Oahu 2024

 

It had been a long time since we were on Oahu. 2019 to be exact. Pre-Covid. We'd been to Maui, the Big Island (together and the former just mom and Havana) for R& R and some educational trainings but our favorite island Oahu, it had been too long.

We opted to do Waikiki for part of the trip. Thought it might be different. It definitely was that. We all agreed that being beach front quite beautiful, the crowds and hustle was not our jam. When we made it the North Shore for a few nights we let out a collective sigh of relief. Less traffic, no crowds, powerful waves (Pipeline was happening), the view of the ocean from our room; it was just what we all needed. We could have spent a week there. We learned the hard way where to spend our time on Oahu but at least we have several days of much needed downtime.

We were able to meet a friend of mom's and go for a hike. We got to do a little snorkeling, some bicycle riding and enjoy some yummy food. It would not be a trip to Oahu without Haupia pie from Ted's Bakery and some local produce for healthier snacks at other times.

Ohau was the first place Amara visited, at just 3 months old. Havana's first trip was to Kauai, also at 3 months. Hawai'i has been very kind to our family; letting us rest, restore, make great memories. We have laughed, cried and found Hawai'i overall to be the one place our family has the most travel memories. We were so glad to be back on Oahu and promised we would try to visit again soon.

Brazen Fox

The foxes are back! We have been capturing two fox traipsing through the yard at night for the past few weeks. Those that are familiar with us are aware how exciting we've been to have the foxes so close.  

Since we moved in thirteen years ago, we have seen mamas and cubs come and go, almost every year. Once the pandemic hit and we were stuck at home, the girls home schooling in the in-law unit, making noise that probably scared them off , we did not see our furry friends for a couple of years. We missed them and we  kept a looking to no avail. No foxes. Until just very recently

When the Arlo camera first spotted them last month,climbing on the fence and prancing around the yard, we were delighted. That was short-lived. Because unlike in the past years, there was now a problem that we didn’t foresee. It seems like these fox were getting a little bit brazen and a little bit too close to our cats. Our cats like to roam the yard, usually coming in at night time with the exception of Simba, who thinks he’s a lion. He’s aptly named. Simba is a hunter, with a gentle heart, who showed up during the pandemic and adopted Don. He wasn’t here before, but now his presence in the yard with the fox is causing a whole other dilemma.

Sometimes in the early evening hours, we’ve heard loud fox sounds, and loud cat sounds as the two have interacted, and from the sounds of their hows, neither seem to be happy. Both Don and myself have had to run out in the yard chasing the fox away. But they don’t run off; instead they stay within just a few feet. We suspect that some of the neighbors might be feeding them as they’re not that scared of us. But we are a little concerned about what they might do to our cats.

We’re being a little bit more cautious to make sure that our gatos are in during the evening hours but the other morning I caught one fox in the yard, first thing in the morning getting too close to Simba. he barely soldered away, which was disturbing, but at least I got a couple of good photos!

Still,  I’m a little worried how this is going to end up because the Fox thinks it’s their territory, and Simba thinks it’s his territory. And Rio and the others are just too naïve to know what the hell is going on.

So stay tuned for the next chapter of the foxes  in Pinole!

 

Daisy Girl

 

About six years ago, my mom adopted a rescue cat. Her name is Daisy. I got to know her slowly, when I would visit my mom at her home in South Florida. Daisy was shy, skittish really. We did not know her history but we knew she was very slow to warm up, almost afraid, leaving us to wonder if someone hurt her. Over time, she got to know me and would cautiously come within few feet and on rare occasions I could pet her head.

Soon after Daisy was adopted, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and I spent extended time in Florida. This allowed Daisy and I to get to know each other better. Then a year later, my mom became very ill. I ended up in Florida for sixteen days. I was home alone with Daisy, while my mom was in the hospital and then rehab. It was just Daisy Girl and I each day and night. By the end of that stay, she was sleeping in the bed with me. Daisy was happy when mom was able to return home but I could tell she had become used to me being there as well, as she did not run away so easily.

Last year, starting in January, my mother started to decline quickly. I returned from Uganda/Rwanda early March and within 3 days was headed to South Florida. Mom was in the hospital and Daisy was on her own for about two weeks (the neighbor came in daily to take care of her and say hi but she was essentially alone). I knew when I got there that she was happy for company because almost immediately she let herself get closer to me, meowing, before running away.

