by kuri | May 9, 2022 | Japan, Personal Reflections
Today I said goodbye to a friend from our neighborhood who is leaving for new adventures. She’s been a colorful character in our area for several years and as the only middle-aged white American women in this part of Chiba, we’ve become close and had each...
by kuri | Feb 8, 2022 | Personal Reflections, The Wider World
I don’t share them often in public, but I have opinions, political views, and strong ideas about how things could be better in the world. I am anti-conspiracy, pro-science, anti-racist, feminist, pro-LGBTQ+, and anti-consumerism. I believe there’s beauty...
by kuri | Feb 4, 2022 | Japan, Personal Reflections
Test result said “negative,” but the Omicron-like symptoms said yes. We will never be sure. For about a week, Tod & I had raw sore throat & congestion, cough, runny nose, exhaustion, brain fog, and digestive problems. But neither of us had fever,...
by kuri | Feb 1, 2022 | Personal Reflections
I have been waiting for today for 40 years. Ever since my first menstrual cycle at the late age of 15, I looked forward to the end of them. I never wanted children, so the whole middle phase of the Maiden-Mother-Crone cycle was troublesome and unwelcome for me. And...
by kuri | Dec 31, 2021 | Personal Reflections
Go, go, go! Small steps to big plans. 12 tons of tiles, a full-time job, and fresh faces. Kominka burned, making way for different dreams. 2020: Dystopia from our safe haven. Pandemic realigned me with art, teaching, and daily yoga practice via Zoom. Deeply mourned...
by kuri | Dec 28, 2021 | Creativity, Personal Reflections, Wonderful Words
It came to me this morning, and settled solidly as the correct word after I had tried on and discarded dozens of candidates. WONDER will guide me in 2022. I considered rise, set, learn, blossom, build, act. They are all good, but none quite felt like the right next...
by kuri | Dec 26, 2021 | Household, Personal Reflections
I feel like I planned poorly for this holiday, though I did my best. I made an artful painted tree a couple of weeks ago and hung solar lights on the “Christmas bush” at the edge of the driveway. I did, finally, host a cookie exchange – my first in...
by kuri | Dec 14, 2021 | Japan, Personal Reflections
Southern Chiba’s low and rolling mountains are criss-crossed with old roads, ancient cow trails, and other overgrown signs of past habitation. Walking them together is our happy time on weekends. Tod is very good at spotting interesting little mountain turnoffs...
by kuri | Oct 14, 2021 | Household, Personal Reflections
We discussed what to do for our anniversary this year. Travel is traditionally our celebration, but after 18 months of staying home during the pandemic, it’s feels uncomfortable to plan a holiday. So instead, we bought a clock. Because it is our 32nd...
by kuri | Sep 21, 2021 | Cats, Drawings
As often happens, Maura decided to help me at my desk this morning. But today, his assistance created a beautiful composition on top of the armatures I was exploring. Thanks, Maura. You’re a good boy.
