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Bonenkai
Last night was the Oyama Senmaida year-end party. It filled my heart with happiness and my belly with good Chinese food. I am sure my table laughed the most and the loudest. Was it the alcohol? Maybe. Our conversations ranged from looking up how to say fried rice in Chinese (chǎofàn) and French (riz frit),…
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December rush
Yesterday the calendar page turned to December. And because I sauntered through November, hobbled by a bandaged hand, now I am feeling the rush to get all the things done to tie up 2024 with a ribbon and make holidays happy for myself and others. Pressure builds as I resist this highly active wrap up.…
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Community Center Festival
This weekend was the Kamogawa Kominkan Matsuri, a gathering of all the clubs, circles, and hobby groups that meet at the city’s community centers. Each showed off their activities at the city gymnasium. It was like the craft hall of a county fair. There are so many interesting hobby clubs in this town. Who knew?…
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Camera Roll
Looking at the world around me and finding interest in the mundane. Let’s start with cats. They are always interesting. The weather is cooling down so they are seeking warm places and changing their daily routines Nature continues to provide beautiful moments. I have played in my studio lots this month. For every project I…
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Cat bite
Friday night my friend from Oyama Senmaida, Mai-kun, trotted over to 555 and tried to enter the cat door. I am sure he wanted a snack and cuddles, but Fritter on the inside of the door was having none of it. They were both growling and angry. I ran outside to send Mai home. He…
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Peace is harder than war
Peace is a hard choice. It’s not flowers, dreamy moods, and bohemian fashion choices. It’s patching broken things together. Peace beings the satori that we seek – the way into heaven. Peace needs deep introspection and letting go of fear, and ego. It’s hard work, whether it is personal peace or world peace. War is…
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Bad News for Food Prices?
As much as the incoming US administration promises to reduce inflation and boost the economy, some of their policies are going to end up increasing food prices. Here are four reasons why I see this happening: Climate Change Food prices start with raw ingredients. There is a move afoot to remove the words “climate change”…
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Meditation mind(s)
My mind is a whirlwind, even when I calm it. This morning in Satoyama Yoga we sat in silent meditation. We do this every month on the 2nd Sunday and at this point the regular members of my class have been introduced to dozens of ways to practice. Today after stretching our bodies, we each…
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Lotus Roots
Today I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Takahashi, who grows lotus root in our area. I went to visit him with my friend Chio and her sister. And with a fresh face to impress, he took us out to the field and showed us how the harvest is done. It was fascinating. The field…
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Yumbo!
We did it! 15 participants from all over Japan joined the Yumbo course that I helped to organise with Chio Yamada from Hosei Sansho and Isono-san from Nihon Kenki. Everyone got their skill certifications and can legally operate small construction machines: excavators, bulldozers, and tractor shovels under 3 tons. The first day was 7 hours…
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