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Maybe I should sell my property on the Big Island and move to Santa Cruz -- no crime, no fraud, no racism, no bullying in the schools, all the real estate people are honest, all the beaches are white sand*, all the Kona coffee is 100% -- sounds like paradise on earth! And with Trader Joe's, cheap milk, and an amazing selection of food and merchandise on all levels! And drought and tiny palms! Heck yeah! Let's go! Tell me who is wearing the rose-colored glasses again? Sorry Axel, it's my wicked alter ego at work. You and your family are quite content where you live now; Voltaire would approve. Each must cultivate his own garden. You've checked out the dream, and it's not really your dream after all. Now you know. Do come visit again, you will be welcome. *Nevermind the hypothermia-inducing water temperature

I hope I get to see it first hand Bill, still not completely certain on our schedule. I'm okay with a weed or two, has a more natural look in my opnion...

Top job Matty. Coincidentily I took a photo of mine this morning, it's not as chunky as some others I've seen, but I'm still happy with it. Good luck to yours.

Kentiopsis oliviformis- SURVIVED (protected with heat second freeze event).......Does this mean it survived the advective vortex without protection? Beccariophoenix alfredii-STILL WAITING-spear pulled but 2nd petiole seems to be growing out. Complete defoliation.....no protection for both events? Roystonea regia-SURVIVED (protected both events)..... heated protection or frost cloth? Dypsis mahajangah-STILL WAITING-spear pulled but 2nd petiole seems to be growing out. Complete defiliation......no protection for both events? Dypsis decipiens-SURVIVED-had major foliage damage but new spear has already opened....same questions no protection for both events?.....winner, winner chicken dinner! Parajubaea sunkha-SURVIVED-spear pulled but now is replaced. Leaves never browned. (Protected with heat 2nd freeze event)....no protection for first event

I don't want to beat this to death, but I had to laugh -- yesterday I went to Trader Joe's. The parking lot in this particular shopping center was overflowing with Sunday traffic, to the point there were people in orange vests directing cars in and out. Inside, shoppers were elbow to elbow selecting food almost exclusively wrapped in plastic, pre-sorted packages, or frozen, or in boxes. (Edit: I don't know what happened -- couldn't finish typing my post, weird!) Yeah, they have all those orchids for $12, and lots of interesting imported foods. Fine. "Would you be willing to give up Trader Joes? :)" asks Axel. Let's flip that around. At the Hilo, Pahoa, or Maku'u Farmer's Markets, I can get fresh organic local produce for prices similar to Trader Joe's or less. Bananas come in many colors and sizes, not just the Chiquita version. Sellers will snip bunches of fresh herbs and sprouts for me, exotic tropical fruits are fresh, ripe, and cheap, and while I'm shopping, I can listen to local musicians, or consume a freshly made French-style crepe stuffed with artichoke hearts and olives, or try some barbecued kalua pork on a sandwich. I always run into a number of people I know, so it's a social visit, too. I take my time, visit the plant vendors who know me now, and bring a bromeliad, palm, or vireya they know I will like, and often make a stop at the $5 orchid table for blossoms to decorate the home, then later set out in the ferns in the garden. In Pahoa, I can line up for freshly pounded Thai green papaya salad, just-right spicy, and the lime as fresh as it gets. Best of all, this occurs outdoors, under airy tarps in the Hawaiian sunshine (or soft warm rain). "Would you be willing to give up Hilo/Pahoa/Maku'u Farmer's Markets?" Oh no, now you are asking too much!