Yesterday we went about 12 miles down the Road to Hanna and took a short walk up a hiking trail that covered some very interesting terrain. The beauty of Maui is the diversity of the landscape and all the experiences one can have within a short drive. The hike took us through a rich green canopy with lots of tree roots and mud covering the trail. While we hiked the rain started falling but we were protected by all the lushness. We stopped for lunch at a clearing that had a small cook shelter, enjoyed our delicious homemade  sandwiches and marvelled at the contrasts the island provides.

On the way back we stopped at a popular surfing spot and watched the action. Standing on the beach feeling the sea breezes (the wind was blowing fairly strongly) and vicariously surfing was a wonderful experience. We talked about the surfing community and what it would be like to be part of the scene-it looks like some people spend alot of time on the water.

The morning started out early with some body surfing/swimming at Little Makena beach. The waves were very accomodating and I had about 4 good rides in. On one occassion the wave was so large that it completely submerged me pushing me into the sand below. The force of the ocean was very apparent at that moment. I spent a very happy time in the water watching the waves form and trying to "read" where I should enter for my rides. More times than not I miscalculated but it was still great to be out there. I tried to be one with the waves.

On the way to Little Beach the stroll down Big Makena provided me with a fantastic early morning vista of light and breakers hitting the beach. I felt truly blessed as the surf hit my bare feet.

The evening provided a fantastic sunset as we sat on the beach eating some homemade icecream and watching all the people out and about. The time out to watch the sky is very rewarding and an excellent early evening thing to do.

Today I snorkelled for the first time in a number of years. It was overall a good experience although I will admit it is not a top tier activity for me. I sport some facial hair and mask seal is always an issue. My son rented a good mask and it seems to work well for me....

Of course being submerged and breathing through a snorkel makes one aware of breaths being taken. Very much translates into a "mini" meditative practice for me as it magnifies my breathing patterns.

Today I am sitting in the condo in Maui by myself enjoying a re-heated bowl of homemade Thai tufu soup incorporating a wonderful sharp spice tang-ness that just feels good to ingest. My family has gone surfing (son the surfer-mother along for support and recording the action) and offered me a "time out" to clean up the condo a bit (already done) and just relax for a while.

My sinuses are none too happy today-I think it is a carryover from the snorkelling trip yesterday-sea water up the nostrals-not sure if it is a real cold but I will need to watch what is happening and drink lots of liguids -hence the soup!!!!

I am a huge fan of soups and stews so I am in my happy place right now eventhough I am not on the beach??

Many times when I travel I use my imagination to ponder what it would be like to live in a place for an extended period of time especially if I am drawn to a local like Maui? My imagination was running wild this morning as I took it all in-people, natural environment, weather and all the sensory stimulation a solo walk on the beach can provide!!!!

The tourist (and resident) demographic is an interesting study to me. Lots of people here to enjoy a vacation and get away from the day to day? There seems to be a good cross section of people here from all walks of life and all age groups in varying (at least it appears so to me) degrees of contenment with their situation-or at least my glimpse into it??

I have been trying an experiment on vacation to see what my solar plexes "thinks" about the people I come in contact with. I am focusing on my physical response to their presence? It gets a bit tricky at times to gauge what is going on internally but sometimes there is a positive pull and sometimes a negative push away but very often I am very neutral? No noticable response registering!!

I have been pondering the "neutral" readings. These people are like trees in a beautiful forest-I appreciate them all and understand on many levels the interconnectedness but not in a way that I want to explore further....

The issue of attractiveness and judgement come into the mix big time. Interesting spiritual lessons playing out in real time......

The experiment goes on.....

Today was a great day on the beach. Lots of wave play and just hanging out. A top tier day for sure...right now I am trying to stay awake past 9:00 p.m. so I don't hit the bed too soon. We have been so active and with the 4 hour time change I have been going to bed between 7 and 8 pm. every night and then waking up at 5:00 a.m. ready to face the day...

A stranger walking near me on the path back from our day on Red Sand beach "out of the blue" asked me if I was feeling OK? This question came as a complete surprise to me as this person did not know me or had even spent time with me on the beach. I muttered something feeling great and that is is always a good day spent at Red Sand. I shared this women's observation with my family when we got back to our vehicle and they agreed with her observation that I was not myself. That I looked withdrawn and distant for most of the afternoon. This confirmation came as a surprise to me as I had not consciously felt this way?

