Hawaiian Haiku #AtoZChallenge2021

Twin hibiscus smile
Queen Kapiolani Park
Sunshine lights their face

The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters: a,e,h,i,k,l,m,n,o,p,u, and w; so lots of words in the Hawaiian language begin with the letter "h". Because this is Friday, and automatically #AlohaFriday, I wanted to choose a Hawaiian word but the sheer volume made this difficult. 

My understanding is that when Bill Gates needs a difficult task completed quickly, he hires a lazy person because a lazy person will figure out how to do the task quickly. (That kind of thinking is why he has the big bucks!)

Being a lazy person myself at times, I decided the quick way to complete my post for "H" day was to write a haiku, 17 words total.

Although I took the photograph many years ago, these twin hibiscus blossoms make me smile every time. #AlohaFriday everyone!

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L is for LOCO MOCO AT LILIHA BAKERY for #AtoZChallenge

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

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Let’s take a look at a meal that many have never experienced before. Loco Moco is a starchy carb-filled breakfast food popular in Hawaii. It's certainly not for everyone - but the visual is awesome. The basic Loco Moco consists of a solid clump of white rice covered with a hamburger patty along with a fried egg and topped with a puddle of brown gravy.

 

 

 

The Loco Moco is a culinary example of writing visually to give the reader a vivid image of the setting in your story. First, lay your foundation, a solid clump of white rice. Then spice it up with flavorful details like juicy hamburger and glistening egg yolks. Finally, bring out the wide angle lens - "topped with a puddle of brown gravy" -  so anyone reading the description immediately visualizes that oozing river of tangy flavor!

Simple contrasts are always best.

 

Next time you're in Hawaii, if you're feeling courageous, or just a little bit crazy, plan to order the Loco Moco at Liliha Bakery. 

#AlohaFriday!

 

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My protagonist, Pepper Bibeau is not much of a meat eater . . . so,
while Rick might join you in ordering the Loco Moco during their stay in Hawaii,

she would probably order a slice of pie!

 

 

Mystery and Murder in Paradise

The islands aren't all mai tais and rainbows!

WITH FIERY VENGENCE in trade and ebook at Amazon.com

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F is for FOLEY FOOD MILL: Making Apple Sauce #AtoZ

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

My daily #AtoZ posts combine two concepts in under-300-words per day:

an appealing food choice along with thoughts that spring to mind.

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Do you remember that handy little, non-electric food grinder that worked by turning the handle around and around to mash up food? Believe it or not, this was a pleasant task for me as a child.

My mom would cook unpeeled apples until they were soft. After they cooled a bit, I would place the halved apples in the container and rotate the handle until all the flesh was ground into apple sauce. Mom would add sugar and cinnamon to the sauce, then let me finish stirring it around.

Spending time in the kitchen with my mom holds special memories for me. There was no loud buzzing of electrical appliances to shatter the peaceful atmosphere. Even the Mixmaster purred as it stirred batter for pancakes or devils food cakes. We didn't own a blender for making smoothies or chopping up vegetables. A fork or knife did the trick just fine. And the food was mouth-watering flavorful. Especially the home-made apple sauce.

It was a simpler life back then.

Maybe not always better, but quieter and more relaxed.

At least, that's how I remember it. 

Mason jars of homemade apple sauce

 

 

 

UPDATE: March 31 Cover Reveal on Facebook for DARK PARADISE: An Anthology

A long time coming, our anthology of 17 Hawaiian mystery short stories has been in the planning stages for two years. On Monday, April 3, Friday, March 31 we will hold a "Cover Reveal" on our Facebook page for DARK PARADISE Mysteries in the Land of Aloha.
(The Facebook page DARK PARADISE goes live on March 31, 2017)

Plan to visit with us on Facebook, Friday, March 31. Along with the cover reveal, we will share some of the short story plotlines, details about the authors, and tidbits of writing information we've picked up along the way. We'll even hold a book giveaway.

