However, we have a number of issues that you have to take into account:
Highest gas prices in the nation, cockroaches, high real estate prices, last one to do everything (ie. voting, celebrating New Years, etc.), tsunamis, hurricanes, super high shipping prices to Hawaii, photos fading and deteriorating from the sun, vog, plastic crumbling too quickly, Dengue fever from mosquitoes, top five highest state taxes after New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Maryland and then there's.... ta dah... RUST!!! Arrrghhhh!
Remember me posting about our rusting screen door and mailbox? I recommended Loctite after being told it was the answer to all my problems. Well... not so quick! The screen door is showing some rust again and here's my mailbox! Arrrrghhhh!
And if that wasn't bad enough, look at the sprayer!
I didn't know what Art was talking about when he said the sprayer was leaking and that it had cracked. We hardly use it. My mother likes to water her plants the hard way with a cup and bucket. She uses the rinse water from the washing machine.How can the sprayer crack this way?
It was rather fun to see how it sprayed now. This did necessitate another trip to Home Depot.
Now we've got another sprayer, but I've noticed that it's got plastic or vinyl on it. That's going to crack too, someday soon. Maybe they should have made it out of wood.Wait! I forgot to mention.... TERMITES!
Arrrghhhh!
You just repainted the mailbox!!!! What was it Christmas time? So who got soaked when they used the hose? lol
ReplyDeleteEvery place has its challenges, Kay. We have moss growing on everything, and mold needs to be constantly watched for in corners and windows. Your rust and our moss are remind us to pay attention to our surroundings, don't you think? :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry to be laughing at your problems but it really reminds me of the many reasons why I left Florida. Don't think they have Dengue fever yet though.
ReplyDeletethanks for bringing us the reality of paradise! Then I'm not so envious! lol. I'd like to get to Home Depot today too.
ReplyDeleteLike DJan said, every place has its challenges. Today is May Day and here in Puget Sound Country we will be worshiping the sun, which will favor us with some long awaited warmth!
ReplyDeleteWe have earthquakes and volcanos, but their action is rare. I'd say I live in a place with a minimum of pestulance, but many folks couldn't stand it here.
At least you don't have to wait for a mild day to get out and re-spray that mail box!
may I remind you that blogging is either ranting or raving. You can't be raving about something every post, there has to be an occasional rant. This blogger that I use to follow was always super happy about this or that. Then one day she announced to her readers that she was returning to the asylum and of course wouldn't be posting for a while.
ReplyDeleteThis is a timely post for the envious among your followers . . .
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad about the rust. David painted our patio chairs with black ENAMEL and so far, we have not seen anymore rust. He will paint the patio table next.
ReplyDeleteI'll try and remember you're post from today,when It's 0 degrees with 3 feet here in Illinois.
ReplyDeleteI had bad cabin fever this year.
Have a nice week Kay and Art!
I guess we just can't find paradise. Of all the things that you listed as problems, I think it would be Dengue fever that would bother me the most. But then, we have West Nile fever from the mosquitos here in Southern Colorado. Mosquitos are a problem wherever you find them.
ReplyDeleteI remember when you painted that mailbox! And I remember you extolling the virtues of Loctite!
ReplyDeleteOkay, Hawaii isn't completely paradisical, but it is a long way ahead of whatever's in second place!
Canada has high real estate prices, too, for no apparent reason. Who would rather live in Calgary than in Honolulu? Raise your hands! Skiers? But skiers could water-ski, so there goes that argument!
I love the picture of your spraying gone bad.
And you've just reminded me, I've got to check out our hoses and sprinklers soon, to make sure they work. I love the idea of your mother watering her plants with a cup, a bucket, and the rinse water from the washing machine. I've been talking for years about re-using "gray water" (sinks, tubs, washers) for watering plants, and the technology does exist, but no one wants to retrofit.
Sigh. The world is not a perfect place. Not even Hawaii, although you, Art, and your mom do your very best!
