Water-catchers ... a preview

Like creating an au wai, a water trough, for taro fields ... the ground around the kitchen needed a path to let rain flow.

There's a lot of water -- rain water -- here and in many places in Western Washington after one of the winter storms decided to approach us from the North, skirting the Olympic Mountains, on its way across the sea and the San Juans. Water has been caught, over-flowing in many cases, and with it all inspiration for storytelling is having its way with me.

Two stainless steel bowls become proper water-catchers for simple baths and a luxury shampoo.

I'm working on an 'Aha Update to post here, and a new project that will link Hawaii with us here on the  Prairie Front. It has everything to do with catching water metaphorically and literally. The update winds its way here and there and includes a prophetic bit of writing I did in 2002 while Pete built water tanks (for the company where our son, Christopher Kawika, now works). A true life epic-in-a- post it seems to prove that coming-of-age stories are not reserved for puberty and are instead the activity that keeps life worth living at any age.

Soon, a story begun years ago winds its way here like water. I hope the waiting will be worth it.

"Young writers often think -- are taught to think -- that a story starts with a message. That is not my experience. What's important when you start is simply this: you have a story you want to tell. A seedling that wants to grow. Something in your inner experience is forcing itself towards the light. Attentively and carefully and patiently, you can encourage that, let it happen. Don't force it; trust it. Watch it, water it, let it grow." - Ursula Le Guin