In my previous Hawaii post, I mentioned our “friends” – the sweet little Brazilian cardinals that graced our lanai – always in pairs. They simply delight us every visit to Kauai.
You’d think it would get old, but no – every time we see them we light up and call out “hello friends” and feed them crumbs of bread, even though we know it’s probably not a good idea.
We had a pair that visited us daily the whole 10 days were in there. On the 8th day, we were sitting on the couch and all of a sudden heard loud commotion coming from the deck. Our friends had brought more friends, and instead of one pair – there were 8 pairs! Yes, that is 16 cardinals (and a lone mourning dove) chattering on the railing, the table, the deck, the chairs. One pair was continually arguing like an old married couple. It was such fun.
Kristin left the sliding door open as we watched and continued to feed them, and one brave soul actually hopped up and ventured into the condo to partake of the crumbs you see on the carpet.
And with as many cardinals as we saw on this trip, we saw even more chickens. We don’t call them friends…. no, instead, every time we see one we call out – in a loud and alarmed voice, CHICKEN!!!! It has become the natural response anytime one appears. I did it without thinking when there was a woman near us at the Hanalei Valley lookout. She laughed.
Chickens, freed from their coops during the 1992 Hurricane Iniki, literally run amok on Kauai. They are at the beach, on the golf course, in parking lots, fields, along side the road. Unless you’ve been there it is difficult to imagine the magnitude of the chicken population, So Kristin and I decided to try and count them.
In a 2 mile stretch, we counted 99 chickens along the side of the road. And those were just the ones we could see – you know there are more lurking in the shrubbery. Why someone doesn’t round these guys up is beyond me. Any ideas how they should do it?
I am generally pretty averse to taking drugs – prescription or over the counter. I know there are those who have conditions requiring drugs for health, mental stability or quality of life, but I’m not one of them. 
Place corn tostada shell in a metal or foil pie plate. Spoon about 1/2 cup rice and 1/2 cup black beans on top. Top with shredded chicken and a little grated cheese.
Then top with lettuce, pico de gallo, tortilla chips, a few sprigs of cilantro and a little grated cotija or parmesan.
However, Johnny Weir was robbed.
My daughter can sing.
They’ve been rehearsing and in the studio for months – and finally have a couple of tracks for their new album ready to be heard.
Since I can’t eat the food I love, I’ll write about it and make you hungry for it too.
