Time for another photo dump of my Instagram Stories. Here are some scenes of daily life from the past month, in reverse chronological order. It’s been a good month of early autumn weather, making color, teaching art, and noticing the small joys of each day. Also, cats.
The praying mantis ran up my arm like it recognised me and hung out in my hair and on my shoulders for almost half an hour. Then it suddenly left and resumed “annoyed mantis” behaviour. I swear it had been possessed by a friend. Who was it?
I am involved in two new upcoming events: a Drawing Meditations retreat on Nov 1 and a community light-up project to coincide with Oyama Senmaida’s Tanada Akari. I really can’t stay bored for long.
Japan’s politics are turning towards anti-foreigner sentiments. This impacts me so I shared the rebuttals to some of the talking points like “foreigners are buying up all the land” and “foreign students get government stipends”
It’s been a decade since we arrived in Kamogawa. Time has flown. I love it here more than ever.
The equinox brought cooler weather, finally. Summer was brutal, but it’s over.
This set of four truly sums up what I do: make art supplies; play in nature; feed cats; enjoy Tod’s cooking.
Paper chromatography shows the different chemical elements of the alcohol solution. In this case xanthophyl, chlorophyls A and B from ramie leaves.
The hornet nest disappeared a couple days after I found it. Nobody knows who did it. Takao-san suggested someone wanted it for decoration.
And that’s what I shared on Instagram. What didn’t I share? Minor failures (learning opportunities!) and mundane moments.
And some photos from Oyama Senmaida.
Instagram is a highlight reel, for sure. But it’s worth remembering the good times and letting the bad moments fade away.
