Sunday Salon --- Ready, Set, Go!

We've had a rainy spring so far but the street trees are ever faithful in their announcement of the season.

Hawaii-bound!  By the time most folks on the West Coast wake up, our whole immediate family will be aboard a Hawaiian Airlines jet winging our way toward Hawaii. It is spring break for our daughter, a middle grade teacher, and for her children so we planned this special trip around their time off. Our first stop will be the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park on the big island. There was a big volcanic eruption just a few weeks ago so we certainly hope we can see some hot lava with our own eyes. We'll explore that part of the island for two days, then head to Kona and the beach for the remainder of trip. We bought our grandsons snorkels and masks for Christmas and everyone is hoping they get a chance to use them to see fish underwater. My next post will undoubtedly be full of photos. Aloha!

Kīlauea volcano, March 10, 2026. (Photo credit: USGS)

Weather on the Volcanoes (According to the the National Park Service): 

The weather at the summit of Kīlauea volcano (~4000' elevation) varies daily and may be rainy and chilly any time of the year. Temperature varies by elevation. At the summit of the volcano, temperatures may be 12 to 15 degrees cooler than at sea level. (Monday is supposed to get to 60°F, no rain.)

The weather at the summit of Mauna Loa volcano (~13,680' elevation), winter temperatures and snow are a possibility during any season. There can be extreme hot conditions during the day, and below freezing temperatures at night. (We only plan to view this from afar!)

The "doomsday" letter: Even though we are all excited for our trip, it brought up a thought which I couldn't shake -- What if the plane goes down with all of us aboard? Who will know where to pick up the dog? Will anyone be able to figure out our accounts? With this thought I forced my husband to write a letter to send to my sister and his brother giving them a few details about where to find everything (including the dog) and where to start. It is such a gruesome thought. But now it is done and we can go on our flights knowing all will be well.

 

April is National Poetry Month. Here is what I've been reading (and plan to read while I'm in Hawai'i):

--Little Alleluias by Mary Oliver. 

     This new collection will travel with me to the 50th State. The book contains more essays than I realized so I may or may not make much progress during the trip.

--Startlement by Ada Limón. Read my review here.

--Poems and Prayers by Matthew McConaughey. 

     I'm always a little hesitant to read books by actors, thinking they are just trying to cash in on their success. Poems and Prayers by Matthew McConaughey seems to be an exception to that rule and comes from a very sincere space. McConaughey is clearly a man of faith and works on his relationship with God. His poems show an evolution in his faith walk and his prayers all seem so real -- nothing pious or stilted. Throughout the book McConaughey makes notes about what was going on in his life when he wrote the various poems or prayers. Included throughout, and most of these were delightful, he adds little aphorisms or proverbs, short little statements that contain a general truth. I just opened the book to this one: "IT'S GOOD WHEN YOUR SUCCESS GOES TO YOUR HEAD. / AS LONG AS IT GOES TO YOUR HEART AS WELL." 

     Admittedly, I am not as impressed with the actor's poems compared to his prayers. Like everything in life, sometimes things suffer by comparison. I had just finished reading poetry collections by two masters of the craft -- Ada Limón and Victoria Chang -- before I started reading this book. I'm afraid their skills showed off McConaughey's deficits. But not enough to keep me from generally enjoying the book. Also, I gained some valuable insights.

     Here is a sample portion of one of his poems which is also a prayer:

GOOD REBEL

Goodness rebels bless us to be

more than obedient to Your law.

Even when consequences have no account

give us ear to hear your call...

Amen

--The Trees Witness Everything by Victoria Chang. 

     This delightful collection is made up of poems composed in Japanese syllabic forms called wakas. Each poem is shaped by form and syllable count. The titles of the poems are repurposed from great poets, especially W.S. Merwin. These poems form the frames for the text. Chang described her process: "I selected a Merwin title as a prompt, then one syllabic form at random, and then wrote a poem. I would often read the Merwin poem first, but not always." I have to admit that this randomness made some of the poems seem like they came out of thin air, whereas others seemed to be fully planned.  

     Here are a few samples, with the form in parenthesis:  

 

THE SHIPWRECK  

I sit at my desk. 

Desire is an anchor --- 

I lift it and words come up.

(Form: Katauta, 5-7-7)

                                                                                                                                                            

THAT MUSIC

Once I fell in love

with the music, not the man.

When the music played,

my heart moved like paper boats.

When it stopped, I was eighty.

(Form: Tanka, 5-7-5-7-7)

    If you are looking for a lighter poetry collection and don't know where to start, I recommend you look for something by Victoria Chang. This oddly shaped book is so inviting and easy to read.

Books I'm packing. Will there even be time to read?

• Theo the Golden by Allen Levi. This is a book club selection. The audiobook is 13 1/2 hours long. If I listen on the plane the whole way there and back I will get close to finishing it. 
• I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. I hadn't really planned to read this one, I wanted to listen to it but the e-book came in from the library, so I'll give it a go.
• The Tomb Guardians by Paul Griffin. Sunday is Easter. I understand this book is a meditation on the crucifiction. It is short and illustrated.
• Little Alleluias by Mary Oliver. My homage to Poetry Month.
• And a big book to take to the pool/beach: either Seven Sisters or Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay. Both are over 400 pages. Gulp. What am I thinking that I'll go to Hawai'i and spend the whole time reading? But what if I do? I can't be caught without something to read. P.S.-I changed my mind. I will NOT take a big book with me. Four books seems like plenty, probably over-the-top!

A Little Easter Humor:

Holy Bunny?!
I've been laughing about this all week.
Happy Easter!

Aloha!

-Anne