I will admit the beach has a strange vibe going on that I was trying to ignore but having trouble doing so. The experience was totally different to our previous visit a few years ago. I think it was a combination of individual energies that was not combining well? I spent a fair amount of time in the water , facing out to the ocean sheltered by a large rock outcroping that keeps the large waves at bay. I stood in the sheltered cove and soaked in the ocean vibe. Every so often a wave would crash over the outcroping and cover me with spray and foam-a wonderful experience...My son said I did this for nearly a half an hour which also surprised me as I did not feel I had spent that much time doing so? Perhaps the stranger had seen this as a sign of me being "out of sorts"-not sure?

It interested me that the stranger would take the time to make the comment and that it was important for her to do so? She seemed genuinely concerned and her comment got me thinking about what I was projecting "out there"?

Yesterday I meditated on the beach. It was early morning and I found an excellent sitting place where I was comfortable. It was wonderful sitting still with the sound of the waves gently lapping on to the shore. I focused on my breathing. My thoughts came and went.

My Maui attire consists of T-Shirts, bathing suits and sandals. I spend as much time as possible outside and barefoot. The sun has touched me over a good percentage of my body and I have enjoyed all kinds of sensory stimulation that just feels good. Maui is a garden of earthy delights for sure....

Sun management is a major challenge for me due to the intensity of the rays here and the fact I am a northern dweller without much of a base tan. I have had to wear a t-shirt into the water on occassion to keep the rays off my back. Slowly my tan is returning and sun screen is still being applied on a regular basis...I am sure my vitamin D % is on the rise!!!

This morning I went for an early morning swim. The waves were great and I really enjoyed just floating in the water. The warm ocean is very enticing....

I feel very fortunate to be able to experience all this....my inner hedonist is coming alive...

Apparently dogs display bad behaviours if they can't exercise their true natures. Such as a Labrador Retriever who is unable to retrieve things becomes distructive. I am becoming more aware of this trait in my own nature and the cause and effect relationship that might play out in my day to day behaviours...this train of thought goes back to some earlier explorations I have made and also emphasizes the importance of leading an "authentic life"?

In every vacation there are less than ideal moments that come and go...yesterday was a day of contrast and as my friends said this morning-the contrasts are needed to appreciate the good stuff that happens...Our group experienced some miscommunications around planned activity time tables which causes some hicups on activity exectution. I was disappointed that the activities did not "deliver" what I had anticipated-a mental trap "big time" that I needed to acknowledge and move on from! In addition some people decided to cross a busy highway in front of me in the dark wearing dark clothing...it was a close call....I went to bed pretty exhausted.

 I am by nature an optimistic person but from time to time the inner dragon awakens when I believe I have compromised (or as some might say "not got my way") which translates into me getting somewhat cranky and withdrawn-broody...the experience gives me an impression of the internal power that is waiting to be harnessed but also the necessity  to make sure I am aware of my state and let it pass without effecting others....

Today my wife and I did some body surfing and wave boarding in very large waves. The power of the ocean is very apparent as I attempted to catch the waves and ride them to the shore. Never turn your back to the water at Makena beach is a very solid practice and one I observed on a regular basis. To be hit from behind with a big wave is not a life enhancing experience for sure and today would probably result in an injury...

There were yelps of joy from people of all ages today (including me) as we frolicked in the waves....a top tier experience for sure.....

This morning we treked over to LaPerouse Bay Marine Reserve for some hiking and exploring...the early morning departure put us out on the trail at a great time of day and the walk was spectacular. The trail rims the ocean and ended for us at a primitive beach where we watched the waves crash into the shore. The lava rock trail got really warm as the day progressed and made me appreciate how anything lives in the harsh environment of a two hundred year old lava flow.

We saw wild goats feeding on the spare vegetation and drinking from a small pond and later found out the area also supports wild boars, deer and horses.

A great start to the day....

My son bought me a Maui Built "No Shame" surfer T-shirt as a gift before he left Maui. Interestingly the T-shirt garnered a lot of comments from people passing by me on the beach and especially while I was riding my rented bicycle to Makena beach. The concept of No Shame from a surfer perspective is lost on me at the moment but for some reason it gives me "cred" with the local surfers at least from a fashion perspective.

