’t think anything at all about Valentine’s Day. (Unless they happen to get into a heart-shaped box of chocolate candy. Then, Valentine’s Day ends with stomach cramps and a vet visit and takes on a completely … Read More

I love simple recipes that only have a few ingredients. Here’s one for your canine pals that only has 4 ingredients! Combine in a bowl: 1 cup flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free baking flour mix.) 1 cup … Read More