Over the next months, I was back and forth to Florida almost monthly. Mom, who was so ill, we were not sure if she would recover, was in the hospital and rehab more than she was home. That meant Daisy Girl was often alone. We started to look for a home for her. My mom asked me to take her but we have 4 other cats. Adding one more was not going to work. We asked friends and family, to no avail. Daisy needed  a safe space with someone who would understand her need for gentleness and there was no good options in Florida.

Over the next couple of months,  as I was back and forth and Daisy and I bonded. When I was not there, the neighbor would watch her but she was mostly on her own and that was heartbreaking. I learned she has sweet nature and is very gentle. She made for good company.

Eventually a friend here in California said they could take her. We were all relived. By then, I had found a place to move mom (ALF), as she could no longer be on her own. Daisy could go with her but a small room, in that setting would be ideal for her. So at the end of April, I returned again to Florida, got mom moved into her new home, purchased a cat carrier, got a prescription for trazodone from the vet and off Daisy Girl went on her first plane ride to her new home. We would not be going to our home but a home she would do well in and where I could visit her.

Well....when we arrived at SFO, I learned that Daisy was not going to that other home. "Oh!" I thought, I guess she will come to our house until I figure out what to do.

Well, that was almost a a year ago. Daisy came home and within a couple of weeks I knew I could not part with her. She was scared and skittish and having bonded with me over the past several years, helped her adjust and feel safe. Most of the cats got used to her, with the exception of Kai, who with his little self felt like he had to act like the alpha male. He still harasses her but we have all grown to love Ms. Daisy Girl and protect her from his aggressiveness.

Other than Kai, Daisy seems happy in her new California home. She likes to go out on the balcony and sleep in the sun or watch the birds. She sleeps in the bed with us and when you pet her, she purrs loudly. We facetime mom so she can see Daisy. I think that kind of confuses her but she recognizes her voice and it makes mom happy to know her girl is content. 

Now we are family of 5 cats. It's a bit much at times but hey, what else could we have done. And Daisy has good company in the 3 out of the 4 others. Rio and Daisy play chase. She seems to have a crush on Samson and Simba, well he barely notices her but at least he is neutral! She is the only girl in a house of 4 male cats and even though this was not how we envisioned things turning out, Ms. Daisy Girl is here to stay.

At Nana's place, slowly warming up!

Living the good life in California!

Scenes from Seattle

 

 

Havana and I spent the last days of 2023 and the first day of 2024 in the Pacific Northwest city of Seattle. Havana, who marches to her own drum and is more of an introvert, approached me and asked if the two of us could make a trip to Seattle. I was all in. I thought that time away from the routines of home, in a new location (for her), would give us much needed 1:1 time. Life is very busy these days. Havana is very much a teenager. She started high school, is making new friends. I have new business responsibilities, on-going care taking responsibilities and work both at Kaiser and in private practice. We needed time away from all our daily activities, away from the distractions and full days where we did not have much time to check in with each other.

Havana and I spent 5 nights/6 days, walking around and exploring Seattle. We stayed near the downtown area, which was a bit rough. We did have a nice room, with a great view but the homeless population, which was all around the neighborhood was a hard to witness. I have worked with the homeless/mentally ill/chemically dependent and had to take off the hat of wanting to fix or help. But we did have many meaningful discussions about what we saw. 

During our time in Seattle, each day and each evening, we'd set out and explore the sites. We hit up the tourist spots, which were more fun than I anticipated. The Ferris wheel, Space Needle and the Pier provided entertainment and some adventure. I played Pac-Man on a giant screen, while Havana looked on embarrassed and I made cheering sounds while I scored high!

We saw the gum wall (I put gum on, she was like, 'heck no') We eat yummy food at Pikes Market and had tasty treats from a bakery. We visited a cat cafe and had NYE dinner at a higher end Thai restaurants. We got along with the exception of one or two bumpy moments. Those moments tested me and as travel always does, give me some eye opening insights of things I can do better as a parent.

Perhaps the best part of our time was when our cousins Bobby and her son Robert came and picked us up for dinner outside the city. We were so thankful they made the effort (and it was an effort). We talked and shared stories and had a wonderful dinner together. All the site seeing was great but being with family and sharing stories, that was the icing on the cake.

I surprised Havana with first class on Alaska on the way home (Southwest on the way up; great flight but no frills!) She loved sitting in the first row. We went over the highlights of our trip. For me, spending time with Havana, seeing her strengths, how she is growing into an adult, taking in her humor and just being together; that was priceless.

We are very fortunate to have luxuries like travel. I remind both girls of this often. Seattle was a trip I will cherish; the city is lovely but the company even lovelier.