I experienced some great smiles while on vacation. Warm, engaging smiles from strangers based I guess on my smiling at them and also witnessed smiles of joy as people went about their day to day. The evoking of a smile response is a wonderful experience and I am grateful to all those who responded and all those who were just plain enjoying their moments and were smiling as a result.

My digital camera was well used on vacation. The world of digital photography allows lots of image capture with the opportunity to photoshop the results in a variety of creative ways ( I have yet to master this aspect of my art but it is on the list). Ahead of me is the requirement to sort through the pics (probably a rainy day activity) and discard the unworthy and pick my favorites. The beauty of the process is the opportunity to relive some of those golden vacation moments like the incredible Hawaiian sunsets. 

Yesterday I worked in the garden for a few hours. Relaxed physical labor. No rush. Enjoying the sun on my skin-the warmth. I turned the compost pile and added fresh dirt. Satisfying work. The rites of spring. I was grateful to be outside. Grateful I have a garden to work in. Grateful that most of the perennials made it through the winter. Grateful to see the garden goddess working the soil-the joy on her face. Grateful for the time. Perfect moments. The garden comes alive and so do I.

Today it is snowing. Not that unusual for this time of year on the prairies. The ground is fairly dry so the added moisture will probably benefit the garden in the longer run but it is discouraging to wake up to a blanket of white! 

Yesterday I logged onto the Osho site and checked out my Zen Tarot for the day. I do this from time to time and I am always surprised at what comes up on the electronic deck. Often the card reflects my pondering and sometimes gives me a gateway to change. Yesterday's message revolved around the repeating (or looping) of life lessons based on the fact that I am not really "getting it" or making the necessary changes that are required to move on from my current set of circumstances. The paying of the karmic debt so to speak.

A few years ago I had a casual conversation with a writer who was visiting the Hollyhock Retreat Center. I actually don't remember his name but he was a published author of some successful science based books. We talked about the process of writing. His advise to me was to write every day and write about whatever was on my mind because there is a need to get the words out of my head and on to paper. "Clearing the deck" so to speak.

Some friends are moving next week. Through the process of sorting through their possessions to get them ready for transportation to their new home my friend started questioning "why" they had bought some of their stuff in the first place! He is an advocate of minimalist living so to have him make the observation was very interesting? We talked for a few minutes on the subject and started debating about the life cycle of the purchase and the eventual disposal (either through sale, recycling or the landfill). We concluded very little actually gets "worn out" but certain things do fit into the category. To buy something and "use it up" probably represents a wise consumer purchase. To buy something and have it sit in your closet, on a shelf or worse yet in an off-property storage location probably does not represent an"astute" purchase. 

It is still unseasonably cold where I live but I decided yesterday to put on my woolen toque and get out into the driveway and work on my Toyota Celica GTS for a while. It was very satisfying to form some metal to make some rust repair panels and do some bodywork in preparation for a new paint job. 

Yesterday I had new tires installed on our car and while waiting for the service to be completed I headed to a nearby mall (consumer temple?) to have a coffee and wander about for an hour or so. I don't spend too much time in malls generally...... I am a typical guy in the respect if I go to the mall it is to pick up something specific-find it and get out... Mall shopping is not a recreational past time for me but I will admit when my children were young we use to hang out at the mall in the evenings in the winter. I was a good place to walk around in comfort.

Today I went for a iridology assessment to see how my "systems" are operating and whether everything is in balance for optimum health. I sensed this was not the case based on some symptoms I had been experiencing lately. The analysis showed I am not drinking enough water causing a build up of lactic acid in my system (among other things) that needs to be addressed. The lack of water is also impacting my digestive system. My naturopath spent some time explaining the importance of topping up my fluid levels and keeping them topped up on an ongoing basis. In retrospect I have realized I have not been fairly distracted with travel and outdoor garden work and not focused enough on drinking enough water and that is going to have to change...my water bottle will need to be close by...

My "plan" for May didn't work out too well re projects identified and completed. The list stands largely unchanged as the month comes to an end. Three out of seven projects completed, one started and 3 untouched. These of course will transition into June. I did the analysis of each project to determine the merit and they still pass the test as tier 1 items that must be completed. I feel a bit disappointed with the outcome as I thought I was being reasonable with the scope but I guess I miscalculated the amount of time the garden prep would take to complete. Plus there were two extra projects for friends (odd job income clusters providing some spending money for me) that got added that were not anticipated.