The anthology, with a Foreword by author Toby Neal, will be released in trade book and ebook formats at Amazon. Each of the 17 mystery short stories is set in Hawai'i and all offer unique perspectives about living in Paradise (spoiler: it's not all rainbows and Mai Tais.)

 

 

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Each participant blogging  for the cover reveal will reveal a tidbit about their short story . . . without giving away the plot. You can visit each site listed below to get a sneak peek at what is lurking behind the fabulous DARK PARADISE cover!

 

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Gail's tidbit of information about Controlling Destiny, a mystery short story set in Hawai'i:

Freelance Reporter Cacao Janus knows few people choose to be homeless.

After the tragic death of a middle-aged woman living on the street,

Cacao decides to dig into the victim's background for answers.

The truth, as it unfolds, isn't pretty.

This is the third Cacao Janus mystery short story I've written for anthologies:

MYSTERY IN PARADISE 13 Tales of Suspense: Chinatown Conundrum

PARADISE PASSION MURDER: Crime of Dispassion

DARK PARADISE Mysteries in the Land of Aloha: Controlling Destiny

With this trilogy of short stories published, I will begin editing the first draft of the Cacao Janus novel, which I wrote during National Novel Writing Month in November 2013. The setting of the novel, as in the short stories, is Hawai'i.

 

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List of participants' websites:

 

Gail M Baugniet http://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com

Laurie Hanan http://www.lauriehanan.space/blog/

David W. Jones http://dancingtreefrog.com/

D.V. Whytes http://www.whyteontherock.info/

Toby Neal https://www.facebook.com/LeiCrimeSeries/

Lizbeth Hartz https://www.authorlizbethhartz.com/blog/

D.S. Scott https://www.facebook.com/Sulfur-Silk-D-S-Scott-Writer-616324408427998/

A.J. Llewellyn http://www.ajllewellyn.com/site/blog/

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#AlohaFriday - Hot Hawaiian History

My #AlohaFriday search actually began in 1992, when I first moved to Hawai'i. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island drew me like a magnet. Active since 1986, Kilauea caldera is known as the walk-in volcano, friendly from afar and not-so-far away. Any trip to that island included a visit to Volcano House and Halema'uma'u Crater.

Once I learned the legend of the fire goddess Pele, walked on still-warm lava flow and through a lava tube, and watched glowing lava flow from the Pu'u O'o vent, I was hooked.

The photographs included in James Cave's article are jaw-dropping!

James Cave, a Lifestyle writer for The Huffington Post has a bubbling hot story to tell.
Beautiful Time-Lapse Of Kilauea Volcano Dives Into The ‘Fiery Blood Of Earth’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/20/kilauea-time-lapse-fire-within-video_n_6914270.html

Some of Gail's Personal "Aloha Volcano Views"

 

Walking to the Lava Tube

Desolate lava field

Entering Lava Tube on Big Island

 

Halemaumau Crater in
Hawai'i Volcano National Park

Middle of Lava Tube VERY DARK



#AlohaFriday - Aiming for a Wacky Waterworld Week-end

World news, while necessary, can become addictive and even depressing. My desire to remain optimistic without becoming 'Pollyanna' in nature has led me to this: #AlohaFriday news that uplifts the spirit.

Today's news comes from Drew Schneier with a whale of a story that includes fantastic photographs, titillating news of the underwater world, and a fascinating audio.

The Mystery and Magic of Whale Songs

Posted by Drew Schneier

http://www2.padi.com/blog/2016/02/15/the-mystery-and-magic-of-whale-songs/

 

Snorkling, and enjoying the ocean from the shore, are more my speed. That makes Drew Schneier's article even more enjoyable reading for me.

 

Hope you have a wacky week-end, in or out of the water.

 

 

Some of Gail's Personal "Aloha Shore Views"

 

Kaka'ako Fishing Spot

 

Waikiki at Sunset



 

 

 

 

Ala Wai Boat Harbor with Diamond Head backdrop