— K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Humidity is an issue here in the south, too. But, I think you've got it worse. Right now, my biggest yard trouble is flooding. The rain won't stay away long enough for my yard to dry out. Lots of mold and moss (and high grass because I can't mow). Oh well...there are problems everywhere.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay! You've almost the same disadvantages in Hawaii as they have in Australia: cockroaches, mozzies, tornadoes, droughts, termites...Do you also have snakes and crocs?
ReplyDeletewell there are always the negatives anywhere and the important thing is to focus on the positives...
ReplyDeleteReader Wil: No snakes or crocs... so far. Thank goodness! But then, what are mozzies? I wonder.
ReplyDeleteKay, I only lived in Hawaii a little over 3 years, but I experienced everything you've written here. I laughed all the way through the post, even though I don't recall thinking it was funny when I was trying to keep up with the rust and the bugs and the ....!
ReplyDeleteOne sentence stood out for me in this post Kay, your mom using the rinse water out of the washing machine to water her garden. I want to applaud her for that alone. And I'm living in my little glass bubble as I still think Hawaii is Paradise. I leave you with me sticking my head in the sand :)
ReplyDeleteKay, you just have to accept it, we don't live in a perfect world. hehe
ReplyDeleteI love the photo with the nozzle shpritzing to both sides.
I think these things bother dirt and insect and creepy crawler phobes more than they do me. When I see a cockroach in the kitchen I just put a few more roach tablets around. We only get the big flying ones any more. Our cat has caught two rats in the past few days and I almost stepped on a dead one going out the door yesterday. And our neighbor has huge centipedes on his lawn that my husbands kills with his pincer tool every time he finds them.
ReplyDeleteAs to termites: Well, our house is redwood and fairly impervious to damage. It's actually kind of exciting when the termites swarm in June. We put on the mosquito zapper and the termites come in and get broiled nicely for the cane toads who eat them as they die and drop off the lamp. We may have to tent anyway, because they are eating non-redwood wood in the house.
Photos we put away or give to the kids to look after. Most of them are in digital form anyway now. And our plastic rust-proof screens are great. And we have a plastic mailbox, too. We've learned just not to have things that are damaged by salt spray.
And the vog! Well,it's not that bad in Hilo as long as the trades are blowing. We have reached a truce with the coquis. There are a few, but they don't bother us. If it gets bad, my husband goes out and kills the ones close in with his pellet gun.
Well, it's all a matter of taste, I guess. I'll take these minor nuisances in my life any day over living on the Mainland!
And these are signs of life. Most places on the Mainland are so sterile!
After all, we don't need heat or air conditioning, and those are big expenses. Nor do we need seasonal wardrobes. And recreation can be cheap in our all year round outdoor climate. And Aloha is priceless!
Not just cockroaches, but big roaches. When I visited my daughter at Pearl, she had geckos on her walls too. LOL But there's no snow.
ReplyDeleteHusbands. Wow. I should proofread better. I only have one, honest!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting that when one thinks of paradise, one so easily forgets the insects!
ReplyDeleteAt least you don't have stink bugs, yet!!!
You might want to buy sprayer from Sears, most of their Craftsman line of items (except electric tools )come with a "Warranted Forever" warranty. That way you only need to buy it once! When my hoses or sprayers start leaking I just take it to Sears and get a brand new one.
ReplyDeletebtw- I noticed from reading your past blogs that your nephew Barry works with my daughter at Ichiriki.
Hello Kawika. I'm wondering if you're my cousin. I'm sorry I didn't check my Moderation box. For some reason, your comment did not show up in my e-mail box and went to the Comment Moderation section of this blog. Really peculiar. I'll check Sears next time. Thank you for the tip. As for Ichiriki, Barry works at the Honolulu Ichiriki. We're going to go and see him there tonight. What fun if your daughter does work there. Tell her to tell him Auntie Kay says hello. :-)
ReplyDelete