Archives

Category: Household
  • Camera Roll

    Camera Roll

    Summer has flown by in a haze of herniated disc pain and heat exhaustion, both of which are finally subsiding. Despite being housebound for most of two months, I captured some of the beauty in my world. Let me share it with you via all the Instagram Stories I’ve posted.

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  • About the barn

    About the barn

    While we were building the house, we’d set aside extra materials, our purchasing mistakes, and crazy ideas “for the barn.” It became a running joke. For example, the bathroom window I ordered that was too small? No problem, we’ll use it in the barn. A light fixture that didn’t suit the kitchen – save it…

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  • Surprises in the Overgrowth

    Surprises in the Overgrowth

    This Mountain Day morning, I decided to take my coffee outside and walk around 555. We’ve had a couple days of windy rain and I wanted to pick up any fallen branches in the driveway. A small daily joy is to wander around in my nightgown and garden boots. I am definitely a member of…

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  • Summer Attractions

    Summer Attractions

    Summer in Japan is full of festivals and events. I feel like a sweaty social butterfly. Kamogawa Citizen’s Fireworks Although we’ve lived in Kamogawa for a decade, this is the first time we’ve taken in the beach fireworks. They were quite spectacular – lots of multicolored rainbow explosions reflecting on the water and waves. We…

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  • Cat Report

    Cat Report

    One of the hallmarks of my morning yoga class was the “cat report.” It started as a way for me to keep everyone distracted during a particular movement, and became a regular thing. I miss giving a cat report and yesterday’s activities merit some reporting. So here we are a cat report for you. Beryl…

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  • Camera Roll

    Camera Roll

    Life is flowing along from rainy season into summer. Every day brings beautiful, memorable, and wonderful moments. Here are a few from recent weeks. There were two notable human interest articles in the local paper – a profile of me now that I’m on the Oyama Senmaida board, and an interview with Iku-chan about her…

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  • Getting a headboard

    Getting a headboard

    One of the things on my “to do” list since we moved into 555 twenty-one months ago was to find a headboard for our bed. I’d bodged together something with pillows and foamcore when we first moved in, but it started falling apart. It was time to sort out a better option. Also, Beryl loves…

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  • May flowers

    May flowers

    We had some April showers and now there are flowers everywhere. Here is a roundup of interesting blossoms in my yard and garden today.

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  • Pre-summer calendar

    Pre-summer calendar

    As usual, spring has renewed my energy and I have quite a schedule of activities in the next two months. In fact, I had to draw up a calendar on paper so Tod can keep track of me. Plus there are guests coming, woodworking projects, more botanical color making and my own art, never-ending garden…

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  • Early morning bird situation

    Early morning bird situation

    I stepped outside with my coffee this morning, hoping to take in the fresh air and sunrise. I ended up in a situation that escalated quickly. Fritter was way over by the blueberries, gaze focussed on the netting. There was a trapped treasure: a bird, a juvenile hiyodori, flitted from side to side of the…

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