It is crazy how the whole world is changed because of Covid-19.
We have stepped back and slowed down, and maybe that is a good thing.
I started making masks and in the process, began selling yards of elastic at Ben Franklin in a locker at the Kaimuki store. The sales people there all know Aunty by name and it feels like a warm and fuzzy family of friends there.
I go to the Hawaii Potters Guild with Esther Nowell, who just turned 100 years old this year. I call myself her apprentice, for she is like a wizard with her knowledge and skill in ceramics, drawing, painting, and life. She loves to go swimming at the beach – and so we have been going – and she gets into the water and swims down and back with me on the shore baking in the sun.
But, Covid is a b—–, and the newest rules say that I can’t sit while Esther swims. So now, I have become a fisherwoman with a fishing pole without line, hook or bait, standing in the water next to more serious fisher people.
And you know what? It is fun.
If anything, Covid has become a forced vacation from the normal, and it is actually rather nice.
Here are a few pictures during the Covid shutdown:
empty Kalakaua sidewalk!
Clean clear beaches!
Zoo tree, magnificent!
Kaimana Beach – uncrowded
Fishing, no more sitting!
By the way, I thought it was dumb to say you could only have people alone walking or sitting on the beach. That’s dangerous.
Hi Kay,
The rules keep changing. We will look back at this time and wonder how we got through it.
So amazing to see your photos. Since we don’t go into town, that’s really amazing to see. My daughter sent me a video of empty Chicago streets with Rainbow Connection playing the background. It was eerie.
Wow, 100 years old and still swimming. I am impressed.
Hi Aunty! What a good idea. My doctor recommends that i get the “high” (her word) of exercise. I like the beach, so maybe. I fall down some times so the fishing pool could be my cane!
Have enjoyed Esther’s work; admired her Academy of Art pieces. Is she still doing ceramics? What an inspiration!
Yep, she is still doing ceramics and is a constant inspiration. She also remembers everything.
Oo, I was just thinking about that, my soon to be 97 year old mother would go to Palolo pool 3 times a week and now that they’ve closed down again, I was thinking about her going to Ala Moana but was wondering how we could take her when we couldn’t wait on the beach for her.
She also loves oama fishing but hasn’t gone for several years because she’s afraid if she falls in the water, she would have a hard time getting up. I should ask my cousins to take her. She used to go to Lanikai and surrounding and there are waves, not like Ala Moana!
BTW, still loving your masks!
V
Wow to your Mom! Maybe Kaimana Beach would be better because they also close down the beach parking lots. At Kaimana we can park on the street where the meters are. The waves were a little rough on Thursday but I stood knee high in the water and didn’t fall.
Glad you like the masks! I was on a break because I was doing gang busters selling the elastic but now that I have found the good sources for elastic, I can settle in and make masks. Will let you know when they are ready!
Looks like the fishermen are going for oama . . . sooo hard to catch. You should try. Shrimp for bait, tiny hook. You cannot feel the bite, so Wendell’s secret is when he sees the fish go near his bait he counts to three and then jerks the line up. He said it only works if they’re hungry. If not ,fogit it. BTW, I love that covid has not squashed your spirit. I aspire to be more like you.
Hi Jalna,
Yup, they were going for oama, and some halalu. But it was such a small school of fish. The water was so clear I could see them move around. Maybe next time I will bring shrimp bait and hook and count to three. If I catch I will let you know.
The secret to squishing Covid is to have a strong immune system. You can do it!
Dear Aunty, our lives are certainly different because of Covid. Your centenarian friend is an inspiration, swimming every day like she does. And those pictures sure don’t look like Hawaii as most of us know it, crowded with people everywhere! Sending you much love from the Pacific Northwest. 🙂
Aloha DJan! Esther is a true inspiration. She delights in everything she sees and touches. And I love it when she tells her stories about the old days. However, we don’t go to the beach every day. I only take her on Thursdays – and even at that, I am getting so brown and shriveled up like a raisin from being in the sun. Hawaii’s beaches are wonderful – and without the normal crowds, we can take our time and enjoy them. It is rather sad how Covid has devastated so many of our stores and businesses that depend on tourism but perhaps that is a lesson our leaders can learn from to diversify our economy and become more self sustaining. Perhaps, but unfortunately, we don’t have those kind of leaders at this time.