Takin' it Easy Down on the Ranch

I was invited to the rodeo-------the District Finals at Kawailoa. Just a hop, skip, and a gallop down from my beach. It was a warm Saturday, so I just decided to take a short siesta on this little minature horse's back. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

There Was a Young Cowgirl.......

Elizabeth and I were having a good time trotting around the ranch on her grandpa's horse. I loved her green, plaid shirt-----so stylish!

The Artist as a Cowboy

Smiling and very proud seven-year old Brock just won an art contest sponsored by MOA earlier in the day. He's a beginner cowboy and was loving being at the rodeo. Did you notice the coiled rope in his hand, it's called a lariat.

A Champion of Cowgirls

Shelby is famous. She's the Best All Around Cowgirl in Hawaii and has been for two years. A North Shore girl, like me, a North shore dog, she was raised out here at the beach. Her whole family, the Ritas, are well-known on the rodeo circuit.

A Heart as Big as Her Smile

Monica keeps me posted about rodeo happenings. The State Finals will be at Kaiwailoa on May 15, 16, and 17. Riders from all the islands will come to the North Shore to show off their skills. Everyone's invited. Check out this website for details: hawaiihighschoolrodeo.com

Get Ready for Earth Day.....Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

I paid a visit to the biggest recycling plant on Oahu. Join me and learn some facts about taking better care of our planet!

First Stop--Weigh In

I'm a lightweight! I'm only nine-tenths of a pound. This is the scale that weighs your bottles and cans so you can redeem 5 cents on each one of them. This redemption center is on Puuhale Road on Sand Island, but there are many around the island.

Taking Care of Business with a Big Smile

Louli makes sure everything is on track when trucks come in with recycleables. She makes recycling easy at Honolulu Recovery Systems.

Out in the Yard

I'm sitting on a bundle of crushed aluminum cans that have been bound by wire. These half-ton bales are being shipped off to Asia to be turned into something new. That big scooper in the background is pushing cardboard into collection bundles which will be sent to the Mainland.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

All this shredded office paper makes a great sled hill!

Looks Like A Giant Grasshopper

Guess what this machine does? Did you guess?
It's the only glass crusher on the island. The bits of glass are so small that they have lost their sharp edges. Scientists at the University of Hawaii are doing experiments to see if this glass is stronger than concrete!

King of the Glass Mountain

Yes, I'm standing in a pile of crushed glass! That's a lot of bottles. I'm glad so many people are recycling; 70% of our residents do!

Thanks for Taking Me Around

Rachel was so kind to show me this major recycling plant. She knew where she was going as she is the Sales and Marketing Representative at Honolulu Recovery Systems! I had lots of fun with her! Remember----Make Every Day Earth Day!!

Honolulu Academy of Arts Presents.......... the Garden Club Flower Show

Can you believe how big these yellow and red flowers are? They are called Heliconia. I was just entering the Flower Show at the Academy and I was "wowed" off my paws!

I Kept Looking for Koi

This is my favorite garden in the courtyard of the Academy. It's called the Oriental Garden. I did see some orange-spotted koi that were darting back and forth underneath the lily pads. If you look closly you can see the carved lion squirting water out of its mouth. It makes a very peaceful sound and a quiet place to sit and dream.

Lots and Lots of Visitors

Many residents of Honolulu came to the Garden Club of Honolulu Flower Show. Some even flew in from Outer Islands.
Terry was at the show with her husband, Ernie, who patiently waited while she had her picture taken with me.
See those square holes in the wall behind her? They let the tropical breezes blow through and are typical of many of the buildings built in Hawaii. We never need air conditioning here-----the average temperature year round is 75 degrees!

Peek a Boo, I See You!

Isamu Noguchi sculpted this piece of red Persian travertine. He's famous! Come see his piece next to the Cafe. Better yet, have lunch, the food is so yummy, and then appreciate the sculpture while you dine!

An Explosion of Color

I saw so many incredible arrangements of flowers and prizes were given for the best ones! This one really appealed to me-------doesn't it remind you of the Fourth of July?

The Best of Them All

Awarded the "Best in Show", this flower arrangement was very inventive-----the black layer that looks like volcanic rock is really leaves sprayed with charcoal paint! I sure saw lots of interesting plants and flowers at the Garden Club of Honolulu Flower Show. I'll come back for the next one in three years---April 2012. See you there, I hope.

For Big Brothers and Sisters

On the last Friday night of every month, the Academy puts on a fun and exciting fundraiser. The money collected finances the children's art programs. There is a DJ and tours and best of all----dancing. The theme this month is Indian music. For details go to: www.honoluluacademy.org