Persistence ~ by Jacquolyn McMurrray

Ever since Grace shared her word for the year, I've been thinking about choosing a word of my own.

Photo by Jacquolyn McMurray

After many hikes on Hawai'i island, I've settled on the word PERSISTENCE.  It  astounds me how many examples of persistence are in our natural environment. 

Photo by Len Pestana

Take, for example, the ʻōhiʻa lehua tree that is one of the first plants to establish itself in the Hawaiian lava fields. With precious few nutrients to sustain growth, the seed settles itself in water that has collected in a small depression or crack in the lava and grows into a flowering tree. 

Photo by Roberto Reposo on Unsplash

Or consider the five inch long Hawaiian o'opu ‘alamo‘o stream fish that climbs up all 442 feet of 'Akaka Falls in order to reach the stream that feeds the falls. This persistent creature travels up the slick rocks, against the flow of the falls, with the help of suction disks on its underbelly and its extraordinary fins. The trip is long and arduous, but the instinct to reach the stream overshadows the struggle.



In the front of our house, smothered by a pile of lava rocks, a day lily plant finds her way through the rock fortress to display her brilliant orange petals. 

When was the last time you pushed through a project to display your talents?

Last year it was persistence that helped me complete my first historical romance for Barbour Publishing. This year I'll need to persist even more as I work on my first full length historical fiction. 

Here’s to a year filled with the persistence needed to create your best work! 

Aloha until next time.

   

A magical night at the luau~by Joanne Jaytanie

One of the adventures at the top of my list while visiting The Big Island, was to experience a luau. It was an enchanting evening and the setting was perfection.






We attended the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau, complete with a traditional Imu ceremony. An Imu is an underground oven where a combination of stone, hot coals, and layers of leaves are used to steam the food, in this case, it was a Kalua pig.

The Voyagers of the Pacific show was magical. The luau dancers shared the stories of their ancestors who journeyed from the Polynesian Islands to Hawaii. 

The sunset was a wonderful addition to the evening's events.

I met my youngest fan. He was very cute. I signed a bookmark for him and he snapped a photo. 

We enjoyed great food, an amazing show, and interesting conversation. Jackie and I struck up a conversation with a couple of women sitting across from us. They were teachers ...from Tacoma, WA. It truly is a small world, filled with fascinating adventures. 

If you'd like to read more about my trip to Hawaii, which includes a submarine ride or to learn about my books, Visit my personal page by clicking here

Until next time...

Joanne

I shared Valentine's Day with my characters from Salvaging Truth ~by Joanne Jaytanie

Photo courtesy of Atlantis Submarines

Ralph and I were on The Big Island for Valentine's Day, and he gave me the most incredible Valentine’s

gift. It was an experience he knew I would treasure forever, a voyage under the sea on the Atlantis Submarine.

Not only was it an extraordinary endeavor, but it was also a serendipitous opportunity to immerse myself in Riley and Dagger's submarine mission they experience in Salvaging Truth. Granted, I wasn’t being chased or shot at, but I did get to feel and see the ocean through their eyes. 

Now I’m passing a bit of my and their adventure on to you. 

And just like Riley and Dagger. We found a shipwreck...

Do you know where 70% of the white sand on the Big Island's beaches come from? 

Listen and the first mate will explain.

We descended to 101 feet. It felt both electrifying and serene as we glided along the ocean floor. 

Watch as the submarine ascends. Do you get the sensation of floating in the clouds?

I hope you enjoyed your journey under the sea. 

Did this spark your desire for more...more action, more thrills and mystery, more whodunit?  

Then swing by my page on your way back to shore, and download the first 4 chapters of Salvaging Truth, which includes Riley and Dagger’s submarine mission.

It's my gift to you. CLICK HERE and it will take you to the link. Why wait? You can fall into the pages of your new adventure now...

Until next time...

Mahalo!

The fantastic sights of Hawaii ~ by Joanne Jaytanie

Diamond Head

I've always wanted to visit Hawaii and this week I'm deep in the land of "The Aloha State". Yes, seeing the sights can be expensive, but the moments which are most impressive and memorable, are the things we've done for little or no money. 

While on Oahu, we hiked to the top of Diamond Head.

No matter which direction you looked, the view was spectacular.

At the Punchbowl, we paid our respects to the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

                                    

The manicured grounds are overflowing with burial markers, donned with flowers and flags. 

The iconic Iolani Palace in Honolulu.

We traveled to The Big Island. 

Volcano National Park is a must see if you're ever on Hawaii.

Have you ever seen a black sand beach? It is beautiful. 

The black sand comes from the lava that flows into the ocean and washes up on the shore.

Tomorrow we'll be exploring my friend, Jackie's Farm.

 And making more memories...

                   
Until next time...
Joanne