Good Night Moon ... the stories we heard, the stories we have told

Life is nothing if it is not an adventure. 

-Helen Keller

We have started a wonderful story here.  Nearly a month of moons has passed and we have told stories, stories about the moon, stories that have very little to do with the moon, but somehow they too ... those tendril stories have wanted to be here.  The traditional culture of the Hawaiian people, the Kanaka is based on story.  Stories that were once only spoken and remembered lay the foundation for a culture that has adjusted and adapted over time.  We have loved this month of storytelling.  Through the vessel of the Internet, we gathered, researched, and pieced together history and present.  You, the readers come to the cyberpage and read and from your dear selves some thing vibrates or not and new stories begin.  We're not in charge of when or how the new stories will grow, or to whom they will be told.  But, they are probably germinating now.

The lovely little song born from the children's book GOOD NIGHT MOON is just such a germination.  Did you hear that book?  Who was it that read you that book the first time?  If you've not read it, now that you've heard the song, maybe you'll want to read it, too. 

KAloa Pau, KAne, Lono ... the next three days/moons, plant and prayers

COUNT ON THE MOON is now in its final moons.  As I write, it is KAloa Pau.  I have caught up with the moons, after learning during the 'Ole Cycle, that I had been using a mixed clock for telling the time.  My dear Pete said, "Refining.  That's what happens when you keep learning."  I loved that we can talk about happenings and one of us will feed the other with something as telling and affirming as that.  Yes, even as I pen the posts and tell the best story possible, there will be refinements. 

KAloa Pau is a good time for planting.  I have Blue Lake Beans soaked and ready to go into the ground today.  I hear the rain splatter on the Quonset, and think of Pete out at the food bank garden.  Spring is barely here, though the temperatures are warm the blowing makani (wind) cools things. 

Tomorrow and Friday are the moons of KAne and Lono, these are moons considered kapu (sacred) and reserved for prayers to the god KAne (giver of life) and Lono (among other kuleana ... food).  So Thursday and Friday are times when prayers for health and food will be especially well-received.  We have dear ones on O'ahu who are having a time of health challenge.  We malama them with our aloha, keep in touch, keep them in our prayers, and ask akua KAne an Lono to be with them as they make their way.  We pray also for our own well-being, and give thanks for the blessings of one more moon, one more sunrise.  We also mahalo all of you for your presence, your involvement and your readership.  Mahalo for taking the poll over there on the sidebar, giving us an idea of what these stories have done for you, and how we can refine and continue to be of service to your curiosity and your journey.

We will continue this venture with a Part 2 of COUNT ON THE MOON focused this time of 'Malama I Ka `Aina'  Care for the Land.  Here is a link to PREVIEW the new workshop that starts with MUKU (Hawaiian New Moon), Sunday, MAY 1st.  We'd love to have you continue with us, and welcome your feedback in the comments or through email.  If you have friends or 'ohana who might be interested in this storytelling, please pass the word along.

What's growing in your gardens?  We'd love to hear about it, or see pictures of your plantings.

Are there prayers that we can send during the nights of KAne and Lono?