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I'd
like to start by thanking Blue
Moon Enchantments,
a metaphysical boutique in Patchogue, New York for sending
Hans the Gnome & Freddy over from Long Island to
visit me, Tony aka Bud's Travel Agent and That Gnome
Guy.
Hans is 237 years young and an international traveler.
Well, almost. He aspires to travel the world.
Prior to his visit to Hawaii he had been as far as Pennsylvania
where he spent most of his vacation hiding from intoxicated
men with swords, but that's a different tale.
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Plainly
visible on the box ..."Please Don't Hurt Me Nice
USPS Workers...Roaming Gnome Aboard". It would
appear that our visiting gnome friend Hans got in to
a little tussle with a postal worker on his way to Hawaii.
Upon removing him from his traveling case I noticed
his foot had been broken.
In a fit of panic, I called his friend Jennifer who
informed me that, though Hans appears to be mild mannered
he does have an ornery streak and is a wee bit messy.
I was told not to worry about it and that he would receive
a cast upon his return home to Blue Moon enchantments
in Patchogue, New York.
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Freddy,
Hans traveling companion, is a Crocogator (an elusive
cross between a crocodile and an alligator, much like
a liger but cooler), took to the Puna rainforest real
fast. It took us the better part of an hour to actually
locate him sitting on a mossy log napping. We startled
him and he let us know he wasn't happy.
Hans explained to me that though a crocogator seems
like an unlikely travel companion he is very friendly
once you get to know him and a great body guard.
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Hans
was quite amazed by our rustic lifestyle here in Puna
living off the grid. I gave him a quick tour of our
living arrangement.
First I showed him a solar panel. This single panel
is used to help charge 4-6V golf cart batteries that
are used to basically run our little LCD TV, dvd player
and small light.
We also use 3 small solar panels to charge a 12V battery
which runs our water pump. (Actually I now use the generator
to run the water pump.) The water pump then pumps water
to our propane water heater for showers. Propane is
also used for the oven and to operate our small refrigerator.
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This
small generator runs our washing machine and is used
to charge the 4 golf cart batteries when we have rainy
spells...which can last for weeks.
It's not an easy life but we are adapting and enjoy
not paying for electricity and rent. Of course, gas
and propane do cost money.
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Hans
loves to stop and smell the "roses". Many of
the plants and trees found in Hawaii are not native species.
This red lehua blossom is a native flower that grows on
the Ohia trees found everywhere in Puna and Volcano.
(Photos:
Tony V./ Dialogue: Jennifer & Tony V.) |
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