Cross Country, last race

Today was the last race of the Cross Country season for Molly.
Last Saturday getting up at 6:30am to get ready to run a mile.
For the last run we had some rain. The girls were happy after running last week under the heat (92 deg Fahrenheit)!

Giggle Hill under the rain

The last race took place at Giggle Hill in Haiku.

Molly at the finishing line

Molly did really good with a time around 7min55.

Proud dad!

It was a great season and she is keeping getting better. I am going to have a hard time to keep up with her now!
More photos of the season will come soon. Check this post again in a few days for a link!

Our goal is to run together (Molly, Olivier and I) for the 5K to come.

Back on writing

It's been too long since I didn't do something I love: blogging!
I've decided to write again, share photos and thoughts, being a little creative, giving some life to a part of me that has been sleeping for too long.

This is tonight's sunset from the lanai. I often come back home late (too late) to be able to enjoy it from home. But I love to be able to sit on my terrace with a tea and enjoy this peaceful moment.

Kai the horse

Since the beginning of May we are leasing this beautiful 25 years old boy.

His name his Kai (it means Ocean in Hawaiian) and he is part Quarter Horse and part Arabian. He is a sweet guy with a lot of personality!!! A lot!!
He did some dressage when he was young and won ribbons. Later he also played polo. Kai loves parade too.
His owner is working a lot and doesn't have much time to see him. So at the end I am going almost everyday and take care of him; grooming, feeding, riding, working, massaging. He is part of the family now:)

Kai is staying at No Ka'Oi with other horses. He is part of a little herd:)

But he also likes his lonely time, grazing in beautiful Kula...

One of Kai's characteristic is that he's got a blue eye. Very pretty.

One of his favorite thing is having his alfalfa soup ;) hmmm yummy...

Sometimes we just go for a walk and I let him graze some more .

He is friend with the chicken too:)

Sweet Kai

Little trip to Lahaina

When you live upcountry you usually don't go very often to the west side of the island, at least we don't.
But sometimes ... like when we need to meet a guy with the same boat as ours ... we go the the west side and enjoy being a tourist for a couple of hours:)

On the way to Lahaina, the beautiful West Maui Mountain.

 I love this cute little church on Front street.

Kamehameha Iki Park.

Ocean front.

Relaxing at the beach...

One month

Let me introduce you Barnaby the dog, Barny for close friend:)

Barnaby is a little bite more than a year and as you already know he is a rescue dog. We don't know much about his past but what we can see is that he is very shy, sensitive, didn't have a proper socialization but he is eager to learn and please his new mum:)

After a week he started to feel more comfortable and was able to sleep in a way more relaxed way.

He came with us at the beach when Olivier was kiting so we can have a big walk. He enjoys it but sweet Barnaby is car sick because he so so scared:( So I try now not to take him for long trip and do a car training with 2min drive at a time.

Let's see what Ayurveda has for him :)

Two-three weeks and he is getting used to our little routine like brushing the teeth:)

And finally he picked up his toy to play. He was so happy to run for it and play little tug of war, always with lots of gentleness of course.

Proud and happy Barnaby!

He even started Yoga! But not very sure about what to do on the mat;)

We now go for a long walks near our house (Makawao Recreation Park) and last weekend he even walked unleashed for a part of the walk. He stayed close to us and respond to commands. Amazing Barnaby!
Three weeks and he walks with a wagging tail up:)

Best buddies:)

So much love for each other...

After trying different toys he has his favorite one: a fluffy toy. He is crazy about it and takes it everywhere. He goes to bed with it and sleep with it. So sweet.

One month with us already and everyday is a blessing.

The dog that made me write

Long time no post but my new dog made me want to write again. I wanted to share our story...

Barnaby is a rescue dog, first at the Maui Human Society and then at the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation (HARF).
HARF goes every Saturday morning at 2 different locations on Maui to show the dogs. I always have a look as I love them and one day my eye got caught by the little shy guy who was waiting patiently. Love at first sight?  but it was clear we couldn't have any dog right now as we were in a "No Pet" house and it wasn't the right time, etc...

Two weeks later as we go shopping again for our weekly picnic, as soon as I went out of the car I see a dog being walked near the trees. I know it's him. The connection is so strong. I feel like being pulled towards him even if I know nothing about him except his name: Barnaby. I checked at the adoption point and his cage was empty, he was out for a walk. So yes, it was him.

For the next days I will keep thinking about this dog. It was like a call. So I decided to write to the director of HARF to at least learn a little bite more about this guy and here is his portrait:
" Barnaby is a WONDERFUL dog and has a special place in our hearts.  His is a hound/sharpie mix and is approximately 2 years old.  We rescued him from the Humane Society, so we don't know his background.  From spending time with him we do know that he is very lovable - adults and children alike and he really loves other dogs.  He is a little shy and not real socialized, gets a little nervous around people he doesn't know - places he is unfamiliar with. "
This is it. I want to see him again and meet him appropriately. The appointment is taken. I will see him the following Saturday.

In the meanwhile I write to the owners of the house we are renting to know if they would be open to change the pet policy and allow a dog in the house. I am very hopeful. And in a way I know it will be hard to stop me...
Saturday comes and we all go to meet Barnaby. The three of us agree that HE is the One:) but I know it's more than that. I just have too. It's not about having a dog, this is about Barnaby and I am supposed to do something.
I fill the adoption form even without knowing the answer from our landlord. But unfortunately the next day they told me that it wasn't possible, they would never allow a dog in their house. Ok so it's not gonna be easy but I don't easily give up if ever. Even if I felt disappointed and little angry I admit, I know it's not done yet!

Lots of thinking will follow, talking with my husband. My daughter thinks I am crazy. That's it, if we cannot have him in this house I just cannot live here. In about 2 months our lease will be over so we will be able to move, so be it. We will move if we have to. Mid week I call HARF to see if we can arrange something until I find a home for our extended family. Dawn is adorable and willing to help. They will keep Barnaby until we can take him home and in the meanwhile we will schedule some visit time where I will pick him up in the morning and bring him back in the evening so we can spend some family time outside. Barnaby has a family!
First visit of Barnany:) Poor darling he is car sick:( and so scared :(

 But I will give him all the love he needs and deserves.

My husband who is very pragmatic write another time to the owner to talk money this time. Unlike me he is more direct without all the little nice words and kindness. And I confess that sometimes this is what it takes!
Suddenly they are open to think ... (Oh really!) ... it will go for a week of exchange on the hows and some more thinking.
Next visit of Barnaby, we go to the beach, have a long walk.

I love him so much.

Come back home to read this great news from the landlords: YES WE CAN HAVE A DOG! No need to move. That's a relief as we just moved in this house!
The deal? extra deposit for the dog, raise of the rent, extension of the lease, raise of the insurance coverage and rugs. At the end, even if it cost money it is still less than a move and most of all it's worth it.
A money solution, fine by me, my conscious is clean. I adopted a dog who really needs a nice family.

So we won't bring Barnaby to the boarding:) It tooks 3 weeks but tonight Barnaby sleeps home:) Hooray!

1st night at home:) "I am so scared... " Barnaby won't eat that night, won't drink, won't go potty.

Now we can start to talk about Barnaby the dog with a family ... next time...

Makawao countryside

Here I am living in Makawao. Little town upcountry Maui.
And here is a glimps of the countryside.
View from up there.

Hawaiian vegetation.

Makawao's cows.

Love it there!!!

Picture from Makawao, 08/10/2012