Life on Maui: The Important Stuff Comes First.

I realized this morning that when it comes to the news of the day, my priorities are quite different from most folks … at least if I’m to be judged on the order of the web sites I visit after turning on the computer in the morning.

First up is the Sports Section of the Boston Globe, more specifically, any stories concerning the Boston Red Sox. This is serious stuff: the search for a new manager is nearing a resolution; free agent players are leaving; others may or may not be re-signed; and trades are under discussion.

Next comes breakfast. There is juice from our own oranges, picked five minutes earlier, fresh brewed cappuccino made with coffee grown a dozen miles from here, and a couple of slices of toast. The bread comes from a little hole-in-the-wall bakery a mile down the road.

The morning edition of the Maui News goes nicely with all that and my first news story of choice is whatever carries the by-line of ace staff writer, and daughter, Ilima Loomis.

Then it’s back to the computer to check emails and – finally – a quick review of the news of the day with a very brief stop at CNN, followed by the incredible jumble that is the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s web site, and finally the New York Times, still the gold standard of journalism.

I stretch all that out as far as possible … until 9:30, if I’m lucky. That’s when I am confronted with my to-do list for the day. Usually, it’s thrust in front of my face, blocking my view of the monitor. Today it’s finish washing windows (we have guests coming for the long weekend) and spread horse poop on the pasture.

And I have to get cracking. At 2:00, the Boston Bruins are playing the Buffalo Sabres on TV.