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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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Herniated Disc
In mid-March, I injured my spine in an unexpected movement where my legs twisted and my torso did not. Ouch! I hoped it would heal itself, but after eight weeks had passed, it seemed to be getting worse rather than better. So I went to the doctor at the beginning of May. The orthopedist’s exam…
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No Kings Protest
Our last day in the US coincided with the No Kings protests and I was happy to find that there was one scheduled in Gloucester, the next town over from where we were staying. I signed up. I spent some early mornings turning paper plates and cereal boxes into protest signs. I had conversations with…
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After six years…USA
Last week, Tod & I travelled to America for the first time since my mother’s funeral in 2019. It’s actually our first overseas travel at all since that time. The pandemic set in; Tod had a busy job; then we built a house…a lot has happened that kept us happily in Japan. I really didn’t…
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On the Board
大山千枚田保存会 has its first foreign director. Last night at the Annual General Meeting, I was appointed to the board of directors at Oyama Senmaida. It’s an honor. For the next two years, I will help to shape the direction of the organization. 理事会のメンバーに選んでいただき、心から感謝しています。大山千枚田のために精一杯頑張ります。この機会をいただき、本当にありがとうございます！ I’m delighted. Sometimes I wonder if my enthusiastic foreignness and awkward language…
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Outlook on Aging
Nearly 60 now, I’m no spring chicken. That’s okay. I enjoy the process of aging most of the time. It’s empowering even though there are downsides. The reality of my demise is always with me. I’m not afraid of it; but I am acutely aware of all the changes inside and out. Lately I’ve come…
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Osaka Expo
After months of negative reports on the nightly news and in online forums, my expectations were low for the Expo. But the World’s Fair romantic in me was still excited to go see what was there. Osaka 2025 did not disappoint. Yes, there were crowds but they were manageable. Yes, the food was too expensive…
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Gankoyama
Our hilly neighborhood has a lot of named peaks: Futatsuyama, Tomisan, Iyogatake, Hitoboneyama. The peaks are low, but the list is long. Tod has spent years researching them and getting to the top of as many as possible. One of them, Gankoyama, is within walking distance of home but finding the trailhead has been elusive.…
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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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Spring Petal Colors
There are so many flowers blooming right now. Of course I decided to see if I could make color with them. I had some successes and some failures. YAMABUKI (Japanese Kerria) was a success. A bright yellow, as hoped. These are from the Kawasaki’s bush that flowered abundantly this year. BUGLEWEED produced a palid purple-grey.…
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