-
Wara no junbi
At Oyama Senmaida, the season’s first official harvest activity is on Sunday, when the sake owners’ program brings in its three paddies of grain. I was there for the planting and I’ll be there for harvest, too. There is lots of work to be done before the owners come for their event. One of the…
-
Typhoons incoming
Last weekend was the annual festival at Oyama Fudoson, where the seven local villages carry their portable shrines up the mountain to pray for rain to swell the rice before harvest. I think those prayers may have worked too well (but too late) this year. A couple weeks ago the JMA made its three month…
-
Camera Roll
A roundup of photos from the last month. Pictures telling 1000 words and mark memories for me. It’s been a slow couple of weeks mostly hiding from the hottest summer on record with art, cats, craft, flowers, and activities at Oyama Senmaida Come back next month for more photos I might have shared on Instagram.
-
Hand Meditations
For the FEWture Conference in June, I presented a thematic drawing mediation activity around hands. When my friend came over this weekend, she paged through the sample book I’d prepared and thought it looks interesting, so we drew some hand meditations at the dining room table. Drawing Meditations can take many forms, but the basic…
-
Path to Fulfillment
Hey there, Completer! We are about to make our first step to completing our life’s work and unfinished projects. So first we need to figure out what that work is, and which projects are most important to us. As we embark on this journey together this month, our goal is to create a comprehensive list…
-
Paneer vs Chikko
As a fun Saturday project, Tod suggested we make paneer. I was on board with that because I have been wanting to make the Chiba version of paneer, chikko katametano. Chikko katametano (entirely too long a name, so I just call it chikko) is traditionally made with colostrum, but since that’s not available unless you…
-
Crystal Altar in the Crack
Woo Alert: I am a firm believer in science and also an advocate of talismans and magic. These things coexist comfortably for me. If that’s not the case for you, it’s understandable. I have friends on both sides of science and woo, but few in the middle with me. Anyway, I set up my first…
-
Paper sculptures
Allow me to introduce you to three pieces of art that I have worked on recently. “Love Letter” is an assemblage made with hand-formed paper, milled card stock, copper wire, cotton thread, wood beads, cedar board, red iron oxide, watercolor, and ink. I immediately recognised the initial form of the handmade paper as an envelope…
-
Band-aiding over minor problems
Sometimes life throws stuff my way that’s not a major issue, but still irritates my mind, aggravates my body, or troubles my soul. I used to let these problems build up until I was overwhelmed but I am learning to take action sooner, in smaller ways. Solutions don’t have to be perfect to be effective.…
-
Green melon salsa
Summer fruits make good toppings for savory meals when you turn them into salsa. My basic recipe pairs sweet fruit with sour, salt, and spicy elements and a kick of herbs. I make variations of it with whatever fruits and herbs we have through the season; I adore mango salsa but mangos are rare. This…
Archives