A Living Museum in Auckland New Zealand

A Living Museum in Auckland New Zealand

Suppose it would be interesting to see The New Zealand Olympic Museum in Wellington.  There I could see the Maori Cloak that was presented to the NZ Olympic Committee by the Maori Queen, Te Arikinue Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Could also have a look at Peter Snell's running shoes, but instead, I've had an extended stay not only with my daughter at The East West Center, University of Hawai'i but with my sister and her family in their LIVING MUSEUM in Auckland.

The Webster's would surely win the Gold Medal for "living", not wasting and leaving our world a better place.  Hmmm.  It would be interesting to have some sort of "Global Olympics" to see who, which family household, or, for that matter, which country does the very best at just THAT!

Waste?  They waste almost nothing and like several others they have a compost, of course.  Sharing the work?  it happens every day...and most of the time, joyously.  Buying presents?  They give deeds, experiences, handmade items and occasionally items from the Op Shop or trademe.com, similar to craigslist.com.  Two recent items from trademe.com : a bread making machine and a lawn mower.  Two handmade items, a tea strainer made from old nylon stockings and a bamboo curtain.  Yup, curtain.  When the grandchildren come it  is writing to read time as the kitchen, with their 1928 stove which is tucked inside the fireplace, becomes "Nibbles and Gobbles Restaurant" with squeals of giggles.  Grandkids that make new year's resolutions like "I will not whine." and "I will not shout" and kids that play violin and "Bob the Builder" with a song, "YES we CAN!" 

Laundry is usually soaking in the sun in their back yard next to the rugby field.  Days unfold under the hard-to-notice orchestration of the household managers, Lois and Steve, with laughter, porridge, and homemade everything.  Construction of the backyard building is ongoing, slow but steady, (Just as the house painting job was years ago when Friday was the only designated day for painting.)  Grandma, Violetti and The Atiga Family next store in #10 are the highlight for anyone staying at #12.  Some even get to go to the Tongan Church that Grandpa started.  Lois's clever shopping for fresh veggies makes every meal a delight along with Tumoana's cooking and the herb garden out back.  Japanese and Russian house guests give an added texture to "talk story" evenings.  Entertainment? Well that's ongoing as well; friends popping by, the game Thirteen,  Carolyn's buddha books and blended fruit cocktails, family readings and just being around Tim and Tumoana, and listening to Marion's laughter.  Everyone's treated when they take their 1912 wooden mullet sailboat out for a spin or head for the famous surfing town, Raglan to visit son, Ste'en.

Sounds fun, aye?  Well it is not all perfect.  Nope! There is a leak in their roof.  

But, n, n, no, not to worry, it is a small leak and only a few drops might occasionally fall.  

So if you entered their New Zealand home today, you would see a beautiful bucket hanging high above your head. Yep, adding a wee bit of ambiance and decoration of their many celebrations!!!

(And if you ever read this Lois Anne...mahalo, domo arrigato gozaimasu, muchas gracias, merci bien and DANKA DANKA for everything. Mom and Dad are proud of you TOO.)